026. Distortion (7)
“Since it’s done, return to the barracks and protect the nobles there. Also, Viscount Keres.”
“Yes.”
“We should summon a priest from the nearest temple. You must have heard, the saint has awakened.”
“Ah, understood.”
After Owen took command of the situation, things began to gradually settle.
The knights and mages, who had been so noisy, entered the barracks, while Viscount Keres went to contact the temple.
Originally, such leadership should have been carried out by the highest-ranking individual-.
“You truly are remarkable.”
Owen couldn’t bring himself to entrust Richard with all of this.
“…No.”
He was still a young boy, very inexperienced.
Above all, the situation was dangerous.
And aside from that, Richard was too naive.
He understood well why the emperor had embraced him.
“No. You handle and control the situation skillfully. I should be able to do the same in the future.”
“…You will be able to.”
Usually, it would have been Viscount Keres who responded to such words.
But since she had gone to contact the temple, Owen struggled to speak and then turned to Louis.
“Escort His Highness the Crown Prince back to the barracks.”
“Ah, yes.”
Upon Owen’s order, Louis hesitated for a moment, then bowed his head.
The situation revolved around Owen and Kyle, so there was no choice but to follow.
There were only those two who could resolve the current situation.
“I will report back as the situation resolves, Your Highness. Please, go in with Sir Edelt.”
Before Richard and Louis left their seats, Owen briefly explained the situation and decision, then bid them farewell.
“Alright. Got it.”
Richard nodded without a word and returned to the barracks with Louis.
Only after everyone had left did Owen turn around.
“…Impressive.”
And what he uttered was a voice of admiration.
It was inevitable.
Dark clouds were gathering over the blazing forest.
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It seemed as though once the forest turned completely to ash, the clouds were ready to pour rain to extinguish the flames.
“Actually, what you showed earlier was more astonishing.”
In response to Owen’s admiring figure, Kyle replied sullenly.
Then he turned abruptly to Owen and spoke.
“But why did you take my side?”
“What do you mean?”
“Earlier. When the nobles were murmuring behind my back. They are all people who respect and follow you.”
It seemed that Owen had overheard what the knights had said.
Nevertheless, they seemed to make quite an effort to show respect in front of him.
‘I didn’t know.’
Since he didn’t pay much attention to those around him, it was news to him.
Perhaps even ‘Owen’ didn’t know.
He only cared for his own people.
“If those who respect me, well. Does that give them the right to speak ill of others?”
Truly unaware and feeling awkward for no reason.
Owen casually inquired.
Kyle remained silent for a while, then let out a deep sigh.
“You’re really odd. I’ve thought about it since you didn’t flatter the nobles, but really. There’s no one like you among the nobles.”
Perhaps due to living a life of constant facades.
Kyle seemed to act as if he had received a great favor from Owen’s slight kindness.
And Owen realized anew how lonely Kyle must have been.
Raised as an orphan, even after entering the tower and standing out with his exceptional skills, Kyle had been living alone without family, let alone friends, comrades, or acquaintances.
There was no such existence.
Perhaps that was why she easily fell for Bella’s warm attitude when she first met her.
It might also explain why Owen was so desperate to possess her, growling like a beast in the original work.
“I don’t think so.”
Owen spoke, exhaling sharply at Kyle’s words.
“Didn’t I tell you before? You’ll find out soon too. Confusing person.”
“What do you mean?”
“That person will too.”
Bella was affectionate to everyone, but she was particularly warm to Owen and Kyle.
Surely, when she grew closer to Kyle, he would realize that there was someone kinder and warmer than mere liking could suggest.
“More nonsense. I told you before, speak so I can understand.”
Whatever Owen’s intentions were.
To Kyle, they sounded like nothing but incomprehensible gibberish.
Kyle furrowed his brows and abruptly turned around.
The forest was engulfed in flames, black smoke billowing into the sky.
“This should be enough to kill them all.”
Kyle flicked his finger as he did when he lit the fire.
Suddenly, rain started pouring down from the dark clouds.
Shh-
In the downpour of thick raindrops, Kyle stepped back.
“Seems like it’s done, let’s go in. We need to report to the palace after sorting out the situation.”
“Oh, okay.”
Given the circumstances, they needed to hold a meeting, draft documents to report directly to the emperor.
Nodding, Owen and Kyle proceeded together.
***
After sorting out the situation, Owen and Kyle entered the mansion where the meeting was already underway.
The two summarized the events, including the awakening of the saint during the hunting competition, the resulting disturbance in the forest, and the burning of the entire forest to deal with the rampaging monsters.
They then organized and summarized the situation in a report.
The report was to be swiftly delivered to the palace by the end of the day, and the hunting competition would conclude upon the arrival of the high priest.
As they were about to adjourn the meeting, Keres Viscount added as if he had forgotten something.
“Um, excuse me. Did you burn everything under the forest as well?”
At Keres Viscount’s sudden question, Kyle looked puzzled and replied.
“Why do you ask that? Is there a reason for that question?”
“There are monsters living underground. After the hunting competition, the monsters that come to the village are mainly those, so if they are still alive, they might be driven out of the ground to escape the saint’s power.”
In other words, it meant that there were monsters living deep underground.
So, merely burning what was visible wouldn’t solve everything.
The monsters residing underground would not be affected by the fire.
Realizing this fact, Owen urgently got up.
If that was true, Lucia might be in danger.
The monsters were being driven in one direction by the saint’s power.
If there were still living monsters, they would likely head to where Bella was.
And Lucia would certainly be there with her.
Knowing that both of them would be at the mansion hosting the tea party.
Without explaining anything to those in the meeting room, he rushed out of the mansion towards where the tea party was being held, fearing for Lucia’s safety.
There was no time to look around or ask Keres Viscount for more details.
He had to confirm it immediately.
Whether she was safe.
Whether she was unharmed.
Because it couldn’t be any other way.
His racing heart bore witness to his anxiety and fear.
***
“They say the saint’s awakening caused all this. Who could it be?”
Such words were being uttered in the mansion where the tea party was set up.
Given the sudden turn of events, such discussions were only natural.
“Well…,”
Lucia drawled out the end of her sentence in response to Youngae’s question, turning her gaze slowly.
In the crimson eyes, a person with silver hair soon appeared.
“Suddenly appearing like this. Could it be someone who suddenly showed up?”
With a mischievous smile in her eyes, her voice was quite loud.
The sound reached Bella, who was somewhat far away.
“….”
Bella, who was absentmindedly pouring tea into a cup, turned her head abruptly.
‘I know what this is about now.’
Not only the subtle glances but also the information she was circling around to convey.
It was clear that everything was directed at me.
Lucia knew.
Who the saint was.
‘Certainly sharp.’
Knowing that silver hair and silver eyes were symbols of a saint was unmistakable.
The fact that there was no one else besides her who could be considered a saint in this situation was also evidence.
Lucia was quick-witted and intelligent, just as expected.
Even when reading the original work, I felt that Lucia was excessively clever.
I would have felt more at ease if Bella had such a noble character.
Bella inwardly clicked her tongue and turned her head again.
There was nothing I could do at the moment.
Still being a commoner, there was no way the noble young ladies and gentlemen would involve me in their conversations.
Even if she claimed to be a saint, they wouldn’t easily believe her.
The best course of action was to wait until she was recognized in the temple and at the royal palace.
‘But how do I control my power.’
Bella narrowed her eyes while continuously seeing her power dispersing.
Thanks to the rigorous practice before coming to the forest, it was possible to manifest power, use it for attack and healing.
But completely harnessing the power was proving difficult.
It was like power filling her body just like blood flowing.
How am I supposed to suppress it and eliminate the energy?
The real ‘Bella’ seemed impressive.
As Bella was concentrating on controlling her power and the rest of the nobles were engrossed in their gossip, at that moment.
“Krrrk….”
A sound that shouldn’t have been heard came from nearby.
‘What is it.’
At the eerie yet familiar sound, Bella stood up right where she was.
Along with that, a dark creature sluggishly crept into the barracks.
‘Why on earth is it coming in here.’
Demons were supposed to live in the forest.
Moreover, with Owen and Kyle out there stopping the demons, how did it manage to come this far…
It was utterly incomprehensible, but Bella moved forward towards the entrance of the barracks.
And she reached out her hand, conjuring up a bright white power.
‘Anyway, I’m the only one who can handle this.’
To save herself, she had to kill the creature right in front of her.
Although the knights had joined in the barracks, the demon in front of her was too large.
At least the level of skill Louis had seemed necessary to deal with it.
Unfortunately, there were no knights here with that level of skill.
“Krrrk!”
The white powers that emerged from Bella’s fingertips instantly formed into the shape of a long spear.
The white spear soon struck the giant insect-like demon.
Perhaps due to piercing its heart accurately, the demon collapsed with a scream in an instant.
“Saint…?”
“Could it be, she awakened today-.”
As Bella swiftly brought down the massive demon, murmurs started to rise from behind her.
Just as Bella was about to turn around.
“Krrr.”
“Krrrk!”
“Krrrk.”
Once again, the sounds of the demon echoed.