ASDM 21

Chapter 21

Levi slowly walked over, tossing the water bottle into the picnic basket.

As always, it was my job, the actual elder, to grab his leisurely-moving hand and trot ahead.

“Let’s go up now!”

With that, I climbed the ladder step by step. But then, a hand reached down from above.

When I looked up, Levi was already standing on the floor of the treehouse.

For someone who often jumped up and down from the second-floor balcony, a ladder was pretty much useless.

Which meant the vine ladder hanging from this huge zelkova tree was a kind gesture made just for me.

“Thanks.”

I smiled and took his hand.

For some reason, I had a feeling that my one-sided towing days were about to end.

Still holding onto the hand that would soon feel even warmer, I stepped into the treehouse—and a gasp of wonder escaped my lips.

“Wow…”

A treehouse that looked like fairies might secretly live there. A lush, green mountain spread out in one sweeping view. And the setting sun melting away behind its ridges.

There wasn’t a single thing that wasn’t beautiful.

Even the boy standing beside me, holding my hand.

Such a perfect moment. Right now—this was the moment. With that certainty, I suddenly said:

“Hey, Levi. If you have time, do you want to mar—”

“Shh.”

At that moment, Levi covered my mouth.

Was that a shut-up?

Did I really just get rejected before I even proposed?

While I stood there shocked, Levi stared off into the distance and said:

“We need to go down.”

“Huh?”

“Now.”

There was no time to ask why.

He suddenly wrapped an arm around my waist and jumped down from the tree.

I didn’t even have time to scream. I just squeezed my eyes shut—and when I opened them again, we were on the ground. Blinked again—and this time, I was on January’s back.

What the—what is going on?

Levi, still looking calm, placed my arms around January’s neck and made sure I had a tight grip.

“Run.”

“Woof!”

January’s fur bristled as he and the other wolves shot off without hesitation.

Normally, they wouldn’t be so eager to follow Levi’s orders, but something seemed to be bothering them too.

As we raced down the mountain, the sun quickly disappeared and the world was swallowed in darkness. I started to feel anxious, even without knowing what was going on.

‘Where’s Levi? Did he ride a different wolf?’

We were moving so fast, I couldn’t even lift my head or open my eyes properly. We arrived at the mansion in a blur.

As soon as January stopped, I tried to look around—but Levi was already in front of me. It seemed like he’d run faster than the wolves on two legs.

Truly his father’s son.

He picked me up off January again and quickly grabbed my hand, leading me forward.

The atmosphere around the mansion was too serious to joke about how he was initiating skinship now.

Armed knights were pacing the backyard… and—

“You’re here.”

Even Wolfgang, whom I hadn’t seen much recently because I was always chasing after Levi, was there.

With a real sword in hand.

As we approached, Wolfgang, clearly expecting us, motioned toward the mansion with his chin.

“Both of you, get inside.”

“There are too many of them.”

“Which is why I said get inside.”

“I’ll help.”

Not liking Levi’s reply, Wolfgang raised one eyebrow. Then he suddenly stared intently at me.

“That peanut-sized body of yours would die from even a scratch.”

“…Huh? Peanut—me?”

“If no one’s around to protect you, you’ll die instantly.”

“Wait, why the sudden curse?”

“What do you think, son?”

Then Levi, after a long, serious pause, nodded and began leading me into the mansion.

Why are you agreeing so readily? No, seriously—what’s going on?

As I was practically dragged inside, Bibi spotted me from the mansion hall and started scolding me with worry.

“Hey! You’re supposed to be back before sunset, on the dot—!”

But then her eyes met Levi’s, and she clamped her mouth shut.

Her gaze dropped to our joined hands.

Contrary to my expectations of her exploding, Bibi was quiet.

Gone was the passionate girl head over heels in first love. What remained was a quiet, subdued feeling.

Definitely not lingering feelings. If anything…

“Ha, I loved him.”

It was relief.

She muttered wistfully, rubbing her nose, and turned away from Levi and me like a leaf drifting in the wind.

She really doesn’t belong here. We should just pack her bags and send her to Hollywood or something.

I clicked my tongue in pity as Levi headed in a familiar direction.

Wolfgang’s office—the one we used to visit all the time just a while ago.

“Oh, you’re here.”

There, Zero was waiting for us.

Hugging some documents under the desk.

“…What are you doing?”

“Protecting these documents and my safety with my life.”

You could probably be a little less obsessive.

As I stared at him, nearly fused with the floor and paperwork—

Waaah!

Suddenly, ominous shouting echoed from outside.

“It’s started,” Benjamin said calmly.

Sensing that something big was happening, I crouched beside him. Levi, still holding my hand, joined me.

Benjamin, watching us curiously, was asked:

“Can you explain what’s going on?”

“It’s just your average assassination attempt.”

“Assass—what?”

I must’ve misheard.

Tilting my head, Benjamin casually repeated, “An assassination.”

What the hell.

Panicking, I scrambled up onto Benjamin’s back.

He yelped dramatically, but Levi held me steady.

Pressing my face to the tall office window, I could see figures scattered across the dark forest behind the mansion.

Some familiar, some not—all wielding gleaming blades.

It was jaw-dropping.

Levi eventually closed the window, but still—

‘This is insane. Who stages an assassination with a full frontal assault?’

An assassination should be a stealthy, late-night mission where the assassin sneaks in quietly and takes out the target.

This was just a small-scale war. Full-on battles between allies and enemies.

Judging by how casually everyone in Bastion treated it, this probably wasn’t the first time.

I always wondered why the townhouse had a forest behind it—maybe it was meant to be a battleground.

“What kind of chaos is this…”

I slid off Benjamin’s back and landed on the floor with a thud, looking at Levi in disbelief.

Just when I thought he’d finally been tamed… this metal-head.

“You knew this place was dangerous and still wanted to make it your secret hideout…?”

“Because you wanted it.”

Benjamin gasped and covered his mouth.

It could’ve sounded romantic, but it really, really wasn’t.

Even if I’d asked for it! You don’t build a cottage in a place where people fight with swords, bleed, and possibly die!

‘Did he trade his empathy for candy?’

I didn’t even know where to begin with teaching him right from wrong.

Or maybe it was Bastion itself that was the problem.

How had no one stopped me while I played around, completely unaware?

Most likely… they didn’t even realize the forest was dangerous.

Because to them—it was just everyday life.

A sigh escaped me. So did a wave of existential dread.

Was this really the only place in the world where I could survive?

“…Who’s trying to kill us, anyway?”

Oddly, Benjamin fell silent.

That silence only made me more nervous, and I bombarded him with questions.

“What, why won’t you say anything? Is it that terrifying? Is the backstory wild? Too horrible to even mention?”

“It’s not that. It’s just…”

“Just…?”

Gulp. I swallowed hard.

Benjamin muttered seriously.

“There are just too many suspects.”

Seriously?

I held my pounding forehead when suddenly Levi and Benjamin turned their heads at the same time.

“They’ve breached the perimeter.”

“What?”

“They’re pushing unusually hard today.”

Despite Wolfgang standing right outside, Benjamin muttered something suspiciously to himself.

Breached the perimeter? As in—the assassins were inside the mansion?

Then what about Bibi? Kim and Sarah? Joan? Betty? Uncle Sanche and Tony? Grandpa Hugo?

What about… me?

Fear clouded my vision and my shoulders trembled.

How many people ever get face-to-face with trained assassins in their life? This was my first time.

‘Although… I’ve had many near-death experiences.’

Clench.

Suddenly, Levi gripped my hand tightly.

It actually hurt a bit—but it was comforting.

He might lack empathy, but his instincts were sharp. I leaned into his warmth and finally managed to speak.

“W-What do we do? What if someone gets hurt…?”

“Huh? Oh, that won’t happen.”

At my worry, Benjamin just laughed kindly.

“This is Bastion, after all.”

“What kind of delusional confidence is that…”

Bang!

A loud noise rang from somewhere.

Levi squeezed my trembling hand again.

Still lying prone, Benjamin asked Levi:

“How many got in?”

“Four.”

“That’ll be over quick.”

You’re talking about assassins like they’re cockroaches in the pantry!

At this point, I figured I should stop trying to understand.

Then Levi, who’d been watching my anxious face, suddenly stood.

I instantly grabbed his hand.

“Hey, wait! Where are you going?!”

“…”

“It’s dangerous! Sit down, now!”

I yanked with all my strength—but he didn’t budge.

After silently watching me struggle, Levi gently shook off my hand and said,

“Wait here.”

Then he grabbed the dagger strapped to his thigh—the one he’d just used to cut some rope—and walked out of the office with heavy strides.