2nd Day (3) | The Start of A New Life in "Hell" (2)

"Well, then... If you'll excuse me, I'll be leaving now, Lady Ana," Sebas said with a calm bow to the still perplexed Anastasia.

Anastasia herself... could only nod to his words before averting her gaze away from his. The maid Bella was quick on her feet to attend to her downcast mistress, ready to meet any of her needs.

Sebas... didn't leave just yet, his gaze fixed on the fallen noblewoman's state... with a memory of his past life once again reminding him of the fate that 'would have' befallen this red-haired villainess.

'... Even if I prevent her 'fated demise,' her 'crimson fate' could still happen, huh...'

< | X | >

[Several minutes earlier]

Sebas hummed a light tune to himself as he worked on cleaning the remnants of the fire pit from last night's campfire. He then promptly picked up the firelogs he'd prepared nearby, ready to place them into the firepit for a fresh fire.

He was thinking of preparing a light breakfast for Lady Ana and her two aides, but suddenly—

"SEBAS...!!!"

"...!"

The loud shout of a woman's voice came from the direction of the tent where Anastasia was sleeping!

His eyes widened in surprise, and without a second thought, he abandoned the log and rushed toward the tent!

He pushed aside the curtains... and was immediately hit by a sickening sight...!

A dark, ominous red light—a crimson glow—was emanating from the sleeping form of Anastasia.

The glow filled the air inside the tent, its oppressive presence suffocating even Sebas himself...!

Worse still, Bella, lying on the other bed, seemed to struggle to breathe, the red light seeping into her...!

"Damn it...!"

He quickly went over to Anastasia's side, kneeling down as his gaze fell on her distressed form. Her face was twisted in pain, and her body writhed as though tormented by an unseen force...!

"Lady Ana! Wake up! Wake up!!" Sebas called out, his voice desperate.

He shook Anastasia's trembling form, trying to reach out with a faint hope, but... it was clear his words had no impact.

Her eyes remained tightly shut, her expression hardening with every passing second...!

'At this rate, she'll transform at any moment...!'

His heart raced as his mind searched frantically for a solution. There was no time to waste as the crimson light slowly intensified—

"That's it...!"

But then, in a flash of clarity, an idea crossed his mind!

Without hesitation, Sebas extended both hands over her chest, channeling his mana... A white ethereal light began to form between his palms, growing brighter with every passing second...!

"Light Arcana..."

He poured more mana into the light, feeling it swirl in his hands, as its glow began to clash with the crimson light emanating from her...!

And finally... he chanted his spell!

"... PURIFY!!!"

A brilliant burst of light erupted, filling the entire tent with its radiant, blinding brilliance!

< | X | >

The image of her pained state was still very much fresh in his mind... and he couldn't help but grimace at it.

A feeling... a sense of powerlessness from not knowing what would happen.

He had some knowledge of the 'story,' but... there were vague, empty spots in that knowledge of his, which included, unfortunately, to what happened to the 'fallen villainess,' Anastasia Rosavich.

He took one last glance at Anastasia's form, being tended to by Bella... before finally leaving the tent.

< | X | >

Both Anastasia and Bella finally came out from the tent. Immediately, the morning sun shone on them as they felt the slight warmth mixed with the chill of the early day.

Their sight landed first on the butler Sebas, tending to the campfire. From the pot prepared nearby, it was clear to the two of them that he was about to cook some sort of breakfast for them.

However, a small frown etched itself on his face... something they found quite odd coming from the usually cheery butler.

Seeing that he was about to prepare a meal, Bella, of course, promptly approached him.

"S-Sir Sebas...!" she stammered, her tone anxious yet determined. "Let me help you with the cooking!"

"Hmm...? Oh, Miss Maid," he replied with a slight nod, realizing not just Bella's presence but even Anastasia herself.

The butler quickly shifted his previously worried expression to a more composed and cheerful one, trying to mask his concern... though it was something that Anastasia still managed to notice.

"You gals ready for the day?" he asked, his tone lighthearted yet carrying a hint of his previous worry.

"Y-yes, sir!" Bella answered with enthusiasm, snapping into a soldier's salute. "I-I'm ready to face any horrifying and d-d-deadly beast roaming the Garden of Hell!"

"Haha, you don't have to go that far. That job will be for me and Miss Knight to deal with." 

"A-ah yes! Of course...! Though, wait..."

Bella suddenly froze in realization at Sebas's words, as did Anastasia. The latter quickly noticed what—or rather, who—was missing at the moment.

"Sir Sebas... where's Martha?" the Mistress inquired, her gaze scanning the camp for her trusted knight.

Sebas was about to answer her, but—

"I'm right here, my lady!"

The familiar voice of the female knight interrupted, and they all turned toward its source—

"W-what...?!"

Anastasia and her maid gasped in shock at the sight of their armor-less, tank-top-wearing brunette knight... who was covered in bandages and bruises from head to toe.

"M-Martha...!? What happened to you...?!" the Mistress exclaimed, her voice carrying deep concern for the knight.

Martha chuckled softly, though the motion made her wince. She was glad for the concern her mistress showed her.

"It's nothing serious, my lady," she reassured with a faint smile. "I've just been... training... with Sir Butler."

"T-training...?" Anastasia repeated, her brows knitting in confusion as her eyes took in the result of this so-called 'training.'

"Yes, my lady," Martha confirmed, adjusting the strap of her tank top as she straightened her posture despite her injuries. "Sir Butler insisted that I needed some advanced training in both swordsmanship and combat, especially for dealing with any future trouble... such as monsters and the like."