4[chapter 24: Reinhard's problems]

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star… How I wonder what you are…"

That song… It's familiar… too familiar.

"Shinji!!!"

SLAM!

A sharp sting erupts across my face. Pain. Blinding, throbbing pain.

"Up above the world so high,

Like a diamond in the sky…

Twinkle, twinkle, little star… How I wonder what you are…"

The song echoes inside my skull, bouncing like a soccer ball kicked over and over again. No escape. No pause. Just endless repetition.

The world tilts. My stomach lurches. I'm trapped on a pirate boat at a theme park—rocking back and forth, rising and falling, an unrelenting loop.

It's madness. It's torture.

It hurts. It hurts. It hurts.

Help me. Help me. Help me. Help me!

Stop it! Stop it! Stop torturing meeeee!!!

BANG!

A gunshot. A revolver's crack shatters the air, its echo slamming against unseen walls.

Was I… dead?

No.

I am alive.

But something inside me isn't.

It's like the bullet never touched my body—only my mind. Tearing through my thoughts, ripping them apart. Fracturing me.

This torture… I have to go through it every single day.

That's bullshit.

---

My eyes flutter open.

Soft warmth beneath me.

A face. Serene. Beautiful.

Mino.

Was I… sleeping? On her lap?

No.

This wasn't rest.

It was just a dream.

No—a nightmare.

A nightmare I can't control.

Where am I?

"Oh, you're awake?"

A male voice. The cave's dim light flickers, casting shadows against the stone walls.

I shift my gaze. Three girls. Two boys.

Lucia. And me.

One of the boys looks like a typical nerd, but deep down? He's a wolf in sheep's clothing.

I know it because I am the same.

A murderer trapped in a child's body.

That nightmare… It wasn't just a dream.

It's my real self.

"What is it, Lucia?" I ask, my voice steadier than I feel.

"That bastard Lucas! He trapped us in this tight space!" Lucia groans.

"Yeah, and he took all the gold I worked my ass off to get," the nerd mutters.

Then—

"By the way, Mata… You look better without the mask."

My heartbeat stops.

Mask?

Panic claws its way into my chest.

Shit.

They're gonna notice.

"Aren't you… Raiden Gleanford?"

A new voice. A girl's voice. Shaky. Uncertain.

Eru.

The girl who's always afraid of everything.

"Huh?"

"You… you're really Raiden Gleanford!! Royal Bodyguard of the Crown Princess?! And you're engaged to her! The future King of Ranmusia?! I—I can't believe it!"

The hell is this girl?

How much does she know?

I grit my teeth. Focus. Redirect. Control.

"How long have we been trapped here?" I ask, pushing myself off Mino's lap.

"About three hours, I think?" Lucia replies.

Three. Hours.

I almost choke on my own spit.

"T-Three hours?!"

"Do you have any ideas to break outta here?" Eru asks.

I glance at Mino—

She's still sleeping. Peacefully.

Like a damn child.

Useless demon.

"Well… I'm low on mana, but… gotta try this. And don't tell anyone about this," I said.

Both Lucia and Eru nodded.

Seeing their agreement, I gave them a faint smile. My ears formed above my head, a tail unfurled behind me, and claws extended from my fingers.

"Beast Mode!"

Even though it's incomplete… I have no choice but to try it!

Without hesitation, I crushed the surrounding stones and broke free, holding all the members in my arms. Mino jolted awake in surprise, while Emilia groaned in pain—clearly injured. Then, I returned to normal.

"What the… There's no treasure left," I muttered, scanning the empty space.

"I knew it! That guy would do that!" Lucia groaned in frustration.

"He might've run away to the Kingdom of Normad," Eru added.

"Kingdom of what?" I asked, puzzled.

"Oh, that's the nation where Lucas and I live," Eru replied, her eyes wary.

Letting him go would be a pain in the ass, but… whatever.

"And you're a Beast Kin?" Eru asked curiously.

"Yes, I am," I replied calmly.

"That's… You guys are illegal to enter Ranmusia," said Eru.

"I know… that's why I told you to keep it secret," I said, voice low.

Suddenly, Emilia stood up, groaning. "Let's hurry… I have a bad feeling something's going to happen," she said urgently.

"What do you mean?" I asked, tense.

"I don't know! Just—let's go!" Emilia shouted.

I nodded and ran with the group toward the first floor, using the shortcut we came from.

I carried Emilia on my back; Mino, Eru, and Lucia followed close behind. Even I had a strange feeling… like something terrible was about to happen. It was uncomfortable not returning to the Granbell estate. So, I put my mask on again.

As we continued, we encountered another goblin group. This time, I didn't hesitate.

"EXCALIBUR—LASERRRRR!!!"

A beam hotter than the sun ripped through the goblins, disintegrating them instantly. We pressed on without pause.

Once we were out—there she was.

Tasuya… in a bunny suit?

"Woah, hey—what the fuck is that?" I asked, confused and baffled.

Flustered, Tasuya stammered, "D-do you like this outfit?"

"Sorry, I'm in a hurry." I brushed past him, running straight ahead, while Eru and Lucia decided to stay behind.

"Hey! Young lady is showing you her embarrassing parts at least be honest!" Tasuya shouted. "Good grief."

As we arrived, just as feared, the Granbell estate was in flames. It was ruined. Like hell itself had passed through. There was nothing left.

We rushed inside—and instantly, we saw her.

Satella lay on the ground, a knife lodged deep in her abdomen. She was sobbing, unable to move. We were frozen in shock, but I rushed to her side without a second thought.

"What are you—" Emilia gasped. "Who did this to you, Sister?!"

"Raiden?..." Satella's voice called out weakly. "You're here?..." It was low, but I heard it—clear as day.

"What is it, Satella?!" I asked, holding her face in my hand.

"L-Lady Elizabeth… is kidnapped…" she whispered. "By… Master… Reinhard…"

My blood turned cold. My vision narrowed. My heart burned with fury.

That bastard…

I'll kill him. I swear it. I'll kill him no matter what.

"Raiden…" Satella called again. "Thank you… thank you for everything…"

"Why are you thanking me?"

"It hurts…" she said.

That word…

That word…

It triggered something inside me. The trauma from my past flared up. But I bit down on it and held strong.

"Mino… search for Gramps," I ordered coldly.

"Understood, Master." Mino spread her demon wings and took off into the night.

Wait… why didn't she use those wings when we left the demon continent? The thought crossed my mind, but I pushed it aside.

"Raiden… Emilia… I'm scared!!" Satella sobbed, her voice soaked in fear and pain.

"Sister… my idiot sister…" Emilia broke down crying. She was devastated—shattered seeing her like this.

"I don't want to die yet!!!" Satella screamed. "Ahhhhhhhh!!"

Her voice pierced the quiet night.

"I… I… am sorry, Raiden… I've never treated you kindly…" she apologized, her eyes full of regret. "I was scared… scared that I might lose you…"

"What?" I whispered.

"But now… the one leaving is me. I'm sorry," Satella said faintly. "I love you… Raiden…"

Her hand slipped from mine.

Her body went limp.

She was gone.

Emilia stood frozen, her eyes wide and hollow. Watching her beloved sister die in front of her—she was broken.

That bastard Reinhard…

I will kill him.