I Became the Cure for the Cursed Prince - Chapter 51

Yet no matter how many were destroyed, more continued to appear. An endless battle repeated itself. At one point, Lucas began killing the tentacles with his bare hands, but even then, the tentacles that had attacked the knights floated on the surface of the water, preventing anyone from entering it.

The surrounding knights contributed by slashing and shooting arrows at the tentacles, and only after a desperate effort did their numbers begin to decrease. Slowly, Lucas was able to approach the gargoyle’s wound.

Just as Lucas reached out toward the gargoyle, a tentacle suddenly sprouted from the wound, wrapped tightly around his arm, and yanked him toward the creature.

“Lucas!”

Leon’s shout barely reached him. Lucas tried to tear off the tentacle constricting his torso and neck, but even though he had killed it with a curse, the withered tentacle remained tightly coiled around him, refusing to let go.

With no other options left, Lucas tore off his ripped sleeve and hurled himself at the gargoyle, wrapping his arms around its body. The gargoyle screamed in agony, writhing under the curse, but Lucas endured.

However, from the excessive blood loss caused by the tentacles, his mind began to blur. He knew it then—he would die before the gargoyle did.

At that moment—

Rrrrgh…

A tremendous roar echoed as the pond’s water surged violently.

At the sound of Leon’s roar, the gargoyle froze, unable to move as if turned to stone. It was as though time itself had stopped. Unlike the usual times Leon had transformed into a tiger, the fierce gleam in his eyes alone was enough to overwhelm his foe. Faced with the fear of Lucas’s death, Leon had unknowingly awakened a new power.

Several knights fainted from the immense pressure, and the gargoyle trembled as if struck by lightning.

The strength in the tentacle constricting Lucas gradually weakened. Through the thick mist, the silhouette of a massive beast began to emerge. As the fog slowly lifted, its true form became clear—Leon, transformed into a tiger.

The enormous tiger, leaving behind the knights who stood paralyzed with shock, raised his massive forepaw. As a deep growl rumbled from his chest, the ground trembled, and droplets splashed from the pond’s surface.

At that moment, Lucas’s body, still entangled by the gargoyle’s tentacle, fell into the pond with a splash, and the tentacles that had floated on the surface vanished.

“Graaaargh!”

The gargoyle let out a furious roar, throwing its head back in rage. In that instant, Leon sprang from the water’s surface and slashed deep into the creature’s abdomen. Blue blood gushed like a fountain, scattering across the pond.

“Kiieeek!”

The gargoyle screamed, frantically covering its head with both wings and thrashing about. It raised one of its legs high, aiming to crush the tiger, but Leon leapt once more, claws extended. His massive body soared through the air and clung to the gargoyle’s back.

Crunch. In a flash, Leon’s sharp fangs sank into the gargoyle’s neck, and the creature’s movements began to slow. Its breath grew faint, and though its wings, once curled inward, now spread and floated atop the water, Leon did not release his grip.

“Kh… urgh…”

Letting out one final groan, the gargoyle’s massive body toppled backward. As the water swelled and crashed, the unconscious knights were splashed awake.

Leon calmly pressed his forepaw against the gargoyle’s belly, waiting for the creature to take its final breath. Meanwhile, Sion led a few knights into the water, hoisted Lucas onto their backs, and carried him out.

Leon, seeing this, finally felt at ease. Yet his task was not finished. Still gripping the gargoyle’s neck, he began to walk out of the water. The surreal sight of the massive body being dragged behind him caused the knights to flinch and instinctively step back.

Just then, Lucas coughed, expelling the water from his lungs. His skin was deathly pale—like someone who had narrowly escaped the grip of death.

“Are you all right?”

Lucas nodded. For a brief moment, he had lost consciousness and despaired, believing it was all over—but the earth-shaking roar had anchored him, keeping him conscious.

Through hazy eyes, Lucas watched Leon, now tearing into the gargoyle’s chest with his forepaw. It seemed he intended to find the creature’s heart himself.

“Haa…”

A sigh escaped Lucas’s lips. It felt as though the massive boulder pressing down on his chest had finally crumbled away. The heart he had searched for so long—he had never imagined it would be found, not by his own hand, but by Leon’s.

Now, his sister could return to how she once was. That alone would change the future.

He had never thought that the Leon he once saw as a mere child would grow to this extent—and save him.

Swallowing the sob that surged from deep within, Lucas steadied himself and stepped toward Leon. As Leon raised his head, his golden eyes gleamed brightly.

Lucas reached out and gently stroked the tiger’s head. A low, resonant purr vibrated through his hand.

“Thank you, Leon.”

After expressing the sincere gratitude welling up from deep within, Lucas turned to examine the gargoyle’s chest, which Leon had torn open. Deep inside, something glimmered with a faint blue light. Lucas reached in with his gloved hand, carefully extracting the gargoyle’s heart, and spoke gently.

“You may return now.”

At that single command, the tiger’s body slowly shifted back into human form.

“Luca, I was so worried… I truly…”

Leon was crying.

Lucas reached out, cupping Leon’s cheek, and wiped away the tears that streamed down. He wanted to reassure him—to say that he was safe thanks to Leon and there was no need for sorrow—but for now, with the knights still shaken and needing calm, all he could do was embrace Leon briefly and let go.

Lucas then raised the gargoyle’s heart high for all to see.

“Thanks to all of you, we have successfully exterminated the monster and secured the gargoyle’s heart. Now let us return safely to our families and rest from the hardships we’ve endured. Rewards shall be given to everyone!”

At his declaration, the knights stomped the ground and shouted in triumph. To end the hunt with no casualties was already fortunate—but to have slain the gargoyle as well was nothing short of a blessing.

As the knights, regardless of rank, embraced each other in celebration, one person watched Leon with a sharp, scrutinizing gaze.

Rumors swiftly spread throughout the North that Duke Lucas’s personal knights had not only eradicated the troublesome monsters but had also succeeded in slaying the gargoyle.

Along the road home to the Castle of Rion, the people of the duchy showered the returning knights with applause and praise. Lucas took care to visit as many villages as possible so that the knights could bask in the glory of their victory.

Though he was eager to cure his sister’s illness without delay and could not tarry long, he wanted those who had trusted him and endured a grueling battle to fully enjoy their triumph.

After a long season of brutal weather and monster attacks, warmth seemed to return at last to the frozen North.

The gates of the Castle of Rion opened. As they entered, those who had received word in advance lined the path and greeted them with jubilant cheers.

Standing foremost among them was Michelle.

She had adorned herself for the occasion, wearing a beautiful gown paired with a ceremonial uniform draped in epaulets. Upon seeing her, Lucas dismounted, emotion washing over his face.

“Sister.”

As Lucas approached carefully, Michelle strode forward with determination, disregarding his curse entirely, and embraced him around the neck. It lasted only a brief moment, but the intense relief, joy, and the surge of emotion he felt for his sister overwhelmed him, as if even the curse could be subdued by that feeling.

But it was fleeting. When he saw Michelle’s face grow pale, Lucas quickly stepped back.

“I am not worthy to face you.”

“Don’t say that. All of this was possible because you endured, Sister.”

“I knew you would say that.”

Michelle looked at Lucas, her expression somewhere between tears and a smile. She had much to say, but too many eyes were watching.

“Let’s talk inside.”

As Lucas followed behind her, Leon—who had hidden the gargoyle’s heart beneath his coat—hurried to walk beside him.

Michelle narrowed her eyes at Leon and said coldly,

“You. Wait here. I’ll call for you once my brother and I have spoken in peace.”

Leon turned to Lucas, silently pleading for help, but Lucas only shook his head, clearly uncomfortable. After every hunt, Michelle always wanted to hear everything directly from him—what the monster looked like, its weaknesses, the villages attacked, the lives of the people there. She left nothing out, documenting it all.

Today’s tale would star Leon more than anyone. To recount his feats with him standing right there… Lucas would rather not.

“No use looking at me like that. Lucas and I have things to discuss.”

“Did I say anything? The Lady Duke just always seems to dislike me.”

Leon grumbled and turned away. Watching his retreating figure, a faint smile touched Michelle’s lips.

Support I Became the Cure for the Cursed Prince