The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 111

“Hm.”

Eliza nodded in satisfaction and looked around.

‘Is this size enough?’

It didn’t take long to dig into the mountain.

The space formed in a hemisphere wasn’t very large.

Maybe enough to fit a few palaces?

Compared to the size of the mountain, it was really tiny.

‘It was worth the effort.’

While digging deeper into the mountain, there were a few places where dirt was falling or the ground seemed unstable.

Avoiding those spots, Eliza found a suitable spot for the excavation, and this was it.

The arch-shaped walls were all solid, packed with earth, so they wouldn’t collapse.

‘I think the air vents turned out well.’

Small holes were drilled in places that were hard to see with the eye.

When they started working, a few candles were lit, but the air wasn’t murky.

This proved the air circulation was good.

Candles couldn’t light up the whole space, so golden flames were placed in several spots.

The cage-like tunnel glowed brightly.

In the center, Eliza smiled slowly, looking around.

‘I like it.’

It wasn’t yet time to bring Judas.

This space still needed various things.

Like a bed to lie on together.

‘I’ll need a place to wash up too…’

Even though Eliza was a versatile genius, he didn’t know how to set up plumbing all the way down here in the mountain range.

‘Maybe I can bring up underground water? That should be possible.’

To take care of meals, a cooking facility would be needed.

Like an oven.

‘No windows are a bit of a downside, but…’

If I want a view, I can always look out.

I can just use teleportation.

‘It might feel a little barren without furniture… Should I dig up some trees and plant them? But they might wither without sunlight.’

Another option would be to just tear open the top of the space.

Blow off the upper part of the mountain.

It was possible, but Eliza didn’t feel like doing that.

‘Can’t disturb the ecosystem…’

Imagining all the plans and executing them in his mind brought Eliza joy.

‘I can’t wait to fix this up and bring him here.’

What expression would Judas make when he saw this place?

No one would be able to find him if he was locked away here.

No one could touch him.

Only Eliza would have free access.

‘Mine.’

With his chest swelling warmly, Eliza smiled.

***

Eliza excused himself, saying he had personal matters to attend to, leaving me behind.

That worked out well.

I had something to do too.

‘I’ll go fill up my magic stat.’

When I’m around Eliza, I always follow his schedule, leaving no time for my personal tasks.

Now’s my chance to restore the stats I’ve lost.

‘It won’t be easy…’

Finding quests isn’t hard.

But the rewards are all random.

Few things give guaranteed rewards, and magic is rare among them.

I wasn’t surprised when I received magic from Yuel.

‘At least it’s not completely gone.’

I looked down at my hand.

The hand I had tightly held with Eliza during the founding ceremony.

The palm was scorched black.

Not entirely black, but it had burn marks, with some spots seeming to have holes where it was burned.

It didn’t hurt much.

Sometimes it tingled or felt hot and sore, but it was bearable.

Eliza still hadn’t noticed.

‘I’ll do what I can, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll tell her.’

So today, I came to the Magic Tower.

More precisely, the magic city surrounding it.

Since this was a place related to magic, there were plenty of opportunities to gain magic.

It was a bit far, so I came riding Yuel.

I needed to get more magic from Yuel too.

It was no surprise that people around here were whispering.

After all, a huge moon stag was parading down the main road.

“What’s that… Isn’t that a moon stag?”

Here’s the translation of the passage:

“Someone tamed the moon deer?”

“Yeah, you know, with Lady Eliza and that…”

“…Ah!”

If they spoke just a bit louder, I might be able to hear everything they’re saying….

This is the problem when your hearing improves.

It’s not always so fun to overhear other people’s conversations easily.

Anyway, I walked around the Mage Tower district with Yuel and finished a few confirmed quests.

[Hidden Quest: ‘Potion Addict’ completed.]

For example, drinking more than ten potions within a certain time.

[Hidden Quest: ‘Human Apothecary’ completed.]

Similarly, chewing up more than ten kinds of herbs raw within a set time, and so on…

The content was just this kind of ridiculous stuff.

People gave me strange looks as I stuffed my mouth full of herbs and passed by.

I wasn’t in a position to hide it.

[Hidden Quest: ‘Strange Food Enthusiast’ completed.]

[Reward provided.]

…

I checked my status after completing most of the confirmed quests.

[Magic: 40.0]

Thanks to the trait “Moon’s Pull,” my magic stat is increasing threefold.

That brought me up to 21.

It’s a pretty high number, but it’s still too early to relax.

Given how fast Eliza moves, it’s far from enough.

‘Now there’s only one left. If I finish this, I’ll have a total of 30.’

I really didn’t want to do this one.

But as I said, I wasn’t in a position to be picky.

I stepped into a general magical items shop in front of me and started working on the quest.

A moment later…

“Um…”

The shop assistant cautiously approached and asked.

“Is there anything you’re dissatisfied with…?”

The goal of the last remaining quest: visit this shop more than 30 times.

Normally, you’d complete this quest naturally as you go about your business.

But since I couldn’t just go in and out normally, I kept entering and leaving the shop repeatedly.

‘…I must look like a nuisance.’

Honestly, it was embarrassing.

But I wasn’t in a position to care about that.

“No, it’s nothing like that.”

“Then why…?”

Why would I keep doing such a crazy thing?

That’s the look on their face.

The only saving grace was that I had just completed the quest.

[Hidden Quest: ‘Persistent Regular Customer’ completed.]

[Magic: 49.0]

“I had a reason… Anyway, sorry about this. I’ll be going now…”

Just as I was about to leave in a hurry.

Someone clicked their heels and walked out from the back of the store.

“…Judas?”

I’ve never been called that before.

But I recognized the voice.

“Your Highness?”

Inside the shop, there was Hagal.

“So it was you causing all this noise by coming in and out of the door…?”

“Um…”

I couldn’t even come up with an excuse that sounded reasonable.

I decided to change the subject.

“Your Highness, what brings you here?”

“I came to look at teleportation artifacts for emergencies, and I was browsing around. That famous masterpiece made by the shop owner, you know?”

“Yeah, I’ve heard of it.”

“But it seems like you’re interested in my schedule?”

“No? I was just asking out of courtesy.”

I bowed to the shop assistant and apologized.

“I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable. I’ll be leaving now.”

It was better to leave quickly, given how embarrassing the situation was.

I turned and walked away from the shop, leaving the bewildered assistant behind.

…But then.

“Do you have some business with me?”

Princess Hagal was following me.

“I was just going this way, too.”

…That wasn’t it.

“Are you self-conscious because we exchanged a proposal? I think you’ll get in trouble with Lady Eliza if she finds out.”

“……”

“Oh, you’re not denying it?”

“If you know, then keep your distance.”

“…I don’t really like using my power like this, but I’m still a princess. Don’t you think you’re being a bit too rude?”

“Hm… I’ve heard that kind of thing too many times, so it doesn’t really do much for me…”

“Ugh!”

Hagal let out a hollow laugh, as if in disbelief.

Do whatever you want.

I climbed up onto Yuel, trying to maintain some distance.

“I’d look like I’m clinging to you, wouldn’t I? But I’m not that interested, you know?”

“Thank you.”

“I swear, really…”

She crossed her arms as if frustrated.

The woman, who had been glaring at me in displeasure, suddenly nodded and smiled.

“The last time I saw you, you weren’t like this… Did something happen with Young Lady during that time? Was it something like getting carried away in the festival atmosphere during the Founding Day celebration…?”

“……”

“You’re not good at hiding your expression.”

She hit the nail on the head.

The second day of the Founding Day celebrations.

That night, we enjoyed the festivities together and went for a walk, hand in hand.

Since then, things between Eliza and me have become somewhat awkward.

It feels like there’s an invisible wall between us.

It’s not like we’ve grown distant, but… this is strange.

It’s too complicated and ambiguous to explain clearly with words.

The real issue is, I’m not the only one feeling this way.

Eliza also seems to be emotionally conflicted.

And that makes it even more confusing.

I don’t know what to do, because I’ve never been in a situation like this before.

“Some people are so scared of the war that they’re out buying teleportation artifacts, but the one right in the middle of it all is over here enjoying spring days…”

Hagal laughed weakly.

I tried to distance myself, ignoring her, when a familiar figure appeared ahead.

“…Hmm?”

He recognized me as well.

“Levi?”

It was Levi di Bevel.

He seemed to have come to buy something, judging by the fact that he was accompanied by his guard.

‘He probably came to look for tools to prepare for Eliza.’

Levi frowned and looked me up and down, then let out a small laugh.

“I knew you were weird, but to think you’d call me by name… Is that boldness or rudeness?”

“Would you prefer to hear me call you ‘Young Master’ with my voice instead?”

“…Now that’s a new kind of threat. Just imagining it is enough to make me sick, so please, don’t do that.”

Levi made a face of disgust and waved his hand.

I simply shrugged my shoulders.

He then greeted Hagal belatedly.

“Your Highness, long time no see.”

“It’s been a while.”

“But what’s with you walking around with that big, unruly thug?”

“It’s just a coincidence. We met by chance.”

“I see.”

Levi’s face, with its friendly smile, turned toward me.

‘Why is he acting so annoying?’

He just kept smiling, even when I looked him straight in the eye.

It was as if he was recalling something wicked and enjoying it.

***

Levi had recently talked to Cain.

“About that thing from before.”

Cain, who had been polishing his sword, briefly lifted his head.

Levi, remembering the intimidating presence of Judas while he polished his own sword, could only shake off the thought.

Cain had no such intention.

He shook his head to dismiss it and spoke.

“You remember when Eliza first arrived?”

“…Ah, you mean when I was training in the Blackspot. I remember now. Why bring that up all of a sudden?”

“Wasn’t there a survivor then?”

“They confirmed one person was alive when they checked later.”

“Golden eyes, right?”

“That’s what I heard. But why bring up something from so long ago? Are you trying to tease me about missing someone back then?”

“No. It’s just…”

Levi smiled as if it were no big deal.

Golden eyes weren’t extremely rare.

But they weren’t common, either.

What was important in information wasn’t whether it was true or not.

What mattered was whether the person hearing it could accept it as truth.

The truth itself was secondary.

Levi knew a little about Judas’s background.

The Suspicious Intersection.

And the golden eyes.

What Eliza had done…

Levi, after thinking about it several times, leaned back on the sofa and smiled.

“If it’s true, things are about to get interesting.”

Recalling the memory, Levi felt his mouth itch.

Should he use this card now, or not?

There was no time to hesitate.

“I don’t know how to interpret this situation.”

At that moment, Eliza appeared in front of Judas.

“…Miss?!”

After digging through the mountain, Eliza came looking for Judas.

But beside him was Hagal. In front, there was Levi.

Eliza alternately glanced at Hagal and Judas.

Her red eyes gleamed coldly.

The princess, unconsciously tense, subtly took a step back.

Eliza slowly blinked.

Levi, standing behind her, was not her current focus.

In a swift motion, she grabbed Judas’s hand and spoke.

“Come with me.”

Judas didn’t have time to respond.

The two of them vanished.

Only Levi and Hagal remained, standing awkwardly.

“……”

The two exchanged an uncomfortable nod, then parted ways and went their separate paths.

Eliza took Judas deep into the mountain.

Into the hemispherical space she had created.

A large birdcage.

Judas was startled by the sudden change in scenery.

The place they arrived at was so unfamiliar.

The surroundings were dark, and everything seemed vast.

Because of the dense darkness, it was impossible to gauge how large it was.

It felt like a gigantic cave.

“Miss…?”

The only one she could rely on here was her.

Though Yuel was nearby, she too appeared just as disoriented, glancing around in confusion.

“Where is this…?”

The girl, who was a step away, looked back at him.

Her red eyes stood out sharply even in the dark.

The one who had suddenly appeared, who had taken him without explanation, simply watched him silently before smiling.

It was a bright smile, but with an unsettling air.

After a moment, she spoke in a slightly playful voice.

“It’s a secret.”

Judas, watching her slowly approach, couldn’t shake the sense of dread creeping over him.

As if she were about to devour her.

“Ah, Miss…?”

Even as Judas called her carefully, Eliza didn’t stop approaching.