Chapter 27: Body covered with ivy

The time goes back a little.

"Mr. Ludvik, are you here?

Yes, what's wrong?

 Daymond comes running up to me, gasping for breath. I was the one who told him not to run inside the castle when we were kids. I was about to tease him again when I heard something unexpected.

Zephir has finally returned. He said he was out on Ludvik-sama's order.

What?　I didn't order him to do anything. ... Wait a minute.

 The last thing I ordered him to do was to take that shady fortune teller out of the castle. Perhaps he has been taken in by the fortune teller who is a witch.

So where is he now? Tell him to show his face at my place."

Oh, my God!　You haven't seen Master Ludwig yet?　I told him I'd show you to the stables. I left him in charge.

What's going on, Daymond?

 Apparently, he and Alicia are working together. I don't think so ..., but my hunch turned out to be wrong. One of the knights who had been escorting her came running toward her, out of breath.

What, Alicia has disappeared?　What were you guys doing!　

 According to the knight, Zephir had just moved on the wagon in which he was playing the role of a governess, when the breakaways approached. He fought them off before they could report to Aliche, and before he knew it, the carriage had vanished.

 When the bustards were forced to talk, it appeared that they had been hired by someone for money. Judging from the circumstances, Zephir was suspicious.

I didn't think it was possible, but one of them followed the wagon right away. There were rut ruts, so I think we'll be able to locate him soon.

Do you have any landmarks from him?

Yes, he must have dropped a luminous stone as a marker. If we follow it, we should be able to catch up with him.

Okay, I'm on it. I'll go. You guys get ready and follow me.

"Yes.

 I quickly changed into my uniform and put my sword on my hip. I changed into thick-soled boots, put on a pair of black thimble gloves, and tied my hair back in a bun.

The other party has witches involved. Be very careful. If any of your friends act strangely, I'll have them knocked out.

 With the elite knights in tow, I put my feet up in the stirrups and mounted my black horse.

 Cover your mouth with a black cloth to protect you from the wind. I followed the luminescent stones placed in various places, making them run as fast as possible. The last place I arrived at was a mysterious mansion with dense, tangled vines.

There is a carriage, isn't there?

Yes, it bears the Barsch family crest.

I knew it was Zephyr. ...

 He was opposed to the idea of taking Alethe as his wife until the very end.

 

 

The knight who had come with him kept an eye on the surroundings, and a small group of people entered the mansion. The knight and the knight's companion watch the surroundings, and a small group of knights get into the mansion. But ...

 --Is he calling Alicia's name?

 A faint voice is heard. Looking around, the voice seems to be coming from the lighted window of a room in the basement.

Is this it?"

 I duck down to the ground and check inside, and there is Zephir. He seems to be talking to a green ivy-covered clump beside him.

Zephir!"

 I called his name and tapped on the window, and he immediately turned to me. Seeing that his eyes were not cloudy, Aliche might have broken the spell. But I couldn't help but have a bad feeling that I couldn't see her.

'I'm going to break the window to get in.

Ha."

 Apparently Zephir has also noticed my presence and is standing away from the window. I made a cut with my sword and broke the window as I pushed my body against it.

 The window shatters with a loud clang. I slip out of it and enter the room, where Zephir immediately kneels on both knees and bows his head.

I was so sorry, Mr. Ludwig," she said!　Alice-sama is ...."

 He was speechless, and his gaze fell on a green ivy-covered mass - which, upon closer inspection, appeared to be humanoid in shape.

"Don't tell me it's ... Alice?"

'A witch, a shorty-eating witch, made Master Aliche drink magic ivy seeds, and when she ... realized it, she took on this form.'

Alice... Alice!"

 Then a faint voice comes from what seems to be a mouth.

"Le ... de ...."

Yes, it's me!"

 The first thing you need to do is to make sure that you have a good idea of what you're doing.

You guys, let go of me!

No, I can't. No, I can't. My first priority is to protect Mr. Ludwig.

I promised to protect Alicia, so I'm taking her home with me.

 It takes two of them to hold her down, but they can shake her off if they really want to. But before they could, Zephir spoke up.

Ludvik-sama, you must not do this!　Carelessly touching the magic ivy can infect you!

 I pulled my chin back and glared at Zephir.

I pulled my chin back and glared at Zephir. It's Alicia there, isn't it?

 I ordered the knights on either side of me to let go of my hands, and they quickly let go of my arms, pushed by the high energy I was wearing. As soon as they were free, they rushed to her. As I embrace her green ivy-covered body, wriggling plants cling to her skin. But as they brushed them away with their hands, a pale-skinned face gradually appeared.

I'm sorry, Alicia. I've put you through all this. ..."

Ludo ... sir, no. ...

No, you don't have to tell me anything."

 To reassure her, I gently place my lips on her forehead. I kissed her eyes and closed my lips to reassure her as she cried no, no, no. I kissed her eyes as well. She must be feeling anxious about her ivy-covered body.

I love you, Alicia. I told you that no matter what you look like, my love for you will never change."

 As soon as he whispered in her ear, the ivy on her body evaporated with a swooshing sound. One of the ivies that had been entangled all over her body wriggles painfully and tries to cling to my body. I tore them off with my hands, and they dissipated in a puff of white vapor.

Alicia, are you all right?"

 My ivy-covered body was gradually restored to its original state, my white skin, of course, and my hair was still clean, and my clothes had been restored. The beautiful limbs appeared before my eyes, unimaginably beautiful from the horrifying appearance they had just had.

Alice ...

 I was so relieved that I hugged her again, but she was limp and relaxed. The first time I saw her, she was on her knees.

What happened?

What happened?

It is true love!　The true love between Master Ludvik and Alethe saved you both!

What?

 

Alethe."

 I call her name and she nods her head. Her face is still pale from the blood loss, but the warmth of her body is returning to her touch. But just as I was about to say something, Alicia, in my arms, coughed.

'Aliche!　Are you all right?　Hey, Zephir, get something to wipe yourself with!

Ha, yes."

 She put her hand over her mouth and coughed loudly.

'Hah ... hah ... Ludo ....'

Don't force yourself to talk.

But."

 The most important thing to remember is that the best way to get the best out of your car is to make sure that it is a good one.

 I took off my jacket and put it over my body, and Alicia blinked and whispered emphatically, "Thank you.

Alicia blinked and whispered weakly, "Alicia, I'm sorry, but you're going to have to wait a bit. I'm going to take down the witch."

 I slowly lower her to the floor and tell the knight to watch her. He pats her head as she looks up at him with anxious eyes and tells her, "I'll be done soon," and orders Zephir.

'Take me to the witch. You know this mansion better than I do."

Ha!"

 That woman who had caused her so much pain - I couldn't just let her go on her own.

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