Can an Enemy Become Salvation? - Chapter 28

Ibnel could not take her eyes off the arrow made of light.

‘The arrow has been created.’

When Hibre released the string, the rapidly flying arrow accurately penetrated where the core was. The Raphirin fell helplessly downward.

“Where is the next core?”

“Left ankle.”

With unwavering eyes, he cleanly hit the core this time as well. With just two shots, the situation was perfectly resolved.

She just stared at him with a dazed expression. It felt completely different from Shuher, but she could sense tremendous power.

Soon Hibre extended his hand towards Ibnel, who was sitting.

“Sorry I’m late.”

“Late? It was perfect timing.”

Ibnel smiled and took his hand to stand up.

“What on earth happened? I was really surprised.”

“To be honest, I’m not sure either. When I saw you in danger, I just moved automatically.”

As he was running away, leaving Ibnel behind, he stopped at the sound of a scream from behind. He felt he would regret it for the rest of his life if he fled and left her behind like this.

He didn’t like that. Neither running away nor giving up without doing anything.

The moment that determination arose, he just moved as his instincts guided him. It was as if the bow had become a part of his body.

“I don’t know what I was thinking either. My hands moved first with the desire to save you. Sorry, it doesn’t make sense, does it?”

“No, I think I understand. I’ve had a similar experience.”

Ibnel could understand what Hibre was trying to say, as it was a similar situation to when she had moved to save Lia.

Perhaps that desperation had created another miracle.

“So that’s the power given to the Perti family. It was really amazing. Especially that arrow.”

“Actually, this is the first time I’ve shown it to someone else. Even during training, I wasn’t confident.”

“It’s a shame you’ve hidden it until now.”

It was Ibnel’s sincere words. A strong power could be felt from the arrow made of light. She could be certain that with more training, it would become a weapon second to none.

At that moment, as if all tension had been released, Hibre suddenly sat down. He seemed to have consumed all his energy.

At the same time, he felt proud that he, who always ran away at the sight of monsters, had accomplished something.

“Are you alright?”

“I think I focused too much on using the power. My legs feel weak.”

Even when he tried to stand up, strength wouldn’t easily come to him. Seeing this, Ibnel put his arm over her shoulder and supported him to stand.

Hibre tried to pull away in embarrassment, but the more he did so, the tighter she held onto him.

“I’m fine.”

“It’s okay. Let’s go quickly. Everyone will be worried.”

“Alright.”

The two took each step, leaning on each other.

[This is the timeline separator]

Shuher, who was hurrying to find Ibnel, met up with Renel midway. After hearing the situation from Raul, he couldn’t just wait and had come despite his unwell body.

“What do you mean? Hibre fell off the cliff?”

“Fortunately, he’s safe and is with Lady Ibnel now. They’re probably coming this way together.”

“Just the two of them?”

What showed on Renel’s face was deep despair.

That path was difficult even for most knights. Moreover, Hibre was particularly afraid of monsters.

‘Perhaps I was wrong to push him forcefully.’

Yet he had treated him even more strictly. Because he thought that was the right path for his son.

“Count, wait here. We’ll go and…”

“Your Majesty.”

At Demil’s call, looking where he was pointing, they could see figures walking in the distance. Recognizing them as Ibnel and Hibre, Renel approached in one step.

“Hibre!”

“Father.”

“Are you hurt?”

“I’m just drained of strength. Thanks to Lady Ibnel, I was able to come back safely.”

Shuher, who followed, could see Ibnel’s appearance, which had become even more disheveled than before. She was completely wet, her clothes were torn here and there, and her injuries were much deeper than Hibre’s.

It seemed she had indeed fought with monsters as feared.

While supporting Hibre, she met Renel’s eyes and said the words she had wanted to say so badly.

“We have returned safely without a single casualty, Count.”

Renel couldn’t say anything. To the fact that she had struggled so hard to keep that promise with such an injured body.

Ibnel had returned, keeping with her whole body the very words he had scoffed at.

“Let’s return to the mansion for now.”

“That seems best.”

As Hibre walked away supported by a knight, Shuher approached Ibnel.

“You’ve returned safely, Your Majesty.”

“You look terrible.”

“Is that so? Certainly…”

“Are you alright?”

Her surprised gaze fell on him at the unexpected words.

[“Is it that hard to ask if I’m alright?”]

It was what Ibnel had said to him with a resentful voice. He thought she would have naturally let it slide, but to think she would remember it.

Shuher just saw her injured appearance and that question came out first, before countless other words. Very naturally, without even realizing it himself.

Even if he didn’t mean much by it, it meant much more to her. Enough to make it worth walking that difficult path and returning safely.

Now she couldn’t entirely blame him, could she?

“Yes. But I’m a bit tired…”

Seeing his face, the thread of reason she had been barely holding onto snapped, and Ibnel’s body collapsed. Shuher caught her body in surprise.

“You!”

“I’m really fine. Just tired. Surely you’re not going to leave me here…”

Even with her eyes almost closed, she still had the presence of mind to say such things. Shuher couldn’t help but let out a small laugh without realizing it.

“I’m not that uncivilized.”

“That’s a relief.”

With those words, Ibnel’s eyes closed completely. She seemed to have fainted.

‘To this extent.’

It must have been difficult enough just for her alone, but how desperate must she have been to bring Hibre back safely as well?

“Your Majesty, I will carry Lady Ibnel…”

“It’s fine.”

Stopping Demil who was approaching, Shuher easily lifted Ibnel. Pausing for a moment at her weight, which had become lighter than when they first met, he soon began walking.

The knights followed behind.

Thus, the subjugation ended safely.

[This is the timeline separator]

“The injuries have been treated, and fortunately, there are no major wounds. She’ll regain her strength after a good sleep.”

After the doctor who treated Ibnel left, Shuher gazed at her sleeping soundly. Her clothes had been changed with the help of maids.

The wounds stood out on her exposed white skin.

‘Have I incurred a debt?’

If something had happened to Hibre, the connection that had continued from the past might have been shaken. Despite appearances, Renel cared deeply for his only son.

Leaving the sleeping Ibnel behind, Shuher headed for Renel’s office. There, Renel and Hibre, who had finished treatment, were present.

As soon as he entered, Hibre asked about Ibnel’s condition.

“Lady Ibnel…”

“They say there are no major injuries.”

“That’s a relief.”

Only then did Hibre let out a sigh of relief. How surprised he had been when he heard she had suddenly collapsed.

“What happened right after you fell from the cliff?”

At Shuher’s question, he reported in detail what had happened there.

“Thanks to Lady Ibnel being with me, I was able to survive too. Even though I said I wouldn’t go, she didn’t give up on me until the end. She told me not to whine.”

It was truly something only she would say.

“She saved me several times. And thanks to her, I was able to face the monsters too. With this bow.”

In that short time, Hibre’s eyes had changed noticeably. Renel could clearly sense that change.

Hibre strongly emphasized Ibnel’s achievements during the subjugation.

“Thanks to Lady Ibnel, the subjugation was much smoother than other times. She detected the appearance of monsters first, and if she hadn’t, many people would have been injured. Moreover, she took the lead in defeating monsters without sparing her own body.”

Renel had already heard this from the knights. It was also what everyone unanimously talked about. Their perception of Ibnel had clearly changed from before the subjugation.

“She also knew well about the characteristics of monsters. She must have studied about it before coming here.”

After hearing Hibre’s story, Shuher looked at Renel and asked.

“Isn’t this reason enough to keep the lady in Caries? She has proven herself.”

And without waiting for an answer, he stood up.

“We’ll depart tomorrow. There wasn’t much damage anyway.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Left alone with Renel, Hibre recalled Ibnel’s voice telling him to confront and gathered courage to speak.

“Father, from now on, I want to use this bow instead of a sword. I’ve gained confidence in my power. I no longer want to run away or hide.”

Renel had always wished for this. A son who spoke with confidence, not avoiding his eyes.

He became thoughtful about the fact that Ibnel, of all people, had accomplished what he couldn’t achieve in a lifetime.

[This is the timeline separator]

“Mmm…”

When the night had deepened, Ibnel regained consciousness. As she sat up, her whole body ached.

“So I made it back alive, it seems.”

After looking at the night sky that had darkened, she carefully left the room.

As she walked slowly, dragging her heavy body, she heard boisterous sounds from afar. Following the sound, she saw through a slightly open door that all the knights who had participated in the subjugation were gathered in one place.

Shuher was among them too.

They seemed to be celebrating the safe end of the subjugation while drinking.

‘They look happy.’

“Lady Ibnel?”

Startled by a voice calling her from behind, she turned to see Demil standing there.

“Ah, Sir Demil.”

Belatedly realizing she had been blocking the entrance, Ibnel immediately stepped aside.

“I guess I was blocking the door. Please, go in.”

Demil looked at the bandages wrapped around her shoulder and arm, seeming somewhat hesitant. Then, as if having made up his mind, he bowed deeply and said.

“Thank you for today.”

“Pardon?”

“Thanks to you, we were able to return without major casualties.”

Receiving such unexpected thanks, Ibnel just felt bewildered. At the same time, she felt proud that she had been of help.

“I’m glad there weren’t many injured people. Hearing words of thanks from Sir Demil makes me feel like even the pain has subsided, you know?”

At her playful response, a smile unconsciously formed on Demil’s lips. Being with her always seemed to draw him into her pace in some way.

“Shall we go in together? You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

Ibnel looked at the people beyond the door and then shook her head.

“I’m fine. And I don’t want to ruin such a good atmosphere.”

It was clear that the moment she set foot in there, silence would fall as if cold water had been poured. She didn’t want that either.

“I need some fresh air. Sir Demil, please go in.”

Ibnel left, leaving him behind. Demil couldn’t bring himself to stop her.