Chapter 44

Elliot and Lloyd returned to their room in the castle after the meeting. Elliot, who is currently the nominal deputy leader, was advised by Lord Agreias to rest and recover his strength, and arrangements were made so that he would not have to appear in public for the time being.

"Indeed, if we only give glory to the Holy Knights, the morale of the entire knight corps will become unbalanced. I believe this is a good opportunity to bestow honor on other knights who rarely get the chance to shine."

When Lord Agreias said this, the prime minister and the knights present nodded in agreement. The senior knights, who knew each other well, were particularly excited about the opportunity to prove themselves.

A few days ago, the announcement of Lionel Orias Vinialdel's retirement as the head of the kingdom's knight corps and Dylan Agreias Jiemerld's succession was made. Initially, there was considerable confusion within the corps, but it has now settled down. The Jiemerld ducal family has long been a strong supporter of the knights, and many of the knights, who are not the eldest sons of noble families, feel a deep sense of gratitude for being directly recognized by the ducal family, which has a proud tradition of knighthood in the north.

In the northern part of the kingdom, there have been sporadic reports of sightings of undead beasts along the Ureli River.

After the meeting, Elliot and Lloyd returned to their room in the castle. Elliot, who is currently the nominal deputy leader, was advised by Lord Agreias to rest and recover his strength, and arrangements were made so that he would not have to appear in public for the time being.

"Truly, his eloquence is remarkable. Marcus and Richard were eager to show their skills... Well, it's a fact that they are more than capable of dealing with a single undead beast."

Lloyd's light-hearted comment made Elliot relax and nod.

"This will give me some time to think about what to do next. ...By the way, have you told her about the holy sword?"

"No, not yet... I just couldn't bring myself to tell Emily that the holy sword was damaged due to my inadequacy, especially after she prayed for me..."

Elliot knew it was a petty pride, but the value of what he had lost was so great that it took tremendous courage to put it into words. With the uncertainty of whether he could recover the holy sword, he couldn't bring himself to tell her.

"I see... I heard she has been spending every day in the chapel, praying fervently. I thought you had already told her."

"Emily is very perceptive. She might have sensed something. ...She was always like that on the battlefield."

Elliot relaxed and smiled softly, remembering how Emily would always notice even the smallest of his injuries on the battlefield, rush to his side, and heal and purify him with a radiant smile.

"Hehe... You're being sentimental. She was just special as a Holy Knight..."

Lloyd's murmur faded away.

"There's only a month and a half until the wedding. I understand that you don't want to burden her until then. It must be special for women, right? For you, it might be easier since it's your second time."

Lloyd said this in a light tone, as if it were just casual conversation between close friends. However, Elliot couldn't manage to laugh and nod.

—Second time...? No, there was no first time.

He couldn't say it. A sudden, intense sense of guilt washed over him.

Memories he had long buried and forgotten began to surface and fade in his mind.

It couldn't be helped. The sudden order to deploy left no time.

At that time, there was nothing to do but give up.

If I return alive and unharmed...

Such a promise was left unfulfilled and disappeared.

She was sewing a dress. Late into the night after finishing her work.

What happened to that dress, which she never got to wear?

Shaking his head as if to resist these memories, he repeated to himself that it was something he had sacrificed for his glory, something that was already over. But the rising nausea felt like self-loathing for something he had forgotten.

What he had distanced himself from in the intoxication of glory could never be brought back.

Glancing at the closet in the corner of the room he had been given in the castle, he quickly averted his eyes and looked down. There, wrapped in cloth, was the sword with the broken blade. He couldn't bear to look at it and remain sane.