Author: aji (あじ)
Translator: sleepingjay
No. That was wrong, that wasn’t it.
I was hesitating not because I was doubting Jill, but because I wanted to believe him. If it was a short while ago, I would not have had the slightest doubt. But now I wanted to believe — in Jill, and in every person that was dear to him.
“…..It isn’t about Jill.”
“Truly?”
“Aa, it’s not about Jill. ……Because even if Jill had schemed, like you just said, you wouldn’t have made that kind of face.”
“Is that so?”
His purple eyes narrowed.
The smile that curled the shadow’s lips held zero friendliness.
“If it is true that Lilius-dono was only wondering who to trust, then all is fine. However, if the other party is the Lord, then it is a different story. If even a little hesitation exists due to that weak will, then please, disappear from the Lord’s sight.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“…..Why are you, of all people, saying this?”
“Dfmjerf lo P vbc’a rjs la, atfc cbybvs klii rjs la. Glv sbe atlcx fnfgsbcf kbeiv fcmbegjuf sbe? Glv sbe atlcx atja fnfgsbcf kbeiv agfja sbe xlcvis?”
“P kjrc’a atlcxlcu ilxf atja—”
“Efjiis? Qfii atfc, tjnf sbe ulnfc jcs mbcrlvfgjalbc ab atf Obgv’r rlaejalbc? Po sbe jcv atja kfjx tfjga bo sbegr jgf ajxfc jvnjcajuf bo, atfc atf Obgv, ktb agerar lc sbe, klii yf fjrlis vfmflnfv.”
“Deceived……I won’t do such a thing.”
At my words that spilled out subconsciously, the shadow’s shapely eyebrows rose, and he let out a scornful laugh.
He slowly shook his head at me, looking just like a teacher dealing with a terrible student, and that attitude rubbed me the wrong way.
However, what I heard next—that thing from those distant memories—poured cold water on me, and my heart froze over.
“Do you know of the Divine Flower’s Fruit?”
“—!”
“It seems you are knowledgeable about it.”
“Why……that thing, why do you—”
“Why? Because I was the one that investigated Lilius-dono‘s past. I was also the one that selected which information was pertinent, and collated it all into a report.”
Those eyes squinted in pleased, terrifying satisfaction. As if my whole body and heart had fused together, it started throbbing furiously, and my face turned pale.
Just what does he know….
In his grip, this man held information that he had not told anyone, even Jill. Right now, having not the slightest idea what that information was, the ground under me felt unstable, like the yawning maw of the deep abyss.
“Speaking of which, Lilius-dono seems to be vegetarian, but when exactly did that become a daily habit?”
“……I don’t remember. It seems to have been since I was young.”
“I see.”
“You— what have you been trying to say? What do you know about me?!”
It was like being strangled little by little by a smooth, silken cord.
Impatient, the questions grew unbearable, but my pathetic voice only served to heighten all the more my pitifulness and my miserable heart. Watching me, who struggled and gasped for breath, the corner of the shadow’s lips rose.
Were his words just a ploy to toy with me all along, then?
When that idea crossed my mind, the shadow started talking, the smile taking over his face as if he had been waiting for this very moment.
At the remarks that came out of his mouth, my mind went blank, and I was pushed to the edge of despair.
“Lilius-dono, it seems like you were the monarch’s personal pet, yes?”
“—ggh”
“Those chosen by and bequeathed this duty by the monarch, afterwards, have their diet restricted. Only water, and another thing. That was what was called the Divine Flower’s Fruit, the extremely rare fruit that could only be grown in the Schuld Kingdom.”
“……gh, ah.”
“Even amongst the many pets, you were the most loved one, so I wonder what kind of secrets of the Schuld Kingdom do you know of?”
My head was ringing and nauseous, and there was a buzz in my ears. I didn’t know whether I was breathing in and out or not at all, and I even became unclear whether I was still standing.
I couldn’t understand the meaning of the shadow’s words.
I was……, that I was the monarch’s pet, that wasn’t a joke I could laugh at at all.
And yet, without a single hesitation, the shadow pushed me down into the abyss.
Thankies a loott for translatinggg
I ain’t one for hate crimes, but I just might commit one because of shadow.
Well wtf. Just what does this shadow want?
Thanks for the chapter <3
+1
thanks for the chapter! ♡hmm, what effect does this fruit have? we know that it’s rare, it’s likely connected to lilius’ diet, it’s given to the monarch’s “pets”, and that these “pets” are probably young . mm, the word “pets” and lilius’ reaction to being called one don’t give me good feelings… please don’t tell me it’s something perverted that makes lilius’ tragic past seem light in comparison…
I think it’s precisely what you are thinking and it is not only perverted but also abusive. Some chapters ago it was mentioned that he was raped multiple times by multiple people. So this “pet” sounds to me like a very dark and cruel irony.
Thank you for the chapter!
Thank you for the chapter!!
OMG how much longer will they torment Lilius with the past that is best forgotten, which was full of hurt, humiliation, abuse and darkness. 😰😭😥 This shadow should stop and fricking go away, how could he used the information for personal motives!!?? 🤬🤬🤬
This shadow….do you think it’s fine to trigger someone’s trauma?? come here, let me strangle you
Idgaf if this shadow has trauma or loves Jill and is super loyal only to him or whatever other excuse he gives me, you think digging into someone’s extensive trauma and making them relive it is okay??! I would be surprised if Lilius doesn’t do something drastic like erasing his own memories through black magic and almost dying. This is the shittiest move I have ever seen, I’m sorry but I down think I’ll be tolerating this shadow, ever.
thanks for the chapter!