The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 119

Just before falling asleep, the ‘survival expert’ raised an alarm.

Thanks to that, I avoided the ambush and managed to catch the enemy off guard.

Pointing my sword at his neck, I asked:

“Who are you?”

The opponent, wearing a black mask that barely revealed his eyes, was dressed in black from head to toe, making it hard to identify him in the dark.

It was clear he wasn’t dressed ordinarily.

No one in Bethany would walk around in such attire.

“Who sent you?”

Naturally, I concluded he must be an assassin sent by someone.

‘Could it be Eliza…?’

Coincidentally, Eliza was the only person I knew who might send an assassin after me.

‘Does she really want me dead that much…?’

I once would have willingly died for her.

Not as a duty, but as a person. There was a time like that.

‘But this method…’

The opponent’s eyes darted around, glancing at the sword pointed below his chin.

I pressed the blade closer.

“Stop thinking and answer. Who sent you?”

“There’s some misunderstanding…”

“To ensure smooth communication, let’s set a few rules. First, answer only the questions I ask. Second, don’t hesitate—answer immediately. And third, if I don’t like your answer, I’ll cut off your head.”

“….”

“Hmm. Very loyal, aren’t you? Doesn’t look like you’ll talk…”

“…You. Now that I look closer.”

His eyes, fixed on me, widened as if recognizing me.

“That failure…?”

“…Failure? Do you know me?”

As I showed interest, a smirk appeared under his mask.

“Who knows? Curious? Then how about putting away that sword…”

I nudged the sword slightly.

A shallow cut drew blood.

“Will it take parting your head from your body for you to realize your situation?”

“…”

“If you don’t answer by the count of three, I’ll cut you down.”

One. Two.

“…Three.”

At the word, he leapt back, springing into the air and landing with precision.

He smiled confidently as if he’d already escaped.

But that smile didn’t last long.

“Huh…?”

The moment he jumped, I anticipated his landing spot and threw my sword.

The blade struck his abdomen with precision.

“How…?”

“I guessed.”

“Ugh, gah…”

He coughed blood and fell to his knees, still glaring defiantly.

His eyes showed no intention of speaking until the end.

“Loyalty, huh. I don’t know where you came from, but there’s a way to confirm.”

I picked up a dagger.

It wasn’t mine—it was the one he’d thrown at me and missed.

“No way…”

His eyes widened as if he knew what I was about to do.

And he was probably right.

I rolled up his sleeve and pressed the dagger into his arm.

“Urgh…!”

The wound began to blacken.

The mark of the Assassins’ Guild.

It was Lamech’s venom.

“So, you’re from the Assassins’ Guild.”

While it wasn’t exclusive to them, this confirmed my suspicion.

Could Eliza have hired them to kill me?

‘The Assassins’ Guild…’

Now that I think about it, five years ago, the assassin sent to kill Eliza was also from Lamech.

That assassin had also hesitated upon recognizing me.

‘I thought it was just my imagination back then, but was it something more?’

The assassin closed his eyes as if accepting his fate and spoke in a solemn voice:

“…Kill me.”

So, I did.

After taking a breath, I rummaged through his arms.

‘There should be that mark… Is this it?’

A small pentagram.

This silver ornament is the insignia of the Assassin’s Guild.

Only with this can I access the guild’s sanctuary.

The so-called ‘sanctuary’ is nothing special.

It’s just what they call their gathering place.

The Assassin’s Guild was originally formed under a forgotten religion.

‘The Church of the Holy Heaven. Those who worship the heavens.’

I pondered briefly.

‘It seems the past of this body, Judas, is somehow tied to the Assassin’s Guild.’

Though I was dispatched to Bethany, I’m not bound here.

I can move freely.

In essence, my identity is abandoned.

‘…I wonder how they’re doing.’

The 13th Division Guard.

Hermes, Shylock. Or Anna.

Yuel. Bradley.

…and Eliza, too.

Ironically, I find myself curious if they’re well.

‘What a fool I am.’

I didn’t realize I was such a foolish person.

It took this experience to know.

“Sigh…”

For now.

The request I made to Hermes will take more time to prepare.

So, there’s time to visit the Assassin’s Guild.

‘They’ve also set up their sanctuary near the border of the Demon Realm. It’s not too far from Bethany.’

I’ve obtained Lamech’s symbol and know the password for entry.

‘It won’t change much, but I might as well go.’

Leaving Bethany made me hesitate a bit.

What if Eliza comes looking for me while I’m away?

‘Ridiculous.’

A hollow laugh escaped.

It carried a hint of self-mockery.

Imagining such false hope made me feel pathetic.

Pathetic enough to want to punch myself.

‘There’s no way Eliza would ever look for me.’

***

Just before falling asleep, the ‘survival expert’ raised an alarm.

Thanks to that, I avoided the ambush and managed to catch the enemy off guard.

Pointing my sword at his neck, I asked:

“Who are you?”

The opponent, wearing a black mask that barely revealed his eyes, was dressed in black from head to toe, making it hard to identify him in the dark.

It was clear he wasn’t dressed ordinarily.

No one in Bethany would walk around in such attire.

“Who sent you?”

Naturally, I concluded he must be an assassin sent by someone.

‘Could it be Eliza…?’

Coincidentally, Eliza was the only person I knew who might send an assassin after me.

‘Does she really want me dead that much…?’

I once would have willingly died for her.

Not as a duty, but as a person. There was a time like that.

‘But this method…’

The opponent’s eyes darted around, glancing at the sword pointed below his chin.

I pressed the blade closer.

“Stop thinking and answer. Who sent you?”

“There’s some misunderstanding…”

“To ensure smooth communication, let’s set a few rules. First, answer only the questions I ask. Second, don’t hesitate—answer immediately. And third, if I don’t like your answer, I’ll cut off your head.”

“….”

“Hmm. Very loyal, aren’t you? Doesn’t look like you’ll talk…”

“…You. Now that I look closer.”

His eyes, fixed on me, widened as if recognizing me.

“That failure…?”

“…Failure? Do you know me?”

As I showed interest, a smirk appeared under his mask.

“Who knows? Curious? Then how about putting away that sword…”

I nudged the sword slightly.

A shallow cut drew blood.

“Will it take parting your head from your body for you to realize your situation?”

“…”

“If you don’t answer by the count of three, I’ll cut you down.”

One. Two.

“…Three.”

At the word, he leapt back, springing into the air and landing with precision.

He smiled confidently as if he’d already escaped.

But that smile didn’t last long.

“Huh…?”

The moment he jumped, I anticipated his landing spot and threw my sword.

The blade struck his abdomen with precision.

“How…?”

“I guessed.”

“Ugh, gah…”

He coughed blood and fell to his knees, still glaring defiantly.

His eyes showed no intention of speaking until the end.

“Loyalty, huh. I don’t know where you came from, but there’s a way to confirm.”

I picked up a dagger.

It wasn’t mine—it was the one he’d thrown at me and missed.

“No way…”

His eyes widened as if he knew what I was about to do.

And he was probably right.

I rolled up his sleeve and pressed the dagger into his arm.

“Urgh…!”

The wound began to blacken.

The mark of the Assassins’ Guild.

It was Lamech’s venom.

“So, you’re from the Assassins’ Guild.”

While it wasn’t exclusive to them, this confirmed my suspicion.

Could Eliza have hired them to kill me?

‘The Assassins’ Guild…’

Now that I think about it, five years ago, the assassin sent to kill Eliza was also from Lamech.

That assassin had also hesitated upon recognizing me.

‘I thought it was just my imagination back then, but was it something more?’

The assassin closed his eyes as if accepting his fate and spoke in a solemn voice:

“…Kill me.”

So, I did.

After taking a breath, I rummaged through his arms.

‘There should be that mark… Is this it?’

A small pentagram.

This silver ornament is the insignia of the Assassin’s Guild.

Only with this can I access the guild’s sanctuary.

The so-called ‘sanctuary’ is nothing special.

It’s just what they call their gathering place.

The Assassin’s Guild was originally formed under a forgotten religion.

‘The Church of the Holy Heaven. Those who worship the heavens.’

I pondered briefly.

‘It seems the past of this body, Judas, is somehow tied to the Assassin’s Guild.’

Though I was dispatched to Bethany, I’m not bound here.

I can move freely.

In essence, my identity is abandoned.

‘…I wonder how they’re doing.’

The 13th Division Guard.

Hermes, Shylock. Or Anna.

Yuel. Bradley.

…and Eliza, too.

Ironically, I find myself curious if they’re well.

‘What a fool I am.’

I didn’t realize I was such a foolish person.

It took this experience to know.

“Sigh…”

For now.

The request I made to Hermes will take more time to prepare.

So, there’s time to visit the Assassin’s Guild.

‘They’ve also set up their sanctuary near the border of the Demon Realm. It’s not too far from Bethany.’

I’ve obtained Lamech’s symbol and know the password for entry.

‘It won’t change much, but I might as well go.’

Leaving Bethany made me hesitate a bit.

What if Eliza comes looking for me while I’m away?

‘Ridiculous.’

A hollow laugh escaped.

It carried a hint of self-mockery.

Imagining such false hope made me feel pathetic.

Pathetic enough to want to punch myself.

‘There’s no way Eliza would ever look for me.’

***

Barak sat on the sofa.

He silently gazed at the woman seated across from him.

Her once-lustrous black hair was disheveled and dry.

Her usually confident crimson eyes were lifeless, like someone about to die.

Barak sighed and addressed her.

“…Eliza.”

Eliza responded in a small voice.

It wasn’t in reply to his words but rather a mechanical recitation of a predetermined script.

“I have no intention of retracting the revelations I’ve made. I will eradicate the Empire, Bevel, and the Moon Church all at once. I will not negotiate.”

“Haah… Eliza, please… Why are you doing this? How many times must I say it’s a misunderstanding, hmm?”

“……”

Eliza stared into the void with unfocused eyes.

“This father… No, sigh…”

Barak hurriedly swallowed the word ‘father.’

It was too shameless to utter.

“…I know I’ve done wrong. I know you can’t trust me. Yes, I know it very well. But to think I tried to kill you—together with the Moon Church and the royal family? That’s absurd.”

“……”

Barak felt an intense headache as he watched Eliza’s blank silence.

A few days ago, Eliza and the anti-Empire faction released a statement.

It accused the royal family of staging the Judeca beast incident as a hoax and claimed that Barak, Johann, and the Moon Church conspired to secretly assassinate Eliza, an illegitimate child.

The reason was to maintain the balance of power.

Eliza’s asymmetrical talent, heralded as the return of the mythical age, was seen as a threat.

The statement even detailed why this was necessary.

To sustain war and protect the authority of the emperor and Barak.

All evidence was thoroughly disclosed.

The declaration, painstakingly printed on both sides of paper, was disseminated across the continent.

Rumors of a war between the anti-Empire faction and the Empire spread.

Ironically, except for Eliza, the Bevel family sided with the Empire.

Even worse, all five of Barak’s children openly supported killing Eliza.

Meanwhile, Barak himself was secretly plotting the Empire’s downfall.

Everything had suddenly spiraled into chaos.

The anti-Empire faction that Barak had once kept an eye on was completely absorbed by Eliza.

But that wasn’t the only problem.

Eliza, who had boldly issued a public statement, seemed as lifeless as a corpse.

She wouldn’t even respond to questions.

“Please… my daughter, say something, anything…”

In the drawing room, it was just Eliza and Barak.

In the end, he stepped down from the sofa and knelt on the floor.

“Don’t… don’t do this. I know well that I’ve neglected you. I shouldn’t have left things as they were, but I turned away, saying it couldn’t be helped. Yes, it was a terrible thing to do. But I… I never truly tried to kill you…”

“Your Grace.”

Eliza looked at Barak with sunken eyes.

Her unfocused gaze didn’t seem to truly see anything.

“You hate me, don’t you?”

“I was wrong. I’m sorry… I have no excuses if you misunderstood me like that. I know. But that doesn’t mean I wanted to kill you. Eliza, we mustn’t be enemies…”

“You don’t need to make excuses. In any case, I’m someone who’s destined to be hated by everyone.”

“Why would you say such things, Eliza…”

“Because that’s the kind of person I am.”

Eliza, who spoke as if in passing, stood up.

“There’s nothing more to say. If you didn’t come to declare war, then please leave.”

“Eliza…”

Eliza left the drawing room.

Her powerless steps resembled those of a walking corpse.

“Sigh…”

Left alone, Barak ran a hand over his face.

Eventually, he struggled to rise from the floor.

Eliza, now the center of the anti-Empire faction, seemed completely unyielding.

She rejected everything, even the possibility of resolving matters peacefully.

Even meeting her had been a challenge.

Barak ran a hand over his face and let out a deep sigh.

‘What am I to do… The Empire must be lying in wait…’

This situation would escalate into an internal conflict within the Bevel family.

That must not happen.

‘This is my fault. All of it. It’s because I was lacking and foolish…’

He knew it well, but the consequences must not lead to discord within the family.

Neither Eliza nor any other child could die.

‘If only I were the one to die… But even that wouldn’t solve anything. How can I…’

Carefully, the door to the drawing room opened.

A maid with red hair entered.

Lia brought tea and sat across from Barak.

Barak slumped into the sofa opposite her as if collapsing.

“…It’s been a while since we sat down and talked like this.”

“Yes, it has. I have a question.”

“Anything.”

“The things Eliza revealed… they’re false, aren’t they?”

“I know I’m in no position to defend myself if misunderstood. But I swear by the sun, it’s a misunderstanding.”

“Then why would Eliza…”

“I’m desperate to understand that myself…”

Barak gulped down the tea as if it were alcohol.

Setting the cup down with a clink, he asked,

“But what happened to make her end up like this?”

“It seems to be because of Judas.”

“…That arrogant fellow? What did he do to her?”

“It’s not what Judas did… Eliza drove him away. To Bethany.”

Barak couldn’t believe his ears.

Bethany?

That was no different from exile.

Barak vaguely understood how Eliza felt about Judas, which made this even harder to grasp.

And why, after sending him away, was she so tormented?

“It doesn’t seem like it was the outcome she wanted.”

“Then why on earth…”

“I don’t know. She won’t talk about it. She just keeps repeating that it’s her fault, that it’s all because of her… I don’t know what to do anymore…”

Lia ended up in tears.

All Barak could do was watch her cry sorrowfully.

Ultimately, their pain was also a part of his own making.

He bore the original sin.

“She wakes up screaming from nightmares, barely eats, and throws up everything… I’m terrified something will happen to her…”

“Sigh…”

“There won’t really be a fight, will there? Please tell me there won’t be…”

“…Of course not. I’ll do everything I can to prevent it.”

Barak stood up.

He couldn’t afford to waste time just sitting.

“Wasn’t the steward named Miguel?”

“Yes.”

“You chose the right line. Make sure the mansion is well-guarded. The atmosphere seems unusual.”

“I will.”

“Then, I’ll take my leave….”

Barak looked at Lia.

Her appearance was quite different from her original look due to makeup.

Even her voice and expressions were skillfully fabricated.

After all, she was once a dancer.

Yet, to his eyes, glimpses of her old self occasionally surfaced.

He wanted to say something more.

Sorry? Please wait a little longer? Or, thank you?

How is Narcissa doing?

All those words felt shameless, so he swallowed them.

“…Next time, I’ll come with good news.”

Eliza walked up to the bedroom.

Since she had to refrain from using magic as much as possible, she didn’t teleport.

She collapsed onto the bed.

Thud.

Her head floated lightly before sinking back down.

The blanket lifted high and then settled.

This wasn’t her room.

It was the room Judas used.

His scent still lingered on the bed.

If she closed her eyes and focused on her breathing, it felt as though he was right beside her.

Then, she would crawl into his arms.

In her dreams, he would hold her.

A safe embrace like a giant umbrella shielding her from any storm.

She would drift off, intoxicated by the comfort.

If he were truly there, that’s how it would have been.

But the only thing she hugged was a black cat plush.

A gift Judas had given her as a child.

Pulling the blanket over herself and wrapping the scarf-like throw up to her nose, she longed to immerse herself in the times they shared.

It was a meaningless act.

The more she fell into it, the more his absence in reality loomed larger.

It was like a drug.

While using it, you could dance in paradise, but once its effect wore off, you plummeted into the abyss.

Once, she couldn’t understand people who relied on drugs or alcohol.

Now, she did.

Even knowing it was self-destructive, she couldn’t stop.

Her clouded eyes stared at the window as if seeing an illusion.

A flower pot on the windowsill.

Anemones.

Judas hadn’t taken them.

The buds had bloomed more since he left.

They were on the verge of full bloom.

But the owner of the pot wasn’t here.

In her heart’s cage, a crimson anemone still flaunted its color, bathed in moonlight.

A space within her consciousness.

It was an illusion.

An untouchable mirage.

Even reality was like that.

He wasn’t by her side.

What remained was a faint lingering scent.

Even that wouldn’t last forever.

Someday, it would fade.

And when it did, what would she do?

“Hng….”

Eliza stifled a sob and hugged the plush tighter.

Where could he be now?

Surely not in Bethany.

He was capable, so he could settle anywhere.

Was he eating on time?

Sleeping well?

Was he unwell?

She wanted to trail after him and ask everything.

Then you would, though flustered, say you were fine.

You’d smile reassuringly.

Oh, no. That wouldn’t happen.

You’d likely ignore me coldly.

It would be fair.

I cut you down with cruel words.

Even if we met again, I know it can’t be undone.

I just hope—

Wherever you are, you’re doing well.

“My news cannot reach, nor can any news reach me.

So far away that I cannot even go to find them.

‘What… am I doing…?’

My dulled reason drifted further from reality.

I sent Judas far away to do better, yet nothing was achieved.

Instead, I flounder in nightmares every day.

Whether asleep or awake, it’s a nightmare.

An eternal dream, one I cannot wake from.

‘I miss you….’

Dependency.

Eliza realizes the meaning of that word anew every day.

Once reliant, there’s no shaking it off.

She knew but turned away.

Because she was dangerous—to Judas.

***

A place that serves the heavens.

The sanctuary.

The core dwelling of the assassin guild.

For such a name, the place is nothing but shabby.

Outside human territory, at the edge of the demon realm, where a once-great city stood.

Residing in the underground reservoir there, accessed through a shortcut in the sewers.

I’ve just arrived at the entrance.

Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock….

Exactly 12 times, in a steady rhythm.

Then, they ask from inside:

-Chaos is?

You continue the answer.

I know it.

“Order.”

Rumble….

A large door creaks open inward, just a hand’s breadth, and a pale man with his eyes bandaged peeks out.

He is blind.

I slide the pentagram through the door crack.

He fiddles with it, nods, and hands it back.

Then, he opens the door fully.

Permission to enter.

I step in naturally.

It’s my first time, yet it’s not.

I’ve been here countless times in the game.

I remember every detail of the layout.

With the pentagram at my waist, I stride forward into the vast underground.

Past the grand sewer, a far larger and more magnificent reservoir emerges.

It’s as expansive as another world underground.

Despite its size, few people are here.

Scattered sparsely, each is focused on their tasks— polishing weapons, throwing knives or shooting arrows at dummies, resting, or exchanging expertise with fellow members.

‘The archive… it should be this way.’

If Judas had truly been here, there would be records.

These people are meticulous in such matters.

‘Judas Defecit. Judas Defecit. Should I start with J or D?’

After rummaging for a while, I found it.

‘It’s under Miscellaneous—J.’

Miscellaneous.

A shelf collecting records of those expelled due to accidents or disgraceful incidents.

‘Judas Defecit… here it is.’

I don’t know his birthday, but I roughly know his age.

Several personal details match up.

‘He really was a member of this guild…?’

Thinking that, I read the briefly written content.

[A boy brought in by Bishop Anggra of the Moon Church. Estimated to be about 8 years old.]

He was so young.

Eight years old—around ten years ago.

[Recommended as a promising blade. Evaluation confirmed the recommendation. Natural talent in crisis management, quick reflexes, lack of aversion to killing, and basic skills already developed. Likely trained within the Moon Church. Particularly noted for strong determination toward goals.]

[However, a major mistake on his first mission led to his expulsion from the guild. Mission result recorded as a success.]

There’s no further record after that.

‘A mistake on the first mission?’

It seems like they were ordered to kill someone but made a mistake.

‘But since the mission appears to have been successful, I guess they did kill the target.’

Did they make some kind of error during the process?

There was also a record of the first mission written at the end.

[Wait at Gethsemane. Execute on the forest trail along the road from the capital of the principality, Hesbon, to Gethsemane. The coachman has been bribed, so the timing just needs to match.]

[The target is a woman with black hair and black eyes. Name: Mari….]

At the moment they tried to read the next line—

“You carry an unusual sword.”

Someone spoke from behind.

‘This voice….’