Chapter 367: The Knight
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 367: The Knight
“Me?”
Feeling Muen’s gaze fall upon her once more, Seviel instantly grew tense again.
She knew what they wanted. But that item was a trophy her group had finally managed to obtain—it was bought with the blood and sacrifice of her companions, a symbol of her country’s and academy’s prestige. Even if she were the only one left, she absolutely could not…
“Student Seviel, was it?”
Muen walked over, wearing a perfect, noble smile as he asked, “Could you give that item to me?”
“Of course.”
Without a hint of hesitation, Seviel pulled out a tattered book. Staring straight at Muen’s face, she said shyly, “You saved me. For a small matter like this, I naturally wouldn't refuse.”
It wasn't that she was a coward.
It wasn't that she was boy-crazy.
It was called reading the room.
“…Ah, thank you.”
Even Muen was visibly stunned for a moment. He turned to look at Senior Fanny, shrugging as if to say, See? Look how easy that was.
Fanny also had a bizarre expression on her face.
When the two sides had been in a standoff earlier, this Seviel had been a total hardliner.
But now…
“What’s your angle?” Fanny asked, frowning.
“Angle?”
Liya’s bright, beautiful eyes suddenly widened. Her gaze swept over Seviel repeatedly, looking… somewhat eager to jump in.
“No, no, no. I’m the only one left now; what use would an ‘angle’ be?”
Seviel’s eyelid twitched as she waved her hands dismissively. “I can give you the item, but I do have one tiny request.”
“A request?”
“Yes, a very small one.”
Seviel lowered her head, acting coy as she said to Muen, “I want… your… Voice Transmission Stone…”
“Tell me whatever request you have!”
Liya suddenly appeared in front of Seviel again, blocking her line of sight. She enthusiastically took the tattered book and smiled. “I’ll do my best to satisfy you, okay?”
“Ah, no… what I meant was…”
“I. Will. Do. My. Best. To. Satisfy. You. Okay?”
Liya’s smile was radiant. “Did you injure your ears in the battle just now? Do you need me to help treat them? My healing magic is very powerful, I guarantee it won't leave any… lin-ger-ing… side effects.”
“Oh… no, I’m fine. Thank you.”
What is with this woman? Is she really a Saintess Candidate? How terrifying.
“For… forget it then, since you’re unwilling.”
Seviel thought for a moment and proposed a new request: “I want to travel with you all.”
“With us?”
Muen raised an eyebrow.
Based on Senior Fanny’s description earlier, they were… essentially enemies.
“Yes. You are very strong. Traveling with you might lead to unexpected gains.”
Seviel bit her lip. “I finally qualified to participate; it would be too frustrating to be eliminated now.”
“And don't look at me like this—I’m actually quite confident in my strength. I definitely won't hold you back, and I can even provide some help. In a situation as perilous as this, it’s better to huddle together for warmth, right?”
As if afraid Muen would refuse, Seviel added a few more points.
“I see.”
Muen nodded, but he didn't answer directly. Instead, he turned to look at Fanny.
“Does Senior Fanny want to travel together as well?”
“This… won't we be in the way?”
Fanny’s gaze swept between Muen and Liya, her tone teasing.
“Not at all. If anything, we should be the ones apologizing. After all, we were supposed to represent the Academy, but instead, we’ve made things difficult for you…”
Muen smiled and looked to his side. “Right, Liya?”
“Um… ah, yes.”
Liya blinked, startled, before nodding vigorously in agreement.
However, when everyone else’s gaze shifted away, she hid behind Muen, her cute cheeks puffing up bit by bit.
They had just gotten rid of Ellag, and now here came a Seviel.
It seemed that, just like last time, having some alone time with Muen was going to be impossible.
And this time, two more seniors were added to the mix.
Of course, she knew the situation was different now. With the danger level having spiked so drastically, having companions was the best choice.
But…
They were all girls.
Liya’s gaze secretly swept over them.
Setting aside that Seviel woman, whose intentions were clearly impure, Fanny and Vicky were both seniors, and they had traveled together on the way here, so it should be fine…
But then…
Liya suddenly remembered the person who had been doing "naughty things" with Muen in the classroom back at the Academy…
That was also a senior, wasn't it?
And not just her—even Muen’s nominal fiancée, Her Highness the Princess… age aside, she was also… a senior, right?
Could it be…
Does Muen just like the "senior" type?
Liya lowered her eyes, her long, thick eyelashes trembling slightly in the night wind.
The young girl was caught in a spiral of insecurity.
...
Muen picked up the tattered book Seviel had given him and examined it closely.
Only then did he realize it wasn't a book at all, but rather something more like a diary.
The text inside was clearly handwritten.
A diary is even better. Perhaps it can help me understand this world more effectively, Muen thought.
But as his eyes swept over the script, his brow instinctively furrowed.
“This is…”
“It’s Ancient Script, and a particularly obscure kind at that,” Seviel said with a pout.
“To be honest, we regretted it the moment we snatched this thing. We didn't have anyone in our team capable of translating it. We spent so much effort only to end up with a useless, broken book.”
“Ancient Script, huh?”
Muen rubbed his chin and thought for a moment, unable to suppress a smile.
It might be a hassle for others, but for him…
“Liya, I’ll leave this to you… Liya?”
“Ah… yes, what is it?”
Hearing Muen’s second call, Liya finally snapped out of it. She immediately blinked coquettishly, as if nothing had happened.
Muen locked eyes with her for a moment, then suddenly said:
“Everyone… let’s take a break first.”
“Eh? Aren't we going to decipher the diary first?”
“No rush.”
Muen shook his head. “I see that Senior Vicky looks a bit unwell. Everyone should get some proper rest first.”
Vicky blinked, looking completely bewildered. She had felt a bit uncomfortable just now, but not to the point where…
Muen smiled slightly, closed the diary, and said to Liya beside him, “Let’s go out for a walk to clear our heads.”
“Now?”
Liya was a bit surprised. The world outside was currently a scene of rot and stench—hardly the right time for a stroll.
“Yes, now.”
Muen pulled out his pocket watch, checked the time, and said mysteriously, “If I’m not mistaken, we’re about to see a very nice view.”
*
The bright moon was clear, and the night wind was biting.
Upon the rotting earth, the scenery was nauseating.
The two of them stood on the top floor of the building, and they found that, just as Fanny had said, this place was indeed unique.
Most of the buildings in this town were only two or three stories high, but this structure had a full seven floors and covered a vast area. In this world that was almost entirely plains, being even a few stories higher allowed one to see very, very far.
“A nice view… what exactly is it?” Liya asked curiously.
“Hmm… let me see.”
Muen glanced at his pocket watch, then looked up.
“Right now.”
“Eh?”
Liya instinctively followed his gaze upward, and then she saw…
A white line appeared at the horizon.
The white line expanded rapidly, bringing light and warmth.
Blue sky and white clouds unfurled like a painted canvas, dispelling all darkness.
The shadows of the moon and stars, along with the night itself, sank into the earth together.
Day had broken.
Soft light spilled onto their shoulders, warm and comfortable.
Without realizing it, Liya had already deactivated the Holy Light she used to block the stench.
Thus, a breeze carrying the scent of flowers and grass soon drifted into her nose, like a gentle hand stroking her forehead.
All the rot vanished in an instant. Newborn plants stretched their leaves, bearing vibrant flowers and plump fruit.
The entire world was like an oil painting, and the two of them, as the closest spectators, admired the process of this painting being born stroke by stroke.
Finally, a white river carved through the wilderness, acting as the final flourish of the brush, leaving the most spirited line upon the canvas.
“So beautiful,” Liya murmured involuntarily.
It was a scene she had grown accustomed to yesterday, but after her vision and sense of smell had been tormented by that long night, the intense contrast made her feel that this sight was breathtakingly beautiful.
After all, this nation was the Golden Kingdom praised in countless Ancient Texts. How could it not be beautiful?
“Muen, how did you know it would turn light now?” Liya asked curiously.
“I guessed.”
“Eh?”
“Yes, I guessed.”
Muen looked down, surveying the entire town.
“These buildings, though they look very different from the outside world, don't have any fundamental differences in structure or material. Not only that, the plants, the terrain, and even the furniture arrangements inside the buildings still carry shadows of the outside world.”
“The Lost Homeland, Cantville, is an ancient ruin buried deep underground and isolated from the outside. But I think the person who created this place would still have used the outside world as a reference.”
“So, it wasn't hard to guess that a day here would still be twenty-four hours.”
Muen shook the pocket watch in his hand.
Since nightfall, the short hand of the watch had turned more than one full circle.
Sixteen hours.
“It really was a long night,” Muen sighed. He then gazed into Liya’s eyes. “Do you feel a bit better, being able to see the beautiful side of this world at the first opportunity?”
“You…”
Liya was stunned. “You dragged me up here in such a hurry just to make me feel better?”
“Of course.”
Muen smiled. “You are my Saintess, after all. As your knight, while I need to lead the charge, I’d be very troubled if my Saintess wasn't in top form.”
“Weren't you afraid of guessing wrong? What if they set this world to a twenty-five-hour cycle?”
“Then…”
Muen intentionally pulled a long face. “I would have had to perform a comedy routine for you to ease the awkwardness.”
“Pfft.”
Liya was amused by Muen’s comical expression.
Seeing this, Muen couldn't help but smile again. After a moment’s hesitation, he reached out and ruffled her small head.
“Don't worry, Liya. Although this world is indeed terrifying, it’s not enough to stump me. I will make you the Saintess, so… don't be afraid.”
“…”
Liya’s smile stiffened slightly.
Because her head was lowered, Muen didn't see it.
“It’s not because I’m afraid.”
The monsters were scary.
The rot was scary.
This ancient kingdom was scary.
But with Muen here, it wasn't scary.
“Hmm? Did you say something?”
Muen hadn't heard Liya’s quiet mumble.
“Nothing.”
Liya looked up, showing a rare, willful expression as she put her hands on her hips.
“My knight, hear my command!”
“Present.”
Muen performed a mock, clumsy knight’s salute.
“I command you to keep moving forward!”
“Yes!”
“I command you to bring me victory!”
“Yes!”
“I command you to make me the Saintess!”
“Understood, my Lady Saintess!”
Muen replied with mock solemnity, “I have already seen the enemy’s end.”
The girl gave a moving smile and continued, “Now, I command you to sit down.”
“Eh?”
The sudden turn almost made Muen trip over his own feet.
“You’ve performed very well, so I’m going to give you a reward.”
The girl tilted her head high. Under Muen’s expectant gaze, she took out an instrument she hadn't touched in what felt like a long time.
A violin.
“Don't like it?”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Then keep looking forward.”
The moment the bow touched the strings, Liya felt as if the entire world had become illusory.
Only the man before her remained.
Even though she saw him every day, his brows and his eyes were still so handsome.
More beautiful than the scenery, more beautiful than the world.
She never grew tired of looking at him; in fact, at this moment, he looked even better.
It felt as if just by gazing at him like this, her heart could be filled with absolute contentment.
...
The music rose, and without realizing it, even the person before her began to blur.
Yes, Liya Angel, you shouldn't be so greedy.
Regardless of the past, identity, or preferences.
Regardless of the future, fate, or outcome.
At least for now, he is a knight who belongs only to you.
He will hold his blade only for you, cutting through thorns and charging forward.
This…
Is enough.