Ch#243
As I listened to their conversation while held in Knight Aires' arms, I began to get a sense of how the situation had unfolded.
The Grand Duke had pretended to attack the Eriñus during the final battle while actually drawing them into his own camp and successfully bringing them inside the Border Count's Castle.
Since the plan to assassinate the Crown Prince on the battlefield had failed, he had resolved to strike him at the banquet instead. Thus, the Grand Duke waited for the moment when everyone would be fast asleep. Exactly as Lady Roshan had predicted.
However, there was one thing she failed to pinpoint: the Grand Duke had set up ambushes on every single path leading to the Border Count's Castle.
Who could have guessed? Even though they had taken different routes in anticipation of an attack, even those paths were within the Grand Duke's expected range. This plan was possible because he had mixed in the remnants of the Eriñus.
In this way, the Grand Duke brilliantly filled the gap in manpower lost to the ambush units with the barbarians. As a result, he was able to confront the Crown Prince in a state where their forces were evenly matched.
I bit my lip hard, thinking of the wind I had felt at the fork in the road. It was truly a relief that I had acted on Wagus's advice to go the opposite way if I felt something strange.
Had we taken the intended path, we wouldn't have reached our destination safely. Perhaps I would have been the first to be injured.
Among the units that had departed first, some were still held back by the barbarians and had not yet arrived. Even those who did make it to the Border Count's Castle were mostly injured, making them of little help in the current situation. For the Crown Prince, who was facing off against the Grand Duke, this was a most lamentable turn of events.
"Where is His Highness?"
At the Shadow's question, Knight Aires answered in a low voice.
"He is facing off in the hall. However, Sir, it's a miracle you weren't ambushed."
"It's because we took a detour."
"So that's why you arrived a bit late. That is fortunate, at least. Since you have come, Sir, you will be of great help to His Highness."
"Yes, I certainly hope so. I shall head to His Highness now."
The sound of footsteps began to echo loudly. Simultaneously, the screams nearby grew louder. I instinctively tried to turn my head, but Knight Aires still wouldn't let me out of his arms. Instead, he swept me up and began to run somewhere.
Because of this, my body swung violently back and forth as if I might fall, so I had no choice but to wrap my arms around his neck and cling to him frantically.
I could smell his scent at the tip of my nose. The mixture of sweat and blood was very unfamiliar and terrifying. Knight Aires didn't want to show me the surrounding sights anymore, but the air itself already carried the scent of death. It was a relief that the Reaper's scythe wasn't already at our throats.
Only after reaching a certain room did Knight Aires set me down. Without a word, he felt a part of the wall and opened a secret passage. Only then did I realize the reason Knight Aires had entered this room.
"Are you alright?"
His voice was very rough, as if he had lost his composure. The 'alright' he spoke of surely didn't just mean physical health. My face, looking as if I had lost my soul and was only gasping for breath, was reflected in his trembling eyes.
I could only nod weakly with great effort. Then, Knight Aires' hand moved up to my cheek. His touch, shaking as if convulsing, seemed to resemble a sob.
I quietly felt his hand. My eyes grew hot and a sudden impulse to cling to him like a child arose. At the same time, I wanted to ask the man if he was okay. But strangely, my lips wouldn't move. I could only think of the scene where he had saved me.
The situation where he had held me in his arms, breathing heavily. He seemed to cut down enemies without hesitation, yet the hand that touched me had been cold as ice from tension. The broad embrace he had offered silently, as if telling me to breathe. And that scent of blood. All of it was intensely wrapped around my mind.
As we gazed at each other like that, Knight Aires, with a stiff expression, guided me into the secret passage. After lighting a torch hanging on the wall, he handed me a flint. Beyond the flickering light, his shadow cast a long silhouette.
"Please wait here for a moment. It won't take long."
My mouth went dry at his solemn tone. Originally, he should have been by the Crown Prince's side, keeping the Grand Duke in check. But now, he had not only come out here alone but had even saved my life from the enemy.
What this meant was obvious. It was because of me. He had been monitoring the corridors, cutting down enemies, waiting to see if and when I would arrive.
Ah, yes. Though his timing was always late, in the end, the one who always saved me was Knight Aires. It was the same with the previous carriage incident and the event just moments ago.
Furthermore, this was inside the Border Count's Castle, not House Aires. Yet he had found a secret passage and was using it for me—despite the fact that he could be cornered and subjected to gossip. Even forgetting that the Crown Prince intended to keep me by his side because of a prophecy.
"I will return shortly."
He forced a gentle smile as if to reassure me. Even though he had just said with his own mouth that the battle was fifty-fifty, the man was acting as if they had already won. It wasn't bravado or arrogance; it was because he feared I might be anxious.
I moved my trembling lips and asked Knight Aires. While desperately hoping my trembling lips would form a peaceful smile, I was relieved that my voice sounded no different than usual.
"...With news of victory?"
"Yes. However, Lady—I say this just in case. I told you before, didn't I? That if something happens, someone will find you and say 'Blanche.' But the location has changed, making that difficult. Therefore, even if morning breaks, if I do not appear, walk straight through the passage and exit outside. I have prepared money, simple jewelry, clothes and a cloak for disguise, and food by the door. So, escape somehow and find Asren of Delta and say 'Blanche.' Then they will help you."
At his words that he had even prepared an escape plan for me at the end of the secret passage, I could no longer bear it and reached out to push his body lightly.
Suppressing a growl between my teeth, I struggled to swallow the sorrow and anger rising from deep within my heart.
To assume defeat after coming all this way? We couldn't do that. It was only right to harbor the hope that the Crown Prince would somehow suppress the rebellion and ascend to the Emperor's throne. Only then could everyone live. If destiny turned correctly, that was the only possible outcome.
"No. Knight Aires, you will surely come to get me. I believe that. So don't say such things. We will be victorious."
"No, Lady. I say this just in case. There are no other events where so many variables pop up as when suppressing an internal enemy. I truly wish for you to be safe. So much so that I cannot bear the fact that you are even here."
"I feel the same. I wish for you to be safe, Sir. So desperately that I can hardly believe it myself. So please, do not throw me into despair. Give me faith."
If it went according to what was said in my dreams, it was certain that the Crown Prince would eventually be the victor, but there was no mention of whether the people around him were okay. My memory was the same. That was why this parting was so terrifying and scary.
"Faith?"
"Yes."
"You mean the certainty that we will win?"
"Is there any reason you wouldn't win when you are with our army, Sir?"
Knight Aires let out a short gasp and suddenly rushed toward me in a single stride. Then he kissed me. It was a very plain contact of skin against skin, but it was more sorrowful and tragic than anything else in the world. We held onto each other desperately, like people facing the end.
A moment later, he pressed his forehead against mine and spoke in a whisper.
"Brave and kind lady. You always overlook my rudeness with such generosity. You are far too merciful, Lady. That is why you always make me act like a shameless child. You make me want to beg for your affection."
Before I knew it, the man's voice had become much lighter. Perhaps that was why I, too, smiled slightly and teased him.
"Oh dear, shifting the responsibility to me is a cowardly act. So please, act like a man."
"You are right. But I don't want to. Only then will you feel more pity for me and hold onto me, won't you? So I shall act like a child once more."
"Sir?"
"You told me to give you faith, right? Yes, I must. I'm to become Mel Bischwaltz; I can't afford to fall here, can I?"
"Knight Aires?"
"When I return safely, please call me 'Mel'."
Surprised by the name Mel Bischwaltz, I couldn't answer immediately. Suddenly, he pulled a small knife from his coat. With an unhesitating hand, he cut his long hair close to the nape of his neck. It created the illusion that he was cutting his own throat.
"My life is here. Right in your hands. Thus, even the Reaper will not dare lay a hand on me. Because even my soul has been stolen by you, my lady."
The Knight of Ice had never once cut his hair. Thus, his long hair that hung elegantly to his waist had become his symbol. Yet he had handed it to me. Calling it his life, just like that.
Entranced by his action as he reached out urgently, I took the hair. I felt dazed, unable to believe the smooth texture wrapping around my palm.
But what entered my sight was his messily cut hair. It was Knight Aires himself. In other words, it was reality.
"I'm going now."
He was no longer telling me to wait. Because he was certain he would return. I shook my body lightly once, as if waking from a spell, then grabbed his hand that held the sword.
Unlike the Knight of Ice, I had nothing else to give. This was the only thing I could do. So, I quickly kissed the back of his hand.
"It's a blessing."
I said, as if making an excuse.
Knight Aires smiled brightly at my words and muttered, "I feel invincible." Then, as if he could delay no longer, he immediately felt a part of the wall. Soon, the door began to close slowly, and his figure began to fade away.
I stood dazed, watching the man who gently brought the back of his hand—where my lips had touched—to his own lips. Until the sight was filled by the massive stone wall.
*Thump.*
Soon, a faint darkness settled into the surroundings.
***
Every noble has at least one secret passage in their mansion. The purpose varies depending on where the path leads, but most were used for secret trysts or to save one's life by fleeing from enemies.
This was no exception even for the Border Count's Castle, and perhaps because it was in the Border Region, it looked deeper and sturdier than the secret passages of House Bischwaldz. Even the closed door was a thick stone wall.
It was so large that the fact it moved by a mechanical device was a wonder in itself. It felt as if I were disconnected from the world. Even the sound of Knight Aires' footsteps could not be heard.
I stared at the wall for a moment, then, as if coming to my senses, I looked down at the hair in my hand. I untied the ribbon holding my own hair and used it to tie the ends of Knight Aires' hair firmly.
Since I couldn't just hold it in my hand, I planned to braid it tightly and wrap it around my waist like a belt. Before long, the hair was braided into a dense cord and wrapped around my waist. Doing so brought a surprising sense of stability. It felt as if I were with him.
Having settled one task, I reached out and grabbed the torch. Then I began to examine the surroundings. The passage was deep and narrow. Its dark mouth gaping long gave me an eerie feeling.
The fact that I could hear no sound other than my own breathing added to it. However, this also meant that I was the only one here, which was actually reassuring. Thus, I only needed to wait quietly for Knight Aires.
How much time had passed? Suddenly, the door of the secret passage rattled violently, followed by a loud banging sound. It was a door that usually muffled outside noises, so if it was shaking this hard, it meant someone was striking it with extreme force.
Who is it?
If it were Knight Aires or someone he had informed, they would have opened the passage without difficulty. They wouldn't be trying to break it down by force. Thus, there was only one possibility. The enemy.
Terrified, I instinctively took a step back. The door, which I had thought was an impregnable fortress, was beginning to warp, shedding dust. At this rate, it would be broken before long.
I turned my head and looked at the path shrouded in deep darkness. Knight Aires told me to run to the end if anything happened.
Did they fail to suppress the rebellion? No, that can't be. If so, that would be a deception.
I bit my lip hard, then turned and bolted toward the end of the path. The banging sounds behind me echoed loudly. I felt a fear that someone might rush in and grab me by the scruff of my neck at any moment. So, I ran like mad, putting all my strength into my feet. Toward the end of the path Knight Aires had mentioned. Toward the door to escape.
*Crash.*
From afar, I heard the faint sound of the door collapsing. Then came the sound of noisy footsteps. It wasn't just one or two people.
"Get in quickly. We have to attack from the rear. Move fast. We wasted too much time finding the secret passage! You vermin. What are you doing?!"
A slurred voice echoed. It was the language of the Empire, but it wasn't fluent. It was indeed the enemy.
I extinguished the torch and tried my best to muffle my footsteps. Because I had run so fast, it hurt below my ribs. I was gasping like a dog, my breath reaching the back of my throat.
What was most despairing was that although I had reached the end of the path, because I had extinguished the light, the surroundings were so dark that I couldn't find the wall that looked like a door.
What do I do? Am I going to be caught like this?
No matter how frantically I pressed the surroundings and tapped lightly to avoid making sound, nothing opened. Fortune and destiny were thoroughly ignoring me. The footsteps were getting closer and closer.
I stood leaning against the end of the wall like a cornered rat. And I gripped the extinguished torch tightly like a weapon. Regardless, I intended to at least put up a fight. I didn't know how effective it would be.
Soon, their lights began to illuminate the surroundings, shining a bit more clearly. The noisy footsteps pouring in showed no hesitation, as if they were moving rapidly.
I swallowed hard and muttered like a spell to my heart, which was beating like crazy.
*I won't die. I didn't return for this. I didn't come here to be miserably victimized like this!*
Yes, unless the Goddess of Destiny, the devil who sent me back, was insane, there was no way they would play such a prank. Unless it was a cruel mockery to make me taste death again, I couldn't be cornered like this.
Why did I come all the way here? What did I endure for?
I ground my teeth and gripped my hands tight. I will survive somehow. No matter what I have to do.
But suddenly, the wall that had been supporting my back moved smoothly, and someone caught my waist as I tilted backward. Then, showing their face to me as I was unable to even scream from shock, they let out an exclamation.
"Ah, I finally found you!"
Jack, Bird, Rat, and someone who seemed to be their companion were standing there. For a moment, a bell seemed to ring in my head.
"Lady, we've come to get you."
A miracle had occurred.
