Chapter 187
Nosh started shouting at the woman again. Calling her a fool for falling for such lies, saying she didn’t even know her place. Even though he had resorted to violence, the sound of her screaming back as if she were used to that much could be heard.
Lynette untwisted the hair she had braided and pinned up. Then she quickly combed it down with her fingers and lightly wrapped her arm around Julia’s shoulders.
Perhaps just hearing the man’s voice had stirred up her fear again, because her body was still trembling.
“Let’s go.”
She gently tried to pull her along, but the woman did not move an inch from that spot.
“Julia?”
“I want to go back.”
When she turned as if to leave with a pale face, Lynette hurriedly stepped in front of her to block the way. Now that they had come this far, she could drag her along as if kidnapping her, but she didn’t want to do that. She already knew Julia is consumed by fear, and frightening her even more would be the worst option.
Besides, considering what lays ahead, Julia has to join their plan of her own will. In any case, once Nosh is dealt with, she would be living here together with Edwin again. Even if Agnis is there, she can’t handle everything on her own.
“Julia, you promised.”
Lynette spoke calmly and stepped forward toward the woman who had lowered her head deeply. Then she bent slightly to meet her gaze.
“I will definitely keep that promise. I’ll protect you so that Nosh cannot harm you in any way.”
“…”
“Right, Sillian?”
At those words, the man standing about three steps away let out a quiet sigh so it would not be heard, then slowly replied.
“Yes. Nothing will happen.”
However, Julia’s heart, frozen by Nosh’s voice, could not be melted in an instant.
Lynette carefully patted her trembling shoulder and calmly thought about what to say.
‘It’s a little childish, but…’
Perhaps because she had been constantly exposed to violence and abuse, Julia’s judgment had become quite weakened. She’s almost like a child. In that case, childish and straightforward words might work better.
Lynette whispered to her as if sharing a secret.
“Actually, Sillian is incredibly, incredibly strong. Because he’s an ‘Esper’. You know what an Esper is, right, Julia?”
At those words the woman slowly blinked.
Espers weren’t extremely rare, but they were not something ordinary people could easily see either. In the Empire, once they awakened, they were immediately summoned to the capital and managed.
“Julia probably knows well where Espers are sent.”
They are sent wherever power is needed. Whether that place is a battlefield, or something that needs to be resolved. Even when building city walls, aren’t Espers called in? Wherever they appear means powerful strength is required there, which also meant this place had been taken into consideration.
‘If the Emperor had truly sent an Esper here personally, it would mean he thought this place was quite dangerous… but the truth is he probably hasn’t even thought about it.’
It stung her conscience a little, but since there was at least some truth mixed in, it did not sound that unnatural.
It was true that Sillian is an Esper, and it was also true that Espers were sent where strong power is needed. The only things she hid were that he did not belong to the Empire and that the Emperor had no interest in the affairs of this Count’s house.
Julia blinked and glanced toward Sillian. The man gave a slight smile.
Even though she had whispered, he must have heard Lynette’s words clearly.
“You really came here… because of our matter?”
“Yes. An Esper came too, didn’t he? Or do you need proof to believe it?”
At those words the woman’s eyes widened, and she shook her head.
‘It’s not a lie that we came because of the Count’s house.’
Euphen and Eshar had come to uncover this incident, so that part is also true. The plan had simply changed quite a bit.
Thinking that she had hardly lied at all, Lynette was able to speak rather confidently.
The woman’s eyes wavered slightly.
Lynette could roughly guess what misunderstanding she was making, but for now it was better if she thought that way. That way she wouldn’t be afraid anymore.
Julia squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them again. She took a deep breath in and let it out before turning her body toward Sillian once more.
Lynette gave the man a quick grin.
He gave a small nod and took the lead.
“But how did His Majesty know about our matter?”
“We’ll talk about that later.”
Lynette answered vaguely and tugged on her hand. Julia followed the two of them while clutching the robe tightly.
It wasn’t difficult to find the closed shop. It’s the only one with its door shut, and the inside is covered with wooden boards, making it stand out. Even so, it did not seem like anyone would try to look inside.
‘No one would expect anyone to hide somewhere people pass by so often.’
Even if they imagined a hiding place, they would surely think of an abandoned house or a back alley.
The three of them naturally walked past the front of the shop. On the side alley there’s a single door. Lynette calmly entered the alley and tried to open it, but it seemed to be locked, and a rattling sound was heard.
“What should we do?”
“…”
Sillian silently held the handle and stared at the door.
“Sillian?”
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