The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 156

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I understand Ailren’s opposition.

As he said, it’s putting a civilian at the front of the sword’s edge.

‘But Tesagh too?’

Even though he knows why I want to go in?

‘If the ruby tablet is there, it must be hidden somewhere, and you know I have to go to sense its energy, right?’

I looked at Tesagh in bewilderment, but he shook his head firmly.

“We’re not even certain whether the ruby tablet is there or not, so why should you go there? You can cooperate later after the investigation results come out.”

“If any holy relics are found, I will inform Lady Elisha immediately, so you need not concern yourself with this matter anymore.”

“Just by catching the clue and telling us, you’ve already done your part. No, actually you’ve done something even greater. Instead of these knights of this country who I don’t know what they’re doing.”

“I deeply appreciate your interest in the Empire’s public safety and the realization of justice. Please leave the rest to me.”

They take turns speaking in perfect harmony.

Actually, what both of them said wasn’t wrong.

‘It would be safer to raid the illegal gambling den first, and then go check if the ruby tablet still doesn’t turn up.’

But…

‘Why did those customers earlier buy things? Not sell them.’

The customers’ behavioral patterns being unusual bothered me.

Somehow I had a feeling it wouldn’t be an ordinary gambling den.

‘Of course, it’s ridiculous to attach the word “ordinary” to something like a gambling den.’

However, when both of them are speaking in unison like this, I can’t keep insisting.

I obediently raised the white flag.

“Alright.”

“And don’t think about going there secretly either.”

“I wasn’t thinking that?!”

Tesagh chuckled. It must have been a joke.

Then Ailren stood up.

“I’ll contact you both as soon as new information comes in. Well then.”

“Ah, Count Ailren. I have something to ask, is it alright for a moment?”

Warmth momentarily circled Ailren’s previously cool face.

“Yes. It’s alright.”

“I won’t take up much of your time.”

“Any time spent for Lady Elisha is not a waste to me.”

Ailren smiled faintly.

I whispered ‘Just a moment!’ to Tesagh, who was raising one eyebrow and watching that scene, then followed him out.

‘Because I still have things to talk about with Tesagh too.’

After getting into the carriage out of sight from the shop.

I asked Ailren, who was looking at me as if asking what this was about.

“It’s nothing major, I was just wondering how your physical condition has been lately. I mean, the mana poisoning symptoms.”

“…Thanks to your concern, it’s getting better.”

Ailren hesitated unusually before answering slowly.

Considering Ailren’s personality of being unable to speak empty words, this must be sincere.

“May I ask what level it’s at numerically?”

“Compared to when I first met Lady Elisha… the pain has decreased by about 30%.”

It’s a similar figure to the reduction in the force that used to send me flying.

So that strange power was indeed due to mana poisoning.

But what’s puzzling is.

‘When I caught Duie, my body didn’t get thrown back.’

Is there some difference between their mana poisoning?

I tilted my head in wonder, then nodded for now.

“That’s fortunate. As expected, removing the mana stone hourglass that was the cause must have been effective.”

“…Is that… so.”

Huh, somehow the answer is ambiguous.

“What’s wrong? Gasp, could it be that mage put something in a new hourglass too…!”

“No, that’s not it. I haven’t felt anything strange recently. Thanks to His Eminence the Cardinal’s instructions, the temple has also helped strengthen overall palace security.”

“Ah, the temple? That’s fortunate, that’s so good!”

If Eivor really is a dark mage, the temple would be his natural enemy, so I was pleased to hear they helped.

Incidentally, it’s also good that Ailren’s safety can be secured.

Answering brightly, I extended my hand.

“Then please go in safely! Before that, could I ask for a handshake?”

‘Since I couldn’t shake hands for a while. It must have been very difficult.’

Ailren, who had been staring at me quietly, extended his hand a little later than usual.

When we clasped hands, I could clearly feel the difference in the repelling force.

‘Ailren said it decreased by about 30%, but now it feels like about half?’

It’s bearable!

It was when I opened my eyes that I had squeezed shut.

Ailren’s hand that had been clasped in a handshake changed direction.

Looking at the back of my hand, he.

“…It is rather I who am taking up Lady Elisha’s time.”

Lowered his body and slowly brought down his lips.

With a face that looked not just upright but even sacred, Ailren murmured quietly.

“So instead.”

Having kissed my uninjured hand, he gently turned his head to look up at me.

Kissing the back of a hand is an expression of respect.

However, his figure positioned lower than my hand looked exactly like.

“Please freely take anything else of mine.”

He seemed to be worshipping.

“You may do so to me. Lady Elisha.”

Ailren, who had infused me with holy power, withdrew his body.

Realizing that what little fatigue remained had disappeared, I said blankly.

“Count Ailren, but you should avoid using holy power if possible…”

Ailren smiled.

“Then please go in safely.”

It was exactly the same situation and exactly the same words as when he healed my wound.

If there was a difference, it was that his lips kissing my hand were unusually hot.

And that I felt some kind of determination in his smile.

*

It was on the way back to the Imperial Palace.

Ailren, who had been looking out the window, recalled the conversation he had with the Cardinal a few days ago.

It was when he went to the temple to hand over Duie and the ruby tablet.

Cardinal Crescenziano greeted him.

With the Pope being ill, the Cardinal is the leader of the temple.

As Captain of the Royal Knights, he was someone who deserved proper respect. Unlike the Duke of a foreign country.

[Brother, you know what state you’re in, don’t you?]

However, the moment Ailren saw the words the Cardinal had written, he hesitated.

It wasn’t just from surprise that he knew about his illness.

[Does our Sister Elisha know that she’s been helping you a great deal?]

It was because of the words that followed.

Ailren barely managed to answer.

“I am aware.”

[Really? You don’t seem to know much.]

“…What do you mean by that?”

[Ah. Just in case you’re wondering, our Sister has never spoken about you. I figured it out on my own.]

“With all due respect, I’m not asking how Your Eminence came to know. I’m asking what help from Lady Elisha I might not be aware of.”

[Oh, so you can make that kind of expression too.]

The Cardinal laughed lightly despite the weight of his words, as if he could see him even through the robe.

[Well, it’s nothing major. Our Sister has been spending a lot of time and care on you. More than you think.]

“…I am always grateful for that. But it seems you’re not referring to just that.”

[Unfortunately, it’s not the kind of thing you could repay even if you knew about it.]

“I can repay it.”

[It would be difficult.]

“Then I will try harder.”

The Cardinal’s lips curved upward at the unwavering answer.

He slowly wrote the words.

[Our Sister saved your life. But could you do the same for our Sister?]

Life?

Did he mean that if the mana poisoning had been left untreated, he could have lost his life?

The Cardinal was right. Ailren had not known that fact.

With a feeling as if his heart was being cut, Ailren said.

“…I will do my best to ensure Lady Elisha never falls into danger again…”

The Cardinal chuckled.

[No, no. I admire your chivalry, but I’m talking about the direction of that very chivalry. There’s someone else you must ‘do your best’ to protect, isn’t there?]

Ailren stiffened.

[Let me ask again. Are you really someone who can ‘do your best’ to protect our Sister?]

At that moment, Ailren was…

The Imperial Palace comes into view at the end of the street.

The person he must protect with all his might is in that place.

But at that time, Ailren.

“Your Eminence misunderstands the Knight’s oath.”

That was how he had answered.

“My best is to protect everyone. Even if all blades are pointed at me, my shield will never fall.”

After a long silence, the Cardinal let out a low laugh that was half admiration, half sigh.

He who had simply called him brother but consistently added ‘our’ when referring to Elisha had written.

[Is that so? How admirable. I hope such a moment of choice never comes to you.]

That was all.

It was words that seemed like both a blessing and cynicism.

Ailren, who had been touching his lips that still felt warm, realized he had arrived at the Imperial Palace.

His long shadow tilted as he stepped down from the carriage.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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