I Was Deemed a Worthless Saint Without a Level-Up Blessing and Was Sent Off to Marry a Neighboring Country, but It Turns Out My Blessing Was Actually Level Cap Removal - Episode 46

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bully you… It’s about my own body. I had never heard about the scales before, but I was aware that the scars were spreading.”

Alvent, averting his gaze from Ferulina, continues speaking as if it were nothing.

“However… The scars have only started to spread recently. That’s not all. Little by little, it feels like the speed at which the scars are spreading is increasing…”

“!?!”

This time, it was Ferulina’s turn to gasp.

Why it has started spreading only recently, Ferulina cannot even begin to imagine the cause.

Is it because the dragon is approaching the Gobules Kingdom, or is it for some entirely different reason…?

No, what’s more important is how much time is left for Alvent.

The annoying clattering sound interrupts my thoughts.

To the sound that wouldn’t stop ringing, Ferulina finally realized it was the sound of her own teeth chattering.

The fingertips that touched Alvent’s hand are trembling disgracefully.

Now, Ferulina’s hand is even colder than the chilled Alvent’s hand.

Alvent slightly raised the corner of his mouth at Ferulina’s demeanor.

“Don’t make that face. From the moment we realized that a dragon might be approaching, I had already decided in my heart to take it down next time. Whether there’s a curse or not, what I have to do doesn’t change. If the dragon threatens the Gobules Kingdom, I’ll take it down with all my might.”

Alvent, who had spoken with great conviction, raised the corner of his mouth and grinned.

With a reassuring smile that seems to blow away Ferulina’s worries.

“Alvent-sama…!”

Alvent’s hand is still cold.

However, when I see Alvent’s reassuring smile, even if it is just grandiose words to comfort Ferulina, I can’t help but want to believe unconditionally that everything will be alright.

“Yes…! If Lord Alvent is going to face the dragon, I will do my utmost to protect you…!”

As I spoke to push aside the swirling anxiety in my chest, for some reason, Alvent gave a wry smile.

“Your feelings make me happy and give me great confidence, but… normally, it’s the knight, me, who should be protecting you, right?”

“No! I will also protect Lord Alvent!”

When I firmly declared that I wouldn’t yield on this matter, Alvent’s smile deepened.

“Ferulina is surprisingly stubborn.”

“……Do you dislike it…?”

Come to think of it, when I was in the Klein Kingdom, I never once argued against what I was told.

Even if I voiced my opinion, it would be dismissed by Ferulina, and eventually, I gave up on even expressing my feelings.

“There’s no way I would think it’s a bad idea, right?”

As if to say that Ferulina’s worries are unfounded, Alvent gives a gentle smile.

“It’s an absolute joy to hear your feelings and opinions. You’re humble, after all. You can speak up more about anything.”

Another hand overlaps Ferulina’s hand that was resting on Alvent’s fist.

“…Thank you.”

“Eh…?”

Not understanding why she was being thanked, she tilted her head in confusion, and Alvent looked at Ferulina with a caring gaze.

“Even though it was something so difficult to talk about that you almost passed out… Thank you for telling me about the dragon’s curse.”

The sincere tone of voice conveys Alvent’s true feelings directly.

“That’s… I only added to Lord Alvent’s troubles, so there’s no way I could accept thanks…!”

When he was taken aback and shook his head, Alvent smiled and said, “What are you talking about?”

“Knowing things is important. Whether or not you have knowledge can prevent you from making wrong important decisions. Thanks to what you taught me, I’ve made up my mind.”

For a moment, determination flashed in Alvent’s black eyes.

However, it was just for a moment, and what appeared on his stern face was a gentle smile full of compassion.

“Well then, let’s head to Ferulina’s tent soon. …If you stay in my tent for too long, Robes might stab you…”

“Mr. Robes wouldn’t do something like that, would he? If you ask him, he would surely get angry, wouldn’t he…?”

“No, he might actually do it. He’d probably threaten me by saying something like, ‘Even though the queen warned me, you want me to stab you with a sword too!?’…”

A smile involuntarily broke out at Alvent’s weary expression.

At Ferulina’s smile, Alvent’s expression relaxed as if relieved.

“Can you stand?”

“Yes, it’s all fine now. Sorry for the trouble.”

“It’s already late at night. Keep me warm.”

When I got off the bed with some help, a nearby Alvent’s coat was gently draped over my shoulders.

Led by Alvent, I exit the tent.

When I went outside, the starry sky spread out above me.

The knights are probably all sleeping in their respective tents. It seems that only the knight tending the campfire and the knights on patrol are awake.

It seems that I was unconscious for longer than I thought.

“I’m sorry. Even though you must be tired, Alvent-sama…”

It’s about Alvent. He must have stayed by Ferulina’s side until she woke up.

“It’s fine because I wanted to be there for you. Don’t worry about it.”

He probably doesn’t want to wake the knights. Alvent said this in a low voice and chuckled softly.

Even though we are in a camp in the forest where nocturnal monsters might be lurking, with Alvent by my side, I feel like there’s nothing to be afraid of.

It’s completely different from the Klein Kingdom expedition, where I couldn’t find any peace even at night.

Ferulina’s tent was very close to Alvent’s tent.

The moment I thought I had to let go of Alvent’s warm hand, I was taken aback by how intensely lonely I felt.

However, we cannot impose any more burden on Alvent.

“Thank you very much.”

I release the hands I was holding in front of the canopy and bow deeply.

“No, it was my fault for keeping you up so late. Please take your time and rest.”

Alvent gently pats Ferulina’s head with a soft “pof.”

“Yes. Lord Alvent too.”

As I looked up at the tall figure and smiled, our gazes met, with eyes deeper in color than the night sky.
Right now, even the scar on my cheek is sinking into the darkness of the night, making it hard to see.

……Will I be kissed again?

In the heat that resides in the black eyes, I suddenly feel such a premonition. However.

“Good night. Make sure to rest well.”

Once more, Alvent gently stroked Ferulina’s head before turning on his heel.

“G-Good night…”

While feeling like she wanted to crawl into a hole due to her misunderstanding, Ferulina deeply bowed her head once more to hide her flushed face.