Chapter 624

Sacrifice

Translated by Tods

Edited by Phantom0408

We returned to Sheftent and jumped straight into the campsite. However, we couldn’t detect Weena Rhyn or Romio’s presence there.

『I wonder where he went… Urushi, can you trace his scent?』

「Woof…」

Urushi nodded but seemed somewhat unsure.

It seemed that their scent still lingered in this area but he wasn’t sure where they went.

Nevertheless, in search of clues, Fran walked off with Urushi in the lead.

「Here?」

「Woof!」

Passing through the townspeople who were busy making preparations for their escape, Urushi and Fran arrived at the harbor.

His gaze was fixed on the lake――towards the great magic beast. Did this mean that Weena Rhyn was on her way to seal the great magic beast?

『So Weena Rhyn, Romio, and Zelos Reed’s scent are coming from the same direction?』

「Woof」

It seemed certain that Weena Rhyn had taken them both. Could it be that she was really going to use Romio’s power?

Fran jumped on Urushi’s back and pointed at the great magical beast.

「After them!」

「Woof!」

At Fran’s urging, Urushi ran off again with a sharp look on his face.

And so, we were back on the lake in a few minutes.

『I see her! Over there! No doubt, it’s Weena Rhyn!』

「But, isn’t that…」

『Yeah! My worst fears may have come true!』

Near the great magic beast, a circular stage-like object about 15 meters in diameter appeared on the lake.

It was paved with pure white stones, and pillars that seemed to be made of the same material were built on all sides.

The vibe it was giving was very similar to the temple where the great magic beast had been sealed. But what mattered the most was the people on top of it.

We saw Weena Rhyn standing on top of that stage. Romio and Zelos Reed were also there together with her.

Well, it was not like they were there ‘together with her’ though…

Romio and Zelos Reed were lying on an altar-like place set up in the center of the stage. It was obviously a place for a sacrifice.

Was she really going to sacrifice Romio and Zelos Reed to re-seal that magic beast?

「Urushi! Get over there!」

「Woof!」

As Fran instructed, Urushi descended to the stage. But I wondered if it was already too late for us to do something.

There was dense magic power swirling around the area, and it was clear to me that some kind of ritual was in progress.

「Weena Rhyn!」

「…Fran. So, you came」

「What are you trying to do?」

「I’m in the middle of the sealing ritual. Please don’t interrupt me」

After a closer look, Romio and Zelos Reed’s limbs seemed to be bound by water shackles, forcing them to remain in place.

Fran’s eyes then narrowed sharply.

「What are you going to do to Romio and Zelos Reed!?」

「These two will serve as the foundation for the seal」

「…So, you mean they’re a sacrifice!?」

「Yes」

「!!」

She admitted it so casually!

But Weena Rhyn didn’t seem to feel any guilt. She nodded as if it was a matter of course.

「Fran, this is something that I need to do」

「But――」

「You don’t have to worry about us」

Fran’s words were interrupted by none other than the restrained Zelos Reed. Romio seemed to be asleep, but Zelos Reed was conscious.

「…What do you mean?」

「I’m the only one who’s gonna die and Romio will live. Right?」

「Yes. The Sacrament of the Evil God skill is sealed inside Romio. So, if he can bear the entire burden, Romio’s life can be spared」

「Something like that. That’s why you don’t have to worry」

So, would Zelos Reed be the one to die instead of Romio? Was that what they meant?

「But if Zelos Reed dies, isn’t Romio going to die too?」

「I’ve already severed their contract. But once a connection is made, it’s not gonna be easily erased. By using that connection, it is possible to channel the burden that should normally go to Romio into Zelos Reed」

To be honest, I thought that might be the better choice. However, there was someone who objected to that.

「…Is there any way that neither Romio nor Zelos Reed dies?」

「Ara? You want to save Zelos Reed too?」

「…I’ve made a promise. After their contract is severed, I will take Romio to the orphanage in exchange for Zelos Reed’s life. In other words, his life is mine」

「So what?」

「I’m not going to let him die on his own. Besides――」

「Besides?」

「I’d feel sorry for Romio if he woke up and found that Zelos Reed was gone… Me too, if Master was gone when I woke up, I’d be sad too」

Fran tried to compare herself with Romio.

「Hmm? Does that mean you’re not going to listen to me then?」

Weena Rhyn muttered that while releasing a terrifying amount of magic power. She may be trying to intimidate us, but this killing power alone would be enough to kill an ordinary person.

A cold sweat broke out on Fran’s forehead as she was hit by Weena Rhyn’s murderous intent. However, she never turned her eyes away from Weena Rhyn at all.

「I’ll ask you one more time. Is there another way to do this so that Romio and Zelos Reed don’t have to die?」