The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 43

[You have completed the hidden quest, ‘Absolute Loyalty’.]

[Please select your reward.]

[1. Increase all stats except magic (10)]

[2. Instantly achieve ‘Revelation Discovery’]

[3. Grant a binding ability to one piece of desired equipment]

“…….”

I felt dizzy looking at the list of rewards.

Each option was outstandingly above average.

Is this what they call a happy dilemma?

Not at all.

From my perspective, it’s just troubling.

‘No matter what I choose, I’ll have to give up the other two. What’s so happy about that?’

I had no choice but to use the method of elimination.

First, option 1.

Among the three, this is the least impressive.

Unless my stats were exceptionally high.

I’m only strong for a teenager.

I will grow much more in the future, so option 1 is dismissed.

Next, option 3.

Binding ability.

It allows me to bind a specific piece of equipment to myself, enabling me to summon and unsummon it at will.

It also greatly increases the equipment’s stats.

However, I don’t have any equipment worth binding right now.

If option 2 wasn’t available, I might have considered holding off for option 3.

But option 2.

The ‘Revelation Discovery’ quest increases by 1% each day.

It’s currently at 2%.

It would take 98 more days to complete it.

In other words, choosing option 2 saves me 98 days.

‘This is it.’

After considering everything, option 2 is what I needed the most.

[Hidden Quest ‘Revelation Discovery’ has been completed.]

[Reward is being provided.]

This quest was originally ‘Devout Prayer.’

For some reason, it changed to ‘Revelation Discovery.’

According to what was explained, it seems to be due to the moon attribute.

I don’t know any more details beyond that.

Anyway, the reward for this quest is predetermined, not a choice.

‘But I hope they give me what I think they will. I didn’t choose option 2 for nothing, right?’

[You have acquired the trait ‘Graceful Blessing.’]

‘Oh.’

It is the trait I know….

[The trait ‘Graceful Blessing’ has been changed to ‘Path-Illuminating Revelation.’]

‘…?’

What is that?

I don’t recognize the name.

Are they seriously changing my reward?

‘No way. It better have the effect I want.’

I hurriedly opened the status window.

I quickly checked the description of the newly acquired trait, and I gasped in shock.

[Path-Illuminating Revelation]

-Completely defends against all magical damage once.

-24-hour cooldown.

Up to here, it matches what I knew.

But then….

-Doubles the user’s magic stat growth rate.

-Resonates and amplifies effects when the user activates magic.

This is an effect that wasn’t in ‘Graceful Blessing.’

‘It enhances the power of magic…?’

Even unlocking the power of a magic stat of 3 is significant.

Gulliat and Sardis.

This was proven by those two cases.

They are clearly stronger than me.

However, if you have this trait, it is said that their strength is enhanced.

Even the growth rate has increased.

But only in terms of magic power.

‘Hmm…’

This is an entirely unexpected benefit.

Of course, it’s good if it’s good.

But I don’t know why it turned out this way.

I’ve never seen this situation before.

Honestly, I’m quite bewildered.

Even in a situation where Eliza could kill me because of the power contained in my body, does it strengthen that power?

‘Is it really a good thing?’

Anyway, I gained the ability I wanted.

Although it’s temporary, I can block magic.

Does this increase the chances of avoiding tragedy?

Eliza wrapping her hands around my neck….

“What are you thinking about?”

“Ah!”

***

Eliza suddenly leaned in close.

After returning from Richard’s orphanage, I was taking care of the moon deer with her in the stable.

Eliza pouted slightly, seemingly dissatisfied.

“…Why are you so surprised?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was just lost in thought for a moment.”

“What were you thinking about?”

“Just random, meaningless thoughts.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say I was worried about whether I could avoid a future where she strangles me.

“Hmm.”

Eliza looked at me intently with a somewhat sullen expression.

Then she averted her gaze and said casually,

“While being with me.”

“Pardon?”

“There’s something I want to ask.”

I couldn’t hear her properly, so I asked again, and Eliza changed the subject.

“Go ahead.”

She said as she gently scratched under the moon deer’s chin,

“Recently, there was a reason to reorganize the training center.”

The reason was easy to guess.

Shylock, Gaston, Dallant.

Eliza found out about the three people Barak planted.

Although I persuaded Shylock, the other two still remain in the training center.

Eliza must have left them there on purpose.

Whatever her purpose was.

“But I don’t know much about the training center. All I get are words and numbers written on documents. That alone is not enough to reorganize the entire place. So, I want to hear the opinion of someone who is directly training there.”

“…From me?”

“Yes. You.”

All of a sudden?

This seems like quite an important matter.

“Feel free to speak. Even if it’s you, it doesn’t mean I’ll unconditionally accept everything you say.”

Eliza said nonchalantly.

As if she genuinely just wanted to hear my opinion.

‘Hmm…’

Actually.

There is something.

Something I’ve always wanted since entering the training center.

I personally think it’s the most important issue.

Anyway, I carefully brought up the matter.

“I wish you would change the meal composition at the training center.”

Eliza tilted her head like a curious cat.

“Why?”

“Pardon?”

“Isn’t the current meal sufficient?”

It’s more than insufficient, it’s almost impoverished.

Of course, that’s my standard.

For those who lived on the streets, just having three meals a day would be plenty.

There are some of noble origin, but they don’t complain directly.

After all, they are somewhat satisfied after eating.

“Of course, there’s no problem with eating that. But to digest the training and get stronger, you need to eat well.”

“Hmm…”

Eliza still seemed not to understand, her lips pursed in confusion.

‘What, cute… No, why am I like this lately…!’

I dismissed the silly thought and an old memory surfaced.

Though we live in the same mansion, Eliza and I always dine separately.

It’s because our schedules don’t match.

There’s no need for us to eat together necessarily.

But there was exactly one time we did eat together.

The day it was decided I would stay here.

Eliza and I had a meal at the same table.

That time, Eliza hardly ate her food.

She put away her soup after a few spoonfuls.

Because of that, the sight of me gobbling everything up felt somewhat vulgar.

I took a discreet look at Eliza’s figure.

Perhaps because she’s young, she has cheeks but her neck is incredibly thin.

Her wrists that occasionally showed were no different.

They’re not bruised now, but they’re terribly skinny.

I didn’t find it strange at the time.

I thought she had lost her appetite because she had a rough day with Sardis the day before.

‘Maybe she never really ate properly…’

While some nobles live leisurely, others are burdened with all sorts of work and education.

Eliza is the latter.

‘This isn’t just about training, should I be taking care of her meals first? I keep thinking that’s more important. It mustn’t be easy for Eliza to keep up with her schedule…’

But I can’t just scold her to eat more.

Anyway, I understand Eliza’s position.

She doesn’t feel the need for meals in the first place.

So, she can’t accept my request.

“Lady, if you want to handle a physically demanding schedule, eating well is crucial. If you eat well, you’ll move well, and become a stronger, more reliable knight, won’t you?”

“Hmm…”

I know it’s a difficult concern to listen to.

It’s not just about Eliza’s taste.

Changing the diet at the training center would cost a tremendous amount of money.

There are currently 240 trainees.

Just raising the daily food budget by 1 florin per two people would cost 120 florins a day.

That’s 3,600 florins a month.

Approximately 14 million won in Korean currency.

We can’t just change the trainees’ diet.

If we change it, we must consider the diet of the teaching knights and various staff as well.

It’s a project that requires a significant long-term investment.

I told Eliza everything not expecting much.

If she says no, I have to accept it.

“I’ll consider it positively.”

Surprisingly, she agreed readily.

I stared at her in shock.

Seeing my dumbfounded face, Eliza chuckled.

“Why? Did you think I would refuse right away?”

“Honestly, yes. At least halfway.”

“No way. Your opinion is based on field experience, I can’t just ignore it. I’ll have to consult with Sir Gawain. I can’t promise how much or how it will change if we do.”

“I won’t ask for too much. I would appreciate it if you could at least increase the quantity of the food.”

The meals given to me at Eliza’s mansion are beyond my expectations.

If those meals were to feed all the trainees, Eliza might go bankrupt.

I don’t mind if the taste or variety isn’t great, I just want to ensure nutritional value and quantity.

Eliza nodded.

“Alright. Gawain didn’t have much to say, but you’re different.”

Well, he probably thinks the same.

Just feed them three meals a day, that’s it.

I know about nutrition, so I think this way.

“Is there anyone who cares about my well-being as much as you do?”

“……”

At those words, I looked at Lia beside me.

A maid who always follows Eliza around.

She stays a step behind, almost like a shadow, stepping forward only when needed.

Her red hair is always calm.

Her black eyes rarely show any emotion.

Perhaps it’s because she’s served Eliza for a long time.

Sometimes she resembles Eliza .

But occasionally, Lia looks at Eliza with deeply sunken eyes.

Something akin to sadness.

I’m not sure.

Her hair roots are red.

They were dark before.

As if freshly dyed.

Does Eliza not consider Lia her ally?

Is Lia Eliza’s enemy?

I looked at Eliza.

She naturally caressed the moon deer’s face, pressing her forehead against it.

Eliza smiled.

A gentle and kind smile.

A rare sight on Eliza.

It feels strange.

‘It’s unfamiliar…’

She looked at me while maintaining that smile.

I avoided her gaze without realizing it.

It felt alien.

Too unfamiliar.

Is it her? Or is it me?

What is it?

***

“Hmm.”

Gawain looked down at me, stroking his chin.

Having been beaten all over, I lay on the ground, gasping for breath.

‘This crazy man…’

I had taken Gawain’s classes twice a week, multiple times.

I should be used to it by now, but I never get used to it.

He trains me in various ways every time.

One-handed swords, two-handed swords, maces, flails, and even long spears or halberds.

He uses so many different weapons.

It seems like he experiments on how to toughen my body with those weapons.

‘Thanks to him, I’m learning incredibly fast…’

[Swordsmanship (Lv.2 > 3)]

Raising the level of a trait is harder than raising stats.

But thanks to Gawain’s training, I’ve already reached level 3.

“You’re improving faster. I’ve always admired your perseverance.”

“…Thank you.”

I checked my status screen for the first time in a while.

[Health: 15.8]

[Strength: 11.9]

[Agility: 18.0]

[Mana: 4.8]

[Traits List: Sneaky Steps, Weaponization of Objects, Swordsmanship (Lv.3), Hunter’s Sense, Survival Expert, Revelation Discovery.]

Thanks to eating and resting well at Eliza’s mansion, my stats have been growing rapidly.

The notable change is my magic power.

Receiving magic power from the moon deer and the effect of the Revelation Discovery have accelerated its growth.

‘Magic stats are usually hard to increase…. What a commendable creature.’

Gawain gave me a few pieces of advice.

“A weapon is a knight’s extension, but you must not rely on it. You understand, don’t you?”

“I will keep that in mind.”

As the name suggests, Swordsmanship.

Due to focusing on that skill, I sometimes only use a sword and shield.

Especially when sparring with Gawain.

However, in actual combat, you can’t rely solely on tools.

You have to use your entire body.

I learned something new today.

I learned this by being kicked by Gawain’s front kick and rolling far away.

“Is the release of magical power still distant?”

The act of drawing strength from magical power.

Magical power release.

I am trying little by little, but it is not easy.

Even during Gawain’s training sessions, I received guidance, but it still doesn’t work well.

As he said, it seems that the magical circuits themselves are set in one direction.

“That is correct.”

“Hmm. Do you know how to become proficient at something?”

“By being frequently exposed to that situation?”

I stated my thoughts, and it seemed to be the correct answer.

“You understand well.”

“…Does that mean I should frequently put myself in situations where I get angry?”

“If you want to do it that way.”

It’s not entirely wrong.

The release of magical power is indeed a very useful skill.

Still, if possible, I would like to control it autonomously.

These days, I am also working on controlling my emotions.

…Really.

“There is something I would like to ask. Were you perhaps a follower of the Moonsin religion?”

“I don’t particularly follow any religion.”

“Is that so…. Understood. Continue to work hard.”

Even after Gawain left, I remained in the training hall.

While recalling what I learned today, I swung my sword alone.

***

Gawain sat in front of his desk.

There are several buildings on the training ground premises.

Of course, where the knights live as well.

Among them, Gawain was given a personal building.

It is a building equipped with everything that might be needed, including an office.

It was a large and sturdy building assigned to him, who was a renowned knight in the Bevel main family.

The reason he was dispatched to Eliza’s mansion was simple.

To monitor and protect Eliza.

Barak, knowing his loyalty, gave this direct order.

There was no familial affection or paternal love in the word ‘protection.’

It was an extremely noble and calculative order.

That’s what Gawain thought.

Gawain was a knight.

One who obeys the lord’s commands.

Without personal feelings, just following orders.

And now, the directive in front of him was also part of that order.

The surprising thing was that the target of the directive was not Eliza but Judas.

It was an order that did not require active action.

It wouldn’t be beneficial to Judas.

‘…….’

After carefully reading and confirming each letter, he tore it up and burned it.

No evidence should remain.

It was an order, so he followed it.

His honor and loyalty, even the safety of his family, were at stake.

That’s all there is to it.

For some reason, he recalled the image of Judas, who never lost his spirit even while rolling on the ground.

Like a snail.

The only sense of fulfillment and achievement he had felt in recent years.

The feeling of watching someone grow couldn’t be above orders.

***

The weekend was over.

It was a long weekend entangled with requests and various matters.

When I returned to the training ground, new news had arrived for me.

They were from Shylock and Eliza.

Each was surprising news for different reasons.