Chapter 99
“The Grand Duchess is returning to Lukwell today. My squad was given the escort order.”
“……”
“You don’t need to make that face. I know. You’re thinking, ‘For once, he’s actually been given a proper mission,’ right?”
All Arzeletta had done was blink a few times, but Exion confessed it on his own. The face that had momentarily looked proper snapped right back to its usual state. Without realizing it, Arzeletta let out a small, very small smile.
“This is a secret, but it seems the dead have started descending from the mountains.”
“……!”
Arzeletta gasped. Even now, the dark pupils that had relentlessly chased her from within the eye sockets of the dead beast remained vivid in her mind.
…Along with the mark of the lord still lingering on her body.
Exion misread the tension that clearly rose on Arzeletta’s face and tried to soothe her.
“Don’t worry too much. Every year, once the ground thaws, those things swarm. It happens all the time. It’s just a little early this time.”
“……”
“But it’s the first time they’ve come all the way down the mountain, so the old man—no, Ragnar—is really on edge. The mobilization order came in just this morning. We’re to escort the noble Grand Duchess safely to the gates of Lukwell Castle.”
Arzeletta nodded.
The noble lady had to cross the treacherous mountains. Exion, who was sneered at just as much as she was, was still a Holy Knight, and of course, he’d be mobilized for such a task.
Moreover, Exion was recognized as the most destructive force on the battlefield across the entire continent. He was the most powerful warrior in the territory, making him more than qualified to guard the noble Grand Duchess.
It was also a demonstration of his public status.
…Certainly, he felt different than usual. No matter how often he was compared unfavorably to Theogrim within the territory, Exion was still a proud Holy Knight.
“No matter how many of the dead there are, they can’t enter the city. Ragnar’s sword aura is ridiculous. …As annoying as that is.”
Even the way he muttered with his teeth slightly clenched—Arzeletta saw it all with fresh eyes. He always seemed like a swaggering troublemaker, but he, too, was a proper soldier who wielded a sword.
In that brief moment, filled with both admiration and envy toward someone stronger, Exion looked more solid to Arzeletta than ever before.
More than when he was throwing tantrums, kicking things, or growling like he wanted to threaten someone—more than when he was trying to look strong through conscious effort—he looked truly strong in moments like this. Though he likely didn’t know it himself.
“…Say something, will you.”
Exion grumbled a bit at Arzeletta, who just stood there blinking her pretty eyes. Arzeletta didn’t know what he wanted her to say. As expected, Exion nodded inwardly.
In any case, Arzeletta was just as poor at communication as he was. The so-called art of conversation, which Exion viewed as a kind of sorcery practiced by noble ladies, was something Arzeletta clearly had no grasp of.
Since both of them were clumsy at conversation, it was only natural that things got tangled up as they did. Exion lowered his head to meet Arzeletta’s eyes.
…The one who remembered first, who gave their heart first, would inevitably be the one to yield.
“This is kind of like a deployment, you know. I’m heading out under the lord’s command.”
“Ah…”
“I might run into the dead and end up in danger. I’m just saying.”
Exion spoke with a deliberately serious expression.
It was a childish jest, but Arzeletta’s face quickly tensed with worry.
She had seen for herself just the night before what kind of beings the dead truly were. The fear from that moment, as if she had become a tiny insect caught in a spider’s web, still lingered.
She recalled the lord imbuing his dagger with divine power. Did Exion possess such power too?
If not… it didn’t seem possible to face those things with just a sword.
“Are you worried?”
Exion asked, noticing the seriousness that settled over Arzeletta’s face. She didn’t answer, only met his gaze.
Maybe he was right. She was worried. Anyone who had seen what she had would naturally be concerned.
And she didn’t deny it when he asked if she was worried.
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