Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Ambush (3)

◆  

“⋯⋯.”  

“⋯⋯.”  

Felix and Gray both blinked in unison.  

Carlisle’s sudden intervention had left them unsure how to react.  

“My apologies for the delay! My night vision is poor, so I got lost for quite some time.”  

With practiced nonchalance, Carlisle’s gaze landed on Gray’s fingertips.  

⋯⋯A slight tremor remained.  

[Just as expected.]  

‘⋯⋯What exactly happened here?‘  

[Just as you have things you wouldn’t tell others, so do I.]  

‘⋯⋯.’  

Carlisle nodded quietly.  

‘I understand.’  

[⋯⋯Hm?]  

‘I won’t pry. But please tell me eventually, if you can.‘  

[You say you won’t pry, yet still demand answers?]  

‘If it’s something difficult, I should help. That’s my role.‘  

Supporting the hero in all aspects.  

That was Carlisle’s duty.  

If this person was struggling, he would resolve it completely. As always.  

[⋯⋯.]  

A heavy sigh echoed from within the Holy Sword.  

The resigned sigh of someone thinking this idiot’s at it again.  

[⋯⋯Your lack of self-awareness remains terrifying.]  

‘Huh?‘  

[Nevermind. You should act quickly.]  

Noticing the Holy Sword’s abrupt subject change, Carlisle tilted his head but summoned the system window.  

Let’s see.  

What he could do here—  

-System Message  

▶ Using ‘Command Authority’ on target ‘Gray’!  

▶ Removing ‘negative emotions’ from target.  

▶ Target becomes strongly influenced by your words.  

⋯⋯This should suffice.  

“Miss.”  

As he activated the command, Gray’s lingering tremor vanished instantly.  

“⋯⋯.”  

Her eyes widened in surprise.  

The sudden disappearance of all ‘unpleasant feelings’ was undoubtedly a first for her.  

“Forgive me. It seems I’ve failed again this time.”  

“⋯⋯.”  

Gray simply blinked, not understanding his following words.  

“I was slower than usual in assisting. I forgot you always leave the last one for me during our training sessions.”  

⋯⋯They’d never done that.  

They’d never even trained together.  

This was pure fabrication.  

“⋯⋯.”  

But realizing Cardinal Felix was observing them, Gray quickly composed herself.  

She’d barely grasped why Carlisle was saying this.  

“⋯⋯You’re late. Still too slow.”  

Her response implied this was their usual routine—that she intentionally left one enemy for him as ‘training’.  

Creating an excuse where her hesitation wasn’t paralysis, but intention.  

⋯⋯Eliminating any opening for the Gray Cardinal to probe.  

A smile spread across Carlisle’s face.  

His cheerful voice returned,

“There seems to be more ahead, Miss! After you!”  

“⋯⋯.”  

“Miss?”  

“-Shut up.”  

Ah, she was back.  

Carlisle’s smile deepened at her familiar harsh tone.  

“Don’t tell me what to do. It’s nothing.”  

“⋯⋯.”  

Yes.  

This was the Gray he knew.  

That signature arrogance permeating her words⋯⋯  

Yet—  

“Follow me. I’ll clear the path.”  

“Yep!”  

The way she charged ahead radiated undeniable reliability.  

◆  

As Gray carved through the ghouls, she glanced back at Carlisle trailing behind.  

Now that she’d regained composure, ghouls posed no threat.  

Even this swarm that would make veteran knights scream was trivial—something she could obliterate while mentally reviewing what happened.  

“Your Highness, if you feel unwell, I know a breathing technique. First inhale for three seconds—”  

Having taken the princess from Felix, Carlisle comforted her amidst the chaos, ensuring she wouldn’t panic.  

“⋯⋯.”  

What to say?  

Normally, seeing him fuss over someone else would irritate her.  

But not this time.  

‘⋯⋯Again.‘  

He’d helped her once more.  

She’d nearly shown weakness before the Gray Cardinal.  

No—it was worse than that.  

The Holy Sword wielder had almost taken a hit from mere ghouls.  

For someone bearing the hero’s title, that would’ve been a major scandal.  

She smirked bitterly.  

‘⋯⋯Weak.‘  

As the Holy Sword’s bearer, she should sever anything hindering combat.  

She’s humanity’s protector. She must always make the right decisions.  

Feelings and thoughts make people weak.  

Only decisions matter.  

In that regard, she’d been utterly unheroic.  

Frozen by mere memories.  

“⋯⋯.”  

As these thoughts surfaced, her gaze drifted back to Carlisle.  

But separate from that—  

-Miss.  

The moment he’d called out when she faltered—  

Everything had instantly stabilized.  

As if she were somehow… Emotionally dependent on him—  

‘⋯⋯Ridiculous.‘  

She immediately crushed and buried that absurd notion.  

Anger flared.  

Dependent?  

On him?  

The hero must watch over and protect all. Always reigning from above.  

Yet here she was, possibly developing feelings for this insignificant man, despite his frequent assistance.  

“⋯⋯.”  

A third glance.  

Carlisle remained focused on soothing the princess.  

Leaving Gray to handle the ghouls while he tended to the child.  

The anger from earlier inexplicably intensified—  

“-Miss?”  

Carlisle suddenly met her gaze.  

“⋯⋯.”  

Hmm.  

Had she stared too obviously?  

Gray awkwardly held his gaze.  

“Is something wrong?”  

Carlisle smiled his usual pleasant smile.  

“Do you need assistance?”  

“⋯⋯Do I look like I need help?”  

She snapped reflexively. Most would flounder at such hostility.  

But Carlisle, unfazed, replied smoothly,  

“I know you don’t. But I’ll always help if needed.”  

“⋯⋯.”  

“Tell me if anything troubles you. I believe you can handle anything—but I exist to support you.”  

“⋯⋯.”  

⋯⋯This bastard.  

What was it?  

Whenever she felt even slightly dissatisfied, he’d somehow dissolve her emotions.  

Like he possessed some manual for making her feel at ease.  

“⋯⋯Nothing’s troubling me.”  

Gray turned away sharply.  

Her earlier irritation had completely subsided.  

“⋯⋯.”  

No.  

Not completely calm.  

Her pulse had quickened slightly.  

After meeting Carlisle’s smile.  

‘Hmph.‘  

She scoffed, brushing her hair back.  

‘⋯⋯Don’t be absurd.‘  

Just lingering combat adrenaline.  

She wasn’t someone to be swayed by him.  

She mentally pushed Carlisle away with all her might.  

“⋯⋯.”  

However.  

Someone else in that cave held entirely different thoughts.  

Felix’s gaze remained fixed on Carlisle.  

Continuously.  

Even after clearing the ghouls and exiting the cave.  

Unwaveringly.  

“Hmm—”  

Perhaps.  

“I’m getting greedy. Slowly.”  

No one heard his murmur.  

◆  

-System Message  

▶ ‘Main Event: Assault’ completed!  

▶ Event with ‘Gray Cardinal’ generated.  

-System Message  

▶ Trait ‘Hero’s Companion’ activated.  

▶ Partial update to ‘Rehabilitation List’!  

[ ★ Trust 100% ]  

▶ Target ‘Gray’s ‘Trust’ has reached 100%.  

▶ Target now treats you more specially!  

▶ ‘Trust’ transforms into something new!  

[ ★ Interest 0% ]  

▶ Reward granted!  

-System Message  

▶ Holy Sword’s ‘Form Change’ unlocked.  

▶ New event with headmaster ‘Sear Whiteburn’ added!  

◆