The whereabouts of the heart (3)
The inauguration ceremony was held early in the morning.
Under the brilliant sunlight, about 1300 knights lined up perfectly.
Ian and Kalit were at the forefront.
Kalit acted as if nothing happened last night.
Even before the inauguration ceremony, he said, "I'll be back," and kissed the back of my hand. It was so natural.
He really is an unpredictable person. With that kind of personality, he must have come all the way to hell to save me, his enemy.
'Is he really my benefactor?'
Rahon's tattoo doesn't match the time of his benefactor's tattoo, and Ian doesn't know about the flower-shaped scar itself.
Of course, I had to check to see if there was a flower-shaped scar on his back, but the only remaining candidate for a benefactor was Kalit.
The problem is that I'm not sure.
I couldn't figure out why Kalit had become my benefactor.
The reason you comforted me when I lost my eyesight and was locked in my bedroom, and the reason he came all the way to hell to save me, his enemy.
None of them were resolved smoothly.
So how can I believe it when I see the flower-shaped scar on his back?
'If I could find some memories from when I was young, I might be able to get a clue.'
But there was no news from Rahon. He may be making a drug to restore memories.
I swallowed a sigh and turned my gaze to Ian.
I thought I briefly met his golden eyes, but it must have been my imagination. In fact, I couldn't tell where he was looking because he was wearing a helmet.
'Don't get hurt.'
I couldn't say that in the end. I felt like it was just my greed to want to go back to how things used to be.
lan was comfortable, so it was true that I relied on him more than anyone else.
I got used to the comfort he gave me and didn't worry about how much he cared for me.
Ian must have found me annoying. Whenever I thought about it like that, I didn't dare to talk to him.
That's probably why my heart feels heavy.
At that moment, Duke Eldern stood on the platform. A soft voice with resonance spread throughout the castle.
"What you must do is clear. Eliminate the enemy. If there are any who are defeated by mere low-level monsters, just desert. It will be easier than sparring with me one-on-one after returning."
The knights burst into jeers. The atmosphere was mellow considering the upcoming battle with the monster.
That would be the case since the opponents were low-level monsters and there were only about 200 of them at most.
It would have been dangerous for ordinary people, but it was not a difficult battle for the knights of Eldern, who were considered the best in the Empire.
That is why Duke Eldern decided to send only 300 of his 2,000 troops to war. Duke Eldern, who had come down from the stage, grabbed my shoulder.
"Millenia, say something."
"Me?"
"For those about to go out, the best gift is the encouragement of those who have already gone before."
"But I didn't prepare anything..."
"Just tell them to fight well, young lady."
Nadia whispered to me, who was flustered, and led me to the podium.
As I stood on stage, more than 300 people stared at me. The atmosphere suddenly became quiet.
"I don't see a future where you're cold due to the unexpected haste."
I smiled at the knights who were muttering in confusion.
"I don't use my power for things that are absolutely obvious."
"..."
"You will return safely."
"Waaaah!"
The knights cheered in unison.
When Ian gave the signal, the knights at the very front raised their flags.
The sound of horse hooves shook the ground.
300 knights started moving.
Where they had passed, a fragrant smell of grass, not iron, wafted. It was the scent of herbs used to ward off evil spirits.
It was the prelude to a battle that would later become famous as the first battle in which humans attacked a monster, and in which not a single person died...
***
After the ceremony, I returned to the bedroom with Nadia.
The bedroom is warm.
Vivian must have lit a fire in the fireplace for me as I attended the inauguration ceremony outside in the cold wind.
"Miss, please give me the shawl."
"Here..."
I stopped in my tracks while taking off my shawl.
There was a strange smell in the bedroom.
This pungent smell stings the tip of my nose...
'It smells like blood.'
My eyes turned to the window, which was covered with thick curtains. The smell of blood was coming from there.
Nadia asked me as I stood there dumbfounded.
"Miss, why are you like that?"
"I'm a little tired."
"I guess it's because you woke up early. Would you like to take a quick nap before going out?"
"Yeah... That would be good."
"I'll take off your dress for you."
"No, I'll do it. You go and rest."
Nadia tilted her head in puzzlement, then quickly stepped back.
"Then, sleep well. I'll wake you up on time."
"Yes."
I lay in bed waiting for Nadia to leave, then jumped up the moment the door closed.
I cautiously approached the window. As I gently pulled back the curtain, I saw a man wearing a black mask sitting outside the window.
"...!"
It was Baba.
He was curled up in a heap, his face buried between his knees. He didn't even seem to know that I was watching him.
'Are you hurt?'
After thinking about it for a while, I deliberately opened the window wide.
"Baba, I told you that hiding won't help. I can tell by their scent..."
I couldn't finish speaking.
This is because the smell of blood that had been faintly flowing in before the window was opened suddenly poured out violently.
"Ugh!"
My vision spun around, accompanied by dizziness.
As I was hurriedly holding onto the windowsill to calm my dizziness, Baba raised his head.
"Hello, master."
I was speechless. The face revealed behind the mask was so gruesome.
Her lips were completely chapped and blackened, and his eyelids were purple. He looked as if he had been assaulted by a group of people.
"...Are you hurt?"
"It wasn't that I was hiding, it was just waiting for the master to come."
"I asked if you were hurt."
"Is that because you smell blood? That's not mine."
A drop of blood sprang from his lips as he spoke casually.
If I had only heard the voice, I would have been fooled. Even with his face like this, he was still shameless.
"Then whose is it?"
"Someone else's."
"You call that talking?"
Baba caught me as I was screaming softly. His palm wrapped around my arm felt hot as if it was burning.
"Listen carefully. I don't have time."
"...What?"
"Oslo has noticed my betrayal. I think he's got his eyes on me... They might have reported your plans to Oslo. Be prepared."
"Is that what you came here to tell me?"
"Oh, I'll go now since I told you. For the time being. No, I might not be able to see you for long. I have something to do."
Suspicion turned to certainty. If Oslo had sensed the betrayal, there was no way he would have left Baba alone.
This smell of blood is Baba's. The words spilled out without a moment to stop them.
"Are you thinking of dying?"
"..."
"If you want to die, I'll let you go. But if you want to live, I'll save you somehow. The choice is yours."
After a long pause, a hoarse voice flowed out from Baba's lips.
"...Save me."
"Come in."
As he said that and tried to step aside, Baba's body suddenly tilted over.
"Baba!"
I reflexively supported him, but my strength was not enough to support the man's body.
I fell to the floor, hugging Baba.
"Ugh! Okay, wait a minute..."
I was struggling to push Baba away, my hands were wet.
I opened my trembling hands with an ominous feeling. My palms were completely red.
'The condition was this serious.'
I squeezed my eyes shut and suppressed the nausea that was rising. Soon, I stopped breathing and got out from under Baba.
"Gasp! Haa, haa!"
I controlled my breathing while touching the floor. Then, almost as if I was crawling, I walked over to the bed and pulled the rope.
After a while, Nadia came into the bedroom.
"Miss, what do you need!"
She stopped talking when she saw me covered in blood.
I hurriedly covered her mouth, which was wide open as if I was going to scream at any moment.
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