Chapter 49
The desert night is cold.
The word “cold” cannot be considered a complete expression.
As if every single grain of sand is all ice, everything is frozen cold.
Shiosen, who was inhaling the bitterly cold air deep into his lungs, suddenly lifted his head and looked up at the star-filled night sky.
“Finally.”
He closed his eyes while wearing the brightest smile of his life.
“The causality has ended.”
Pure white moonlight pours down as if enveloping his body. His fluttering hair has its black color slightly faded compared to before.
***
Guardian, Nike, and Fiona moved to escort the three captured black mages to the imperial palace.
The other guardians or knights, excluding them, intended to move as originally planned.
Because even if they encountered black mages by chance, it didn’t make sense to change the originally decided destination.
The punitive force’s purpose was ultimately ‘extermination of the black mage organization hindering mana stone supply.’
Of course, they couldn’t handle the entire black mage organization, but at least they had to make the mana stone supply smooth. That’s why the punitive force was formed.
“Still, it would be better for the young lady to return.”
“Yes. After all, you were injured like that just before.”
“Things will get more difficult afterward, and the young lady will be in danger.”
“This time, since we received help, let’s send her back safely for now…….”
The knights were all talking without exception about sending Daphne back.
Daphne, who came out of the room drinking morning coffee, made an absurd expression.
“Why are you deciding my whereabouts arbitrarily?”
Daphne had no intention of returning.
That makes sense, because,
[Mana: 230]
Having accumulated this much mana from beating three black mages, why would I return? I need to stay put and take on the coming black mages.
“No, young lady. Even after experiencing this, you’re saying you won’t return?”
The knights raised their voices.
“You can’t. Right now, the young lady’s body is very weakened. You even collapsed like that yesterday, so you shouldn’t move further here.”
“You’ve already overdone it enough, so you can stop now.”
No, so why are you guys doing this?
I want to stay more.
“I don’t care. It doesn’t hurt.”
“But!”
“You can’t!”
The knights were firm, and Daphne found it even more absurd.
No, why you guys……. I’m saying I’m fine…….
Daphne glanced and looked at Lache, but Lache did not make eye contact with Daphne. Bad guy.
“Hiyu.”
Daphne touched her forehead and let out a sigh.
“You saw it yesterday. You all being completely helpless against the aura of death.”
“That was……!”
“Without me, you all die.”
It might sound a bit arrogant, but what can I do. It’s the truth.
Still, humans value their own lives at least, so I thought if I said this, they wouldn’t oppose anymore.
But an unexpected reaction came back.
Some of the knights wiped their eyes with the back of their hands.
“The reason you don’t want to return is because of us.”
“We’re too weak…… To protect us. Even though your body is still not well.”
Daphne couldn’t grasp the situation well and just blinked without saying anything.
“But it’s really okay, young lady.”
“We can’t cause any more trouble to the young lady. It’s already more than enough.”
“We’re weak now, but still, we promise. We’ll make sure no one dies.”
“…….”
The knights said that while exchanging glances with each other, as if saying ‘We’re comrades now?’ giving off a feeling of promoting camaraderie among the knight order. Like protecting each other as comrades..
It wasn’t a bad thing that Daphne’s existence sprouted camaraderie among the knight order, but because of that, it was somewhat absurd that Daphne had to be chased out.
“No, what is this…….”
I want to stay more! It was at that moment when irritation was about to burst out through Daphne’s teeth.
“Daphne.”
Lache pulled Daphne’s shoulder.
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but return now.”
At the firm words, Daphne felt momentarily upset.
No, even after I said such touching words yesterday, you’re telling me to return right away? Isn’t that too much?
“You too are doing this?”
“The knight order’s morale is up now. But if you stay, it seems like it will collapse again.”
“That’s their problem!”
“Don’t throw a tantrum.”
“……That’s too harsh.”
Throwing a tantrum. Saying tantrum to a great being like me!
Daphne pouted her lips, and Rache let out a low laugh seeing that.
Somehow, he has a refreshed expression.
“And I’m going to fight too.”
He said while clenching his fist tightly.
“Until now, I was in the back as a trainee…… But seeing you, I thought again. I’ll somehow wield the sword.”
“What…….”
Daphne now had a headache that felt like it was pulling at the back of her head.
“What nonsense are you saying? You don’t have that level of skill yet? You’ll go out and die?”
“Aren’t your words too harsh?”
Rache frowned, cursing himself for thinking positively about Daphne even for a moment.
“No matter what you say, I’m going out. I’m going to fight too.”
While Daphne was beating the black mages even injuring her own body, it was shameful for him, who is superficially ‘family’ and ‘first older brother,’ to hold back.
Even if he dies, he won’t hide shamefully. He vowed that.
“Why are you all so obsessed with dying.”
Daphne realized that no matter what she said here, it wouldn’t work at all.
Daphne let out deep sighs and gestured to Teti, who was sipping coffee from afar.
“Elf.”
As soon as she called, Teti came running in an instant. Somehow, it seemed like he was firmly motivated due to yesterday’s mistake.
“Yes, master. Just say the word.”
The knights were somewhat surprised.
Elves are famous for their high pride, aren’t they. It’s said they ignore even the emperor’s orders.
Of course, elves who come out to the human world mostly like money, so they can be persuaded with money, but Teti’s attitude…… It was like behavior that would only come out after pouring billions.
Did the grand ducal family spend that much money?
Or does that elf have some weakness?
The knights each made guesses, but among them, no one concluded that Teti was being unfairly labored by a dragon.
Anyway, whatever the knights thought, Daphne tapped Teti’s arm and firmly said.
“Follow these guys.”
“Yes…… Yes?! Why me?! I don’t want to!?”
“You don’t even understand a single word properly.”
Letting out a sigh, Daphne said shortly.
“If you follow, I’ll forgive yesterday’s mistake.”
“You should have said that from the beginning! I’m going! Of course I’ll go!”
“Don’t let even one die.”
“Yep!”
At Teti’s attitude as if pledging loyalty, the knights’ suspicions deepened. They really must have given a lot of money…… They mutter to each other like that.
“We’re grateful that you’re trying to help us.”
Rache, who had been quietly listening to Teti and Daphne’s conversation, said.
“But, Daphne.”
Rache whispered in a voice small enough for only Daphne to hear.
“Don’t misunderstand that I’ve forgiven you with this.”
Daphne unknowingly felt a slight stir.
Wasn’t it Rache who showed a appearance of protecting and guarding me. After that, he seemed quite worried about me, so I thought we had become somewhat close…….
‘It wasn’t.’
It’s strangely disappointing. And I also got angry at why the previous Daphne lived like that.
Tsk. Daphne clicked her tongue and nodded.
“Okay. What can I do…….”
“So.”
But it seems Rache’s words weren’t finished.
Rache, while tightly holding Daphne’s hand, raised his eyes sparkling.
“When you return, take your medicine diligently, since you can’t get treatment from the elf, ask to bring an imperial physician, tell Arius not to bother you, tell Vipera not to make strange medicine and bring it. Got it?”
“…….”
You said you haven’t forgiven me.
To anyone, it looks like you’ve forgiven?
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By Anna 💓
