Pardon the Abduction, Holy Knight - It's an Emergency - Chapter 2.8

Hearing my answer, Adriel seemed lost in thought, trying to recall what he had dreamed.

Can I leave now?

“I don’t remember what the dream was about.”

So, I can go, right…?

“There’s no need to force yourself to remember. Just think of it as a silly dream and go to sleep.”

“What I can guess is… it might be because of the new demon I saw.”

Just sleep already.

…Sigh.

I was about to turn the doorknob but looked back at him again. Fine. I’m already wide awake anyway, so I’ll listen. That was my mindset.

“I hate demons. On days when it’s hard to bear this feeling, that memory from that day always appears in my dreams.”

This is all because of the early morning sentimentality.

At this hour, people tend to say things they wouldn’t normally say, as if drunk.

“The screams of my family being mercilessly murdered by demons… I will never forget them until the day I close my eyes.”

See? That’s why he’s telling me about his past without any hesitation.

And to me of all people, the one who kidnapped him.

“I won’t be able to forget or be forgiven.”

“Why does Sir Knight need to be forgiven?”

At my question, Adriel’s eyebrows, which had been furrowed in bitter self-deprecation, twitched.

His face seemed to say, ‘How can you not know?’

After a brief pause, he continued.

“Perhaps the demon by your side is right. I’m weak and a coward, so I was the only one who survived.”

My deceased parents and younger sibling must resent me for this.

I quietly looked down at the top of his head as he lowered it in anguish.

Really, why are you like this…

“You’re quite the filial son, aren’t you?”

At my sarcastic tone, Adriel looked up at me again. His expression was unpleasant, his furrowed brow silently demanding an explanation.

“No, I mean, what parent would resent their child for surviving?”

“…”

“What you’re saying now is no different from insulting your family. Your family in heaven is probably more upset about what you just said than about the things you’re worrying about.”

Why? Am I wrong?

Adriel blinked rapidly, seemingly flustered by my continuous words.

Looking at me, Adriel hesitated, his lips moving slightly before he spoke quietly.

“There’s no need to try and comfort me.”

“Who’s comforting whom? Me, comforting you?”

Why would I bother doing such a troublesome thing?

Seeing my expression, Adriel quietly lowered his head.

His silver hair, as if bathed in moonlight, fell sorrowfully.

I can’t tell what he’s thinking.

Well, I can leave now, right?

It seemed like we had finished talking, so I quietly tried to turn the doorknob.

But then.

“I’ll leave.”

“…!”

I was startled by the gentle voice coming from right beside me.

Adriel had somehow come close without me noticing, stopping my hand and opening the door instead.

“No, at least make some noise when you…”

“Didn’t you say you couldn’t sleep without a bed?”

Did I? I don’t remember saying such a thing.

“So please use the room, my lady.”

I shook my head, suppressing my desire to argue.

“No. You should use it tonight, Sir Knight.”

“No, I insist.”

“But you’re the patient.”

“How am I a patient when nothing hurts?”

Liar. You were groaning in pain just a moment ago.

What should I do? I don’t like the idea of taking the bed from a sick person.

As I was lost in thought with my mouth shut, that’s when.

“And…”

Adriel continued, his voice tinged with a hint of bashfulness.

“It would be better if we continue like this from now on.”

“What?”

“If I had known you were enduring discomfort on my behalf, I would have changed it earlier.”

On my behalf?

I wasn’t particularly doing it for Adriel. I was just keeping him confined so he couldn’t escape.

He seemed to have fallen into a strange misunderstanding, but I didn’t bother to correct him.

It was too troublesome to explain that it wasn’t the case, and above all, I was really tired now.

“Then, please sleep.”

Before I could say anything, Adriel finished what he had to say and closed the door.

“What’s with him, really…”

I stood there blankly, listening to the faint footsteps coming from outside the room.

“Sigh… Whatever. Let’s just sleep for now.”

Then, unable to overcome my fatigue, I immediately collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep.

***

In the hidden room of the Berto Marquis’ mansion.

“Th-The humans who saw our faces.”

Taro, in the form of a bird, was wandering over the dazzlingly sparkling treasures, muttering seriously.

“N-Not a single one should be left alive. If the King finds out about this, Wit and I…”

“What are you mumbling to yourself about since earlier?”

Startled by the sudden gentle voice that interrupted, Taro stumbled, causing the pile of gold coins he was stepping on to scatter with a clatter.

Taro, who had been serious all along, turned his head towards the owner of the voice.

“You! Wh-Where have you been hi-hiding all this time!”

“Hi-Hiding? What nonsense is that to say to someone who’s been working hard for your sake? How hurtful.”

Taro felt the back of his neck stiffen at Lucian’s face, smiling naturally and innocently. Moreover, it seemed like he was mocking Taro’s way of speaking.

“Cut the crap! You went to the Imperial Palace for your own greed, and you dare say it was for me. E-Even a passing dog would laugh!”

Taro shouted, flapping his wings furiously.

Lucian just looked at him with an expression of pity.

“It seems like your tantrums have increased while I was away. Is it because I haven’t been playing with you lately?”

“That mouth of yours…!”

Taro, who was about to flare up again, suddenly lost all his energy and gave up on getting angry.

He had just realized once again that this was an opponent who wouldn’t listen to reason.

Ignoring such a person is the answer!

With that in mind, Taro started wandering over the pile of gold coins again, lost in his own thoughts.

“So.”

“Don’t talk to me!”

“What kind of problem is my cute fairy worrying about so much?”

“Hmph… You don’t need to know! It’s a pro-problem that has nothing to do with you.”

“How sad of you to say such things. Between us.”

Taro had clearly tried to ignore Lucian. However, the nagging voice beside him prevented Taro from thinking about anything else.

“What’s the matter? Hm?”

This persistent fellow!

Lucian Berto was the type of person who, once he showed interest, would torment the other party until they withered away.

Taro opened his mouth as if he had given up.

“There are humans that need to be dealt with quietly.”

“Dealt with? You mean killed?”

“That’s right. I was wo-worrying about how to deal with those humans.”

“That’s what you’re worried about?”

Lucian tilted his head.

He knew that killing a few humans wasn’t a difficult task for Taro.