The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 74.2

“Johan Revelatio Helios.”

“The emperor….”

Even Judas, who knew the future, found it difficult to know or deduce this part.

In the future he knew, the Bevel family no longer existed.

The only one left was Eliza.

At that time, the relationship between Eliza and the Imperial family was bad.

Well, villainous Eliza was notorious for frequently killing people and setting fires.

“But now… too much is different.”

For one, the Bevel family is still intact, and the Church of the Moon is also fine.

Eliza isn’t murdering people like a madwoman.

The sun statue the emperor desired has been taken by Eliza.

“What is the emperor’s goal?”

Is it because Eliza is an outstanding mage that he’s targeting her?

“Ah, then, is the bracelet you gave me also a trap?”

“That’s a bit different. I was worried about you, just in case….”

“Excuse me?”

“……”

Eliza suddenly clamped her mouth shut.

“Milady?”

Even when Judas called her, she averted her gaze and didn’t answer.

For some reason, it felt embarrassing to say the word “worry” out loud.

Speaking words of worry and saying that you are worried were subtly but distinctly different.

Eliza quietly hid behind Yuel.

Peeking out with only half her face, she stared at Judas.

‘Hmm… I don’t know why she’s doing that, but it’s cute, so it’s fine. As long as it’s cute, it’s all good.’

Something came to mind, so Judas changed the subject.

“Oh, right. Miss, I have something to tell you.”

While he was camping, he was attacked.

The suspicious group wasn’t just a bunch of ordinary bandits.

Their movements were trained.

Their appearance made it clear they were targeting him.

Perhaps they were the covert agents of some faction.

They might even be Eliza’s enemies.

After hearing Judas’s story, Eliza looked him up and down.

“It’s a relief that you’re unharmed.”

Judas awkwardly scratched his cheek.

‘Is she saying that because she was worried?’

It felt unfamiliar, awkward, and a little strange.

His heart tingled in a peculiar way.

Is she now worrying about him because he’s her knight?

Well… it wasn’t bad.

“And you did great. You identified something suspicious and decided to report it.”

“Thank you….”

“If I see it myself, I might be able to find a clue. Do you remember where it was?”

“Yes. I remember.”

Just in case, he had marked it on the map.

“Lead the way.”

***

It wasn’t far from the ruins, so they arrived quickly.

It was a clearing in the forest where traces of a campfire remained.

However, it was different from when he had left.

‘The corpses….’

All the bodies had shriveled up.

They were completely dried out, like mummies.

“…Are these the ones that attacked you?”

Eliza asked, her voice puzzled.

It looked like a scene straight out of an undead attack.

“No. They were definitely alive when I left.”

Their bodies, with all the blood drained, left him with only one creature in mind.

‘Vampires?’

People who fall victim to starving vampires end up like this.

‘But this isn’t a region where vampires usually appear….’

After a quick check, it was clear they weren’t vampires.

There were no bite marks on the bodies.

“…This is the work of a dark mage.”

As Eliza surveyed the area, her expression grew serious.

“It seems they absorbed the blood to use as magic. The dark mage’s unique energy still lingers.”

I couldn’t sense it, but if Eliza said so, it must be true.

‘This is also a place where a dark mage might show up.’

Dark magic.

It’s a distorted form of magic created by those who both envy and long for the talents of true mages.

They use the life force of others as fuel for their spells.

Dark mages can’t live among people.

Like witch hunts, they are regularly purged, and they’re too conspicuous to hide.

Naturally, they end up in remote places.

The Demon Realm.

They live in seclusion near those areas.

‘I almost got into serious trouble.’

If the timing had been just a little off, I could’ve encountered the dark mage.

Though dark mages differ from person to person, it’s best to avoid entanglements with them.

“…Judas.”

“Yes, miss?”

“Do you still not remember anything from the past?”

Five years ago.

Eliza asked about my past.

I answered honestly.

That I didn’t remember.

Since then, I’ve tried to recall things on my own.

But in the end, I haven’t discovered anything.

I’ve had dreams, though.

Fragments that seem to be parts of Judas’s past.

As dreams go, most of them faded quickly.

“Yes. That’s right.”

“I see….”

Eliza nodded firmly, as if she had made a decision.

In the end, we couldn’t find any clues at the scene.

There was nothing to glean from the emaciated corpse.

It was time to go back.

As I tied the holy relic to Yuel’s side, Eliza extended her hand to me.

“…Yes?”

“What are you doing? We need to head back.”

Ah.

Teleport?

‘Wait a second. It takes a horse several days to reach here from the mansion, and she teleported that distance?’

Teleportation is a difficult magic.

The amount of mana consumed is enormous.

The longer the distance, the greater the difficulty and the mana consumption exponentially increases.

It becomes twice as difficult if you transport other people or objects along with you.

‘And she just did that?’

This was beyond common sense.

I knew she was amazing, but each time I witnessed it firsthand, it left me astonished.

It feels like she’s growing faster and stronger than the Eliza I once knew.

“Give me your hand.”

Regrettably, I had to decline her request.

“I’m sorry. I was planning to ride Yuel back while checking if Senior Richard is safe.”

He’s not the type to die easily.

Still, I couldn’t see any trace of him, so I thought I’d take a look around on the way back.

“…….”

Eliza crossed her arms, seemingly displeased.

She tilted her head slightly, looking up at me.

Is it because of the holy relic?

“Oh. This should really be taken by you, miss….”

“No.”

Eliza cut me off.

“I’m coming with you.”

“Yes? You really don’t have to….”

“I’m just coming with you.”

Well… if that’s what she wants, then so be it.

I wouldn’t mind having Eliza by my side.

We could look around for a bit, and if we still couldn’t find Richard, we could teleport back at that point.

‘Of course, it has to be Eliza using the teleportation.’

But… there’s only one horse, right?

Well, Yuel’s not exactly a horse, but still.

Two people can ride on Yuel.

Besides, Eliza is smaller in stature than me.

But, the way this might look….

“We’ll have to ride together, one in front and one behind. Will that be alright?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

Ah, I forgot.

Eliza doesn’t really think about things like this.

She doesn’t have much of a concept of propriety in that regard.

She still crawls into my bed sometimes, so sitting front and back on a saddle probably wouldn’t be a big deal to her.

‘She has no idea that it’s a big deal to me. Oh well.’

“Please, you go on first, miss.”

Eliza hesitated for once.

“…I don’t know how to ride a horse.”

Oh. That makes sense.

Eliza has never had a need to ride a horse.

Teleportation magic is far superior to horseback riding.

Because of that, she’s never ridden Yuel before.

She’s always just watched me ride.

Now I see where Eliza feels embarrassed.

Whenever she has to show that she’s not perfect, she gets self-conscious.

Just like the first time she hesitated to touch the moon deer.

“Come on up.”

In the end, I had to help her up.

“Put your hand on my shoulder.”

Eliza obediently followed my instruction.

Her hand reached for my shoulder.

‘…Wait a minute, this is, uh, oh.’

I tried to stay as calm as possible and wrapped my arm around her waist like it was nothing.

With both hands, I could almost encircle her entire waist.

‘And yet, why does it feel so soft… No, I shouldn’t think about this.’

I carefully lifted Eliza up.

Then, as if surprised, she suddenly clung tightly to my neck.

“Ugh!”

Afraid she might fall, I quickly wrapped my arms around her waist to hold her securely.

Naturally.

Our faces were suddenly close.

A soft, sweet scent enveloped me.

“…….”

My vision was filled with Eliza’s face.

I found myself face-to-face with her crimson eyes, right in front of me.

The tips of our noses barely brushed against each other.

Every time Eliza breathed, her warm breath touched the corner of my mouth.

Her slightly parted, plump red lips.

Before I knew it, I swallowed hard.

Eliza’s gaze fell, then slowly rose again.

She looked at my lips, then back at my eyes.

She stared down at me intently.

In this close, dangerous proximity.