The Daughter of Evil - Volume 1 - Chapter 2.23

Chapter 2: Section 2: Scene 3 
♦Allen~Elphegort Kingdom’s “Thousand-Year Tree’s Forest”~

I’m now in the Elphegort Kingdom’s “Thousand-Year Tree’s Forest”.

Because the Forest of Bewilderment was nearly half burned, our trip from the Palace to the Thousand-Year Tree’s Forest didn’t take too long.

Deeper in the forest, which gradually broadens, there are some violations of nature and a little old well.

Using the ladder hanging on the edge of the well, I gradually went underground. Although it looks like a small well with no water, it’s surprisingly deep. If you look overhead from the deepest depths of the well, you will find the Sun shrunken to the size of a bean.

At one side of the bottom of the well, there was what it seems to be a very sturdy iron door. But it doesn’t seem to be locked. I opened the door and saw a small basement. It appears to be Keel’s hiding premises in case of emergency.

While inside, I saw a young girl. She looked thinner than the time we met. But her beautiful hair and appearance still had no attenuation.

After noticing me, the girl looked over in surprise.

“A …… Allen! Why are you here……”

“Michaela! Are you all right!?”

Although the plan to burn the forest was thwarted by the sudden rainstorm, the part that’s already burned ensured the road ahead to attack Elphegort on schedule of Riliane’s scheme.

The Lucifenian troops overwhelmingly ravaged the Elphegort territory, and instantly occupied the Capital City, Aceid.

Since then…… They no long call it war, but pure murder.

The local soldiers killed the green-haired women. The same went to the men who wanted to resist. Numerous families were ruined, and countless lives died ……

“The Green Hunting” has begun.

Two days ago, the great merchant of Elphegort, Keel Freesis was arrested and jailed in the Lucifenian Palace’s Dungeon. Fortunately, he and his family were immigrants; not green-haired.

But he let the servants of his home flee. Some of them are of course, green-haired women. As punishment, he was arrested, but he shouldn’t be executed immediately. Once they kill him, not just Elphegort, but even the Lucifenian economy will be a huge mess. Probably nothing but enormous fines can be used to exchange for his release.

Riliane doesn’t change her mind. However ——

As I met with Keel in the dungeon, his tone was the same as before.

“Oh~~~ what a failure. I should have figured out that she’ll want to burn the forest in Lucifenia sooner; it’s too late to escape now.”

“…… The Queen is looking for King Kyle’s lover; is that Michaela?”

Keel’s smile disappeared. With no one else around us, he whispered:

“…… Are there other people who know it?”

“No …… I’m afraid I’m the only person who noticed.”

“It’s really a loss for you, but it’s not that big of a deal, ah. They’re not technically lovers, how should I say, it’s just that guy …… Kyle has one-sided love.”

I looked around, once again confirmed that nobody else was there, and said:

“Is Michaela okay? Do you know where she is now?”

Keel looked like he was thinking.

“I uhh…… Frankly speaking, I was very confused about it.  If I surrendered Michaela, I could’ve saved more Elphegort people. However Michaela……, and even all the other servants,…… is like a part of the family for me.  I can’t just …… watch them die.”

“……”

“It’s embarrasing, really…… Someone who has been up to this date, driven by the interests of merchants, will hesitate for even a mere servant…… But isn’t it the right thing to do? Regardless of common sense and ethics, everyone…… has something to protect. And for me…… that’s family.”

Although I don’t exactly know what kind of life he has, his values…… are something I understand.

“You have one too, right? Something that you’ll sacrifice everything just to protect.”

As I faced Keel’s question, the first thing that came to my mind was Riliane’s face. Followed by…… Michaela’s smile.

“…… Allen, I trust you, so I’ll tell you Michaela’s hiding place. It’s your decision on what to do about it. Whatever the outcome is, I’ll accept it…… I’m sory for letting someone a young as you to have such a heavy burden on your back.”

At that instant, a shadow flashed near the stairs. I hurriedly turned around. Nothing, no one; it must’ve been in my imagination.

Keel continued speaking.

“Before being arrested, I wrote a letter to Kyle, which includes everything about Michaela’s location. Marlon is very far away, and due to the war, will certainly be obstructed…… But according to him, they’ll be able to rescue Michaela in about a week or so. As long as that is taken care of…… Not all of it is a foregone conclusion.”

Michaela went away from home, and with her friend Clarise, fled to the basement of the old well.

“However, halfway through, I got separated from Clarise.”

Michaela said sadly.

“On our way here, we were almost discovered by Lucifenian soldiers. However, Clarise said ‘I’ll go block them’, and rushed to the front of the soldiers. She said 'I’ll be fine’ 'I’m white-haired, so I won’t be killed'…… I’m a coward, thus I left my friend Clarise and ran away……!”

Michaela cried. The light on the kerosense lamp glowed.

“I’m sorry, Michaela……”

“…… You don’t need to apologize, Allen; although you’re a person from Lucifenia, the war was caused by aristocrats.”

But the one who launched an attack, and pulled the trigger, was my sister.

Keel has a point. If Michaela is killed, “The Gren Hunting” will be over. Riliane will be very delighted. However…… this young girl sitting beside me, is so cute and gentle. To take away Michaela’s life…… is something I can’t do.“

Perhaps I’m fond of her. Is this…… the thing they call love? Do I want to leave all of this and escape with her? These impulses are surging in my heart.

"I shall return, Michaela.”

“Well…… Allen…… Be careful.”

I stood up and pushed open the iron door.

Kyle’s arrival will be five days from now.

W…… What exactly am I going to do?