The Resurrected Immortal — Chapter 32: Rescue Request (3)
As soon as they finished talking and were about to leave the library, it happened.
While walking down the corridor, a girl who had come to the library spotted Eunhyeon, Elenoa, and Helena's entourage. Her eyes widened in bewilderment.
"…Huh?"
"Erin? What brings you to the library?"
"I-I just came right after class ended…."
For Erin, Aiter Royal School was an extremely uncomfortable place.
The constant harassment from noble children—taunts and mockery laced with overstepping cruelty—were gradually wearing down her spirit. And right now, the only person she could rely on was Eunhyeon. Unconsciously, she had sought him out.
"That girl…."
Elenoa immediately recognized the girl in the student uniform, her youthful namseong blue hair not yet shed of its childish tint.
Under the gaze of Elenoa and Helena, Erin stood there blankly, unsure why they were staring at her.
Soon, Elenoa gave a slight bow to Helena by way of apology and walked toward Erin.
As Elenoa drew closer, Erin's shoulders hunched even more in confusion.
"This must be the first time you're seeing me like this."
"Uh…. Do you know me?"
"It might be your first time seeing me like this, but I've seen you once before."
Elenoa, who had glimpsed the girl slumbering by the Wish Tree, took a small, tense breath.
Meeting Erin's bewildered eyes, she spoke.
"I'm Elenoa Armitas, daughter of the Armitas Ducal House."
"Ah…."
The moment she heard "Armitas Duke," Erin's eyes flew wide open.
Unsure what to say, she just gaped at Elenoa in silence. Then Elenoa continued.
"Erin, I'd like to talk with you."
Erin could only stare blankly at the woman who had suddenly introduced herself and requested a conversation in the middle of the corridor.
The name Armitas had blanked her mind; she couldn't even think to respond.
After a brief daze, Erin snapped out of it and plunged into worry.
What should I say? Want to talk? About what? Now? Why? And who's that lady watching from behind?
Noticing Erin's confused expression amid her whirlwind of thoughts, Elenoa realized the girl wasn't thinking straight from the shock of her introduction.
Just as she was about to speak again—
"A moment, milady."
Eunhyeon intervened, seeing no other choice.
"She's a bit flustered right now, and you're busy preparing for that matter. Why not arrange a proper meeting later?"
"Well…. Sigh, you're right. I was too abrupt. I spotted her out of nowhere and spoke without thinking."
"Ah…. Y-yes…."
Erin still couldn't hide her bewilderment.
The daughter of the Armitas Ducal House was far more polite and refined than Erin had imagined.
Knowing the full story, Erin understood that the assassination attempt on her had been Ashton, the ducal heir's, solo act—not the house's doing.
Even knowing this woman was uninvolved, some inexplicable resentment lingered in her heart.
Encountering a ducal member so unexpectedly left unprepared Erin unable to cope properly.
Eunhyeon's mediation felt like salvation.
"That said, since we have this chance…. There's something I really want to say. As a daughter of the Armitas House, I'm truly sorry for the grave harm our family's issues caused you."
"Ah, um, that's…."
Elenoa clasped her hands demurely, bowed deeply with genuine sincerity, and apologized. Erin grew even more flustered.
Am I supposed to forgive her? But why? It wasn't her fault—it was someone else. Why should she apologize? This…. No.
Erin's sense of injustice flared; Elenoa's apology felt profoundly unreasonable, stirring an inexplicable anger.
"Why… why are you, milady, the one apologizing…?"
Elenoa lifted her bowed head, her expression bitter as she cast her eyes downward.
She understood the meaning behind Erin's words.
She hated this situation where an uninvolved Elenoa had to apologize for someone else's wrong.
"It was someone from the ducal house, sure…. But it wasn't you, milady! Why should you…! Urgh!"
As suppressed emotions and tears welled up, Erin felt hands on her shoulders. Glancing back in surprise, she saw Eunhyeon shaking his head and let out a small groan, unable to continue.
Even without his gesture, Erin realized it herself.
Elenoa was apologizing as an individual and as a daughter of the ducal house.
The man who should bear and represent the house's apology was someone else.
Erin doubted he'd ever appear before her to apologize in her lifetime.
"S-sorry…. I didn't mean to snap at you, milady…."
Watching Erin wipe her tears with her sleeve, Elenoa gave a wry smile.
"No. It's fine. I'm grateful, actually."
Elenoa felt considerable relief that Erin had pointed out it wasn't her fault, but her half-brother's doing—why should she apologize?
The guilt weighing on her heart lightened a bit.
"Someday…. If we get the chance, I'd love to talk properly."
"Y-yes…."
Erin nodded weakly, accepting the vague invitation.
"Thank you."
Elenoa bowed to Erin and returned to Helena's side.
"That's the girl, then."
"Yes."
"Poor thing."
When Elenoa and the ducal house learned the full story of the Hersha baronet incident, they'd pitied Erin as the sole survivor.
Despite Eunhyeon's behind-the-scenes work securing ducal support—which she refused—they'd been surprised, hoping she'd grow resilient and admirable.
Helena was also curious about Eunhyeon's intentions toward this Erin, whom he was quietly watching over.
For better or worse, Erin Hersha had lodged in Helena's mind as someone warranting close observation.
"No idea how long it'll take."
"Yeah, figures."
"Dinner's prepped roughly. Make sure Erin eats it all."
"Got it."
"For training, handle it if you can. No need to direct—just watch if she finishes the set amount."
"I said I got it."
"Stretch before and after, loosen up properly…."
"Argh! I know!"
Illyana yelled, her face screaming she couldn't take more nagging.
"Like sending off your kid on a trip? I'll handle it—just go already!"
She's nagging till I leave. For real, Eunhyeon thought with a wry smile as Illyana clicked her tongue. He nodded.
"Go careful. Don't get hurt."
"You're like a mom seeing her son off."
"Joking? Mom? As if—at least the kid's…. Shut up with the nonsense and get back quick!"
Blushing furiously, Illyana shouted as Eunhyeon left amid her send-off.
Waiting quietly near the ducal mansion, he saw Elenoa emerge, geared up and ready. He eyed her closely.
"Hmm…."
"What?"
"Better equipped than I thought."
Indeed, Elenoa's silver-gleaming greaves had an elegant design, and the high-quality wooden staff in her hands brimmed with holy power.
Eunhyeon could see the basis for her confidence in tagging along.
Didn't make her any less cumbersome, though.
As Elenoa fidgeted under his silent scrutiny, his follow-up soured her mood; she scowled.
"Don't underestimate me. I've been on expeditions as a priestess."
"I know. 'Fernin's Flower' is pretty famous among adventurers."
"D-don't call me that!"
Elenoa clearly disliked her adventurer guild nickname.
Priestesses—vital for party sustain as rear-line healers—were rare.
Usually, aid came via requests to the Vesta Temple in allied Bestia Holy Kingdom, so a priestess joining the guild personally was exceptional.
Especially a young, beautiful ducal daughter—it had spread like wildfire in guild circles.
"The duke sure raised his daughter tough. Sons, maybe, but sending a girl on expeditions to see the world? Very ducal."
Fitting for the head of military affairs, emphasizing martial prowess.
"You know my father well?"
"Nah, not really. Third time seeing him yesterday."
"How'd you figure it out, then?"
"Your questions feel kinda interrogative."
"How'd you know about our house's secret heirloom, the Holy Sword?"
"Interrogation now?"
As they walked toward the city gates, Eunhyeon eyed the prying Elenoa with annoyance.
Alone now, she unleashed all her pent-up questions.
"At least tell me this. No, you have to. It can't leak. How do you know our house's affairs?"
"Just a guess."
"A guess?"
"The hot topic among Pernias nobles is the contest between royalists and nobles over crowning the first or second prince as crown prince. What gives Duke Armitas's backed second prince an edge? I speculated."
"…."
"If the second prince wields the holy sword, he gains fame, honor, and force—securing legitimacy. But crucially, that sword's been broken since the Arkena Great War twenty years ago. In funneling funds from various sources to restore it, using Baron Hersha to embezzle gold… that's my take."
Eunhyeon continued, eyeing Elenoa's stiffened expression—like he'd hit the mark.
"Too far-fetched?"
"You never thought your brother Ashton might've done it for personal greed?"
"Ducals have plenty of money. And I know Ashton wasn't padding his pockets. He's the epitome of a noble—driven by honor, pride, inferiority. Hilarious he'd risk it all for a pat from his father, the current head."
Classic affection-starved issue.
Pathetic how one man's whim tangled everything, harming many.
Elenoa eyed Eunhyeon tensely—he knew her house's finances and even personalities.
"Where'd you get that intel?"
"Well…."
Eunhyeon pondered briefly, then resolved to speak.
Elenoa swallowed nervously, awaiting his answer.
"Trade secret."