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Chapter 30
He handed her the dagger.
…Every time she looked at the dagger, her final image flashed before his eyes, and he hadn’t wanted to give her something like this…
But his own body was growing weaker, and the pursuers were becoming stronger. He didn’t want to leave her defenseless, empty-handed.
She glanced at the dagger in his hand, then met Agen’s eyes briefly before looking down at the dagger again, gripping it tightly in her hand.
“Okay.”
Her expression was resolute. He added in a somber tone:
“You shouldn’t have to use it, but…”
“I’ll keep it safe.”
“…Probably,”
He swallowed once, then continued.
“They will never… harm you.”
Agen had wanted to say, “They won’t hurt you,” but he hesitated. Kashien had likely ordered them to bring Arlen back safely. Still, even the act of capturing her could be considered harm.
“…They’ll be completely careless around you, so it might work just once.”
“Okay.”
“When they come close while distracted, grip it like this, strike once, and don’t hesitate,”
Agen guided her hand to the dagger’s hilt.
“There’s no need to hesitate. After all, these are the people who have killed countless others.”
Among those countless people, there were probably many she loved.
“Do not show mercy, don’t worry—just stab with all your strength and twist…”
He pressed closely behind her, placing his hand over hers and demonstrating the stabbing and twisting motion.
Arlen, following quietly, suddenly turned and looked at him.
“Agen, your hand is hot.”
“Ah…”
He flinched.
When she reached out her pale hand to touch his forehead and check his temperature, he instinctively stepped back. Her hand stopped in midair.
“…Your fever’s high, isn’t it?”
“I’m fine. I can endure until we reach the apothecary. Let’s get going.”
As he turned and picked up his bag, Arlen hurried to follow.
“Where? Which wound is the worst? Let me see the injuries.”
“Don’t underestimate a knight’s body, milady. Even if the wounds worsen, I can endure.”
Agen smiled, and Arlen stayed quiet. She knew that no matter what she said, he wouldn’t accept help—and even if she looked at his wounds, there was nothing she could do without medicine or bandages. She bit her lower lip in helpless frustration.
“We should hurry. It’s not good if those guys catch up, and I want to reach the apothecary to treat your wounds quickly, just as you said.”
“Yes… If we’re on the right path, we should arrive by tonight.”
She nodded weakly.
It was usually her whose health worried him, but now, with her worrying about his body, Agen felt a small smile creep up.
“Are you laughing?”
She scolded him, and he laughed foolishly.
“I never thought the day would come when you’d worry about my body…”
“…Lately, it’s happened often. You collapsed back in Shuel last spring, didn’t you?”
“Ah… yes, I did.”
He smiled bitterly, remembering that day when his past, which he thought was gone, came crawling back and knocked at the door.
“…I’m fine.”
“Fine? Your whole body is festering with wounds. Back then there was a doctor. Now, you’re in worse condition than me.”
She looked at him worriedly, but Agen was still smiling.
“Let’s go, milady. We must reach there by tonight.”
They rode along the forest path. For a while, the journey was uneventful, but soon Agen, sharp even in his dizziness, stopped, prompting Arlen to do the same, biting her lip as she scanned the surroundings. The foreboding sense of what was about to happen brought a wave of despair.
She saw nothing and heard nothing, but Agen had sensed someone.
And the opposing knight could sense them as well. Arlen held her breath until Agen spoke.
Finally, Agen drew his sword and said in a low voice:
“Milady, hide.”
“Okay.”
Without hesitation, Arlen ran in the opposite direction of where Agen was looking.
Agen drew his sword and tensed, waiting. Once Arlen’s presence faded, it seemed she had found a safe spot to hide.
One trained knight… and the soldiers? Seven, perhaps?
It was fortunate that only one knight was pursuing them, but…
He wiped the sweat dripping down his forehead.
His fever was high now, making him dizzy. Could he manage this? He could handle an ordinary knight, but it wasn’t just about winning—it was about ensuring none escaped and that he remained capable of facing the others who would follow.
Even if he collapsed, she had to survive. He couldn’t let a single pursuer escape.
Once again, he remembered her sitting alone on the cliff.
Was this why she had been left alone?
“Found you!”
Someone shouted, and the sound of swords being drawn rang out from the other side.
Agen grinned grimly.
If he fell here, she’d be alone. And perhaps, she would risk herself to save him, just as before.
‘That cannot happen.’
Even if he died here, she had to escape far away.
He should have told her earlier. That if he became unable to move, she should abandon him and flee. But crossing the border alone would be difficult—he had to help her.
This life, he vowed, he would protect her until the end.
Once they safely crossed the border and found a place to settle… then…
“Are you the knight Agen? Where is the lady?”
The presumed knight asked, pointing a sword. They weren’t asking for a response; they didn’t care.
Agen smirked. He didn’t even want to waste energy taunting them.
As the unknown knight gestured, three soldiers tried to slip past.
Ha. Holding my feet while searching for her?
He leapt at them. Before they could react, one soldier’s neck was pierced.
“Ahh!”
The next soldier screamed and swung his sword, but in fear, the wild strikes were easily parried by Agen, who then sliced through him. As he went to strike the third soldier, the opposing knight leapt forward.
Clang—!
Sword clashes erupted with small explosions.
‘Sword energy… damn it.’
A knight capable of using sword energy had joined the fight. He had to take him out quickly and finish the soldiers.
As if on cue, the remaining soldiers began to spread out.
He pressed the attack fiercely. He had to quickly eliminate the knight and then pursue the remaining soldiers.
Using a surge of sword energy, Agen forcefully pushed the knight back and spun to slice the soldier pursuing Arlen.
Blood splattered with each swing, dripping onto the trees.
‘Four left.’
He quickly counted the remaining soldiers while maintaining his defense. Injuries were piling up; he felt the strain, dizziness occasionally spinning his head. But few remained.
“You’re tired, but as expected, your skills are incredible.”
The opposing knight, bleeding and gasping, spoke. Agen didn’t care to know his name.
“But your loyalty is misguided. We didn’t come to harm the lady. If you cared for her, you’d help her escape safely.”
Escorting her to abuse and death… he snorted in disgust.
Agen charged again. Clang! The sword energy clashed with a small explosion.
“The lady is weak. How long do you intend to make her suffer in this forest instead of letting her live comfortably in the castle?!”
Comfortably? Dying while wearing expensive clothes as a shroud?
No need to waste time on pointless words.
‘One left… there must be one.’
While facing the knight, he scanned the surroundings. No time. Even if nearly finished, letting one slip would ruin everything. If a remaining soldier spotted her while he fought the knight, it would be over.
Destroying was easy; protecting was difficult. He felt it painfully. The power he had wielded mercilessly in his past life now cursed him.
The remaining soldiers were nowhere to be seen. He gritted his teeth, raising his senses.
As soon as he sensed another presence near her, blood boiled.
Boom—!
Sword energy exploded, sending the unknown knight flying. His head spun, but he endured. As the knight attempted to rush again, Agen turned and ran instead of facing him.
He should have dealt with him faster!
Desperately, he chased after her traces. The knight pursued from behind, but there was no time to fight. He couldn’t let the knight reach her. First, he had to eliminate the soldier, then take down the knight.
Dizziness. Ringing in his ears. Heart racing uncontrollably.
He wasn’t sure if the dizziness was from overexertion or fear.
He saw her.
He saw the vile man holding her wrist.
His mind went blank.
Without thinking, he threw his sword.
The vile man fell, blood scattering, and she looked back at him, her face pale, speckled with red.
And shouted:
“Behind you―!”
Feeling the imminent danger, he tried to block with his sword, realizing too late that his hands were empty, rolling aside to dodge.
No, he tried to dodge.
Blood splattered.
“Agen―!”
Damn it…
“Agen! Agen!”
She ran toward him.
No… don’t come. Go the other way, please…
