Chapter 42

When Talli woke up the next day, she felt an intense pain all over her body.

She tried to get out of bed, but staggered and felt the world spinning around her.

A maid rushed in and quickly helped her. “Second young lady, your body has not fully healed yet. Please return to bed and rest.”

Talli asked, “Am I seriously injured?”

The maid replied, “The arrow you were struck with last night was poisoned. The doctor said it was a lethal poison, designed to kill with a single strike. But for some reason, you survived.”

She helped Talli back into bed.

Talli understood that the elven bloodline had the ability to purify toxins. That was probably why she managed to survive.

After the maid left, Talli leaned against the headboard, finding it hard to breathe.

She could barely lift a finger.

The whole night passed, and yet, dusk was still nowhere to be found.

She had to accept the fact that he was gone.

Perhaps he had accepted her suggestion and returned to the abyss. What saddened her, though, was that he left without saying a word, without leaving even a single line of communication.

All traces of his existence had completely vanished.

Talli clutched the blanket and closed her eyes to rest.

…In any case, now was not the time to mourn.

She had been poisoned with a deadly toxin and was now practically a cripple. It was uncertain how long it would take for the elven bloodline in her body to purify the poison. But at least, until the day of the sacrifice, the head of the Fred family could be at ease, not having to worry about her escaping.

Over the past few days, Carl had visited her several times, deeply concerned about her.

Talli had asked him to buy some things she needed for preparation.

On the day of the sacrifice, Talli woke up early and prepared a soundstone, which she entrusted to the maid to deliver to Carl.

She could barely stand on her own now.

Looking into the mirror, she saw her pale face, her lips devoid of color, with faint dark circles under her eyes. The areas on her cheeks where the arrows had grazed were just beginning to heal, leaving behind a deep pink scar. The maids covered the scar with makeup and dressed her in the elaborate platinum-colored robes for the ceremony, then led her to the entrance of the underground passage.

Her eyes were blindfolded, and she was guided step by step by the person leading her.

She didn’t know how long it had been, but she could smell the scent of burning candles.

The blindfold was pulled off, and Talli found herself in a dark forest. In front of her was a powerful magic circle set up by several mages, radiating golden-purple star-shaped lights that spun constantly under the gloomy sky.

Talli turned her head and saw the head of the family, leaning on his cane. He tapped it lightly and commanded, “Take her up.”

Several people were about to escort Talli away, but she gritted her teeth and shook off their hands that were restraining her arms. Coldly, she said, “I can walk by myself.”

She walked step by step to the center of the magic circle, standing in the light, alone and isolated, looking like a solitary white bird.

The immense magical pressure forced her to kneel. Her hands were bound in front of her, and she lowered her head deeply, feeling as though her spine was being crushed.

She gritted her teeth, not letting out a single sound of pain.

Suddenly, a violent wind surged. The rustling of tree shadows echoed, like the frantic movements of a demon.

Confused footsteps and cries of alarm came from nearby.

“Young master, young master, you can’t go down there!!”

“Quick, stop him!”

“Miss, watch your step!”

“Ah—”

The blonde-haired young man burst out from the underground stairwell. His eyes were bloodshot, holding a shattered soundstone in his hand, his face filled with anger and disbelief. “Talli!! Talli, come back—”

Behind him, a girl who had followed him stumbled and fell to the ground. She reached out with a sorrowful expression. “Carl, don’t go!”

The servant who had caught up shouted frantically. “Miss Theresa!”

The head of the Fred family furrowed his brows in displeasure. “Why is he here? Stop him!”

Several guards stepped forward cautiously with swords in hand, fearing they might harm him.

Carl drew his sword from its sheath, swinging it furiously, the white light of the blade cutting sharply through the air. “Get away, don’t come near me!”

The guards quickly dispersed, none daring to approach him.

The head of the Fred family pressed his fingers to his forehead. “Increase the speed!”

The magic circle spun faster. Talli felt a crushing weight on her back, as if a thousand pounds had been added. She could barely hold herself up, a sharp pain in her chest causing her to cough up a mouthful of blood.

The bright red blood stained her white gown, vivid and glaring.

Carl reached the edge of the magic circle. He tried to step into the area but was blocked. His sword struck the transparent barrier, and his hand split open at the palm, blood dripping from the wound.

“…It’s useless.”

Talli’s weak voice echoed. “Carl, give up.”

He knelt to the ground, the sword falling from his hand, a painful whimper escaping from his throat.

Talli struggled to keep her eyes open. She looked at the shattered soundstone on the ground. “You already know.”

“Yes…”

The young man squeezed out a broken, faint voice from his throat. His face twisted in pain as he knelt in front of her, his face buried in his hands, his shoulders shaking.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry… Sister… I couldn’t protect Mom, and I couldn’t protect you…”

The last time, his mother had died before his eyes.

This time, his sister left before his eyes.

The usually proud and self-assured young man had bitter tears leaking from the gaps between his palms.

The magic circle spun faster, the howling wind drowning out the screams of the crowd, and no one dared to approach.

Only Talli’s faint voice, like a whisper, reached his ears through the flashing light:

“…Carl, I want you to promise me something.”

Her voice was weak but firm: “Abolish the ritual of sacrificing living people, Carl. You are the future head of the family. Protect them, don’t let them suffer this harm again.”

Blood trickled from the corner of her lips, turning her pale lips bright and striking. Her gaze at this moment was directed at him, as if she were saying, “Pull yourself together,”

“There are others waiting for you to protect them.”

“Carl!!”

The roar of the head of the Fred family signaled his patience had run out.

“I promise you, I promise you…”

Carl answered her, his palm pressed against the barrier. His clear blue eyes were filled with tears. His voice was hoarse, pleading softly and desperately, “Sister, please, don’t leave me…”

At least stay alive… survive…

Talli closed her eyes. She fell within the magic circle, and the swirling disc in the center seemed bottomless, gradually tearing and expanding, swallowing her frail body.

In the light, she finally opened her eyes, looking at the blonde-haired youth.

“Carl…”

Her voice was ethereal, as if coming from the heavens, her violet eyes seeming to meet those of Mrs. Fred, who had passed away many years ago.

“Never put down your sword.”

Pick up your sword, and fight.

Talli’s voice was swallowed by the magic circle.

Her figure slowly disappeared.

It wasn’t until then that the violent wind finally stopped.

The head of the Fred family’s staff fell to the ground. The mages maintaining the magic circle withdrew, forming two lines and returning to their positions.

The place was in disarray.

Theresa couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Supported by her servant, she stood up, her heartbeat still racing for a long while. When her father had told her about the sacrifice early this morning, she had first felt shock, followed by an unexpected sense of luck.

If her and Talli’s identities hadn’t been switched, it might have been her kneeling in the magic circle today.

The head of the Fred family turned and said, “Everyone, go back.”

Only then did the others dare to make a move.

Theresa quickly walked over to the young man kneeling on the ground, concerned, and said, “Carl, your hand is bleeding… Are you alright?”

The young man, his back hunched, remained silent, like a statue.

After a long pause, he hoarsely spoke:

“Go away.”

Theresa could hardly believe her ears. “W-what did you say?”

“I said, go away.”

A flash of cold light appeared before her eyes, and the chaotic sounds of servants’ footsteps and screams exploded near her ears.

“Young master, what are you doing?”

“This is the young lady!!”

Theresa felt dizzy. She didn’t even have time to react before the sharp tip of the sword was pointed directly at her forehead.

The young man’s bloodstained hand gripped the sword, and the bright red blood flowed down the hilt, flashing cold, indifferent light as the blade mercilessly pointed at his sister.

The hatred and disgust in his eyes were so clear, so unrelenting.

“Go away,”

The young man’s eyes looked like a vicious wolf that had tasted blood for the first time, showing its two-inch fangs.

“You murderer, disgusting imposter.”