Chapter 10 - Jenny's Story (1)

"Your Highness, Miss Adanyl has been treated," a maid reported, bowing. Behind her, Adanyl stood nervously, waiting for her next patient.

"Follow me, Adanyl," Ryuk spoke with a soft tone.

Without waiting for her response, he took her hand and led her out of the room. Adanyl looked at him blankly as he guided her through the hallways, his firm grip never wavering.

Adanyl noticed the difference in how Ryuk led her compared to Kermit. It was a small but significant gesture, one that held deep meaning for her.

The suffering she had endured until now and her fear of returning to that place weighed heavily on her.

Her other hand clenched the hem of her dress as they walked, knowing that the pain she would have to endure after using her ability on patient must be substantial for Ryuk to bring her with him.

As they walked, Adanyl pressed her lips together, aware of the immense pain she was about to face. She prayed silently to survive the ordeal until the healers could attend to her.

"Tell Mother I have arrived,"

Ryuk instructed the soldiers as they approached the gates.

The guards, who had been observing the two children—Ryuk with black hair and amber eyes and Adanyl with silver hair and ruby red eyes—immediately bowed making nobles who had been discussing territory development to fall silent, awaiting the crown prince's words.

"Mother, please give me «Midnight Elysium»."

Ryuk's request surprised the assembled noblemen, as it was unexpected that the Prince would express a desire for a mere mansion.

Nonetheless, they remained silent, their attention shifting to the woman with raven-black hair cascading to her waist with amber eyes akin to orange Sapphire.

"You don't have to ask me, Ryuk. Just take it,"

She was initially surprised by her son's sudden demand for that particular mansion but remained quiet. Then, she heard his voice and understood the reason behind his request.

"Adanyl "

Ryuk called the girl, and she stepped out from his shadow, revealing her mesmerizing ruby eyes and shiny white and silver hair that seemed to shimmer in the light of Gaia.

DRIP

In that silent room, the sound of a single sweat droplet hitting the ground resounded in Ryuk's ears. Thanks to his precise control over mana, it was impossible not to hear even the faintest of sounds.

The motive for bringing Adanyl here had been achieved – to identify those high-ranking nobles who received special treatment from Priest Kermit.

It was possible for these influential nobles to forget the face of a small girl who had cried and screamed in pain in front of them.

But it was impossible for them to forget the face of the girl who could instantly alleviate their minor injuries with a mere touch.

Ryuk's gaze fell upon an individuals who was looking down as if trying to avoid being noticed. However, ryuk quickly averted his eyes.

Unbeknownst to him, that brief moment was captured by Alisia, who narrowed her eyes, speculating the reason for the sudden surge of killing intent she had felt. She then glanced at the girl beside her son with curiosity.

"Ryuk, she—"

Ryuk turned towards his mother as she began to speak, and he introduced Adanyl, "I found her in the Monastery. She seemed pitiful, so I brought her here. I'll take my leave now, Mother."

With a courteous bow, Ryuk left the room without waiting for further formalities, accompanied by Adanyl. He instructed some of the maids to clean the Elysium for Adanyl's stay.

The girl watched the events unfold with a blank expression. She hadn't even met her patient, nor had she been informed about this arrangement.

At first, she felt relief that she wouldn't have to endure pain.

However, when she heard Ryuk describing her as looking pitiful in his eyes, it left her with a sense of unease.

Night had fallen upon the planet, and the moon's silvery rays cast an illuminating glow across the marbled floor of a room.

"Princess, that girl—"

A middle-aged man paused as he looked toward the woman immersed in her documents, seeking her attention before continuing.

"If you want, I can make it look like an accident and even shift all the blame onto someone else."

Alisia halted her writing and turned her gaze towards the middle-aged man. She spoke in a measured tone, "Uncle Wang, we can't simply silence her like that. Besides, it's not like Ryuk cares for her, so, Let her live."

Her amber eyes bore into the man's. "Of course, until she catches Ryuk's attention."

Alisia's motives were straightforward. She would permit Adanyl to live until Ryuk displayed a genuine interest in her.

The reason for this cautious approach was Adanyl's family background.

For Alisia, creating a scenario where she could easily make Ryuk believe Adanyl's death had been caused by a third party was not an impossible feat.

{A/n : Yes, Can any smart reader make a guess about such event happening from previous Chapters}

Upon hearing Alisia's words, Wang began to grasp the perspective from which the woman was speaking, but he remained perplexed by her revelation regarding Ryuk's supposed lack of care.

After all, why would Ryuk have brought a pitiful girl and requested a mansion for her if he held no concern for her?

Alisia noticed the confusion on Wang's face and sighed before explaining, "Uncle Wang, do you know the reason I built that mansion and named it Elysium?"

Wang squinted his eyes, attempting to decipher the hidden meaning. Even though he had protected Alisia countless times, he couldn't recall every minor detail like the construction of a mansion.

Alisia continued, sensing his lack of response. "I built it for the sole purpose of acting as a Gold Cage for birds, I need to keep in check"

Wang's eyes widened as he comprehended the significance of the name Elysium, which symbolized eternal happiness.

He realized that this name had been chosen because of the mansion's enchanting beauty, which had the power to make those living inside forget the outside world, creating a gilded cage of sorts.

"I understand. It seems our young master is proving himself worthy as an heir," Wang said, feeling a sense of pride that the struggles they had faced were now paying off.

"Oh, and also, don't let anyone enter the vicinity of the Count Dravin's Mansion,"

With a swift, graceful movement, Wang bowed, and a surge of mana enveloped his body. In an instant, he vanished into thin air, leaving the room.

He was well aware of the killing intent that had emanated from his young master when he looked at one of the nobleman and it was his duty to ensure that Ryuk's path remained clear.

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In the stillness of the serene night, a full moon cast a pale glow over the mansion's ornate facade, rendering it eerily beautiful.

From the outside, it appeared like any other silent, imposing estate, nestled amidst a forest shrouded in darkness.

But as one ventured deeper into its shadowed halls, a gruesome tableau of horror unfurled.

The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood, and the once-silent corridors echoed with agonizing whispers of the past.

The walls bore the marks of a frenzied struggle, with sanguine streaks marring the grandeur that once defined the mansion.

The eerie, ethereal moonlight filtered through broken windows, casting elongated, ghostly shadows that danced like wraiths across the blood-stained parquet floors.

Amidst the macabre scene, the moonlight spilled through a shattered window, casting a haunting glow upon the cause of this nightmarish massacre.

There, in the center of the room, lay the lifeless bodies of many, their vacant eyes staring into eternity, each a victim of the unspeakable horror that had unfolded within the mansion's seemingly peaceful walls.

"Ha...ha... Prince, please, spare me now."

A middle-aged man lay on the ground, his body limp, his hands hanging by his side.

He was propped up against the wall, his gaze fixed on the shadow of Ryuk, whose amber eyes emitted an ethereal light. In one hand, Ryuk held a sword that radiated the same amber aura as his eyes, excluding from it.

"As expected, Count Dravin, you were well-hidden. Your connections with the Aidiac Royal family are deeper than I thought," Ryuk remarked, his eyes gleaming with a glint of determination.

SWISH

He swung his hand, and the sword, imbued with the amber aura, decapitated Count Dravin.

Ryuk's attention then shifted to the documents scattered on the ground, bearing the identity of Count Dravin. When dealing with kingdom affairs in a world brimming with mana, it was easy for individuals to change their appearances.

This was precisely why high-ranking figures were provided with identity certificates. Of course, these documents had their loopholes, but they wouldn't be noticed until ten years had passed.

And until that time, Ryuk had more than enough opportunity to secure what he wanted.

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In the heart of this enchanting forest, nature's beauty unfolded like a vivid painting. Towering, majestic trees formed a leafy canopy above, allowing fragments of Gaia's light to dance through the emerald leaves.

The forest floor was a lush, vibrant tapestry, bedecked with wildflowers and the occasional whimsical mushroom.

The air carried the earthy scent of moss, intertwined with the delicate fragrance of blossoms, composing a harmonious symphony of nature's aromas.

Amidst this serene backdrop, a resolute young girl, her eyes reflecting unwavering determination, knelt among the verdant foliage, meticulously gathering precious herbs.

At a mere five years old, her wisdom surpassed her age. Her tiny, nimble fingers gingerly unearthed these treasures, fully comprehending their worth.

'I won't allow that demon to harm my family,' Jenny's determination to change her family's fate, despite their intent to hurt her, remained unwavering. After all, they were still her family.

As she gathered the herbs, her thoughts and dreams centered around rewriting her family's tragic story.

She intimately knew the lines etched on her mother's weary face, the pain etched in her father's eyes, and the suffering that held her family captive. Her mission was clear, and her heart was steadfast.

Upon arriving at the marketplace, Jenny settled in a corner, a basket brimming with herbs from the forest at her side. These herbs held the power to rewrite her family's history.

The marketplace buzzed with activity, a lively hub of vendors and villagers engaged in their daily routines.

Jenny meticulously arranged her herbs on a well-worn yet clean cloth. Her memories from a past life had endowed her with an intricate knowledge of each herb, understanding their miraculous healing properties and the remedies they could yield.

As villagers strolled by, some paused to inspect her collection. She greeted them with a warm smile, generously sharing her wisdom about the herbs, elucidating how they could mend and alleviate their sufferings.

Gradually, a small crowd gathered around her stall, and the herbs that once went unnoticed began to captivate attention.

Villagers inquired about purchasing her herbs, yearning to relieve long-standing aches and pains or find solace for enduring ailments.

She conscientiously weighed the herbs, counted the coins, and struck fair deals with her customers.

Her small hands tightly gripped the pouch of four silver coins as they were also her father's ticket to freedom from debt.

She vividly recalled the moments when her father had begged for reprieve, explaining the circumstances that had led to their desperate situation.

Her heart clenched as she remembered the ruthless act of that Amber eyed monster who had taken her father's life.

Hours passed, and the sun began its descent, casting a warm, golden glow over the marketplace.

The liveliness of the market shifted to a tranquil hum, and the crowd gradually dispersed. Jenny had almost sold all her herbs, her heart swelling with hope.

Clutching a small pouch of coins tightly, she packed up her stall and, upon returning home, handed the pouch to her father, who had been anxiously awaiting her return.

However, instead of gratitude, his eyes gleamed with a greed he couldn't conceal.

He counted the coins, his eagerness evident, and remarked, "This is a good start, but I'm sure you can earn more. Keep collecting these herbs and selling them regularly. We need the money."

"Yes, I will earn more," Jenny replied with determination. She continued, "And also, Father, these coins will be enough to make you debt-free."

The man, lost in his thoughts as he stared at the silver coins, snapped out of his reverie and looked with confusion at the girl. He asked, "What debt?" He glanced between the silver coins and the little girl before adding, "Jenny, you go to sleep. We will talk tomorrow."

Her father's words contradicted the story of their debt that she had heard from his mouth when Ryuk killed him.

However, she reminded herself that they were her family, and despite the inconsistencies, she felt a deep sense of responsibility to continue supporting them.

Exhausted from the day's efforts, Jenny collapsed into a restless sleep.

"She earned quite a lot, didn't she?" a woman remarked, looking toward her husband before seizing the pouch from his hands.

"Oh, four silver coins! Has she sold some hidden treasure?"

Her eyes gleamed with avarice until her husband uttered, "Should we wait a little longer before selling her?"

Hearing those words, the woman fixed her husband with an intense gaze, a sly smirk playing on her lips. "Are you joking? Don't tell me you're developing a soft spot for her."

The man laughed, saying, "Don't kid me. She's not even our daughter."

Unbeknownst to the couple, the girl who seemed to be sleeping had overheard everything.

Her eyes widened, tears welled up, and she lay there, absorbing a revelation she had never fathomed: 'I'm not even their child'

The night was shrouded in a girl's tears, cascading from her eyes. Despite knowing that her parents had brown hair while hers was pink, she couldn't come to terms with it.

Her stubbornness, coupled with the painful memory of her family's demise at the hands of Ryuk, kept her in denial.

Early in the morning, she left the house to earn something to support her family. She returned in the evening only to witness her mother talking to a man.

"Haha, come inside; she will arrive in some moment,"

Jenny's eyes widened as she recognized the man who had sold her to the Auction. She shouted, "No! Stop, Mother, you can't do this again."

Her mind swirled with thoughts. Hadn't she just cleared her father's debt yesterday with the money she earned from selling herbs?

"W-what, oh Jenny, come here. Go with this uncle; he will give you food,"

Jenny's mother said, her eyes fixated on the pouch filled with silver coins in her hands, her face full of greed. She extended her hand for Jenny to accompany the man while she remained transfixed by the money.

"Stop it! Don't come near me,"

Jenny said, her eyes wide with fear, as the man and his two companions closed in on her.

Her mind raced with numerous thoughts and fears.

' If I went to that monster again, he will again on name of saving me, will kill my family, No! '