The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 112

“Judas.”

Eliza pushed Judas against the wall.

There was no space for him to escape.

He didn’t even know where he was.

With his back against the cold wall, he barely managed to answer.

“…Yes, yes. Miss.”

Eliza’s imposing stance, blocking him, was ominous.

The smile that had once carried a playful undertone was now completely gone.

She took a large step forward.

Her approach was extremely aggressive.

She closed in until their bodies were almost touching, then asked,

“Why were you with her?”

“Well, I know it might have looked like something, but…”

“Something?”

“…It was truly a misunderstanding. Really, I swear.”

“Hmm. Explain.”

Judas cleared his throat.

“I went to the tower for personal business…”

Eliza didn’t immediately ask what that business was.

She decided to let him continue.

“After finishing my errand, I happened to meet her on the way back. Since our paths crossed, we ended up walking together, but we weren’t actually together in that way…”

As he earnestly defended himself, Judas couldn’t help but feel a bit puzzled.

Why was Eliza so wary of another person’s approach?

No matter how much he thought about it, there was only one answer.

“It was just a coincidence… Meeting her, walking together— it was purely a coincidence?”

“Uh… I know it’s the hardest excuse to believe, but it’s the truth.”

“Hmm.”

Eliza made a doubtful sound, pressing her body closer to his.

Her weight leaned against him.

She looked up at him, his face turning red, flustered.

“I believe you.”

Judas couldn’t lie.

He always showed it— in a variety of ways.

And right now, he couldn’t find a single clue in him.

Eliza felt relieved by that fact.

The warmth of her body against his felt pleasant.

The warmth, the scent, the breath.

It was all hers.

She couldn’t give it to anyone.

Not even a tiny bit.

“Uh, um… Thank you. But really, where are we?”

“I told you, it’s near the mountain.”

“Eh? Oh, that mountain? Right, we did talk about that.”

But what did that conversation have to do with this place?

That question was immediately shattered by Eliza.

“This is below that nearby mountain.”

“…What?”

“While you were gone today, I dug out this space from the mountain. How’s it look?”

She asked, like a child proudly showing off.

Judas was momentarily stunned by her innocent smile but quickly looked around.

Eliza had turned on lights here and there to make it easier for him to look around.

The space revealed by the golden light was not only vast but majestic.

He was momentarily struck with awe.

This was a space Eliza had created in less than half a day.

Should one person really have this much power?

But more than that, there was another question that lingered.

“Why… did you make a place like this?”

“Hmm…”

Eliza stared at Judas for a moment, then smiled.

“Just… thought it would be nice to have.”

“Mm…”

“Do you like it?”

For a moment, Judas was speechless.

‘Is this a space that I’m supposed to like? Why? What does it mean?’

He couldn’t find the right words to answer.

“Well… it’s, uh… impressive, but… it’s a bit desolate?”

“I think so too. That’s why I plan to gradually bring in facilities and furniture.”

“Facilities… furniture…? Why…?”

“Because if I’m going to live here, I’ll need them.”

Ah. Judas finally understood.

This was Eliza’s unique private villa.

“Your tastes are really… peculiar.”

It was hard to understand, but there was no need to understand everything in the world.

Some things were better left alone for the sake of one’s mental health.

So, Judas didn’t ask any further.

There was no way Eliza could want to stay here with him, not even in his dreams.

Eliza wanted to lock Judas in here right away, but decided to hold off for now.

As he said, this place was too desolate.

It was unsuitable for human living.

It would be fine to fill it up soon and bring him back later.

“But, what did you mean by having personal business at the Magic Tower?”

“Oh, about that…”

Since the topic had come up, Judas decided to clarify it right then.

He casually placed a hand on Eliza’s shoulder and pushed him away.

Eliza immediately glared at him, his eyes narrowing sharply.

“What are you doing?”

“Miss. I have something to say.”

“…What is it that you’re so serious about?”

Judas hesitated before speaking up.

“From now on, I’d appreciate it if you refrained from touching me or getting too close.”

Even as he said it, it felt awkward, almost laughable.

Asking the master not to touch him… what kind of…?

“…What?”

Eliza’s eyes widened, and she stepped forward, stopping just before touching Judas.

“Why?”

“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but… every time you make contact, my magic is draining away.”

The cold energy that had flowed into her since she was a child.

She had vaguely known it was his magic, but never thought that it was actually diminishing his own power.

Looking back, it was easy to figure out.

But the reason she hadn’t realized was that he didn’t want to know.

He just wanted to keep it to himself.

“Recently, it’s reached a level where I can barely handle it… That’s why I went to the Magic Tower, to find a way to replenish it. Beyond personal protection, it’s actually affecting your own energy… your magic is being drained as well… Miss? Are you listening?”

The more he spoke, the more Eliza’s lips puckered, and soon, she lowered her head deeply.

“…Mm.”

She nodded in response.

From Judas’s perspective, he could only see the top of her head.

Her voice came back muffled, as if she was on the verge of crying.

“Ah, Miss? Are you crying?”

She shook her head, still facing down, showing just the top of her head.

Judas’s mind went blank.

“Eh…!”

No matter how much he thought about it, he could only conclude that it was his fault.

He had no choice but to think that way.

“Ah, no, it’s not like I’m saying you should never touch me again… it’s just… after things settle down, maybe you can touch me again… I know it sounds weird!”

“…”

Even though Judas was stumbling through his awkward words, Eliza couldn’t bring herself to smile.

She simply nodded.

She was upset.

It hurt to see Judas push her away.

The way he was seriously explaining it, trying to push her away, broke her heart, and she hated this absurd reality.

She couldn’t understand the feeling.

It wasn’t like something bad would happen if they couldn’t touch for a while.

He wasn’t planning to leave, nor did he hate her.

There was a reason for it.

And yet, the fact that he was pushing her away in this situation felt truly awful.

Her heart twisted painfully.

Judas didn’t know what to do.

There had been a time during the foundation ceremony when Eliza had cried for some unknown reason.

He had been embarrassed then too, but not to this extent, since he didn’t know the reason.

But now, knowing that it was clearly his fault, he felt far more embarrassed.

Eliza’s voice came out in a congested tone.

“…Just once more, can you hug me?”

Judas couldn’t refuse.

Even after barely touching her just after filling up his magic, his magic stats had already dropped by half. Still…

He gently opened his arms.

Eliza, as though waiting for this moment, wrapped her arms around his waist and threw herself into him.

Judas, who had hesitated, carefully embraced her shoulders.

She was small and warm.

And precious.

She hesitantly spoke the words that had been on her mind.

“Why do you think it’s the last time?”

“You’re right. It’s not the last. By the way, you should’ve said it sooner. Stupid fool…”

“Mm… I apologize. I thought I could resolve it somehow on my own.”

Eliza, sniffling, took a step back.

Her finger brushed against her clothes as if reluctant, before falling away.

“I’ll help too.”

“Help? How?”

“First, I’ll make you eat things that are good for your magic and body.”

Judas probably thought it wouldn’t work.

The magic he had just gathered had already been halved.

He had barely managed to raise it, but in an instant, it had dropped to a quarter.

Still, he couldn’t tell Eliza it was impossible.

Since Judas also wanted to believe it was possible, he answered with a smile.

“Then I’ll gladly accept.”

***

“Ah, welcome.”

The owner of the 32nd floor of the Magic Tower, and the Master of the Tower.

Epona looked up.

Eliza sat down across from her.

“Did you succeed in the restoration?”

“Yeah, of course. Though it’s still only partial.”

Eliza had entrusted Epona with the task of restoring black magic using her magic.

And just yesterday, she had received news that it had succeeded.

The timing was perfect.

Eliza had business with Epona too.

“Check it out.”

Epona handed her a book.

As Eliza checked each page, she explained.

“This book contains the restored magic copies. I started with the ones you asked to prioritize from the black magic I gave you. Memory removal, sensory blocking, suggestion, memory spying, and so on. Complex high-level magic like resurrection spells for removed memories still needs more time.”

“How was the verification of the restored magic?”

“I tested it on a rat that had formed an attachment. When its memory was erased, it couldn’t recognize anyone. The same with suggestions. Even though they’re not competitors, I made them fight each other. Of course, humans have stronger mental resistance than rats, so it might not be the same.”

Epona took a sip of tea and smiled.

“I guess it would be different for a brilliant mage like you.”

“Results will tell, won’t they?”

“Ah, humble as always. I heard a bit about what happened during the founding festival. Are you planning to go to war with the Empire or something?”

“I’m erasing Bevel, and it’s just a side benefit.”

“That’s some confidence. Is this black magic part of that?”

“I need solid proof and witnesses.”

“Hmm… I have no intention of interfering in your affairs. I just hope it doesn’t blow back on me.”

“I’ll make sure of it.”

Just as Eliza finished checking the book, she was about to ask another question.

“About the lady and the knight.”

Epona spoke first.

And of all things, the topic that came up was Judas.

Eliza looked at Epona with a piercing gaze.

“Goodness. Why are you staring at me so fiercely? Who are you planning to eat?”

“What’s the matter between me and that child?”

“Just… what kind of relationship do you have with him?”

“……”

Eliza couldn’t bring herself to answer immediately.

Why?

It was a simple question.

Master and knight.

That was it.

Or she could just ignore it.

There was also the option to dismiss it by saying it wasn’t her business.

But Eliza couldn’t pick any of those options.

Normally, she would have answered without hesitation.

But she had changed.

The relationship between her and Judas had become awkward ever since returning from the founding festival.

There was a subtle, thin air between them.

They still sometimes held hands, and Eliza would randomly hug Judas.

In fact, when they were together, their behavior towards each other hadn’t changed much from before.

But something invisible had shifted.

Eliza had slowly begun to acknowledge that her response to Judas was no longer the same.

Recently, she had been so tired from thinking about it that it gave her a headache.