Chapter 86

***

Clyde, holding Charlotte close, lowered his right hand, which had used a binding spell, while looking down at the man causing a commotion in the back of the shop.

(To think that a mercenary targeting me would come this far...)

The wind magic aimed at Clyde was indeed released by this man. The once calm atmosphere of the tavern was now filled with the confusion of male patrons. After letting go of Charlotte, Clyde approached the attacker with a calm gait and knelt beside him.

"Excuse me, sir."

When Clyde smiled, the man's eyes widened in fear.

"Could you briefly tell me who hired you to kill me?"

"Ugh, ugh...!"

"Oh, are you in too much pain to speak?"

Betraying others and gathering information through it was Clyde's job. The number of people who might target him far exceeded the count of his fingers.

(To begin with, I'm not using a barrier to interfere with tracking magic. It's the client's request to be able to communicate via magical connection at any time, so there's no choice...)

If such troubles increase, he would need to reconsider.

"For now, I'll have a more detailed conversation with you later."

"Ugh, ugh...! A, s, stop..."

Smiling, Clyde activated a material transfer spell. A magic circle spread on the floor, and the attacker's figure vanished instantly. He had been sent to one of Clyde's bases where they could talk calmly.

"Sir...?"

"I apologize for the disturbance. I'll make sure to apologize to the other tables."

Clyde handed a bag of gold coins to the black-clad waiter with a pleasant smile. As the waiter bowed hurriedly, Clyde pretended to adjust his jacket and thought.

The subject of his thoughts was the saint behind him, Charlotte.

(To think that the saint would see through my lie...)

Clyde, however, wasn't particularly troubled by this.

(Responding to my summons was the result of a certain strategy... It seems someone is giving Charlotte instructions. But they're not monitoring this place with surveillance magic.)

Charlotte's actions were one of the scenarios he had anticipated. Even if she knew his declaration of love was a lie, it wasn't a significant problem.

(With thorough investigation and observation, most countermeasures can be taken.)

Closing his eyes, he began to calculate. After a shallow breath, Clyde opened his mouth with a perfect smile.

"I apologize for involving you, Charlotte."

With that smile still on his face, he turned to Charlotte.

"Unfortunately, I have many enemies."

He imagined Charlotte would respond with a composed face as usual, and he narrowed his eyes.

"Anyway, I'm relieved that we didn't have to activate your protective stone—"

"Come this way."

"!"

Charlotte's cold hand took Clyde's without hesitation.

"What...?"

"Just come this way, I said."

She seemed to be leading him outside the shop. Signaling to the confused waiter that he would return later, Clyde followed her.

The area around this shop, located in a corner of the Holy City, had few people at night. Once they reached the cobblestone street, Charlotte finally stopped.

"Charlotte?"

"Hold still...!"

She quickly grabbed Clyde's arm. The strength in her grip was stronger than he expected, making Clyde blink.

"What do you mean by 'hold still'?"

"Here! The injury you sustained while helping me just now!"

"..."

The sleeve torn by wind magic was soaked in blood. It was from the attacker, but Clyde hadn't really noticed it.

Even with minor injuries, he was trained not to feel pain. He knew it could lower his chances of survival, but it increased the success rate of his missions.

"This is nothing. More importantly..."

"There's no need to talk...! Just stay still for a moment...!!"

(What? The atmosphere is completely different...)

"Excuse me... I'm sorry, Ozvalt-sama..."

Charlotte whispered softly and placed her hand over Clyde's wound.

(Could it be...?)

A soft light seeped into Clyde's body. The pain disappeared, his body felt lighter, and the wound began to close. As he received the healing, Clyde felt a sense of disbelief.

(Why is Charlotte healing me?)