Cornered rat (1)
Oslo came to me.
As he got closer step by step, his mad smile grew wider.
I thought I knew when I saw that smile.
'You made up your mind.'
The reason he insisted on having me, who couldn't even see, participate in the hunting competition, and the reason he had Vivi follow me.
'So you were planning to reveal to people today that I had regained my sight.'
"You're being too harsh on a mere scratch. People don't die that easily."
Oslo would never have dreamed of it.
That what I said was a trap I had prepared for him.
While I was thinking, Oslo calmly walked over and stood in front of me. He stared at me intently and then suddenly raised his sword.
Of course, unless he was crazy, there was no way he would hurt me in front of people.
Even though we know that it is human nature to avoid a crisis without realizing it.
This is what Oslo was after.
To prove to me that I have regained my sight by making me flinch.
'It would have worked for a normal person.'
Since returning from the dead, I have developed the habit of not being shaken by any sight, at any time.
That way, I wouldn't be caught having regained my sight. It was a matter of life and death for me.
But is it really possible to trap me with such a trick?
'Stupid man.'
I wish Oslo had accidentally hurt me instead.
I'd gladly give up an arm if it meant sending him to hell.
As expected, Oslo's black sword did not even touch my body.
In fact, he couldn't even swing his sword properly while holding it up, because Ian grabbed Oslo's sword with his hand.
Someone's scream tore through the air.
"Little Duke!"
A terrible silence came over us.
Hunting gloves were useless against the sharp blade.
Tick tock, the blood that started from Ian's hand wrapped around the blue-tinged sword like vines.
A pungent smell began to spread everywhere. Suddenly, my breathing became very difficult.
I should have told Ian in advance, just like I did with Rahon.
If that were the case, Ian wouldn't have been hurt by that blind sword...
There was no time to regret. Even at this moment, blood was continuously flowing out from Ian's hand that was holding the sword.
I groaned softly and sat down.
"Ugh!"
Everyone's eyes were on me as I covered my mouth and gagged.
Only then did Ian let go of the sword he had been stubbornly holding onto and kneel down in front of me.
"Young Lady, are you okay?"
"Haa, haa, I suddenly smell blood... What just happened?"
lan hid his injured hand behind his back, even though he knew that it wouldn't hide the thick smell of blood.
"Who got hurt?"
"I hurt my hand a little."
"Your Highness? Why?"
Before Ian could answer, I extended my arm.
The tip of my hand, which had been extended in a hurry, touched Ian's right shoulder.
Ian looked down with an embarrassed expression as I groped my arm down.
"Young Lady..."
"I have to check it myself. Is this the right hand?"
"... Yes."
The fingertips that ran down Ian's forearm stopped at the back of his hand.
He clenched his fists as hard as a rock and asked.
"Please open your fist."
"..."
"Your Highness."
The fist that seemed like it would never open opened up in an instant. At the same time, the blood that had been pooling inside began to flow out.
The wound was not visible because of the hunting gloves. I had no choice but to carefully touch the long, cut leather part.
"...Nadia, please bring Lord Rahon."
"Yes, Miss-."
Before Nadia could even finish answering, a familiar voice was heard.
"There's no need for that."
It was Rahon who came out of the private room without making a sound and was watching the situation. Anton was standing behind him with a surprised look on his face.
Rahon, who had been walking briskly, looked down at Ian with a pitiful look.
"Just because of that guy, a swordsman would have his right hand damaged like that?"
"..."
"Come with me, now."
lan sighed softly.
"Your Highness the First Prince, I entrust you with taking care of Young Lady."
As Ian followed Rahon, Kalit lifted me up. Then he took a handkerchief out of his bosom and carefully wiped the blood off my hands.
“Oslo.”
He didn't even look at Oslo. He just kept his eyes fixed on my hand and his lips quivered.
"Where is the evidence you were talking about? I don't see anything."
Oslo swallowed dryly at the voice that was so bleak, unlike his usual affectionate tone.
"Yeah, I guess you have nothing to say."
Kalit, who had calmly wiped my hands, put the handkerchief in his pocket.
Soon, gray eyes devoid of any warmth were fixed on Oslo.
"Is this the only reason you incited people with absurd words and attacked the Guardians?"
"I didn't mean to attack!"
"Everyone here saw you swing your sword at the 'first walker'. There must be over 50 witnesses."
"That, that is..."
Oslo also looked quite embarrassed by what he had done.
I thought he was just threatening me enough to get a reaction out of me, but it's ridiculous that Ian ended up getting hurt.
But that was only for a moment.
Oslo's expression changed as if he had been embarrassed for some time.
"Now that I think about it, the little Duke was also in on it. That's why he got involved because he thought Millenia's secret would be exposed. Am I right?"
"You're not in your right mind."
"I'll show you properly this time, so don't bother me."
Oslo approached, his sword raised.
The moment Kalit narrowed his eyes and placed his hand on the scabbard.
"Stop it!"
Someone shouted loudly.
From that point on, whenever Oslo and I clashed, the attendees who had been just watching began to criticize Oslo.
"Why on earth are you so anxious that you can't catch the Guardian!"
"If you've done something shameful and ended up breaking up, you should know how to hold yourself back! What a disgrace! It's humiliating to be in the same company as you!"
The attendees felt that Oslo's actions up to now were revenge for their breakup with me.
It was all a result of Oslo.
Not only did he cheat on me with my best friend, but he also tried to find some ridiculous excuse to kick me out of the summit.
Even at a restaurant, he pushed me in front of everyone and hurt my ankle.
The attendees couldn't help but feel a sense of resentment towards Oslo for having been dumped on them.
In that situation, it was natural that the patience of the attendees reached its limit as he started making ridiculous arguments, such as saying that I could see and that I was not a guardian, and even going so far as to swing a sword.
Oslo, cornered, quickly protested.
"You've all been fooled! Give me a chance and I'll prove to you that Millenia Astrod has regained his sight!"
"You can say that after seeing the Guardian's actions just now? Don't you even know that little Duke Eldern is injured?"
"I tried not to interfere in my male-female affairs, but you just wouldn't let me! I will formally protest to the Emperor of the Empire!"
"Let's do that! Let's go and find out how ridiculous the Guardian is that the Third Prince dares to do something like this!"
"Good!"
There was no one on Oslo's side here. Even Count Gideon and Count Saiga turned their backs on him. At that moment, Oslo was unable to hold out and hesitated. Something flew through the air, hit him in the cheek, and fell to the dirt floor.
A hunting glove with a half-cut palm. People's eyes were gathered on it.
"I challenge you to a duel."
It was Ian who had been healed by Rahon. Oslo burst into laughter.
"You want to challenge me, a member of the royal family, to a duel? It seems the Eldern family doesn't care about their children's education."
A nobleman cannot challenge a member of the imperial family to a duel, because attacking the imperial family is tantamount to treason.
lan answered dryly.
"I also have royal blood flowing through my veins."
However, it was possible between members of the royal family. So Ian, whose mother was the Princess, could challenge Oslo to a duel.
The smile disappeared from Oslo's face, who had not even thought about it.
lan pulled his sword from its scabbard.
"Take the initiative."
"..."
Naturally, Oslo did not take up the sword.
Even if he dueled Ian, who is considered the best swordsman in the empire, all that awaits him is death.
"Why should I fight with swords like those ignorant knights? I refuse."
"Then apologize to Young Lady."
"Why me? I did nothing wrong!"
"If you are honest, prove it with a sword."
"..."
"Why do you keep talking like that when you can't even think of doing that?"
A sharp provocation appeared at the corner of Ian's mouth.
Just as Oslo was about to explode at the laughter, a solemn voice was heard from behind.
"What on earth are you guys doing?"
He was the Emperor.
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