WGYPWIP Chapter 20

 

 

 

Dana climbed the rugged mountain covered in dirt and moss.

 

And she was heading straight for him.

 

In that moment, Edwin felt as if everything had slowed down.

 

The air around them, even time itself, seemed to have stopped just for Dana.

 

Every graceful movement of hers was etched into his eyes.

 

Like a lone spotlight illuminating an actor on a dark stage,

 

to him, only Dana existed.

 

‘…Is this a dream?’

 

Dana threw herself into his arms.

 

And she held him tightly with all her strength.

 

A soft warmth pressed against his chest.

 

It was Dana’s cheek.

 

“Edwin, are you okay?”

 

Still holding his waist, Dana lifted her head.

 

Her damp blue eyes gazed straight into his.

 

What did she mean by ‘okay’?

 

The warmth was too overwhelming for him to think clearly.

 

Edwin, still in a trance, answered.

 

“…Yes, I’m fine.”

 

“Let me see.”

 

Dana reached up and gently touched his face.

 

As the gap between them widened, Edwin felt an intense sense of loss.

 

So, he wrapped his strong arms around her waist.

 

Feeling her warmth again, he was quite satisfied.

 

Dana was so worried about his safety that she didn’t even realize she was trapped in his embrace.

 

She looked up at him with a face on the verge of tears and shouted,

 

“What were you thinking, following them here when it’s so dangerous?!”

 

“…….…”

 

“I was scared to death! I thought something might happen to you…”

 

“You were worried about me?”

 

“Of course!”

 

Hearing her sincere words, Edwin’s heart ached.

 

He had never felt this kind of fulfillment in his life.

 

A satisfied smile slipped from his lips.

 

He pulled Dana closer against his chest,

 

then slowly stroked the back of her head.

 

Because of that, she couldn’t see his expression.

 

“Don’t worry. I’m fine.”

 

Just then, the knights who had been dealing with the monsters in the back started coming down the mountain.

 

“What are you doing there, Co…?”

 

Before the knight could finish his sentence, he was met with Edwin’s sharp, chilling gaze.

 

The knights who had just discovered Dana quickly shut their mouths.

 

Dana looked up at Edwin again and asked.

 

“You said it was a high-level monster…! Weren’t you scared?”

 

At her words, Edwin casually tossed his sword behind him.

 

The blade was still drenched in the remains of the Fraken beast.

 

Thankfully, Dana hadn’t noticed.

 

A quick-witted knight swiftly picked up the sword and hid it.

 

Lowering his gaze dramatically, Edwin spoke in an exaggerated tone.

 

“Oh, yes, I was terrified.”

 

“………”

 

“………”

 

Silence fell over the group.

 

They began to doubt their own hearing.

 

Did the Commander just say… he was scared?

 

The same Commander who had just been riding the monster, mercilessly attacking it?

 

The man who was the best swordsman, even surpassing the knights of the imperial palace?

 

Someone let out a choked gag at Edwin’s ridiculous act.

 

And that awkward performance—what was that supposed to be?

 

With an infuriated expression, Dana pulled away from him.

 

Then, turning toward the Rune Knights behind her, she shouted,

 

“How could you bring a weak civilian here?! What if something happened to him?”

 

…Weak what?

 

The knights blinked in disbelief, their mouths slightly open.

 

Seeing no reaction from them, Dana was utterly exasperated.

 

“Edwin is different from you all! He’s not someone who can fight, let alone face monsters…!”

 

“…Well, he is different.”

 

One knight muttered while scratching his head.

 

Considering he single-handedly takes on dozens of knights in training matches… he’s on a whole different level…

 

“That’s all you have to say?”

 

Dana had heard that the Rune Knights were a bit insane, but this was beyond her expectations.

 

As her anger flared even more, the knights exchanged uneasy glances.

 

“…We’re sorry?”

 

“…We apologize?”

 

Dana shot them a fierce glare.

 

“If Edwin had gotten hurt, I would have filed an official complaint! Just so you know!”

 

With that, she turned back to Edwin.

 

He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

 

The sight of her standing up for him was mesmerizing.

 

But as she approached, he quickly masked his expression.

 

“Can you walk?”

 

Edwin weakly replied,

 

“I was so startled… Maybe if you comfort me, I’ll be okay.”

 

Dana hurriedly removed her gauntlets.

 

Then, standing close beside him, she gently patted his back.

 

Edwin didn’t miss the opportunity and wrapped an arm around Dana’s shoulder.

 

As she naturally fell back into his embrace, he smiled.

 

“………”

 

“………”

 

The Rune Knights, who had witnessed everything, felt increasingly nauseated.

 

By now, at least four of them had dry-heaved.

 

Unfazed by them, Edwin turned to Dana and asked.

 

“Shall we head back now? I’d like to rest.”

 

“Yes, let’s go quickly.”

 

With their bodies still pressed closely together, they descended the mountain.

 

Left behind in their place were Edwin’s sword, along with Dana’s helmet and gauntlets.

 

***

 

Dana immediately took Edwin to the palace’s medical wing.

 

“He was just fighting a high-level monster. Please check him thoroughly.”

 

“What? How did that happen?”

 

“I think the Rune Knights asked him to help.”

 

“…Those insane bastards!”

 

Even the palace physician clicked his tongue, feeling pity for Edwin.

 

“First, we need to get the patient some water. Dehydration is a concern.”

 

Hearing that, Dana stepped out to fetch water.

 

“Do you have any major injuries?”

 

“None.”

 

Truthfully, Edwin didn’t even need a medical examination.

 

As the physician carefully inspected him, his expression grew more and more tense.

 

After a moment of hesitation, he cautiously asked.

 

“…Um, this is just a casual question, but…”

 

“Go ahead,”

 

“You’re a Ministry of Magic official, correct…? It’s just that your physique and muscle structure resemble that of a knight…”

 

In fact, he didn’t look like an ordinary knight at all.

 

Even with a quick glance, his powerful build seemed fit to serve as the emperor’s personal guard.

 

Edwin smiled politely, his eyes narrowing slightly.

 

“You’re quite amusing.”

 

…It wasn’t a joke.

 

But the subtle sense of intimidation radiating from Edwin made the physician force an awkward laugh.

 

Just then, Dana returned with the water.

 

The moment she arrived, the heavy, oppressive atmosphere around Edwin dissipated.

 

Was it just his imagination? The physician tilted his head in confusion.

 

“The patient is fine, however, since he must have been quite startled, it would be best for him to rest for a while.”

 

Only after hearing Edwin was truly okay—several times—did Dana finally relax.

 

“You heard that, right? You’re resting today. It’s just simple work, so I can handle it alone.”

 

Today, her task was gathering feedback from the knights about potions, ensuring there were no side effects or abnormalities.

 

But since the potion’s safety had already been proven, hardly anyone came for consultations.

 

It was just a matter of passing the time until the designated hours were over.

 

…Hmph. I don’t like this.

 

Edwin didn’t want to be apart from Dana, even for a moment.

 

He placed a hand over his chest, as if trying to calm his pounding heart.

 

“Senior, I was really shaken up.”

 

“Yes, that’s why you should rest.”

 

“I think I’d feel better if someone stayed by my side to comfort me.”

 

Edwin’s expression was unusually serious as he spoke.

 

“If I’m alone, I’ll keep thinking about it.”

 

“…….…”

 

“When you comforted me earlier, I felt really reassured.”

 

That last sentence finally made Dana give in.

 

Edwin’s stability was the priority right now.

 

“…Fine. Just sit next to me, then. I’ll take care of the work.”

 

“Alright. I’ll go wash up first.”

 

Now that she looked at him properly, his white shirt was covered in dust and dirt.

 

Dana nodded.

 

“Wash up quickly, and let’s have a meal together.”

 

“Okay.”

 

As Edwin turned away, his face broke into a broad smile.

 

Dana, still watching him, let out a small sigh.

 

With his keen senses, Edwin could clearly feel her gaze on him.

 

Trying to suppress his excitement, he deliberately walked at a calm pace.

 

But seeing his steps, which seemed a little weak for some reason, Dana sighed again.

 

‘He’s too kind for his own good.’

 

He probably couldn’t refuse when the knights asked him for help…

 

For some reason, Edwin looked especially pitiful today.