Book 16: Chapter 30


    I had been to the dungeon once before. Thest time I went down there, I was left with my most painful memory. If we were to say that my heart has been wounded with des, then that time would be the first de wound I received to my heart. That was also the first time I held Mera in my arms. The first time I held her in my arms, however, I was covered in her blood. It was the first time I held her in my arms, but the warmth came from her blood spurting forth until she had none left to spill.


    I was the one who dealt the fatal blow to her. I killed Mera with my own hands. I was the one who stained my body with her blood. Therefore, I still avoided the dungeon. Everybody has a memory they dont want to recall or a ce they dont want to go near. Nevertheless, I ended up visiting it in the end.


    I gently ced my hand on the damp wall. I was somewhat hesitant to descend the stairs. Lucia touched my hand and reassured, Your Highness, theres no need to feel nervous. I really dislike the moist and dark dungeon, as well, but since you have something to do, show some courage.


    Why dont you want toe with me when you know I dont like it?


    Didnt I just tell you? I dont like it down there.


    Lucia mischievously smiled then gave me a push downstairs. I let out a hopeless sigh.


    I guess there werent any fans of the prison amongst the elves, which would exin why not even Mom visited it. That had to mean the ce was a cruel ce of torture for elves, then. As a half-elf, half-human, I didnt mind it. I wasnt fond of the ce purely due to what happened in the past.


    I descended. I formed a fireball on my hand. I learnt the spell from Mommy Vyvyan. With it, I didnt need a fire torch. It wasnt actually dark down there, in saying that. A light from somewhere provided the surroundings with a natural light. I grouchily erased my fireball.


    I beg you please


    As soon as I arrived below, something akin to a ball rolled over from the side, clung to my leg and wailed. She gave me a fright with her sudden appearance, which almost led to me shrieking. Nevertheless, I quickly realised it was the kid. I lowered my head to look at her filthy face. Her clothes were evidently torn and tattered, not due to friction but her tearing it herself. It was evident that she was mentally broken. I looked at the surrounding white walls. I still couldnt figure out where the natural light came from.


    I didnt understand why elves were scared of the prison. I thought it was an incrediblyfortable environmentpared to humanitys dungeon. Moreover, food was decent. Mom didnt abuse the girl. The food and water Mom provided was there, but it had been tipped over.


    I beg you please let me go let me leave this ce I can hear the voice I can hear voices everywhere I go I dont want to hear the voices anymore I dont want to hear them anymore! I Im sorry for what I did! Im sorry I beg you please take me away from here. You can even kill me if you want, but just please let me leave this ce!! The kid clung to me and cried until she looked unseemly.


    I pulled her up from my leg. She cried as she waddled around in the air. She was simr to a dog leaping up. I didnt ask her anything. Instead, I carried her upstairs.


    Your Highness, whoa, that quick?!


    Lucia was stunned to see me. Nevertheless, she was soon startled upon noticing that I was carrying the kid. She quickly came over to hold the kid. Perhaps it was due to her first time being a mother that Lucia carefully hugged the kid. She personally wiped the filth off the kids face. I had no idea where all the filth came from. Lucia continued by gently consoling her.


    I sighed: Lucia, why are you elves so scared of being down there? I dont think its scary whatsoever. Id say its pretty goodpared to the dungeon in humanitys Royal Pce. Ive also been to the churchs dungeon. Thats what Id call horrifying.


    Lucia fiddled with my ears then softly exined: The truth is theres magic down there; or rather, an ability that leaves behind a voice. You have different ears to us, which is why you cant hear it. We, on the other hand, can hear it and it wont ever stop. Itll continue to repeat to us, Do you know your sin? Itll continue to repeat it perpetually no matter what we do. Not even covering our ears will help. For that reason, elves usually lose their sanity once they go down there.


    Feeling sorry for the crying kid, Lucia pulled her into her embrace. In a quiet voice, she opined, Whatever the case is, she didnt cause any serious harm to others, yet has to suffer this. I honestly feel that its excessive.


    Its pointless for you to tell me that It was Mom who sent her here


    Its enough now, right? This will be Nona and Vera in a few years time. If Nona and Vera err in the future, are you going to send them here, too?!


    Ah No I sighed. I rubbed my head afterwards.


    It should be enough now, right? Your Highness, has this not been enough of a punishment to her? It should be enough, shouldnt it? So so, lets stop. Shes still a kid.


    I sighed: Im not too willing to forgive her solely because she shes a kid Its too unfair. I think th-


    But she hasnt done anything thats gone too far, has she? Despite what she did in the sealed-off forest, she didnt harm anyone seriously. The worst damage she did was cause a few injuries. Theres no need to go so far as to kill her, is there? She Shes just an ordinary dark elf. However, Mera tch Dark elves arent good news, but I think a child dark elf wouldnt be so violent. We just need to treat her properly. Those were the mistakes of the dark elves. As long as we educate and take care of this girl, she wont turn out the same way.


    Lucias gaze turned a little cold once she mentioned Mera. Lucia detested Mera to the core. In spite of what happened at the beginning, Lucia couldnt forgive her for almost killing me at the end.


    I sighed and rubbed Lucias head: Since youve said that, mm I dont think that its impossible Its just that Ill need to tell Mom. Additionally, Im certain this girl cant live inside the imperial pce. Do we have to take her to the North? Mm I dont mind.


    Lets do that, then! I dont want I dont want to kill a child. Thats a sin that God cant forgive! She has a future! She still has a future!!!