“No. Close your eyes. I’ll cover your ears.”

Julian frowned, unlike when he was with Gillian.

“So it’s different this time.”

Though the conversation took an abrupt turn, Julian complied with Bianca’s request.

“Don’t compare other knights to Sir Gillian. Even commanders can’t slay monsters like Sir Gillian can.”

This wasn’t about inflating Gillian’s ego or any sense of pride in serving my master.

“If you’re not a duke, you must stay far away. Even better if you stay hidden.”

Julian spoke with a stern face, almost like a warning.

“Monsters react to sound, smell, and movement, but mostly to movement. So if you encounter one, hide immediately. That’s the best way to increase your chances of survival.”

“Sure, sure.”

Bianca replied breezily, looking at a visibly tense Julian.

There was nothing else to say at that moment.

“If you’re cornered, don’t look back and run as fast as you can. Anywhere. The knight will buy time for your escape.”

“Abandon the knight and run?”

“It’s not abandoning. It’s a knight’s duty to protect their master.”

“But…”

Roaaar!

Rumble!

Alongside a groundshaking sound, a different noise resonated.

The roar that followed seemed to invigorate one’s spine.

Cutting through the ensuing silence, Julian spoke.

“It’s not a ‘but.’ If you have to run, it’s because there’s no knight left to protect you.”

Julian’s eyes sparkled mysteriously in the dark.

“Wouldn’t it be more valuable if you survived?”

“In that case, it would be worthwhile.”

Splat.

A pungent, sour smell filled the air.

“Ugh, what the heck! Sir Raein!”

Julian immediately pinched his nose and yelled.

Even Bianca had to hold her breath; the smell was that terrible.

“Clean up before you come back!”

Even as he was crawling from under the bed, Julian didn’t hold back his complaints about Raein.

While the smell was indeed terrible, hadn’t the man just risked his life fighting a wyvern?

If all he got was criticism upon return, it was too much.

As she crawled out behind Julian, Bianca spoke.

“Julian, don’t be like that.”

“We can’t allow this! He burst into your chamber looking like that!”

Julian pointed at Raein, who was dripping with monster fluids.

He was a mess, from his cloak to his gloves, and even his sword.

Surprisingly, Raein himself seemed untouched.
Worried about your wellbeing, I came to check on you. My apologies.”

Seeing Laffin manage a sheepish grin even in his disheveled state, Gillian realized anew just how extraordinary Gillian had been.

That day, Gillian had swiftly dealt with the wyvern.

Not a single part of him was wet.

It was heartbreaking to make such a man confront a monster.

However…

“Laffin, you’ve worked hard.”

How much scarier must this person be?

Bianca offered her sincere greeting towards Laffin, who was soaked in blue.

“Thanks to you, I’m safe.”

“No, I…!”

“Really, thank you.”

Laffin’s face, which was flagging his hand, blushed uncontrollably at the continuous heartfelt thanks.

“It’s only natural for a knight.”

“Thank you for willingly bearing such a harsh duty.”

“I was actually honored to keep my lord safe.”

Unable to bear it any longer, Laffin’s head drooped down.

Under the dim lantern light, his neck flushed a bright red.

“What about Hailey?”

“He’s finishing up. I came down for a moment to check on his wellbeing, so I should also go soon.”

“Please also convey my thanks to Hailey, no, to Sir Hailey.”

“Of, of course.”

Laffin, who had faltered as unexpected gratitude followed his ‘obligatory duty,’ struggled to regain his composure.

Even Julie, who had been nagging him the entire time, remained silent now.

Laffin, who had been creaking, eventually disappeared, and Julie, who was cleaning up the messy room, opened the window to expel the stale air.

“My lady.”

“Hm?”

“I’ve decided not to make anyone special to me.”

Julie smiled faintly as her eyes reflected a dark light.

“Rather than serving such a master for life.”

My God.

Bianca let out a soft moan as she belatedly understood Julie’s words.

When would this maid, who grew up amongst knights, ever properly accept her lot in life?

“Think about it a bit more.”

“No.”

“No, think about it some more. I think I would prefer it if you stayed by my side for life.”

Annoyed at Bianca’s words, Julie suddenly looked off into the distance and asked,

“Do you really want me to stay with you for the rest of your life?”

“Yes, yes.”

“In that case…”

Bianca watched the whining young maid before slipping back into bed.

The wind was cold.

“Go back and sleep now.”

“Yes, my lady. See you tomorrow.”

Julie securely locked the window that had been wide open and exited the bedroom.

Clank.

The moment the lock clicked into place, Julie’s expression ominously changed outside the door.

“I’ll leave the watch to you.”

Informing the knight guarding in her absence, Julie dashed straight downstairs.

Just now, she had locked eyes with someone in the darkness.

Not everyone was asleep this night.

But this was no coincidence.

Though she couldn’t see his face, she had clearly seen him smile for an instant.

‘An intruder!’

It didn’t matter when he had snuck in or who he was.

Julie, who had tensed her toes, dashed out of the mansion, greeted by a wind so cold it felt like it could freeze her lungs.

Huff.

The air she inhaled froze her chest cold.

However, Julie grinned even more.

She was a knight born and raised here.

Running on a snowy field.

Moving soundlessly.

Blending into this darkness.

She was a step above those trivial foes.

Crack, accompanied by the sound of ice breaking, Julie leapt into the darkness.