Chapter 114
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Chapter 114
Enoch, who had been quietly poking at the firewood, frowned in displeasure before reaching out silently to cover my eyes.
"Margaret, your face will wear out. Don't stare like that."
Stare like what, exactly? Even the composed and gentlemanly Enoch could be childishly petulant at times.
"A misunderstanding, I assure you. After days without fire, I was merely expressing my joy...."
At Diego's response, I quietly brushed away Enoch's hand that had been shielding my eyes.
Then I caught sight of Diego's face gazing at the campfire with an almost reverent expression. It seemed he hadn't been able to make a fire during his time wandering with Rujeep.
"Wait, you can't make fire?"
"I have never kindled one myself."
Now that I thought about it, Yuanna's group had no one who could make fire, so they'd survived by chance on embers they'd found.
"Don't you try when you go out to subjugate Monsters or fight in wars?"
At my question, he scratched his cheek awkwardly and glanced toward Enoch.
"I was only recently promoted to Captain of the Imperial Guard, so I have never been dispatched to war. And during Monster subjugation campaigns, making fire was the duty of my subordinates. I did try it during my apprentice knight days, but it was so rare that I no longer remember how."
Having said this, Diego seemed embarrassed even by his own account and fell silent, watching my expression.
"My apologies. From now on, I shall study diligently at the Young Lady's side."
"I never said I'd teach you."
"You need not teach me. I shall learn by observation."
"I don't like being bothered."
"If it troubles you, I shall observe from a distance where I am inconspicuous."
"Secretly watching is a bit frightening, though."
"...Did you wish for me to disappear? My apologies. I lack perception."
Then Diego suddenly pressed his face into his clasped hands with an anguished expression.
He was someone who rarely showed emotion or revealed his inner thoughts, so this sudden display was deeply unsettling. It seemed those days stranded alone with Rujeep had been extraordinarily difficult.
"That's not what I meant...."
"Then, please allow me to observe quietly."
At Diego's words, I waved my hand dismissively, telling him to do as he pleased.
Meanwhile, Enoch crouched beside me at the campfire and handed me a flat stone. Then he settled me down with meticulous care, as though tending to a pregnant wife.
I looked at Enoch's face, then set aside my thoughts and turned back to Diego.
"But if only the Holy Maiden and the Crown Prince remain on the South Island, will they be alright?"
"That is indeed a lamentable situation, but it does not appear to be something you need concern yourself with, Margaret."
At Enoch's words, I was left speechless and turned to look at him. He sat with an expression of complete indifference toward Asdal and Yuanna.
No, sir. How can you act so unconcerned? Yuanna has the key. The very reason we stayed with her on the South Island was because of that crucial key.
Moreover, we were now in a situation where we'd decided to search for Yuanna according to Jenath's instructions. Therefore, she absolutely had to survive.
Diego, who had been gauging the mood, quietly spoke up.
"I cannot speak to the Crown Prince's fate. But the Holy Maiden will survive."
"How can you be so certain?"
"She said she was confident in her survival. And indeed, she excels at escape and concealment."
Perhaps her background from the back alleys had given her strong survival instincts. I found Diego's words reasonably convincing.
Sssss—
Then I heard the sound of Silver Earthworm flicking its tongue. The creature, which had been hovering near Kaiden and Rujeep, had returned to me.
The creature circling beneath my feet looked up at me with an adorable tilt of its head.
Cough. Diego suddenly let out a dry cough. With his face flushed crimson, he covered his mouth and gazed at Silver Earthworm.
'...Right, Diego said he likes cute things.'
Silver Earthworm wasn't just ordinarily cute—it was cosmically, transcendently adorable, so much so that Diego seemed utterly helpless against it.
But when I'd seen Silver Earthworm on South Island, he hadn't reacted like this. Had he been suppressing his desire to fawn over it all this time?
Certainly, Diego's expression was far more relaxed than before. On South Island, he'd been so tense throughout that his face had remained utterly expressionless.
"I never expected to meet you here again."
Diego murmured while gazing at Silver Earthworm, his tone exactly like someone reuniting with an unrequited love of the century.
"Since I've imprinted on you, of course I'd be with you. Don't be so sentimental about it."
"I see...."
When I glanced at Diego, Silver Earthworm seemed puzzled and followed my gaze to look at him as well.
Diego's face grew even redder as he stared at Silver Earthworm. With an embarrassed expression, he fidgeted nervously and carefully extended his hand toward Silver Earthworm—though Silver Earthworm had no hand to offer.
'Does this fool actually think Silver Earthworm is a dog?'
Sure enough, Silver Earthworm glanced at Diego's outstretched palm, then looked back at him with another puzzled head tilt.
Diego's flushed face froze in panic when our eyes met. Then, with an expression of self-loathing, he made a dry washing motion across his face.
"I apologize. I'm aware this appearance doesn't inspire confidence as a knight. That's why I've tried my best not to show it when I'm with the Holy Maiden. But.... It's truly difficult. Restraining myself when I see something cute. I'm sorry for this disgraceful display."
I listened to Diego's words, my lips twitching before I pressed them shut again.
There were far too many things to point out, and I had no idea where to even begin.
At that moment, Rujeep, whom Kaiden had separated from me, sat down beside me.
Kaiden, not to be outdone, squeezed in between Rujeep and me to claim his spot.
As I exhaled a weary sigh, Enoch suddenly scooped me up and sat me on one of his knees. I gasped in surprise and wrapped my arms around his neck, looking at his now-closer face.
"Damn it. That's cheating. I want to sit here too."
Seeing this, Kaiden plopped down on Enoch's other knee without hesitation, then brazenly leaned his body against me.
Rujeep watched Kaiden's antics with obvious disdain and moved to sit far away from us.
"Move your body if you don't want to get hurt, Rodban."
Enoch muttered menacingly while eyeing Kaiden's back, but Kaiden merely scoffed. Sandwiched between them, I let out an exhausted remark.
"Both of you, move."
Kaiden obediently stood up, and Enoch quietly released me.
I calmly brushed off my clothes and stood. Rujeep, who had been quietly observing us, spoke to me.
"Young Lady. I seem to be the most normal one among us. If you need my assistance, please say so. I will devote myself entirely to your service and comfort."
Rujeep looked up at me with the fervent gaze of a devout believer.
'Service,' he says. You're the strangest one of all, if you ask me.
Still, sitting beside Rujeep seemed safer than being near Enoch and Kaiden, so I quietly took the seat next to him.
Rujeep puffed out his chest proudly toward Enoch and Kaiden and pressed himself close to me.
I watched Diego engaged in a staring contest with Silver Earthworm for a moment, then quietly shifted my gaze to the campfire. Rujeep posed a question to me.
"What will you do going forward? Will you go to where the Holy Maiden is, or will you seek out the location marked with a star?"
In response to Rujeep's question, Kaiden, who was sitting quietly beside Enoch, answered.
"We've already been there."
"What? You've already visited?"
At Rujeep's exclamation, Diego seemed startled as well and turned his attention toward us.
Kaiden explained everything that had happened to us in turn.
Rujeep and Diego, startled by the story, asked several questions, but Enoch answered them all.
Grateful to be spared the tedious task of explaining, I quietly stroked Silver Earthworm, which sat perched on my lap.
"We're going to meet the Holy Maiden and gather supplies along the way."
"We'll need to prepare ourselves thoroughly."
Rujeep nodded with determination upon hearing my words.
* * *
Diego and Rujeep said they hadn't eaten properly, but their need for sleep seemed to outweigh their hunger.
The two of them had barely settled down in front of the Cave before they fell asleep leaning against each other's backs.
"They must have had it rough."
I crouched before them, muttering to myself, when Enoch came to stand beside me, looking down at Diego and Rujeep.
Kaiden rummaged through the bag Rujeep had brought and pulled out a first aid kit.
"I thought he'd abandon it because the bag was so heavy, but he carried it all the way. Thank goodness—all the medicines are still intact."
Kaiden opened the first aid kit and examined its contents before speaking to me. He seemed to have a newfound respect for Rujeep. Had they grown closer through their struggle?
"We should rest too."
At Kaiden's words, Enoch swept his composed gaze across the surroundings and picked up his greatsword.
"Someone needs to stand watch, so the two of you lie down first."
Just then, Diego, whom I thought had fallen asleep, opened his eyes groggily, his face haggard. He scrambled to his feet.
The sudden movement startled Rujeep, who had been leaning against him, and he struggled to open his eyes.
"I'll take the watch."
Diego stood awkwardly, his eyes barely open, looking rather pitiful.
Yet none of us told him otherwise. Diego glanced around nervously before speaking in a quiet voice.
"I wish to repay your kindness, however shamefully I must ask."
Puzzled by his words, I tilted my head and replied.
"When did we ever say we were taking you in?"
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org