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Chapter 61
“…….”
“If His Majesty the Emperor imposes another trial, I will step in and stop it as well. So please, do not go.”
“Why are you going to such lengths?”
Erin had always wanted to ask.
Why was he so kind to her? Why would he sacrifice so much for someone like her?
Ferdin spoke.
“In the past you remember, there was something I wanted to say to you.”
The moment he spoke those words, Ferdin realized through his abilities what he had thought back then.
“I wanted to tell you… that I love you.”
Erin’s eyes reddened, bloodshot.
She couldn’t believe her ears. She didn’t understand what Ferdin was saying.
“He loved me? Ferdin?”
It was something she had never imagined even once. Yet, for that reason, it made her chest feel as if it would tear apart.
If what Ferdin said was true and he really had loved her, then Corellia’s words were right.
She had dragged him into a swamp.
Erin struggled to control her emotions. What Ferdin was saying now was what his past self had wanted to say.
So the current Ferdin must think differently.
If what he said was true, then she had to go west even more.
“Sir Ferdin, I am a knight. I live to protect others.”
Erin slowly approached Ferdin and took his firm hand in hers. Then she knelt on one knee, taking a stance like a knight making a solemn vow.
Ferdin’s expression became complicated. Erin’s posture mirrored exactly the one his past self had seen her take when she vowed to return safely.
“Until now, I’ve never done anything by my own will. I had no purpose, no direction….”
When she was dying by Raymond’s sword, she had silently vowed in her heart that she would choose whatever outcome awaited her in the future.
Whether it was life, death, or even a path to hell.
Ferdin felt a complex mix of emotions watching her. He knew he should stop her. He thought it was the right thing to do.
But with her next words, he could no longer tell Erin not to leave.
“I will return, no matter what. This time, please let me choose.”
Derek waited for Ferdin in the office. In front of him sat Amon, slouched somewhat awkwardly.
“Relax a bit. Staring like that won’t make Erin Lises come back.”
“Erin hasn’t left yet.”
“If she goes west, she might meet Helix. If that guy helps Erin Lises, completing the promotion trial might not be impossible.”
“She’s not going west. And who would help her? Maybe if she receives help, but not otherwise.”
Amon’s words, said with a scoff, made Derek feel uneasy.
“You speak as if Erin Lises is stronger than Helix?”
“What?”
“Exactly. Helix is strong—there are even rumors that he might become the captain of the Paladin Order at the central temple in the future.”
“……”
“He’s excellent with sacred power and uses it with astonishing skill. As a normal knight, he would be considered an advanced knight.”
“And what does that have to do with anything?”
“But you’re acting as if Erin is stronger than Helix. Have you forgotten how the Paladins from the Holy Kingdom earned the Emperor’s recognition?”
Upon hearing Derek, Amon’s face immediately hardened. He had no talent for lying.
He bit his lips, desperate to tell the truth immediately.
He always considered himself someone who could keep a secret.
But whenever he saw people underestimate Erin, he wanted to grab them by the collar and shout:
“Erin is already a Sword Master!”
Amon tore at his hair in frustration, tormented by the impulse. Yet, he had to restrain himself.
Suppressing the urge, he looked at Derek and raised one corner of his mouth. Derek tilted his head at the awkward smile.
At that moment, Ferdin opened the office door and walked in. Amon and Derek’s eyes met his.
Ferdin’s aura was unusual. Both could immediately tell he was in a bad mood.
Derek gestured to Amon.
“Quick, ask what happened with Erin Lises.”
Amon sighed and looked at Ferdin.
“Ferdin! What happened? What about Erin?”
“She’s left.”
“What?”
Amon’s eyes widened at Ferdin’s words. Derek frowned and shook his head.
“Weren’t you going to stop her?”
“I tried.”
Ferdin didn’t want Erin to continue fighting alone, regardless of her skills.
Also, Isis and Helix were at the western temple. To complete the promotion trial, a witness had to oversee the process.
They usually bring many Paladins who cannot lie, so Erin would probably ask the temple for help.
Ferdin couldn’t help but worry about Erin meeting them without him.
Derek, confused, asked,
“Why did you let her leave? The people in the west will never help her.”
Ferdin understood what Derek meant.
People in the west, unfamiliar with Erin, would be hostile.
The west was dangerous. Monsters frequently appeared, making it unsuitable for human settlement.
The Emperor had relocated Holy Kingdom citizens there, which had made the western people very resentful of the empire.
Ferdin was concerned as well. But after conveying what his past self had wanted to say, Erin’s changed resolve was striking.
Thinking of that, Ferdin’s face turned crimson, startling Derek beside him.
Even if these were the words of his past self, he worried whether delivering them now was right, or if it would make Erin’s heart ache even more.
Images of Erin suffering kept replaying in his mind.
He wanted to shout for her not to leave. But even if the same situation repeated, he knew he couldn’t stop her.
“This time, please let me choose.”
Then, even here, he had to do whatever he could.
As soon as Erin arrived in the west, she was met with sharp, scrutinizing gazes.
It was probably because she was wearing the Athenes Academy knight uniform.
Erin ignored the piercing looks and continued toward her destination.
‘No choice.’
Candidates performing the promotion trial were required to wear their knight uniforms.
It meant she could not hide her affiliation with Athenes Academy.
She heard whispers from the people in the west:
“Why on earth did she come here?”
“She’s in a knight uniform. Probably to watch the promotion trial.”
“An Athenes Academy student watching the promotion trial here?”
“Stop staring and go inside already.”
Erin ignored their hostile gazes. She was used to people’s animosity.
‘Helix should be at the temple.’
With her destination clear, there was no reason to hesitate.
Erin moved toward meeting Helix.
At the time Erin arrived in the west, Helix was, as expected, staying at the temple.
The usually quiet temple had become somewhat restless. Helix asked a passing priest,
“Is something going on?”
“Oh, Sir Helix. Just now, Priest Isis has arrived.”
At the familiar name, Helix nodded expressionlessly. Isis was his twin brother and a priest at the central western temple.
‘He’s here.’
Isis Exzart. At least in the west, he was second only to the Emperor in influence.
A man of immense holy power, he was even considered a candidate for the next Pope.
Helix quickened his pace.
He had an idea where Isis would be—and sure enough, he found him in the prayer room, kneeling silently before a statue.
Isis was a man with short red hair and a pale, striking face.
His ascetic, priestly features commanded respect.
Though he resembled Helix, his aura was completely different.
“Isis.”
At Helix’s call, Isis turned and smiled brightly at him.
If Helix rarely displayed emotion, Isis was the type to wear a mask.
Seeing his brother’s radiant smile, Helix grimaced, knowing what scolding would follow behind it.
