Chapter 78: The Midnight Intruder
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 78: The Midnight Intruder
Who could it be at this hour?
I furrowed my brows and held my breath. Nathaniel was glaring toward the window.
Although this room was located within the Empress’s Palace, it was far from the central area where Veronica’s and my rooms were located.
Because of that, it was a convenient place to meet at night since it was out of sight of the servants and the guards, but honestly, the security wasn't great.
It was hard to believe that anyone coming to such a remote place on purpose had pure intentions. I swallowed hard.
Crash!
“Ugh!”
The window shattered the moment the thought crossed my mind. Several figures dressed entirely in black leaped inside.
[How dare these bastards!]
Furious, Desmond let out a growl and lunged at the intruders.
They seemed well-trained; even though they couldn't have known a Direwolf would be in Nathaniel’s room, they didn't show a hint of surprise.
“Dia, run! Quickly!”
“But…”
“I’ll be fine.”
Nathaniel, holding his sword, spoke with a grave expression. For a moment, his young self looked more reliable than any adult—even though that shouldn't have been possible.
‘Save… me, please…’
It was only a dream I’d had, but I still couldn't forget the sight of him crying and begging for his life in the ruins of the North.
The tear-stained face from back then and the Nathaniel now were the same person, yet the feeling they gave off was entirely different.
Clang!
“Dia, go!”
“A-Ah, okay.”
One of the intruders began fighting Desmond, while another engaged Nathaniel.
I snapped out of it and nodded at Nathaniel’s sharp cry.
To save Nathaniel, I figured it would be better to bring someone else.
‘But who?’
The personnel guarding the Empress’s Palace were concentrated in the center. I didn't know if I’d make it back in time if I ran all the way there. Besides, a child running wouldn't be that fast anyway.
That thought made me stop in the middle of the hallway.
[Master, what is the matter?]
“Now that I think about it, you…”
[Me?]
I belatedly realized Dollens was there. Originally, Dollens was contracted to Dantalion, so it was hard to see him unless Dantalion visited the Empress’s Palace.
The fact that Dollens was here meant Dantalion was nearby.
“You can bring Dantalion here, right?”
[Ah, I can.]
“Then go get him, fast. Got it?”
[I shall return swiftly!]
Dollens nodded, understanding my command. His smoke-like form vanished in an instant.
“Phew, okay.”
[Mistress, what are you planning to do?]
Bibi, who remained by my side, asked in a trembling voice. I looked around the chilly hallway.
A candlestick placed there to light the corridor caught my eye. I gestured toward it.
“Bring that over here.”
[W-What are you going to do with that?]
“Just do it.”
Though she was shaking, Bibi brought the candlestick. It wasn't that heavy, so it was manageable for me to hold.
[Mistress, let’s just run away. Please?]
“Do you think I’m a joke too? Huh?”
These things really look down on me just because their master is a child. I grit my teeth, clutching the candlestick.
“How much of your power can be applied to me right now?”
[Oh, do you mean Physical Enhancement?]
“Yeah.”
[Hmm, probably enough to block an assassin’s blade once or twice…]
“That’s enough.”
[Eek, Mistress!]
Hearing Bibi’s answer, I headed back to Nathaniel’s room. Inside the room, which was now a mess of fire—likely from Desmond—the assassins were attacking Desmond and Nathaniel.
‘Wait, something’s strange.’
One assassin was definitely swinging his sword to kill Desmond, but the one facing Nathaniel wasn't.
No matter how outstanding Nathaniel’s skills were for his age, he was still a child. The reason Duke Winston kept Nathaniel by my side was exactly for situations like this.
So that while Nathaniel drew the assassins' attention, I could escape. No matter how much he was a prized apprentice knight with a promising future, that was his only purpose.
Yet, the assassin, who was more than capable of overpowering Nathaniel, wasn't doing so. That was why Nathaniel was still holding out.
‘Don't tell me these guys…’
Are they after Nathaniel, not me?
That made more sense. No one knew I was meeting Nathaniel secretly every night. Since the demons blocked the sound, there was no way anyone outside could have known.
“Take this!”
“Urgh!”
Having finished my thought, I threw the candlestick. The assassin attacking Nathaniel jumped back.
Only then did the assassin notice my presence, his eyes flashing.
Fine, come at me! This was actually what I wanted. I glared at the assassin, my eyes wide.
“No, Dia!”
Nathaniel, who had been wounded by the assassin’s attack, shouted loudly. It was the first time I’d ever heard him scream like that.
“It’s okay…”
I gave the worried Nathaniel a bright smile. Nathaniel had seen me talking to demons countless times, but he never questioned it or asked a single thing. He probably didn't know what kind of power I was hiding.
Soon, Nathaniel’s face was washed with horror. Before I could even finish my sentence, his eyes widened.
“Ugh!”
Bibi said once or twice would be fine, so I just had to hold out until Dantalion arrived.
However, a child’s body instinctively shrank back from the assassin’s killing intent. I closed my eyes, unable to watch the sharp blade approaching.
Clang!
“…?”
But it felt much more painless than I expected.
Even so, I was hit by a sword; could it really be like this? I opened my eyes slightly, feeling puzzled.
“Dia, are you alright?”
“Ah.”
The person who blocked the assassin’s sword was Dantalion. He glanced at me and asked. I answered reflexively.
“Y-Yes.”
“I see. That’s a relief.”
Dantalion smiled brightly, speaking as gently as usual. However, the atmosphere around us froze chillingly.
‘The assassins can't move.’
Is this the power of a Sword Master? His mere appearance turned the tide of the battle instantly.
“Wait just a moment. This will be over soon.”
Dantalion spoke kindly and then vanished in an instant. When I blinked, I saw him taking down the assassins with terrifying speed.
‘Whoa…’
I could see why Desmond was so afraid of Dantalion. The assassins stood no chance against the Sword Aura he unleashed.
“Guh!”
“Where do you think you’re going? You won't die that easily.”
Dantalion grabbed an assassin’s jaw with one hand and shoved his fingers into the man's mouth. Soon, he pulled something out and tossed it to the floor.
“Aaaargh!”
“A noisy one, aren't you?”
Dantalion muttered softly and struck the back of the assassin’s neck. The assassin promptly lost consciousness and collapsed. The other assassin seemed to have already committed suicide, as he wasn't moving.
[Master, are you alright?]
‘Yeah. Sword Masters are truly terrifying.’
[That scary Sword Master is the exception!]
Desmond barked, practically having a hysterical fit. I gently stroked his fur.
“Di—Dia.”
“Ah.”
“Dia, are you okay? Are you?”
Nathaniel still looked heavily shocked.
Completely dazed, he was checking me over repeatedly. His small hands were still trembling.
‘I almost gave him a trauma because of me.’
It would have been fine to get hit once or twice, but it still wasn't a sight a child should see.
Feeling a belated sense of guilt, I reached out to the frantic Nathaniel.
“I’m fine. But Niel, you’re bleeding a lot.”
“I’m okay.”
I placed my hand on Nathaniel’s cheek, where red blood was flowing. It looked like his head was injured too.
As I watched him with worried eyes, Nathaniel held my hand against his cheek and smiled brightly. A white light flowed from his body, and his wounds healed in an instant.
‘Divine Power is amazing no matter how many times I see it.’
To heal wounds that quickly. It was truly an enviable ability. I marveled as I inspected Nathaniel’s injury, which now only left a trace of blood.
“Dia.”
“Gasp!”
A soft voice drifted from behind me. I turned my head stiffly, like a rusty doll.
“Now then, why is our Dia in a place like this all by herself? Hmm?”
“He-Hehe.”
I let out a sheepish laugh in front of Dantalion, acting as unnaturally as a puppet.
“T-That is…”
“Sigh.”
Dantalion let out a sigh. His disapproving gaze swept over me.
Did he find out? Did he realize I’m using demons?
Since he couldn't find any evidence, he wouldn't be able to interrogate me openly, but since he was quick-witted, he might already know. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to accept that a child had slipped out of a heavily guarded area to be in a place like this.
Should I just be honest? If Dantalion told Veronica…
The mere thought was horrifying. Just as I was about to speak again in a hurry—
“Who told you?”
“Pardon?”
I blinked in surprise at Dantalion’s unexpected question.