Chapter 98: CH 109

Chapter 109

Translator: Yonnee

RP: Haebaragi_syk

—

Virus.

What if, in the end, she was actually a virus in this system?

She was meant to become a casualty borne from the main couple’s love. She was a plot device that would lead the protagonist to the path of happiness.

However, rather than carrying out her role, she had pushed the protagonist down the abyss.

As a result of her wrong actions, the world was trying to transform her, the virus. Perhaps akin to an intangible vaccine, it was constantly attacking her to get rid of her…

‘If it’s like that, then it makes sense…’

Evidence of this was the buggy errors she had seen on the broken output screens—and this was manifesting as her hands and feet getting deformed.

There was no clearer answer other than this.

At this endlessly dreadful conclusion, slowly but surely, her mind gradually sank into the darkness.

In the end, she anxiously fiddled with the artifact inside her waist pocket.

“Reina, I cast a stronger spell on this compared to the pendant last time. That aside, this artifact is also capable of casting communication magic, so if anything happens, please contact me.”

Ethan gave this to Reina before she left the capital.

‘Should I ask Ethan about this…’

However, she didn’t know if Ethan would react in the same way that others did.

Looking up at Mary, who was sitting in front of her, Reina thought,

‘Right. Mary had been by my side for such a long time now, but she didn’t believe me either.’

So, Ethan would be no different.

‘I can never… never tell anyone else.’

With that firm resolution in mind, Reina closed her eyes.

But at that moment.

Rattle—

The carriage slowed to a halt. Then, she heard someone say, ‘Please stop’ outside the carriage’s walls.

Puzzled, Reina cracked the window open slightly.

And there, outside, she saw knights donning armors with a coat of arms bearing red roses and thorns—the insignia of House Chantra.

As her gaze reached them, the dozens of knights all knelt on one knee each and bowed to her in unison.

“We shall serve you from now on, Lady Reina.”

This excessive welcome was one that she had never experienced before, and her eyes widened in bewilderment. Then, the captain of the chivalric order stood up from the ground and greeted her again.

“I greet you, Lady Reina of House Chantra, ruler of the western sea. Karbon Lutana, knight captain of the Fourth Chivalric Order of the Red Thorns, reporting for duty.”

Reina made a slight gesture, and all the other knights stood up at the same time.

A small smile found its way on Reina’s lips as the captain approached the carriage.

“Long time no see, Karbon. It’s been a while since I’ve heard that cheesy greeting of yours.”

“Formal greetings are meant to be cheesy anyway, right? By the way, how have you been?”

“I’ve been well. But Karbon, I think this welcome is a bit too much, isn’t it?”

Reina was still baffled as she looked around at all the disciplined knights standing tall right there. The knight captain explained.

“The plague has begun spreading in the Launcer village, which is originally where you’re scheduled to pass. That’s why your entourage will have to take a detour, but there are many wild beasts down that path. Us knights of the fourth order are meant to go to the Launcer village as well, but we’ve been come down  escort you back to the Chantra estate first.”

Reina’s expression turned serious the moment she heard the unexpected news.

“The plague?”

“Yes. The plague had spread to the Bezak estate first, but it had already spread here as well.”

The plague was coming from Bezak? But that was impossible.

“Bezak is located in the eastern region of the country. How in the world did the plague spread from there when the Chantra estate is in the west end?”

“We are also still investigating. It’s better to be safe first and—”

Ka-chak.

But before the knight captain could finish speaking, Reina got out of the carriage.

“No, we’re not changing the route.

Mary followed after Reina straight away and quickly clasped her lady’s arm. The short sentence that the lady had uttered was enough for her to understand.

“Milady! Why would you go to a dangerous place again!”

Reina loosened Mary’s grip then turned to face the knight captain again. She firmly gave him an order.

“I am the only Chantra here, so you are obligated to take my orders. Lead me to the Launcer village, Captain Karbon.”

Out of the blue, her body began to transform into something else, which led to her being sent back to her family’s estate. And, out of the blue as she was on her way to the estate, the plague broke out in the vicinity.

It could be that… this was not mere coincidence.

* * *

Naturally, an argument ensued and tensions rose as Reina ordered for the entourage to go to the Launcer village anyway.

However.

“Decide here. Would you rather oppose me here only to find that I’ve run away by myself to the village? Or would you rather just go with me there as I’m under the watchful guardianship of the knights?”

Everyone who had been in the household all these years knew Reina’s character through and through. Thus, they were well aware that there was virtually no stopping Chantra’s youngest child once she had made up her mind.

Besides, the youngest child of the family was already notorious for having once run away from home. It was obvious who the winner of this argument was going to be.

—The plague is developing unusually. Promise me that you won’t get close to any of the patients.

Her father had contacted her through a communication device and gave the same warning over and over again. Then, perhaps anxious, he cautioned the knight captain as well.

—Captain Karbon, I will trust you with her. That child, right now… There is something that is weighing extremely heavily on her mind right now, so don’t allow her to overdo it.

“I understand, Your Lordship.”

“I’ll be careful, Father. Stop pestering the captain.”

—I’m just worried, that’s why… You truly continue to be my child who I hear shocking things about anytime and anywhere.

Her father also knew his daughter exceedingly well. He knew that she was going to stand in the front lines once again, looking after the patients.