The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 53

The sound of rain pouring heavily.

It’s loud, as if it’s pouring through an open window.

And then, lightning.

The moment a blue flash burst, the dark room lit up, and I saw someone’s shadow.

A shadow coolly draped over the bed.

‘I didn’t hear the window open….’

Even now, it’s the same.

No sound of walking or breathing, nothing.

Only the sound of rain.

‘Stay calm.’

It’s not a ghost.

In this world, there are spirits similar to ghosts, but they don’t manifest so clearly.

They don’t cast shadows either.

‘So, it means someone came in. Who is it?’

Two candidates come to mind.

A thief, or an assassin.

An assassin is more likely.

If it were a thief, they wouldn’t be looking down at the bed, they’d be searching other places first.

Drawers or closets, those kinds of places.

It’s also strange for a thief to come to my room.

Targeting Eliza’s bedroom or the mansion’s storage would make more sense.

‘I don’t feel any presence at all. A person trained in stealth.’

It must be using a special technique, like Judas’s ‘Sneaky Steps.’

It became increasingly clear that it was an assassin.

The target is obviously Eliza.

‘There’s no reason for a skilled assassin to kill me. There might be a part of Judas’s past that I don’t know about, but I can’t be more important than Eliza.’

I can’t hear any footsteps.

But if I concentrate, I can hear the sound of water dripping.

Clearly distinct from the sound of rain.

It seems their body is soaked from the rain, causing water to drip.

I gauged the distance by the sound.

‘Not too close yet. Moving slowly, cautiously.’

I pulled Eliza closer.

Eliza and I have similar hair colors.

There’s not much height difference either.

If we cover ourselves with a blanket and stay close, the assassin won’t be able to tell us apart.

Eliza, oblivious to the situation, happily nuzzled into my chest.

‘Hey, you owe me your life.’

I tried to force a smile to calm my trembling heart.

If I mess up, we’re both dead.

Me, and Eliza.

Bang!

Lightning struck again, tearing through the air.

The room flashed blue.

The shadow was closer than before.

Drip, drip.

The sound of water droplets became louder and clearer.

‘Just a little more….’

Drip…, drip…, drip.

I focused intently on the sound.

It had to come closer.

Close enough to distinguish between me and Eliza. Just a bit more.

‘I have to strike when the enemy is most vulnerable.’

This is a trained assassin.

If the first strike fails, there won’t be a second chance.

I have to aim for the perfect moment and succeed.

‘And the moment they are most vulnerable is when they are certain of their success.’

Drip.

A water droplet fell on the bedside table.

Close.

The sound of clothes rustling, if I raise my arm, it can only mean one thing.

Now.

I quickly pushed Eliza aside, using the recoil to roll backward.

I had been keeping my eyes open the entire time.

To adjust to the darkness.

Kill or be killed.

I had to give it my all.

No time to think.

Instinctively, I drew upon my magic.

[Mana Release (Lv.28)]

While falling, I caught sight of someone’s leg.

My actions were quicker than my thoughts.

I swiftly placed my hand behind the knee and locked my legs around their thigh.

Using the momentum of my fall.

A technique called the ‘Imanari Roll,’ rolling and toppling the opponent.

“…!”

The surprised opponent fell over.

Even a trained assassin wouldn’t know this technique.

I immediately trapped their foot under my armpit, clasped my hands together, and twisted their heel with my wrist.

A lower body joint lock called the ‘Heel Hook.’

I twisted my torso with all my might.

Crunch!

The unpleasant sound filled the dark room.

The ankle twisted at an unnatural angle.

“Ugh-!”

The assassin didn’t stay down.

With a low groan, they raised their upper body.

A short, shining object in their hand.

‘A dagger…!’

Too late to dodge.

I quickly raised my arm to block.

Thud-!

Flesh tore, and blood splattered.

The sharp blade poked out from under my arm.

The tip stopped right in front of my face.

“Ugh….”

I gritted my teeth and rolled back.

Luckily, the opponent let go of the dagger.

The spot where the dagger was lodged burned.

Ignoring the pain, I charged again.

Now that the opponent is flustered and has dropped their weapon, this is the chance.

My stabbed right arm has no strength.

I must do something with just one remaining hand.

I threw myself at him, intending to headbutt and grab his collar.

No, that’s what I tried to do.

“Huh-!”

At the moment I charged, the assassin stretched out his leg.

The kick hit my torso precisely.

Though it was a seated position without much weight behind it, my body floated and flew to the wall.

“Ugh-!”

Even though it’s a child’s body, I had released 28 units of mana power.

But the opponent easily pushed me away.

‘Damn it… A monster is here. As expected, it’s them….’

I barely managed to stand, leaning against the wall.

My whole body was trembling.

“Ugh…?!”

The opponent tried to get up but couldn’t.

He fell over after twisting his ankle.

Of course.

A heel hook technique destroys the joints in the lower body.

From the Achilles tendon and ankle ligaments to the cruciate ligaments in the knee.

That guy will never walk again.

The characteristic of lower body joint techniques is that the pain comes late.

Therefore, at the moment it was applied, he wouldn’t have realized how much it hurt.

“Hah, huh…”

I ignored the pain in my body and glared at the assassin.

‘What do I do now…?’

The ambush was only half successful.

I surprised him and damaged his joints, but I didn’t kill him.

A trained assassin won’t end like this.

‘Even though his lower body is sealed, I can’t win in a head-on fight. The power difference is too great.’

I think of various possibilities.

My death isn’t the issue.

Even if I die, can I kill that assassin or not?

I need to calculate that possibility.

Should I just rush at him again?

Or should I pull out the dagger stuck in my arm and use it as a weapon?

Can I hold out?

Before that, will the assassin even wait for that time?

‘If he’s from that organization, he wouldn’t have brought just one weapon. There must be a hidden weapon….’

He raised his head.

On the bed, Eliza, who had woken up with a shocked face, was discovered.

He seemed to confirm his target.

The assassin put his hand into his bosom.

‘Throwing weapon…!’

My instincts moved my body first.

I ran out, intending to take the hit instead.

His hand pulled out.

A small, sharp throwing dagger gleamed.

Just before he threw it.

I was still far away.

In that moment.

My eyes met with the assassin’s.

He seemed to glance to check the distance.

The pupils visible under the mask stopped.

As if observing me. Or recognizing me.

‘What is it?’

That split second, divided into countless fractions of a second.

As if the air froze and everything stopped, then blazed brightly.

Whoosh-!

Golden flames rose like a whip and dismembered the assassin.

The dismembered corpse was consumed and burned.

The flames on the corpse grew larger.

Flames drawn out like strands violently slashed the already dead assassin.

I stood still, dumbfounded, watching the scene.

The smell of blood was overshadowed by the stench of burning flesh.

At that moment, the bedroom door burst open.

The soldiers guarding outside and Lia rushed in.

“Lady-!”

Why do we have to confirm that the mansion’s defense is a mess in such a way?

They rushed in urgently and froze at the sight of the burning assassin and Eliza.

I also stood awkwardly still, looking at Eliza.

Her red eyes, mixed with orange and yellow, stared blankly at the corpse.

It was a look mesmerized by the mad fire that incites aggression.

Future Eliza also used to show such a look.

A face contrasting the angelic appearance seen in her sleep.

Eyes intoxicated by violence and murder.

A reflexive fear surged.

If not careful, I might get swept away.

I stepped back until my back touched the wall.

My right arm, pierced by a dagger, also hit the wall.

“Ugh….”

Blood flowed from the forearm pierced by the dagger.

With a sound as fast as a whistle, Eliza turned to look at me.

Her long hair fluttered and then settled.

“Judas!”

She got off the bed and ran towards me.

Her eyes still consumed by the mad fire.

I had no space or strength to step back, so I stayed against the wall.

“Someone get Mei…! Call the healer!”

Lia shouted urgently.

Someone quickly ran down the corridor.

Before I knew it, Eliza was right in front of me.

She stared intently at my wound.

Her small lips trembled and then she bit them tightly.

Her clenched fist trembled.

“Why…. Why on earth….”

Her red eyes wavered.

It looked like tears would flow from her burning eyes.

I didn’t want to see that expression.

I don’t know why.

I just didn’t want to see Eliza cry.

So, I pulled Eliza into my arms with my remaining arm.

Eliza buried her face in my chest. What kind of expression does she have now?

Would she not burn me to death, possessed by the insane fire?

Would she not get angry at the rudeness I committed recklessly?

I don’t know.

I acted as my heart dictated.

After all, I was going to die.

“I’m glad you’re safe, miss….”

Eliza grabbed my collar tightly.

A reply came back after a long time.

“Yes….”

I leaned against the wall, still holding her.

My legs lost strength.

My body slowly collapsed.

Eliza looked up at me with trembling eyes.

“Judas…? Why do you look so pale….”

“I brought a doctor!”

Clattering, chaotic sounds were heard distantly.

My unfocused eyes roamed.

A doctor, with disheveled hair as if just woken from sleep, appeared.

Was her name May?

I don’t remember well.

My head hurts.

My mind is foggy, and strength keeps draining from my body.

Cold sweat pours like rain.

May approached and examined my wound.

I also took a laborious breath and looked down.

The place where I was stabbed.

The area around it was turning black.

Like rotting flesh.

“It’s a deadly poison. Judging by the blackened flesh, this is….”

I couldn’t hear the rest of the sentence clearly.

But I know what kind of poison this is.

It’s a special deadly poison used by the assassin guild, Lamech.

Made to reveal their involvement.

The characteristic of the poison is that it turns the flesh black as it decays.

The antidote is held by a very few within the guild.

In other words, if poisoned with this, one is as good as dead.

I wasn’t scared or in pain.

An assassin capable of perfectly infiltrating Eliza’s mansion.

There aren’t many.

I had already suspected Lamech.

Maybe that’s why I just accepted it.

‘Dying so grandly….’

If there were a cardinal-level priest or a high-ranking purification magic, I might be saved.

But such a talent wouldn’t be here.

I resigned myself.

Just enjoying the warmth in my arms.

Eliza survived.

Tears welled up and fell from her big eyes looking up at me.

‘Why are you crying again….’

As my consciousness faded, my breath also weakened.

I tried to reach out.

I wanted to wipe her tears, but my hand wouldn’t rise.

It lifted awkwardly and trembled.

I have no strength.

‘I don’t like seeing you cry…. Your smiling face is better….’

Eliza, crying until her nose turned red, held my hand.

Then she placed it on her face.

It touched her soft, warm cheek.

Tears dampened my hand.

“No…. Judas….”

Eliza murmured, rubbing her face against my hand.

Was she crying because I was dying?

The scenery beyond my dimming sight might be my life flashing before my eyes.

Strangely, it was filled with only Eliza.

Other memories passed by fleetingly.

All the clear memories were with Eliza.

When I saw young Eliza.

When I discovered the bruises on her arm.

Birthday banquet. Sardis. Eliza suddenly barging in while I slept.

Hugging me in front of people at will, laughing excitedly after communing with the moon deer.

And finally, Eliza crying before me again.

‘Seeing you like this, it’s not bad. Better than my previous meaningless life….’

I’m dying.

Even so, a faint smile came to my lips.

Because it wasn’t a tragedy where Eliza died.

‘See…. You can avoid fate….’

As the flashbacks ended, the curtain fell.

At the moment of resignation, Eliza placed her hand on my wound.

“Miss!”

It’s dangerous to touch the poisoned area.

But Eliza didn’t care.

A yellow flame rose from her small hand.

The flame, flickering like a mirage, drew out the sword and wrapped around the wound.

It’s warm. Comfortably so.

My flesh didn’t burn.

Instead, the blackened, dead flesh gradually regained its color.

‘…Ah. No way.’

Eliza indeed knows how to use high-level purification magic.

So, in the distant future.

I heard she used purification magic every meal, fearing poison.

She said it was a habit formed in childhood.

‘Could she use it from such a young age….’

For a moment, such a thought crossed my mind.

Maybe, because of me, she awakened that magic now.

It was such an absurd thought that I chuckled.

Maybe because I came back to life, my mind isn’t normal.

Delusions should be reasonable.

While detoxifying with the flame, Eliza leaned against my chest.

As if trying to hear my heartbeat, she placed her ear on my chest.

Then, she sobbed, her shoulders shaking.

‘I told you not to cry…. I saved you, yet you’re crying again, why.’

I sighed inwardly countless times because of her.

I just hugged Eliza with my remaining arm.

I hope you don’t cry.

Eliza’s sobbing, quietly leaning on, gradually subsided.”