IBWMD 130

~Chapter 130~

“Are you really okay with this?”

“Of course.”

“My lady, I’ll go with you too.”

“No. You go with Reina for now.”

After crossing the last gate and entering the outskirts of the capital, I stopped the carriage in a quiet suburb. I changed into the commoner’s clothes I had brought for disguise.

Coincidentally, it was men’s clothing again. It would attract less suspicion than walking alone as a woman.

‘And honestly, pretending to be a man is easier.’

Reina and Bess watched me nervously as I got ready.

“I don’t feel right leaving you alone in a dangerous place like this.”

“Bess is right, Elaine. What if some thugs catch you…?”

“I should be more worried about catching them.”

“The capital is full of criminals who’d rob you blind in broad daylight. This is a cold place, full of sly men.”

“…You two didn’t forget I lived my whole life in the capital until just months ago, did you?”

Before Saint Portu, I was a complete city girl. It was a bit funny to hear them say such things.

“I know these streets. Except for monster hunts, all my service was here.”

“Even so…”

“I know every shortcut, every back alley, every market. Don’t worry.”

There was another reason I wanted to go alone.

‘If we go together, we’ll have to enter Marquis Pascal’s house.’

That would drag my whole family into this.

‘I’m not ready to go that far yet.’

I left Saint Portu in the first place to keep my family safe.

Would Father even welcome me if I suddenly came back? He was a good man but stubborn.

So I shook my head.

“It’s better to split here. From now on, I’ll figure out the way myself.”

“…From now on? Didn’t you make a plan before coming?”

“The conclusion’s already set—I’ll storm the temple. The process, I’ll make it up here.”

Reina looked worried again. I whispered firmly to her:

“When moving on impulse, it’s easier and faster if I’m alone.”

At last, they gave in.

“If it gets dangerous, come to the Marquis’ house. Promise?”

“Of course.”

“You’ll call me too, right, my lady?”

“You’re the one I’ll need most, Bess.”

“Of course! Who knows—I might appear at the critical moment and save you.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Only after several reminders did Reina and Bess leave by carriage.

I sighed lightly and started walking toward the city.

In truth, I still had no concrete plan.

‘First, maybe I can use my old connections in the capital… like the 3rd Knights Division.’

‘But… has the Captain even gotten in yet?’

He’d have more trouble than me—his face was well-known, and inspections were strict.

‘What if, in his usual honesty, he declared himself at the gate and ended up locked up?’

He was terrible at plots. Still, I needed him to contact the 3rd Division.

Thunk.

Lost in thought, I bumped into someone. The street was now crowded.

Instinctively, I patted my pockets.

‘Not a pickpocket.’

Then someone grabbed my shoulder.

I wasn’t surprised.

‘Just some thug?’

My small build often made men pick fights.

I was about to twist his wrist when—

“Elaine Pascal?”

“…”

That voice was familiar.

I looked up and smirked.

“…The lazy guy from the 4th Division?”

“…”

“….”

It was the 4th Division’s vice-captain—always picking fights with me, pretending to compete because we were both snipers.

‘Why him? I was thinking of the 3rd Division!’

He stared at me in shock.

“You… why are you here…?”

I racked my brain for good memories of him. But all I recalled were times he lost to me, got no flowers from noble ladies, or picked fights for no reason.

Then, his face twisted.

“What? You were a woman? Don’t tell me you bullied me all this time because you liked me—”

“The opposite. You’re the one who always started fights.”

“Huh?”

“Wait… did you like me?”

“I-It’s Benji, not lazy—”

“Too bad. I’m married now, so I’ll reject your confession. Buzz off.”

‘Ugh. Just my luck to run into him.’

I muttered, “You must’ve mistaken me.”

“You already admitted it was you!”

“Just pretend you didn’t see me, lazy.”

“It’s Benji, not—ugh, why do I have to—”

“Enough.”

Thankfully, no one else cared. Cold-hearted capital people—sometimes they’re useful.

He looked annoyed, so I grabbed him by the collar and dragged him into a shady alley.

“What the—”

“No, I’ll show you something good.”

Memory-erasing magic.

I pulled out Eyeball. Just as I prepared to use it—

“…Oh. Showing off your glowing artifact?”

I froze.

Eyeball, glowing and winking at me, had reappeared.

‘You came back? Now? Karl’s lying half-dead at the mansion, and you reappear here?!’

My fists clenched in anger.

Then—

“Want me to show you something even better?”

A familiar, dangerous voice came from behind.

“Memory erasure magic.”

A big hand landed on the vice-captain’s head.

Zap—

He collapsed unconscious.

I stood frozen, catching my breath.

Then I heard a low, accusing voice:

“You came all the way to the capital… only to sneak into a dark alley with another man?”

I grabbed the speaker by the collar and spun around.

“Do you know how worried I was?!”

Karl smiled down at me, cupping my face with both hands. His smile was wicked, radiant, and achingly familiar.

“Did you worry about me?”

“Don’t say something so obvious, you idiot!”

His low laugh followed.

Then his lips pressed softly against mine.