The Knight's Doubt
“Rebecca, are you okay?”
Vivian offered comforting words to Rebecca, who was in a gloomy state.
She had heard that Rupert was going all out to find the culprit who destroyed the recent artifact.
But if that culprit turned out to be someone she trusted, it would be a huge shock.
However, her comfort didn't reach her ears.
She just sat there without saying a word.
Vivian judged that they couldn't continue the tea time like this and sent Rebecca to her room.
On the way back to the room,
Her mind was on Rachel.
It was strange that she had been taken away,
but Rachel's being taken away so willingly was also strange.
She had a frightened expression or looked like she had a grievance,
but she looked like she was agreeing with something.
'Could it be that Rachel also made a contract with the Demon King army separately?'
The hero is the enemy most feared in the Demon King army.
That's why they said they would stop at nothing to interfere with the hero summoning ritual.
Just seeing them approach the successor of the Rupert family and offer a contract is enough to know, right?
The Demon King army is doing everything they can.
Perhaps Rachel also made a contract with the Demon King army without her knowing and is moving accordingly.
'Then why hide that fact?'
I'm not sure what's true.
I need to figure out what happened.
'I have to save Rachel….'
The only thought filling Rebecca was to save her and quickly execute the plan.
On the way, the knights who had taken Rachel were seen.
'I think it was Sir Jacqueline, right?'
Countess Gilbert had said that.
At first glance, he seemed like a gentle grandfather who could be anywhere.
Rebecca approached Sir Jacqueline and stopped him.
Then, Sir Jacqueline greeted her politely.
“Good day, Lady Rebecca. What is the matter?”
“Sir Jacqueline? My servant Rachel has been taken away, what is this?”
No matter how urgent, it was unreasonable to take her away without saying anything to her owner.
“As the rumor goes, the culprit who destroyed the Rupert family artifact has been suspected. So, I would like you to cooperate with the interrogation to clarify the truth.”
“Our Rachel wouldn't do that. There seems to be some misunderstanding….”
“No. I need to investigate.”
Even with Rebecca's pleading voice, Sir Jacqueline was firm.
'Should I kill him?'
His attitude of not listening to any rebuttal made her angry.
But shouldn't one listen to what a person says?
'I can't kill him right here, but maybe a curse….'
There is a curse that gradually takes away mana and kills the person.
It takes some time to die, but as a knight, her strength will gradually disappear at the moment of being struck.
With that in mind, gathering mana in her hand at that moment.
“Lady, there is some dust on your shoulder.”
Sir Jacqueline stroked her shoulder.
And his expression was visible.
His expression was certainly calm, but at the sight of his eyes, she could tell.
'Don't touch.'
An instinctive sense she couldn't understand stopped her.
'What is this?'
“Then, excuse me.”
Rebecca finally saw the departing knights and could do nothing.
Just staring blankly.
Or rather, there was definitely something she could do.
Because she had the power given by the contract with the Demon King army.
She had thought they would quietly destroy the artifacts and leave,
but her thoughts changed.
She would destroy everything that imprisoned and tormented Rachel.
'Feel the sadness I felt today too.'
She had to go and modify the contract.
Rebecca hurriedly returned to her room.
**
From the morning, she went to the archive where the artifacts were stored.
Upon arriving at the archive, the knights were seen.
They had been on duty all night since last night, so they should be tired,
but there was no sign of fatigue.
'As expected, the Gilbert Knights.'
It wasn't because they were her family's knights, but seeing the reputation and power of the Gilbert Knights, they were enough to represent the kingdom.
And she found Sir Jacqueline.
He had been responsible for the night duty here last night, so he should be here.
After exchanging morning greetings, she ordered him to bring Rachel.
Sir Jacqueline was initially surprised.
But he didn't show any meaning.
Perhaps because of the relationship level?
He believed that her actions had meaning.
And immediately carried out the order.
Including the order to bring Rachel in front of Rebecca.
Additionally, he had ordered him to check on Rebecca once.
It was to see her reaction.
“Is it that Rebecca came and asked about Rachel?”
“Yes, when I saw her in the corridor, she had a very anxious expression. She looked like she was being chased and restless.”
As expected, Rebecca was extremely cornered right now.
She herself probably thought she wouldn't be caught,
but everyone has weaknesses, and touching someone's surroundings makes them angry.
And Rachel was her love.
Her trigger button.
It wasn't a fair thing, but it couldn't be helped.
It was necessary to catch Rebecca for sure.
“And, um…. No.”
It seemed like there was more to say, but he didn't.
“I see. Thank you for your hard work.”
After expressing gratitude, she entered the room where Rachel was imprisoned.
The room where Rachel was confined was just a normal room.
After all, this whole thing was to deceive Rebecca.
There was no need to lock her in a prison-like place.
Upon entering, Rachel was as peaceful as could be.
She was happily looking at the flowers brought for her in the room.
“You're here?”
She noticed her and waved her hand in greeting.
She had worried that she might be anxious, but the effect of the Stone of Domination was indeed great.
She believed that she had been taken away today for Rebecca's sake.
Because everything she did was for Rebecca.
“Did I do well?”
Rachel looked at her with both hands clasped together as if asking for praise.
“Yes, you did very well. If this is the case, Rebecca will probably be happy.”
“Hehe”
Perhaps because her personality was originally pure and untainted?
Honestly, seeing such a bright Rachel made her conscience a little guilty.
Seeing her like this, Rebecca's heart that fell for her might be understandable.
She has the talent to make people laugh.
“Then, please stay here for a while. It seems like it will be resolved soon.”
“Okay.”
And leaving her there, she left the room.
She would meet her father right away.
Her father had to enter the palace to prepare for the summoning ritual that was coming soon.
So, it would be difficult to meet him until the ritual ended.
During that time, she would be responsible for whatever happened at home,
so there were a few things she wanted to tell him in advance and discuss.
Upon arriving at the study,
some knights were waiting for her father.
Passing the knights, she entered the study.
Knock knock—
Upon entering, her father was packing some documents.
“Good day.”
“Alvin, you're here. I was about to call you anyway.”
And he explained the ritual schedule and what she had to do.
“Before the ritual, we will proceed with transporting the artifacts.”
It's an old tradition to move the artifacts stored on the day of the summoning ritual from each family.
The head or representative takes responsibility for the artifact and transports it, walking through the capital center.
It's like a parade.
The summoning ritual itself is the most important core is summoning the hero,
but holding such a grand event and proceeding with the ritual is also to show to the people.
That's why, despite the artifact being destroyed, they couldn't change the tradition.
'Right now, the war is in full swing.'
The front lines are gradually retreating.
So, it was important to ease the people's anxious minds.
“Then, I entrust it to you.”
“Understood. And there are a few things I want to tell you.”
After finishing the explanation, her father tried to pack the rest and leave the room, but she stopped him.
“What is it?”
“It's related to the artifact of the Rupert Duchy.”
“The Rupert Duchy?”
The incident at the Rupert Duchy remains an unsolved case.
But it wouldn't be believable that I know information about it.
Normally, he might have ignored her words and left.
But fortunately, he listened to her seriously.
“It's a story about the culprit who destroyed the artifact….”
Knock knock—
While continuing the story,
a knock sound interrupted her words.
“I heard you called. Uh… Young Master?”
The door opened and Sir Jacqueline entered.
And upon seeing her, he showed a surprised expression.
“Why is the young master here?”
“What do you mean by 'you called'?”
Her father asked Sir Jacqueline.
“I heard from the young master that the headmaster called me….”
'Did I say that?'
As someone who met Rachel and immediately came here, it didn't make sense.
“But why is the young master here?”
Why am I here?