Chapter 68 – Goodbye

Diego slowly opened his eyes and blinked for a moment. And he jumped to his feet. Looking around, Diego was able to see Sophia, who fell asleep holding his hand.

Only then was Diego able to breathe out relief.

His memory of being kidnapped by a woman last night was clear. If Juan had not appeared, he would have been kidnapped without resistance.

But the resistance was meaningless. The mana he used was so big that his head was spinning.

So, when Sophia would get hurt by the woman, Diego felt as if his heart was falling. He was so worried that Sophia might have been seriously injured.

Juan used to tell Deigo that he could still live if even if he was caught by a troll as long as he kept thinking. That’s why Diego summoned Jerry and sent him to the mansion while being dragged away.

The moment Diego saw Ed through Jerry’s spirit, he couldn’t hold out any longer and blindly guided them to his location. Diego was out of his mind even while Jerry was returning.

The woman jumped over a high wall casually, and the sight of people running with their eyes turned at once was enough to give fear.

That was a woman who could overpower a troll with a glance.

When his body hardened due to fear of the woman, a single arrow flew. And a hammer wrapped in blue.

Diego was relieved the moment he saw it.

When the arrow bounced back and was stuck in the woman’s arm, he thought he could survive this.

And Ed and Arin easily overpowered the woman. Ed said he’d finish her off quickly, and he really did.

After seeing the woman die, Diego fainted. And when he woke up, he was at home, and his mother was with him.

Diego was worried, but seeing Sophia’s appearance, he thought it was fortunate that she didn’t seem to have been seriously injured.

“Hmm.”

Then Sophia, who slowly opened her eyes, checked Diego and jumped up.

“Diego. Are you okay?”

As soon as Diego woke up, he smiled gently at Sophia, who asked with a worried look. Honestly, he was scared yesterday, but he didn’t want to worry Sophia.

“I’m okay.”

Sophia stood up silently and hugged Diego tightly. Diego smiled in Sophia’s arms.

“I’m all grown up now. You don’t have to do this.”

Sophia hit Diego’s back with her palm.

“Ouch!”

“How can you act like everything is okay after going through that? I know you better than anyone else! You don’t have to pretend to be okay. You can always lean on me when you’re scared or going through a hard time.”

Diego hugged Sophia. He felt his mother’s warm arms. He couldn’t even remember when he had been in my mother’s warm arms after his father left.

Diego, still in her arms, felt tears as he relaxed.

Sophia swept Diego’s back.

Benedict smiled in vain when he saw Ed and Arin, who came as soon as the sky brightened.

“I told you guys to come back when the morning comes, but shouldn’t you at least wait until the sun comes up?”

It’s only been less than five hours since they met. Benedict heard roughly what happened in that short time, but he didn’t know they’d come back so soon.

It’s still before breakfast.

At Benedict’s words, Arin stepped forward.

“A bloodstone came out of Aspian’s body, a witch who attacked Pendragon’s mansion yesterday.”

Benedict made a strong impression on the words. He knew there was an incident at Pendragon’s mansion. He also knew that the Guardians of the Royal Road attacked Pendragon’s mansion.

The priests who had been cleaning up Pendragon’s mansion told him that the king’s guardians have been attacking under the curse of a demon follower.

He even heard the news that Arin and Ed killed the witch, but he didn’t know that they found a bloodstone.

Bloodstones are the most important part of Astron’s prophecy, and Arin was the only one who could track them.

Arin thought she couldn’t track any more bloodstones in the area, but when she saw the bloodstone appearing in front of her, she wondered if it was fate.

When Benedict went to the office and pulled a string on the wall, a map unfolded. Arin stood in front of the map and was determining her location.

Ed looked at her back and opened his mouth.

“Do you have any information about Nafthael?”

“Nafthael?”

“Yes. Lagrox is also a problem, but Nafthael always sends beasts every night to us.”

The prophecy says that Lagrox must be hunted down. However, all demons are enemies of the church. And Benedict had a special place in his heart for Ed, who hunts such demons.

Since Ed said he would deal with the great demon Nafthael, Benedict wanted to help him.

“I’m sorry. The church has been looking hard for him, but we haven’t found any traces of him.”

Indeed, it has been hundreds of years since Nafthael made his name on the continent, but they are yet to catch him. As such, the great demon is strong in his body, but he is also good at hiding.

Ed asked just in case. Thane was watching but didn’t expect much.

Arin pointed to a place on the map.

“I think this is it.”

Arin pointed out a location that would take 15 days even if they traveled from the royal road to the east by carriage. It was Andel City. It was a trading city with the Kingdom of Qurenai in the east.

Arin looked back at Benedict and said.

“Please do some research in advance.”

“Sure. You’ll be able to get information from Lesen city. That’s on your way to Andel.”

When Arin nodded, Benedict asked.

“Are you going to go right away?”

“Yes.”

“It’s been a while since I saw you, but you’re leaving so quickly.”

Arin smiled.

“I’ll come back again.”

Benedict smiled at Arin’s words and nodded. In fact, it is life-threatening for her to follow the prophecy.

No matter when and where she died, Benedict could not do anything. Knowing that it is her fate as a holy knight, Benedict felt bitter.

It’s because Benedict brought and raised Arin like a granddaughter. She then became a holy knight and risks her life to follow the prophecy.

“I must come to visit me again”.

“Yes.”

Benedict looked back at Ed and said.

“Please take good care of Arin.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Benedict walked to his desk, opened a drawer, and took out a small object.

And he handed it over to Ed and said.

“I don’t know if this will help you.”

Ed accepted what was handed over. An object in the form of an arrowhead.

But it felt sacred.

“Is this…?”

“You’re going to kill a lot of demons, but you don’t have proper relics. It’s not a great item compared to Arin’s, but I thought it would suit you, so I custom-made it last night.”

Ed looked at Benedict. The relic on his neck disappeared.

“Did you melt the holy relic?”

“Astron will forgive me.”

It was only one arrowhead, but it was enough. It is the best weapon in dealing with demons. He also had the Apella’s teeth, but this is better as a weapon when dealing with the great demon.

“Thank you.”

Ed meant it. It was only one arrow, but he can feel Astron’s divine power. In addition, as he is with Arin, she can bless the item.

Benedict put his hand over Ed’s arrowhead and prayed. Once again, sacred power was injected and blue light was formed on the arrowhead.

“Please take good care of Arin.”

The weight on Ed’s shoulders was different when Benedict asked to take care of Arin after giving a gift like this.

Naturally, Ed’s sincerity in the answer also changed.

“There’s no way that Miss Arin will die before me.”

Benedict smiled as if he was satisfied. Arin watched the two and shook her head.

If either she or Ed had to die, it had to be Ed first. Ed thought there will be nothing more shameful than a holy knight dying before him.

Benedict said, handing Arin a small box.

“It’s the tea I enjoy.”

“···Thank you.”

Benedict said he enjoyed it, but Arin also enjoyed it. It was a tea she learned how to drink from Benedict. Perhaps she will think of him while drinking it.

“Thank you for the tea.”

“Okay. I won’t talk too much. May Astron’s glory always be with you.”

As expected, he is an archbishop, so when he prays, people feel comfortable.

It will disappear over time anyway, but Ed was just grateful for the prayer.

“May Astron’s glory be with you.”

The black cloth was covered over a carriage. It is covered with black cloth because it is impossible to ride a blue light-emitting carriage during the mourning period of the prince’s death.

Sophia and Diego were greeting each other in front of the carriage. After meeting Benedict, Ed and Arin finished preparing for departure. It was before lunch, but if they dragged on, they might not be able to leave today, so it was an inevitable choice.

Pendragon and Cecilia were watching them.

Pendragon smiled at Thane and said.

“Old man. Don’t die secretly anywhere. And if you die, make sure to pass the message of who killed you. I’ll revenge for you.”

“Sounds like you’re praying for me to die. Tsk.”

Thane grumbled, but he both knew Pendragon’s sincerity, so they both smiled. Cecilia approached and clenched Thane’s hand and said.

“Be careful not to catch a cold, and contact me whenever you need anything.”

“Of course, Princess. You should take care of your health too. See you again.”

Pendragon approached Ed and Arin. Then he looked back at the two and spoke with a smile.

“Looking at you two reminds me of the old days of Cecilia and I. Hunting demons is good, but make sure to enjoy your life.”

Ed took his words lightly, but Arin somehow turned red.

“I’m sorry for causing all this trouble.”

“It’s not something you should be sorry about. The bad guy is always the person to blame. Don’t forget that.”

Ed thought Pendragon’s consolation was awesome. Pendragon patted Ed on the shoulder and approached Diego.

Diego, troubled by Sophia’s tears, was wearing a brown cape. Pendragon, who approached Diego who was wearing The protection of Felmes, reached out his hand and patted Diego on the head. It felt like Diego’s head was buried in his palm because he had such a big hand.

“You’re bold and smart, so you’ll do well. I’ll protect your mother, so don’t worry and come back safely.”

Diego looked up at Pendragon with envy. Diego, who grew up listening to Pendragon’s story, remembered every word he said.

“Please take good care of my mother.”

“Okay. Take care of yourself and see you again.”

“Yep!”

Diego, who had no idea what to do with Sophia’s tears, looked back on Sophia and bravely spoke. This was perhaps because he felt brave after hearing Pendragon’s words.

“I’ll be back safely. Mother.”

When Diego spoke bravely, Sophia no longer shed tears and greeted him.

“Okay. Be careful.”

After all the greetings, they got on the carriage. Doug was in charge of driving the carriage again, and Dex sat comfortably in the coach seat.

Dex said he would stay outside rather than in a tight carriage, perhaps because he could transform his face, thanks to Cecilia’s gift. So he didn’t have to pay attention to people’s stares.

Perhaps because he had lived as a slave gladiator all his life, he didn’t like being trapped anywhere.

Diego sat next to Thane and looked at the demon book he showed. He seemed to focus on this so much that he forgot about his mother.

Arin was quietly sitting and praying, and Ed was admiring his new arrowhead. Then he looked out the window.

A lot of things happened when they came to the royal road.

Ed succeeded in strengthening his ice bow and obtained a sacred arrow. He got a sacred ring, and his level went up.

It was such a royal journey that he had gained a lot.

Then, a loud sound of horse hooves from outside of the carriage. This was during the mourning period, so it was strange. Then Ed saw a familiar face.

Two horses passed by the carriage and blocked the front. Ed caught Than who was about to fall because the carriage stopped in a hurry. Then he opened the door and came out.

Where the carriage was parked, Emilia was in a black uniform and a cloak with her guardian knight.

Emilia’s face was red because of how fast she had driven her horse.

Emilia got off the horse when she saw Ed coming out from the carriage. She approached Ed and stared at him for a moment.

She hesitated and opened her mouth.

“Are you leaving?”

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

Emilia looked at Ed as if she was dumbfounded for a moment. With his help, they managed to find and kill Caren. And, he also created a connection with Archbishop Benedict.

In recognition of her contribution, her order of succession to the throne rose vertically, and she decided to be appointed as a princess.

How could she let him leave without saying anything?

This man was a person outside of common sense.

This man was leaping away as if it were all nothing.

“Will you come back?”

“Of course.”

“That’s all that matters.”

What does she mean?

“May Astron’s glory be with you.”

Emilia nodded and got back up to her horse and disappeared like the wind. From appearance to exit, she was like the wind. She was chaotic.

Ed saw Emilia’s cheeks turning red earlier. Ed got back on the carriage and felt the cold wind blowing around Arin.