Departure

Chapter 5 - Departure

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[Luna POV]

Living as a maid for the Crimsonheart family has meant enduring horrors most people could scarcely imagine. Big Sister Marie has hidden her daughter, Hime-chan, in the isolated maid's quarters, far from the eyes of the family. It's depressing—Hime-chan's whole world contained within those small walls, her only safety the secrecy of that room. But perhaps it's not so different for us maids, trapped and silenced, left at the mercy of this twisted household.

It would be one thing if it were merely disrespect. But here, cruelty runs deep. To the Crimsonhearts, we're nothing more than disposable tools. They hurl words and fists at us on whims; and worse, some have met their death, sacrificed to amuse or serve the family's depraved entertainment.

I know their true faces.

Master Greg Crimsonheart, the head of the household, projects the image of a noble gentleman. The world sees him as a man of charm, a devoted husband to Lady Emily. But behind closed doors, he's a monster. When Lady Emily is away, he stalks the halls, preying on the maids, promising death to any who might dare to speak of his actions. And sometimes, threats aren't enough for him. There are whispers of experiments—his victims hidden away, their suffering erased.

Lady Emily is no different. If she catches even a hint of jealousy or feels that a maid might rival her beauty, she strikes swiftly, ruthlessly. To her, our lives are nothing but disposable ornaments, as replaceable as the flowers that decorate her gardens.

And their sons… Master Andrew, and even Master Sai—they all bear that same callous heart, that same twisted nature. Yet, none are as vicious as Master Drake.

("When I come back, you're next.")

It's because of him, that arrogant, depraved man. Because of him!

"Mama…"

"Hm? Did you say something, Luna?" Master Sai's voice pulls me back to the present.

"Eh? Ah—n-no, nothing! Please don't worry about it, Master." I force a smile, burying the storm inside.

I need to keep it together. Tonight is the night. It's 11:00 PM now, only an hour before midnight.

The commotion from the bombing of the mansion has almost subsided. We're using the last of the confusion to prepare for Big Sister Marie and Hime-chan's escape, their one chance to slip away from this household.

My orders are clear: go to Hime-chan, help her pack, and ready her for the journey. Master Sai has briefed me on the escape plan—what I'll do once Hime-chan is prepared.

"Did you get all of it, Luna?"

"Yes, Master!" I confirm, steeling myself.

I'm to sneak Hime-chan through the mansion and bring her to the meeting point, where Master and Big Sister Marie will be waiting.

"Good. Be careful, Luna."

I give him a firm nod, then quietly slip out of the room.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

I made my way downstairs and slipped outside, heading toward the maids' quarters. The "Maid's Room" was a long, low cabin a short walk from the mansion's grand entrance—a modest, sturdy building meant to house rows of cramped rooms.

The night air was cool and still, and with midnight approaching, an eerie calm had settled over the grounds. Only the steady hum of crickets pierced the silence, mingling with the quiet crunch of grass under my feet.

...

I couldn't shake the strange feeling that had been growing in me since this morning.

Master Sai… he wasn't the same person I once knew.

The Master I'd known before was prideful and cruel, always quick to raise his voice or his hand. But today… the same man who once boasted endlessly, only to fail at every attempt, had shown a kindness I'd never seen. He had even gone out of his way to save Big Sister Marie, risking everything for her sake.

"He looked so… so strong back there…" I murmured, the words slipping out as I neared the cabin.

This Master was a different person—a protector, not a tyrant. It was hard to reconcile this new side of him with the man I'd known.

But then—

"Hey!"

A voice sliced through the darkness, freezing me in my tracks.

"Luna, is it? What are you doing out here so late?"

The hairs on my neck stood on end as I recognized that voice, dripping with disdain. Slowly, I turned to see her—a red-haired woman in her thirties, standing in the shadows near a patch of scorched earth, remnants of the flames from earlier. She wore a thin, red negligee that billowed in the cold night air, somehow both out of place and utterly menacing.

Master Emily.

A chill swept over me, and I forced myself to meet her gaze, swallowing back my fear. "U-uhm… Master Sai only just retired for the night. I'm on my way back to the cabin now to take my rest,"

I replied, careful to keep my voice steady, though my heart pounded.

"...Is that so?"

Emily's piercing eyes scanned me from head to toe, as if searching for any sign of disobedience, any excuse. A bitter sneer twisted her lips.

"Hmph! How unpleasant you are."

I lowered my gaze, feeling the weight of her scrutiny. "I'm very sorry, Master Emily,"

She scoffed, dismissing me with a wave. "Get out of my sight. You're a nuisance."

"Yes, ma'am."

I dipped into a quick bow and hurried toward the cabin, my heart racing with each step, feeling her eyes on my back until I was safely inside.

Once inside, I dared to take a slow, calming breath. The tension in my chest eased just a little, but a question lingered.

What was she doing outside so late… and alone?

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

Finally reaching the cabin, I made my way to Big Sister Marie's room and gave a soft knock on the door.

"Hime-chan, it's me, Luna…" I whispered gently.

A small voice answered from within. "Yes! Please wait a moment!"

After a few quiet seconds, the door creaked open, revealing Hime-chan—a young girl with soft, blonde hair and clear sky-blue eyes that seemed to hold both innocence and a flicker of curiosity. She wore a simple white robe, too big on her small frame, which only made her look more fragile against the dim light of the room.

"Good evening, Hime-chan," I greeted her, giving her a warm smile to ease any worry.

She returned it brightly. "Good evening, Big Sister Luna!"

I reached out and gently patted her head, and for a moment, I almost felt guilty about the urgency of what I had to tell her.

"Hime-chan," I began softly, "I know this is sudden, but I need you to gather a few of your things and get ready."

She blinked up at me, tilting her head slightly. "Why? Where are we going, Big Sister Luna?"

I took a steadying breath, choosing my words carefully. "Tonight, you and Big Sister Marie are leaving this place… You'll be going somewhere safe. We'll be leaving just after midnight, so please, let's get you prepared."

Her eyes widened a bit, and a shadow of confusion and worry crossed her face. "Is… is that why Mama hasn't come back yet? Even though it's so late?"

I nodded, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Yes, Big Sister Marie is getting ready too, over at the mansion. She's waiting for you, Hime-chan."

"O-okay…" Her voice trembled slightly, her small hand squeezing mine tighter.

I could see the emotions flickering across her face—fear, confusion, and a sense of wonder at the sudden, mysterious events unfolding around her. It was a lot to process, and I hated that she had to.

As I helped her gather a few of her belongings, I explained what I could, telling her about the plan, the journey, and what she could expect—all while leaving out the harsher truths about her mother's situation and the dangers surrounding them. Even so, Hime-chan was quick to understand, listening closely to every word.

When I finished, she looked up at me, her eyes a little braver. "So… we're going somewhere safe? And… Master Sai is helping us too?"

"Yes," I reassured her, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "Master Sai has made sure you and your mother will be safe. We'll all make sure of it."

She nodded, the hint of fear still lingering but tempered now with a glimmer of hope. I could only hope that hope would last, at least until we were far from here.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

[Sai Crimsonheart POV]

A minute before midnight…

"Marie-san, it's time. Please, come here," I said quietly.

"Yes, Master Sai," she replied, her voice steady but laced with a subtle tension.

Everything was in place. Just as we'd planned, Marie-san and I would meet with Luna and Marie-san's daughter at the back of the mansion, using the forest as our cover.

With the turmoil from today's incident, I thought security around the mansion might be tighter. But my family's arrogance had once again made them careless, and they left the place barely guarded.

Well, that suits me just fine.

We stepped outside onto the balcony, the cold night air sharp against my skin. I turned to Marie-san. "Hold on tight," I murmured, wrapping an arm securely around her waist.

"Kya—!" Marie-san gasped, caught off guard by the sudden closeness, her cheeks flushing as I steadied her.

In my other hand, I held the last [Harmony Crystal], focusing it on a hidden spot near a large tree by the forest's edge. The mansion's high boundary walls provided cover, allowing us to vanish without a trace.

Flash—Teleport

In an instant, the balcony was gone, replaced by the hushed rustling of trees and the cool shadows of the forest.

I leaned back against the tree, taking in the familiar surroundings. "Now we just wait for Luna and your daughter, and then we'll leave through the forest," I said calmly.

Marie-san's eyes widened in surprise. "Through the forest...? I-Isn't that dangerous?"

"It's the safest way for now. Once we've gotten some distance, I'll lead us out to the main road, and we'll make our way to the nearest town."

Her shoulders relaxed slightly, reassured by the plan. I noticed, though, she still seemed a little dazed.

"How are you feeling, Marie-san?" I asked, observing her closely.

"Eh? U-um yes Master Sai! I feel a little dizzy but I'm okay, Is that your power?"

"Ah, no. It's an item called a Harmony Crystal. It lets me teleport to any direction I pointed."

She gave a faint, slightly shaky smile. "Teleporting… it feels strange. But… strangely thrilling too."

I chuckled, feeling the tension lift just a little. "It does, doesn't it?"

A moment of silence passed, and I found myself glancing around, scanning the dimly lit forest. "Anyway," I murmured, "Luna should be here by now…"

As if on cue, I caught sight of two figures hurrying toward us from the direction of the maid's quarters. Luna, still in her plain white robe, was jogging over, one hand waving, the other holding tightly to another figure—a young blonde girl, a bit smaller than Luna in a similar robe, albeit cinched with a leather corset for support. They looked like sisters.

"M-Master… huff… I'm sorry for the wait…!" Luna panted as they drew near, her face flushed from the run.

"Keep it down!" I hissed, flicking her forehead with a light scold. "We don't need any more attention tonight."

She winced, rubbing her forehead with an apologetic grin. "S-sorry, Master."

Marie-san's face softened the moment she saw Hime-chan, her eyes filling with relief and affection. She crouched down, wrapping her daughter in a gentle embrace. "Hime-chan… you're alright."

Hime-chan looked up at her mother, nodding bravely, though her little hands gripped Marie-san's robe tightly. "Yes, Mama… Big Sister Luna explained everything."

Watching their reunion filled me with a sense of fulfillment. I was glad I had rescued Marie-san, ensuring Hime-chan wasn't left alone in that twisted mansion.

As the moment of tenderness lingered, I cleared my throat, feeling the urgency of our situation pressing upon us. "I don't want to ruin the mood, but we need to depart now."

Marie-san nodded, a hint of understanding in her eyes. "Ah... Yes, Master Sai. I'm very sorry. Come on, Hime, let's go."

"Eh? Um… Master, are we going through the forest?" Luna asked, her voice laced with bewilderment.

"Yes. Is something wrong?" I inquired, noticing the uncertainty etched on their faces.

"Eh? Um… actually, the thing is…" Luna hesitated, exchanging glances with Marie-san, who wore a similar apprehensive expression. Hime-chan... Was it? Tilted her head, clearly confused.

I could almost read their minds. "It's the Zombies, right?" I said with a confident grin.

"Zombies?" they echoed, their brows furrowing in puzzlement.

Had I misstepped? But then Luna replied, "Ah yes, Master. It's them, the Undead."

Relief washed over me. So, I had been right. It seemed the term "zombie" had yet to infiltrate this world's language. "Aight, Undead it is," I affirmed.

"Hm…" I pondered, reaching into my Magic Pouch. I retrieved both my 『Katana』 and a 『Scimitar』.

"Master?"

"Luna, take this," I said, passing her the Scimitar.

If I recall back in the game, Luna was best suited for close combat. Her agility and endurance would serve her well.

"Use it. I'll teach you how to fight. We're going to need it," I instructed.

"Eh—?!" Luna gasped, her surprise almost comical. I quickly covered her mouth with my palm. "Shut it. This is for our own good. Don't worry; I will protect all of you—Ah!"

As I rummaged through my pouch, I fished out the Flamelash, a wand with a claw-like flame design, known for its explosive projectile.

Still, Flamelash could only be obtained on the Demon Chest in the depths of 『Hell』 so perhaps they already managed to traverse it. If so, there are some already strong people in this world...

"M-me too?!" Marie-san exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief as I handed her the Flamelash.

"Yes. From now on, you will be alone with your daughter. Having a means of self-defense is essential for your safety," I explained.

"T-thank you very much, Master Sai."

As Hime-chan gazed at the Flamelash, her face lit with awe, I shifted my attention to the path ahead. "Let's move. Marie-san, that wand specializes in control magic. For now, create a fire projectile and use it as our light through the forest."

"Right!"

Marie-san focused, and a small ball of fire ignited at the tip of the Flamelash, floating gently in the air, illuminating our surroundings with a warm glow.

"Good. Keep it steady. Luna, while we walk, the three of us—plus Hime-chan—are going to gather a flower called the Mana Flower. It has a distinctive blue orb shape. I chose to leave at midnight because that flower only blooms at night. We need to collect as many Mana fragments as we can before sunrise at exactly 6:00. Understood?"

"Yes!" they chorused in unison, the sense of purpose igniting a spark of resolve within them.

"Also—"

Before I could finish my thought, a trio of Undead figures lurched into view, emerging from the darkness. My heart raced, and I quickly unsheathed the Katana, instinctively falling into a battle stance.

"Everyone, get ready!"

And so, we started our first battle.