The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 13

A green and red bruise settled like mold on Eliza’s wrist.

What could that be?

So, why does Eliza have such a mark on her wrist?

On the body of the direct youngest daughter of the esteemed Bavel Duke on the continent, why?

“It’s not like she was hit by someone?”

Bruises don’t necessarily only come from blunt trauma.

After surgical procedures, bruises can also form around the area.

It’s an optimistic conjecture.

There’s no way that such a shape would form on that area for medical reasons.

‘Who could have…?’

My mind is in turmoil.

If it were Eliza, she wouldn’t have stayed still until a bruise appeared on her body.

The moment anyone tried to touch her hand, the other party would have turned to ashes.

Therefore, there shouldn’t be any bruises.

‘In other words, Eliza didn’t retaliate.’

Either because the opponent was someone she couldn’t retaliate against, Or because she still didn’t have the power to retaliate.

A position just a step away from Eliza.

The maid, Lia, with her black pupils, watched me intently.

“Shouldn’t I be watching over Eliza, who is petting the moon deer…?”

Lia.

With red hair, she is Eliza’s personal maid.

She is a character that didn’t exist in the future point I know.

‘Who is she…? She must be someone important to Eliza, right?’

My thoughts were interrupted by Eliza’s words.

“I’d like you to stop.”

“Ah. Yes.”

It was only then that I came to my senses and returned to reality.

“I’ll guide you through the room and the rules you need to follow while you stay here will be explained by the temporary maid.”

Eliza approached and wiped her hands.

“You can stay until Tuesday or Wednesday. Depending on the situation, you may leave earlier or later. You’re free to spend the remaining time however you like, but if you need to leave, inform the temporary maid.”

I don’t know when I thought of it, but it her words came out smoothly.

Just petting the moon deer made her seem like a child, but she was back to her original self.

“We’ll watch the moon deer together every day at 7 p.m. after dinner. However, it may change according to my schedule.”

It was a notification without seeking agreement.

She was in a position to do so.

I didn’t say anything and just agreed.

“Yes.”

“Oh, and about the reward…”

Eliza turned to me and tilted her head.

“Should I publicly acknowledge you in front of others? If you want, just say so. I can do that much.”

“…No, it’s okay.”

It wasn’t such a grand competition, and the prize money was modest.

Compared to my financial situation, it was a considerable sum, but still.

And now, gathering people and publicly acknowledging my achievement belatedly would seem odd.

It would be embarrassing, like trying too hard.

“Then I’ll let Miguel know.”

Eliza, who had been speaking expressionlessly, looked down at her palm.

Her red eyes blinked slowly.

The sudden silence was momentarily awkward.

She looked at me and smiled brightly.

“You always exceed my expectations by far.”

“Can I expect more?”

No.

Please don’t.

“…I will do my best.”

The words came out differently than what was in my heart.

Just like how people are creatures with different insides and outsides.

Eliza left behind a smile like a gift.

A gift that brings no joy.

I’m just petting the moon deer while waiting with nothing else to do.

“Cough, ahem!”

The stable keeper approached, clearing his throat, slowly getting closer.

It was awkward, but I couldn’t help but pay attention.

“Oh, right. You’re that Judas, the knight candidate, right?”

He spoke as if he had been waiting for me to look.

“Do you know me?”

“I’ve heard of you. Hehe.”

He no longer looked pitiful in front of Eliza.

He seemed like a good old man.

“You’ve been quite famous in this mansion lately. There’s probably no one who doesn’t know you.”

“…Me?”

“Yeah! You, who didn’t even care about knight training for years, went to the training camp yourself. It’s all because of you.”

“Miguel or Gawain, who had rarely spoken, just spread rumors. What kind of guy would captivate the lady, huh?”

He’s saying awful things.

Captivate? Who was captivated?

It’s not even possible, and if he did, he would definitely die. By her hand.

“Well, the young guy’s face is somewhat handsome. But the young lady, who disregards all sorts of strategic marriages, wouldn’t just choose based on looks…”

Someone might get into serious trouble if they keep talking like that.

Here, serious trouble means anything from torture to execution.

Their behavior is almost insulting to the nobility.

“Anyway, it’s the first time a knight has appeared as an escort, so everyone’s excited about it.”

“The first time? Aren’t the knights guarding the mansion escorts?”

“Huh? Oh, well, it’s different from being a escort knight. They’re here to guard the mansion, not the young lady. They’re sent from the main house, and if you really want to distinguish, they’re loyal to the Bevel family. They do follow her whenever she goes out, though.”

In the end, it meant that Eliza’s personal escort knight didn’t exist.

Whether it’s the first time or not, there’s no intention of having an escort knight, but at least my curiosity has been satisfied.

“Hey, was what I just said a secret?”

He seems to know very well that his mouth is a problem.

“Uh, well, then! I’ll go get some hay for that deer!”

And he hurriedly left.

I wondered why, and when I looked back, Miguel had arrived.

A maid was with him, dressed in a maid’s outfit.

“She will be your servant for the time being.”

….Oh, wait.

I’m uncomfortable with this.

A young man living in modern society receiving a young woman as a servant all of a sudden?

The sense of propriety eroded by Confucian ideals vehemently expressed discontent.

“Uh, excuse me, could you change it to a male?”

“…?”

Miguel frowned and shook his head.

“Even though you’re the young lady’s guest, you’re overstepping. You have no right to demand such a thing.”

“………..”

“I don’t know what impudent thoughts a young man like you might have, but such a thing will not happen.”

Impudent thoughts….

I still have a long way to go to adapt to the norms here.

‘He’s just a few years older than me, but he seems so much more mature.’

The bright blonde maid remained silent throughout.

As the conversation ended, she bowed her head slightly.

“My name is Anna. I will serve you diligently for a short period.”

“Oh, uh, yes… I’m Judas… Nice to meet you.”

Miguel chuckled.

It was a gaze that seemed to look at a mere child.

“All communications will go through Anna. Likewise, if you have any outings, you can inform Anna. And take this.”

Miguel took out a hefty pouch from his pocket.

“It’s payment, 100 florins.”

Money.

Money that I can spend as I please.

Somehow, I feel at ease.

Miguel left as soon as he finished his business.

Anna spoke politely.

“I’ll show you to your room.”

Unlike my discomfort, Anna was very composed.

For her, this was everyday life and work.

Her learned kindness was mechanical.

Thinking of her as a service worker made me feel more at ease.

“Just a moment.”

Before leaving, I stroked the moon deer once.

“I’ll come again tomorrow.”

The way it rubbed its large face against me was just like a puppy.

I could sense it was trying not to poke me with its horns.

Isn’t it cute? Its fur is so soft.

“Stubborn.”

Fortunately, the moon deer didn’t follow me out.

It seemed to have accepted that it would stay here from now on.

Leaving the moon deer behind, I followed Anna.

***

This place isn’t just home to one large mansion.

Within the grounds, there are several outbuildings.

The room I was assigned is one of them.

A little away from the mansion where Eliza stays.

A small brick house for outside guests.

It’s not unnecessarily big, which is nice, and it’s quite close to the stables, which is even better.

“You can use this building. I’ll be in a small room on the first floor, so if you need anything, feel free to come find me anytime.”

…I don’t like this. It’s uncomfortable.

“You’re free to roam the grounds as you wish. However, you’ll need permission to enter any buildings.”

I never had any intention of entering other buildings in the first place.

Anna also explained other rules of living.

There was nothing particularly difficult, just simple things.

Eating, sleeping, going out, as long as I told Anna, I was free to do as I pleased.

When the explanation was over, I cautiously asked what I was curious about.

“Are there no other family members here?”

She explained quickly, looking suspicious.

“Oh. I just thought I might run into them while wandering the grounds. We shouldn’t be unrecognizable….”

As she spoke cautiously, like a careful child, Anna nodded.

“The only person who uses this mansion is you and miss.”

Living alone on this vast land, without any family, the thought of that seemed lonely.

That’s crazy. Eliza wouldn’t feel that way.

This is also due to my young influence. Really.

‘But, whose doing is the bruise on Eliza’s body?’

‘Just.’

Anna added.

“Sometimes the Duchess visits.”

“I see.”

If it’s the Duchess, then Eliza’s stepmother?

I know the name too.

Narcissa de Bevel.

In the original game perspective, she was already deceased.

Murdered by Eliza.

The story of Eliza and the Bevel family is not well known, so I don’t know why she was killed.

‘Surely not that wound…’

Why did I happen to see that.

It’s bothering me for no reason.

‘Because it’s not certain, there’s no need to jump to conclusions.’

A great arsonist and murderer.

Eliza.

Even though she’s such a villain, I couldn’t easily ignore the fact that the girl’s wrist was severely injured.

It’s ridiculous.

Just because you can’t ignore it, what changes.

Even Eliza couldn’t have rebelled, what can I do.

I’m not a special person.

I’m not so great as to save someone, regenerate them, or do such grand things.

It’s different from breaking Kale’s testicles and accusing him in front of others.

‘…Tsk. Leaves a bad taste.’

But I know one thing about myself as a human.

I’ll probably continue to observe Eliza without being able to turn a blind eye.

‘Observing is one thing, but if I want to risk my life, I need to plan to escape.’

First, I asked Anna to prepare lunch.

While she was cooking, I looked around the house where I would stay for a few days.

Second-floor bedroom and bathroom.

First-floor living room and kitchen.

There were no signs of use, but it wasn’t abandoned.

Do they clean regularly?

Lunch was a sandwich.

I feel like I should say something, but I don’t have a topic.

Let’s just stay quiet.

‘By the way, if I were going to run, I need to leave this woman behind.’

How can I momentarily distract Anna?

The solution came to mind easily.

***

I got off at the entrance to the shopping street.

The carriage can’t enter here.

From now on, I have to act separately from Anna.

I cautiously asked Anna, who got off with me.

“Is there a gift that Lady Eliza might like?”

“…A gift?”

“Yes. It’s nothing special, but with the prize money I received this time, I thought I’d buy a gift for her…”

With one eyebrow raised, Anna looked me up and down.

It was a reaction of not understanding.

It’s understandable.

A gift, for whom?

100 florins is enough money for me.

But even if it were lying on the street, Eliza wouldn’t pick it up.

Moreover, there’s no way that Eliza, a high noble, would like a gift from me, a lowly commoner.

I can’t match her taste.

I know everything, but right now, only this immature method comes to mind.

“In fact, it was a lie that I came out to cut my hair. I’m sorry. It’s thanks to the Lady, that I have this life. So, I thought I should repay her somehow…”

I tried to act like an inexperienced child, but I’m not sure if it worked.

“Surely…. You don’t have any other intentions toward her….”

It didn’t work.

She’s seriously misunderstanding right now.

“I have no plans to die at this young age.”

A firm voice came out involuntarily.

The act I just did like a child was meaningless.

Anna still had a suspicious look, but she told me anyway.

“If we list the most common gifts, it would be flowers, right? Considering your age, something like freesias or anemones…”

“Can you buy them instead?”

“Yes?”

To her question, I handed her 10 florins.

“The person giving the gift should purchase it themselves for it to have meaning….”

“If I choose, it will surely result in black magic summoning demons with flowers.”

Flowers? I didn’t know that.

I shouldn’t just buy one flower.

It’s better to ask Anna, who knows well.

Let me know if you need anything else!

Actually, I know that the florist will pick out harmoniously for her.

So, this is just an excuse.

“I’m going to…”

“Wait…!”

“Because I have something in mind, I’ll leave it at this. Let’s meet again here later!”

Leaving behind the bewildered Anna, I dashed out abruptly.

I jumped into the bustling street where people were coming and going.

‘It won’t be too much trouble, will it…?

A sudden worry popped into my mind.

But it’s okay.

I can handle a scolding for this today.

After being sure that Anna wasn’t following me, I walked towards my destination.

The path was unfamiliar yet familiar.

It was the shopping district of Bevel Duchy that I had visited several times in the game.

However, it was quite different from what I remembered, perhaps because it was in the past.

But the basic structure remained the same.

The route to my destination was also the same.

A wide space around the center of the street that could be considered a square.

This place, centered around a large fountain, was where most people gathered even in the shopping district.

‘Towards the north with the fountain as a reference point, where the mountains are visible from afar.’

That’s where my destination lies.

A tavern bustling with customers even in the early afternoon.

A café two shops away from there.

As I opened the door, a bell rang, echoing softly.

The interior, exuding an elegant and refined taste, captivated me.

The people sitting at the tables were all gentlemen and ladies without exception.

It was a great relief that I had bathed and changed clothes at Eliza’s mansion.

If I had come in my original attire, I would have been mistaken for a beggar and chased away.

The clerk at the counter looked at me with a puzzled expression and asked,

“Are you here alone?”

It meant,

“Did you come alone without a servant?”

“Yes.”

I nodded and took out a gold coin, one Floren, from my pocket.

As I placed the gold coin on the counter, I whispered discreetly,

“…”

“I’ve come to find out some information.”

The clerk blinked rapidly, as if she couldn’t believe what she had just seen.

But she couldn’t refuse this signal.

“What’s going on… Well, come this way for now.”

Inside the counter, further inside than that, was a warehouse.

She cleared away the piles of boxes and groped one side of the wall.

Then, the wall rotated and stood upright.

Large gaps appeared on both sides.

“The innermost room is empty, so you can go in there.”

“Thank you.”

I handed her a gold coin and slipped into the gap in the rotating wall.

The clerk looked at me with an incredulous expression until the end.

‘I’ve finally arrived.’

A force that could create an escape route if I happened to fail, and even after failing or escaping, the most useful target for me to live well.

They are nowhere and everywhere.

The Helios Empire and the Bevel Kingdom, which divided the continent.

A third group though small in size, is relatively free from them.

This is a branch of the Information Guild.

***

A dark corridor.

The dim candlelight was the only source of illumination in the vast corridor. People stood at intervals along the way, statuesque, not even making a sound.

In fact, they weren’t people.

The path forked several times, but I kept going straight, aiming for the innermost room.

“It was a system where one guest or guild member entered each room to make a deal,”

I recalled, reaching the inner room.

I knocked on the door twice.

“Come in,” a gentle yet sticky voice said.

“Why does this feel familiar?” I wondered, opening the door.

A desk under the light, and beyond it, the back of a woman sitting there.

Snow-white hair.

With a puff, smoke rose from her.

The sweet smell of peaches stung my nose.

Clearly a cigarette, but the smell was different.

Smelling the white hair and sweet tobacco, I remembered who she was.

“Why is this woman here…?”

She turned around.

Long eyelashes as white as her hair.

In between, her purple irises gleamed like jewels.

Holding a pipe, she looked at me and grinned.

“Even if you’re a child, a customer is a customer… How on earth did you find this place?”

Eurydice.

The master of the Information Guild.

I was surprised, but didn’t show it.

Knowing she was the leader is only a small part of the secret.

‘No, this is actually good.’

I know not only about future information but also about the survival of the Information Guild.

Because I don’t know the Bevel family, I know a lot about this world.

‘Especially the information I brought today will be most important to Eurydice.’

There was no need to be intimidated.

I sat confidently in front of her.