Chapter 14
The Male Lead Went Crazy for the Troublesome Villainess — Episode 14
Even so, Kael was pressing forward, believing in the hope that would bloom from despair.
And in the midst of that, Rosana had appeared.
As she spoke, Rosana was creating hope with her own hands, kindling the fire. Hadn't the training of the non-combat personnel begun with her at its center?
The knights watched their transformation and gradually regained their confidence and hope.
'Perhaps we really might succeed. It seems more people may be able to fight, Your Highness.'
'If we exclude the young children, most of them have taken up swords and bows.'
'The number of those wishing to learn the sword is steadily increasing.'
It was a change brought about in only three days. They had seen how Rosana changed Vanessa. Vanessa could now run quite well even among them and was the first to pick up a bow. They had also seen Rosana herself—a noble young lady who cast aside every empty formality and ran.
Rosana was the daughter of the ducal House Ardena, no less.
Perhaps it was only natural that more and more people were inspired by her example. Rosana was like a queen bee reigning over high society.
Without realizing it, people were starting to follow Rosana's lead. Those who had once done nothing but complain while being dragged along now got up on their own every morning to run and join training.
Did Rosana even know what she had done?
"This is...... absurd."
Kael rubbed his face once more. Rosana had called him hope. She'd said she believed in him, that hope existed because he did. He hadn't been able to say anything before that radiant smile.
But true hope was blooming at Rosana's fingertips.
Kael stared at Rosana's hair, tied up high, as it swayed.
He stared at the rough, practical clothes she wore beneath her loose shirt, and at the daggers hanging from her waist.
He saw the mercenary boots she was wearing too.
Kael blinked slowly.
It was strange.
Compared to before, her attire was plain and unremarkable. There were no jewels, no dazzling silks. And yet Rosana shone on her own.
Kael let out a hollow laugh. Following behind Rosana as if bewitched by that light, he acknowledged it.
Maybe the Rosana he had known hadn't been her true self. Maybe this was who she really was.
The veil that had covered her had been lifted.
Absurdly enough, he even found himself looking forward to what else Rosana would show him.
* * *
We secured the supplies without incident, which let us enjoy a little more peace in Willow. While the supplies were being organized, weapons also began to be distributed to the non-combat personnel.
I heard that we would be staying here for two more days to train.
But discontent sprouts everywhere.
It was late at night.
"Is everyone gathered?"
"Yes."
And whenever something like this happened, there was always a rat eavesdropping. Today, that rat was me.
What is that about? I had been out for a walk because I couldn't sleep. I pricked up my ears and hid myself.
I stole a glance at the man's face revealed by the moonlight.
Ah, that bastard?
He was the idiot who, when Seraphine had offered training earlier, had demanded a knight to protect him instead.
A total of four shadows had gathered.
"Viscount Brennan, is this really all right?"
Someone asked in a tense voice.
So that bastard was Viscount Brennan. No wonder he'd been so arrogant; he was the head of his house and had come in person. So what was he planning?
"This is no time to be debating whether it's all right or not. They're dragging us along as monster feed right now — are we supposed to just take it? Those bastards clearly intend to use us as shields. If that weren't the case, there's no way they wouldn't have given us even a single escort."
"We can't just die like this."
"So tonight is our last chance. Tomorrow we leave Willow, and soon it's Greystone. Once we arrive there, we're all dead. Do you really think this expedition will succeed?"
"Of course not."
"So we leave today."
They're running away? Well, I could understand deserting. If they were this useless, I'd rather they leave. I was trying to think that way when they opened their mouths again.
"For us to survive, we absolutely need the Saintess. Seeing how both the Order and the imperial family protect her, she must have tremendous abilities. We need the Saintess if we're going to live."
Wait a moment.
"The moment we kidnap the Saintess, we run."
"The security is tight, though."
"That's why you need to draw their attention. Can you cause a commotion?"
No, hold on just a moment.
Did they just say the Saintess?
Are they insane? They're going to kidnap that child?
I was so dumbfounded that my mouth fell open on its own. I knew about the Saintess too.
Lillia, the only Saintess in this novel.
Despite being only ten years old, she was a girl who had joined the expedition because the Order pushed her into it.
Rumors about Lillia were rampant. That she had tremendous healing power, that she could kill monsters, that Lillia would save everyone. But whatever power Lillia possessed, she was just a timid ten-year-old girl. She hadn't come on this expedition because she wanted to.
Because so many people were after Lillia, she had been kept under heavy guard near Kael throughout the expedition. That was why I hadn't even seen her face until now. She spent most of her time in the barracks, and even when she moved, knights surrounded her.
But they're going to kidnap Lillia?
"That child will protect us."
They're going to kidnap a child just to hide behind her?
The situation was so outrageous I could hardly breathe. I swallowed a hollow laugh as the bastards began to creep away.
Could I turn a blind eye to this? Absolutely not. This involved a ten-year-old child, of all things.
The problem was that I seemed to be the only one who had heard their conversation. If I rushed out right now and confronted them, they would just deny it. If I wasn't careful, I might even end up taking the blame myself.
I needed solid proof.
Keeping my distance from them, I carefully tailed them. The time to move was the moment they brought Lillia out. At that point, no one would be able to make excuses.
Better to catch them in the act so they couldn't deny it. I would make them spill everything with their own mouths.
I gritted my teeth and slipped into the darkness without a sound.
You're all done for.
* * *
Lillia wiped her tears while holding her breath.
The small body curled up on the bed inside the barracks trembled faintly.
"I'm scared....... Mom, I'm so scared."
This wasn't a path she had chosen. She was a child frightened even by wolves howling in the forest.
If it hadn't been for the adults forcing her forward, Lillia would never have joined the Order, nor would the Order have forced her onto this expedition.
She had stopped waiting for, resenting, and despairing over the parents who, driven by poverty, had sold their young daughter with a special ability to the Order.
"But I still hate it here. I want to go back. I'm so scared."
At the Order, at least she'd had arms to seek comfort in.
The older girls there had always been willing to open their arms to Lillia. Nestled against them with her eyes squeezed shut, she could at least fall asleep. But since joining the expedition, all Lillia had done was cry until her eyes were swollen.