The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 56.1

Eliza gazed into the mirror.

Her black hair was as dark as a night without stars.

Her eyes, red like a chalice filled with blood.

The corners of her eyes sparkled, like sunlight reflected on water.

In the mirror stood a girl so beautiful, like a doll, that even by her own discerning eyes, she appeared flawless.

Eliza was not one to dress extravagantly.

Considering she was a direct descendant of the Bevel family, her attire was rather modest.

Though she was illegitimate.

But today, Eliza was different.

She adorned herself in a red dress, one suitable for a royal banquet, and decorated herself with jewelry.

A girl who usually didn’t dress like a noble was now transformed from head to toe into one.

To stand before Narcissa.

To face those who opposed her.

To show those who sided with Narcissa who she truly was, this level of presentation was necessary.

Lia, who was brushing her hair, called out in concern.

“My lady…”

Eliza’s expression was as calm as usual, but her eyes carried a sense of grim determination.

Lia couldn’t miss the meaning behind them.

Perhaps, Eliza might kill someone today.

It would be the first time she committed murder with full awareness, not as an unconscious act of self-defense.

Even though Eliza had mentally prepared herself and had become numb to such things, Lia couldn’t accept it easily.

“This is something you could order a subordinate to do.”

As Eliza understood, those who were genuinely loyal to her were few in number.

More than she calculated, but still.

But it wasn’t as if there was no one who could kill in her place.

Especially in this case.

Ever since Eliza became a full-fledged Mage, the balance of power had slowly shifted.

This change accelerated after Narcissa was exiled.

“There’s no need for you to go to the trouble of doing it yourself, staining your hands with blood…”

“Lia.”

Lia lifted her head.

She looked at Eliza’s face in the mirror.

A peaceful face.

Like a wax mask.

Emotionless.

The red eyes did not meet Lia’s.

“It’s my job.”

Eliza drew a line.

Saying it was her task, not to be crossed.

“…….”

Lia should have responded immediately, but her words caught in her throat.

It felt like a rock had dropped into her heart.

She should be used to this by now.

But even knowing she had no right to interfere, Lia couldn’t bring herself to answer hastily.

It was only after a long pause that she finally spoke.

“I’m sorry, Lady Eliza.”

“Alright.”

Eliza gave a short reply and took the lead, stepping out.

Lia lingered for a moment, staring at her reflection in the mirror.

Red hair.

The roots were darkening.

It was time to dye it again.

***

Narcissa’s place of exile was by the sea.

A luxurious mansion facing a white sandy beach, more fitting to be called a resort than a place of exile.

A carriage came to a stop in front of the large villa.

Eliza got out on her own, without anyone’s help.

The last winter, just before spring arrived.

The day was still cold, so the beach was empty.

The surroundings of the villa were quiet too.

It was for the best.

She didn’t want innocent people to be caught up in this.

Eliza approached the villa’s main gate.

Two heavily armed knights stood guard at the entrance.

Eliza declared with dignity.

“Open up. I’ve come to see the Duchess of Narcissa.”

The knights remained firm.

“The Duchess is recuperating.”

“She has ordered that no one be allowed in.”

“…I see.”

Though the balance of power was shifting, there were still those who remained loyal to Narcissa.

There were complex reasons for this.

Even if Narcissa lost her power, her children remained strong.

Their combined strength was not to be ignored.

If the remaining forces were connected to her family, loyalty would not be easily abandoned.

Eliza respectfully acknowledged their loyalty.

“Such strong devotion.”

With those words, a golden fireball descended from the air.

It was Fireball, the most basic fire-type attack magic.

But its power was far from basic.

The fireball struck the main gate directly and exploded.

The two knights guarding it disappeared without a trace.

In front of Eliza, a dome-shaped barrier appeared, protecting her from the explosion’s aftermath.

Even the barrier itself was made of fire.

Watching fire block fire was a breathtaking sight, and the knights who followed Eliza held their breath.

Eliza looked at the burning gate with indifference.

When the tremor subsided, she dispelled the barrier.

Dust floated up, and the shattered ground and fragments of the metal gate soared into the air before falling back down.

Eliza paid no mind.

Just because she had a gift for fire didn’t mean she could only wield fire.

Using wind magic, she blew away the small debris and strode over the gate.

The knights followed her.

Lia could do nothing but watch that small figure helplessly.

There was nothing her ordinary self could do.

If she followed, she would only be a hindrance.

In the end, all she could do was stay behind and wait.

She was always powerless.

***

As soon as the gate was destroyed, the knights guarding the mansion rushed out.

There were still quite a few who followed Narcissa.

Her skills were not to be underestimated.

The only flaw was the unfortunate reality that her opponent was Eliza.

“Stop the intruder!”

“Protect the Duchess-!”

Their fierce shouts were consumed by the flames.

A fireball the size of a carriage fell from the sky and exploded.

The flames that rose from the ground burned those who approached.

Explosions erupted from all directions.

The ground shook, and the flames danced.

A ring of fire formed around the villa, creating a barrier.

It blocked any escape routes.

Eliza didn’t spare a glance at any of it.

She simply walked straight ahead, looking only forward.

She walked along the stone path that led from the gate to the large front door of the villa.

A blazing picture was painted around her.

The flames poured down and surged in the background.

The mansion, with its excellent view under the blue sky, was engulfed in flames.

A small girl walked along the stone path of that mansion.

The dying screams and the smell of burning were not captured in the picture.

Eliza alone was enough to clear the path.

She had not used the knights she brought with her, nor would she.

She had brought them to imprint her power on them.

No matter how strong she was, she could not face the Bevel family alone.

She needed a foundation and forces.

These knights would become her first allies.

Furthermore, if her power became widely known through today’s events, she could secure more allies.

A bolt flew from somewhere, but a barrier blocked it.

A fire arrow shot back from Eliza, bursting the head of the knight holding the crossbow.

Even in such chaos, Eliza did not turn her gaze.

She continued to look straight ahead, noble and unwavering.

It was an overwhelming massacre.

The knights following her were already prepared to swear loyalty.

They did not know all the Mages, but among the ones they had encountered, there was no Mage stronger than Eliza.

Considering that Eliza was still a rookie who hadn’t even been active for half a year, her skills were beyond remarkable—they were monstrous.

“You traitors-!”

“You filthy bloodline that disgraced the Bevel family! Kill her!”

She was accustomed to the words piercing her ears.

There was no emotion in the magic that killed them.

She ignored the leaves piling up in her heart.

Eliza stopped in front of the main gate.

Red eyes.

The orange flames flickering within them.

A yellow glowing orb embedded in the center like a sun.

The eyes with mad fire looked up at the mansion.

She went no further.

She simply unleashed a rain of fire from the sky.

The wooden mansion went up in flames.

The blue sky turned crimson.

The wait was not long.

“Huff-! Huff…!”

The front door burst open, and Narcissa stumbled out.

She was in a thin nightgown, barefoot, with her hair in a mess.

She was the very picture of someone who had fled in a panic.

“Duchess.”

Eliza smiled sweetly.

“I’ve been wanting to meet you.”

“E-Eliza….”

Narcissa’s eyes trembled.

Her jewel-like blue eyes were clouded today.

Her golden hair, which she took pride in, was a tangled mess.

The healthy hair that all the direct descendants of the Bevel family, who despised Eliza, possessed was now filthy.

“Y-you, this, you, you…! How dare you…!”

She tumbled down the stairs, trying to strike Eliza.

It was an instinctive reaction.

Eliza did not allow the familiar assault.

A whip-like flame shot out, grabbing Narcissa’s ankle and tripping her.

“Ahh-!”

Her face hit the ground.

The pain she felt for the first time in her life was foreign to her.

Her nose bone collapsed, and blood gushed out.

Narcissa held her nose, but when she saw the blood, her hands began to tremble.

Not out of fear, but anger.

She glared at Eliza with venomous eyes.

“You, you…! Are you out of your mind?! Do you really…!”

“How fascinating.”

Eliza cut her off.

Narcissa’s appearance before her eyes was truly fascinating.

“When faced with a reality that one cannot handle or control with their abilities, people are said to choose denial and escape over overcoming it. The Duchess’s appearance is exactly that.”

“…….”

“As taught by the Bevel family.”

“W-what reason do you have to treat me like this…! I am…. I am the mistress of the Bevel family!”

“Oh. Don’t worry about justification. The Duchess will confess it herself in due time.”

Eliza smiled serenely.

The connection between Lamech and Narcissa.

There was only circumstantial evidence, no physical proof.

But Eliza didn’t care.

Mages always have various ways to uncover secrets.

It was an innocent smile.

Narcissa’s body shuddered with goosebumps.

Her lips trembled as she belatedly accepted reality.

“E-Eliza…. This isn’t right, this isn’t right. Hm? How do you plan to handle this? Are you planning to start a war?”

“I appreciate the Duchess’s concern for my safety, but I’ll decline.”

“I-I’m sorry…! I was wrong, okay?!”

Eventually, Narcissa clung to Eliza’s leg.

She looked up at Eliza with a servile smile.

“I went a bit too far, didn’t I? Hm, right…? I shouldn’t have done that…. I’ve really done nothing but terrible things to you…. I-I’ll reflect on this opportunity….”

“Duchess.”

Eliza called her kindly.

Her small hand patted Narcissa’s head.

“There’s no need for you to apologize. Please don’t apologize.”

“Huh…?”

“The Duchess has done nothing wrong to me. So, there’s no reason for you to apologize.”

It was a kind voice, but it was hard to listen to it positively.

It felt as if a knife was being sharpened gently.

The touch, which seemed to caress, made one fear that the hair might be grabbed at any moment.

“I was born out of wedlock. Moreover, I happened to be born with the qualities of a Mage. The Duchess couldn’t tolerate that fact, so she struggled in her own way. It’s understandable. From her perspective, I am an impurity in a world where I shouldn’t have existed.”

“Th-th-that’s not true, my dear….”

“So, it is only natural that I treat the Duchess this way as well.”

“…….”

“You’ve done nothing wrong, so there’s no need to apologize, and likewise, since it’s not a sin, there’s no question of forgiveness.”

It was a statement that meant to simply accept reality.

Narcissa had no power to overturn the situation.

Resignation slowly spread across her face.

Eliza smiled slightly and pushed her away as if brushing off a bug.

Her eyes, which had stepped back a few steps, gleamed with a golden light.

“And this is.”

Golden flames roared ferociously around Narcissa.

“This is a spell I’ve been designing for a long time for the Duchess. I hope you’ll accept it gladly.”

The Eternal Flame.

A curse spell that Eliza had researched and created solely for Narcissa.

The victim must endure an unbearable burning pain that can never be cleansed for the rest of their life.

“No mage, no priest, no doctor, no pharmacist. No one can erase that pain.”

The flames, which soared like a waterfall in reverse, rushed toward Narcissa all at once.

“Aaah-!”

The flames did not burn Narcissa.

They merely revolved around her.

The spiraling flames, leaving tails in all directions, were gradually absorbed into Narcissa’s body.

As Narcissa screamed, Eliza spoke her sentence.

“Except for me, only death can set you free, but you won’t even be able to die on your own. Because I’ll make sure of that.”

The flames, spinning faster and faster, looked like a flower from afar.

A flame, true to its name.

The fully bloomed flames were finally completely absorbed into Narcissa’s body.

Black soot bloomed all over her body as she writhed on the floor.

The black spots were evidence that the Eternal Flame had succeeded.

“Haah…! Ugh, aaah-!”

Narcissa screamed, rolling frantically on the floor.

It felt like her body was submerged in lava.

At the same time, it felt like her blood had turned into lava.

A scorching pain circulated through her entire body via her blood vessels.

After just a few seconds, it seemed as if her entire body would either melt in the lava or burn and disappear.

She wished to die that way.

But her body remained intact.

No matter how much time passed, she didn’t die, nor did she grow accustomed to the pain.

Every moment was vivid.

She struggled in what felt like one second that seemed like an hour, but it was meaningless.

Eliza looked down at Narcissa indifferently.

The reason for not killing her was purely practical.

Narcissa would likely know the internal affairs of the Bavel family that Eliza did not.

She needed to be tamed slowly with pain, to extract that information.

But that wasn’t the only reason.

Killing her here would be too trivial.

There was no desire to give Narcissa any rest.

A fire burned hotly inside.

The impulse to release more violence than necessary shook her reason.

But Eliza brushed it off lightly.

“Judas.”

Thinking of him only color calmed her mind.