Chapter 30
“Ten minutes left. Get out right now.”
Even forgetting his own surprise at her threatening demeanor, Rainen retorted.
“What?”
“Kill all the monsters here. Now. Within ten minutes. Or else you’ll… pay….”
The grip on his collar slackened.
She wasn’t unconscious, but her labored breathing suggested she could barely stay awake.
“……”
After a brief frown, Rainen stood up.
He still didn’t understand her motives.
But since she’d helped him earlier, and this situation needed resolving, he had to act.
Yet leaving Caliphe like this bothered him.
Bang! Bang!
Monsters drawn by the commotion were already trying to break in.
Even if he dealt with them, more would come.
“...No choice.”
After hesitating, Rainen reached toward Caliphe.
“Pardon me.”
“?!”
Caliphe felt her world flip—a sensation weirdly familiar.
“Ugh.”
She was slung over his shoulder like a sack of flour.
She squirmed.
“Who do you think you’re hauling around?!”
“Stay still. Unless you’d prefer being carried in my arms?”
“Ugh! Don’t even joke!”
“...A joke?”
They glared at each other, scowling.
Rainen surrendered first.
Seeing Caliphe’s pale face, he reluctantly knelt on one knee before her.
Then he seated her on his arm and hoisted her up in one swift motion.
It was as if he were holding a child.
“Wh—what are you… Ah!”
As Caliphe wobbled backward, Rainen quickly supported her back.
She instinctively wrapped both arms around his neck.
Ding!
[Filial Piety Quest Complete!]
[Exchange a Reconciliation Hug with Duke Ortega (1/1)]
[+3 Filial Piety Points.]
This counts as a hug?
The generous system judgment wasn’t worth questioning.
He was just relieved to finally gain points.
“Hmph. Fine. Think of me as a stubborn bug.”
“A bug, huh…?”
Rainen’s arm holding Caliphe tensed.
“Hold tight. I won’t take responsibility if you fall.”
“Why would I—Kyaah!”
He burst forward, startling Caliphe into clinging to him.
“Y-you’re too fast!”
Instead of slowing, his speed increased at her scream.
[Time Remaining: 00:13:49]
Many remained trapped inside the building.
Nobles hiding from monsters began whispering.
“What happened to the mercenary fighting earlier?”
“No idea. Everything’s quiet… Eek!”
Thud. Thud.
A monster’s presence grew closer.
The nobles covered their mouths, tears streaming.
Suddenly, the footsteps vanished at the door.
Had it left? As they loosened their grips—
Crash!
The balcony doors shattered as a monster lunged through.
“Aaaah!”
“Help!”
Crack! …Thud!
But the monster never reached them.
Split in half mid-roar, its frozen body collapsed without spilling blood.
Behind it stood Rainen Ortega, sword in hand.
“Your Grace!”
“You came to save us! Thank you… Huh?”
The cheering nobles stared in confusion.
Duke Ortega held a woman in his arms—the same man who rebuffed all marriage talks and knightly escorts.
And the beauty with honey-gold hair and a sharp gaze was unmistakably…
“L-Lady Ophensa?”
“What? Enjoying the show?”
Her biting retort made them avert their eyes.
She then urged impatiently,
“Stop dawdling!”
“Should I put you down?”
“Then you’ll miss my encouragement.”
Pat-pat!
The nobles gaped. Lady Ophensa was affectionately patting the duke’s back!
But his response shocked them more.
“Enough. You’ll make me collapse.”
Who collapses from a few pats?!
Oblivious to their stunned faces, Rainen ordered them to stay put before vanishing.
The nobles murmured dazedly.
“Was that really Duke Ortega?”
“Yes.”
“Weren’t they enemies? She’s the one who chased him.”
“Yes.”
“Since when did they get so close? Did a Cupid monster appear?”
“Wait… Didn’t Lady Ophensa have a secret lover?”
Suspicion dawned on their faces—and grew as Rainen carried Caliphe through the chaos.
Thud!
As the last monster fell:
[Time Remaining: 00:00:02]
The countdown halted.
Too close!
Caliphe sighed in relief.
She’d doubted clearing the hall in ten minutes, yet he’d done it.
And he’s barely winded.
True to his title as ’s secret swordsmanship master.
“Over here!”
“Is everyone safe?!”
Guards and medics rushed in, followed by worried families and servants.
The Ortegas hurried to Rainen.
“Your Grace! Are you unharmed?”
“Let us check for injuries!”
Caliphe slipped away through the crowd.
Need to review the quest.
As she walked, snippets of conversations reached her:
“Madam! Thank goodness you’re safe! Are you hurt?”
“Oh, miss! Your hair’s ruined—let me fix it.”
Caliphe brushed past them, muttering,
“So noisy.”
Reaching a quiet corner, she froze.
“Ugh.”
A throbbing pain shot through her swollen ankle—injured during the chase.
She clicked her tongue, shoved her foot back into her shoe, and opened the quest log.
Meanwhile, Rainen calmed his furious aide.
“Your Grace! This banquet was doomed! Trusting those Empire scum—”
“Lower your voice, Raul. They’re here.”
“Understood… Are you injured? Let me check.”
Ortega healers swiftly tended to him, earning admiring glances from other nobles.
As Rainen ignored them, he noticed Caliphe alone—without her family’s servants.
