Chapter 16.2: Change
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(Christine's Side)
Witnessing the events unfold before her eyes, Christine was surprised that Alfonso could fight along with Valentina in such perfect coordination.
Reluctantly, she had to acknowledge the undeniable truth—Alfonso's talent and competence were on full display, leaving her with no choice but to accept this newfound realization.
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As the battle prolonged.
The outcome of victor finally came to a conclusion—Valentina has killed the assassin, however, as her victory emerged a beast that was abruptly summoned earlier galloped and injured Alfonso.
Christine could see that Valentina was already worn out from the earlier fight, and although she still wanted to assist, she no longer had the energy to do so.
Grasping this, she soon felt like a burden to her Lady.
"A useless maid"
That was the only thought that burdened her mind.
She also hated the fact that a person like Alfonso whom she considered useless could be this strong.
However, as she was thinking of these.
She noticed a sudden weird movement of the monster.
Its eyes focused toward them was what gave her caution. Her instincts screamed that its next prey was them.
In a blink of an eye, the Panthera Beast twisted its body and galloped, passing Alfonso who was blocking the monster.
Its jolting speed was so fast that if she wasn't able to notice the beast's intention earlier, she couldn't have been able to move.
Christine then grabbed the child who was beside her—Arianna and threw both of their bodies to the ground.
Yet, despite her efforts, the beast's strong claws caused the wind to pierce. Quickly slicing her ankle, arm, and random parts of her body.
Though not severe, it was enough for her ankle to be immobile. As a result, a gasp of pain erupted from her mouth.
While behind her ears, Arianna's cry echoed.
The clash sent both bodies sprawling onto the ground, and in the chaos, Christine tumbled into the dirt, creating a distance from the little girl. Battling the urge to scream, she focused on recovery, before lifting her gaze.
Only to witness the girl in front of her eyes cry helplessly from the following attack of the beast.
She wanted to move but her ankle prevented her from doing so, even if she was able to stand she knew she would stumble.
Realizing the dread that's about to happen, Christine can only watch in terror.
Aware that the demise of the young girl signaled her impending fate, she felt the weight of inevitability closing in on her.
"Augh!"
A sharp cry escaped her lips, the echoes of agony reverberating within. In the depths of her being, she groaned, reliving the memories of the day she entered this world and the winding journey that brought her to this very moment.
As the beast's claws slowly approached, suddenly—
A boy she never anticipated materialized before Arianna, catching her off guard.
It was no other but—
"Alfonso"
Her eyes widened and her mouth turned agape, what followed however was the lacerated echo of a flesh.
Splash!!!
Abruptly, Crimson tide surged, painting the surroundings with a gruesome river of spilled life.
"Why?"
Her silent question lingered, yet Alfonso stood resolute, his figure, resembling a man unwavering.
Then, a sudden eruption disrupted the stillness—
Spruuck!
The resounding obliteration of the beast reverberated in her ears as the smell of metallic invaded her nose. In swift realization, she observed the creature reduced to scattered fragments.
Stunned, Christine could only muster silence as the approaching footsteps of Valentina reverberated behind her.
"Christine, are you two okay???"
The young blonde female's voice echoed with a tinge of worry in her tone.
"Yes Young Lady, our injuries are only minor..." replied the maid who was still shocked and processing her thoughts.
But she was quickly snapped out of it when Valentina asked her again.
"Your leg... Can you walk?"
Seeing how she can't properly stand. "Unfortunately, I can't with this injury..." she followed.
While Valentina quickly treated the girl's injuries first before her. Seeing her young lady's action she was deeply touched.
However, her admiration was short-lived when a voice echoed behind her.
"Useless"
She immediately knew that it was Alfonso's and was directed to her. Despite feeling angry and frustrated, she can't deny him.
Silence enveloped Christine as Alfonso's words sank in, forcing her gaze downward in shame. The truth in his statement weighed heavily on her conscience. An injury, inflicted by the beast, crippled her mobility, a reminder that even minor wounds could impede her. In that vulnerable moment, a haunting realization gnawed at her:
‹ I'm truly useless... Maybe perhaps I have not changed. ›
As Arianna teetered on the edge of despair, a metallic resonance disrupted her thoughts. Turning towards the source, she saw Kevin. Relief washed over her; it seemed everything might be okay. However, her hopes crumbled as Kevin's words shattered the illusion.
"Let's move, come on!"
The stark reality hit her: she was not to accompany them to safety. The cold truth unfolded with Kevin's directive.
"Kevin, Christine, and the girl need to come with us! We can't abandon them here!"
Valentina retorted as she tried to break free from Kevin's grasp.
However, she was too weak and exhausted to break free.
"If I brought her with us, It won't be that long before the assassin could catch us!
Especially considering how weak I am right now!" lamented Kevin and continued to carry her.
It was a word that signaled to her that not everyone would share in the journey to escape this perilous situation.
Christine's gaze fell upon the unfolding scene, and an internal storm brewed within her. The desire to live surged, an unspoken plea for salvation.
She wanted to live at this moment, she begged to be saved too.
Especially when she remembered her little brother waiting for her.
Yet, a pang of guilt accompanied these feelings, acknowledging the sacrifice Lady Valentina was willing to make, even at the potential cost of her own life. Inside, Christine grappled with conflicting emotions—her longing for life and the weight of gratitude toward Valentina's selfless endeavor.
"..."
Realizing what Kevin's intentions were, the light in her eyes slowly faded.
As despair, took over her, she could only watch and do nothing as the two figures—Kevin and Valentina ran and slowly disappeared.
‹ How could I think of such selfish thoughts... I truly have not changed... I'm as useless as ever... Like I was before! ›
Dazed, suddenly, a voice called out for her.
"I c-can help, I-I'll try to assist"
It was no other but the pitiful girl they just met earlier while hunting. Her, Gesturing that she'd help her walk and get away from here.
"N-no... It's okay... You should go on your own"
But Christine, who had lost hope, refused her assistance. What was the point of even escaping? If the enemy could just catch up to them in no time anyway.
Why does she deserve to be saved when she is still as useless as ever? Maybe it was fitting for her to die here because she never changed even if she wanted to.
‹ I am useless anyway... ›
Christine thought in a self-deprecating voice.
However, the girl present persisted—
"No, I won't leave you here. I must pay the debt I owe you guys even if I'll be in danger here
I should be able to do this because you guys fed me and treated me kindly"
Gazing into the girl's eyes, Christine's brows slowly furrowed.
‹ Maybe if I didn't save her, I could still run. ›
She thought, her mouth trembled as a result, and wanted to shout at her to get lost. However even though, she thought of not saving her earlier from the beast's attack, she could also not do so because she has a younger brother. Ignoring a girl like her was the same as ignoring his little brother too.
‹ What would my brother think of me? ›
She questioned, and as a result, only her anger was fueled.
Her mouth was poised to unleash a shout at the girl when—
"My target is solely the maid and the fleeing miss. Why not save yourself and run? If you give me the maid my work will be easier in trying to get the Young Lady."
Suddenly, a statement interrupted her.
When she heard that, her heart shuddered.
‹ Wait... Are they going to use me as a hostage!? ›
Trembling, and a muscle ticking in her jaw.
‹ I'd rather kill myself ›
She followed through while biting her lips.
‹ They must know that the Young Lady deeply cares about me. Considering they are assassins... They must have gathered intel ›
Since almost everyone could tell how close they were, it wouldn't be a surprise if they were called sisters. Christine then was able to grasp the assassin's intentions.
‹ But why are they in pursuit of Young Lady? ›
Deeply in thought. However, the following words of the assassin at the back snapped her out of it—
"Your life comes at a cost, and how about throwing in the little girl as part of the deal? I'm certain she'll find my company quite enjoyable, I'm quite huge you see..."
Her determination was only increasingly fueled by the mention of the little girl's fate.
The way the assassin swayed and pointed his crotch while speaking made Christine frown in disgust.
But since the girl won't go if she doesn't also come, she mustered up her strength to stand and accepted the little girl—Arianna's assistance.
‹ I want to live! ›
She inwardly exclaimed. Telling herself that she doesn't want to be used as a hostage for Valentina's sake... While...
‹ My brother... Is waiting for me ›
Questioning how her brother would be if she was gone.
As she was about to move forward.
"I want to be a better person"
Alfonso's voice resonated behind her. Her eyes, with a glint of surprise, gazed at the back of the young boy.
She tried to look at the wound that was inflicted on Alfonso's back,
However, she couldn't help but gasp in horror.
She thought that Alfonso didn't get that much injury because he was so calm and didn't even show any slight pain.
But now that she looked at him clearly, she was surprised that Alfonso took a hit for Arianna. Because she knew that she would already be dead if it wasn't for him.
Observing his stoic reaction to the injury, Christine's curiosity deepened, pondering the untold experiences that rendered him impervious to the pain that would make others flinch.
‹ Why did he even save the commoner? ›
As a result, the maid asked this in her. Alfonso could be trying to gain points in Valentina but that was useless because it was Arianna who was in danger earlier and not her.
And the fact that it could have killed him, was too shallow of a reason.
‹ Perhaps...!? ›
His words earlier then flashed before her eyes.
|| "I want to be a better person" ||
Just that thought alone, she finally grasped his actions.
‹ He wants to change... ›
Recalling how he even almost died just to save a commoner Alfonso's intentions finally made her think it was genuine.
She doubted his capacity for change, but as she observed him, it became evident that transformation was within his reach. Unlike herself, she grappled with the unyielding nature of her being.
She couldn't help but be astonished, but what can even Alfonso do to a grand master?
It's an admirable action, but his action of facing the assassins alone was simply foolish.
Alfonso could get away from this because he has his father as a factor of them not touching him.
Christine could even tell that whoever sent these assassins would be eradicated from the map because of Antelmo's wrath.
Yet, here Alfonso was. Risking it all.
‹ I'm sorry... If I was just not useless... ›
Gritting her teeth.
‹ I won't let your efforts in vain. Even if it costs me my life at least I'll try to save Arianna if it comes to it! Kill myself in the process... ›
Slowly, moving forward with a limp foot. She then whispered, "Please, just survive... I'd even beg the Young Lady not to break your engagement."