Nightmare

After three days of grueling but rewarding training, Alice moved with a newfound confidence and grace. Her movements, once hesitant, were now fluid and precise. Each swing of her sword sang through the air, a testament to her dedication. She and Leon had also gathered the necessary materials for their guild quests. As they walked back towards the city, Leon placed a hand on her shoulder, a proud smile gracing his lips.

"Ready to head back and turn in our haul?"

At the guild, the air crackled with the usual boisterous energy of adventurers. The smell of sweat, ale, and roasted meat filled the hall. Lana, perched behind the counter, greeted them with a wide, welcoming smile. "Welcome back! You two were gone a while. Find anything interesting out there?"

"Just the usual," Leon replied casually, his eyes meeting Lana's. "A few troublesome monsters, a bit of exploring." He didn't want to reveal the true purpose of their extended trip. They submitted their materials, exchanged a few more jokes with Lana, and then left the bustling guild hall, eager to return to the quiet of their room.

Back in their room at the inn, Alice, her muscles aching but her spirit soaring, practically melted onto the bed. The soft mattress cushioned her weary body, and she closed her eyes with a sigh of contentment. Leon watched her, his heart swelling with affection. He knew how much effort she had poured into her training. He sat down beside her, deciding to browse the system shop for suitable bloodlines and physiques for her while she rested. He wanted to find something that would complement her new High Human form and enhance her abilities.

As he scrolled through the seemingly endless list of options, Alice began to stir. Her brow furrowed, and she whimpered softly, her breathing becoming shallow and uneven. Leon's concern deepened. He gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead, his touch feather-light. He whispered soothing words, hoping to calm her troubled dreams. Suddenly, she sat bolt upright, her eyes wide with terror, tears streaming down her face. Her breath hitched in her throat.

"Alice! What is it? Are you alright?" Leon asked, his voice laced with alarm. He pulled her into a comforting embrace, holding her close as she trembled.

For a long moment, Alice remained silent, her body shaking with suppressed sobs. Then, hesitantly, she began to speak, her voice barely a whisper. "When I was little… my mother and I lived in another city. We weren't wealthy, but we were… happy. Until… until my mother got sick." Her voice broke, and she gasped for air. "I tried… I tried everything I could to help her. But she just… kept getting worse."

Alice paused, taking a shuddering breath. The memory of that time, so vivid and painful, washed over her. "I finally found an herb… in the wild. It was supposed to… to help her. I rushed back… and I found her… on the ground. And… and there were these nobles… standing over her. Laughing." The word was laced with a bitter, heartbreaking pain.

She choked back a sob, her small frame trembling in Leon's arms. "We...we hadn't done anything wrong. We were just living our lifes."

Alice's tears flowed freely now, her voice raw with grief. "I tried to stop them… but one of the guards… he just… threw me aside. Like I was nothing. The herbs… they spilled on the ground… and the Viscount's son… he picked them up… and just… took them. He even… he even banned me from leaving the city. Said I was a peasant and didn't deserve to be there. My mother… she died because of him. And then… they accused me… of having poisonous herbs… and banished me. I couldn't even… I couldn't even bury her."

The image of young Alice, alone and grieving, haunted Leon. He felt a surge of protective rage so intense it made his vision blur. His hands clenched into fists, his knuckles white. He could feel the dragon within him clawing to the surface, its fury mirroring his own. But he fought it back, knowing it would only terrify Alice more. He forced himself to remain calm, his voice low and dangerous. "Do you want revenge, Alice?"

Alice looked up at him, her emerald eyes filled with a profound sadness and a flicker of something else… a spark of anger. "I… I don't know," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I just… I want to know why. Why would he do that? How could he… just because he felt like it?".

Leon held her close, his arms a shield against her pain. He felt her tears soaking into his shirt, but he didn't care. He felt her pain as if it were his own. "Don't worry, my love," he murmured, his voice firm and reassuring. "They will pay for what they did to you. I promise you that. Tell me… what was the name of the noble?"

"Viscount Craven," Alice replied, her voice barely audible.

Leon's grip tightened slightly. He felt a burning rage, a cold, calculated fury that settled deep in his bones. He would not let this go unpunished. He gently laid Alice back down on the bed. "Rest now," he whispered, kissing her forehead. He knew she was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. He would deal with this.

Once Alice was finally asleep, her breathing even and deep, Leon's demeanor shifted. The gentle warmth vanished, replaced by a chilling resolve. His eyes, now cold and hard, reflected the storm raging within him. He opened the system shop and began his search. He spent hours meticulously reviewing the options, his mind racing with plans, each one darker and more ruthless than the last. Finally, he found what he was looking for. He purchased the items without hesitation. Viscount Craven's fate was sealed. His wife would have her justice. And Leon would personally ensure that Craven learned the true meaning of regret.