True Nature

Chapter 4 - True Nature

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Man, I can't believe what I'm seeing right now...

"Guh! Master Emily, I'm sorry...!"

A stunning blonde-haired maid, whose age defied her appearance with a matured grace, was being dragged by her hair by my supposed mother in the backyard. The maid, dressed similarly to Luna in her robe, pleaded for mercy as my mother's anger threatened to erupt.

"You dare seduce my husband, you wench! Do you think I wouldn't notice?" my mother accused, her voice dripping with venom.

"Seduce...?" I muttered, questioning the accusation.

Luna, catching my murmur, shot me a pained look and quickly intervened.

"No, Master, she wouldn't..." Luna's voice quivered with urgency. "I know Big Sister Marie better than anyone. She would never do such a thing."

Big Sister Marie, huh—A name that resonated familiarity with Luna, one of the maids she's most likely acquainted with. But still...

"I swear on my life...!" Luna's resolve cut through my thoughts, her blazing gaze locking onto mine full of resolve.

She, even retorting against my mother in front of her son, me, even at the cost of her life...

I can't help but smile, even amidst the turmoil. Jeez, this girl...

"Then, I ask you, Luna. What do you want to do right now?" I inquired; my eyes locked into hers.

"Eh...?" To the sudden question, Luna can't help but display a puzzled look.

"I have the means to save Marie, but it comes with a condition," I stated firmly. "Will you accept?"

"Please, Master Emily...!"

If it's the same Luna is in the game, then I'm guaranteed that she will—

"I accept, Master. Please save Big Sister Marie...!"

Her immediate acceptance reinforced my faith in her character. The Luna I knew from the game would sacrifice herself for others without hesitation.

There is a reason why she is one of the top charts in the game popularity poll!

"No hesitation, huh." I remarked with a grin, admiring her character.

"Yes, please save Big Sister Marie," Luna reiterated, her determination visibly unshaken.

"I heard you loud and clear!"

Quickly, I retrieved items stolen from my father's vault, carefully selecting the tools needed for our rescue mission.

"PLEASE NOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

"B-Big Sister Marie...!"

Luna's distress and Marie's cries for help weighed heavily on me, pushing me to act swiftly. First thing first, the 『Flamelash』, a Bomb, and a stack of Flesh were among the tools I gathered.

You might be wondering how I got these Flesh in my inventory, but that will come for later.

I had initially intended to use the Flesh against that Boss Monster, but that became a problem for another day. Right now, my immediate concern was saving Marie-san.

Amongst these items, I also retrieved an item called the Harmony Crystal—a precious consumable item that can teleport a person through the player's designated position. It was unfortunate that I only hold four of these but, it was enough to secure Marie-san's safety.

"Luna, I need you to wield the 『Flamelash』 and aim it towards Marie-san when I command, you hear me?" I instructed, my tone resolute. "Trust me."

"Yes...!" Luna nodded firmly, her eyes unchanging.

I switched my focus to working, pouring the bottle of Oil that I took through the pile of Flesh.

Just as I was about to finalize our preparations, I caught sight of my mother pouring an oil over the already trembling Marie-san. Promptly, panic surged within me. Shit, can I make it?!

"Done! Luna, are you ready?" I hastily inquired.

"Yes!"

As my mother poised to ignite Marie, drenched in oil, I acted swiftly, hurling the Bomb directly above her.

"Goodbye." My mother remarked, sending her last words before she releases her torch.

"Ugh...! Hime!" Marie-san cried, covering herself with her arms in hopelessness.

Marie's scream melded with the explosion as the Bomb erupted into a deafening BOOM!

"Wha—?!"

"Luna!"

With precision born of desperation, Luna unleashed the 『Flamelash』 at Marie, following my command to the letter.

Seizing the moment, I activated the Harmony Crystal, teleporting directly to Marie's side. I threw the Flesh bathed with Oil and embraced her tightly, shielding her from harm, then kicked my mother's torch amidst the panic. Last second, I use another Harmony Crystal and teleported back with Luna carrying Marie-san.

Meanwhile, chaos reigned as the flames from the 『Flamelash』 engulfed the oil-drenched area where Marie had stood, creating a raging inferno. The bomb, aimed above my mother, shattered parts of the house, sending debris cascading into the flames.

The pile of Flesh served its intended purpose, creating the illusion of Marie's demise amidst the chaos.

Lastly, I clung to Luna and Marie, and use another Harmony Crystal aimed upwards, teleporting us through my room's balcony which is precisely why I aim above.

"Holy... Huff... Shit... Huff... Huff... That was very scary...!"

Breathless and filled with a mixture of adrenaline and panic, I gasped for air. The intensity of the situation course through me as I struggled to regain my composure.

Everything happened in just a span of seconds.

After a moment to collect myself, I carefully placed Marie-san and Luna in my room, their faces drained of color, pale, and is still reeling from the chaotic turn of events. Seems like they wouldn't be able to move for a while.

"Emily! W-what happened here?!"

Suddenly, my father's voice broke through the chaos, his worry evident as he tried to make sense of the situation. With a sigh, I quietly took a peek to see the situation.

"Dear, that was so scary! I just wanted to get rid of that whore who tried to seduce you, but all of a sudden, there was an explosion, and then... and then, this just happened."

My mother, feigning innocence with fake tears, sought comfort in my father's embrace, spouting fallacious tale of sudden chaos and explosions whatnot... Seriously?

Uwah, I can't believe this woman... is what I thought but it gets worse.

"W-well, that was unfortunate. But I'm glad that you're okay," my father remarked, attempting to downplay the severity of the situation. "I guess, we'll just have to get another maid."

"T-thank you, dear~!"

Unable to stomach their charade any longer, I turned away, my expression twisted with disgust.

"What a bunch of scumbags..."

With the realization smack within me, I finally get the situation, the real nature of this, hideous family. No wonder Sai Crimsonheart's real attitude in the game...

Trying to chuck out the unpleasant feeling before me, I turned my attention on Luna and Marie, their fear and shock evident, uncontrollably trembling still. 

"I guess It will take a while, huh..." I mused, letting a deep sigh.

* * *

After ten minutes had passed, the two maids finally regained their composure. The trembling that had once racked their bodies subsided, and their paled face gradually returned to its color.

"Have you girls finally calmed down?" I inquired, rosing out into my seat.

"...Yes, Master Sai. Thank you for saving me. I..." Marie-san's voice trailed off. With a careful look, her face visibly drained from the turmoil.

...And is probably confused, overwhelmed. Heck! Even I am, though.

"Luna, would you mind fetching us some water?" I requested.

"Yes, please wait a moment." Luna nodded briskly, swiftly exiting the room, leaving me alone with Marie-san.

"..."

"..."

Guh! How nerve-racking. As much as I do not want to overwhelm her, I guess I'll just head straight to the point.

"Marie-san, I know you're surely confused, but we can't waste any minute. Given the circumstances, I'll arrange for your escape tonight." I explained.

"Eh?" Marie-san's eyes widened in surprise, clearly taken aback by my unexpected kindness. I can't blame her, though.

She must have found my actions unusual, considering Sai's usual demeanor. It was a reminder of how much of a scum of a person I used to be even before arriving at the 『Imperial Academy』.

"Marie-san, do you have a family you can return to?" I asked.

"N-no, Master Sai... However, I do have a daughter," Marie-san confessed, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "She's the only family I have..."

"—?!"

I felt like my heart had come into a halt. The thought of Marie-san's daughter growing up without a mother, thanks to my supposed family's actions, weighed heavily on me.

I was keen on saving her even without Luna's condition. But if it ever once, I hesitated...

I'm probably going to regret it for the rest of my life.

"Where is your daughter now?" I inquired softly.

To my response, Marie-san came to a pause, but shortly, "...S-she's currently staying in my room."

Through her admittance, her voice tingled with hesitance. I have no idea to the situation, but most likely, she was concealing her daughter from my family.

It's a great choice; I'm kind of relieved.

"I see. Then, both of you and your daughter will leave this Mansion at midnight." I declared. "Starting a new life will be hard, so I'll give you a hundred gold coins. Use it and live somewhere far away from here."

"Eh?! Isn't that too much... I-Is that really okay...?"

Marie-san had her face in complete shock, clearly in disbelief. Man, looking closely at her, she's really a beauty. It's a no brainer that her matured face is already of 30, but still...

Anyhow, what Marie-san's clear reaction wasn't an exaggeration. In fact, even a single gold coin can make you live in luxury for a few years. With such ridiculous offer, I wouldn't be surprised if it made her skeptical.

Why did I intend to give her this much? I guess, It's for personal reasons...

"Don't worry about it. You've taken excellent care of Luna, so consider it a token of appreciation," I reassured her.

Moreover, I'll be raking this much money on the later run, so there won't really be any loss for me here. Although, she'll be using the money stolen by Me and Luna.

"N-no, it's only because I see Luna as my other daughter," Marie-san insisted.

"That sentiment is what keeps Luna going. If not for you, she..." 

As I was about to continue my remark, Luna returned with a glass of water. I handed the glass to Marie-san, hoping to relieve her drained situation.

"How about you, Luna? Are you doing alright?" I turned to Luna.

"Yes, Master," Luna replied with a bright smile.

"Oh, that's a great smile you got there." I teased. Although genuinely, seeing her cheerfulness, it rather calms me down. "I hope to see that smile again."

"E-eh?! ...I, uh, T-thank you, M-Master..." Luna agitatedly replied, and turned facedown, her face beet red. Heh, she's weak to compliments. Anyways!

"Marie-san, Luna and I will accompany you and your daughter on your departure," I announced, addressing the earlier conversation.

"Eh? Um... if it's not too much to ask, do you have other business, Master Sai?" Marie-san inquired. Hm, was she asking why I'm accompanying her?

"Yes, and it's also to ensure the safety of both you and your daughter," I explained.

"I see. Thank you very much, Master Sai," Marie-san responded, sporting a warm smile.

Man, what a sight to behold. No wonder my supposed mother harbored such prejudice against her.

"Don't thank me yet. Save your gratitude until you've safely escaped with your daughter. Anyway, we're departing at midnight," I instructed, shifting my focus to Luna. "And as for you, Luna, remember the condition we discussed? It's time to put it into action."

"Y-yes, Master," Luna firmly affirmed, her face still flushed.

"Let's get ready, girls."

"YES!" Both Marie-san and Luna chimed in unison, immediately springing into action to prepare for our departure.

My decision to accompany Marie-san and her daughter stemmed for a reason. Every night, a specific flower blossomed, yielding a rare orb known as the 『Mana Fragment』, which could be refined into a 『Mana Essence』. This essence could permanently boost an individual's 『Mana』 by 20 points, up to a maximum of 200.

In order to get stronger, maximizing our stats is our first priority. Alongside is some mobs which I'm hoping to drop some valuable materials useful for future use.

Now, our first course of action towards becoming the strongest starts now.