Episode 23

Translator : Missme Editor : Aru

I dont know whats on my mind that made me smash the marble. It must have been an instinct to live. I lived by instinct.

Wow

Sitting against the door with my back, I mumbled.

Isnt this crazy?

Thats all I could say. I was appalled at the fact that we might have all died together just as we really were. My fingertips trembled as if I had a hand tremor.

I sat like that for a long time, then barely moved. I moved to the bed and spat to myself.

Crazy world.

It was expected that there would be a crisis to visit Ari regularly

And there was Sir Davery.

I was relieved and believed by the presence of Sir Davery. I thought Id be able to avoid the crisis like how Ive been doing through all the time...

No, who would expect a mentally ill horseman would try suicide by rushing the carriage along with the passenger to a cliff?

It was even more ridiculous when I said it loudly.

It was amazing, so I threw a punch in the air. As if it was a punch to the world.

After a long time doing shadow boxing, I managed to calm my trembling heart.

Then, its coming like this huh.

Thanks to it, I came to my senses. Ive been off guard. Knowing how insane this world was made me stop relaxing.

Yeah, theres no need to be nervous. Ill be careful.

I burned my eyes again, preparing for tomorrows outing.

Are you sure Im the one who will drive?

Yes.

I nodded at the question of this servant in front of me, Alex.

Uh why me?

Because you have the strongest mental health.

Just in case, I replaced the carriage, and of course, I changed the horseman.

The new horseman was Alex, the young, healthy, obedient servant of the mansion.

What?

It means you are reliable

The reason for choosing Alex was simple. He was the most likely person to have no mental illness among the numerous employees in the mansion.

He was always bright and simple as if he didnt even know the foot of depression, anguish, agony, conflict, and pessimism.

Again Alex simply grinned at my words.

Oh, I see! Haha, thats right. When it comes to trusting things, its me, Alex.

Then take good care of me.

Please leave it to me.

Thats how a (mentally) healthy young man, on the horseman seat, and I was not completely relieved, so I asked Sir Davery to watch Alex from the seat next to the horseman seat.

Sir Davery seemed not to know why he had to, but when I asked him with such a serious face, he said he would.

I then replacing Sir Davery with two new knights to protect me and Ari, and finally left the mansion.

Are you nervous, Eonni?

Well. a little,

Perhaps because of her memory when she was about to die the last time, she seemed to be nervous.

I turned the curtain over the carriage window wide to the end, answering Aris worried question.

I shouldnt miss the change outside.

I didnt forget to bring a portable watch. I thought Id check the time, from time to time and get more alert from midday.

How long have we travelled in that state?

Hihihinggg!

Uh!

Whats wrong?

The carriage suddenly stopped. I hurriedly looked into the clock and immediately put my head out of the window.

Theres somebody in front of..

As if to hear Alexs bewildered voice, Sir Davery had come down quickly and came up to explain the situation outside.

A small child stopped the carriage.

Child?

Help!

The young voice cut the air desperately as if he had been waiting.

After following me, Ari put her head out of the carriage and soon covered her mouth.

Oh no. Whats going on?

The child, who stopped the carriage and suddenly shouted for help, was as young as ten years old.

Whats more, the appearance was grubby and shabby. It was a scene that evoked some sympathy. Made a man ought to help.

But I opened my mouth firmly.

Just go.

Lady?

Eonni?

Didnt you hear me? Alex, come on. Lets go.

If it were a normal situation, I would have asked and helped a child who looked unruly. I wouldnt even think about it.

But not now. Why?

Because its 12:30 now!

But lady.

Quickly

Wahaha! Well done, little rat!!

Then a ravenous voice roared in the air.

At the same time, a group of black men roared in the thick of the roadside grass.

The little rats words were true. I heard that if you hide on this street, youll definitely pass a nobleman carriage.

Hey, I kept my promise. So just pass our town.

The child quickly fell off from this side.

Two guards, which I did not know when they got off the carriage, muttered as they looked at the crowd, which had filled the view.

the bandits?

Are their numbers normal when they go swarming?

I dont think so.

So this is an unusual situation.

I thought while listening to their conversation.

Oh, damn it.

Thats a little lot.

Its not a little. About forty? No, it will be more.

What should we do?

Maybe, be prepared to die.

The two knights pulled their own swords. I calmly talked to Sir Davery.

Sir.

Yes,

Can you stop it?

Dont worry. If you turn the carriage right away, it wont take long to get to the nearest police station. In the meantime, I will give my life to stop it.

Sir Davery, who said so, had the face of a man who really decided to die, whether or not it was empty words.

I looked into his solemn eyes and put my hand to my arms.

And I just took out the beads and broke them.

It was only after two beads had been blown away that I had doubts.

Is it okay if I dont go out with Ari together?

At first, I thought it was because I was careless. So I thought if I didnt relax, Id be okay if I prepared carefully.

But I dont think so.

The scale is too different.

No, why bandits?

On top of that, with such a nonsense number?

The cliff job was not particularly unlucky. In this way, the scale of the crisis inside and outside was too different.

Inside the mansion, theres a vase, a frame, but as soon as we get outside, well see a cliff, bandits

Hold on, come to think of it.

It flashed across my mind. Come to think of it, it was like that before.

When Ari was outside, on the square, there was some massive accident like the collapse of the clock tower and the explosion of the square that killed her.

Oh! I cant believe I just realize this now!

Originally, the difference was huge. I couldnt help but lament that I realized this fact only after consuming two beads.

I grabbed my stupid head and rolled the bed.

No, its not like this.

I rolled out of the bed.

It was a big deal. If I go out with Ari, well have an accident that we cant handle.

Then it means I must leave Ari in the mansion and go to the temple.

But who will protect Ari in the mansion?

This was the problem. I went out and stole the fabric at best, but when Ari died in the mansion, the result would be neither porridge nor rice.

As important as it was, I couldnt leave her to anyone.

Sir Davery will follow me when I go out

He is my escort. Even if I asked him to stay in the mansion, he wouldnt listen.

But just in case, lets talk.

No, I cant do that.

I knew this would happen.

I shook my head sadly at the sight of his firmness.

Even if I beg you..like this

In exchange, for your favour, is it okay for me to die because I neglect my duty?

Ck.

Why are you trying to keep me away from your visit to the temple? Theres no one as a competent and versatile guard like me.

Yes, I mean. Can you protect Ari from the mansion with that skill?

Heres one thing: People perceived Ari as a nickname for Agrita.

It was named, of all things, given by Gods for Agritta.

My role is to protect you. If youre that worried, why dont you ask someone else to become the escort for Lady Grace?

I did this because I cant do that.

I shook my head inwardly.

As I realized earlier during the snake crisis, it was not that easy to get Ari out of danger.

It is too risky to leave her to any knight. I didnt want to take any risks.

Of course, I may wonder if there are any articles in this mansion that could be comparable to Sir Daverys ability.

There were a few of them. However, such outstanding articles were already being placed according to their skills.

It meant that I cant just ask them to guard Ari and throw away whatever theyve been entrusted with.

Im sure youll listen to Ashs orders, but

Mmm.

Ummm.

Ummm

Indeed, this is the only way.

I took a little more time, but eventually, I failed to persuade Sir Davery and recited my steps toward Ashs office inside the North hallway on the second floor.

As the Oval Office neared, the pace slowed slightly.

Ask Ash is probably the clearest way to solve the problem at this point.

I was slowed down not because the head, but the mind.

It was never easy for me to ask Ash for something from some time ago.

Its not because of Ash. To Ash, whatever I ask, no, even if I dont ask, he would ask me what I need and eventually did it without hesitation.

All the reasons lie with me.

Not long ago, I wondered, but it became clear recently.

I didnt want Ash to spend more time in town and increase his work because of me.

To be exact, rather than hate, its too burdensome.

All of it eventually will become a fertilizer that adds to the resentful anger towards me when the truth comes out.

Hello, Lady Lydia. What brings you here?

When I arrived in front of Oval office with a slow-moving spirit, the guard at the door spoke to me.

I gave him a nod and answered.

I want to have a talk with Ash.

Wait a moment.

The guard then knocked on the door to announce that I had visited inside the office.

It was only a moment later that the door clicked open without any response.

Come in, Noonim.

After discreetly taking a breath, I stepped into the door that Ash had opened by himself.

Whats going on?

I looked up from the inside of the Oval office to Ashs familiar face, but he seemed to be more tired. Then I straightened my neck.

Thats, uh, if youre not busy, can I ask you a simple favour?

Even if Im busy, thats okay.