Chapter 72

As I cut down the monsters and approached, it was none other than Lord Zain, whom I could not possibly mistake.

Despite thinking it was the worst possible timing, seeing him unharmed made me feel so relieved that I almost cried.

"………."

I prayed he wouldn't notice me and tried to avert my gaze, but at that moment—without a doubt, our eyes met.

I could see Lord Zain's eyes widen in surprise, and his lips formed the word "Why."

"Evan, go quickly!"

The kind Lord Zain would definitely try to stop me from being in such a place. If I explained the situation, he would undoubtedly try to destroy the magical artifact himself.

Determined not to let that happen, I started running with Evan.

"Roarrrrrr!"

"Miss, please get down!"

Even as Evan cut down or cast spells to defeat the monsters, the field was quickly filled with them again. If it weren't for him, I would have surely died in an instant.

Despite being covered in blood, thanks to Evan, I reached the tree without a scratch.

"What a terrible, polluted air……"

Even without the power of a saint, I could tell the air was horribly tainted.

Feeling dizzy and hesitating to breathe, I desperately dug at the base of the tree with my hands.

"……Found it."

Eventually, an old mirror appeared, and I gasped.

Evan had told me that magical artifacts are resistant to physical attacks. The quickest way to destroy them is to touch them directly and flood them with magic power beyond their limit.

"Hey, Evan. After the magical artifact breaks and I fall, carry me back to the mansion immediately."

"Huh? What do you mean—"

Before Evan could finish, I touched the magical artifact and poured my magic power into it all at once.

Grace originally had a plentiful supply of magic power, and through continuous magic practice with Evan and Haniwa, I had greatly improved my ability to handle it.

"Ugh… ah…!"

"Miss! What are you doing!"

"Just focus on… defeating the monsters, Evan! This is an order."

Evan, who was protecting me from the monsters a short distance away, seemed to notice the change.

He looked like he was about to rush to my side, but I desperately shouted to prevent him from getting involved.

Using the strong word "order" with Evan, whom I considered a friend, was the first time since my reincarnation.

Though he looked pained, he turned away, and I felt relieved. I repeatedly apologized in my heart, bit my lip hard, and refocused on the magical artifact.

"Please… break…!"

Even as I poured all my magic power into it, I continued to pray desperately.

Black marks like bruises spread from the palm of my hand holding the magical artifact up my arm, causing intense pain, heat, and discomfort, making me want to cry out.

In the novel, Charlotte didn't suffer this much and seemed to break the artifact more easily.

I realized that I was just a minor character and could never be a heroine like her.

Still, I couldn't stop now. I had a strong feeling that it was about to break.

"Grace! Why are you here!"

Suddenly, I heard my name being called and looked up.

While I was desperately trying to destroy the magical artifact, Lord Zain had apparently approached very close.

His white knight's uniform was stained red with blood and torn in several places, indicating that it was not just the blood of the monsters but his own as well.

If this continued, even the strong Lord Zain would only become more injured and exhausted.

"What are you doing…!"

"Stay back!"

As I shouted at Lord Zain, who looked shocked and was about to rush to my side, his shoulders twitched.

However, seeing my condition and the marks on my hand, Lord Zain hesitated for a moment but then came towards me without hesitation.