I Was Told to Drink Poison, So I Drank It - 43 - As the Saint, without a change

The moment I returned to the house where Noah would probably stay as a base, Louis came out to take his place.

His appearance was the same as usual. His hair was neatly tied, and he was wearing a surcoat.

Seeing him in his usual state, I let out a sigh of relief.

I’m glad, Louis is safe after all…

I had heard from Noah that Louis and Cain had recovered, but seeing it with my own eyes finally made me feel it.

“Lady Chalize…”

Louis looked at me, showing a relieved expression.

He must have been worried about me too.

I looked at Louis and asked,

“Are you alright?”

“That’s my question. I’ve heard you regained consciousness, but are you sure it’s alright to move now?”

I was asked in return, and I gave a wry smile.

“Yes. I’m sorry to worry you. But after sleeping for a week, I’m fine now. And, Louis…”

I glanced behind me.

Louis’s face grew serious.

He must have heard about it.

A large horde of magical beasts had attacked the capital.

“You’re going, aren’t you?”

Louis said quietly.

It was said with a tone that seemed sure of it.

I nodded in response to his words.

The town was polluted by magical miasma, and magical beasts were rampant.

If we don’t act quickly, the horde will ravage the town and then attack nearby villages and towns.

That would undoubtedly cause massive damage.

We have to do something now.

I turned around and said to Louis,

“Louis, follow Noah.”

“Ha…”

He slightly widened his eyes.

It was a rare sight, and I couldn’t help but think it was strange.

Louis is always calm.

He is someone who rarely loses composure.

And now, he was showing signs of agitation, with disbelief and reluctance written on his face.

I bitterly smiled at this.

“I can’t take you with me to that place.”

By ‘that place,’ of course, I meant the town.

(The town is already polluted by magical miasma. Anyone without holy power who steps in will be immediately contaminated.)

It would be too risky to enter the town with Louis using his holy power, like we did in the Forest of Utis.

There are three thousand magical beasts. It’s nearly impossible to purify them all. At least, we should be able to stop their movements or drive them away from the capital, but that would consume a lot of holy power.

The question is whether I’ll run out of holy power first or manage to drive the beasts away.

It will be a race against time.

“I don’t have enough holy power. I’m not sure I can protect you.”

“…………”

Louis said nothing.

He simply lowered his lashes and furrowed his brow in a troubled manner.

After gritting his teeth, Louis spoke.

“…Understood.”

His voice was quiet but clear.

“Thank you.”

“It’s not something you should thank me for. As a knight, it’s unthinkable for me to become a burden to my master… I should have said this first. I apologize for not thinking it through.”

“It’s fine.”

He probably wanted to come with me.

He was the one who chose to leave his status behind and accompany me.

I know well the loyalty he has as a knight.

That’s why he must feel frustrated.

He must feel helpless, seeing me go into battle alone.

So I looked up at Louis and spoke, smiling.

“Louis.”

“Yes?”

“…Help Noah. He’s decided to defeat King Henry. But the journey ahead is going to be tough and long. So, guide him. Noah has many trusted subordinates, but surprisingly, not many people he can rely on. So, Louis.”

“…Understood. I will protect His Highness Noah in place of Lady Chalize.”

Louis must have understood what I wanted to say.

He placed his hand on his chest and gave a knight’s salute.

“Thank you. Take care of Noah.”

“Yes.”

He gave a short reply, then lowered his head.

“Lady Chalize, please… stay safe.”

Louis’s words were short, but there was a strain in his voice that made my heart ache.

For a knight, leaving their master behind is… surely painful.

But he knows this is the best thing to do, so he follows my orders.

I wanted to ease Louis’s worries, so I smiled and said,

“I don’t like being gloomy, Louis. We’ll meet again! By then, Noah will have the crown, and the capital should have people returning. Let’s part now, believing that. I’ll pray for your good fortune!”

I said brightly, and Louis faintly smiled back.

“May the Goddess’s blessing be with Lady Chalize. I believe as well.”

Then he mounted his horse and left to catch up with Noah and Luke.

☆

I was left alone.

Though there were maids and attendants, it was time to say goodbye to them as well.

I returned to the house briefly.

I went to the room where I had been resting and prepared myself.

While worrying about Nina, who looked pale, I made my preparations.

I put on a robe to cover my face.

I also strapped a dagger to my waist, just in case.

“…Alright!”

I muttered softly to myself and gathered my resolve.

I lowered my lashes and measured how much holy power I had left.

It’s not fully recovered… but it’s about 80%.

With that much, I should be fine for regular magical beast hunting.

But… this time, it’s a large horde of magical beasts.

How long I can last is honestly a gamble.

But I’ve already made a promise.

To Prince Lawrence.

To Noah.

To Louis.

Then, I suddenly remembered.

The promise I made to Prince Lawrence…

Was that a dream?

Or was it real?

I thought for a moment, but I clearly remember the sensation of our little fingers entwined.

Either way, now is not the time to think about it.

Whether it was a dream or reality, I definitely made that promise with him.

I took a slow breath.

I raised my head again and looked at my reflection in the mirror.

My green eyes met my own gaze—and I nodded.

I had already made up my mind.