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Chapter 377: Lizbeth
<Lizbeth POV>
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)
It's the royal castle-
It's the royal castle that has changed.
In my position, the sky was no longer visible.
There was this something resembling a white ceiling that seemed to cover everything high up in the sky.
(Did something happen?)
I had been monitoring Vysis and the others until just now.
But then, all of a sudden, the earth trembled- and in an instant, light spread.
(Calm down Calm down)
I refocused my consciousness on my connection with my familiar.
I need to confirm what was going on and report.
Upon closer inspection, it seemed like the original structure of the castle remained.
Rather than a transformation yes, it's more like-
These white wall-like membranes had merged with the building halfway.
It also somewhat feels like I'm inside the belly of a giant creature.
Perhaps thanks to regaining some composure
Taking a deep breath, I flew up to a slightly higher position.
[ ! ]
(What is this)
I couldn't see.
Covered by something like white walls, the royal capital became hidden.
Not only that, a little further ahead was also covered by white walls and ceilings.
Was this entire castle enveloped in those white walls and ceiling?
(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.
Them teleporting somewhere is always a possibility.
Especially since I heard that where Vysis was located was of the utmost importance in this battle.
I turned back and returned to the tree I had been using to keep surveillance.
From that position, I could peek into the King's Chamber through a window.
Incidentally, I wasn't the only crow around this area.
Crows had been inhabiting Enoh from way before.
Perhaps due to the deteriorating sanitation conditions in the royal capital, their numbers had increased recently.
Similarly, I noticed that there were more flies.
Back when I was in White Coin, I was a little uncomfortable with the flies swarming around garbage.
(But now)
Was it because seeing them reminds me of him?
It's strange, but when I see flies, I strangely feel reassured.
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 eyeballs-
-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.
[Haahhh! Haahhh Haahhh!]
Gasping for air like a deceased person that has come back to life, I desperately sucked in oxygen.
With air circulating in my system, my consciousness rapidly began to sharpen.
[Haahhh Haahhh Haahhh]
Right after severing the connection with my familiar- I felt like I had raised a shriek.
I don't remember it quite clearly.
But I think I shrieked, collapsed then lost consciousness.
This place is inside Erica Anarveil's house.
[-]
A cold sensation creeps along my body
A chilly emptiness that makes me tremble
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 accumulated 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.