Chapter 74: I Fought to Protect Liese.
《Serios’s Side》
That evening, after spending a quiet time with Faina at the Sweet Shop, an urgent message arrived from Emma.
“Lord Serios, I’m sorry to bother you, but there’s something I need you to hear calmly.”
Emma’s voice lacked its usual lighthearted tone and was tinged with urgency.
“What happened?”
I met Emma in my Office to hear what she had to say.
“Assassins dispatched from the Royal Capital are heading this way. Their target… is Lady Liese.”
For a moment, I tried to process what was happening, then I recalled Kyl’s words about Liese being targeted.
“…Liese is being targeted? Are you sure about that?”
“That’s right. According to our intelligence, the assassins have been ordered to either kidnap Lady Liese or eliminate her.”
A cold rage welled up from deep within me at Emma’s words. Targeting Liese? No such event exists at this timing in the game. More than anything, it felt strange that this was the same reason Kyl got his Wounds.
Assassins sent from the Royal Capital, no less. Liese had already rejected the prince, and Claris had faced her Judgment. That meant the scenario had already changed.
Was some force at work, trying to correct the distortions that had arisen?
“Is there any other information?”
“There are six of them. Their weapons are unknown. But they seem like a troublesome bunch. They’re a well-known team among assassins, famous for never failing.”
“Understood. Thank you, Emma.”
I stood up and immediately began to take action.
The night wind in the frontier was cold, and the town was silent. I summoned Kanon and explained the situation.
“Kanon, assassins have been sent by someone from the Royal Capital. Their target is Liese.”
“Liese? Why would Liese be targeted?”
“To be honest, I don’t know. But, as far as I know, this is the second attack. For my honor’s sake, I absolutely will not let them kill Liese.”
“Understood, Lord Serios. Leave it to us.”
Kanon moved immediately, making arrangements to deploy the Knights Order.
Meanwhile, I headed to Liese’s room.
“Liese.”
When I opened the door, she looked at me with a surprised expression.
“Lord Serios? Is something the matter?”
“Liese, listen calmly. Assassins targeting you are heading to this town.”
At those words, the color drained from Liese’s face.
“Me…?”
“Yes. But don’t worry. We will definitely protect you.”
At my words, Liese lowered her gaze for just a moment, then looked up as if she had made up her mind.
“No, I will fight too!”
“What?!”
“To support you, Lord Serios, I learned not only to study but also to fight. I can protect myself!”
It was true that the Liese in the otome game was a girl who fought for herself.
“But, you can stay here. I don’t want to put you in danger.”
“No, I will fight too. I want to be of use to you, Lord Serios.”
Seeing the strong determination in her eyes, I let out a small sigh.
“Alright. But don’t leave my side. I will absolutely protect you, Liese!”
“Yes! Thank you very much!”
We armed ourselves and began preparing to wait for the assassins.
However, we weren’t just going to sit and wait.
The terrain was to our advantage, and all conditions favored us.
Late at night, just as Emma’s intelligence indicated, the assassins appeared. The Knights stationed on the outskirts of town noticed the enemy’s approach and held their breath.
“It’s finally time.”
Kanon readied her Sword, her sharp gaze scanning the surroundings. Liese also clutched a small rapier in her hand.
“Liese, stay behind me. Absolutely.”
“Yes!”
The moment I heard her reply, the assassins attacked without a sound.
Kanon was the first to move. Her Sword deflected the blade of one assassin, and the cold sound of metal rang out in the dark night.
“Don’t underestimate us!”
Kanon’s sharp strike slashed the opponent’s arm, causing them to collapse on the spot.
The next moment, an arrow aimed at Liese came flying.
“Watch out!”
I instantly pulled Liese into an embrace and dodged the arrow. But I caught sight of a second one flying towards us out of the corner of my eye.
“To arms! Intruders!”
Shouting at the top of my lungs, I threw the Knife I was holding. The assassin groaned as they were hit by the retaliating Knife.
Just before the arrow was loosed, my Knife accurately pierced their arm, and the sniper cried out, dropping their weapon.
“Magnificent skill, Lord Serios!”
Kanon said with a smile as she took down another assassin.
“We will complete the mission!”
“I won’t let you!”
An assassin who appeared from my blind spot was struck down by Liese with her rapier.
“Liese!”
“Are you alright, Lord Serios? I will protect you!”
“Yeah, thank you.”
Four assassins were taken down by the Knights, and the fifth was defeated by Liese.
And as for the sniper I had thrown my Knife at, Emma now had a Knife pointed at them.
“Sorry, but this is as far as you go.”
Emma skillfully disarmed the opponent and restrained them. With that, all the assassins were neutralized.
I let out a deep breath and placed my hand on Liese’s shoulder.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, thanks to you protecting me, Lord Serios.”
“No, I was the one who was protected. You were strong, Liese.”
“It’s because I became strong for you, Lord Serios!”
“I see. Thank you.”
Liese’s pure smile instantly eased the tension within me.
But this wasn’t over yet. I needed to find out who the mastermind behind this was.
“Emma, extract information from these assassins. We need to know who the mastermind is.”
“Leave it to me. Still, that was impressive, Lord Serios. You handled that splendidly.”
As Emma smiled, I had the Knights take the assassins away. Those who were killed would be buried, and we would interrogate the survivors.
The reason why people from the Royal Capital are targeting Liese… I will definitely find out.
Who is targeting Liese, for what purpose, and for what reason—I’ll find out, and I will never forgive them.
Vowing this in my heart, I turned back to her.
“Liese, you’re safe. I will definitely protect you.”
“…Thank you very much. But I will also protect you, Lord Serios!”
The gratitude in her eyes and her strong determination gave me a warm, slightly embarrassing feeling.
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Afterword
This is the author, Iko!
That’s all for today!