The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 33

“Why did this happen? Hm?”

Eliza asked.

It was as if she couldn’t understand why he was eliminated, as if she was genuinely curious about the reason behind it.

Judas deliberately responded in a boring and obvious manner.

“…I’m sorry.”

He bowed his head as if he was guilty.

“It’s because of my lack of skill. I’m sorry for failing to meet your expectations, miss.”

“Really? Skill, huh? Lack of skill…. Hmmm.”

Eliza reached out her hand.

Her small, soft hand cupped Judas’ face and lifted it up.

Her red eyes scrutinized Judas thoroughly.

After finishing her observation, she leisurely, gently smiled.

“Despite spending two nights in the mountains, you don’t look starved. You don’t seem sleep-deprived. It doesn’t look like you suffered from the cold. You seem to have washed up quite well. So, exactly what skill was lacking for you to be eliminated?”

“…….”

Information about information.

Even though Judas said nothing, Eliza had already figured out a lot.

“The damaged part of your bracelet is very telling. None of the other parts are damaged at all, so why is it exactly that gemstone that’s broken?”

Eliza glanced at his wrist.

It was too late to hide his hand behind him.

She chuckled lightly.

“It’s really fascinating. You always manage to surprise me, and yet, at times like this, why are you so predictable? It makes you harder to predict overall. Just what are you…?”

For a moment, a crack appeared in Eliza’s mask.

No one noticed.

Not even herself.

Only Judas realized that her mask was fragile.

His eyes wavered for a moment.

To the still silent Judas, Eliza spoke as if coaxing him.

Her mask had already returned to normal.

“Tell me, why did this happen? Who knows, I might listen to your story and absolve you of the cause of your elimination.”

She was a person with the authority to do that.

Judas had to choose.

Should he tell the truth about what happened during the test?

Or should he keep his mouth shut until the end?

‘…….’

Judas organized his thoughts.

***

The reason I fought.

It’s not an easy topic to bring up.

Passing the test would be a welcome event, but honestly, it doesn’t really appeal to me.

I’m not worried about the safety of Brown or Connor either.

I just feel uncomfortable mentioning Eliza’s weakness in front of so many people.

That’s what being an illegitimate child means.

Is there anyone here who doesn’t know that?

It’s a problem if there is, and it’s a problem if there isn’t.

So, my answer is simple.

I’ll just say what I told Gawain.

“I only fought because I got into a dispute with another candidate during the test. Initially, they agreed to work with me, but then they tried to betray me midway. They even tried to attack the colleagues who had agreed to stay with me, so I had no choice but to fight back.”

I deliberately left out more details.

This alone is enough truth.

No matter how suspicious Eliza might be, she’ll have no choice but to believe it.

Like Kale or Galliot.

I’ve already openly confronted those who meddle with me.

Lindel was like that too, but we reconciled now.

“Hmm.”

However, for some reason, Eliza didn’t seem to fully believe it.

“Who are they?”

“…Connor and Brown.”

“Who are they?”

Eliza looked around.

There were two people who flinched as her gaze passed over them.

“Those two.”

It was Connor and Brown.

“Sir Gawain.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Is it true?”

“Yes. I confirmed it with them, and indeed, Judas had the bracelets of Brown and Connor. As evidence that he personally eliminated them.”

It was exactly as I had said after returning here.

“Are they the only witnesses?”

“There are two more colleagues from the same room who collaborated.”

“Hmm…”

But Eliza still seemed suspicious.

She looked at me intently with her finger on her lips.

By the way, does she always carry that cat doll around?

“Strange.”

Eliza took a step back.

She spread four fingers, excluding her thumb.

Short and small fingers.

She folded two of the spread fingers.

“Four witnesses. But two of them are from the same room. They could be persuaded to give false testimony, couldn’t they? And without material evidence, the testimonies of the remaining two victims lose credibility.”

Eliza smirked.

“If you hadn’t confessed, you might have passed the test. Why did you do such a thing? Even breaking your own bracelet?”

“…!”

“Perhaps, you don’t want to be my Escort Knight?”

“……”

“That couldn’t be the case, right?”

“Of course not… my lady.”

Her innocent smile was as bright as if it were drawn.

That made it all the more chilling.

Eliza probably didn’t know my true feelings.

She was like this even when she was an adult.

Throwing out random words to gauge the other’s reaction.

Those probing words weren’t without basis either.

Eliza’s intuition and reasoning were exceptionally sharp.

She was adept at grasping plausible circumstances or possibilities and using them to observe the other’s reactions.

And I was endlessly weak to such things.

I answered as calmly as possible.

“I was just trying to take responsibility for my actions.”

“Responsibility, responsibility… Interesting. There are plenty of nobles who shirk responsibility, even in name only, but a former slave talking about responsibility.”

Eliza laughed as if she found it amusing.

She also seemed somewhat satisfied.

I had no idea what she was satisfied about.

“It seems truthful, but you’re still hiding something from me, aren’t you?”

“……”

I had indeed concealed some details, but everything I said was true.

It was enough to understand the circumstances of the incident.

They provoked first, and my lack of patience led to a fight.

That’s all there was to it.

But Eliza didn’t believe the whole story.

‘How did it come to this…’

“Seems like this isn’t the right place for a conversation.”

Eliza glanced around.

Not only the guiding knight but also all the candidates who had returned after finishing their tests were focused on Eliza and me.

Among them, Brown and Connor looked particularly pale.

They might faint at this rate.

“Follow me.”

Eliza took the lead without waiting for a response.

Her back was resolute, giving the impression that she would never let me go.

I had no choice but to follow her.

***

Eliza led me to a nearby campsite.

It was where the guiding knight and soldiers supervising the test stayed for two days.

The campsite was in chaos due to her sudden arrival.

A few knights hurriedly came out to greet her.

“Ah, Miss…! What brings you here…?”

“Just.”

Eliza didn’t offer a long explanation.

She gestured towards me and said,

“I need to talk with this one. We’ll use the tent, so clear out.”

“Ah, um…”

The knights hesitated, blocking the entrance to the large tent.

Eliza blinked at them.

“What are you doing?”

“Well, it’s just that, um…”

Lia glared at them with a cold look.

I couldn’t understand their reaction either.

Why are they acting like this?

Is there something hidden inside?

“Move. I won’t say it twice.”

Eliza spoke warningly.

Eventually, the knights stepped aside.

As Eliza took the lead and entered the tent, she staggered back.

I instinctively grabbed her shoulder to steady her.

“It stinks…”

Eliza mumbled, covering her nose with a red blanket.

She was right.

The smell of tobacco and alcohol wafting from the tent assaulted our noses.

The interior was as messy as the smell suggested.

There was no sign of discipline or order.

Bottles were rolling around, and there were dice and cups for gambling, a dartboard, and so on.

A few knights lay sprawled on the floor, unable to move.

Eliza, who had stepped back with me, looked at her shoulder.

To be precise, she looked at my hand holding her shoulder.

“Oh, I’m sorry…”

I quickly let go.

Eliza stared at my retreating hand.

‘Does she dislike being touched…? But she suddenly hugged me, and climbed onto my bed at night… Well, although it’s different with me…’

After a moment, Eliza hugged her cat plushie tightly and mumbled.

“…It’s okay.”

“Excuse me?”

“I said it’s okay.”

“Oh, yes…”

“By the way, there will be a lot to instruct Sir Gawain on…”

The knights scurried into the tent.

Soon, loud noises erupted from inside.

It seemed they had started cleaning in a hurry.

Eliza moved to a place far from the tent.

There was a table and chairs for meals.

Fortunately, this place was relatively clean.

Lia’s light cleaning was sufficient.

Eliza and I sat facing each other.

“Are you ready to explain things to me now?”

Does she still think I’m lying?

While I hesitated, she called me.

“Judas.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Look at them.”

She gestured towards the tent with her eyes.

Knights and soldiers hurriedly cleaning.

“You can’t find any semblance of proper posture or discipline as my subordinates. Their loyalty to me is just a facade of courtesy. I don’t expect great loyalty from them. They were just appropriately chosen from the main house.”

Eliza, having said that much, looked at me.

“Are you also just someone with fake loyalty to me?”

Her voice was flat.

Her expressionless face stared at me plainly.

It was a pure question.

She had no intention of evoking sympathy.

She is someone who doesn’t understand sympathy.

Eliza cannot empathize with people’s emotions.

But right now, that question was very relevant to me.

Unprovoked sympathy was now provoked.

Illegitimate child. Neglected offspring.

A life surrounded by people sent from the main house.

I do not feel loyal to her.

Even saying ‘fake loyalty’ is extravagant.

So my hesitation to answer her now is due to human sympathy.

It’s a ridiculous situation.

To bring up that she was gossiped about for being an illegitimate child, to someone who is in such an environment because she’s an illegitimate child.

‘Moreover, she might even strangle me…’

Nevertheless, my feelings are honest.

Presumptuously, I feel some sympathy for her.

In the end, I couldn’t win against Eliza’s stubbornness.

“My lady.”

I said, averting my gaze.

“Those two were talking about the topic of illegitimate children, and they fought with me.”

Eliza did not respond immediately.

When I glanced at her, she was as expressionless as ever.

Lia seemed angrier.

Her eyes were fierce.

“It is true that they tried to betray me and my colleague as I mentioned earlier. This is everything. There are no other secrets.”

“I see… That’s a reason worth hiding.”

Eliza did not get angry.

She neither laughed nor felt sad.

An emotionless expression.

Which makes it scarier.

I can’t tell what she’s thinking.

“But I’m curious. Was the reason for hiding it to protect me or to protect those two?”

Was it to avoid hurting herself?

Or was it to avoid those two being executed for insulting a noble?

“…Both.”

“Impertinent.”

“Pardon?”

“You’re saying you put me on the same level as those two.”

…Is that what I said?

It’s not wrong.

To be honest, it’s more the former.

I was more worried about Eliza hearing it directly than about Brown and Connor.

But explaining this now would just seem lame.

“I’m sorry.”

“I’ll let it slide because it’s you.”

How should I take this blatant favoritism?

“Judas, do you get angry when leaves fall?”

“Yes…?”

“Imagine leaves falling in your yard. Would you get angry or sad, whether they belong to your tree or are blown in from outside?”

I pondered deeply.

What kind of riddle is this?

I can’t discern the intention.

I just responded as it came to mind.

“I don’t think I would feel anything in particular.”

“Why?”

“Well… it’s a natural phenomenon, and you can just sweep them away, right?”

“Me too.”

Eliza chuckled softly.

“Whether it’s in front of me or behind me, being called a Illegitimate child is just like leaves piling up.”

“….”

“There’s no emotional reason to react. If anything, just sweep them away. Oh, of course, I wouldn’t do it myself.”

Just sweep them away.

Soon, it’s like saying killing stops it.

A worldview that equates murder with clearing leaves.

And an attitude that being called a Illegitimate is as natural as leaves falling.

I couldn’t give any response to such a person.

Because whatever I say seems meaningless.

“But, I’m curious about one thing.”

Eliza asked with a smile.

“How do you see me?”

What about her, a Illegitimate child.

Why would she bother asking me?

Would my answer also be like leaves?

Perhaps that’s likely.

I don’t know what answer she expects.

A Illegitimate child.

My answer is predetermined.

“I don’t think anything about it.”

No one would dare to say they dislike it in front of Eliza, a nobleman.

So it must be a common answer.

No one would show discomfort.

I’m not hiding it.

I truly have no thoughts like my answer.

Eliza is just Eliza.

I cannot judge her nature as a Illegitimate child.

A figure possessed by Mad fire.

A figure who killed people like burning garbage.

And a person who choked me.

A person’s actions define them.

Maybe it’s because I live in a place other than the caste society.

Therefore.

“I think birth doesn’t define existence.”

After saying this, a brief doubt arose.

If Eliza doesn’t kill me?

In-game world.

But it’s different from the game.

I can choose and act on my own.

Unlike when I had to force myself to choose an unwanted option.

If I avoid or overcome the tragedy.

If it becomes a day without tragedy, how should I redefine Eliza?

There’s certainly a villainous aspect, but she’s not a murderer like the Eliza I know, the young Eliza before me.

How should I think of this child?

“……”

Eliza didn’t respond immediately.

The silence grew quite long.

A faint smile gradually spread, and a vacant expression took over, as if dazed.

She stared at me intently.

“Why, why like this… awkwardly… Did I say something wrong?”

Her persistent gaze made me subtly turn my head away.

Eliza remained like that for a while.

Her cheeks reddened as she glanced at me sideways.

Our red eyes met.

“Don’t look….”

“Yes?”

Suddenly, Eliza lifted a cat doll to cover her face.

She lowered her head diagonally.

Large pupils glanced at me briefly.

“I said, don’t look….”

Her voice crawled.

This side of Eliza is completely new to me.

Eliza suddenly pulled a red blanket up to just below her eyes with one hand.

I was engulfed in a strange sensation that defied description as I looked at her.

My head spun, and my heart ached a little.

‘…Why did she suddenly become so cute?’