[Author's Note: For bonus chapters, the goal every week is:
- 25 Power Stones
- 50 Power Stones]
[A.N: Apologies to everyone for posting this chapter a bit late, Enjoy the novel.]
Volume 2 Chapter 44: Paralyze
So, without thinking much, she relaxed her body and she controlled her body to slowly fall to the ground so that she wouldn't receive further damage.
But to witness this was Eve and Pepper, the two of them immediately started panicking, thinking that Carmilla's condition was much more worse than they have thought and that she might pass out. Due to their panic, they did not notice that Carmilla's falling speed was much slower than to someone who have pass out.
Carmilla, who is currently lying down on the ground, didn't realize that she had unknowingly caused Eve and Pepper to panic even more.
She thought that lying down was a bit uncomfortable but still much better than kneeling on one knee.
She then noticed Eve and Pepper looking at her worriedly, and the two of them seemed to be panicking.
She subconsciously wanted to speak up, but all she could do was open and close her mouth, occasionally emitting a weak groaning sound.
Eve and Pepper, upon reaching Carmilla, began by checking her whole body for external wounds, which was a bit uncomfortable for Carmilla as they touched her all over around.
She tried to voice her discomfort or make a gesture, but all she managed to do was make Eve and Pepper suspect that Carmilla was uncomfortable or in pain, especially when she groaned and squirmed from time to time.
But after a while, they had to give up on searching externally, as they confirmed that Carmilla wasn't wounded on the outside.
They began to suspect that Carmilla might be injured internally, though they weren't sure since they aren't a healer or a doctor.
That's when they suddenly heard a voice just behind them.
"You two can rest assured; your original is not in any form of danger."
The two of them jumped in surprise when they suddenly heard Vespera speak very close right behind them.
Carmilla, who is facing the other direction as Eve and Pepper positioned her on her side when they are checking for injuries on her back.
So she was also surprised when a different voice sounded behind them.
If she were not in this condition, she would also react not much differently from Eve and Pepper, but with her body still unable to move due to paralysis, the only indicator that Carmilla was shocked was her facial expression and a heart that was still beating a bit faster than normal.
But after the voice spoke a bit more, she quickly recognized it as Vespera's voice.
Pepper, being the only one able to speak audibly due to Carmilla's current condition, and Eve, who can only typically communicated normally through telepathy, so Pepper who is the only one who can began a conversation with Vespera.
Pepper patted her chest in surprise before addressing Vespera.
"Phew, you startled us there. Why weren't you making any sound when you were walking? Were you trying to scare us to death? Ah, never mind that. Since when were you standing behind the three of us?"
Vespera apologized upon hearing Pepper's words and acknowledged that the three of them were genuinely surprised.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to surprise the three of you."
Pepper accepted Vespera's apology, especially since she still owed Vespera one for saving her from falling face-first one the ground a while ago. she
"It's fine, but please make a sound when you're walking," Pepper requested politely.
"I will do that, but I think we won't be
seeing each other for a long time after this," Vespera replied solemnly.
"After hearing that," Pepper realized, "it reminded me that you are only here as one out of three of our challenges we have to overcome."
Carmilla, who is still lying motionless on the ground, cringed a bit at what Pepper just said; it sounded pretty similar to what an shonen anime character would say to a powerful enemy.
"Ehem!" Eve, who is still at Carmilla's side and concerned about her condition, couldn't help but make a fake cough to remind the two of them about Carmilla's unknown condition.
Pepper, who was about to spew a few more nonsenses, turned around and looked at Eve, who was making a pointing gesture at Carmilla using her eyes.
Pepper then looked toward Carmilla, who was also looking back at her.
Pepper then started looking around, and after she confirmed that no one was looking at her and everyone's attention was directed at Carmilla, she smirked at Carmilla, making sure that Carmilla will see it.
Carmilla indeed saw it, and her eyes widened. She now knew why Pepper suddenly diverted all the attention to herself.
This was Pepper's revenge for when Carmilla had pushed her out earlier.
Pepper had concocted this plan after ensuring that Carmilla wouldn't die and was certain that Carmilla was feeling extremely uncomfortable lying down on the hard rock ground.
She felt a sense of satisfaction upon seeing Carmilla's reaction, knowing that her playful revenge was a huge success.
Eve started to signal Pepper again, noticing that Pepper hadn't asked Vespera beside them who should know about Carmilla's current condition and what happened to her.
Pepper, who is still happy that her playful revenge was successful, acted this time since she knew she would be scolded by Eve later on if she didn't act after Eve signaled her multiple times.
"Umm, Vespera," Pepper began, catching Vespera's attention with the mention of her name.
That's when Vespera heard and notice her, and the two of them exchange a look between the two of them.
The two of them waited for either one of them to break the silence, but after a couple of dozen seconds passed with awkward silence lingering, Pepper couldn't handle it anymore.
Pepper decided to initiate the conversation with Vespera, although she was worried about appearing rude for not letting Vespera start. However, upon reflection, she realized they had been speaking to Vespera casually earlier and sometimes she was also rudely speaking with her, so worrying about rudeness at this point seemed redundant.
Pepper finally broke the silence by addressing Vespera, "Can I ask what is wrong with Master Carmilla and her current condition?"
Hearing Pepper's question, Vespera took a short glance at the paralyzed Carmilla before shifting her gaze back to Pepper.
"Carmilla here is just suffering from a weak backlash she received from making a mistake in her recent attempt to cast the blood slash spell, if I'm correct," Vespera explained.
Vespera paused for a moment and took another glance at Carmilla with a perplexed look before continuing.