Betrayal Knight's Joyful Faith

Chapter 516

After leaving Cantares’ office, Laius immediately headed toward where Arendt was being treated.The healer and Lexion had warned him to refrain from visiting too often, but he felt uneasy if he didn’t see his face at least once a day.

Just as he entered the hallway where the treatment room was located, Laius encountered an unexpected figure.

The other person, recognizing him as well, widened his eyes in surprise.

“Captain Laius.”

“…Aren’t you the Vice Leader?”

It was Arcus who came to see Arendt’s condition.

Arcus, who had been frozen for a moment, bowed first.

“Thank you for your hard work in the battle, Captain. I apologize for the late greeting.”

“Not at all. I imagine you’ve been very busy as well, Vice Leader. You don’t look well yourself.”

Laius answered calmly. Arcus slightly averted his gaze and answered sheepishly.

“We’re estimating the extent of the damage in collaboration with Neumann’s informants. I’ve left Henry in charge today and am here to briefly check on Arendt. He asked me to pass along his regards to you, Captain.”

“I’m sure the Leader’s been through a lot as well . Please also give him my regards.”

A formal conversation ensued. Arcus realized that Laius’ gaze was filled with a complex expression. Perhaps it was because of Arendt, Arcus guessed.

Arcus, who had been silent for a moment, spoke.

“…Just to say it in advance, even if something happens to Arendt, I will not blame you, Captain. After all, everything ultimately came down to Arendt’s own choice.”

“Thank you for saying so.”

Even with those words, the shadow cast over Laius’ eyes lingered. As a result, Arcus had no choice but to hesitate for a moment before speaking further.

“Well, I’m sorry to bring this up, but Father… Count Eckhart seems to want to see Arendt in person. I declined, as I felt it would be detrimental to Arendt’s well-being.”

Arcus, who had been silent for a moment, added:

“It seems he simply wishes to meet Arendt as a father, without any particular intention. If you permit, sir.”

“I will also decline it for now.”

Laius answered firmly. Arcus’ shoulders slumped slightly.

“As expected. The palace is in disarray, too… Understood. I will convey that.”

“Arendt needs rest right now.”

After a brief pause, Laius added:

“Please tell the Count that I recommend he hear Arendt’s own wishes directly when the time comes.”

“Excuse me?”

“As the Captain, I decline the Count’s visit. So, after Arendt wakes up, please tell him to ask him directly what he wants. If Arendt doesn’t want to meet, I will decline. If he does, I will agree.”

At Laius’ words, Arcus’ face became blank.

“It’s only natural for a father to want to see his son. However, sneaking in during a moment of chaos and leaving without asking is something I will not allow. I hope he’ll at least show the course of asking Arendt directly for his opinion.”

“…”

Laius continued speaking slowly to Arcus, who had a blank expression.

“Just like you, Vice Leader, who has been persecuted and kicked out countless times, I think it’s only fair that he muster that much courage.”

“…I see.”

After a long silence, Arcus slowly nodded.

“Understood. I will convey that to the Count. Thank you, Captain.”

“Well then, see you next time.”

Laius bowed first and left. Arcus bowed his head for a long time behind him as he walked away.

Feeling Arcus’ presence, Laius couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

‘If Arendt wants…’

In truth, he might not have been in a position to speak as if he knew better.

From now on, he planned to do everything without knowing Arendt’s intentions.

After a moment of hesitation, Laius opened the door to the room where Arendt was sleeping.

As soon as the door opened, a pale-faced Lumiel greeted him.

“Are you here? The Vice Leader just came by.”

“Yes. We exchanged greetings briefly in the hallway.”

While greeting Lumiel, Laius checked Arendt’s condition with his eyes.

He lay flat on his back, facing the ceiling, still motionless. The strong scent of herbs and blood emanating from him made Laius somewhat uncomfortable.

“Still, he’s a bit more stable than yesterday. Thanks to Lexion’s help.”

Lumiel spoke with a faint smile. Her eyes, looking at Arendt, were filled with tenderness, as if she were looking at her own grandson.

After a moment of silence, Laius asked Lumiel.

“May I sit with you for a while?”

“Of course.”

As Lumiel nodded, Laius brought a nearby chair and sat down next to the bed.

There was a brief silence.

The first one to speak was Lumiel.

“Sir Arthur and Sir Richt also visited this morning… but, Captain Laius, have you come to scold me as well?”

“Excuse me?”

“I almost committed a great sin.”

Lumiel continued speaking, looking at Arendt blankly.

“I should have expected that Sir Arendt would take action to save me… but my judgment was clouded and I made the wrong choice.”

She had boasted to the Saintess that she had no regrets. But now, Lumiel could not help but regret her choice.

“Sir Arthur said that if Sir Arendt had come into the Great Temple and discovered my body, he would have cursed himself for the rest of his life.”

“…”

“You’re right. I knew that truth all along, yet I still acted as I did…”

Lumiel reached out and carefully stroked Arendt’s hair.

“No matter how many times I regret it, the result won’t change. I feel like I’m paying the price for trying to run away so recklessly.”

“It’ll be okay. I heard he’s pretty stable now.”

Laius spoke calmly. Silence fell over the room for a while. For a while, the only sound was Arendt’s somewhat labored breathing

Laius spoke again.

“…There is something I would like to ask you, High Priest.”

“Yes?”

Lumiel raised his head and looked at Laius.

“Would it be alright if we spoke for a moment?”

“Of course… Shall we move to another place, then?”

Despite the sudden suggestion, Lumiel nodded willingly.

“No, this place is fine. I think it’s better to converse here, where Arendt is. May we lock the door for a while? I don’t want to be disturbed.”

“…”

Lumiel’s expression shifted slightly, but once again, she nodded.

“Yes. Do as you wish.”

Laius got up and returned to lock the door.

“Let’s get straight to the point. It’s about Arendt.”

Lumiel’s face hardened for a moment, as if she had a premonition of something.

“…Yes. Go ahead.”

“Unintentionally… I overheard you and Arendt’s conversation in the Great Temple.”

Laius swallowed dryly and sighed.

“Would it be okay if I asked what you meant by what you said back then?”

“I don’t really understand what you’re talking about.”

Lumiel averted her gaze and gave a curt reply. Laius continued speaking calmly, his gaze fixed on her.

“I was puzzled by the statement that he had no connections.”

“…”

“I can understand, to a certain extent, that he’s lonely. After all, he’s someone who doesn’t easily let others close. But I didn’t think you would say he had no connections merely for that reason.”

Laius’ calm voice continued.

“Even though Arendt has severed ties, he still has a family he can return to, and a brother nearby. And I personally found it puzzling that Arendt accepted your words so naturally, High Priest.”

“…”

“At the time, I was so out of it I didn’t notice it, but after returning and thinking about it, I felt a sense of incongruity. Could it possibly have something to do with the reason you, the High Priest, decided to remain by the Saintess’ side?”

The Knight Captain’s tone remained calm throughout. But perhaps that was why he seemed to convey so much more. Lumiel remained silent for a while, not responding.

“…I really don’t know.”

After some time, her quiet voice finally emerged.

“Above all, I don’t think Sir Arendt would be happy with this topic.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Lumiel paused in surprise at the answer that came back without a moment’s hesitation.

“What did you just say?”

“I said Arendt’s wishes don’t matter. And even if you, High Priest, would rather not speak of it, I intend to ask until you give me an answer I can accept.”

“…”

This time, Lumiel was truly dumbfounded.

“Arendt maintains a certain distance even from those close to him. Though he may allow some closeness, he will never let anyone cross the boundaries he sets for himself.”

Laius spoke each letter with emphasis.

“I, too, have tried not to get any closer. But if this is the price I pay for just watching…”

The captain’s gaze briefly fell on the side of Arendt’s face and then dropped.

“I can’t stand it anymore. I’ve made up my mind since Arendt risked his life to save me.”

“…”

“I hope you understand that my rudeness to you, High Priest, is not simply out of curiosity.”

Lumiel seemed speechless.

She parted her lips slightly, then closed them again, lowering her gaze, only to glance at Arendt repeatedly.

“If I’ve misjudged, I apologize. Please speak freely. But I don’t think that’s the case.”

The confused look on the High Priest’s face gave Laius more confidence.

“What did Arendt lose to Luce?”

“…”

Lumiel did not answer for a while.

After a while, this time Lumiel asked.

“Then, Captain Laius, can you guarantee that you will take responsibility for everything concerning Sir Arendt?”

Her voice had grown noticeably colder.

“That’s what the enemy leader said. It’s a story the leader of the Chernion Cult told me to deceive me.”

Lumiel looked at Laius with sunken eyes.

“I may simply have been fooled by it. Perhaps Arendt’s response was merely an attempt to appease me in his clouded consciousness.”

“…”

“Nothing is certain.”

“But High Priest, you believed it to be true. I’m not saying I’ll completely trust your judgment. I’ll hear it myself and decide.”

Laius responded calmly.

“I have no intention of just watching that damned bastard struggle alone like an idiot. I don’t want to do that.”

Lumiel, who was about to say something more, closed her mouth.

Laius spoke clearly, leaving no room for doubt.

“So, please tell me. I beg you.”