—Seriously?

Kazuki sounded really happy.

—Where…. No, hang on. What about signs of infection?

Teresa Hussey's condition couldn't be described as good even as lip service. One of her eyes was blackened; dried blood was evident on her nose; her lips were busted open unsightly; her swollen, reddened cheek….

Several spots of her body were also reddened and bruised, and the stink from all sorts of filth wafted around heavily. Her current appearance attested to the indescribable hardship she had gone through. But Seol Jihu couldn't spot any tell-tale signs of infection from forced breeding.

He displayed her condition through the communication crystal and opened his mouth.

“I found her in the experimentation area. She seems to be tortured, but I don't think she's been infected.”

—Tortured? …Ah!

Kazuki sounded as if he had just about figured out the process of how she was discovered. Now that he had seen her through the crystal, his suspicions would be satisfied too.

—Hmm. I was on my way back, but if you want, I can come and help you.

“No, hang on. It's difficult to describe exactly where I am. So, go back first.”

—Got it. I'll trust you.

The communication ended there. Seol Jihu quickly checked her wrists and ankles. If she had been tied down with special restraints, things might have become troublesome, but thankfully, she was bound with thick ropes, instead. As he pulled out a dagger, his eyes met the Princess's. She looked as if she had seen a mirage just now.

“…Is this a dream?”

Her voice was really hoarse.

“Or a hallucination?”

He simply grinned back at her. She must have found his response rather mean-spirited because large teardrops formed on those two jewel-like eyes next. She sniffled her reddish nose and continued on with a desperately pleading voice.

“Please, say it ain't so. Please.”

“This is neither a dream nor a hallucination.”

Seol Jihu replied concisely back to her.

“I came to rescue you, Princess.”

“But, how?”

“I know you have lots of questions, but please, hold them in for now. We don't have much time left.”

He quickly knelt down on one knee.

“…Ah.”

Teresa Hussey suddenly...