Chapter 377 - Lizbeth
The atmosphere trembled.
A faint vibration resonated, racing through the earth.
Immediately after———-
A burst of white light erupted, engulfing everything.
it was an amount of light that felt like it could blind you.
Gradually, the eerie white light began to converge.
Little by little, my vision returned.
(That just now……?)
Gazing with the eyes of my familiar———- the sight I’m seeing left me confused.
(Arehh? I should have been on a tree within the castle grounds…… Hmm, the branches of this tree seem to be the same as they were just moments ago. So, does that mean…… I haven’t moved from here? Then……)
(Am I trapped……?)
However, upon closer inspection, I could confirm several holes resembling entrances.
(If I go through those holes, can I get out……?)
I looked around once again, focusing on the upper areas.
I could see other crows flying away.
It seemed that the creatures other than me hadn’t disappeared.
That’s when I realized something.
This was bad.
Where were Vysis and the Divine Servants?
This anomaly needed to be reported to Touka-san and the others.
However, with that light just now, Vysis and the Divine Servants might have disappeared.
It’s strange, but when I see flies, I strangely feel rea.s.sured.
————Let’s do our best.
For that person’s sake.
The person who saved me.
For the person who rescued me along with Big Sister.
[ ! ]
Vyciss emerged from the King’s Chamber.
Accompanying her is one of the Divine Servants named Wormungandr, walking through the corridor.
Their figures appeared and disappeared between the pillars lining the corridor.
This transformation of the castle…… was something about to start?
I concentrated all my senses, contemplating how I should act now.
At that moment though————
(……Arehh?)
After entering the shadows of a pillar, Vysis didn’t come out.
Even after looking around, I could only confirm Wormungandr’s figure in sight.
Where did Vysis———–
[ S o i t ‘ s y o u . ]
Suddenly, in front of me———- dyed as black as a midnight swamp were two…… eyeb.a.l.l.s————-
————-Crunch————-
With the unpleasant sound of flesh and bone being easily crushed———— my field of vision disappeared.
▽
Suddenly having regained my consciousness, my eyes snapped open.
And then…… utter nothingness.
Was that———- death?
That just now…… Had I just experienced pseudo-death?
Terrifying.
That was terrifying.
Vysis, who suddenly appeared before my eyes……
Although her lips were curled up to a smile———- what she had on her lips wasn’t a smile at all.
Cold, yet harboring unfathomable rage.
Empty, yet overflowing with wickedness.
(……That’s scary.)
The act of reconnecting my consciousness with my familiar.
Even that itself felt terrifying now.
Thinking that I might experience such terror again……
[…………………]
With unsteady feet, I stand up.
My head ached.
Pain repeatedly pulsed in my temples.
My body felt heavy and sluggish…… as if I’m walking underwater.
The acc.u.mulated burden from making use of the familiars weighed heavily on me.
Sweat trickled along my spine.
It was terribly cold.
With my slender arms holding my body, as if protecting herself, I returned to the crystal used for connections.
It may have already been unnecessary for Erica, but I still couldn’t connect with my familiars without this crystal.
(……It’s scary. I’m really scared…… ————However……)
Losing Big Sister and everyone would be even scarier.
Everyone is trying to fight against that thing.
That’s why……
(I’ve got to report…… to Touka-sama and the others……)
All the information I heard and saw must be conveyed.
Since Erika-sama couldn’t move yet, only I could do this now.
I felt cold sweat all over my body and face.
Perhaps this sweat was a warning sign rejecting my future actions.
[……………………]
Feeling the wooden necklace given to me by Big Sister a long time ago wrapped around my neck, I tightly grasped it in my hand.
We……
The two of us decided to become strong together.
However———– I’m very weak.
……But now……
Maybe…… just a little bit……
Closing my eyes, my trembling palms held onto the necklace’s crystalline decoration.
(……Hey, Big Sister.)
Compared to back then———–
[Have I become a little stronger?]
Holding such a thought in my heart————- I started my connection with my familiar once again.