Chapter 84

"In the midst of cherry petals dancing in the wind, Elidis leaned against the window and spoke, her lips pouting as if she were in a bad mood. Just by looking at her, it was hard to see her as a princess.

The sunlight was already visible from outside. It had been several days since we came here. The soldiers of the Galiste Kingdom couldn't be so insensitive. We needed to act as quickly as possible.

A trembling impulse rose from the depths of my stomach to my throat. Was this really the right way? Could such a hastily written script really work so well?

Indeed, my brain was fanning an inexplicable unease.

'Princess, have you confirmed that the time is noon? How did it go?'

'I told you, everything went as planned. What, don't you trust me?'

Clearly, the princess was in a bad mood. Her words were laced with thorns. Every time I spoke, it felt like she was about to cover herself in thorns.

I tried to soothe her, stroking my upper lip with my finger.

Then, I had to assume that everything was prepared as planned.

To be honest, it was risky. It was like walking a tightrope. I couldn't tell how much of the people's hearts we could win. Moreover, I couldn't imagine the mindset of a different race like the elves.

'If everything is prepared, then I suppose we should think that the plan is in place. It would be nice to have an eye that can see everything, though.'

Now, it was simply a matter of information. How well we could gauge the situation and lay the groundwork. Unfortunately, I couldn't do that now.

Observing everything from inside the tower was beyond my capabilities.

Moreover, I couldn't gauge the intentions of the royal side or the Lagias side. What kind of character they had, what criteria they used to make decisions, and what orders they would give. It was unsettling to move pieces against an unknown opponent.

A heavy stone seemed to be rolling around in my chest.

'So, what should I do next?'

As I narrowed my eyes in thought, Elidis, who had been pouting, suddenly spoke.

For a moment, I couldn't understand what she meant, and my brows furrowed. What should she do? What, was she asking for instructions from me, an elf princess?

Her large blue eyes stared at me, as if waiting for me to speak.

I tilted my head slightly, and her mood seemed to worsen.

'...You said it, didn't you? That you would drag me into the flow and tie me down so I couldn't escape.'

But why are you leaving me alone, she said, tapping her foot on the floor.

I had no memory of saying I would tie her down. What was she suddenly talking about? I squinted and opened my eyes wide.

Ah, but then I remembered. Elidis used to listen to the Hero's words in the past. Or rather, she only listened to his words.

In any case, if she was willing to follow orders, it was a relief. Then, I could take action even from inside the tower.

'If I can't say it's a request, I'd like you to keep a close eye on the surroundings. Your illusions should be able to do that. Try to avoid being seen by anyone, and observe the palace, the forest, and the movements of the monsters as much as possible.'

I thought she would refuse such a scouting task, but Elidis agreed immediately. She really was following my orders.

What, was she just bored? No, that would be rude to think.

Moreover, even if she was of royal blood, Elidis was an emotional being. It would be cruel to just keep her locked up here when we were about to turn the country upside down.

My heart was racing, as if it was about to tear through my chest.

'Well, I'll go then. If someone comes, tell them I'm in bed.'

'Ah, I understand... No, wait. I'm pretty sure I heard that you can't create illusions unless someone is holding you.'

Until just a moment ago, I had been protecting the princess's body, holding her while my shoulder ached. Why was she so carefree about lying down on the bed?

Elidis blinked and moved her lips as if in thought, then said:

'That's a lie. It's impossible. Are you really that stupid?'

I see, I see. Her behavior was so different from before that I couldn't read her at all. What was the meaning of this?

Karia and Fialart had their share of personality changes, but their essence remained the same. They were noble in spirit and never forgot to seek wisdom.

But Elidis was completely unreadable. Her mental state was probably damaged in the past, but her personality was very different from what I had imagined. Was this her way of joking?

'I was testing you. If you didn't do anything when faced with my defenseless body, you were trustworthy. If you tried anything, I would have killed you.'

Saying that, Elidis rubbed her eyes slightly and headed towards the bedroom.

I see, I see. It made sense, but it also didn't.

More importantly, what would she have done if I had been violent? Even if she said she would kill me, it didn't seem like something that could be undone. Perhaps our values as humans and elves were different.

I couldn't help but have many questions about Elidis.

Just before she entered the bedroom, Elidis turned to me, tapped the floor slightly, and said:

'By the way, why are you helping me? Even if you were captured by Lagias, there are other ways. You have friends, and if you tricked me and contacted them, you could escape from here, right?'

That wasn't entirely wrong.

If I could bring Elidis into my group and overthrow Lagias' rule, the emblem cult's power would grow. In that sense, it made sense.

But that was all. It wouldn't be easy to ask for help from a country in the midst of a power shift. On the contrary, it would be clear that we would have to help them.

If I wanted to weaken the Great Holy Church's power and oppose it, I could just cause chaos in this country. There was no particular reason to wish for her success.

Seeing my hesitation, Elidis smiled slightly, as if mocking herself.

'Or are you just being used for your own purposes? Or are you being tricked? It's fine, either way.'

If it was fine, I almost laughed out loud.

Being used. Me, by an elf princess? Spare me. If I was being used, I would use someone more useful.

'I do have my own goals, and I won't deny that.'

For a moment, Elidis seemed to become somber. What a transparent woman she was. I sighed, longing for a chew of tobacco, and spoke.

'But the reason is different. You tried to help me, didn't you, in front of the forest. Respect deserves respect.'

I don't like it, but I agree with that. Saying that, I shrugged, and Elidis blinked, then burst out laughing. It was rude, considering I had held back.

'What, are you really doing this for such a reason? You really are stupid...'

'...No, it's not just that.'

No, it's not just that.

How many times had I been shown respect? How many times had I been treated as a human being, thinking back to the past? How often had I been looked down upon and underestimated?

Indeed, Elidis was annoying. In the past, I had almost been killed several times during our journey.

But at least she showed me respect. How much that meant to me. How much it comforted my wounded heart.

There was nothing more I needed.

'...That's it. You're like a knight in a story. Then, let me offer my thanks.'

Blinking, Elidis composed her expression and looked at me.

'No one can predict if everything will go well, not even the gods or the spirits. But... thank you, my knight Ruis. Without you, I couldn't have moved forward. I am truly grateful to you.'

This was not her usual light tone. It was a solemn, almost regal, statement from Elidis as a princess. At the same time, she extended her hand to me.

What a grand statement. It was a phrase that shouldn't be used for someone like me. I was moved despite myself. Suppressing my emotions, I took her hand as if in a knight's salute and spoke.

'—It was all done with pleasure, my princess.'"