Taking a life leaves a dirty feeling, whether it’s an enemy or a monster.

Although he had lived for over a decade, claiming numerous lives, and had thought he had become accustomed to it, he couldn’t help feeling uneasy again.

Contemplating the reason, Herdin suddenly thought of Blair.

The woman in his arms was warm. The touching skin was soft, and the heart beneath the chest, though small, beat vigorously, resembling its owner.

The fact of being alive was so miraculous.
The fact that he naturally knew became apparent once again. Therefore, the deaths caused by his own hands felt particularly uncomfortable.

He wanted to go back quickly, to the mansion where the woman with that miraculous life awaited.

As Herdin turned back towards the bound captives, he saw Ruth approaching from that direction. Behind her, there were faces that didn’t seem very pleased.

It was the Royal Knights.

At the center was the Vice Commander who led the Royal Knights.

“Oh, my, while we were visiting the temple to bring the priestess…… You’ve taken care of that big guy in the meantime? Truly befitting the Delmarck Knights, the nemesis of monsters!”

He exaggeratedly expressed surprise while praising the Delmarck Knights. Well, it seemed that way at a glance.

Herdin looked at him with a scrutinizing gaze. He knew that the Royal Knights intentionally arrived late at the scene. It was always like this.

If it wasn’t a matter involving civilian lives, the Royal Knights would have ignored it regardless.

“Well, if you had taken care of it just a little later, it could have been a big problem. You almost witnessed the royal insignia you’re carrying coming out of that worm’s rear end.”

Clearly mocking Herdin’s words, the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

The Vice Commander, who had initially hardened his expression, quickly controlled his expression, laughed boisterously, and retorted.

“Haha, our Knights are not that incompetent. We may be the Royal Knights, after all.”
“Ah, I’m well aware of your competence. Every time, you bring the priests at a spectacular timing, don’t you?”

“…….”

“Hurry and transport the wounded to the village. That’s another thing you’re good at.”

It was a remark treating the Royal Knights as mere subordinates responsible for cleaning up.

The Vice Commander, unable to hide his dissatisfaction any longer, turned away from Herdin and issued orders to the Royal Knights.

Ruth, who stood beside Herdin, watched the departing Royal Knights and clicked her tongue.

“In any case, those guys are not worth the taxes.”

Herdin, observing the Delmarck knights receiving treatment, extended his hand to Ruth.

“What about our injured?”

Understanding the meaning of the gesture, Ruth shook Herdin’s hand and responded while igniting a fire.

“There are a total of five, and their injuries are minor, so there’s no need to worry excessively.”

“How about the schedule for today?”

“There’s no specific schedule, but I heard that Kalg and his party are supposed to arrive today. Do you remember?”

Kalg was one of the knights who had fought alongside Herdin on the battlefield, known for his skill and loyalty. Originally stationed in Delmarck as per Herdin’s orders, he was currently descending to the island.

“I know.”

In reality, it was only now that he found out, but there was no need to mention that.

As Herdin nodded indifferently and sucked on his pipe, he felt someone’s presence behind him.

“Uh…”
Herdin and Ruth turned around simultaneously.

“Oh, as expected, Your Excellency is here! We met at the temple before. Do you happen to remember?”

The silver-haired woman expressed excitement toward Herdin.

As Herdin, with an indifferent expression, looked at the woman, expelling smoke, the voice of Blair that he had heard somewhere echoed in his mind.

“Earlier, that priest, she’s the woman you’ll fall in love with.”

The voice, casual as if narrating someone else’s story, and the gaze.

Recalling that memory, Herdin’s eyes turned cold and scornful.

He might not know her name, but he remembered that face. It was a face that, regardless of whether he wanted to remember or not, he couldn’t forget.

“I remember. Priestess.”

In truth, even if he didn’t remember, one could guess from her attire that she was a priestess.

Nevertheless, Mirella, just hearing him say so, smiled brightly as if she was pleased. She was a woman whose emotions were evident on her face.

“It’s really nice to see you again like this. Are you injured by any chance?”

“No.”

Despite his succinct response, Mirella looked relieved but managed to find words.

“How about the place where you received treatment? May I ask about your condition?”

“I’m fine. Your healing magic was perfect.”

Unlike the praise, Herdin’s eyes, avoiding the smoke, were filled with a sense of boredom. It was an indication that everything was fine, meaning it was time for her to leave. However, Mirella seemed not to understand his intention and blushed without comprehending his meaning.
“I’m relieved. Since it was an internal injury, and I was quite tense at that time, I was worried if the treatment might not have been done properly.”

“……”

“Oh. How about the Duchess? It seems like the Duchess was quite surprised at that time too.”

As the familiar title came out of Mirella’s mouth, his expression, which had been indifferent all along, changed.