The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 81

The place Eliza took me, saying she had something else to give, was a large lounge.

A room exclusively used by Eliza, the protagonist of today’s event at the temple.

Without her permission, no one could enter.

“Here.”

Without hesitation, Eliza pulled something out of her chest and handed it to me.

It was a necklace.

A small, round gem hung in the middle of a leather string.

Inside the gem, golden flames wavered like waves.

“It’s an artifact I made. There are multiple ways to use it, but its effect is simple. It allows you to teleport.”

… A teleport artifact?

I might not know much about magic theory.

But I do know that, in this world, it was long concluded after extensive research that creating a teleport artifact is impossible.

Without noticing my shock, Eliza explained.

“Of course, that doesn’t mean you can freely teleport wherever you wish. The only place you can teleport to is by my side.”

In other words, it’s a teleport artifact with a fixed destination—Eliza herself.

It’s practically a summoning device.

“If you channel magic into that necklace, it’ll send a signal to me. And if I allow it, you’ll arrive in front of me. Alternatively, I can summon you myself.”

The second method worked the same as the first.

When Eliza sends a signal, I can accept it.

“Depending on the situation, I might summon you without your approval.”

On the other hand, it’s impossible for me to go to Eliza without her permission.

My role is as a bodyguard knight.

There might be urgent situations where she needs to summon me quickly.

It was a function I could understand.

Eliza raised her right hand.

A ring on her ring finger.

It was ivory.

“This ring I’m wearing and that necklace exchange coordinates in real-time, so unless one of us is wearing the artifact, it can’t be used.”

“Understood.”

A necklace with a brown leather cord.

The gem is a bit dazzling, but compared to the bracelet I received last time, it’s rather simple.

This is quite to my liking.

I reached to put it around my neck.

Or at least, I was about to.

Suddenly, Eliza snatched the necklace from my hand.

“Give it here. I’ll do it for you.”

“I can do it….”

Eliza looked up at me intently.

Her gaze silently pressured me to stay still.

I complied obediently.

Eliza looked up at me, speaking with a hint of frustration.

“You’re too tall. Lower your head a bit.”

Following her request, I lowered my height.

Unable to look directly at her approaching face, I averted my gaze.

Eliza stood on tiptoe, reaching her hands behind my neck.

A soft touch brushed against me.

As she fastened the necklace, she asked,

“Why is your body so warm? Your face is a bit flushed too.”

“The human body has a thing called body temperature….”

“Because of homeostasis, body temperature usually doesn’t get this high unless there’s something unusual.”

“… I’ve been like this since I was young. It’s just my constitution.”

“You weren’t like this when you were young.”

“……”

Hey.

Can you not counter everything I say?

Let some things slide!

I swallowed my complex feelings of frustration.

“It’s just because it’s hot.”

“Hmm. Maybe the fireplace in this room is a bit too much.”

Finally, Eliza seemed to understand.

‘Why is it taking so long just to fasten this necklace….’

Every time Eliza breathed, I could feel her faint breath touch my neck.

However, Eliza kept shortening the length of the necklace.

“Um, my lady? If you tighten it like that, it’s a bit uncomfortable…”

She doesn’t respond.

She steps back slightly, staring intently at the necklace.

“A collar….”

“Excuse me?”

“…No, it’s nothing. I accidentally tightened it too much. Let me fix it.”

Eliza reached for the necklace again.

Thanks to her loosening it, it felt more comfortable than before.

“If you want to keep someone from running away, one collar is…”

Eliza muttered something under her breath, but I couldn’t quite grasp her meaning, so I just stayed silent.

After finally fastening the necklace completely, Eliza took a few steps back.

She looked at me and smiled with satisfaction.

“It suits you well. Want to give it a try?”

We decided to test its functionality.

Standing further away, she infused the necklace with her magic.

It was a signal.

A moment later, in the blink of an eye, Eliza appeared right in front of me.

Though I had been the one to move, it happened so quickly that it felt like she had materialized right before me.

Next, I tried moving by receiving a signal from Eliza.

It was exactly like the first time.

The last test was a forced summoning.

There was no chance to sense it coming.

I was just standing still when the space suddenly warped, bringing me face-to-face with Eliza.

Literally, right in her face.

So close that, upon arrival, her face collided with my chest.

“Ow!”

“Oh…! My lady, are you alright?”

Eliza mumbled while rubbing her reddened nose.

“Why is your chest so hard…?”

Well, chests are usually…

Oh. Perhaps not. My apologies.

I apologized to Eliza in my heart.

“It functions just fine, but the summoning coordinates might need some adjustment… It’s my fault, so don’t worry.”

She looked up at me with a frown, then gave a gentle smile.

“I’ll be counting on you from now on, my knight.”

Her tone was casual and friendly.

Her nose was still red.

I couldn’t help but smile.

“It’s an honor.”

***

As Eliza’s gift-giving ceremony concluded, just as I was about to leave, something flew toward my face.

“Ah.”

Caught off guard, it struck me directly.

Slap.

It lightly hit and fell to the ground—a leather glove.

‘This… no way?’

Footsteps approached with confidence.

A woman with braided blonde hair. Jezebel. Beside her, Sara.

The man in front of them was also a familiar face.

Dressed nobly yet with his hair tied haphazardly and an air of nonchalance.

He stopped a short distance away.

People around us started whispering and watching.

The man spoke.

“My name is Achan de Bevel, fourth son of the Grand Duke of fire mage, the great Barak.”

A glove thrown at my face.

An introduction of his lineage.

Anyone could tell…

“I challenge you, the shameless and dishonorable scoundrel who insulted my sisters, Jezebel de Bevel and Sarah de Bevel, to a duel.”

It was a formal duel request.

***

A duel. A showdown. A battle. Whatever you call it.

It was just like what I’d once demanded of Lindel.

A judgment of right and wrong through strength.

A trial by combat.

What we used in training camps clearly originated from this noble tradition.

‘But why is a noble stepping up personally?’

Duel tradition often worked this way.

It was rare for nobles to participate directly.

Sending someone to fight on their behalf was the norm.

However, Achan de Bevel.

The direct descendant of Barak.

A great noble.

This could cause a problem…

“Reveal your identity. It’s disgraceful otherwise.”

“…Judas Deficit.”

People were suddenly crowding around us, like it was some sort of entertaining spectacle.

‘Can’t get used to this.’

Watching fights can be fun, sure.

But it’s hardly something to do at someone’s birthday party.

At least, that’s how I see it.

Here, their perspective is a bit different.

At Eliza’s last birthday, several people ended up fighting.

Sometimes, it’s just someone getting drunk and picking a fight.

Other times, it’s a chance to settle old grudges.

‘The world of nobles… I don’t really get it….’

It’s uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, Eliza, the main person involved, didn’t care at all.

‘I never thought I’d be the target of one of these brawls.’

Achan drew his sword.

‘That’s…?’

A sword I recognize.

One of the holy relics of the Sun Church.

‘The Flame Sword?’

A sword that flows with fire.

When magic is applied, it glows red-hot.

As the name suggests, it’s a fire-attribute sword.

Its notable feature is its incredible durability.

It’s so sturdy you could swing the flat side like a blunt weapon.

Pointing the sword at me, he spoke.

“Engage in this duel with honor.”

The Flame Sword slowly began to change.

Starting from the bottom of the blade, it turned red.

Heating up.

Because of the heat, waves of distortion rose around it.

“Ooh…! That’s the one I’ve only heard about…!”

“Young Master Achan has no intention of holding back!”

The crowd gasped in awe.

“The testimony of all the distinguished guests here will be enough for judgment.”

He decides that on his own terms.

Unlike the confident Achan, I was in a bit of a bind.

Now, I am formally under Eliza’s service.

I can’t just fight recklessly.

‘If I’m going to fight, I need Eliza’s permission…’

Someone poked me from behind.

I turned, and there was Eliza.

“Yes? Miss?”

“Lend me your ear.”

I obediently lowered my head.

Eliza’s face came closer.

Covering her mouth with one hand, she whispered softly.

“Don’t go easy on him.”

A duel between a noble and a commoner.

Usually, in these situations, the commoner loses on purpose.

Since a noble is angry enough to step forward, one would lose to preserve his honor.

I still don’t fully understand this kind of culture.

But Eliza was clearly telling me to win.

Telling me not to hold back meant I was allowed to fight.

“Are you sure about this?”

“Yes. Don’t lose, ever. I hate the idea of you losing more than these stupid nobles’ pride.”

“…Understood.”

“I’ll handle the aftermath. Just don’t kill him. That would be a bit too much to manage.”

Not that I had any intention of killing him anyway.

“But don’t just barely win either. Win overwhelmingly. Got it?”

I was silent for a moment.

‘Did she read my mind?’

Since I’d decided to fight, I hadn’t planned on winning just barely.

I was intending to overwhelm him completely, even if it embarrassed him in front of everyone.

Eliza instructed exactly that.

“Why aren’t you responding?”

“…Oh. I was just thinking about how I’d win. I understand everything.”

“Alright.”

Eliza smiled softly.

The slight scoff tickled my ears.

“Hey, you two!”

Achan shouted, pointing his sword.

“What are you two whispering about over there?”

His face flushed red and blue.

Spitting as he shouted, his expression was full of fury.

‘Why is he so angry?’

Achan de Bevel.

Someone I don’t know much about.

Only that he’s Eliza’s brother, the fourth son of Barak.

Eliza isn’t the type to share much about herself.

Especially about her family—she’s never mentioned them.

But some facts don’t need to be told to be understood.

Eliza, the illegitimate child.

Her siblings, so proud of their noble blood.

They must have bullied her relentlessly since childhood.

‘Is that haughty, twisted personality hereditary?’

I answered by drawing my sword.

In the splendid golden temple, a lone dark sword stood out.

“If you lose, kneel and apologize for insulting my sister.”

I responded, imbuing magic into my sword.

“Gladly.”

The moon’s pupil gleamed sharply in an ivory hue.

***

Barak was introducing Cain and Levi to other high-ranking nobles.

They were already acquainted, but it was better to make frequent appearances.

Cain, who would eventually become the family head.

And Levi, who would act as his deputy.

In his heart, Barak had half-decided on this arrangement.

Since it was Eliza’s birthday, it would have been appropriate to introduce her to several nobles.

But he couldn’t.

Eliza had completely avoided the attention.

It was his own karma.

Barak carefully observed each noble guest more meticulously than usual as he greeted them.

‘How many forces would support me if I rose against the Empire?’

The Empire’s political stability was shaky.

The prolonged war with the demons.

The endless poverty.

The Empire, the center of humanity, was lacking in response.

But no one had dared to defy or even contemplate defying the Empire.

For all its flaws, it was still the Empire.

Moreover, most of those in power were relatively untouched by the famine caused by the war.

Nevertheless, some factions surely harbored dissatisfaction.

They just kept it hidden.

‘Handling this alone has its limits. It would be beneficial to have a few quiet allies, no matter how few.’

Over the past five years, Barak had been selecting those who might side with him.

He just hadn’t revealed it yet.

It was nearly complete.

‘Soon…’

At that moment, a commotion arose in the center of the banquet hall.

“My name is Achan di Bevel, the fourth son of the illustrious fire mage, Grand Duke Barak.”

It seemed his son was about to cause trouble.

Barak held back a sigh.

‘That reckless fool again…’

Even if it was for his sister’s vengeance, a noble stepping forward personally was excessive.

Barak’s gaze swept over Achan’s attire from top to bottom.

The granite sword he had gifted him upon reaching adulthood.

And the rare armor Achan had taken from the Bevel family vault, heavily armed.

It was excessive gear just to duel a mere guard knight.

Barak looked to the other side.

Eliza and Judas, standing close together, looked almost endearing.

What could they be whispering about so secretly?

“Ahem…”

The duel between the two was about to commence.

All eyes were drawn to them.

Emperor Johan, Nadav the Pope of the Moonlight Church, and others of high status.

To them, a duel was an intriguing spectacle, no matter who was involved.

Especially when the conflict was between the direct children of Barak.

In the midst of the crowd that had gathered, one person slipped away.

It was Bishop Herald.

The one who had often delivered messages when Angra went into hiding under the guise of a pilgrimage.

‘Hmm… Although I don’t believe in the Moon God, it wouldn’t hurt to confirm one last time.’

Now, with everyone’s attention absorbed in that duel, it was the perfect chance to talk alone.

Barak didn’t watch the match but followed Bishop Herald.

The outcome was predictable.

After all, Achan would win.

A son who had given up on the competition for family rank, yet he wasn’t raised carelessly.

Though he was pampered, he was educated to be more than capable.

For Achan, who wanted to resemble his elder brother Cain, he was trained from a young age to grow as a fine swordsman.

Barak knew that Judas was an extraordinary knight.

But even so, he couldn’t match his son.

Once Barak had left, Cain and Levi watched Judas and Achan with interest.

Levi spoke up first.

“Brother, who do you think will win?”

“Hmm.”

Both had assumed their stances, as if ready to fight.

Cain observed them slowly, one after the other.

Even though their swords hadn’t clashed yet, he replied as if he already knew the result.

“Achan lost.”

“Oh….”

Levi looked at Judas in admiration.

A knight so skilled that even the typically critical Cain acknowledged him without hesitation.

Judah, Eliza’s escort knight.

“So he’s that good….”

If they could take him, it would deal quite a blow to Eliza.

Of course, there wasn’t enough information yet, so he’d have to keep watching.

***

Judas raised his sword.

A sharp blade gleaming ivory.

Achan’s eyes widened.

‘Was it that kind of sword…?’

When he had drawn it, it was black.

Yet, as soon as Judas grasped it, the color changed.

He knew what weapon it was.

The Moon’s Pupil.

Insignificant compared to his volcanic sword.

‘No matter if it changes a bit; it doesn’t matter. I’ll win anyway.’

His weapon wasn’t ordinary either.

Without any warning, Achan charged forward.

A heavy, diagonal slash aimed to end it in a single blow.

“Hup!”

Holding his breath, he brought his sword down.

Judas assumed a similar stance.

His steady breathing.

Calm movements created an illusion of slowness.

A diagonal slash identical to Achan’s.

The two swords traced an X-shaped trajectory.

Crack!

Their swords collided.

The sound of breaking.

It was familiar to Achan.

Whenever the heated volcanic sword struck an opponent’s weapon, it would shatter easily.

‘…No?!’

Achan’s eyes grew wide.

It wasn’t the opponent’s weapon that had broken.

Judah’s ivory sword had cleanly split the volcanic sword.

A broken shard soared into the air.

It spun as it rose, whirling.

Achan’s thoughts froze.

This was the first time he’d experienced such a thing.

He had always been confident that his weapon would not lose to any other.

But Judas didn’t stop his advance.

His coldly gleaming golden eyes approached the frozen Achan.