Don’t Concern Yourself With That Book

“I can’t follow him with you, my lady.”

He was looking at me like he was worried about my safety.

“Please wait for me here.”

It was only natural for him to arrive at that conclusion.

“I’ll be right back to pick you up. If you’re scared, you can wait along the main road.”

I was curious but I was not desperate enough to risk placing me and Meta in danger.

“Got it. This is a road well-travelled.”

Frankly, I only nodded because I knew I would not be of any help.

“Take care of yourself, Meta.”

“… If I don’t appear by sunset, go to the place where we were supposed to meet Soricks yourself. Of course, that wouldn’t happen but there’s always a possibility.”

“Yes. I’ll ask around and look for you.”

Meta, who could not hide his cheeky expression, stroked my head before disappearing after the man.

As soon as he disappeared, I leaned against the wall before letting out a breath of air quietly.

“Haa. I almost gave myself away.”

I managed to walk with Meta somehow but I was already out of stamina.

“Seriously. Should I go back and work out…”

Suddenly, I raised my head to look at the alley. Goosebumps rose on my skin. It was because I recalled yesterday’s events. Meta did mention that there were some people around but the alley I was currently standing in was actually quiet. But as if someone had been timing it, I could hear a loud laugh.

“Kyahahaha! Over there!”

“Kyack!”

Children wearing tattered clothes were rushing into the alley side by side. As if they were playing tag, it looked like the child was chasing several others.

“Catch’ em!”

The last child crashed into me roughly.

“Urgh!”

The items in the bag I had been holding were also strewn on the floor.

“Ack! Sorry! You were right here!”

… Damn. Was this the children’s playground?”

“… You surprised me.”

I picked up the diary along with other things that fell out and lifted the bag. Then, a small vial fell out of my bag again as if the vial was too big for my bag.

“Oh dear? That’s Amor’s…”

It was the vial that Amor handed me a few days ago. I had been taking care of it since he told me to drink it whenever I was in danger but I had no time to drink it yesterday.

When I lifted the vial, the glass reflected light and sparkled. The liquid was a gloomy green and it looked like it was made out of ground up green algae. He gave it to me to drink but why was I concerned about its less-than-appealing visuals? Was it because I did not want to drink it?

“What is this drug for?”

He was not a sweet talker. So, I could use it anytime I wanted. Just when I got up, I heard footsteps.

‘People?’

As soon as I spotted a man entering the valley from a distance, I was completely frozen.

Hernan.

It was Hernan.

He did not even try to hide his white hair and walked proudly towards me. I pulled down the hat I was wearing in a hurry.

Step step.

The sound of footsteps passed me by.

Was it merely a coincidence I met him here?

“For now, we’re looking for a store named ‘Valhalla’.”

When I raised my head, his back got smaller and smaller. So, I shot up and chased after him. My steps were trembling and my instincts continued to fight against my decision.

What was he going to do if I chased after him?

Hernan. Castor’s one and only guardian. His close aide and the head of the administrative body working for the Crown Prince. And the person involved in the cases of missing people increasing day by day.

He appeared in the kidnapper’s den. Was it possible that the kidnappings had nothing to do with Castor? It was just a hunch but there was something going on.

I bit my lips and hugged my handbag tightly. It was not a side road but it was still a quiet alley. The back of my neck was still damp from the tension. I could feel my diary at the tips of my fingers. Maybe I was walking into Castor’s territory with my own two feet. However, I could not stop chasing.

I had insurance.

‘It’s fine if I die.’

But, strangely, my heart was pounding. I had glanced at Hernan’s expression but his indifferent expression was unfamiliar to me. I was scared because it was the exact same expression he had when he looked down at me the day I died.

No. I should not think about it. The important thing here was not what expression Hernan had but why he was here.

I turned the corner. I followed him as he circled.

“… Who are you?”

And a sword was pointed right towards me.

“What is your reason for chasing me?”

The tip of his sword was right in front of my face and my hat was shaking as if it was just about to fall off.

“You look desperate to be caught.”

What should I do?

“… You’re not speaking. Are you mute?’

Pong.

The sharp wind that blew past my eyes made me gasp without realising it.

“Given your clumsy movements, I’m pretty sure you’re not a trained templar.”

I could not talk. If I did, I would get caught. It would not be good if he knew I was here. However, if I did not identify myself immediately, my life would be in danger.

My back was wet. I could see why people thought of Hernan as an excellent templar. The brutal pressure of the threat that he would poke me like a needle was no pressure.

“Answer me. Are you a templar from the Crown of Thorn Trees?”

Thorn trees? What was he talking about? I still had the vial Amor handed me in my hand. That was the only thing I could trust.

“… If you’re not going to answer, I’ll have to get it out of you.”

I needed a little more space to drink this. I hid my trembling hands behind me while looking at the floor. I gently stepped on the rock that had been rolling around on the floor before kicking it. It was just for a moment, but his gaze had drifted. And that was enough.

I turned around before running with heavy legs. I was running at a remarkably slow pace since I had just ran and my stamina had depleted.

When I turned around, I spotted him walking slowly towards him. I quickly opened the lid. With the thought that I had nothing to lose, I downed Amor’s drug. As the liquid trickled down my throat, my vision spun before I collapsed. I could feel my stomach churn.

“Orgh! Eck!”

“Look here!”

Hold on, what was this? I did not react like this when Amor fed this to me?

My face was damp with sweat. My breaths turned heavy. In pain, an intense heat enveloped my face. My bones were aching and my whole body was also aching as if I was having menstrual cramps that I usually had once a month.

At the same time, he held onto me. As I was being dragged away, I grabbed my hat tightly.

“What did you just eat? Are you killing yourself?”

I know right. Was it poison? That’s what I wanted to ask. My face felt hot.

“Ha. There are some crazy assassins sometimes who would kill themselves after failing to kill me.”

I raised my gaze. Unfortunately, a cool feeling fell on my throat.

“Are you?”

He felt different from Castor but nevertheless, his air of menace struck me making him feel like a starving carnivore.

“Get it together.”

My mind was calm but my body was shivering. Perhaps it was my survival instincts warning me.

“I’m sorry to say this but poison that spreads through the air doesn’t work for me either. If that’s what you’re going to do…”

“…..”

“I’ll get rid of you cleanly.”

Did I ever know him? Ah, it felt like I did. In the midst of trying to forget, memories of his cool voice appeared in my mind.

“… Castor. As you wish.”

His appearance now reminded me of his figure in the month of Habermia. It felt like winter with a cold gust of wind blowing against me.

“Let me see your face.”

His sword rushed towards me. But I did not feel pain.

I could feel the cloth atop my head splitting in half as it fluttered and fell on the ground. I did not want to raise my head but I did it anyway as if I wanted to just give up. Finally, under the bright light, we looked at each other.

“… A woman?”

He was staring at me with a look of great surprise. I slowly stared at Hernan’s face.

“Are you alright?”

He could take his eyes off me. He relaxed his expression of surprise and returned to his original expression.

“I’m sorry. I must have been mistaken.”

He slowly placed his sword back into his scabbard.

As he lifted me up, I just blinked without knowing what to say. After helping me up, he looked down at me indifferently for a long time before stroking my head. His eyes narrowed before slowing in annoyance.

“Mis… taken?”

“Yes.”

It was not like I was wearing a mask or a wig.

“You’re not the one I was looking for.”

I did not do anything but he said that he did not know me.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes.”

Goosebumps ran down my skin. What. What? Why did he not recognise me?

“… Do you not know me?”

It sounded like some pick-up line but I could not think of anyone else. I thought he was staring at me so I placed a slight smile on my face.

“My apologies but I’ve never met you before. Have you met me before?”

If he was pretending to not know me, he was too indifferent. Rather, he expressed a smile that made it seem like he was trying to place boundaries. It reminded me of the smile he put on whenever he dealt with Soricks or Penne.

As if he was showing kindness purely due to business.

“No. This is our first time meeting.”

Blinking, I slowly shook my head. For some reason, it felt like this was the only answer I could give.

“Then, you must have mistaken me for someone else.”

I did not notice it at first because of my palpitating heart but he was grabbing my waist as if he knew me.

“Excuse me, aren’t I heavy?”

“You’re not that big.”

“No, my weight…”

“Your weight does not matter when I’m just trying to help.”

He spoke without looking at me.

“I’m a templar so I can carry you even if you’re heavier than an adult male.”

I think I have transformed. A lot. My line of sight was at a higher elevation now. My joints were aching like crazy. Did I grow taller? Just when I thought it would be impossible, my long sleeves had shortened and ridden up my forearms.

Then, I spotted something wriggling on my forehead.

“… Excuse me. What colour is my hair?”

Hernan stared at me as if I was asking a strange question but he replied me gently.

“You have black hair.”

He brought me away from the market towards a small square. Within it was a small fountain. I rushed to see my reflection on the fountain pool’s surface.

“Uh… uh?”

I blinked my eyes before widening my mouth. I had black hair with no special characteristics, yellowish skin colour and normal eyes.

“… Unbelievable.’

The woman staring back at me in the water was someone I was seeing for the first time.

Amor. What did he give me?

I looked up at Hernan. He was kind enough to drop me off here but we did not have any conversation since. I was in no state to have a conversation with him.

I was convinced that the drug Amor had given me had changed my appearance. So, had he expected this conversation? Why did he give me this? What kind of danger was Amor referring to in the first place?

“Have you calmed down?”

“What? Ah, yes…”

I hurriedly came to my senses.

“Thank you for your help.”

Should I reply him like this?

“Don’t mention it.”

Hernan approached the shade next to the bench I was sitting on.

“Why did you chase me?”

‘Because you’re Hernan.’

T/N:

I owe yall three and I only posted 2 so d chappie I need make up for will be uploaded either on wed or fri as a double update thanks!