The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 198

“It is an honor to serve Your Majesty!”

As Judas and Eliza approached the ship, an older soldier standing at the front gave a crisp and respectful salute.

Following his lead, the other nearby soldiers also saluted energetically.

“Loyalty to Her Imperial Majesty!”

Despite the sweltering heat, Judas inwardly paid his respects to the soldiers standing firmly in full uniform.

‘But… who is that?’

It was rather disgraceful for a state secretary to be this unaware of the Empire’s internal affairs.

He ought to reflect on that—but didn’t particularly feel like it.

After all, he’d only get in the way if he took interest in domestic matters.

“I am Gabriel, captain of the Hosea!”

The ship’s name was Hosea.

The elderly man was its captain.

Eliza leaned toward Judas and added a quiet explanation.

“He’s the Supreme Commander of the Naval Operation for the Demon Realm Conquest.”

Ordinarily, someone with the rank of Supreme Commander wouldn’t serve as a ship’s captain.

But since Eliza and Judas were boarding, someone of high importance had taken the role.

Judas gave a polite nod in greeting.

“I’m counting on you for a safe voyage.”

“Yes, sir! I will serve you with all my soul!”

No need to go that far…

It was a bit much, but Judas kept the thought to himself.

He and Eliza were now in positions deserving of such loyalty.

Eliza spoke briefly.

“We’ll discuss the details after we board.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

With countless soldiers standing guard, Judas boarded the ship alongside Eliza.

From the deck, the ship felt even more enormous than it had looked from below.

It was like a towering building set afloat on the water.

‘Like an apartment complex, or something.’

Having never set foot on a ship before, Judas found it all the more fascinating.

Eliza chuckled softly as she watched him gaze around in a daze.

Then she turned to Gabriel.

“How long until we set sail?”

“About ten minutes, ma’am.”

“Mind if we take a quick walk around the deck until then?”

Eliza wanted to give Judas a moment to freely look around.

They’d have the chance later too—but still.

Letting someone do what they want in the moment is always best.

“Of course, ma’am!”

As the soldiers waited, Judas and Eliza strolled across the deck.

They didn’t go inside the ship, just took in the view from the outside.

“Wow…”

Judas said simply, sincerely.

The deep blue ocean stretched endlessly before them.

Above it, the bright blue sky ran parallel to the horizon like a painted line.

Just looking at it made his chest feel clear and wide open.

It reminded him of the open plains he sometimes liked to visit.

Rolling fields of grass swaying in the wind.

But this was different.

Plains are land—you know where they end.

Run far enough, and you’re in the next area before long.

But the ocean… its end was unknowable.

And beneath it? Even deeper, darker water.

A sense of reverence for the mystery of nature began to stir within him.

“It’s vast…”

Eliza murmured absently beside him.

It was her first time seeing the ocean with her own eyes.

Judas looked at Eliza.

The way she tightly crossed her arms and took in the view of the sea.

A gentle smile lingered on her face.

The sea breeze brushed through their hair.

As she reached up to hold down her windblown hair, their eyes met.

She smiled softly.

Judas smiled back, and before he realized it, he lowered his head toward her.

Gently pulling her by the waist, he kissed her lightly.

When their lips parted, she blushed and said,

“I’m glad I never saw the ocean until now.”

“Hm? Glad? Why?”

“Because it means I got to see it for the first time—with you.”

“…”

Because she had never seen the sea before, she was able to share that first moment with him.

It was a statement that etched itself deep into his heart.

Was there any experience quite as moving and resonant as seeing the ocean for the first time?

If Eliza had seen it alone, how different would it have been?

Hard to say. Judas couldn’t be certain.

What he did know was this: just as she was glad to share that moment with him, so too was he.

He was glad that Eliza was beside him when he first saw the sea.

To live a life where such small, joyful moments are given meaning—he felt thankful for it.

He answered, after a moment.

“…Yeah.”

The two stood quietly, shoulder to shoulder, looking out at the endless blue.

They wandered around the deck and eventually approached the bow.

At the ship’s front was a long beam jutting forward like a horn.

Beneath it hung the figurehead.

A hawk, gilded in gold.

“Why a hawk, I wonder?”

To Judas’s innocent curiosity, Eliza responded,

“It’s a type of sea hawk that hunts fish to survive. Since it soars freely over the ocean, I imagine they used it to embody that spirit and strength.”

“Ooh… You really do know everything.”

Eliza’s shoulders rose slightly at the compliment.

It was strange.

No matter how much others praised her, it didn’t move her—but Judas’s compliments, however small, made her feel giddy.

“Hmph, this is nothing.”

Feigning aloofness, she turned her head.

Judas chuckled to himself.

“You’re so easy to read now. When did you become this transparent?”

It was nearly time to set sail, so they returned to Captain Gabriel.

He was waiting at the helm.

Eliza said,

“That’s enough sightseeing. Let’s hear the briefing.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. This vessel, the Hosea, is a supply ship bound for the Beersheba Peninsula, which juts westward from the central Demon Realm. A forward base has been established around the port there, and plans are underway to support the Unified Human Forces advancing from the south.”

The concept of a naval invasion into the Demon Realm had originated from Eliza, and Gabriel had been the one to give it form.

He was the man Galehad had recommended when Eliza was seeking a supreme naval commander.

Gabriel had once fought alongside Galahad.

As Eliza listened, she verified that everything matched the reports and briefings she’d received before.

And indeed, everything aligned—

Even the expected outcomes from this supply mission.

“Not bad.”

After hearing the full report, Eliza spoke calmly.

It was time to depart.

With a loud horn, the supply ship set off, and Eliza and Judas inspected the interior of the vessel.

The cabins, the cargo hold where supplies were stored, and so on.

Perhaps because the Empress herself had come to check in person, everything was flawless.

“We’ll need to maintain this standard from now on.”

At Eliza’s composed instruction, Gabriel gave a salute.

The last place they were shown was the room that Judas and Eliza would be staying in during the voyage.

It was a bedroom prepared exclusively for the two of them and was scheduled to be dismantled separately afterward.

Because no one else was allowed to use a space once occupied by the Empress.

Opening the large door revealed a cozy space.

With a luxurious table and chairs, it served as a kind of private dining area—

Just for Judas and Eliza.

Past the dining room was a relatively smaller door, which led to the bedroom.

“It may pale in comparison to the palace, but we prepared it with utmost care.”

“Not bad. How long until we arrive?”

“If the weather doesn’t shift too much, it should take about three days.”

“Alright, understood.”

Eliza was about to dismiss Gabriel when she suddenly looked at Judas.

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“Hm? How’d you know? Oh. It’s around lunchtime.”

“Can a meal be prepared?”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

Saying he’d bring it quickly, Gabriel left with the crew.

The moment the door closed, Eliza suddenly embraced Judas.

And then, speaking as calmly as ever, she said—

“Give me a kiss.”

Judas couldn’t help but laugh.

“Aw, you wanted a kiss?”

“Mm.”

“How did you hold back until now?”

“I managed by touching your arm.”

No wonder she’d been fidgeting with it earlier.

At the nonchalant reply, Judas laughed and kissed her.

Once wasn’t enough—they kissed several times and even on the cheek.

Finally satisfied, Eliza smiled and rubbed herself against Judas, holding him close.

“I feel good.”

“Trying to kill me with cuteness, huh?”

“…No, I’m not.”

Embarrassed, Eliza changed the subject.

“Let’s sit and wait.”

Judas sat down first, and Eliza, as if it were the most natural thing, sat on his lap.

“My mom said she wanted to see the ocean too.”

“Did she? Then maybe she could have come with us.”

“She thought about it, but she’s afraid of boats.”

“Mhm.”

Understandable.

Judas thought maybe Maria had chosen to stay behind out of consideration—

So that he and Eliza could have time alone.

Eliza probably realized it too, but Maria still seemed to walk on eggshells around her.

She likely couldn’t erase the guilt she felt.

No matter how much Eliza said she forgave her, she probably couldn’t forgive herself.

“Maybe next time we should bring her to see the ocean—without getting on a ship.”

“Yeah. That sounds good.”

While waiting for their meal, the two chatted quietly in each other’s arms.

“Ah. Richard’s getting married soon.”

At some point, Judas had grown comfortable enough to speak casually with several of the Royal Guards, including Richard.

“Really? That’s later than I expected. Isn’t the timing a bit off?”

Currently, the Imperial Royal Guard is deployed to the demon realm conquest site, mainly tasked with surveillance and protection.

They serve as Eliza’s eyes, in a way.

Since they’ll continue that duty until the war ends, it isn’t exactly the best time for a wedding.

“I heard the senior knows, but… it couldn’t be helped.”

“Why?”

“Benny—his wife—she’s… pregnant.”

“…Ah.”

She got pregnant before the wedding.

“Well, it’s not that uncommon, really.”

“Yeah… that’s true.”

A child…

Eliza silently repeated the word in her mind, gently stroking her belly.

What would it feel like?

To carry the child of someone you love.

She was curious—but not just yet.

She wanted to enjoy this world with just the two of them a little longer.

“He said he’d really appreciate it if we attended.”

“Do you want to go, Judas?”

“Yeah. I do.”

“Then let’s go together.”

“You’re agreeing so easily? Are you free?”

“Mm-hmm. I can make time. He’s someone important to you—of course I can spare that much.”

Sometimes, Judas found this kind, gentle side of Eliza utterly fascinating.

Even now.

She was nothing like the woman she used to be, who lived with her guard up, always ready to strike.

He was so thankful for how she had changed.

Judas kissed her on the head.

“Thank you.”

“Now a kiss.”

He gently moved Eliza to the side and kissed her deeply.

The warmth of their bodies slowly began to rise.

Their lips stayed pressed together, parting only slightly to share breath.

The mood naturally made them want more—craving deeper contact.

Just as he was about to slip his tongue between her saliva-slicked lips—

Knock knock knock.

Someone knocked on the door.

“Your Majesty. The meal is ready.”

Eliza sprang up as if startled, fanning her face.

She instinctively checked her outfit.

Judas also glanced over his clothes and looked at Eliza, giving a slight nod.

Only then did Eliza clear her throat and speak.

“You may enter.”

Judas stifled a laugh as he watched her shift so smoothly back into her calm and regal demeanor.