TFSAWE - Chapter 227: Chaotic (Patreon)

I slowly turned my head and glanced behind me. There was Leon, gasping for breath as if he had gone mad. His dishevelled golden locks clung damply to his forehead, a testament to the haste with which he had run.

As our eyes met, he tightened his grip around my arms and pulled me closer. Then, he raised his hand and gently brushed aside my dishevelled hair. Despite being drenched in sweat, tears, and dust, and even stained with blood, he smiled and spoke.

"You've become even more beautiful in my absence."

As always, his voice carried a hint of lightness and laughter, momentarily making this situation feel like a dream.

"Ah!"

However, the shriek of agony from the knight soon shattered the illusion, reminding me that all of this was indeed real. When I turned my head, I saw the knight who had been shaking my head, his arm severed and clutching it, kneeling on the ground and screaming. And there, in the distance, his severed hand writhed on the ground.

Witnessing the gruesome sight of blood gushing like a fountain, I turned my head again. Finally, I understood what had transpired. Leon had cut off the wrist of the knight who had held onto me.

Clutching onto Leon, I pleaded with him.

"Leon, quickly, go to Latvan!"

"Prince Leon!"

My words were drowned out by the voice of someone else. I looked toward the source of the voice. There stood Carl, clad in the robes of the chancellor, as if he had taken refuge amidst the knights. Pushing aside the knights, he approached the severed arm of the knight.

Someone brought a rolling wrist and placed it in the severed spot, and the surrounding temple knights began using their powers. However, their powers were not particularly strong. The wrist failed to reattach properly and fell to the ground several times. In the meantime, the knight, pale as death from the excessive bleeding, collapsed to the ground.

Upon seeing Carl not making any effort to help that knight, but rather observing Latvan, who was being held on the other side and lying motionless, he spoke to Leon.

"Finally, you've captured both of them. I appreciate your cooperation."

As I blankly listened to his words, I looked at Leon once again. The face that had just smiled at me moments ago vanished without a trace, replaced by a chilling expression that sent shivers down my spine.

"Cooperation?"

Even amidst the chaotic situation, my mind raced quickly. Leon and Carl appeared together. Rather than being flustered by Leon holding me, Carl seemed almost relieved, smiling.

Realizing Leon's collision with Carl, I forcefully pushed myself away from his embrace. However, he refused to let go. On the contrary, he tightened his grip on me, as if determined never to release me.

"Leon, how could you?"

I struck his chest with all my might, but Leon didn't even utter a groan.

Overwhelmed by a sense of betrayal that felt like the sky collapsing, I was at a loss for what to do. Leon, holding hands with Carl—what I had thought was hope was nothing but a rotten noose called betrayal.

"How... How could this be?"

"I apologize, Lina," Leon said, as if daring her to strike him, not flinching from my fist.

"Now that it's finally spoken, I must confess that I have loathed Sir Latvan from the very beginning. Surely he felt the same about me. Isn't that right, Sir Latvan?"

After uttering those words, he gazed at Latvan. Pressed by the knights, Latvan glared at Leon with a terrifying face. It was enough to make even the knights who came with Carl step back. Leon, with a bitter smile, did not avoid Latvan's intimidating gaze. Then, he raised one arm to his chest and politely greeted Latvan.

"You have worked hard all this time, Sir Latvan. I can only hope that we will never have to meet again."

Upon hearing those words, Latvan shook his body roughly and shouted.

"What nonsense!"

Before Latvan could finish his sentence, Leon raised his hand. As he did, one of the knights who had been pressing Latvan drew his sword and lifted it high.

"No! Stop!"

Despite my desperate cry, the knight's hand moved swiftly toward Latvan. I stared blankly, and it felt as if time suddenly slowed down. The sword in the knight's hand reflected the sunlight, casting a shimmering light. Just as the light dazzled my eyes and I turned my head.

[Thud!]

A different sound from what I expected reached my ears.

Startled, I looked back to see Latvan collapsed on the ground. There was no blood in sight.

Perplexed by what had just happened, I looked at the hand of the knight who had struck Latvan.

"Ah."

The knight hadn't struck Latvan with the blade.

"With the hilt."

The knight immediately lowered his sword. It seemed as if he had no intention of harming Latvan any further. Then, he lifted Latvan onto his shoulders and stood up. There was no sign of animosity toward Latvan in his actions. Instead, it carried a sense of urgency, as if caring for his wounded comrade.

He wasn't the only one. The other knights standing nearby surrounded the knight and Latvan, as if protecting them, and pointed their swords at Carl.

"What is this?"

Caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, Carl muttered as if unable to believe it. Then, the knight who had struck Latvan with the hilt threw my helmet away in Carl's direction. The helmet rolled and stopped in front of Carl.

Watching the helmet, Carl gradually raised his head and looked at the knight who had thrown it, his face filled with anger.

"You!"

With a sharp sound of teeth grinding, Carl stared at the knight with a furious expression.

"Deputy Commander! How did you get here? You were supposed to be captured and bound in the barracks!"

Only upon hearing the term "Deputy Commander" could I recognize him. Ignoring Carl's outburst, the Deputy Commander slightly bowed his head toward Leon. Taking the gesture as a matter of course, Leon received the greeting and spoke.

"I kept my promise. So I hope you all will keep your promise with me."

"Of course. Thank you for your assistance, Your Excellency."