Margaret swiftly removed the cloak from my shoulders and laid it down on the floor. It was not appropriate to lay the Viscountess directly on the ground.
Supported by Kendrick and Hannah, I slowly lay back on the cloak.
It was the first time in my life lying on the ground like this. However, there was no time to think about such trivial matters. The immense pain and fear of impending death that engulfed me demanded immediate action.
As a precaution for any future occurrences, Karl instructed Hannah and Kendrick to carry healing stones that could activate healing magic. It was a stroke of luck.
Hannah quickly retrieved a magic stone from her hip pouch. Kendrick did the same.
As everyone’s attention was focused on me, Cecilia stood alone a step away, clutching a sobbing baby carriage, unsure of what to do.
At that moment, no one realized that the true intention of the large man who threw the pot at me and fled was actually focused on Cecilia and the carriage. My condition had deteriorated to such an extent that it went unnoticed.
***
“In this world, Miss. Our Miss.” Cecilia often muttered in an almost crying voice. Meanwhile, a large shadow gradually loomed behind Cecilia.
Two of the ten knights who had accompanied Celeste and Valerie to protect them ran out to chase the man. The remaining eight knights were focused on keeping people at bay and protecting Celeste.
Amidst everyone’s focus on Celeste, thankfully Kendrick noticed Cecilia in a vulnerable state.
As the man quietly approached Cecilia from behind, reaching out towards the carriage, Kendrick caught sight of the suspicious actions of the man by chance. Recognizing the distance preventing him from reaching Cecilia immediately, Kendrick forcefully clapped his hands to draw people’s attention.
“Who goes there!”
Realizing he was discovered just as he was about to attack Cecilia from behind, the man swiftly turned and fled.
He must not be let go. Kendrick immediately rose from his position and chased after the man. He tried to run with all his might, but was hindered by the crowd.
“Stop right there!”
Hannah, who was watching over Celeste, quickly stood up and joined Kendrick. Leaving a firm order to the royal knights to ‘protect the Viscountess at all costs,’ she ran after the suspicious man alongside Kendrick.
Perhaps this man was the accomplice of the one who had thrown a pot at Celeste moments ago. The fact that the black cloth was pressed all the way to the end of his head was evidence of that.
With the two knights of the Viscount already chasing after the initial man, along with Hannah and Kendrick, a total of four knights started pursuing the suspicious group trying to harm Viscountess Louisa.
Shocked by the fact that someone had tried to harm Valerie, Cecilia trembled and almost collapsed as her legs felt weak. Barely mustering her strength, she managed to stay upright.
Valerie, who had been peacefully asleep in the carriage, woke up in a frenzy due to the chaotic atmosphere. Startled by the tumultuous surroundings, she began to cry bitterly.
Cecilia quickly took Valerie out of the carriage and held her close. Worried that someone else might appear to take Valerie away, Cecilia exerted all her strength and sat down, hunching over while holding Valerie close.
Whomever comes, they will never even touch our lady Valerie. Firmly determined, embracing Valerie tighter to hide her as his own product.
As if harming Celeste were not enough, he tried to harm Valerie as well. Running after the men, Hannah quickly organized her thoughts.
Attacking Celeste might have been a smokescreen to divert everyone’s attention towards one side. If so, could their real target be Valerie instead of Celeste?
One thing for sure, catching those guys would reveal everything. Hannah moved her legs faster.
Moving at full speed, her leg muscles felt like they would burst. Even if her muscles were to burst, those guys had to be caught. Hannah whipped herself faster and faster.
Kendrick was no different. Suddenly, a group of people appeared on the quiet alley, and before anyone could intervene, a man sprung out from the crowd and terrorized Celeste.
Naturally, the attention of the guards and aides focused on Celeste, giving another man the opportunity to grab Valerie.
Just by examining this cause-and-effect relationship, it can be inferred that their target was either Valerie, Celeste, or both.
They won’t stay idle. Flames ignited in Kendrick’s eyes.
As they ran in one direction, people kept pouring in the opposite direction. Did they unleash all these people to prepare for a pursuit by tying their feet in advance?
If so, where and how far did these guys prepare, what was the purpose of all this preparation, and who was behind it? There were many questions to ask after capturing them.
But first, capturing was the priority. The man in black fleeing joined the others. Now they were three together. Dealing with three was manageable.
Were they not the two people recognized for their martial arts skills, entrusted to protect and train the viscount? Hannah snarled.
The movements of the men who seemed to know the streets were swift and unhesitant. Skillfully maneuvering through the labyrinth-like narrow alleys, they swiftly continued their escape.
Breath was shallow. Lungs felt like they might burst. But there was no stopping now. If they didn’t capture those guys right now, who knows when and where they might face the same threat again. They needed to catch them and cut the roots.
When they reached the end of the alley, men effortlessly cleared the obstacles blocking their path. Some even leaped over walls like flying squirrels.
These men were no ordinary individuals. Their movements gave it away. They could be seasoned knights or mercenaries with a knightly background. Kendrick speculated one guess after another.
How far had they run, chasing these men as if in madness, they finally faced an insurmountable wall on the path, a dead end they couldn’t leap over.
“We can’t cross here either. Kendrick, get ready.”
Facing a wall they couldn’t climb, the men gave up trying to escape further. They turned slowly to face those following on their tracks.
Their faces hidden behind masks turned inside out. It was evident they had prepared meticulously for today.
Tension mounted. Three on that side, two on this. But this side had a gun. Unless they were close enough to draw the gun, chances were in their favor. A bead of sweat dripped down Hannah’s forehead to her chin.
Slowly, she reached for her gun at her hip. Any sudden move could trigger a catastrophe. Slowly, slowly…
“What are you guys up to?”
Even Kendrick’s grim voice didn’t make the men flinch. They didn’t expect an easy response.
“What are you up to? Who sent you?”
Nevertheless, Kendrick asked again, trying to draw their attention towards Hannah, who was ready to grip the gun.
Ignoring Kendrick’s question, the men exchanged glances. What were they plotting? In a moment warning not to move, Hannah swiftly drew her gun.
***
Celeste doesn’t look well. Lady Margaret hurriedly searched for the pouch that Hannah had left behind. It was to retrieve the magic stone prepared by Karl for emergencies.
“Magic stone, magic stone, where are you, magic stone….”
Frantically untying the pouch, Lady Margaret’s fingertips caught a small stone. It was the magic stone.
“Sir, please come to your senses, sir. Here, this is the magic stone given by Duke.”
She quickly handed the magic stone to Karl’s knights. Lady Margaret had worked for the Duke, who specialized in mining and processing magic stones, but she herself did not know how to handle magic stones well.
A knight carefully placed the magic stone received from Lady Margaret onto Celeste’s body.
“Remediatium.”
As the spell was uttered, the magic stone flashed with light. Swiftly, shimmering waves dyed the surroundings blue, and the blue light emitted from the magic stone hovered in the air before dispersing over Celeste’s body.
Blue smoke seemed to envelop her, and soon Celeste’s entire body was wrapped in blue. After a few seconds passed, Celeste’s expression noticeably relaxed. Even the parts of her body that had been writhing in agony and covered in cold sweat gradually calmed down.
