~Chapter 33~
“That face looks like it wouldn’t even flinch if someone got stabbed.”
So intense. So threatening.
But still, I wasn’t scared.
Because deep down, I had a feeling—or maybe a conviction—that Karl had a different kind of sincerity inside him.
“That’s why you came all this way with me, looking for people.”
If he truly believed the pickpockets and criminals in the backstreets were irredeemable…
If Karl really thought they weren’t worth saving…
Whether it was murder, stealing a piece of bread from hunger, or just being suspected of a crime…
All of them were pushed to the outskirts, condemned as having lost the dragon’s blessing.
Then he wouldn’t have said those things to me.
It really sounded like he was defending them.
Karl had never hidden his disdain for the dragon.
He never blindly accepted the righteousness of actions done in the dragon’s name—and he spoke of all the people who had died because of it.
Even though saying that kind of thing could get you into serious trouble with the Duke or his people…
Karl must’ve been thinking about those backstreet people all along.
“You know, even though we haven’t known each other that long…”
“….”
“You scratch at people’s nerves sometimes and say weird things…”
“Are you talking about me?”
“To be honest…”
I said what I had concluded from watching him.
“You’re a good person, Karl.”
Despite your looks.
That face of his—like he’d snap if anyone approached, or like he’d respond to greetings with “Speak only if necessary.”
But it wasn’t just about this recent situation.
Back at the Duke’s estate, even though everyone tried to avoid me or keep their distance…
Karl never once left me behind.
Instead, he took full responsibility and looked after me.
He protected me as much as he could, without trying to control or restrain me.
It would’ve been easier to lock me up and be done with it.
Of course, I wouldn’t have let that happen, but still.
I slowly blinked and looked up at Karl.
“……”
His face was still as severe and expressionless as ever…
But somehow, it felt different to me.
Because hiding your feelings is the best way to keep them safe.
“You don’t have to pretend to be a bad person.”
“Are you saying I’ve been pretending to be evil?”
“Isn’t that true? Be honest.”
“About what?”
“You told me not to go in there… but you were planning to go yourself, weren’t you?”
I looked pointedly at the sword he’d drawn. And at his posture—ready to charge in at any moment.
Karl clamped his mouth shut, as if I’d struck a nerve.
“Come on. Just be honest now.”
“……”
“For the record, I’m going in to take responsibility. I told you—I have to finish what I started.”
I gently tapped the arm he was using to block my path.
“If you’re that worried, then come in with me.”
“With you?”
Karl slowly looked down at me. His golden eyes shimmered oddly for a second.
It vanished quickly—maybe I imagined it.
“I know what you’re thinking. That if I get hurt in there, the capital will use it as an excuse to criticize Saint Portou.”
That’s probably what Karl feared most.
And honestly, I had thought about that too.
I knew my safety was tied to the fate of Saint Portou.
At first, I hadn’t believed it. But after spending time here, I understood.
The emperor might really have sent me just to find fault with this place.
That’s why I followed Karl’s lead so quietly at first.
But that didn’t mean I would feel hopeless or let it stop me.
“Then you protect me.”
“……”
“Stick close. Watch me. Make sure I don’t get hurt.”
“……”
“I’m your responsibility.”
At that, Karl finally lowered his arm.
I shrugged, as if to say “See?”
Turns out he really is kind and soft underneath.
You just can’t see it on his face.
A damp wind blew from the crumbled mine entrance.
After a while, Karl finally spoke.
“It’s probably very dark inside.”
“Figured as much.”
“If I could, I’d hold your hand while we go in… but for safety’s sake, I’ll refrain.”
He said it so casually that I didn’t even react this time.
I just snorted.
Wait a minute. I shouldn’t be getting used to this.
As I was catching myself, Karl pulled something from his coat.
A yellow gem, just about palm-sized. I’d seen these before in the capital.
“You carry magic stones around?”
Seriously, what is he?
It was a mana crystal, typically used by academy mages for magical support. I’d never used one since I use holy power instead of mana.
But this one…
There weren’t any gemstones embedded in it.
There are two types of mana crystals:
One is pre-filled with mana so non-magical users can activate it.
The other draws directly from the user’s own magic power.
And this one was clearly the latter. Meaning Karl had…
Fwoom.
The yellow crystal lit up with fire, gently illuminating the area.
The warm glow made the flame seem gentle.
“……”
I blinked, then spoke.
“You can use magic?”
“A little, yes.”
“And you didn’t say anything before?”
More importantly—
He’s not just a swordsman but a mage too?
Karl said “a little,” but I knew it took considerable magic power to charge those crystals.
That alone meant he had substantial magical ability.
He’s a swordmaster-level fighter and can use magic?
Isn’t that cheating?
What kind of side character is like this?!
Also—
“So you could have used tracking magic this whole time, right?”
“……”
“Or made a contract with a spirit to search a wider area?”
“That’s a summoner’s job.”
“Still. We probably could’ve found the missing adults faster.”
We might not have needed to waste days climbing mountains and wandering around holding hands!
Not that I minded the “wandering around holding hands” part…
But seriously. He never told me about such a convenient skill?
I narrowed my eyes. Karl let out a sigh and looked at me.
“…It was a secret.”
“……”
“I didn’t plan to use it in front of you, Elaine.”
Well, that shut me up.
I didn’t tell him about my holy power either, come to think of it.
So I couldn’t really complain.
Wait—does that mean he didn’t want to reveal this, but only did because I forced the issue?
That made me feel a bit awkward. Maybe even… shy.
Now that I think about it, I hardly know anything about this guy.
His name’s Karl.
He has main-character-level looks, but he’s a background character. Great at fighting. A monster hunter under the Duke’s estate.
He’s surprisingly kind beneath the gruffness.
And now I know he can use magic, too.
Actually, I guess I know more than I thought.
We might be somewhere between acquaintances and actual friends.
Maybe I should share something too, to make it fair…
I was just thinking that when Karl, who had already stepped into the dark corridor, suddenly spoke.
“About what you said earlier.”
“Which part? I said a lot, you know.”
“That bit about taking responsibility—to the end, against your enemy.”
What about it?
Karl looked back at me with those unreadable eyes.
Then slowly spoke.
“I’ve been wondering for a while. Based on the lessons you said you received, and your shooting stance…”
“……”
“Have you ever served in the Imperial Army?”
