Odalisque - Chapter 46

He didn’t even try to hide his presence anymore. Liv bit her lip until it bled. Staying alert, she clasped her skirt, clenched her teeth, and began to run.

Tap! Tap Tap!

She couldn’t think of anything else when she heard the sound of running after her. Normally, there would still be one or two people walking by, but it was really a wonder why there was no one around.

She looked around for help, but there was no place that stood out. The houses were firmly closed, and the windows were draped with curtains. It was as if they didn’t want to get involved in what was going on outside.

Would anyone come out at all if she cried out?

Everyone in the neighborhood was busy looking out for themselves. They were people whose livelihoods would be directly impacted if they were injured if they were wrongly caught up in someone else’s conflict.

Even if Liv were in their position, she didn’t think she would even try to come out if she heard a scream outside. Even if she went out, she couldn’t be of any help, and if she got involved, she could even put Coryda in danger.

Wouldn’t I rather lock the door more…

Just when she got to that point, she twisted her ankle. She stepped in thick mud and lost her balance.

“Ugh!”

Thud!

Her body lurched forward. She reflexively touched the ground and managed to keep her face from being smashed, but her knee took a big hit. The smell of dirt and filth hit her in the face.

There was no time to feel pain. Liv hurriedly tried to raise herself, but her legs didn’t move as she wanted. Meanwhile, the presence that was chasing her was already behind her back.

In horror, Liv looked up from her fall. She could see a large shadow staring down at her in the dark. There was an unpleasant smell coming from him.

“He, help…”

She trembled and tried to scream, but her voice didn’t come out as if her throat was blocked.

The man slowly raised his hand. Liv, who saw that he had a club-like thing in his hand, closed her eyes tightly.

Bang!

The piercing sound of gunfire echoed through the deserted alley. At the same time, some hot liquid dropped on Liv’s face. The metallic smell hit her nose.

Liv slowly opened her eyes while trembling her lips.

“Blech…”

Along with the stirring sound, the body of the giant who vomited blood crumbled sideways.

“Hah, hahh…”

Liv belatedly rubbed her cheek as she stared at the man who had collapsed in front of her, breathing heavily. The unpleasant liquid smeared on the back of her hand. She knew for sure that it was blood even though she was in the dark.

The blood trickled out, forming a puddle on the ground. However, she could see the man’s body wriggling and spasming, as if he wasn’t dead. Liv, who was sitting, trembled and dragged herself back. It was hard to move, as she kept flailing her arms and legs.

While Liv was struggling to get away from the man somehow, suddenly, someone’s voice rang above her head.

“Are you all right?”

“Eek!”

Liv cowered her neck in surprise and looked up at once. The other person sighed as if he felt sorry for Liv when he saw her pale face.

“… Mr. Adolf?”

“You must be very surprised.”

Adolf took a handkerchief from his arms and handed it to her. Liv, who had managed to accept it in her frenzy, looked at him with a confused expression. Adolf said in a friendly tone, not paying any attention to the fallen, bleeding man.

“Wipe the blood with that for now.”

“Why, why are you here, Mr. Adolf…?”

Adolf glanced around the alley.

There was such a loud gunshot, but no one came out to look. Even the house with the lights on turned off all the lights and went completely silent as if there were no people inside.

But someone would surely take a look as the time passed. Or maybe they were already doing that behind the thick curtains.

“Shall we move first?”

“… Sorry?”

Adolf smiled, pressing his hat down a little deeper.

“The Marquis awaits you.”

***

Demus had several buildings. Some were made publicly visible, while others were owned under borrowed names.

This little house was the latter. He bought it under a borrowed name, but he never had any particular thought about its use.

Maybe I’ll decide on the use of this house today.

With that thought, he looked around the cramped interior of the house. The meaningless gaze was boring as he didn’t do it with the intention to look around.

“I have brought in Miss Rhodes.”

Demus, who was staring at the fireplace indifferently, glanced at the door. Beyond the open door stood a pale-faced woman. Although she had washed clean and changed her clothes, her aghast complexion reminded him of the scenery a while ago.

A woman, covered in blood that wasn’t hers, turning into a mess and shivering.

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