Second Life, I’m Dying Soon Chapter 55

Chapter 55

 

Cecil bent at the waist, trying to swallow the pain, and barely managed to pull himself upright by gripping the table. Even that only lasted a few steps before his legs gave out and he collapsed.

“Hhk, ngh, ugh….”

Cecil pressed his forehead to the floor, trembling violently. The pain was so intense that he couldn’t even manage a proper groan. Thinking that he might actually die here, he clenched his teeth and crawled across the floor.

He finally reached the nearby drawer and pulled out a vial of medicine. The pills he’d been given the last time he collapsed spilled out onto the floor in a clatter. He scooped them up roughly and shoved them into his mouth. There was no time to taste anything—he chewed and swallowed them desperately.

White saliva mixed with crushed powder dripped down in a long strand. In that short span of time, his entire body was drenched in cold sweat. After barely managing to chew and swallow all the pills, Cecil lay sprawled on the floor.

‘I guess I’ll never get used to this, not even until the day I die.’

The thought came to him suddenly, and even through the pain, a hollow laugh slipped out. He really must be insane.

Clutching his chest, he gasped for breath, and at some point, his consciousness slipped away. His limp, collapsed state was pitiful to look at, but it was better this way. At least he could escape the pain.

When he came to, everything around him was bright. Cecil forced himself to gather his strength and slowly pull his heavy body together.

Having lain on the hard floor for hours instead of a bed, every joint in his body ached sharply. The one saving grace was that the pain in his chest had vanished as if it had never existed.

It hurt badly enough to make him pass out, yet it never left any lingering effects. That, at least, was something to be grateful for. Letting out a tired sigh, Cecil slowly raised his upper body.

A sour stench of sweat rose from him. His shirt was also unpleasantly wrinkled. Without needing to say it out loud, his appearance clearly showed just how severe the pain from the night before had been.

“Ah, I want to wash up.”

Cecil deeply frowned at the unbearable stickiness. His arms and legs felt heavy, but he forced himself up and tugged on the bell rope beside the bed.

Clang. Despite the sound ringing out, the outside remained quiet. The attendants who usually responded instantly didn’t show up at all today.

“What’s going on?”

With an uneasy feeling, Cecil headed toward the door himself. Before he could even reach it, the heavy double doors shook violently with a bang, bang.

Who had the nerve to knock so threateningly? Cecil hesitated briefly, then pulled the handle. The door flew open, revealing none other than Claude Vandell, the Knight Commander order.

“What is it, being this rude so early in the morning?”

Claude looked visibly angry. The way he looked Cecil over was closer to a glare.

“I asked what the matter was. You must have a reason for pounding on my chamber door like that.”

“I have one question for you. What were you doing last night?”

The abrupt question, asked without any explanation, was absurd. But Claude’s gaze and tone were far sharper than usual, so Cecil couldn’t just laugh it off.

“I slept without even knowing what was going on. I just woke up.”

“…….”

“What on earth is going on? You’re driving me insane.”

Cecil ran a hand through his messily sticking-up bangs. His body was already in poor condition, and Claude’s evasive attitude only irritated him further.

“You’ll need to come with me for a moment.”

“Where to?”

“His Majesty is summoning you.”

Cecil fell silent. A bad feeling flashed through his mind.

“Fine. Let me at least get ready, then. None of my attendants seem to be around, so I—”

“All attendants of the Peridot Palace are currently in the underground prison.”

“…What?”

“That’s why His Majesty is calling for you. Please prepare yourself at once.”

There was no room to stall anymore. Without even changing clothes, Cecil followed Claude straight out.

It was a brighter, clearer morning than ever. Yet despite the pleasant weather, a heavy silence hung over the Saint Palace’s audience chamber. There, Cecil found Alexis and Yuria seated with grim expressions.

Seeing Yuria’s shoulder wrapped thickly in white bandages left Cecil deeply shaken. Before he could even ask if she was all right, Alexis spoke first.

“Yuria was attacked last night.”

The shocking news struck one blow after another, leaving Cecil’s mind numb.

“How could something like that happen? The knights should have been guarding her in shifts.”

“They said they came on your errand. Claiming to be attendants of the Peridot Palace.”

As proof, Alexis tossed a dark green robe onto the table. Cecil lowered his gaze to examine it. The embroidery on the hood and collar, along with the red brooch, were unmistakably those of the Peridot Palace attendants.

Cecil steadied his trembling breath.

“This alone doesn’t prove anything. Someone could have stolen the robe.”

“Then how about this?”

As if he’d been waiting for it, Alexis produced another item. Cecil couldn’t believe his own eyes. Why was the dagger Alexis had given him here? Worse still, there was dried blood clearly visible on the blade.

“It’s the weapon the attacker dropped while fleeing after assaulting Yuria. Is there any clearer evidence than this?”

“…….”

“You said it yourself before. That the sword I gave you was too precious to use, so you kept it stored away. Hidden somewhere safe.”

“…That’s impossible. My attendants… they have absolutely no reason to harm Yuria.”

“We’ll find out once we investigate. You never know. It may have been done under someone else’s orders.”

“That can’t be true….”

Cecil murmured blankly. The shock was so overwhelming that his mind refused to think.

Letting out a long sigh, he pressed a hand to his forehead. He had to pull himself together. If he collapsed here too, the situation would spiral completely out of control.

“There are a few things I’d like to ask Yuria.”

Alexis gave a silent nod of permission, and Cecil lifted his head and looked directly at Yuria.

“I’m sorry you were hurt. I know you must be scared and exhausted, but this is an important matter, so I have to ask. Yuria, did you see the attacker’s face?”

“…They were wearing a hood, and it was dark, so I couldn’t see their face. They swung the knife without warning, so I didn’t hear their voice either.”

“What about their height or build?”

“They were small and slender, and their hands were clean, without any scars. As for height… probably similar to yours, Lord Cecil.”

Cecil bit down hard on his lip. Unfortunately, most of the Peridot Palace attendants shared a similar height and build. This alone wouldn’t help identify the culprit.

With his arms crossed, Alexis watched Cecil’s actions. He had already confirmed everything himself, but Cecil looked so desperate that he couldn’t bring himself to stop him.

“Are you finished asking?”

“What do you plan to do?”

“We’ll interrogate them one by one. We can’t afford to repeat the mistakes of last time, so they’ll be kept under strict watch.”

Alexis was utterly sincere. He truly believed that one of Cecil’s attendants had attacked Yuria. Given the circumstances, it was only natural to think so.

Cecil clenched his fist. The Peridot Palace attendants would never betray him or act on someone else’s orders.

“It wasn’t them. They’re innocent.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“…….”

“Then who do you think did it? You, Cecil? You planned to harm Yuria using the dagger I gave you, of all things?”

Alexis deliberately chose words that would wound Cecil. He didn’t truly believe Cecil was responsible, but he wanted him to grasp the seriousness of the situation.

Their gazes clashed sharply across the table. Cecil was the first to look away. Grinding his teeth until his jaw trembled, he spoke.

“The Peridot Palace formally requests an official investigation. If you wish to take my attendants for questioning, obtain His Majesty the Emperor’s approval and proceed properly.”

“Fine. We’ll do that. But remember this—this investigation will be thorough. Just because they’re your attendants doesn’t mean they’ll be shown leniency.”

With that cold warning, Alexis left. Once he disappeared from the audience chamber, Cecil finally felt as though he could breathe again. He covered his face with his hands and tried to untangle the chaos in his mind.

Cecil left the Saint Palace and headed straight for the underground prison. Of course, he wasn’t allowed to go in alone. Claude followed like a shadow, and the visit took place under strict surveillance.

“Lord Cecil!”

Leo was the first to sense someone approaching. The moment he spotted Cecil walking through the dim corridor, he burst into tears and ran to the bars.

The other attendants were the same. They had all been dragged here without knowing why, leaving them terrified. They had pleaded their innocence, but no one listened, and fear and frustration had been building steadily.

“Is everyone all right? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Hngh, Lord Cecil, we’re scared.”

“It’s all right. Nothing will happen.”

Cecil gently touched each attendant pressed tightly against the bars, one by one.

“We’re truly innocent. We didn’t do anything wrong!”

“I know. Just wait a little longer. I promise I’ll get you out.”

At least they had gained a brief reprieve until the Emperor’s approval came through. Before long, the investigation would begin, and it was certain the attendants would suffer both mentally and physically.

Cecil tightly grasped the hands reaching desperately through the bars. He never once doubted their innocence.