But I gasped at the sight of the back that soon appeared.
The red-haired man standing in front of him did not look back.
Nevertheless, the knight approached behind him, bowed his waist, put one knee to the ground, and lowered his posture.
“The movement at the border is unusual.”
“Of all times, it happens when a knight from this side has deserted.”
At the word ‘border,’ my shoulders jolted.
This was definitely different from the contents of the novel.
But it was certain that something was beginning.
Hearing that report, Count Valuncio’s voice sank deep, but there was no trembling.
To him, who had already roamed violent battlefields in his youth, it didn’t seem like something to fear.
He was merely concerned.
“It seems there is a possibility that they will ask us for help.”
“Hmm.”
Since Klen and I had recklessly broken the ritual, the teleportation plan seemed to have completely vanished like bubbles.
But was there a backup plan in case that operation failed?
Crossing the border directly wouldn’t be much different from what they did a few years ago.
The security of this place, which had already been invaded once, had become solid in the meantime.
The two heroes were still alive and well, and their children were not weak.
Breaking through would be more difficult than before.
‘Will they try to do something from the inside after all?’
The important thing depended on the whereabouts of the escaped Rodney and their future schemes.
No matter how solid a castle wall is, it cannot hold out if the inside collapses.
“…….”
“…….”
Count Valuncio suddenly fell silent.
This place, where not a single word was exchanged, was filled with a chilly energy as if frost had settled.
“Good work. Inform me immediately if the situation changes.”
“Yes!”
The knight disappeared with quiet steps, just as he had come.
Even though only Count Valuncio remained, the tension that felt like it would freeze my fingertips lingered in this place.
I carefully took a step back.
I had already heard useful information.
It seemed I should withdraw from here for now.
And just as I tried to move my other foot back—
“Ugh!”
Swish!
I immediately twisted my body to the side and ducked as a sword blade passed quickly over my shoulder.
It was a hair’s breadth away; if it had been just a little lower, it would have pierced me instantly. In an instant, cold sweat trickled down my spine.
“What kind of rat…….”
A blade containing clear killing intent. In the eyes looking down at me, there was a coldness that seemed to freeze me to the bone.
I had wondered who Klen took after, and now I realized it clearly.
Count Valuncio holding a sword was colder than when Klen exuded a chill, and as sharp as a well-honed blade.
He truly lived up to being the man who shared the title of the kingdom’s best with my father.
And clearly, the chill wasn’t the only thing Klen inherited from him.
The acting skills were the same.
The appearance of the Count, who hadn’t shown much dignity until now, had vanished without a trace, and only a hero pressing me down with a heavy energy remained.
“…….”
“…….”
“……Is your body alright?”
“Pardon?”
But soon that energy melted away, and the sharp blade returned to its sheath.
His aura was now gentle.
That look of disapproval he had shown me had vanished completely.
And as I slowly chewed over his words,
“……Pardon?!”
I couldn’t help but repeat the same question.
My face was probably burning redder than ever.
The Count had become much softer ever since he realized I wasn’t as weak as he thought.
However, he had never shown such deep concern while looking awkward at the same time.
Furthermore, there was even a sense of pride.
There was only one reason he would show such a strange emotion.
Since the ‘vow’ had been fulfilled, the threat that human power could do nothing about had disappeared.
‘But that story has already spread everywhere?’
The problem was just that the fact that the news had already reached the Count’s ears sparked my sense of shame.
He took my hand and helped me up.
“Indeed, even if one is called fragile, the blood of Caldrich doesn’t go anywhere. To think I only realized late that you were hiding.”
Unlike his murderous momentum from a moment ago, he smiled as if he quite liked my infiltration skills.
My gesture of trying to stagger as if I were exhausted stopped immediately.
When the family name is mentioned, it’s hard to show a weak side, isn’t it?
Especially if that, too, is acting.
In the end, I straightened my waist, which had been awkwardly bent.
Whether it was how it looked to him or not, satisfaction spread in the Count’s eyes.
But why was he here?
Wasn’t he in the middle of a meeting right now?
“Why did you come to a place like this?”
The question that was about to come out of my mouth came from the other side.
Perhaps, more than him not attending the meeting, my being in this spot was the more unnatural thing.
My lips, which were about to toss a question, froze, and now I scrambled for an excuse.
Wouldn’t it be better to just act a little and gloss over it?
Since the fact that I am a fragile person who collapses easily remains unchanged regardless of the situation, I could say I found this spot while looking for a place to rest.
“…….”
“…….”
But when my eyes met his, my slightly parted mouth clamped shut again.
What kind of person was my father?
He hated glossing things over.
Surely this man was the same. Judging by his personality, it might be better to confess honestly.
I straightened the line from my shoulders to my waist and legs and put strength into them.
With the mindset that it wouldn’t matter if all the acting I had done until now turned into bubbles, I looked him straight in the eye.
Then, I slowly opened my mouth.
“Currently, along with the desertion of a knight, haven’t several problems arisen? Since no one gives me any information, I am looking into it myself.”
That was the truth, without a single lie.
It was the same when Klen was dragged to that forest.
I was here, but it was as if I were invisible; no one handed me information first.
Of course, this time I have Klen, so it wouldn’t be to that extent.
But more information is always better.
The Count stared quietly into my eyes.
Even though he had a soft light, there was a weight that made my palms sweat.
‘Father.’
The thought of my father back home suddenly crossed my mind, and his image wavered faintly.
“That is likely because your body is weak. Everyone is trying to be considerate of you, so do not feel hurt.”
“But…….”
“Then again, I suppose no one knew you would jump into the forest alone for Klen’s sake.”
“?!”
