The whereabouts of the heart (13)
While we were talking, we soon arrived near the square.
In the middle of the central square stood a tall pillar with a monster's neck hanging from it. Beneath it were piles of the monster's weapons.
Ian explained the situation in a low voice.
"It looks like they're about to start the cremation ceremony."
As soon as the local representative came up to the stage, people who had been enjoying the festival scattered around began to gather in the square.
There were more people there than when the Knights returned yesterday.
Will I ever be able to meet Nadia and Vivian like this?
I should have just told them to enjoy the festival freely. I was worried that they might be stamping their feet looking for us.
"The person speaking now is a representative of the residents. He is a soldier who fought in the Great Rift 30 years ago."
The more the village representative poured out his hatred for the monsters in a strong tone, the more the villagers cheered.
Because Eldern was an area frequently attacked by monsters, the hostility towards monsters was much higher than in other territories.
But since they had won a great victory, it was natural for people to be excited. Those who could not contain their excitement shouted here and there.
"Burn the monster immediately!"
"Get rid of those hideous creatures!"
Finally, it was Kalit's turn. Не саme up to the stage and raised the torch. For a moment, everyone was silent.
Ian's breath spread across my ear. I pretended not to notice the fluff rising on my cheek.
"His Highness has come out. He is lighting a fire at the pillar."
"..."
The fire spread to the monster's corpse. Soon, it began to burn fiercely, emitting tremendous heat.
"Wow!"
"We defeated the monster!"
"We beat those damned bastards!"
"Long live His Highness the First Prince!!!"
It was truly the height of the festival.
A cheer shook the square. Excited people shouted Kalit's name.
My body was shaking from side to side. I couldn't walk properly. I held onto Ian's hand tightly, feeling like I would be swept away by the crowd if I moved even slightly.
Ian pulled me towards him and hugged me tightly.
"Please stay still."
The back that touched him was hot. But there was no time to be embarrassed.
Instinctively, my head turned to the side.
"...Baba?"
"Is he here?"
"At first I thought it smelled spicy and bitter but now I don't smell it."
Lots of people, tons of food, burning monsters.
There were so many smells everywhere. It was impossible to distinguish Baba's scent among them.
"I guess it was a mistake. Baba wasn't in a good enough condition to attend the festival anyway."
"How is he feeling? Is he sick or something?"
"Oh, you didn't know."
I briefly explained what happened to Baba while Ian was at Oakwood.
Ian, who had been listening silently, frowned.
"Have Baba definitely dealt with the guard who tried to kill him?"
"That's... Since Baba almost died, I assumed the guard was dead."
"Did he say that?"
Thinking back, I don't remember hearing anything from Baba about dealing with her.
"...No."
As soon as I answered, Ian grabbed my hand.
"Let's go out."
"Yes."
Did Oslo only instruct the guards to deal with Baba?
'That can't be true.'
Surely he would have ordered me to be eliminated, so even if it wasn't right now, he might have targeted me someday.
"This wasn't the time to be wandering around like this."
Ian and I made our way straight through the crowd.
Then the crowd started to march, chanting slogans. Instead of leaving the square, we were trapped in the crowd.
For every step I took forward, I was pushed back ten steps. I couldn't move forward.
Wouldn't it be better to hide in the crowd? That was the thought that occurred to me as I turned my head towards Ian.
My hand slipped and I missed him.
"Young Lady!"
A flustered Ian reached out his hand to me, but it didn't even come close.
I was pushed out helplessly, buried in the crowd of people. The distance between me and Ian was growing rapidly.
"Millenia!"
Ian shouted with all his might, but his voice was drowned out by the roar of the crowd.
"Hey, let's go straight! If we do that, we'll fall down!"
Someone tapped me roughly on the shoulder. I glanced at him briefly, but Ian was nowhere to be seen.
"Your Highness?"
I couldn't find that face, which was struggling to come to me with his lips pursed.
'Ian... I missed you.'
My heart was pounding furiously.
Since returning from the dead, it was the first time I had been completely alone. I bit the tip of my tongue without realizing it.
'Keep calm. I know where the carriage is. Just get there.'
When you're lost, it's best to just stand there until someone finds you, but now wasn't the time for that.
Anyway, no one here will recognize me. I'd rather march with the crowd and then get out when they disperse.
I pulled my hood down low and blended into the crowd.
After walking like that for about an hour, I felt the crowd that had filled the streets gradually thinning out.
Of course, there are still a lot, but it seems like they will be gone soon.
That was when.
"Uh?"
A bitter and spicy smell tickled my nose. Was I mistaken again? I lifted my chin slightly and focused on my sense of smell.
"..."
The smell became stronger.
"They appointed the second-in-command of our guild as a watchman."
Those who belong to Baba's guild have a similar smell. The second in command was nearby.
My steps suddenly stopped. I barely suppressed the urge to immediately step back.
The marchers passed by, looking at me strangely as I stood there in the middle of the street. My body staggered back and forth before finding its place.
'Was she watching me the whole time?'
Until now, I could have made the excuse that I was swept away by the crowd.
But the moment I turn around here, I find out that I have regained my sight.
'If I just stay still like this. I'll die by her hands.'
Even as I thought about it, the spicy and bitter smell grew stronger. She was steadily approaching me.
Who is it? Of all these people, which one would harbor murderous intentions toward me?
"Ha..."
I let out a long breath and pushed back my hood. People who had been passing by indifferently opened their eyes wide.
"Wait a minute, isn't that the Guardian over there?"
"Oh, what are you talking about? Why are you looking for the Guardian in the castle here? Huh? It's the Guardian!"
The marching crowd surrounded me.
"Guardian, why are you alone? What about your attendants?"
The smell has faded again. She has stepped back because of the people gathering around me.
I replaced the sigh of relief that felt like it was going to burst with a smile. I answered calmly.
"We were together just a little while ago, but I missed him "
"So you ended up here, shoved in the crowd? Oh my, that was a close call!"
"I've parked my carriage near the square. Excuse me, but is there anyone who can guide me there?"
"Me! I'll bring it to you!"
"You're busy, Guardian, I know everything about this area. I'll show you the shortest route!"
There was a commotion as people came forward offering to take me.
"Our guardian is uncomfortable. I will take you there, so you gentlemen, go on your way!"
Then someone boldly stepped forward and intervened between me and the people.
She was a girl with her hair tied cutely in two pigtails. In a word, she was the one who subdued people and reached out to me.
"Guardian, please take my hand."
I was out of breath.
The girl, who appeared to be in her late teens, had the same scent as Baba.
As I stood there dumbfounded, the girl sighed as if she had just remembered something.
"Oh, that's right. Our Guardian, can't you see? But..."
The girl stood close to me. The distance between us naturally narrowed.
"Can you really not see it?"
As she asked, the girl held out her arm. At the same time, she aimed a finger-length needle at my side.
I was the only one who saw the needle because she cleverly covered it with her body.
'She's testing me.'
It was a slow attack that anyone could have avoided. The needle was deliberately exposed to see if I was looking ahead.
'You've been chasing me and watching me. You're suspicious of me.'
If I avoid it now, she'll be found out that I've regained my eyesight.
Anyway, you can't kill me with a weapon like that. As long as I don't die instantly, Rahon will spare my life.
The moment I forcibly suppressed my flinching body, a broad chest blocked my vision.
It was only after I buried my face in his firm embrace that I realized what had happened.
"Your Highness...?"
Ian was blocking the girl's path and hugging me.
I gasped for breath and clung to his collar. The man's arms wrapped around my lower back tightened.
"Ha..."
Ian squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them.
"Found it."
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