Chapter 43 – 4. At the Mouth of Despair (3)
Dawn broke.
Beatrix went back to her room. All employees were given a day off. He took into account the fact that he had to suffer because he was suddenly summoned at dawn. Unlike her cruel disposition, the queen was on the side of clear division of her work.
It must mean that if you want to use these decently useful people for a long time, you should let them take a break. Thanks to that, I was able to take care of Elizabeth’s body, but I didn’t feel grateful for that. Because it was so miserable.
Like a lamb being led to the slaughterhouse, waiting to be disposed of.
“Jeongwoo-gong, Ms. Mitemeyer was injected with a large amount of narcotic painkillers.”
Adele, who said she would go to a room in the basement of the official residence for a while, returned an hour later with an item created through alchemy. She used a lot of different things, from a squirt of ointment to a liquid in a flask, which she said would help keep her from choking.
“You have to watch closely from now on. Please hold the rubber tube part here and adjust the drug so that it does not inject too quickly or too slowly.”
“Can you tell me what the condition is?”
“The critical hurdle has been passed. At least you won’t die of shock.”
But even that was just an emergency treatment, she said. To borrow Adele’s words, she was not a medical alchemist, and Elizabeth’s wounds were such that even a traumatologist could not guarantee recovery.
“I can imagine the pain of the ball. It was something that no one could stand upright without being swept away by despair. So I understand that you are buried in your emotions and feel ashamed.”
“…….”
“But get through it anyway. Just like the one you saw on the streets where you shouldn’t be in Saxony. Resolutely rise above the present hardships and adversity.”
I looked at Elizabeth without speaking. Aside from the fractured ankle, the sunken face was terrifying and pitiful. At least the ointment Adele had given her had lessened her swelling, but that was all for her. Anyone can see that Elizabeth was on the verge of dying.
Even if I save my life, I won’t be able to show my old self again.
“I think I was wrong.”
As if in a fit of seizure, he held his lover’s hand tightly. She suppressed her intense emotions inside her and calmly reviewed her own actions. Where did you go wrong? Ever since he invaded Saxony single-handedly? Or since I tried to make Feininger and his intelligence agents my people?
Not. From the moment he made a deal with the Queen to kill Rolfe. From that moment on, this fate had been predestined. No matter how hard you try, it’s like leaving someone else to do something you have to do yourself. It is also to the enemy who ultimately has to fight.
“I don’t have enough strength…… !”
How many times do you have to promise to not feel ashamed? The billions collapse in shame. Even with the loss of Victoria and Cecilia, the proper lessons have not been learned. Elizabeth is proof of that. I have no right to make them my enemies.
“First, watch the situation.”
Adele set an Erlenmeyer flask down on the chest of drawers by her bed. What was inside were red pebbles with a rather splendid color. It was about the size of a pill you can get at a pharmacy. It’s not like it’s not, but the use seemed like that too.
“It is a tranquilizer. If you can’t stand it while I’m away for a while, take it.”
“It sounds like you’re mocking me, even though you know it’s not like that.”
It is a delusion of low-level damage. While admitting my weakness, I poured the medicine from the flask into my mouth. At first glance, it looked like the stone-shaped chocolate I ate as a child, but the taste was quite bitter and bitter.
“It is a very normal reaction. Traumatized people tend to become aggressive.”
The drug seemed to have a quick effect, so the reaction came quickly. Feeling more subdued, I focused on what Adele was saying. There was nothing else to do, and it was because I couldn’t bear it if I didn’t lose my mind like that.
“People shrink when faced with shock. We call it fear, or fear.”
Was it because of the medicinal effect? I fell in love with Adele’s eyes. I was captivated by the milky white eyes shining through his black hair. Coincidentally, she looked very much like the wife I loved. In addition, her eyes were aloof, unlike those seen in Saxony.
“Do you know how great a driving force fear is in human growth?”
I do not know. Never in my life have I experienced the positive factor of fear.
“You look at me wondering if there really is such a thing.”
Even if such a thing really exists and helps me. How could I be so calm in front of a person who has become like this because of me?
“It’s okay. It will be better next time It’s enough to stand up again.”
I spoke mockingly in an exaggerated tone.
“…… Such consolation is only suitable for those who deserve it.”
What kind of consolation can a scum receive if it fails to do its job despite all the help it has received?
“There are many hardships and trials latent in our lives. Sometimes someone gets overwhelmed by it and becomes a cripple. But a calm person will not mock such a person for being weak.”
Adele moved closer to her side where I sat down.
“Although fear is shunned by those who abuse it, it is not something to be feared and rejected. Sometimes that fear becomes a milestone that lights the way we move on.”
I came over and added her own to my hand, which held Elizabeth’s hand tightly.
“Are you tired and exhausted? So did you fall down? Then let’s take a break. The ball deserves it. Everyone deserves it.”
But I just can’t control the collapse. Adele must have noticed my thoughts, and she put strength on her hand that was covering mine. Then he spoke clearly, with more force than ever before.
“The true meaning of hardships and trials is when you overcome them. Of course, there will be people who get eaten in the process. There will also be those who fall out. But that doesn’t mean I don’t think their challenges are meaningless.”
Was she such a strong woman? I knew she had few emotional ups and downs, but I never thought that she would be able to speak with such a firm attitude.
“No matter what I say to the ball now, it won’t touch me. So, please rest first.”
I listened to Adele as if possessed.
“Relax, but don’t forget. That there is nothing more foolish than to prejudge the process based only on the outcome.”
After uttering her words, she removed her hand. She apologized and said she would bring her doctor. Unlike me who can’t go outside the official residence, he said that there would be no problem because he was on vacation.
“Are you okay? Could it be that I will be harmed later?”
“If Your Excellency had made up his mind, Miss Mittemeyer would have already lost her life right away. The fact that she can survive like this means that she can be treated in a way that is as unobtrusive as possible.”
Adele nodded her head. She’ll be back soon, so please wait, she said. I had no choice but to let her go in the end despite her dubious doubts. Even if she wasn’t calling the doctor, because she had a favor to ask.
“If you don’t mind, could you give Otto a call?”
“Yes, I will.”
* * *
It was exactly one hour after leaving the official residence. Adele, who was on the receiving end of a phone in a back alley on Boeblingen Street, listened to the voice coming over it.
“That’s how it happened.”
The person on the phone was, of course, Otto Moritz. He was a general of the 9th corps, who wore army combat uniforms and commanded the special suppression company from the dawn of time.
“I received the address given by Giselle from Miss Mittemeyer. The unit completed all operations exactly two hours ago and safely withdrew. So, how is Jungwoo?」
“You are very heartbroken. You probably won’t be able to recover for a while.”
“How is Ms. Mittemeyer?”
“Leave the doctor to us. While Miss Schneider returns to her residence, I will arrange for a skilled surgeon to join us. I don’t know how dangerous Miss Mittemeyer’s life is, but I will never let her die.”
“We?”
“…… Exactly. I’m next to you now, so I’ll change the phone. And before that, I should apologize.”
Otto, who was answering the phone in the yard rather than the study at his home outside Brullin, groaned and added:
“I’m sorry. I can’t deny that it was my fault that this happened. I owe Miss Schneider a great debt. They became generals by name and fell for the enemy’s deceit and delivered false information.”
“No, the opponent was Saxony’s boss. Given her deception, I don’t think she should ever be ashamed to fall for it.”
“I’m glad you said that. Then I’ll change the phone.”
Otto handed over the phone. The opponent was an orc man who was wearing a military uniform like me.
“…… It’s called Warden Feininger. May I ask you to introduce your relationship with His Excellency Youngbugun?”
“This is Adele Schneider. I don’t think there’s any other way to describe it other than that it’s a body that’s dressed in silver.”
“Youngbu-kun is very heartbroken.”
“…… Yes.”
“Could you please tell me?”
“Yes, of course.”
Holding the receiver, Feininger briefly moved his gaze to the place where I was standing. Let’s see the crowd of people crowded into the home of the Moritz couple, which is normally only used by two people.
“I am Major General Anton Feininger of the Bernhard Army Intelligence Department. And here…… 」
Adele didn’t know where it was beyond the receiver, but she could tell from the voices she heard before long. At least what the atmosphere was like there and what the sights were like.
“This is Lieutenant Colonel Hartmut Heinz of the Bernhard Army Intelligence Department. Regards to His Excellency Youngbugun! Also, please tell them that you wish them a speedy recovery!”
“Captain Franz Rosencrantz of the Bernhard Army Intelligence Department. I greet you as the second son of the famous Rosenkrantz. My family and I will never forget the grace we received today.”
Starting with major general, lieutenant colonel, captain, and after that, the number of ranks increased exponentially. Adele chewed over the names of the intelligence officers she heard over the receiver one by one. Because they asked me to tell them.
“135 key figures belonging to the Army Intelligence Department are addressing Your Excellency the First Lady. We are now gathered at the home of General Moritz. All pledges made by the Schneider family of Saxony and Beckenbauer have been safely lifted as of today. So I want to tell you about it.”
“…… Yes, what can I tell you?”
Feininger and 135 intelligence agents shouted in unison. And the song was conveyed to Adele through the transmitter and wire.
“A total of 702 families have returned to our arms.”
“Therefore, all of us, the Bernhard Army Intelligence Department, swear allegiance to the First Lady.”
“Please recover!”
Adele’s ears perked up. It was that loud. Otto, who changed the phone belatedly, grabbed the receiver and opened his mouth.
“Tell Jungwoo how great today’s progress is. He saved 702 lives and won 135 hearts. Whatever Beatrix said, he did it his way.”
“I think the numbers are wrong.”
“…… ?」
“You saved my life too. He also won your heart.”
Adele added with a nod of his head.
“It is as General Moritz said. There are things that even I, His Excellency Adler, do not know. He considers his fiancé a failure today…….”
“…… Yes, it is.」
Nothing is lost yet.
“That’s a story when you didn’t care about us.”
But much has been gained.
“Someday, the day will come when the events of today will turn the tide.”
“No way.”
Because that opportunity was given to a man who could come back to life even after dying.
