Ch. 58 'Regret'

The atmosphere in the room where Niken laid unconscious was under strain. Neither Kazuto nor Scarlet made a sound. Richard's arrival was not what they expected even though they knew Richard would come sooner or later when he heard the news of his sister who had collapsed.

While Richard was there, Scarlet forced herself to smile and convince Richard that Niken was fine. As for Kazuto... he couldn't help but feel angry, sadness and suffering. Even now, Scarlet was sure that Kazuto was regretting his actions.

It was common knowledge that a knight must not put his symbol on an ordinary human or has fragile energy. The person's body will not be able to accommodate the fusion of a knight and eventually pass away.

The same thing was happening to Niken's body. For a moment, they felt relieved because after receiving Kazuto's energy, Niken was still able to use her elemental energy and could even control the water.

But they were wrong. Throughout this time, Niken did not use Kazuto's energy. Niken's body struggle against Kazuto's fusion.

They had no idea that Niken used up her source energy, which had almost run out to the point to become extinct.

How could this have happened? Even if Niken's body rejects the fusion of the black knight's energy, Niken should still not control water like the way she was.

But why did Niken become stronger? How could Niken's sensitivity on recognizing an Elementalist's energy increasing? She even could control the energy of her water element? The improvement of her water bending didn't make sense at all!

Niken should still not be able to do anything if Niken's body refused the energy given by Kazuto. All this time, Niken got improved day by day so they couldn't see something was wrong with her body. They were puzzled about Niken's situation, as this has never happened before.

This was not normal.

If an Elementalist knight claimed a non-Elementalist to be his inamorata, the woman would fall ill. Her body temperature would rise at rapid speed, and a week later, she will leave this world. That was what should have happened to the non-Elementalist inamorata.

While Niken…

It has been running for over one month since the freezing time took place. It has been more than a month since Kazuto's energy fused into Niken's body.

They thought Niken was not the same as other non-elementalists so that they could feel relieved and relaxed.

But who would have thought, Kazuto would lose his inamorata in the end.

"If I hadn't claimed her, would she be fine? She would, wouldn't she?"

Scarlet's heart was broken into pieces hearing the sorrowful tone of voice. His tone was a sad one and full of regret.

"I ... I don't know. Even if you didn't fuse your energy to hers, at that time, Niken would die right away. We had no choice. There is still hope."

"Hope? Judging from her condition, she won't last for two weeks."

"Kazu!" Scarlet snapped. "Right now, our friends are looking for ways to save her. Don't give up!"

If Niken died, Kazuto would suffer a feeling of great sorrow. His heart will be filled with negative emotions and will become a darkened heart.

A darkened heart Elementalist knight would forget how to love and lose his mind. He would become an evil knight.

Scarlet hoped that it wasn't Kazuto who would change. She did not want to fight Kazuto at all. For her, the man was her best friend and a brother.

"Kazu, please. Don't give up. We can save her." Begged her.

"..." There was no response from the man. He gripped Niken's left hand and pressed it to his cheek. "Niken, please... don't leave me. Please."

Once again, the door opened, and upon seeing who entered, Scarlet became hopeful.

"Ed, did you find anything?"

Edward shook his head, weakly. "I've searched all the existing history books, even including legends and myths. Nothing survives. All weak inamorata of the knights, their lives have been sentenced to death. They could only have lived a week since they received the symbol. It's a miracle Niken could stay alive up to this day."

Though Edward said it with a clear voice, his shoulders suddenly became heavy when he saw Kazuto continue to hold Niken's hand. It was the first time he saw a desperate expression on Kazuto. The man never showed any emotion, whether it was happy or disappointed.

He was always aloof and distant. Lately, he saw the man smile a little bit whenever he was with Niken, yet now, only distress and pain adorn to the man's face.

"I hope Shin Ha and Hokuto bring good news for us." Edward pulled his crying fiancee to his embrace.

Scarlet wiped her tears as she had faith Niken could be saved. There must be a way to save her.

"Does Richard already know about this?" Edward asked cautiously.

Scarlet shook her heart unenthusiastically. "He came, but... I don't have the heart to tell him the truth. Should I tell him? But I'm scared he would hate us."

Edward patted her back gently. He didn't know the answer either, so he stayed quiet.