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Chapter 10
Erin had never been acknowledged by any of Ferdin’s knights in her previous life.
No—it wasn’t a matter of recognition. They always looked at Erin with eyes full of hatred.
Amon, Lilia, and all the other knights absent from this scene hated her, wishing to kill her.
But they couldn’t because of Ferdin.
This time, Erin resolved never to shake their loyalty. She would rather have them direct their hatred solely at her.
“A knight sure has a sharp tongue.”
Karon, standing behind Erin, was startled by her words, his mouth opening in surprise. But he quickly regained his composure and reached out to stop her.
Karon had provoked Amon because he was confident he wouldn’t lose easily in a fight with him. But Erin was different.
If Amon challenged her to a duel, Erin couldn’t handle it.
A flood of thoughts raced through Karon’s mind and vanished in an instant.
Since Erin had now become a prospective knight herself, he couldn’t intervene or fight in her place.
Yet, as if disregarding his worry, she effortlessly avoided Karon’s hand and, with a fluid motion, grabbed his hand in an instant.
Karon couldn’t help but be astonished. He didn’t understand how Erin could seize his hand.
He hadn’t even been able to read her movement leading up to it.
The other knights seemed to feel something off as well, whispering among themselves.
“Did you see that movement earlier?”
“I did.”
“Really? I didn’t see anything.”
“Well, it wasn’t anything special. Anyone could do that.”
Their conversation was cut off when Amon radiated a thick, murderous aura toward Erin.
Clenching his teeth, he spoke to Erin, who blocked his path. Each word dripped with a deadly intensity.
“You… want to die?”
Erin wanted to answer that, yes, she had.
When Lilia had tried to kill her in the past life, Erin had wished to die as an act of atonement to everyone.
If it could ease the pain of losing those she loved, she would have gladly given her life.
But that act had been a deception toward Lilia. Erin’s death could never replace them.
So, in this life, she vowed to survive at all costs.
Even if she had to crawl through the mud, she would live, avenge Calypso’s death, and reveal the truth to Lilia.
She promised herself that if Ferdin regained what he had lost because of her, and if Lilia still hated her after learning the truth, she would either end her life by her own hand or vanish quietly.
Because it was true that Calypso had died because of her.
Death did not frighten her—she had already experienced it three times.
Therefore, when Amon asked if she wanted to die, Erin felt nothing.
It was Karon who reacted most strongly.
He turned toward Amon, radiating murderous intent, as if unable to restrain himself, preparing to draw his sword.
Even the nearby knights tensed at the threatening aura.
Erin tightened her grip on Karon’s hand, glanced at him once, and then returned her gaze forward.
Amon still stared at her with eyes full of contempt.
“Sir Amon, you shouldn’t speak of killing so casually.”
Erin met his gaze as she spoke.
Amon’s eyes looked as if molten lava burned within, glowing as if to incinerate her.
“All the more so if you cannot keep your word,” Erin continued.
Amon felt anger rise to the top of his head.
“Are you saying… I cannot kill you right now?”
Murder was a grave crime.
But if it occurred within the bounds of an honorable duel, it was no sin.
This meant that even if she died during the duel, the Resus Marquis family could claim no retribution.
Erin spoke calmly to Amon.
“A knight does not fight with words. If you have a grievance with me, draw your sword.”
Her eyes shone with unwavering determination as if she truly were a knight.
Amon’s stomach twisted at her audacity. How could a murderer speak as if she were a knight? Someone ignorant of honor could never become a knight.
And Erin Resus was farther from being a knight than anyone in that room.
Grinding his teeth, Amon glared at her. If she truly wanted to die, he could grant it without hesitation.
“You’ll regret those words.”
She had made an arrogant choice.
If she hadn’t called herself a prospective knight after transferring to the swordsmanship faculty, Amon might have been able to tolerate her.
No matter how evil, someone meant to be a knight could not raise a sword against a commoner.
Yet Erin continued to provoke him, her noble gaze and behavior like a real knight, which he found infuriating.
A murderer pretending otherwise—Amon thought as he touched his sword.
If she wanted to be regarded as a knight, he would duly oblige.
“If you want to die that badly, I’ll give you death right now.”
Tension crackled between Erin and Amon.
“That won’t do.”
A small yet firm voice suddenly spoke, drawing everyone’s attention in the same direction.
Erin slowly turned her gaze. There stood Princess Asilly.
A beautiful woman with long blonde hair swept to one side.
Beloved by all, the saint of the Lexia Empire, and Ferdin’s former lover.
Her presence alone changed the air around her.
The first to approach Princess Asilly was Derek, who had been observing the situation.
He supported her, as her pale complexion often betrayed the strain of her abundant divine power.
Even so, she never missed a single annual monster hunt, destined to lead the Lexia Empire as its saint.
“Princess, it’s cold. Why are you out here?”
She gave a faint smile in response.
“I came because I sensed a disturbance.”
Princess Asilly surveyed the now-quiet scene. Amon asked her brusquely, though he rarely spoke freely to her.
“Why can’t we duel now, Princess?”
“That is…”
As she slowly began to speak, her eyes met Erin’s.
In that instant, her pupils glimmered and quickly contracted.
Erin had never faced Princess Asilly directly in her previous life.
They had never exited their respective carriages together, and Erin had deliberately avoided her.
After that, the princess had not survived the monster hunt, so they never met again.
In short, this was the first time Erin had met her in both her past and current lives.
So this is the kind of person she is, Erin thought, studying the princess.
Indeed, she seemed like someone who could become Ferdin’s lover.
The princess’s death had intensified everyone’s hatred toward Erin.
Erin still could not forget that moment in her previous life when the angry Duke of Asilly confronted her after the princess’s death.
“You… you killed her.”
“You dare call yourself a knight without knowing what honor is! Erin Resus, see for yourself the consequences of your actions!”
He was not wrong. Even if it had been unintentional, did that absolve her guilt?
If she had honestly admitted that she was powerless, would their anger have subsided?
Through her many lives, Erin had always wondered.
Ferdin had chosen her life over Princess Asilly’s.
Had he tried to protect the princess amidst the monster attack, he could have done so.
Thus, Erin understood the Duke of Asilly’s rage.
Thinking of the past, meeting Princess Asilly again in this life felt slightly awkward.
This time, I won’t let it happen.
She adjusted the sword at her waist with that thought.
“Why… you?”
The princess stared at Erin in disbelief, eyes wide.
Erin had expected the princess to blame her for breaking up with Ferdin.
But her reaction completely defied Erin’s expectations.
Supporting herself with Derek, Princess Asilly sprang toward Erin as if she could hardly contain her excitement.
