The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 87

Eliza handed over the dark mage to the Church Knights.

Let them go.

Recent news arrived from the information guild.

The relationship between the imperial family and the dark mage.

And the Church Knights raised by the imperial family.

Handling issues within the Church by entrusting them to the Church Knights is the proper procedure.

Without suspicion, it’s the obvious thing to do.

But somehow, Eliza felt suspicious of them.

They could have refused to comply.

As a potential victim, they could have imposed various complex and difficult demands.

But they didn’t.

They simply let them go.

To see just where this lead she had seized would ultimately reach.

Eliza calmed Judas and handed the dark mage to the Church Knights.

With a tracking spell embedded.

***

During the coming-of-age ceremony, there was no satisfactory news from the Church Knights.

They are interrogating.

Their lips are sealed.

It seems some sort of spell has been cast.

Those kinds of answers.

Eliza simply nodded without pressing further.

And on the last day of the ceremony.

“We apologize. The dark mage… has escaped.”

The Church Knights reported with somber faces.

“They were much stronger than we anticipated. Moreover, they may have had an ally, as they broke into the Church’s underground last night and took them away.”

Again, Eliza nodded without questioning.

Even though she was aware that the dark mage’s location had been moving since dawn on the first day.

Eliza couldn’t help but be certain.

The Church Knights had intentionally let them go.

And those Church Knights follow the orders of the imperial family.

‘What does the imperial family want with dark magic?’

She decided to investigate directly.

There was no one to rely on.

There are powers willing to join hands with her.

However, she could not trust them.

It was a matter of probing into the imperial family and dark magic.

She couldn’t carelessly form alliances.

So, she had to move independently.

While hiding the truth that the imperial family was involved.

Using the pretext of the Royal Guard selection test, she could send them there.

‘But…’

The dark mage’s coordinates had stopped.

It meant they had reached a habitable destination.

That area was the Demon Realm.

It was so distant that even Eliza found it difficult to pinpoint the exact location.

All she could do was roughly narrow down the range on a map.

‘Judas has to participate….’

Eliza informed Judas that he could participate in the test.

At that time, she had not yet decided to turn the dark mage pursuit into a test.

‘It’s so far… dangerous….’

It’s not that she doubted his abilities.

By her judgment, Judas’s skills were objectively outstanding.

‘…What am I worried about?’

Eliza suddenly found herself feeling unfamiliar.

Judas was her escort knight.

He had a duty to protect her.

He also had a duty to follow her commands.

That was the nature of their relationship.

Thus, using him was only natural.

‘…….’

Eliza quietly looked down at her ring.

An ivory-colored ring.

She could have chosen another color.

But she had crafted the ring in this moon-like color…

She felt strange.

The most effective way to objectively understand a situation is to give it a name.

Or summarize it in a short word.

Yet, Eliza couldn’t name her own state.

It seemed tied to a certain emotion.

But nothing specific came to mind.

To the confused Eliza.

Before leaving, Judas spoke.

“Don’t worry.”

“……”

Worry.

It was only then that Eliza faced a certain truth.

She was worried about Judas.

The word she had almost spoken at some point, the feeling she had nearly defined in words, then stopped.

Judas had confirmed it himself.

Feeling an emotion and defining that emotion with words are quite different.

Only after acknowledging the name did she truly reflect on and ponder over that feeling.

‘Worry….’

Judas judged her actions as such.

And he wasn’t wrong.

She had worried about him countless times until now.

‘Worry… it’s one of the most useless human emotions…’

Does worrying solve the problem?

No, it does not.

Then why do we worry?

Thus, worry is an utterly futile emotion.

Regret runs alongside it at the forefront.

Does regret change the past?

Does wallowing in regret promise a better future?

No, it does not.

Spending time worrying and regretting is better spent on something productive.

Eliza knew this truth very well.

Yet, she had worried about Judas so much.

She had poured her emotions and time into a meaningless act.

That was a sign of weakness.

It was no different from a vulnerability.

‘I am….’

“Miss? Are you alright?”

Judas called out to her cautiously as she remained silent.

“…It’s nothing. Nothing at all.”

Eliza managed to respond.

She couldn’t look at his face.

Instead, she fidgeted with Judas’s fingertips and muttered softly.

“…Don’t get hurt.”

Because you’re my knight.

You’re mine.

It’s only natural I wouldn’t want my possession to be hurt, as its rightful owner….

So, this isn’t worry.

“Of course.”

His voice responded lightly.

Only then did she lift her head.

Judas was smiling at her.

A reassuring smile.

Thump, thump.

Her heart beat foolishly.

Anxiety peeled away, only for a new kind of unease to cling to her heart.

In a daze, Eliza simply watched Judas moving farther away.

If she intended to bring down the Bevel family, she couldn’t be swayed by personal matters.

She couldn’t grow weak.

A weakness meant defeat.

She knew this….

She knew it all….

But if a weakness did emerge, what then….

‘…!’

Eliza thought of a far grander and more serious issue.

Something that could easily threaten the peace of the world.

‘…When will he be back?’

His mission was to track down a dark sorcerer who fled to the Demon Realm.

It would clearly take longer than his last test.

It would take at least a week just to reach the area marked on the map.

So how many days would it take before his mission ended?

She felt a pang of regret.

Eliza felt a faint headache.

She stared blankly at Judas, who was conversing with his companions on the other side.

“…….”

It seemed she was the only one bothered by when they would meet again.

Somehow, she felt wronged.

That Judas was irritating.

She wanted to rush over, hug him tight, and make him flustered.

In that moment, she felt strange about herself.

Did she really want to see him flustered?

Or was it something else….

***

“Watching this is giving me a heart attack, really. It’s driving me crazy, you know?”

“Please, stop with the weird comments.”

I approached the members of Room 13.

Despite their embarrassment, they welcomed me warmly.

“Wow. By the way…”

Richard looked me up and down, grinning.

“You look like a different person in that uniform.”

“Hmm.”

I touched the ends of my sleeves and dusted off my shoulders, acting arrogantly on purpose.

“You’re a bit annoying, aren’t you?”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“Seriously…”

Richard nudged my shoulder with a laugh.

I chuckled along with him.

“So, this is the uniform of the Bevel family…”

“It really is cool…”

A knight’s uniform blending black and gold.

It’s the symbol of the Bevel family.

However, there’s no emblem on the chest.

Apparently, that’s the case for all knights under Eliza.

Other Bevel knights wear a red sun emblem.

‘Maybe it’s because I’m illegitimate… Sigh, the noble world… impossible to understand.’

There’s also a distinguishing feature for the Escort Knights.

A small gem embedded in the collar of the shirt.

Eliza’s gem is red.

Dylan looked at me with a proud smile.

“It suits you well. It’s fitting for you to be a Escort Knight.”

“Thank you.”

“But what’s with that necklace? I haven’t seen it before.”

“Oh, this.”

Lindel asked.

“It’s a gift from Lady Eliza. It can be used in emergencies to tel…”

I was about to say it could teleport, but they all suddenly swarmed around me.

“A gift from Lady Eliza?!”

“Lady Eliza gave it to you? Why?! For a dowry?!”

“So, tel…”

“I’ve never heard of a noble gifting something to commemorate appointing a Escort Knight.”

“Me neither.”

“Neither have I.”

“Same here.”

“Can I please finish my sentence?”

Argon chuckled mischievously.

“Oh, please, do continue at your leisure.”

“Haa… It’s an artifact that can teleport in emergencies. It’s more than just a simple gift.”

“An artifact that can teleport…?”

None of them would be well-versed in magical knowledge.

Not that I am, either.

However, everyone knows that teleportation magic is extremely difficult and dangerous.

It’s practically regarded as a myth.

“Is something like that even possible?”

“Isn’t it dangerous?”

“It seems it’s possible for Lady Eliza. I tried it as a test, and there were no issues.”

“Now you two are bound to never part, even if you’re far apart…”

“Please, enough.”

I hurriedly told them to keep quiet.

I was scared Eliza might hear it.

Or, worse, anyone else overhearing would have no idea what to make of it.

“Alright, alright. We’ll stop teasing.”

“But this selection test for the elite guard… what’s the deal with that?”

“Oh, that’s…”

I explained briefly.

Eliza suddenly wanted to abolish the training center, and I stopped her.

I thought they deserved at least one last chance.

“So, it’s thanks to you, Judas?”

“Well? Not exactly…”

Come to think of it, they weren’t entirely wrong.

It’s because of my suggestion that this test is even happening.

Not that I wanted to take credit.

It’d be good for me if they passed.

Having eligible colleagues nearby would be reassuring.

Of course, passing the test is another matter entirely.

If Room 13 fails, I’ll have to accept it humbly.

It’s not something I can decide based on personal desire.

“Judas, your loyalty to your seniors is truly admirable. This Richard is touched.”

“Yes, yes. You’re absolutely right, Senior.”

“Your attitude suddenly got cheeky….”

As usual, we joked around while receiving guidance from Sir Gawain.

It was a map marking the location of a dark mage.

It looked similar to the one we received during the final test when we went looking for the Sun Relic.

A certain area was shaded.

It meant that the dark mage was within this region.

‘That’s quite deep in the Demon Realm…. But was there a dark mage around here? I don’t remember one.’

Dylan looked at the map, stroking his chin.

He was the head and brain of Room 13.

Whenever we had group training, he was always at the center of it.

“The Demon Realm, huh. Who among us has been deployed to the deeper parts of the Demon Realm?”

A few raised their hands.

Me, Richard, Argon, Lindel.

Including Dylan, that made five of us.

“Though it’s not all the way deep, at least everyone here has set foot in the Demon Realm once, so that’s a relief. But the bigger issue is transportation….”

The destination was far.

Although I had brought Yuel, it was different for the others.

They didn’t have their own horses.

“To start, there’s a train line near here up to ‘Gethsemane.’ After we get there by train, we’ll march to the destination. But….”

He looked at me.

“Judas, if you could guide us while riding your moon deer or patrol the surroundings, it would be a big help. But that would add to your tasks.”

I chuckled at his words.

It was always like this.

He was my companion on this mission, and he often took charge.

He could simply give orders, but he always considered my opinion.

“Why worry about such things? Just leave it to me.”

“Thank you. But this dark mage business… it’s genuinely dangerous. Is there anyone who wants to back out now?”

No one answered.

A solemn air settled around us.

“Alright. That’s enough for now. Let’s continue considering the rest as we move.”

Dylan folded up the map.

We were about to depart with the members of Room 13 when Gawain suddenly approached.

“Judas.”

“Yes, Sir Gawain?”

“Hmm.”

He started looking me over, up and down.

He nodded, seemingly pleased with what he saw.

“I’m a bit late with my congratulations. I was busy on the day of your investiture. Congratulations on becoming a knight. Anun also sends his regards.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“And here, take this.”

Gawain handed me a long object.

“A scabbard?”

“Yes. A fine sword needs a suitable scabbard. And this, as well.”

It was a large bundle.

When I opened it, it contained several dry cloths and a small oil container.

Gawain started giving instructions rapidly.

“A knight’s sword is his second life. You must maintain it thoroughly. After using it, first wipe off any foreign substances with a dry cloth, then use another cloth to lightly apply oil onto the blade in a thin layer. It’s a well-crafted sword, so complex processes can actually do more harm than good. Keep it as simple as possible. As for the scabbard and shield….”

Gawain kept talking at length.

I’d never seen him speak this much before.

“…that’s all. Did you remember everything?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Good…. I couldn’t tell you this before because you didn’t have any personal gear, but things are different now.”

I’d been wondering if I should get a scabbard anyway.

One that matched the diameter of the moon’s pupil.

Until now, I’d just wrapped the sword in leather since I didn’t have a scabbard.

When I took it out and fitted it into the scabbard, it fit perfectly.

“Oh…. It slides in smoothly. But, how did you know the size?”

“I once saw this in the storage room, long ago. I remembered it from then. You have a good eye for choosing swords.”

“I’ll make good use of it.”

“Hmm.”

When we first met, I had to look up at him until my neck hurt.

Now, we were at eye level.

Gawain patted my shoulder.

His thick, wrinkled hand carried a heavy weight.

“You’ve done well.”

Gawain smiled, a clear and satisfying smile visible to me.

It’s the first time I’ve seen it.

Until now, he would just smile subtly under his beard.

I learned a lot from him.

Though I had the help of various traits, Gawain’s influence was substantial.

His training was like real combat every moment, becoming part of my bones and flesh.

It’s already been five years.

Since I started learning from Gawain.

I smiled back at him.

“Thank you, Master.”

“…Hm. ‘Master,’ you say.”

Oh, come on.

He’s embarrassed?

He spoke with his back turned.

“Still, don’t be overconfident. This test is dangerous.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“When it comes time to draw your sword, you mustn’t hesitate even for a moment.”

“I understand.”

“I believe you’ll do well again this time.”

I confidently responded to his back.

“Of course.”

***

When I stepped out of the training center, I saw a familiar face.

“Sir Hermes?”

“Oh, Sir Judas!”

Hermes smiled as he approached.

“It’s been a while. Hmm… Oh-ho….”

Hermes looked over my clothes.

Her attire was similar to mine.

A black knight’s uniform.

“It suits you well! You really look like a knight now.”

“Thank you.”

“Ah, the lady has made a decision regarding my position.”

Hermes was originally my guard.

But as I became a guard knight for Eliza, things got complicated.

“She ordered me not to follow you anymore.”

“As expected. So, where will you be stationed now, Sir Hermes?”

“I haven’t been dismissed. I’ve already proven my loyalty to the lady. I’ll be staying at the mansion, carrying out her orders alongside the other knights.”

Eliza’s forces are substantial.

Enough to be threatening for someone born out of wedlock.

It seemed Hermes was part of that force as well.

“Since I’m not far, there shouldn’t be any issue in relaying news about Lady Yurie.”

“That’s a relief.”

“And as for this mission to track the dark mage, I’ll be participating as well.”

“You, Sir Hermes?”

“Yes. I won’t be going easy on you, so you’d better watch out?”

“Oh no… This could be serious.”

Hermes lightly tapped my shoulder with a playful grin, as if calling me out for exaggerating.

“Well then, I’ll be off. Make sure you return safely!”

“You too, Sir Hermes. Stay safe.”

“Yes!”

She waved brightly as she moved away.

“Haa….”

Richard sighed as he walked up beside me.

“Judas, if you let your eyes wander to other girls, you’re really going to be in trouble….”

“Let’s get going.”

Ignoring his words, I led Yuel forward.

Our first destination was Gethsemane.

Alongside me and behind, eleven members of Room 13 followed.

Richard, Dylan, Lindel, Argon, Felin, Dyke, Esmo, Jerry, Hador, Gauss, Nils.

They were comrades and family I’d known for five years.

***

Gethsemane, close to the Demon Realm, was nearly the end of the line.

The train ran for several days.

Nothing out of the ordinary happened.

Once, there was a large bandit gang attempting to rob the train.

The problem was that the train had a substantial military force on board.

Not just Room 13.

Among the candidates for hunting the dark mage, some shared this train with us.

Two full teams, which means 24 people.

A total combat-ready force of 36.

The bandits were thoroughly wiped out.

After that, boredom became our greatest enemy.

And finally, we arrived in Gethsemane.

“Whoa… What’s with this atmosphere?”

Jerry shivered, his shoulders trembling.

Though the area had recently opened, perhaps due to its proximity to the Demon Realm, it wasn’t a developed city.

It didn’t have the dilapidated feel of a slum, but it was desolate, with few people around.

‘If my memory serves me right, this place doesn’t develop much in the future either.’

I haven’t visited often, but I know this village.

However… I felt something different compared to others.

‘It’s familiar… this place….’

It’s not the familiarity that comes from playing a game.

It’s familiar yet strangely unfamiliar.

It’s different from my memory.

I…

I’ve been to this village before.

Before the train line was even laid down.

I came here for a mission… using this place as a stopover, I… had to assassinate someone….

The first target… his name was Ma….

“Judas? What are you standing there, daydreaming?”

“…Ah, no. It’s nothing.”

I snapped back to reality, belatedly.

I shouldn’t let myself zone out.

I have an important task to carry out.

I should either scout ahead with Yuel or patrol the surroundings.

There are others who can ride, but Yuel has only permitted Eliza and me on his back.

“Let’s go.”

I mounted Yuel and took the lead.

The strange village that had stirred déjà vu gradually faded into the distance.