Chapter 26
Rynen’s eyebrow twitched slightly, but he skillfully ignored my words.
He sat down gracefully beside me.
“Please sit. There won’t be any danger.”
“How can you be so sure of that?”
“Because I’m right here next to you.”
For a moment, I was speechless, blinking rapidly. Even the waiting servant’s eyes widened in shock.
Belatedly realizing the misunderstanding, Rynen hastily added,
“I mean—because I’m in the seat next to you! The proximity alone ensures safety.”
“Goodness.”
Seizing the moment, I covered my mouth with one hand and laughed mockingly.
“Do you have a crush on me or something?”
“……!”
Rynen’s face paled as if he’d heard something horrifying. Amused, I was about to tease him further when his expression turned deadly serious.
“Lady Ophensa. Do not overstep boundaries.”
“Boundarieeees?”
Since when does admitting you like me count as overstepping!?
So he’s the type who can’t take a joke.
“Fine. When you marry, go suffer under under a brother-in-law young enough to be your son. Hmph!”
“What childish nonsense… Ugh!”
We both jerked our heads away in opposite directions.
We’re clearly incompatible.
‘Still, my apology must have had some effect.’
Given our hostile history with Calyphe, I thought we’d never speak again—yet he approached me first.
Well, he isn’t wrong. With Rynen Ortega nearby, danger is unlikely. The Ortega family has always battled northern monsters as a knightly house, and I’ve heard Rynen himself is exceptionally skilled.
Settling into my seat, I fiddled with the pouch tied between my dress folds.
‘But the accident will happen as per the original plot. I’ll just heal myself later with Noah’s gift.’
The pouch also held an enigmatic black stone. It felt too crucial to leave in the annex.
‘The only servant I trust is that brawny maid.’
I absently toyed with Noah’s rose-shaped charm, which somehow resembled a caterpillar.
Hehe… Adorable……
As I smugly covered my smirking lips with a hand propped under my chin, the announcer began his introduction.
“The first gladiatorial match will begin shortly! Guests may now place bets on the victor.”
Yet no one stepped forward to wager on this notoriously brutal event.
The announcer quickly added,
“All proceeds will go to charity.”
“20 on the gladiator!”
“30 on the monster!”
Only then did shouts erupt from the crowd. Dietrich had likely planted these bidders.
I nervously watched the growing excitement. Though nobles maintained decorum, the atmosphere felt precarious.
‘No wonder disaster strikes.’
Focusing on my safety and the silver-haired man’s whereabouts, I finally observed the monster match from the front row.
Thud! A massive monster collapsed, impaled by a sword.
“Woooh!”
The mercenary fighting it waved at the cheering crowd.
After several uneventful matches, even cautious nobles began enjoying themselves. The hall grew rowdier.
Dietrich, seated nearby, smirked with regained composure. Meanwhile, my tension spiked as disaster loomed.
“Now, the highlight of tonight’s matches!”
The next monster emerged—a hulking, fur-covered beast drooling between razor teeth.
“Begin!”
At the bell, the monster charged. The experienced mercenary dodged claws effortlessly, but gradually lost ground until cornered.
Only a translucent barrier separated me from the fight.
‘They installed artifacts for audience protection.’
Yet each thunderous collision made me flinch.
Then—
The mercenary’s gaze flicked toward me.
“……?”
As I frowned, Clang! His sword flew from his grip.
“Fool! Get it together!”
“Kill it now!”
Amid mixed cheers, the mercenary desperately evaded until suddenly bolting—
Straight toward me!
“……!”
He swerved at the edge, but the monster crashed into the barrier.
Crash!
Its flattened face loomed inches from mine. Our eyes locked.
Grrr……
The enraged beast stared with rolling pupils before battering the barrier.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
“Eek…!”
I recoiled as Dietrich sneered,
“Why so scared? Relax—I’d never let harm befall my precious bride-to-be.”
Why is he so calm?
“Did you—”
“Order this?”
Our eyes met just as—Crack! The barrier shattered.
“Aaaah! It’s broken!”
Screams replaced cheers. I tried fleeing, but froze under the monster’s gaze.
‘Shit, shit, shit!’
As it lunged, someone yanked me backward—
Schlick!
Flesh-rending sounds and a monster’s shriek echoed.
‘Who saved me? Not damned Dietrich—’
The firm arms suggested otherwise. I looked up into Rynen’s gaze.
“Are you unharmed?”
Nodding mutely, I noted grudgingly: annoying, yet reliable.
Dietrich barged in, roaring,
“Begone!”
His sword struck—the monster stiffened, convulsed, and fell. Though it appeared slain by steel,
‘Illegal magic tools’ effect.’
A device glinted in its fur. ‘The accident that stole the silver-haired man’s sight—caused by rogue magic tools.’ Dietrich must’ve equipped all monsters with them. Malfunctions likely triggered tonight’s chaos.
‘And those oversized ones? If unleashed, casualties would—’
Pzzzt!
A spark erupted from the device.
‘That reaction…!’
Calyphe’s knowledge surfaced—this signaled critical failure.
‘Earlier, only unlucky individuals were at risk. Now, everyone here is doomed.’
“Duke Ortega! How dare you cling to another’s wo—”
“Come here.”
I stomped Dietrich’s shin.
“Agh! You lunatic—what now!?”
“You implanted illegal magic tools in that monster.”
“Nonsense! Why would—”
“Did you use the same command codes for all devices?”
“I don’t kno—Aaaagh!”
A revived monster swatted Dietrich like a ball.
“Step back.”
Rynen shielded me, slashing the monster’s vitals and severing its device. The bisected tool sparked violently.
I stared, impressed.
“Quick judgment.”
“I was watching closely.”
Meaning he anticipated Dietrich’s plight?
“Well? Explain this situation.”
“Hm?”
“You clearly have something to tell me.”
After a pause, I smirked.
“Sharp as ever. I like that.”
