Chapter 85

"Ah, so you were hiding like a little mouse, in that tower, were you?"

In the room, Karia, with her eyes lowered, muttered these words, and Mathias couldn't help but catch his breath.

From her recent actions, Mathias vaguely imagined that she might shake her silver hair and rush into the tower at any moment.

"Yes, it's a guess, but I think he's probably there."

If that was the case, there was also the option of sealing everything in her mind and eliminating the threat. After all, the assumption that he was in the tower was largely based on her own speculation.

However, that would be a clear pain.

Of course, Mathias had initially considered the option of not saying anything. But upon further reflection, why should she have to suppress Karia and Fiarato, and even keep his whereabouts secret, for that man, Louis?

Moreover, if he was safe, he should have tried to contact them in some way. Yet, he hadn't even tried to contact them at this moment, without any consideration for their feelings.

A wave of emotions, which could be called frustration, mixed in her chest and spilled out of Mathias' mouth.

Besides, if they left Fiarato alone, she seemed to be losing her vitality, and it was no longer possible to just watch her. Mathias shifted her gaze to Fiarato.

"Yes, he's safe. Phew... Yes, the princess's..."

For a moment, Fiarato's face showed a relieved expression, but then it twisted into a complex one.

How could it be described? Relief, anger, and anxiety were mixed and conflicting. That's what her expression looked like. Mathias' lips twitched involuntarily.

"...I understand. Then, I'll go to sleep. If only he had contacted us. Remember that, Louis!"

The emptiness that had once been in her words was now gone. It seemed as if she had regained some vitality in her spirit.

Despite her complex expression, the sleepiness and physical exhaustion, symbolized by the dark circles under her eyes, were too much for her. Mathias, on the other hand, felt a sense of relief that she was finally going to rest.

"Is it okay, magician? Dragging someone out of their peaceful sleep is also a form of discipline, you know."

Karia smiled, looking somewhat amused. However, her words, like Fiarato's, had a sense of calmness.

If she could recover her mood so easily, couldn't she control her emotions a bit more?

Mathias, seemingly indifferent to her own feelings, shook the long sword at her waist.

"It's fine, yes."

Fiarato's words contained a resolute tone. It was a voice that seemed to harbor confidence, as if she understood everything.

"Since Louis is up to something, he'll show up at the most dangerous moment—writing his name at the very end."

So, he should have some time to rest. With those words, Fiarato went up the stairs to the second floor.

Hearing Fiarato's words, Karia chuckled. It was a sound that seemed both amused and mocking.

"Exactly. He acts as if it's his duty to put himself in a difficult situation. That's not the behavior of someone in a high position. Indeed, I'll have to correct him someday."

Their words somehow sank deeply into Mathias' heart.

Indeed, Louis had that tendency. It was the same in Galuamaria and here in Gazaria. He would jump into dangerous situations, increasing his own injuries.

Was that the spirit of self-sacrifice? It wasn't something Mathias couldn't understand. In fact, it seemed like the right way to live.

Sacrificing oneself for the majority and saving as many as possible. It was an idea that Mathias had engraved in her heart. However, in his case, it seemed more like he was rushing through life.

That's why she couldn't wholeheartedly praise him.

—No, wait.

Mathias pushed back the strange emotion that had surfaced within her. Why couldn't she praise him? If Louis was willing to jump into danger and sacrifice himself to win, it would be the best possible outcome. It would be a cause for joy.

In fact, the Emblem Church should even encourage such behavior. It should be praised as an honor. The process and emotions didn't matter; the result was what was important.

So why did she feel such complex emotions about his seemingly rushed actions?

Her eyebrows twisted at the incomprehensible emotion within her.

"...Why does he always throw himself into such dangerous situations?"

As if to mask the emotion that had arisen within her, Mathias' lips spoke other words. Her silver hair swayed in response.

"Because he's weak."

It was a clear and decisive statement. It was a surprising statement to Mathias, who knew that Karia lived by the philosophy of the strong.

Why would she call someone she didn't hate "weak"?

With a puzzled look, Karia smiled as if amused.

"Can't you see? He is fundamentally weak and unstable. That's why he throws himself into dangerous situations, trying to reach the strong. Like a hero. Well, in my opinion, he still has a long way to go."

Karia's demeanor was oddly proud. Despite calling him weak, she seemed to be praising her own possession.

"But he also has a strength that comes from his weakness. I find that very admirable about him. It's strange. I used to think that strength was unshakable and incompatible with weakness."

Seeing him has taught me many things for the first time. Karia's words were unusually calm, and her gaze was tender. It was hard to believe, knowing her fierce and intense actions.

Her pale cheeks turned slightly red, and her silver eyes pierced through Mathias. Mathias' shoulders trembled.

"Don't just let me do all the talking. What do you see in him?"

What do I see in him? Mathias repeated the words involuntarily. She couldn't understand the meaning otherwise.

What do I see in Louis?

What kind of talk is this? She had never had such a conversation, nor had she ever harbored such thoughts in her heart. That's right, it must be so.

Pouting, she declared as much, and Karia, with wide eyes, laughed as if amused.

"If that's what you think, it's fine. But I and that magician, at our core, aren't much different—If you don't show your fangs, you might not get a single piece of meat."

Not that I intend to leave any. As she said this, Karia turned to the door, perhaps to rest.

What are you talking about? Mathias stared at her back, biting her lip.

I have no relationship with him. If anything, I'm a collaborator. And I harbor resentment towards him in my heart.

I might abandon him, but I would never "see" anything in him.

Of course, I can evaluate his manipulative skills and distorted actions, which are evident from his actions behind the elf princess. However, that's only in terms of whether he is useful or not. I have never given any evaluation to his character.

Yes, never, it's different. Mathias repeated this in her heart many times.

Mathias felt a new source of worry growing in her mind. It wasn't something created by Karia or Fiarato.

It was undoubtedly caused by the green-clothed man, Louis.