Guardian (4)
"Exactly a week after the first battle, the monsters attacked in large numbers. As the master had predicted, a high-level monster appeared, but it seems that the traps were set up to block it well."
"Ha, that's a relief."
The reason there were the most casualties in the second battle was because of the superior monsters.
I rested my chin on my hand as I thought of someone locked up in prison, waiting to die.
It's so strange. Why are the results different? The warnings I gave in advance were the same in both my past life and this life.
This is why the conductor is important. He can produce completely different results with the same information.
"When can we hear news of the third battle?"
The second and third battles take place within two days.
It's been four days since the second battle, so the third battle should already be over.
"It takes at least three days for information to be transmitted, so we'll probably know tomorrow or the day after."
"Yes. Keep up the good work."
Baba didn't leave even after finishing his report. I could sense a strange interest in the eyes that were staring at me.
"Do you have anything to say? Is the butler still bothering you?"
"No, it's okay. I guess he gave up."
"But?"
"It is said that the snow that started to fall during the first battle stopped after three days."
"That can't be..."
Apparently, it snowed throughout the first battle, but it stopped at dawn the next day, and the second battle took place that very day.
It wasn't something I heard from someone. It was a future I had seen firsthand using my powers in my past life.
"So, does that mean the monster waited for three days even after the snow stopped falling? This is so strange."
Baba came closer.
For a moment, his expressionless face as if his emotions had been sapped, became lively. His eyes sparkled.
"According to my sources, the monsters attempted an all-out attack on the day the snow stopped falling, but gave up."
"Why?"
"The last guardian has appeared."
For a moment, I didn't understand what Baba was saying.
"The last you say?"
"The 'Protector' has appeared!"
My heart started pounding for no reason.
It's such a good thing. I should be jumping for joy, but why am I so anxious?
I blinked like an idiot and forced my stiff lips to move...
"Who is that?"
"Little Duke Eldern."
"..."
Why are ominous feelings never wrong?
I put my hand on my chest without realizing it. My heart was beating like crazy.
"Ian, he has been chosen as the 'Protector'."
"Out of all those people, why the little Duke? I guess he was the one who was considered a 'guardian' in the eyes of the gods? It's really funny. I'm glad he didn't die and survived."
"..."
Baba's voice grew distant.
My ears started to feel stuffy and I started to get a headache. As I was trying to press my temples, which were throbbing like a habit, my teacup suddenly spilled over.
"Oh my, Miss!"
"Ah..."
I must have accidentally knocked over the teacup. Nadia quickly came over and examined my hand.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
"It wasn't that hot. It was just cool enough."
"Oh, I'm surprised. Your dress is a little wet. Please change."
"No, no. Hey, Nadia, I'm sorry, but can you leave me alone for a moment?"
"Uh..."
Nadia hesitated. then poked Baba in the ribs.
"It's crazy?"
Baba blocked her hand like an assassin, but in the end, he was dragged out by Nadia's hand without knowing what was happening.
The bedroom finally became quiet.
After sitting blankly for a while, I went to the window.
The remaining three battles were a future I had never seen before. I had no choice but to rely entirely on the capabilities of the Allied Forces. I kept my eyes fixed on the empty space and chanted like a machine.
"It'll be fine, Oslo did it. Of course, Kalit will do even better."
Because my father will be by his side to assist him well. And Ian too.
Bam...
Tears fell.
"Ah, why is it like this..."
This is not the time.
I felt like an idiot. My head was full of one proposition and I couldn't think straight.
A 'protector' cannot achieve love.
A life-threatening battle was taking place on the front lines.
Even Ian went to war knowing that he would go missing in the future.
And yet, I'm in a safe place, lost in my own thoughts and shedding tears.
"Pathetic."
As I was hastily trying to wipe my wet cheeks, something I had forgotten suddenly came to mind.
'Wait a minute, there was no 'protector' in my past life.'
Ian was not chosen as a guardian. Not only I, but everyone in the capital knew that.
'If that weren't true...'
If I look back on my past life, there was a point where Ian's appearance disappeared even when I used my powers.
Was that from the second battle?
At the time, I didn't think it was strange. In fact, I didn't even care. At that time, the only person who mattered to me was Oslo.
But now that I think about it, it didn't make sense.
Among all those Allied forces, is it possible that Ian is the only one who is not visible? He is not just a soldier, but someone who stands out more than anyone else while fighting on the front lines? This is impossible.
"Because he was a guardian, I couldn't see his future."
The 'first walker' cannot see the future of other guardians. l was certain that Ian had been chosen as a 'protector' in my past life as well.
'If Oslo had hidden that fact...'
Oslo hated Ian from the beginning. How angry would he have been if the being he hated so much had been chosen as the guardian?
Besides, the moment this fact was revealed, it was obvious that all attention would be focused on Ian. He would have wanted to hide it at all costs.
So that's why Ian went missing? Oslo, unable to control his jealousy, got rid of Ian...
It was a ridiculous hypothesis, but I couldn't deny it. After what Oslo had done to me, he was a man who could do that.
Fortunately, in this life, Oslo is locked up in prison. So will Ian be able to return safely?
"If it were the top monster..."
In the past life, winning or losing the Great Rift would not have been that important to the top monsters.
Because Oslo had already turned into an Emperor anyway.
It was more advantageous to achieve the goal of putting Oslo on the throne after returning victorious from the war against the demons and starting a war of conquest.
Their goal is to throw the world into chaos.
Now that Oslo was locked up in prison, the top demon's plans had to change.
They will probably do their utmost to win the Great Rift.
To do that, they need to remove the biggest obstacle: the 'protector.'
"But how?"
Ian was originally a skilled swordsman who was revered as the best swordsman in the empire.
That person has now become a guardian and has gained power. Who would dare to oppose him? Wouldn't it be difficult even for a top-tier monster?
What if they attack Ian's weakness?
"For example, if I change into someone else and approach them...."
A snicker came out.
Who would believe me if I suddenly appeared on the battlefield? Of course, they would be suspicious.
Besides, he said that it needs blood to change its form. Where would a top-tier monster get my blood?
"..."
The smile on my lips slowly disappeared.
"Nadia!"
As I flung open the door across the bedroom, Nadia, who had been waiting outside, opened her eyes wide.
"Miss? Why are you doing that?"
"Where is little brother?"
"The young master is probably in the bedroom. He came back yesterday after drinking because he was on vacation for the first time in a while."
"Let's go!"
"He probably isn't awake yet... If it's urgent, you should wake him up. Yes, let's go!"
I took Nadia's hand and headed to Chevio's bedroom. I climbed onto the bed without warning and shook him from his deep sleep.
"Brother, wake up. Hurry up."
"Ah, don't wake me up...! Huh? Our pretty youngest? Oh my, oh my, why is our youngest here? Were you worried because I slept for too long?"
The irritated Chevio looked at me and smiled bashfully, making a clicking sound. I pushed away his face, which still reeked of alcohol, and asked.
"What about my blood?"
"Huh? What kind of blood?"
"The day of the inauguration ceremony. Did you clean the waiting room?"
"Waiting room?"
"Wake up, brother!"
I grabbed Chevio's arm and forcibly lifted him up.
Nadia quickly brought him some cold water as he looked dazed with his hair down.
"Young Master, drink up."
"Oh, I'm going crazy..."
Chevio couldn't stand the moment when he was emptying a glass of water and asked again.
"Brother, think about it carefully. The day I stopped the Third Prince, the waiting room was a mess because of the blood I shed."
"That's right."
"You cleaned it up right away, right?"
He briefly recalled his memories and nodded with confidence.
"The maids must have cleaned it up."
"Really? Phew, that's a relief."
"Five days later."
Ah...
A sigh escaped me.
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