“The entrance is blocked. We need to get out the back door.”
In the aftermath of Jian’s stumbling, rocks tumbled down toward the entrance we entered. I glanced at Curtis’ shining blue eyes in the dark.
“The saint disappeared.”
“…Ah.”
Funny enough, Curtis only realized then that Jian had disappeared. Holding a lantern, he checked where Jian was and then swept up his bangs.
“I’ll have to let you out first and come back.”
“Shouldn’t you prioritize looking for the saint? You are her knight after all.”
I looked at his tired face and frowned. After I left the Marquis of Abina, Jian and Curtis would’ve been together for quite a long time.
‘Then why was I being so lukewarm about it when I’ve already accumulated likeability?’
“…But I can’t put you in danger.”
I nodded slowly at Curtis’ answer, which sounded somewhat like an excuse. Well, Caballero was a very thorough person, so saving the woman in front of him may be the first thing.
“Go to the back door.”
The mine, now blocked at the entrance, was terribly dark, and Curtis was the only one who brought a lantern, so I was forced to hold on to his arm as if my life depended on it.
“We’d better get out as soon as possible. I hate the darkness.”
Curtis, startled by my unhesitating contact, flinched. I snorted when I saw that the back of his neck was red in the yellowish light.
Someone who was fed up with Edith’s touch even blushed because he was embarrassed. The power of likeability was amazing.
‘It’s funny. Should I make a joke?’
The Curtis I knew was a man with very sensitive ears. I pretended that I was scared of the dark for no reason. In fact, I was a little bit scared, and I clung to him and breathed lightly into his ear.
“Aren’t you too close?”
Curtis moved his stiff head and grimaced sharply.
RING!
A notification went off that his likeability rating had reached 61%. Unlike the system message, his tone of speech was extremely harsh to the point where I would’ve thought he was pushing me away because he didn’t like me.
“I’m sorry. I’m a little scared.”
I let go of his arm, muttering an excuse. Then he breathed a low sigh and wrapped his long, firm arms around my shoulders.
“You’re still scared.”
His whispering voice was a little sentimental, as I recalled Edith.
As I moved my body, enjoying the warmth of his arms, which were trained so hard, I scrunch my eyebrows to his body temperature, which I felt behind his back.
‘Why is he so hot? Is it because he’s a knight and his basic metabolism is high?’
Curtis was naturally a bit warm, but no matter how thick the fabric is, it was a bit strange that his hot temperature could be felt through his thick uniform.
“…Your Highness?”
I bent my head in panic. I couldn’t hear an answer. At that moment, Curtis’ body, which was tightly wrapped around me, collapsed.
“Your Highness!”
“…Ugh.”
“Are you okay?”
I reached out urgently to Curtis, who’d fallen to the ground. Clambering to raise him up in the dark, the palms of my hands quickly became wet.
‘Is it sweat?’
No. It was blood. My jaw dropped in surprise at the fishy smell that poked my nose. I thought it was just the smell of iron unique to the mine!
“Are you hurt?!”
Curtis couldn’t answer my embarrassing question with only a faint breath. I took the lamp and lifted him, I found that there was a big wound on his shoulder that soaked him wet with blood.
‘You got hurt blocking the rock that was falling on me earlier!’
My head got dizzy when I grasped the situation. Collapsed mine, knight hurt trying to protect a lady. I think I saw it somewhere.
<SYSTEM> ‘Curtis Caballero’ – A quest associated with the Heartless Woman + Regretful Man Route occurs.
I closed my eyes tightly at the message announcing the new quest.
<QUEST> Get out of the mine safely with the injured Curtis Caballero.
Rewards upon success: ‘Curtis Caballero’ likeability 15, charm 20, holy power 10, mining rights
Penalty for failure: ‘Curtis Caballero’ dies
It was a quest that I easily cleared as a ‘heroine’ before.
The problem is…
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