Chapter 27: Lilith (Part One)
Boiling hot tea splashed into the cup, releasing wisps of white, fragrant steam.
Outside the window, night had deepened, with two crescent moons peeking out from behind the clouds. Their pale glow danced with the flickering candlelight illuminating the dim little room on the second floor of the tavern.
“…Don’t worry.”
I handed the warm cup to the woman crouched in the corner. She had already shed her cloak upon entering, but her face still wore a mask, and her black hair was casually tied up behind her head. In a voice deliberately lowered, I continued, “I followed those people all the way… Four of them, plus another group, a total of nine. When I got there, they got into a scuffle, two died, three chased after, and two had already escaped. But I caught up to them and killed them… Not a single one was left alive; their corpses were turned to ash. What you saw—there won’t be any problems. No one knows you were there tonight.”
The woman crouched in the corner by the bed seemed to be wearing a high-quality long dress, now muddy and wet. Her face and hair were dirty, and after receiving the cup, she didn’t drink or say a word, merely cradled it in her arms for warmth. Her beautiful eyes dared not meet mine, staring blankly at the foot of the bed, as if still recovering from earlier scares.
On the small single bed in the middle of the room lay a young knight named Barry, injured and unconscious.
After much deliberation, I decided to bring him back to the city—this was the conclusion I reached after speaking with this woman named “Lilith.”
Ironically, she was completely unaware that someone had already stumbled upon Barry and his group. She thought the manor was still safe. With her mother returning home early for a rest after a busy day, she intended to sneak them some food tonight.
When I crashed down in front of her, carrying Barry, the poor girl froze for a moment, thinking I was the bad guy who had killed Barry for a bounty. Without thinking, she whipped out a hidden dagger from her chest and charged at me.
Good thing I remembered her…
Later, once she calmed down and understood the situation, she awkwardly discussed a few things with me. It was more like I asked, and she answered. After she grasped my abilities, she agreed to help bring Barry back to the city for care.
Though we both understood the risks of hiding a member of the Third Knights Order in the city, there’s an old saying: the most dangerous place is often the safest.
Given Barry’s current condition, if we sought refuge elsewhere outside the city, neither Lilith nor I had the means to care for him properly. According to her, getting out of the city had become increasingly difficult, and Barry had no idea when he’d wake up. Food and drink, especially medicinal herbs, would be much easier to obtain in the city, allowing for timely responses to any unexpected situations.
Barry needed someone by his side.
But Lilith couldn’t just take him back to the castle—she lived in the central fortress, after all. Thanks to her care for this past year, Barry had survived along with two others without starving. However, everything she did was secretly behind her family’s back, especially away from her mother.
She claimed her mother had recently been in frequent contact with the Church, aiming to secure ownership and control over the outskirts of the city. The fortress and the bishops had been increasingly close, making hiding Barry there impossible. If it were feasible, she would’ve done it long ago.
Thus, I carried Barry on my back, held onto Lilith, and flew back to Alectine City, returning to this tavern named “Lady Acorn.” To avoid drawing attention, of course, I couldn’t stroll in through the front door. Instead, just like when I left, I jumped through a window and tossed Barry onto the bed.
Once inside, Lilith huddled in the corner, not moving.
Perhaps she was still shaken from earlier events or too stunned by the rollercoaster ride we just had; her eyes looked vacant, her beautiful face appeared somewhat dazed, and she cradled the steaming cup without uttering a word, lost in thought.
“Hey…”
I stared at her for a while before asking, “It’s getting late; you’ll need to head back soon, right?”
“…Uh-huh.”
The woman took a long time to realize I’d asked something, nodding gently.
“Barry’s sword wound on his palm isn’t too severe, but if not treated properly, it carries the risk of infection… So we’ll need herbs like ginseng. That shouldn’t be too difficult for you, right?”
“Y-Yeah…”
“Good, bring them first thing tomorrow. I’ll wait for you.”
“…Yes, Sir.”
She seemed a bit nervous, her eyes avoiding my gaze.
She called me “Sir”…
Heh, so she has guessed my identity in her heart.
I wasn’t trying to hide it from her; else, I wouldn’t have casually taken off my bl**d-stained cloak and revealed my distinctive hair color. She probably knew I was a member of the Valen Empire’s Winter Moon, but as for exactly who I was and why I was here… that might not be so easy for her to guess. I mean, it wouldn’t immediately link to the deceased Pope Knight, Miss Silvigia, right?
…Right?
Well, whatever.
She saved Barry, and she really has done a lot over the past year, so I’ll temporarily show her a bit of trust. It’ll be interesting to see how she reacts next—if she truly does recognize me.
If everything goes smoothly, I can eventually leave Barry in her care without worry.
…If not, well… it’s just a pesky ant.
I continued watching her for a moment until she began to panic and squirm, shrinking into herself more and more. Her fair hands didn’t quite know where to go, pressing against her thighs, her head lowered. Only then did I divert my gaze, sitting down beside the bed, staring at Barry’s sleeping face, casually asking, “What’s your relationship with Barry?”
“Um…”
The sudden question flustered her even more. She shot her head up, waving her hands around awkwardly: “W-Well, we don’t have much, just… just friends. Very good friends… He saved my life… so I’ll save him…”
Heh…
Is this the kind of reaction good friends have?
“What are you two at?” I interjected suddenly.
She froze, and perhaps out of subconscious fear of contradicting me, instinctively prepared to answer honestly, “L-Lovers…” but she only managed that single word before catching herself: “Ah! No, we— we haven’t done anything… really, just very good friends…”
I gave a meaningful “Oh,” and my gaze turned back to her, which made her lower her head once more.
She looks… about twenty?
She seems a bit older than Barry, but that’s no problem. Being from nobility, her skin’s well-maintained, and her face is nice. She might not have the jaw-dropping beauty that takes your breath away at first glance, but she’s certainly easy on the eyes, exuding a gentle beauty that’s quite charming… yet underneath that, she probably has a pretty resilient personality.
“You’re the daughter of the former lord of Alectine City, aren’t you?” I asked again.
“Y-Yes…” she stammered, pausing a moment. “My father… and my brother, both died in the war against the heretics two years ago…”
“…Is that so.”
I nodded, as I vaguely remembered that event.
Given her looks and status, she should have more than a few aggressive suitors after her since her father passed away…
Looks like Barry is quite the lucky dog.
I pursed my lips.
“Alright. If you’re not in a hurry to leave, just sit down; it’s a bit strange to crouch there… I have a few more questions for you.”
