Chapter 35: I Trust You, but I Don’t

The next day, we held a brief meeting, then went our separate ways after noon. We’d already discussed the plan thoroughly. Around midday, the grand crocodile would lead a horde of more than one hundred monsters against Delcour from the direction of the western gate.

Unable to settle down, I wandered through town.

『Will the bomb be ready by twelve tomorrow?』

『Yes.』

『Will the extending iron rod be ready by twelve tomorrow?』

『No.』

『Will it be ready by twelve ten?』

『Yes.』

Apparently, the extending iron rod wouldn’t be finished by the start of the battle. Still, a delay that small couldn’t be helped. I’d already checked several times. There was no point to it, yet I kept asking. In my mind, I rehearsed throwing the bomb into the grand crocodile’s mouth after the extending iron rod forced it open.

“Can’t settle down?”

A voice suddenly came from behind me. I recognized it from the sound alone. It was Eve.

“No. I suppose it’s the nerves. I can barely get any food down.”

I really was a coward after all.

“You have to eat properly! Otherwise, you won’t be able to move at your best. The only thing we can do now is keep ourselves in good condition. I’ll make you something easy to digest!”

She took me by the hand and led me to the Imperial Knights’ quarters.

“Nobody’s here right now, so it’s fine. Come in.”

Having a beauty like Eve tell me nobody else was here today was… somehow embarrassing. Entertaining that foolish thought, I stepped inside.

As expected of knights’ quarters, the interior was bare and austere, without anything unnecessary.

“Sit down. I’ll make it right away.”

“Okay.”

Eve put on an apron and went to the kitchen. Before long, a delicious aroma drifted through the room.

“I made rice porridge since you need something easy to digest. The flavor might be a little light.”

She placed a bowl of porridge containing green onions and egg before me. The faint fragrance of the onions stirred my appetite. I took a mouthful and tasted a gentle warmth—a kindness that sank into my heart.

I silently devoured it. Only after the bowl was empty did I realize that I had actually been hungry.

“Thank you for the meal.”

“You’re welcome. Do you feel a little better?”

“Yeah. Now I can throw that bomb right into the monster tomorrow.”

I grinned. Looking at the woman watching me with such gentle eyes, I honestly wanted to protect her.

“And I’ll show them the strength of the Imperial Knights!”

“I’m counting on you, Lady Knight.”

“Leave it to me.”

Eve gave an elegant bow, her movements as beautiful as those of a knight from a story. We continued chatting about nothing in particular until around sunset, and then I returned to the inn.

“I felt so warm just a short while ago… Being alone is no good.”

I sat on the floor and began thinking about tomorrow again. In truth, there was something I still hadn’t asked Metis. Partly, it was because asking now wouldn’t change anything, but I’d also been too afraid to hear the answer.

Still, I couldn’t keep running forever.

『Metis. Will I defeat the grand crocodile tomorrow?』

『No.』

Metis merely told me the truth. Strangely, the answer didn’t shock me that badly. I hadn’t expected to win either.

But this time, I couldn’t back down simply because Metis had said so.

“I wish I hadn’t asked. I’ve always trusted you until now… but this time, I’m going to overturn your answer…!”

I clenched my fist tightly. Afterward, I went to sleep early. Strangely enough, I slept well.