Huff. Huff. Huff.
I noticed many gazes as I ran in the hallway.
I was nearing my limits. My body felt heavy, and my breath shorter.
"Your Majesty?!"
"Your Majesty?!"
I ignored the cries and continued to run until I stopped in front of my chamber.
"Is Alice there?"
I rested at the wall. My clothes were messed and drenched in sweat. My face was red, my heart struggling to pump blood. My fatigue was the evidence of the fact that this illusion was nearing its end.
"Your Majesty-"
"Is Alice there or not?!"
I let out a loud cry, shooting my bloodshot eyes at the guard. "Answer the question."
"A-Al-Ali. She told us that she was going to the church."
"Your Majesty, I can ask someone to fetch-"
I ignored their cries and ran as fast as I can towards the church. The fatigue grew intense as I felt my legs giving up. I wanted to stop and take a break, but I couldn't. Time wasn't something I had plenty of right now.
[5:45]... [5:44]... [5:43]
My eyes continuously checked the timer as my body screamed, begging me to stop and take a rest, but I didn't stop.
"Duke? What are you?! Why are you in such a state? What's the matter?"
Warm hands fell on my shoulder as I paused for a breath. "Is Alice here?"
"Yes, she was here, but she left a few minutes ago."
"Where did she go?"
Louis's silence made me uneasy. I asked him again.
"She is in the basement."
"What?"
I slid off his hand over my shoulder and drew my sword. "Why?"
"S-S-She."
Louis stammered as my uneasiness grew tenfold. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead as I noticed his body trembling. His face was red, and his fists clenched.
"Speak!"
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"She slept with sat-"
My hand moved on its own. Louis's head rolled towards the entrance.
What happened? The question popped into my mind as I saw the puddle of blood next to me.
"Basement?!"
Without thinking much, I entered the basement behind the church.
It was dark. The torches hardly illuminated the way. I staggered as I went down the stairs and found Alice tied to a rusty metal chair.
Clang.
My sword fell from the hand as I rushed over to her.
"Alice, what happened?"
I untied her and removed the cloth stuffed in her mouth.
"Are you hurt?"
"No."
"Take this!"
[00:53]... [00:52]... [00:51]
I wanted to ask her for details, but I didn't have time.
"What is this?"
"Who are you?!"
I stepped back and picked my sword.
"You aren't Alice. Where is she?"
"I am Alice, Your Majesty."
Alice's mechanical voice acted like a catalyst to my fatigue. Her face barely had any expressions. Her bright blue eyes were dull, devoid of life.
"Where is Alice?" I asked again, drawing my sword close to her neck. "I won't repeat."
"I am Alice, Your Majesty."
[00:12]... [00:11]... [00:10]
My heart raced as the timer went closer to zero. I looked over at Alice and withdrew my sword. Deep inside, I knew that she was Alice, but I didn't understand why she was acting like this.
"I don't know what happened to you, but here take this."
I took out a scroll and handed it over to her. "Tear it."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
My heart froze as I saw Alice tearing the scroll.
[00:02]...[00:01]...[00:00]
[00:00]... [00:00]... [00:00]
The timer blinked red and the world collapsed.