The Knight Who Broke Off Our Engagement and Told Me to Never Show My Face Again Still Clings to Me Today, Even Though I Was Possessed and Turned Into a Villainess for Ten Years - 28 - The Hand That Reached Out

“Lord Gerald will be back in two days.”

“No way…”

Right after I finished speaking with Lord Lloyd, I rushed out of the library and went straight to the Findlay Marquis family’s estate. But I was too late. Gerald had already left with that man, heading to a mage who could use restriction magic.

Very few people can use that kind of magic, and the mage currently lives far from the capital, so the round trip takes two days.

Even though we finally found an important clue about that place, the bad timing made me feel frustrated. After leaving the marquis’ estate, I went to see Neil next.

He was in his usual hotel room, still doing research. I felt relieved that I could see him safely, and I quickly told him everything I had just learned.

“So it really was in the neighboring country. Still, even if we go by ourselves, we’d just get caught and killed. What do we do?”

“…!”

“No matter who we report this to, I doubt anyone would believe us and immediately go rescue him in another country, especially just based on our word.”

He was right. No one had believed us before either. Maybe we should just wait for Gerald to come back, rather than do something reckless.

As I thought that, Neil continued.

“I’ve been thinking… Even if we release that man, will it really save Norman?”

“What?”

“Our enemy is really careful and well-prepared. Do you think they don’t know he’s been captured? I bet Gerald’s thought about it too. He and I are doing everything we can, but still…”

“No…”

“Of course I want to save Norman. But honestly, I feel like he could be killed at any moment.”

Then that means—we have to hurry and save Norman even more.

But I also understood how unrealistic it was to suddenly gather skilled fighters and head to another country. Just traveling there would take several days.

Neil said he’d ask his parents to help investigate the location Lord Lloyd told us about, but I was already feeling overwhelmed by hopelessness and helplessness. My vision blurred.

“If you’re ever truly in trouble, I want you to rely on me.”
“I’ll definitely be there for you.”

At that moment, I remembered his words.

◇◇◇

When I asked to see Rufus at the knights’ reception, they must have seen how desperate I was, because they let me through right away.

Rufus had just finished work, so he arrived quickly. When he saw me, he looked completely shocked—but still, he led me into another room.

“Are you okay? What happened?”

He looked really worried. I knew I should have apologized for coming so suddenly and explained everything in order, but…

All that came out of my mouth was:

“Help me…”

Just that. It wasn’t enough to explain anything, or ask for anything. Even so, Rufus looked straight at me—and nodded.

“Yeah. I’ll definitely help you. So don’t worry.”

Why? Why is Rufus always so kind? His honest words made me want to cry.

“You can tell me everything. Take your time.”

“O-Okay…”

Then, with Lord Kevin also there bringing tea, I told them everything. That a friend of mine was being held in a certain place in the neighboring country. That he might be killed. That we didn’t have much time.

Even though it was a wild story with no proof, Rufus still nodded and said, “Got it.”

“Kevin.”

“Yes, of course. I’ll go with you.”

“Thanks. Then the three of us—me, Kevin, and you—will go together.”

“What?”

“It might sound like a small group, but don’t worry. Rufus alone works like fifty men.”

That’s what Kevin said.

“You’re really… going to help me?”

“Yeah. Since it’s an allied country, there’s a gate connecting the knight stations. If we use that, we can get there right away.”

“But… isn’t it bad to use it without permission?”

“It’s okay. I have the key.”

Rufus said that calmly, but I knew you’re not supposed to use an international gate without permission. I was still worried when Kevin gave me a troubled smile.

“Well, if we get caught, Rufus will probably be executed.”

“What?! Then—”

“But your friend’s life is at stake, isn’t it?”

“…!”

I knew I shouldn’t rely on them like this. But if there was even a chance we could save Norman, I couldn’t let go of that hope.

When I said I was ready to go immediately, they began preparing. I thanked them over and over again, but they just said “Don’t mention it.” That only made me want to cry more.

Later, as the three of us walked down the hallway toward the gate, I followed behind and stared at Rufus’s back, filled with guilt.

“I always depend on you, Rufus. But I’ve never given you anything back…”

“That’s not true. And also—”

“And also?”

“I was happy… that you relied on me.”

Rufus really is too kind. I already owed him more than I could ever repay in a lifetime.

“If there’s anything I can do, anything at all, I’ll do it.”

“…You shouldn’t say things like ‘anything.’”

“No, really. If it’s something I can do, anything at all—please just tell me.”

And I meant it. Even if I couldn’t do much right now, from now on, I would do anything I could for him.

“…Even if I lose everything—”

“Huh?”

“No, never mind. This isn’t the time for that. It’d be unfair.”

Rufus ran his hand through his hair and muttered. What had he wanted to say?

“Ask me again after we rescue your friend.”

“Okay.”

When I nodded, he gave me a small smile.

◇◇◇

“This is the gate…”

“Yes. I’ll start it now.”

When we finally reached the place where the gate was, Lord Kevin took the key Rufus had given him and began operating the device. A beam of light began to form in the empty space.

“Let’s go.”

“…Yeah. Thank you.”

I took Rufus’s hand as he reached it out to me and stepped forward—into the wavering light.