Part 1 — The Woman on the Sofa
Renn froze at Lira's words, disbelief flashing in his eyes before he shook his head.
"Lira, don't joke with us. Tell me why you're not recognizing me. Did someone force you? Are you under someone's control? Or… are you pretending because the culprit is still here? You can tell me—I'll protect you no matter what."
Lira studied his expression for a long moment. His sincerity was obvious. She sighed.
"No one's controlling me. I was experimented on by that person… and I lost all memory of my past. But judging from my body's reaction, you're not lying." Her gaze grew colder. "Still, I don't want to follow my past self. So forget it. If you came for me… by any chance."
She could read emotions and thoughts like a child flipping through an open book—and she knew immediately that he had come for her.
"Why?" Renn asked quietly. "Why not follow your past self?"
"That's none of your concern," she replied in a flat voice.
Renn didn't push further. "Alright. We won't interfere with you. But… can you tell us where the others are?"
He hadn't expected a response. Yet, to his surprise, she answered without hesitation.
"Oh? So you came for other people." She paused briefly. "They're in the basement cells. Don't destroy too much."
And with that, Lira sat back on the sofa and resumed reading, as if nothing had happened.
Renn stared at her for a moment before Amara's voice broke the silence.
"What should we do with her? I think she's gone completely insane."
He ignored the remark and began walking toward the basement, leaving a few men behind in case Lira decided to attack.
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Part 2 — The Basement of Blood
The air in the basement was thick—reeking of iron and decay. The ground was slick, dark red pooling like an endless waterfall. The smell made weaker soldiers vomit. Some collapsed where they stood. A few with stronger wills gritted their teeth and pushed forward.
Cell by cell, they searched. Hours later, only one survivor was found.
They pressed deeper and came to a wide, flooded chamber. A lone girl was walking through the blood-soaked water, her legs trembling. She stopped, whispered, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" then dropped to her knees.
Eldric's eyes widened. "Stop!" he ordered.
He recognized her instantly—the youngest princess of the realm, missing for months.
Renn wasted no time. He rushed forward, lifted her in his arms, and carried her out of the prison hall. The moment they stepped into daylight, she lost consciousness.
When they returned to the main hall, Renn froze at what he saw—Aeren and Lira, sitting together and speaking casually.
They had come to slaughter the culprits… yet not a single one here. Only two survivors had been found: the princess and a young man in his twenties.
The young man caught sight of Lira—and screamed.
"Oh… you survived," Lira whispered almost playfully. "Quite the lucky one."
The boy collapsed to the floor and died instantly.
Now only the princess remained in Renn's arms—until she suddenly snapped awake and attacked him. Her sudden burst of strength made him drop her. She spun, scanning the room, and her eyes locked on Aeren.
She lunged, but Lira intercepted her.
"What are you doing?" Lira asked, her tone cold.
"I'll kill him!" the princess snarled.
"Do you even have the power?" Lira replied, unmoved.
Aeren, bored, simply watched. He had already taken everything he needed from this place. Whether people lived or died around him didn't matter.
The hall fell silent.
Everyone present realized—perhaps for the first time—that they were standing beside a man who could smile while surrounded by blood and corpses.
Some trembled. Others simply could not look at him.
Everyone started whispering,
It's even possible kind and gentle like Aeren be culprit of ghost manor,
No may it's all misunderstanding. They don't want to trust and believe.
Yeah, he is kindest person I had met, they know inside it is all lie.
There fear increasing every second.
And other side Liora can't even stand properly cause of fear, her fear greater than other because her thought getting mess by his proposal.
On other side Isolde thought, I knew it, Aeren always feel not right
Renn who has thought him as a brother, Now here he is
Amara mind and smile getting wider and wider with excitement.