The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 25

“I will.”

Judas staggered in.

His abdomen, kicked by the knight, still hurt.

It felt as if his insides were twisted.

Nevertheless, he had to step forward.

“I will explain.”

Barak narrowed his eyes and looked down at him.

The one whom Eliza had brought into the annex.

Annoying. And insolent.

However, Eliza’s imposing presence, standing in front of him, was not easy to ignore.

“Lia?”

Judas suddenly called out to Lia.

“Please cover the lady’s ears.”

Understanding his intention, Lia immediately covered Eliza’s ears with her hands.

At this moment, she was on Judas’s side.

Lia couldn’t imagine that he had done anything bad to Eliza.

If he had, Eliza, with her eyes wide open, wouldn’t have followed him so obediently.

She didn’t know exactly what had happened inside.

Only that it must have been something terrible and bad for Eliza.

And that Judas had saved her from it.

Filling the gap that her own weakness couldn’t cover.

That was enough to support him.

But Barak was different.

Looking down at Judas, he shook his head.

“I never gave you permission to interfere.”

“Then, will you have your precious daughter testify about what she almost went through? Without even knowing what it was?”

“…”

Barak narrowed his eyes and pondered.

Did he hear correctly?

It was an unrealistic situation.

How dare a Escort Knight candidate, a former slave, rebut him?

Even quite high-ranking nobles bow their heads in front of him.

They feel guilty even looking him in the eye.

Yet this insolent creature before him showed no such sign.

Barak was genuinely curious.

“Aren’t you afraid of dying?”

Though it was a sudden question, Judas understood its meaning right away.

“I am afraid.”

There was no way he wouldn’t be.

The will to live is a primal instinct.

Even though he risks his neck to live, it doesn’t mean he’s not afraid.

That’s why he’s trying to run away from Eliza.

But.

“But in a situation where I shouldn’t run away, being scared and running away is even more frightening.”

A madman.

That’s how Barak defined Judas .

Rare, but they exist.

Humans who have convictions more important than their own lives.

Those who know fear, feel it, and yet step forward despite the terror.

A kind not to be recklessly provoked.

Unless it was by someone like Barak, a strongman.

‘It seems I’ll need to suppress his spirit.’

Judas’s statement was valid.

Thinking it over, having Eliza speak directly wasn’t satisfactory to him either.

So, I will testify to Barak.

After giving him a hard time.

A lineage bestowed which had gift the fire magic to Eliza.

While he had no talent for teaching others, he was more confident than anyone in using magic to kill.

He created a flame that was just sharp enough and secretly placed it on Judas.

But.

“So, are you going to listen to me or not?”

Judas was fine.

Instead, he shamelessly pressed for an answer.

“…Extinguished it?”

Even though he controlled his power, Judas had perfectly blocked his magic.

‘Could it be that power…? No, it can’t be…’

Not knowing that he was flustered, Judas urged him.

“Are you going to listen or not? It hurts like hell, so decide quickly, please?”

“…I will allow you to speak. But, this place is not appropriate.”

Only then did Judas check his surroundings.

All sorts of people, including the mansion’s staff and guests, had gathered.

His colleagues in Room 13 were also gathered in one corner.

Looking down at the trembling Judas, Barak said.

“You also seem to need treatment.”

It was true.

Even though he didn’t want to show it, his whole body was shaking.

The body kicked by the knight was not in normal condition.

Barak turned around and spoke to the guests.

“I apologize for the disturbance in what should have been a peaceful night. We will thoroughly investigate what happened to ensure no further damage. Please, everyone, return and enjoy the rest of your evening.”

It meant not to pay attention and go their way.

“You there.”

Barak pointed at a few knights with his finger.

They listened to the command with tense attention.

One of their comrades had just died.

Even so, Barak remained indifferent.

He had a reason.

No matter how much of a commoner and unwelcome he was, Judas was a guest of Eliza.

The knight had kicked him without considering the circumstances.

Barak knew that the knight’s actions were an overzealous attempt to curry favor with the Bevel family, but he didn’t bother to mention it.

He simply gave the necessary orders.

“Investigate that building.”

Eliza’s magic lab.

There had been a fire, but the firefighting operation was already complete.

“Yes, sir!”

“And you, follow me.”

Barak was the first to move toward the mansion.

Judas followed behind him.

Judas nodded toward his companions in the distance and gave a weary smile.

As if to say, “Don’t worry.”

And then Eliza followed closely behind him.

Barak frowned in discomfort as he looked at the two close behind him.

***

Eliza’s biological father, Barak.

Following him, I came to the reception room on the first floor of the mansion.

My body was dirty with Sardis’ blood, but Barak didn’t stop me.

He seemed to think that hearing the story was the priority.

Just like when I first had a private audience with Eliza, I sat in the chair opposite Barak.

Barak grimaced as if looking at something grotesque due to my audacity.

He didn’t know before Eliza, but now he knew.

It was to show that he had no intention of giving up the initiative.

Before we began to speak, a priest came in.

Barak called one of the guests.

To heal me.

It was the first time I had received holy power that helped heal internal injuries.

A soft light emanated from the priest’s hands and hovered over my abdomen.

‘It seems like it’s healing, but it also doesn’t. I can’t see inside my stomach, so I don’t know. But the pain seems to be decreasing.’

The healing was surprisingly quick.

Even though I didn’t know much, it seemed like a significant injury, so the priest must have been high-ranking.

Barak spoke arrogantly.

“Tell me.”

I recounted what I had seen and heard truthfully.

During that time, Lia had covered Eliza’s ears.

Sitting next to me, she glared at Barak with hostility.

The harmonious father-daughter relationship shown during the day was indeed an act.

“Let me ask you one thing.”

By the time Eliza’s ears were uncovered, Barak spoke.

“Why were you there at that time?”

This was the part I was most worried about.

Eliza had been attacked.

And I happened to be there by coincidence and saved her.

It looked suspicious no matter who saw it.

Eliza glanced at me curiously.

“…I woke up because I needed to use the bathroom.”

It’s a pretty embarrassing and lame excuse.

But what can I do if it’s the truth?

“I saw a man entering the magic research lab as I was coming out of the bathroom. His appearance was suspicious, so I followed him, and that’s how I got involved in this incident.”

“………..”

I know it’s hard to believe.

I am also astounded.

Of all times, I woke up at that moment and discovered it.

I don’t know if this is a good thing or not.

Still…

I glanced sideways at Eliza.

This kid didn’t experience that.

It’s a relief.

“Is there anyone to testify?”

“A colleague who shared the same room. When I went out, he also briefly woke up.”

Dylan shared the same room with me today, and he advised me that it was cold.

Barak immediately sent someone to call Dylan.

Dylan arrived quickly.

“There’s something to confirm.”

“Yes, Elder Bevel.”

“Name?”

Barak’s question was abrupt.

It could have been confusing, but Dylan was calm.

“Dylan.”

“How did you come here?”

“Thanks to the grace of Lady Eliza. We had a duel tournament among the cadets, and the winner was invited.”

“I see. Did you enjoy the food?”

“It was excellent, beyond my means.”

Meaningless questions and answers were exchanged.

Then suddenly, Barak asked.

“Did you see Judas leaving early yesterday morning?”

“Yes. Although I was half asleep, I clearly saw him saying he was going to the bathroom. I remember telling him it was cold, and Judas taking a blanket.”

Barak slowly nodded.

‘…Ah. So that’s how it is.’

I remember hearing this somewhere.

When there’s a possibility that the other party is lying, a method to discern the truth of their answer.

First, ask obvious questions.

Name, age. Things like that.

At this point, the person answers without hesitation.

Then suddenly, throw in the main question.

Then observe the reaction of the other person.

Compare it with how they responded when answering the factual questions.

It’s not always accurate, but it’s a pretty useful method.

‘Fierce….’

All the light questions asked earlier were just bait.

Barak considered the possibility that Dylan might lie and pre-checked Dylan’s reactions through obvious facts.

“You may go.”

Dylan bowed politely and left.

Before leaving, he looked at me with an uneasy gaze.

I reassured him with a gesture that I was okay.

I’m not sure if he understood well.

“It will take time to ascertain the truth of the incident.”

For now, Barak seemed to believe what I said.

“Therefore, I will temporarily defer the execution and interrogation of your charges.”

“…Thank you.”

“How peculiar.”

“Yes?”

“Do you understand the vocabulary I used?”

He is definitely biological father of Eliza.

Their reactions are similar.

“My knowledge is lacking, but I understand some.”

“Hmm.”

“Your Grace.”

Eliza spoke.

The formality and tone in her voice hinted at distance.

This depicts their relationship.

“Yes, Eliza.”

“Master Sardis….”

Eliza’s tightly clenched fist trembled slightly.

“From before, he often sent such looks.”

“…Is that so?”

Is it because she is an illegitimate daughter?

Barak sighed heavily as if in frustration.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“I did. To the Duchess. But she refused.”

“…I see.”

“And this morning, among the candidates personally selected by the Duchess, someone tried to assassinate me.”

I wanted to plug my ears.

Do I not want to see myself next to her?

Why did you say such a thing in front of me………

‘No matter how much I think about it, it’s a dangerous kind of story that I shouldn’t hear…!’

In reality, Barak glanced at me.

“What do you want from me?”

“I don’t want anything.”

Eliza smiled brightly.

The words she handed over with a childlike, cheerful smile were sharp with thorns.

“Because wishes cannot be fulfilled, they are wishes.”

“………”

“I just told you about the family matters that Your Grace should know. You probably already knew about the assassination.”

“Yes. I understand.”

I didn’t understand.

Why do nobles speak in such difficult terms?

“First of all, concerning the Duchess… According to the family regulations, I was investigating it fairly. I will add this incident to that. Do you have anything else to say?”

Eliza ignored it with a sullen expression.

“Alright…. It’s late at night, Eliza. It’s better to rest. And you, since you haven’t cleared your charges yet, you are sent to the underground prison…”

“I cannot permit that.”

Eliza intervened abruptly.

Barak raised an eyebrow as if he couldn’t believe it.

I might have had a similar expression.

“He is my benefactor. He deserves to be treated accordingly.”

“Eliza. Nothing has been proven yet.”

“I am a witness. That’s all the truth we need.”

Eliza did not back down.

It was too stern and harsh for a conversation between family.

I was the only thorn among roses sitting next to them.

“This is my mansion.”

“Assets I provided.”

“You isolated me? I know many want to dismantle my potential. But I cannot tolerate this.”

“Eliza, I…”

Barak, about to say something, closed his mouth.

As if resigned, he waved his hand.

“Do as you wish. It’s late tonight; let’s discuss more tomorrow. I’ll assign personnel to monitor him. That much I can do.”

Eliza reluctantly nodded.

That was their compromise.

“…Understood.”

***

I was guided to a room with my eyes covered.

They hid my location because they didn’t know what I might do.

‘How ruthless.’

Instead, the condition of the room was quite good.

It was more luxurious than the detached building I used to stay in.

A room with a living room, bedroom, and bathroom was like a small house itself.

‘I wonder if the people in Room 13 are doing well.’

They must be worried by now.

There’s no one to pass on the message.

Even servants were not kept to disconnect from the outside.

There are only two knights guarding the door from outside.

Anna can’t even guess what I’m doing now.

First, I headed to the bathroom.

My whole body was dirty with Sardis’ blood.

I took off my clothes and poured hot water.

The bloodstains stuck to me were gradually washed away.

I absentmindedly lowered my palm.

The water mixed with blood fell with a faint red color.

I killed a person.

That moment is as clear as ice.

The feeling of the pen nib digging into his neck.

Blood splattering.

Things like that.

I was trembling with fear before executing.

But not now.

I don’t have any thoughts.

I just executed, that’s all.

It’s unfamiliar.

Is murder like that too?

Once you do it, it becomes nothing, like that?

Like pulling out a tooth.

I almost killed someone before.

There was no intention.

During a guided duel, I almost dropped the opponent with a twisted angle on the neck.

Cervical fracture is instant death.

I was so surprised back then.

It felt uncomfortable, too.

But now, I’m not like that.

Is this the reaction of this body’s owner, Judas?

“…What do I know.”

Is it Judas who is me, or am I Judas?

An issue of recognition.

I’m not smart enough to know that.

Even if I wanted to know, it’s not a problem I can solve.

Trying to figure it out would be a waste of time.

So, I don’t seek to know.

One question arises.

Because of my influence, has Eliza become a slightly less bad person?

That too is an unsolvable issue, so I don’t dwell on it.

It was a presumptuous question.

People don’t change easily.

I’ve experienced in previous lives, in quite an unpleasant manner, that the phrase ‘nature doesn’t change easily’ isn’t just for show.

That’s not the only reason.

Eliza’s mad fire that awakens.

It stimulates the user’s violence.

From now on, Eliza will intermittently struggle with the temptation of that violence.

There’s no law that says I shouldn’t become its victim.

But. Nevertheless……

I saved Eliza.

That feeling, though not entirely bad.

“But, it shouldn’t keep getting tangled up….”

***

Knight. Armor. Patterns.

Glittering symbols.

Window. Night. Moon. Light.

A sword flashing in silver.

Blood splashing red. The end.

“Mom? Dad…?”

A young boy murmured.

An unreachable call.

A call that should not be answered even if reached.

He must not be caught by those figures lurking.

“Mom… Dad…”

The boy swallowed his tears and rage alone.

The emotions pent up inside him grew like festering pus.

He will not forget today.

Neither the ones who killed his parents.

Nor his own helplessness, unable to do anything.

With nothing to hold onto, his hands that embraced the emptiness tore at his own flesh.

His chest was hot.

.

.

“…What’s this.”

His eyes opened.

Judging by the darkness, it was dawn.

After washing up and changing clothes, he had fallen asleep as if collapsing, but it seemed like he had woken up not long after.

“What kind of dream was that..?

It was a strange dream.

Vivid yet unfamiliar.

It doesn’t feel like my memory.

It was too specific to be a vague dream.

There’s a simple conclusion.

“Is it… Judas’s memory?”

A strange and eerie dream.

The emotions were intense, but I don’t remember the scenes.

It feels like someone died.

Even that is vague.

“I don’t know…. Let’s just sleep for now… Just in case, can I continue the dream?”

Adjusting his posture, he naturally pulled the embraced person closer.

Warm.

Wait a moment. What did I hug? What is this?

He blinked awake at the strange sensation.

The ears reacted before the eyes.

Breathing.

There is someone else in this room besides me.

Soft.

It comes from the person in my arms.

I can also smell it.

A faint sweet scent spreads. It’s soft too.

I swallowed my saliva and pulled my chin back, lowering my gaze.

After confirming its identity, I had to bite my lips with all my might to hold back a scream.

There, in my embrace, was Eliza, sleeping.

“Hey, what…! Why is she here-!?

This is a completely different scale from before.

This is 100% a catastrophic event.