Sister, I Hit You Because There Was a Ghost Behind You - Chapter 33

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 33. Beast and Beauty, and Expensive Fire Play
The Castle Wall had become a battlefield of chaos. Yet within a five-meter radius around me, the ground remained pristine.
Clang! Crack!
Each time my hammer danced through the air, the wolf beasts flew like bowling pins. I watched them scatter and cried out.
“Home run!”
The soldiers stared at me with their mouths agape, whispering amongst themselves.
“Is… is that really the Count’s daughter… or rather, the Count herself?”
“She seems stronger than the bear of the Northern Region?”
I wiped the sweat from my brow and shouted toward the soldiers.
“No time for sightseeing! Why aren’t you shooting arrows!”
Snapped to attention by my rebuke, the soldiers responded.
“Yes! Fire, fire away!”
The soldiers resumed drawing their bowstrings. The small fry were being dealt with, but the real problem was that massive creature—the Hydra.
[Kuoooo!]
In the middle of the Snowy Plain, Kairik von Herzen and the Hydra were locked in combat.
Transformed into a colossal wolf, Kairik von Herzen tore off one of the Hydra’s necks and severed it completely. Blood sprayed like a fountain. I clenched my fist and cheered.
“Nice! That’s my prince!”
But my celebration was short-lived. From the severed neck of the Hydra, bubbling foam erupted, and in an instant, new flesh sprouted and a fresh head burst forth.
[Kyaaaak!]
The newly grown head bit into Kairik von Herzen’s shoulder.
[Krrring!]
Kairik von Herzen cried out in agony and swatted the creature away. But the Hydra’s regeneration was far too swift. The more heads it regrew, the more ferocious it became. I gripped the railing and muttered gravely.
“This won’t do. That thing has infinite regeneration.”
According to legend, the Hydra’s weakness was fire. I had to cauterize the severed necks with flame to prevent regeneration. But ordinary torches were useless. To incinerate something so massive, I’d need volcanic-level firepower.
“Fire… fire…”
I rummaged through my bag. Matches, a lighter, mana bombs… all too weak. Then, my hand grasped a single red glass vial.
‘Salamander’s Heart Oil.’
A limited-edition ultra-high-grade incendiary from the Alchemy Society. A single drop could melt stone. The price… I wouldn’t think about it. My life was worth more than money anyway. I shouted downward at the top of my lungs.
“Demian! Lower me down!”
Demian rushed up the Castle Wall, waving his hands in protest.
“It’s too dangerous! If you get caught in that, there won’t even be bones left to bury!”
“I have a plan! I have to stop that thing’s regeneration, or the prince won’t survive!”
Faced with my resolute gaze, Demian hesitated for a moment, then nodded with determination.
“Hold onto me. I’ll clear a path.”
Demian wrapped one arm around me and leaped down from the Castle Wall.
Thud!
The moment we landed, beasts rushed at us. Demian stomped his foot and chanted an incantation.
“Holy Burst!”
A wave of light rippled outward, repelling the beasts. We seized the opening and charged toward the Hydra. I shouted at the top of my voice toward Kairik von Herzen.
“Your Highness! Sever the neck! I’ll cauterize it!”
The wolf Kairik von Herzen’s crimson eyes blazed the moment he heard my voice. He grasped my intention perfectly. With a roar, he hurled himself toward the Hydra’s central neck.
[CRACK!]
Crunch!
Kairik von Herzen’s fangs shattered the Hydra’s cervical spine, tearing it clean away. As the head flew free and blood erupted in a geyser, I signaled Demian.
“Now!”
With Demian’s assistance, I vaulted onto the Hydra’s torso. I uncapped the Salamander Oil and poured the entire contents directly onto the severed neck stump, screaming.
“Feast on this! A billion gold worth of liquid fire!”
Then I flicked my lighter and hurled it.
Whoooosh!
It wasn’t mere flame. Like molten lava erupting, a crimson inferno consumed the Hydra’s wound.
[SHRIEEEEEK!]
The Hydra shrieked in agony. Its regenerating cells incinerated instantly, reduced to charred cinders. Unable to heal, the creature thrashed in torment. I locked eyes with Kairik von Herzen and bellowed.
“Your Majesty! Finish it!”
Kairik von Herzen, as though he’d been waiting for this moment, lashed out with both hind legs toward the remaining two heads. His razor-sharp claws tore through its vital points.
Thud.
The colossal Hydra—a mountain given flesh—collapsed. The earth itself trembled. With the alpha dead, the terrified beasts scattered, tails between their legs, fleeing into the forest. Soldiers atop the Castle Wall erupted in cheers and roars of triumph.
“Yaaaaaaah!”
“We’ve won!”
“Long live the Grand Duke!”
I slid down from the corpse, exhaling a breath of relief.
“Haa… that was one expensive fire show.”
Then Kairik von Herzen’s massive wolf form began to shrink, engulfed in radiant light. His transformation was breaking.
The light faded, and Kairik von Herzen returned to human form, dropping to his knees in the snow, breathing heavily. The problem was that his clothes had been shredded during the transformation—he was completely naked. Rippling muscles across his back, broad shoulders, and that perfect rear… I covered my mouth and let out a small gasp.
“Oh my.”
Demian rushed to cover my eyes, crying out urgently.
“You mustn’t look! Avert your gaze!”
I tried to peek through his fingers as I protested.
“Why cover it? That’s quite the view!”
But Demian was resolute. He removed his cloak and tossed it to Kairik von Herzen, saying firmly.
“Cover yourself, Your Majesty. You must maintain your dignity.”
Kairik von Herzen staggered to his feet and wrapped the cloak around his waist. With blood smeared across his face, he smirked and approached me, asking.
“Did you see?”
I answered with feigned innocence.
“See what? Your Majesty’s magnificent backside?”
“No. Me slaughtering that monster.”
Kairik von Herzen stopped before me. His crimson eyes gleamed with fervor. With blood-stained hands, he cradled my cheek and whispered.
“When you set that fire… you were absolutely breathtaking.”
I let out a hollow laugh and replied.
“…Your Majesty certainly has unique tastes. Finding arson beautiful, of all things.”
Kairik von Herzen lowered his head, pressing his forehead against mine, and spoke.
“My heart felt like it would burst. You are the goddess of victory to me.”
He brought his lips close to mine. Close enough that our breaths mingled. My heart thundered against my ribs.
Then, oblivious Adjutant Ban came rushing over, shouting.
“Your Majesty! Are you all right!”
“Medical Officer! Medical Officer!”
Kairik von Herzen furrowed his brow sharply and pulled away from me, grumbling.
“…You still can’t read the room.”
I cooled my flushed face with a forced cough and spoke.
“Ahem. Let’s get you treated first. You’ll catch frostbite.”
The situation had been resolved. But Kairik von Herzen’s wound ran deeper than expected. His shoulder, poisoned by the venom, had turned black, and his regenerative abilities were slower than usual.
We returned to the Castle and headed straight to the Grand Duke’s Chamber. Medical Officers rushed in and began treatment, but Kairik von Herzen writhed in pain and groaned. The Medical Officer spoke, looking troubled.
“The poison is far too potent. The antidote isn’t working.”
I asked anxiously.
“Then what do we do? Will we have to amputate his arm if we leave it like this?”
The Medical Officer shook his head and replied.
“According to ancient texts… there is supposedly one medicinal herb that can neutralize Hydra venom.”
“What is it?”
“A flower called ‘Snow Mountain’s Tear.’ But it only grows at the peak of the White Fang Mountain Range, on the most treacherous cliff.”
The mountain peak. Outside right now, a blizzard was raging, and there might still be remnants of the demonic beasts lurking in that dangerous place. But Kairik von Herzen was on death’s door.
I clenched my fists and thought. I had over 100 billion gold and had even bought land, but what good was any of it if Candidate Number One for husband died? I steeled my resolve and spoke.
“I’ll go fetch it.”
Demian tried to step forward, but I stopped him and spoke.
“No. You stay and guard the Castle. The demonic beasts might attack again. And….”
I looked at Kairik von Herzen’s pallid face and added.
“According to legend, this flower only has its full effect if picked by someone who harbors ‘true love,’ isn’t that right?”
In truth, no such legend existed.
Even the Medical Officer standing right in front of me wore a bewildered expression as if hearing it for the first time, but what could I do? I simply wanted to go myself. Sitting idly in the Castle, merely breathing while I waited, didn’t suit my impatient nature at all.
To finally overcome the humiliation of trembling miserably atop a horse in the past, I had diligently trained in horsemanship until my backside was bruised—and now that effort would finally bear fruit. I fastened my coat firmly and gave the Servants a resolute order.
“Prepare everything. Mountaineering equipment and the fastest horse.”
I will save my man. That is the way of the Eberhardt Family.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————