Chapter 28
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Ambush (3)
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◆
“⋯⋯.”
“⋯⋯.”
Felix and Gray blinked in unison.
Carlyle had burst in so abruptly that neither knew how to react.
“Whoa, sorry I’m late! My night vision’s terrible, so I wandered around for ages.”
He spoke shamelessly, but his eyes caught on Gray’s fingertips.
⋯⋯A faint tremor lingered.
[Just as expected.]
‘⋯⋯What happened here?’
[Just as you have things you don’t want to tell others, I have a few myself.]
‘⋯⋯.’
Carlyle nodded quietly.
‘Understood.’
[⋯⋯Hm?]
‘I won’t pry. But if you can, please tell me later.’
[You say you won’t pry, but what’s that?]
‘If it’s something tough, I need to help. That’s my job.’
Supporting the Hero in every way possible.
That was his duty, bound to him.
If this person was facing hardship, he intended to resolve it fully—just as always.
[⋯⋯.]
A deep sigh rose from within the Holy Sword.
It carried a heavy note of resignation, like *this guy’s at it again*.
[⋯⋯Your lack of self-awareness is always chilling.]
‘Pardon?’
[Nothing. Anyway, better do what we talked about quickly.]
At the Holy Sword’s words, which seemed to hastily change the subject, Carlyle tilted his head but drew the spear before his eyes.
Let’s see.
What he could do here.
-System Message
▶ Using ‘Word of Command’ on target ‘Gray’!
▶ ‘Negative Emotions’ are erased from the target.
▶ The target is strongly influenced by your words.
⋯⋯This should do it.
“Lady.”
As he spoke and activated the Word of Command, the tremor in Gray’s hand vanished in an instant.
“⋯⋯.”
Gray’s eyes widened too.
The sudden experience of all the ‘bad things’ dwelling in her body vanishing at once was surely a first for her.
“Forgive me. Looks like another failure this time.”
“⋯⋯.”
Gray just blinked at his following words, unsure what he meant.
“You were a bit slower than usual. I forgot you always leave one for last during our combat training, like you do.”
⋯⋯That never happened.
They’d never even trained together.
He was spouting complete nonsense.
“...”
But Gray snapped to attention, realizing Cardinal Felix was quietly observing her from behind.
She’d finally pieced together why Carlyle was saying this.
“..You’re late. Still way too slow.”
Those words escaped her.
As if this was their routine—she always left one ghoul for last on purpose, to ‘test’ him.
She improvised an excuse on the spot, claiming she hadn’t finished the ghoul for some reason other than freezing up.
⋯⋯At least on the surface, leaving no room for the Gray Cardinal to probe.
A smile spread across Carlyle’s face.
Soon, a cheerful voice emerged from his lips again.
“Seems like there’s more, Lady. Lead the way!”
“⋯⋯.”
“Lady?”
“-Shut up.”
Ah, she’s back.
His face brightened with a smile at her usual gruff tone.
“Don’t tell me what to do. It’s nothing.”
“⋯⋯.”
Right.
Yes, that was Gray.
The sentence dripped with her familiar air of insolence⋯⋯
But.
“Follow me. I’ll clear the path.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
As she dashed forward with those words, her figure exuded pure reliability.
◆
Gray sliced through the ghouls surging before her, glancing back at Carlyle trailing close behind.
Now fully composed, ghouls posed no threat to her.
Even a horde that would make seasoned knights scream was mere light work as she slowly reflected on what had just happened.
“If Your Highness feels unwell, there’s a good breathing technique. Inhale for three seconds first—”
He’d taken the princess from the cardinal’s care and was coaxing her gently, ensuring she stayed calm amid the frantic battle.
“⋯⋯.”
What to say.
Normally, seeing him fuss over anyone but her would sour her mood instantly.
But not now.
This was an exception.
‘⋯⋯Again.’
She’d received his help once more.
She’d nearly exposed a weakness before the Gray Cardinal.
Was it nearly? No—in truth, she’d been in real danger moments ago.
The Hero wielding the Holy Sword, almost struck by a mere ghoul.
Considering the weight of the ‘Hero’ title she bore, that could’ve been a massive scandal.
She sneered inwardly.
‘⋯⋯Pathetic.’
Having grasped the Holy Sword meant she should sever anything hindering her in battle.
She was humanity’s guardian. She must always make the right choices.
Feelings and thoughts only made one weak.
She needed to decide. Only that.
In that regard, she’d been utterly un-Hero-like just now.
Unable to raise her sword, crushed by mere past memories.
“⋯⋯.”
As those thoughts surfaced, her gaze flicked to Carlyle again.
But separately from that.
-Lady.
The moment she’d faltered, he’d rushed in and said that.
In an instant.
She’d been fine.
As if she’d grown somewhat mentally dependent on him—
‘⋯⋯Ridiculous.’
She kicked the hypothesis from her mind, shoving it down.
Irritation flared.
Dependent?
Her, on this guy?
The Hero must watch over and cherish all. Always reigning from above.
Even if he’d helped her often, feeling that toward some unremarkable guy? Absurd.
“⋯⋯.”
For the third time.
Gray glanced at Carlyle.
He was still glued to the princess, trying to distract her.
Leaving her to handle the gruesome ghoul-slaying alone.
The irritation from before surged even stronger—
“-Lady?”
Carlyle suddenly looked up, meeting her eyes.
“⋯⋯.”
Hm.
Stared too obviously.
As she awkwardly held his gaze.
“Something wrong?”
He approached with that usual friendly smile.
“Need any help?”
“⋯⋯Do I look like I need help?”
She snapped curtly, feeling oddly embarrassed. Anyone else would flounder here.
But Carlyle replied calmly, expression unchanged.
“Yes, I know. But if you ever need it, I’ll help anytime.”
“⋯⋯.”
“If it bothers you, just say so. I believe you can handle anything, but I exist to support you.”
“⋯⋯.”
⋯⋯This guy, really.
What was it.
Whenever she felt the slightest dissatisfaction, he’d show up and melt it away like this.
As if carrying a strategy guide to forcibly make her comfortable.
“⋯⋯Not bothered.”
She turned her head after the gruff reply.
The irritation from before had vanished at some point. Perfect calm returned.
“⋯⋯.”
No.
Not perfect calm.
Her heartbeat had quickened slightly.
After facing Carlyle’s smile just now.
‘Hmph.’
She snorted, brushing back her hair.
‘⋯⋯Don’t make me laugh.’
Just lingering excitement from the ongoing battle.
She wasn’t someone to be swayed by him.
Thus, Gray tried hard to push Carlyle from her mind.
“⋯⋯.”
But.
Someone else at the scene harbored entirely different thoughts.
Felix’s gaze was fixed on Carlyle.
Continuously.
Even after clearing all the ghouls, until they exited the cave.
Still.
“Hmm—”
Probably.
“Greed’s stirring. Getting hard to hold back.”
No one heard that mutter.
◆
-System Message
▶ ‘Main Event: Ambush’ completed!
▶ Event with ‘Gray Cardinal’ generated.
-System Message
▶ Trait ‘Hero’s Companion’ activated.
▶ Portion of ‘Reformation List’ updated!
[ ★ Trust 100% ]
▶ Target ‘Gray’s’ ‘Trust’ reaches 100%.
▶ Target now treats you a bit more specially!
▶ ‘Trust’ changes to something else!
[ ★ Interest 0% ]
▶ Reward granted!
-System Message
▶ ‘Holy Sword’s’ ‘Form Change’ now possible.
▶ Event with Dean ‘Shea Whiteburn’ added!
◆