The Gap Between You and Me - Chapter 144
“I think that the human heart is very cunning. In the past, I thought I would wish for nothing more if only Brimdel was successfully captured. But now it seems like it would be a great regret to turn around like this without being able to capture Velicia.”
“…….”
“This time I turned around without achieving my goal, but next time I’m sure next time it will succeed.”
Lionelli smiled thinly and turned her head to look at Edwin.
As always, Edwin’s profile in the moonlight was very beautiful and charming, even though he was not wearing any common jewelry. It made her sometimes forget that this entity is the notorious Black Knight of the battlefield.
“And even then, I will ride by Lord’s side.”
Lionelli quietly spoke of her will. Then Edwin, who had been looking up at the sky in silence, said,
“Dame Lionelli.”
“Yes, Lord.”
“I will not go back to Kustan.”
Edwin said. In a very monotonous tone, like he was talking about what he ate for breakfast.
Lionelli, who inadvertently nodded her head, belatedly grasped the meaning and stiffened. The smile that had been hovering around her lips disappeared like melting snow.
“That…… What are you talking about?”
“…….”
“You’re not going back?”
Lionelli asked again in disbelief. To her, the words were a bolt out of the blue.
Edwin turned his head to Lionelli. Unlike her, who was terribly horrified, he had a very calm face.
“I still have work to do here. So Dame, you can take my place and lead the soldiers back to Kustan tomorrow morning.”
“But, but Lord.”
Lionelli objected, stammering.
“Leaving the military without permission from the superior is a felony. You do know that, do you?”
“…….”
“No matter how much you’ve done, the superiors won’t let Lord go.”
“I don’t care. I have no intention of going back there anyway.”
“!”
Edwin’s answer left Lionelli speechless.
What the hell does this mean? He has no intention of going back to Kustan. So, does that mean he’s going to seek asylum in another country?
Several thoughts ran through her mind in a flash.
What should she do?
As a knight of Kustan, as someone who inherited the blood of the Bahat family. Can she just stay still when she knows that her superior is about to leave the military?
Lionelli’s neck moved.
Does she have to convince him not to do that? Should she stop him using force?
Or, tell the superior about this as soon as possible…….
“Then I will stay here too.”
However, what came out of Lionelli’s mouth were completely different words.
Edwin’s eyes narrowed as he looked at her. A look of uneasiness spread across his face.
“You’re going to stay?”
“Yes. Whatever the Lord has in mind, I will help you achieve it.”
“You’re talking nonsense, too.”
“It’s not nonsense.”
When Edwin dismissed it as nonsense, Lionelli shook her head resolutely.
“Do you remember? My oath is to follow Lord’s will at the cost of my life.”
—’Even so, I will be with you until the end.’
When Edwin asked Lionelli if she would follow him even if the Kustan army was annihilated because of him, Lionelli answered that way after pondering for a while. And now that time has passed, her mind still hasn’t changed a bit.
“Yes. There was once a fool who said that.”
Recalling his old memories, Edwin lowered his head slightly and smiled.
Lionelli Bahat, who showed blind faith and loyalty. A knight of Kustan that Edwin felt very similar to his past self.
Maybe it’s because he’s been through so much. He felt as if an eternity had passed, even though it has not been too long.
“Dame Lionelli.”
“Yes, Lord.”
“Dame, lead the soldier back to Kustan tomorrow morning as planned.”
“Lord!”
Upon hearing Edwin’s order, Lionelli’s voice grew stronger without her realizing it.
“Please think about it once more! I am really confident that I can be of service to the Lord!”
“…….”
“Even if you’re in a recovery phase, Lord can’t even lift your right arm properly! How could you act alone in that state? I don’t know what you’re trying to achieve, but it won’t be easy!”
“…….”
“So I, I will be by Lord’s side helping you…….”
Lionelli’s voice trembled faintly as the words came out rapidly.
One way or another. She has to convince Edwin one way or another..
“Lionelli Bahat. This is an order.”
Edwin said quietly but firmly.
“I will be grateful for Dame’s heart. But wanting to help and being helpful are fundamentally different things. Can you imagine how great the uproar would be if both Dame and I were to leave the military at the same time? If the news is known to the outside world, it will only unnecessarily complicate things.”
“…….”
“So Dame Lionelli, you lead the soldiers instead of me and return to your country. Conceal the fact that I was away from being noticed by the superiors for as long as possible. Later, when the truth comes out, Dame, you just have to say that you did what I told you to do. That you didn’t know anything else.”
“Lord, I…… !”
Lionelli opened her mouth to protest once more. But Edwin interrupted her.
“If you really want to help me, return to your country. That is the only way Dame can help me.”
Edwin said so.
“This is the last order I give to Dame as your commander.”
Hearing the words that he added softly, Lionelli bit her lower lip.
Last order. As she repeated the words to herself, her neck moved.
She didn’t bother to ask him what he meant. She didn’t even ask what he planned to do in the future. She knew intuitively that he wouldn’t answer if she asked, and that even if she did, she wouldn’t be able to change his mind.
No matter what she says or does, the results will not change.
Want to read more? Up to [24] advanced chapters are available on Patreon:
For update pings, novel discussions and/or to send mistake reports, join our discord server~!