Tilea's Worries

Damn it, I can’t gather my magic.  

The spell has sealed off my magic powers.  

I have to do something!  

If I can’t use magic, I’ll escape this room on my own.  

Where’s the exit?  

I look around, but this room has no windows.  

There’s only one exit, and it’s tightly locked with a padlock.  

What should I do?  

I’m panicking, my mind’s not working right. I scan the room frantically.  

Cold sweat drips down my back.  

I know I’m not acting rationally.  

Calm down, just calm down.  

If I lose my composure, I’ll fall right into his hands.  

The middle-aged man called Ebeanz watches me with amusement, laughing at my state.  

Laugh while you can.  

If I can summon reinforcements, I’ll turn the tables. Ortissio or Gil-san could subdue Ebeanz in no time.  

Think.  

The key to the exit is with the man in front of me. If I can trick him and get the key, I can escape.  

Ebeanz…  

He’s in his mid-forties, with narrow eyes and an average build. Just a typical middle-aged man.  

His gentle smile might fool some, making him seem like a kindly uncle.  

But I’m not deceived.  

He’s the torturer appointed by Elizabeth. He’s far from harmless.  

After laughing heartily, Ebeanz strides toward me.  

He extends his hand.  

A handshake?  

What is he thinking?  

It’s too suspicious.  

I’m his prisoner, and he’s the interrogator. Nothing more, nothing less.  

He should be yelling at me, not offering a handshake.  

It’s unsettling.  

There are skeletal remains scattered around the room, yet he’s smiling like this.  

Why is he acting so friendly?  

Ignoring his hand, I glare at him.

“Oh, ignoring me, are you? We’ll be spending a long time together, you know. Basic manners go a long way.”  

“What…what are you planning to do to me?”  

“Huh? Haven’t you figured it out? Torture. You should know that.”  

Ebeanz speaks as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.  

He grabs me by the collar and deftly throws me to the ground.  

“Ouch!”  

I hit the ground hard. As I wince in pain, he…  

“No! Stop! What are you doing?!”  

He grabs the hem of my skirt, tearing it to shreds, leaving my bare leg exposed.  

Then, taking a pen he’d produced from who knows where, he starts marking my leg with evenly spaced lines.  

“Ahh! What…what is this?”  

“Can’t you tell? I’m going to carve you up, inch by inch. I’m a stickler for precision. Each cut has to be exactly spaced. It drives me crazy when things don’t line up.”  

I don’t understand what he’s saying.  

I don’t want to understand.  

I can’t comprehend this.  

This is terrifying.  

It’s…  

“Lingchi?”  

“Oh, correct. You’re a smart one. That’s right—Lingchi, the ancient execution method from the Kan Dynasty. I’ll start by peeling the flesh off your toes, one tiny piece at a time.”  

“Noooo! Let go of me! No, please, noooo!”  

Chills run down my spine.  

This is too much.  

I’m shaking so hard my teeth are chattering.  

I can see what’s going to happen to me.  

I thrash my arms and legs, but Ebeanz holds me firmly in place.  

“Huff…huff…such strength!”  

I can’t overpower him. I don’t stand a chance.  

“Ha ha ha, don’t struggle. It’s natural to be scared when you know what’s coming. By the way, did you know? Lingchi, or ‘death by a thousand cuts,’ was famously favored by Empress Liyuchi. A bit of trivia for you.”  

Liyuchi is notorious, featured among the top five infamous women of history. Known for her cruelty, we learned about her monstrous deeds in history class, and it was chilling.  

And now, I’m about to face the same thing?  

It’s said that under Empress Liyuchi’s rule, hundreds of thousands, even millions, of citizens perished.  

Even the innocent weren’t spared; prisoners and spies didn’t stand a chance. The atrocity was so extreme that the punishment was eventually abolished as “too barbaric.”  

It inspired the establishment of minimal regulations for interrogation methods.  

Nowadays, only legally permitted interrogation methods are allowed.  

Though enforcement is still spotty for commoners and slaves, excessive torture of nobles is strictly forbidden.  

Lingchi is an act of barbarism from a bygone era!  

“Such extreme torture… it’s forbidden by royal law!”  

“Pffft…hahaHAHAHAHAHA!! Royal law? Did you just say royal law? You’re quite the sheltered princess, aren’t you? Ha…ha…stop, you’re killing me! Haha, that’s hilarious! Royal law! Are you telling a joke? Oh man, I needed that laugh.”  

Ebeanz doubles over, clutching his stomach as he roars with laughter.  

Then, from a drawer, he takes out a black notebook.  

What does he plan to do with that?  

There’s no telling what a madman might do.  

“What are you planning?”  

“Ha, no need to be so nervous. It’s just a notebook. See, my mistress loves to toy with prisoners herself, but when she’s busy, like now, I take over. As a condition of substituting for her, I must report to her every detail of the prisoner’s suffering. The more descriptive, the more she enjoys it. And, of course, I’ll get a good laugh out of it later. That line about ‘royal law’—pure comedy gold.”  

A record of prisoner interrogation…no, it’s a record of suffering.  

This goes beyond bad taste. It’s the work of an utter demon.  

Something is missing from him that defines a human being.  

“You and Elizabeth are both insane.”  

“Now, now, that’s a bit unfair. Unlike my mistress, I have a reputation as a gentleman. They call me ‘Ebeanz the Torture Gentleman,’ after all.”  

Ebeanz raises his arm and strikes a ridiculous pose.  

It’s infuriating.  

Despite his absurdity, I can’t underestimate his strength.  

No matter how much I struggle, he doesn’t budge an inch.  

He restrains me easily, calmly marking lines across my legs, arms, and torso.  

And then…  

“Phew, all done. Looks pretty good, doesn’t it?”  

My body is now lined with evenly spaced marks.  

Ebeanz tucks the pen away, looking satisfied.  

“You…you won’t get away with this! Conducting this mock execution without a trial? The royal family won’t stay silent.”  

“Ha ha, a trial? Are you still dreaming? They can fabricate any crime they want. Besides, no one’s ever going to know. You’re going to disappear.”  

“Anasie-senpai knows I came to Elizabeth’s estate. If I go missing, the guards will investigate. They’ll search here and find enough evidence just from the torture devices.”  

“Heh, quick-witted, aren’t you? That’s what I love about dealing with an educated captive. They respond differently. The last guy was a dumb thug—‘Save me, please stop!’—over and over. Zero imagination. I even gave him a full history of the devices, but it was like talking to a brick wall. But you, Miless, you’re different.”  

Damn it. It’s hopeless.  

The Duke’s estate won’t be investigated easily. Even if they do, my body will be chopped up into pieces. Without evidence, there’s no crime.  

It will just end with me “disappearing.”  

Ebeanz knows that all too well.  

He hums a tune while sharpening a cleaver.  

It’s as if he’s about to cook a meal, utterly unfazed by what he’s about to do.  

“You’re a monster. To do this so casually, you’re not human.”  

“I get that a lot. They say, ‘You’re insane, there’s something wrong with you.’ But I’d say they’re the ones with issues. I’m just honest about it. Everyone else is pretending.”  

“That’s absurd! No one else could be so cruel!”  

“Oh, you just don’t get it. For instance, at funerals, everyone sits there quietly, all solemn, don’t you think that’s silly? They’re all thinking the same thing, but pretending otherwise. I’m just honest, so I end up laughing at funerals. It’s only natural, right? Hahaha!”  

Ebeanz bursts out laughing.  

He’s deranged.  

It feels like I’m having a conversation, but it’s not connecting. He looks human, but he’s not.  

“Hahaha! Sorry, sorry, I couldn’t help but laugh. You know, I used to be a guard captain. Some of my men even admired my strength. One of them once shielded me from an enemy arrow and died. Haha, at his funeral, I burst out laughing.”  

“…”  

“Oh?

 Silent all of a sudden? What, don’t want to talk to me anymore? Listen up—this’ll crack you up. His dying words were priceless: ‘I always admired your strength, Captain. Did I get closer to being like you?’ Haha, I nearly died laughing. Taking an arrow doesn’t make you strong! I could’ve dodged it if he hadn’t interfered. Then his mother asked me to say a few words in his memory. Isn’t that hilarious? I laughed and said, ‘What was his name again?’”  

Ebeanz slaps the desk, laughing hysterically like a madman.  

“Funny, right? He died for nothing, trying to protect me. What was he hoping to achieve?”  

“You’ll never understand.”  

"What's wrong? Angry? This is the part where you’re supposed to laugh."

"You’re filth. Nothing but human filth! I have no other words for you."

"Aw, don’t kill the mood. Guess only my mistress understands my sense of humor. She burst out laughing when I told her that story."

"..."

"Oh, silent treatment? Fine. Look behind you, to your right!"

I looked where Ebeanz pointed, and there it was—a maid's corpse, floating eerily. She looked my age or maybe even younger. She was strangled, her face twisted in terror.

"Horrible."

"Horrible? No, it’s a masterpiece. She was an outstanding maid who could handle all of my mistress’s unreasonable demands with ease. My mistress even liked her as a useful pawn. But for just one mistake… just one little mistake, this happened."

Ebeanz sticks out his tongue and makes a slicing motion across his neck in a mocking gesture.

"Heh, can you imagine what her mistake was?"

"...Die."

"Heh, not much of a conversation here. But alright, I’ll tell you. It seems that on that day, she was… well, not quite herself. She lost her composure and momentarily forgot who she was dealing with. In her anger, she threw a hanger at my mistress. Of course, she realized her mistake right after and begged for forgiveness. But my mistress doesn’t forgive. The poor girl was strangled right there, with that very hanger. A girl strung up by a hanger! Ha! I call it the ‘Hanger Incident’—and I find it hilarious."

"..."

"What’s with that look? Laugh!"

Without replying, I spat at Ebeanz.

"Oh, you’ve got some nerve."

He wiped his face as he approached, holding a cleaver in his hand. He slapped it against the floor, trying to intimidate me. Like I’d ever be frightened by such filth!

"I will never bow down to the likes of you!"

The moment I shouted with all the strength I had, a loud thud sounded.

Huh?

A burning pain spread through my right leg.

"Ahhh! No!"

The pain was overwhelming. I had been cut. Blood seeped from around my right big toe, staining the floor red. I collapsed from the agony.

"What’s this? Are you down already? That was barely a scratch. I haven’t even carved a centimeter."

"Ugh… it hurts…"

"What happened to that spirit from a minute ago? At this rate, you won’t last long."

"W-what are you—ahhh!"

Ebeanz grabbed my leg and applied something to the wound, sending a new wave of searing pain through me. It was far worse than before. I couldn’t stand; I writhed on the ground, moaning.

"Heh heh, hurts, doesn’t it? I just rubbed salt into the wound."

Salt! I saw a bag of salt lying nearby. He intended to use that entire bag for torture!

No! No, this is too much! Someone, help!

"It hurts… it hurts so much… please… someone… father… mother…"

"Ohhh, now that’s the face I was hoping for! That look of anguish—makes my heart race."

Ebeanz gleefully smeared some healing herbs on my leg.

"Don’t worry, I won’t let you bleed to death. I’ll stop the bleeding after every cut, over and over. I’ll be clear with you. This much won’t kill you. I have potions and all kinds of medicines to keep you alive. True despair… starts now."

He explained with the glee of a child unwrapping a new toy.

How… how can I bear this pain forever? I can’t… I can’t do this…

"Please… please stop. I beg you, stop…"

"Ha ha ha, surrender already? Relax, poor little girl. Seeing you cry like this has really touched me. I’m quite the gentleman, after all. So… I’ll grant your request… NOT!"

"Ah!"

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! I’m going to break you over and over. You’re from a magic academy, aren’t you? Show me the pride of an elite!"

He ripped off the herbs and smeared more salt into the wound, bringing back the pain I’d almost forgotten.

"Aghhh! It hurts! It hurts so much! Someone… please, someone save me!"

"Ohh! Nothing beats the scream of a beautiful girl. Such a sweet melody! I’d give that a solid ninety!"

He rubbed even more salt into the wound.

"Aghh! It hurts! This has to be a nightmare… it’s just a nightmare."

"Heh, a nightmare, huh? Screams have so many variations—they’re really entertaining. Anyway, you’re really quick to break down for a noble. New record, actually. Guess it’s a mix of your lack of grit and my skill."

"Aghhh… ahhh…"

"Heh heh, don’t whine. I’ll put some herbs on. And next, we’ll move on to the main event… Lingchi! I’ll carve you up inch by inch, nonstop. Make sure your voice is in good shape so we can enjoy a lovely melody."

"Noooo! This has to be a nightmare!"

"Hah… this is just too fun. Oh, and by the way, the salt torture was my mistress’s idea. Apparently, some woman named Tirea once humiliated her by dousing her in salt. My mistress… she doesn’t just let things slide. When she gets her hands on Tirea, she plans to strip every inch of her skin and then cover her in salt. Ha ha ha ha! I wonder what sort of music she’ll make."

Ebeanz laughs with unhinged delight. This is no bluff—he’s fully prepared to go through with it.

"Tirea-san…"

"Oh? Not broken yet? Still got some fight left?"

"Stop… stop it."

"Oh? Concerned for Tirea, are we? I thought so. Honestly, she’s got quite the request there. Skinning someone alive would drive most people mad or kill them before the torture’s over. But a direct order from the mistress is absolute. I’ll have to get creative with the method. Looking forward to it."

Tirea… Tirea, who cooked for me… who treated me to a meal… who spoke kind words… who treasures her sister. I can see her face.

I’m still terrified. My legs are shaking.  

But… but I have my pride too.  

This is my last bit of dignity.  

Tirea, tortured? No way. Just imagining it terrifies me more than anything. There is no greater hell than that.  

I’ll kill him. I have to kill him, here and now. If I give in here, Tirea and Timu-chan will be in danger.

"Stop it! Stop it! I won’t let you! I won’t let you lay a finger on Tirea-san! I’ll kill you myself!"

"Oh? Still got some fire? Maybe I didn’t use enough salt, huh?"

Ebeanz rubbed more salt into the wound.

"Ugh… guh… It… it doesn’t hurt. I won’t give in. I’ll never lose to you!"

My leg burns like it’s on fire. I’m sweating bullets from the pain. But I won’t lose. I can’t lose!

I have to find a way to kill him. If I don’t, that gentle, warm person will be tortured. She must never see or experience this. She belongs in a place of warmth.

My courage returns. I glare at Ebeanz with steely resolve.

"Hmm… I’m impressed. She’s back on her feet, fighting for someone important to her. A noble beauty with a strong will—good, good. Just my type. I’ve decided!"

With that, Ebeanz began unbuckling his belt and pulling down his pants.

"What… what are you doing?!"

I stare at him, horrified by his sudden depravity.

"You know, right? We’re going to make a baby. It’s what noblemen do. Suffering without any relief isn’t fair, so consider this a little service."

"Don’t come near me! I’d never let you!"

"Heh… heh heh heh… The torture will go on forever, but when we’re ‘making a baby,’ you’ll get a break from the pain. You’ll love it. Eventually, you’ll be the one begging me."

"Die! I’ll kill you!"

"Hey, listen. By defying the mistress, you’ve put your entire family at risk. Would you be okay with the Vincent bloodline being wiped out? But if I give you a child, your bloodline will survive… as slaves, of course."

He forces me onto my back.

"Stop! Stop it!"

"Don’t struggle now. Just relax. So, what do you want to name the baby?"

"I’ll kill you!"

"Kill me? Bit harsh. How about we name it ‘Kill’ instead?"

"That’s not what I meant! Die!"

"I know, I know. No sense of humor. Fine, I’ll name it ‘Dog’ or ‘Cat’ or whatever."

"Stop it!"

"Guh! You…!"

Panting, I realize I’ve bitten off his finger.  

The idiot got careless. Blood drips from his index finger.  

I got one in.  

A smile creeps across my face.

"Hmph… I see. You’re right. I should take off your troublesome hands and feet first."

Ebeanz swung his cleaver with a dark, twisted grin. I heard a sickening crunch.

Ah…  

Ah…

They say that when pain exceeds the limits of what a person can handle, the mind begins to break down. I couldn’t tell anymore if I was in pain or if I’d gone numb. All I knew was a suffocating ache.

My body screamed in agony, but my heart… my heart was hurting far more.  

The fact that this demon was still alive, that he was here, trying to harm those I held dear—it was unbearable.

I had to resist. In every way I could, I would resist him.  

I couldn’t gather my magic. I couldn’t summon the strength.  

Someone, anyone! I’d give up everything if it meant this filth could be destroyed. Please, someone!  

I prayed from the depths of my soul, mustering every ounce of strength I had left to fight back. I pushed, strained to summon the magic I thought I’d lost.

I pushed and pushed… and just as I felt my brain might explode, an image of Timu-chan surfaced.  

Timu-chan…

It was a memory, a lunchtime moment that suddenly appeared.  

Why was I thinking of this now? I wasn’t supposed to be thinking about such things…

“Why do you seem so confident?”  

“Hmm? Oh, are you asking if I’m not afraid? Even though Elizabeth is the academy’s queen and one of the most powerful nobles in the capital?”

“Ha! So pointless. Miless, I’ve told you before. This is a game. A game is meant to be enjoyed, that’s all.”  

“Camilla-sama, take this seriously. This isn’t just a game. Losing could mean death!”  

“Oh? Do you really think I could lose? Instead of spouting nonsense, why don’t you show me a bit of progress?”  

Yes, I remembered it so clearly now. I had tried to warn Timu-chan, who always lacked any sense of caution. And, as always, she had scolded me for my weakness.  

Then she said something else…

“You’re right. I’m sorry… I haven’t changed at all, have I? I’m always being protected, only holding you back.”  

“Pfft, I don’t expect you to fight. You’re my puppet. Just stay as you are, and I’ll protect you.”  

“I know… but… I want to be useful, too. I don’t want to just stand by, doing nothing if Camilla-sama or Tilea-sama are ever in danger.”  

“You’re such a hassle.”  

“Huh? What are you doing?”  

“Miless, you’ve always been so fragile. This is a good opportunity. I’ll activate a switch in your brain. The rest is up to you.”  

Yes, I remembered her saying something like that.  

Then Timu-chan placed her hand on my head and muttered something, like an incantation.

What happened after that…?

I remembered asking, “Camilla-sama, what’s this ‘switch’? I don’t feel any different.”  

“A switch should appear in your mind. Try concentrating deeply on your magic.”  

“Huh? I don’t see anything different… the magic flow doesn’t feel any different, either.”  

“Tch, are you truly so devoid of talent? How fragile are you? At this rate, it might be quicker to just turn you into a chimera or a demon species.”  

“Please, Camilla-sama, don’t joke like that—it’s terrifying!”  

“Then be serious about this! If you put your all into honing your magic, you’ll gain some strength.”  

“But, but… Camilla-sama only placed her hand on my head, that’s all! Nothing’s changed. I’d rather learn some martial arts…”  

“That’s about a hundred thousand years too early for you. It’d blow your body to pieces. Focus on your magic, Miless, with all your spirit!”  

“Alright… here goes… How’s this?”  

“Hmph… That’s enough. You’re just a puppet. I’m done with you.”  

Yes, yes, she said something cruel like that.  

Ah, I see. This must be the end of my life flashing before my eyes.  

I’m dying.

I could feel all strength draining from my body. My will alone couldn’t sustain me.  

How frustrating.  

To be done in by such filth…

I’m sorry, Timu-chan, Tilea-san. I… I can’t…

“I’m so lucky! This was made by my dear sister herself. Truly, I’m blessed!”  

“Yes, Camilla-sama’s bento always looks amazing. The taste and the quantity are second to none. There’s no one else like her.”  

“Indeed, Miless, you understand. My sister is too great. I can’t repay her enough. Should I present her with a treasure? Conquer a kingdom? No, all of the world’s wealth is hers already. Miless, do you have any ideas?”  

Ah, the memories are coming back.  

I remembered it all.

"Hey, Miless-chan, look at this! Timu made this pot and knife for me—they’re handmade!"

"Wow, that's amazing. I’m no expert, but I can tell these are high-quality tools. And… it seems like they have some special magical properties?"

"Really? Timu must have enchanted them!"

"No, it’s impossible for an ordinary student to do that… but with Timu-chan’s abilities, maybe… or perhaps the materials themselves were already enchanted. Such rare materials, they must be a treasure from the Eastern Kingdom?"

"Did you say something?"

"No, nothing. But this has significant value, Camilla-sama. It must have taken a lot of effort to make!"

“Right? Timu’s so wonderful. Even though she’s busy with school, she’s thoughtful enough to do things like this. She’s such a sweet child. I should give her something in return. Clothes? Jewels? Though, knowing her, she’d probably prefer a weapon. But… as a young girl, that’s not really ideal. Miless-chan, what do you think?”  

Yes, that’s right.  

Strong-willed Timu-chan and silly, innocent Tilea-san…  

They may seem like opposites, but they’re so similar.  

Yes, I want to protect these two radiant sisters.  

Everyone in the academy sees Timu-chan as a charismatic queen. And she is; even I won’t deny that.  

But I know her other side. The side that is… incredibly adorable.  

Tilea-san, Timu-chan… both of them are incredibly adorable!

As an only child, I’d always admired siblings like them.  

Being with them has made my life so much brighter.  

I may have been born into a poor noble family, endured countless hardships and struggles.  

But since meeting these two, I’ve felt nothing but joy.  

Yes, I remember. I remember everything.  

Now that I do, I can’t afford to lose. I can’t afford to give up.  

Yes, now I understand.  

There is a switch in my mind.  

By pouring all my magic into it, by nearly dying, I finally found it.  

Timu-chan was right.  

I don’t have any real talent, and I haven’t been serious. It seems I can only give my all when facing a true crisis.  

Let’s flip that switch.

In an instant, my senses sharpened.  

It was as though something had clicked into place, like a puzzle piece sliding in or a key fitting into a lock.

I looked at Ebeanz.  

Why was I ever afraid of this man?

I am a friend of Timu-chan, a friend of that proud, beautiful, and majestic queen.  

This isn’t even a true obstacle.  

Let’s end this, quickly.  

I need to get back to Tilea-san.