The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 9

In the game, Eliza and I had a conversation like this.

Not the young Eliza.

It was a conversation with the adult Eliza of the future.

With a scar that cut across her face, that Eliza who would burn people to death at the slightest provocation.

It was an event I had managed to find.

At that time, she was sitting with her legs crossed on a pile of burning corpses.

She was free from her own fire.

A mansion of some family was burning brightly.

Under a landscape where ashes fluttered like snow, she chuckled, her chin in hand, and said,

“To me, strangers can be divided into two categories: those who will kill me and those who will not killed me yet.”

There was no choice, so I answered in my mind.

‘Isn’t it because you go around killing people?’

“In other words, those I will kill. Those I will kill later. I can also divide them into these two. The question is here.”

Eliza laughed sardonically.

“Are you going to kill me now? Or later?”

The person who will kill Eliza.

The person who has not yet killed her.

It was like asking that.

There were only two choices.

I wanted to answer differently.

I have no intention of killing her.

I was just curious.

Like unraveling various stories in a game, I wanted to know the story of Eliza and the Bevel family.

It was a time when I hadn’t even tried to kill Eliza yet.

I only realized much later that it was impossible to kill her.

[I’ll kill her later.]

That was the choice I made at the time.

Other than that, there was no choice of killing her at that moment.

Eliza laughed triumphantly.

The orange and yellow lights mixed in her red pupils bloomed like flames.

“Wrong. I commend you for following me so persistently. But it’s over now.”

Snap, Eliza flicked her finger.

Flames sprang up like whips in the air and burned my character.

With the scene of Eliza, the lone survivor, looking up at the sky raining ashes, the game returned to the beginning.

.

.

“What if I become your enemy? Or if you become my enemy, what will happen to me then?”

Eliza asked.

It’s a situation similar to that time.

I want to act stupid and pretend not to know.

Since it’s a child’s body, I want to innocently say I don’t know.

They always say to be on the lady’s side no matter what.

It would have been fine if it was an ordinary kid.

But I had already piqued Eliza’s interest in various ways.

This quick-witted villainess knows everything.

“Sigh… Let’s stay calm.”

I remembered a character who turned into ashes in the fire of Eliza.

There’s no way I won’t become like that.

“I wonder what Eliza’s current level of magic is.”

I heard that she became significantly stronger after a certain incident in her childhood.

The awakening of a natural talent for magic. Or enlightenment.

Is it after that point, or before?

I don’t know.

So, I have to act as if the worst-case scenario is true.

Eliza is testing me, and at the same time, she is truly curious.

How can someone who was once an enemy become a friend?

“Lindel.”

When Eliza looked at us, Lindel and I used to fight viciously.

But when she came back, we were friends.

It was a phenomenon that I could never understand from her perspective.

“Miss.”

I replied calmly.

“I cannot be your enemy.”

“Cannot?”

Eliza repeated the words.

She seemed intrigued.

As if urging me to continue, Eliza blinked slowly.

Her long eyelashes are like the depths of hell.

If you fall for them, you’ll burn in her fiery red eyes.

“Enemies must be equals. A wolf and a rabbit cannot be enemies. They are predator and prey. You and I are the same.”

“Hmm.”

Eliza raised her eyebrows and nodded.

Seems like she’s pleased.

“So, even if you were to consider me an enemy, I would have no choice. It would be best for me to flee with all my might. But I will never, ever, be hostile to you.”

Eliza stared at me intently.

Perhaps she’s expecting a boring answer.

She dislikes unconditional kindness, flattery, and obedience.

‘But she dislikes opposing herself even more.’

‘Like why rabbits don’t attack wolves.

‘Not obedience, but providence. An interesting perspective.’

Anyway, I know very well that she is unreasonable.

Moreover, this is not a game, and I am now alive alone. If I die, it might really be the end.

So, opposing Eliza is almost like an act of suicide.

She was someone who couldn’t be attacked in any way in the game. My answer is not over yet. To be precise, Eliza’s curiosity has not yet been fully satisfied.

“A rabbit that cannot eat meat will never understand the mind of a wolf. Conversely, a wolf cannot understand a rabbit that only eats grass. The two beasts will live their lives understanding each other, unable to empathize, running along parallel lines.”

Eliza listened quietly to my story.

“This situation is the same. Lindel and I are rabbits. We don’t need to kill each other. We can’t even eat each other. We might argue over the same grass. That’s it. But you, miss, are different. Because you are a noble.”

The friction between me and Lindel is trivial. It’s just a brief fight between two guys. There’s no complicated relationship or political board involved, and there’s no need to risk our lives.

Eliza is different.

She is the direct descendant of the Bavel Duchy, who can remain unharmed even if she kills several people.

Moreover, she is a genius among geniuses born with the rare and precious talent of a mage on a global scale.

Furthermore, her talent is not ordinary. It’s a special magical talent called ‘Mad Fire.’ For various reasons, she is involved in various relationships that are overwhelming for a commoner like me to imagine.

For her, it’s only temporary alliance for profit. It’s a fragile alliance that can be betrayed at any time. ‘That was the closest relationship I had in the game.’

“So, it’s natural that the lady, who is a wolf, cannot understand my relationship. It’s because it’s not right.”

“It’s like you’re saying you know it well.”

That’s not true. The story of the Bavel Duchy is so scarce, and even that is at a future point in the game. I just guessed based on the information I found while uncovering the story of another noble.

“It’s like you’re trying to teach me?”

“…I’m sorry. That was not my intention.”

“That’s right. As long as you’re not in your right mind. But, sometimes, you seem to be out of your mind.”

“………..”

“But that.”

Eliza smiled brightly. It was a mature smile suitable for her age. It was so clear that it made me want to dedicate everything I had to loyalty.

“It’s not completely bad.”

“…Thank you.”

“So, what’s your identity?”

“Pardon?”

“Surely you’re not claiming to be a common slave?”

“……..”

Elizah maintained a smile, but her eyes narrowed.

Beneath her crescent moon-shaped eyes, her red pupils were eerie.

“It’s not just about speaking. Are there slaves in this world who think like you?”

“I just… learned and picked up meager knowledge here and there. I’ve heard people say I have a good memory, but I’m not sure if that’s the reason.”

“Hmm.”

Elizah chuckled, chin in hand.

She swung her legs like a child listening to an amusing story.

“Alright. Even if I resort to unpleasant methods, it seems you won’t open your mouth.”

“………..”

“Servility, enmity. The types of emotions shown by most humans I’ve met. I dislike such people. But you, you don’t belong to either side.”

Eliza nodded, leaning back comfortably in her chair.

“That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Oddly enough.”

“…I’m honored.”

“Strangely amusing. Am I the strange one?”

I didn’t answer.

Since I was muttering to myself, I wouldn’t expect a response anyway.

It’s a strange thing to say that I agree with being strange.

“Anyway. If I were a wolf, are you trying to be a rabbit protecting the wolf? Quite cute.”

“……….”

It’s not exciting to hear such words from a little girl.

Moreover, what Eliza calls ‘cute’ is synonymous with ‘pitiful.’

“Anyway. Okay, Lia.”

Eliza called a maid who was waiting nearby.

“Bring some of the things we bought today.”

“Yes.”

As Lia left, an awkward atmosphere lingered.

Eliza seemed oblivious, casually looking out the window.

She tapped her finger on her eye socket.

There were tear marks where her index finger touched.

How did this pretty little thing become such a villainess?

“From the way she speaks, she’s not entirely sane even now.”

Does Eliza have a different future?

One where she doesn’t become a villainess?

I don’t know.

Even if I did, there’s nothing I can do.

I’m not particularly smart or remarkable enough to regenerate someone.

It’s difficult to change others.

How special do I think I am, that I would resurrect others beyond my control?

I’m too busy protecting myself.

“What are you looking at?” Eliza said.

Her gaze remained fixed outside the window.

“…I’m sorry.”

There really are no ghosts.

How did she know without even looking?

Lia returned with a box in her arms.

“It’s a gift. I’m not sure if the rabbit will like it.”

Eliza smiled broadly.

‘A rabbit…’

In the game, she always called others ‘bugs.’

So, I, the player, am no exception.

‘From a bug to a rabbit, is that an improvement?’

Thinking this, I looked inside the box.

Eliza explained,

“It’s chocolate. Have you heard of it?”

I’ve seen and eaten it before.

It was a 2,000 won chocolate sold at convenience stores.

But what was in front of me was different.

Black, cubic chocolate was packed in a transparent bag.

It doesn’t seem to be for sale.

Is it a leftover sample?

‘There will be a fuss if I return it.’

In this world, chocolate is considered a luxury item.

The clumsy aristocrats wouldn’t dare.

And even among chocolates, there is a huge difference in quality.

If this is the chocolate brought by the Bevel family’s Eliza, it must be of the highest quality.

‘The high-end chocolate was more expensive than a slave.’

In other words, the value of this box is greater than the labor value of Room 13.

I swallowed involuntarily.

This is not me, it’s the reaction of young Judas. Definitely.

“You can’t take my eyes off it. Looks like you liked it.”

“Ah… yes. It’s because I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

It wasn’t a lie.

I’ve never seen chocolate like this before.

“Take it with you.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll look forward to the next time.”

I didn’t respond.

I just bowed and quickly left the parlor.

***

Eliza’s mansion office.

“Miguel.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Eliza sat down at her desk and asked,

“Did you investigate?”

It meant investigating Judas’s background.

“Yes. However, he has been sold and moved around. There were places where records were not kept, so I could not accurately determine his origin.”

Miguel explained, handing over some documents.

The documents were evidence of what he had just said.

“Hmm.”

A slave who had been used and moved around many places.

It’s common.

Even marketplaces or companies that do not leave documentary records.

It’s common and obvious, but why does it feel suspicious?

An unfounded intuition gnawed at him.

“Keep investigating. Report back whenever new information comes up.”

“Understood. Oh, and here.”

Miguel handed over an envelope.

It was a gorgeous envelope, black with gold foil.

“It’s a letter from Lady Narcissa.”

Eliza, who had been smiling faintly, became expressionless as if bored.

She opened the envelope with a solemn face and read the letter.

It was about her upcoming birthday.

It stated to prepare wholeheartedly as it would be a gathering of the entire family and esteemed guests.

“How would you like to prepare for the party?”

Miguel asked cautiously.

Eliza swallowed a sigh and flicked a flame at her fingertip.

Miguel was surprised.

It was the talent of a natural-born mage, albeit as small as a lighter flame. Even among those called geniuses, how many could not achieve that even after several years of practice?

Not even 10% of those called geniuses reached that level.

Eliza casually threw the burning letter into the fireplace.

Her birthday was approaching.

About a month left.

From Judah’s perspective, there was still plenty of time, but nobles were different.

There was much to prepare early on.

Even chocolates were brought from various places for that reason.

But she wasn’t interested.

Not in her birthday. Not in the party that would be held at this mansion for her birthday celebration.

What would people do congratulating someone who wasn’t pleased with their own birth?

Those attending the party weren’t coming to genuinely congratulate her either.

It was nothing more than a place to build connections and political ties.

Who on earth was this party for?

‘What’s the big deal about reputation.’

It was annoying, but she couldn’t not do it.

Reputation and honor.

They were the most important things in the Bevel family.

‘Even seeing family is annoying.’

A grand gathering where both direct and collateral relatives gather.

Just thinking about it was irritating.

Only those who were united by enemies.

People who would surely kill her if she didn’t kill them someday.

Then a chuckle escaped her.

It was because she remembered Judah’s words.

“Wolf and Rabbit.”

It was an interesting metaphor, but not entirely accurate.

The wolf forms a pack.

In contrast, she had no pack of her own.

Nor did she have any allies worth forming a pack for.

Caught off guard by Eliza’s laughter, Miquel hesitated.

Eliza, still not looking at him, replied after a long pause, in a somewhat annoyed tone,

“Just do it roughly. Like you did last year.”

“Understood. Starting with the meat to be placed at the center of the banquet hall….”

“…Wait a moment.”

An amusing thought occurred to Eliza as if out of nowhere, interrupting Miquel.

It was a plan to both annoy the irritating Narcissa and learn more about Judas.

“Was there hunting during the candidate’s lessons?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

Hunting is one of the cultures nobles enjoy.

Escort knights serving nobles naturally must learn this subject.

“But what they learn isn’t so much hunting as it is the proper posture one should have when the master is hunting. They do learn some basic hunting, however.”

“Organize a simple hunting competition among the candidates this weekend.”

Eliza decided without consulting anyone.

She had the power to do so.

Approaching a map fixed on the wall, she pointed to a spot.

“The location is here. The Forest of the Moon Deer. Participation is optional.”

Miquel quickly noted her words.

“Regardless of the results, a modest entry fee will be paid. There will be only one winner.”

“What will be the prize?”

“Well.”

Eliza murmured, thinking of Judas who liked chocolate.

“I wonder what rabbits like.”

While she was contemplating, Miquel quickly finalized the competition’s composition.

“For now, a prize of 10,000 florins should suffice.”

Gold and silver.

“10,000 florins is an amount they couldn’t earn in a lifetime.”

“Really? Is it that much?”

Eliza smirked.

It was an amount she could spend on a single meal without a care.

Even if she prepared it and didn’t eat it, she could still spend it.

“Yes. It would be too difficult for them to manage. Or they might run away with the money.”

“That would be troublesome.”

It didn’t matter for the other candidates.

But it would be troublesome if Judas ran away.

“Forgive me for digressing, but I think 100 florins would be a reasonable amount for them.”

A typical sword costs about 50 florins.

Including other light armor, you could have a low-ranking soldier for about 100 florins.

Since private arms are only allowed during free time, 100 florins would be ideal.

“Then let’s do that. And the winner’s prey will be displayed as the main dish at my birthday party.”

“It will be a great honor for them in their lives.”

Well, we’ll see about that.

Eliza wasn’t interested in the other candidates.

She was simply curious about Judas’s reaction.

“If you’re just an ordinary slave, it would be difficult to stand out even in hunting.”

On the other hand, among the candidates, there was a nobleman who had learned hunting.

In other words, if Judas wins, he will gradually prove that he is not just an ordinary slave without even realizing it.

“Sounds interesting.”

He considered himself a rabbit, and Eliza was a wolf.

Since their natures didn’t match, they couldn’t be enemies.

At first glance, she agreed.

At least she and Judas were not enemies.

However, there was a question mark about the statement that their natures didn’t match.

He was more interested in himself than anyone he had ever encountered, so how could it be said that their natures didn’t match?

She was very much looking forward to the hunting competition.

What would Judas show this time?

She smiled faintly as she looked at the map.

***

What about chocolate?

It’s just a sweet food.

That’s what I knew about chocolate.

But what I received from Eliza was different.

It’s sweet.

But somehow it’s also bitter, a little thick, and even though there are no nuts, it has a nutty taste.

The taste was complex, creating a deep flavor.

The chocolate I knew was denied.

“These guys, get down on the ground!”

Richard shouted after getting chocolate on his lips.

Lindel and Argon.

Several others who had been displeased with me quickly lay down.

“How dare you disrespect Judas like that!”

“Sorry! Agh!”

The aftermath of the chocolate was worse than cookies.

“You deserve to die!”

After eating the chocolate one by one, they shouted with all their might.

The disturbance subsided only after Dylan stopped them.

Now, Room 13 was becoming a religion for me.

‘…Am I not the one being worshiped, but the snacks I bring?’

Anyway.

After the noisy time passed, it became night.

[Choose your reward.]

[Due to results exceeding expectations, rewards are enhanced.]

Now I confirm this.

[1. Potion of Health (2)]

[2. Unleash Magic (1)]

[3. Hunter’s Sense (Lv.1)]

“…Crazy.”

I murmured with excitement.

‘Hunter’s Sense…’

It’s a trait that can only be obtained through extremely difficult and strenuous repetitive labor.

As difficult as it is to obtain, the effect is excellent.

It’s not a chicken-like ability that overwhelms all enemies.

But it is very versatile.

‘Although it’s called Hunter’s Sense, it’s not only useful when hunting…’

[‘Hunter’s Sense (Lv.1)’ is added to your traits.]

There was no reason to hesitate.

It’s foolish to give up.

“I’ll try using this weekend.”

Free time without training should be used wisely.

“There was a Forest of the Moon Deer near here. There are mushrooms there that boost stamina, so on Saturday, I’ll gather some of those….”

The next thing needed is money.

Anyway, I have to get out of here.

Whether I’m eliminated or run away.

I don’t know what method it will be, so I have to prepare a lot.

So, I have to steadily clear a route to escape on my own.

“I should use the Information Guild.”

First, you need money to access their network.

“Besides that, no matter how much money I have, it’s okay. On Sunday, I should look for some light requests….”

He slowly fell asleep, looking forward to the weekend.