“Whatever the circumstances, in the end, it was all Roti’s skills that got us here. Seems like Roti was a bit shocked by that.”
Roti was now lightly tugging at Jake’s sleeve. She looked like she wanted him to stop, but Jake’s mouth had no intention of shutting up.
No, it seemed he was actually enjoying this situation.
Jake looked down at Roti, flashed a small smile, then turned his gaze back.
“Honestly, anyone could see that you forced the situation back then. It wasn’t because you didn’t have hunting tools or lacked ability. I didn’t realize it at the time, but after watching you fight last night, it became clear. You were deliberately in that spot while calculating the distance.”
That was both true and false.
I could never have the ability to calculate the distance at which a beast would charge in at a glance.
However, I had the skill to confirm it and the ability to revert it even if I failed, so I had no burden.
I just listened quietly to Jake’s words without agreeing or disagreeing.
“So Roti thought, ‘Why is this person helping me like this?'”
“Jake.”
Roti blurted out like she wanted to stop him, then quickly covered her mouth with her hand.
Oh ho.
My eyes narrowed just a bit as I looked at Roti. Did she feel that way too? She quickly turned her head away. But she was still holding onto Jake’s sleeve with one hand.
‘Jake,’ huh.
Even when they were alone, she usually didn’t directly say his name. Even if she did, she would add another title. But if she was flustered enough to refer to him by just his name, it meant they had become incredibly close.
“At first, I thought it was for political gain.”
In fact, I had persuaded Duke Lindbergh using that ‘political gain.’ It would work much better than just ‘wanting it.’
“So you couldn’t accept the goodwill without being cautious. You might have thought I was trying to use you as a tool just in case.”
“So that means, from that time, Roti already knew you liked her, doesn’t it?”
I didn’t put any emotion into my voice. My eyes, which had narrowed slightly, returned to normal.
But with a shy girl in front of me, I couldn’t help but want to tease her a little.
“Hmm, well, at least I’ve never hidden it.”
Though I’ve never outright said I liked her. In fact, there are many ways to show feelings without explicitly saying it, so I didn’t poke at that.
“Well, anyway, I was keeping a watchful eye on you, and then you suddenly jumped out and said that. If you have something in hand, just use it all up. And only then did I start to think you shared ‘usable things’ as goodwill.”
And there were probably a few more reasons. A prime example was when I pulled Roti’s mother out of that house. That was literally something that gave me no benefit at all.
When thinking of the original Roti, she probably wanted to stand next to Jake ‘by her own strength.’ So she wouldn’t have been too concerned about status. In the end, if she could set up beside him, she would be satisfied.
But to Roti, what I said was, “Anything that has come into your hands is your power.”
Even if it’s strength given by others, if I use it, it becomes my strength. Since the person who gave that power said it, it seemed Roti decided to accept it after some thought.
“So now… it would be better if I had that knightly title, but it doesn’t matter if I don’t. Just the fact that ‘I have come to like Roti’ itself is Roti’s ability, right? Since she already has power, the rest is just an option.”
At Jake’s words, I could only nod.
So, at this point, they were just a lovey-dovey couple. The impossible love arising from the difference in status was something to simply ignore.
“More than anything, Roti and I are getting through this battle together. ‘Anyone can see’ that we’re the crown princess’s closest confidants, right? There are positions in the world where nobility doesn’t have to be shown, after all.”
“Is that so?”
If the person who greets you warmly is royalty, then status becomes secondary, and other nobles can’t treat them carelessly. The royal family is already small, so to have a conversation, you have to schedule a time and wait in line. But Jake and Roti could just go and meet without that hassle.
The fact that they have a direct line to plead to the royal family is significant. Even though Grace’s Estate is just a baron estate, other noble families cannot openly ignore them because of that. Well, technically, it’s a bit different, but still.
“Okay. So here’s the thing, we’re going to follow you into battle.”
“…….”
Jake suddenly changed the subject, causing me to shut my mouth for a moment.
“How does that relate to what we were just talking about?”
“I said it before. Those who have fought alongside each other can’t think of our relationship as nothing. So… well, I don’t really know the details, but if we’re beside you in a situation where the fate of the world is clearly at stake, I think our position will be solidified even further.”
It wasn’t entirely wrong. Even common soldiers build camaraderie with noble officers while rolling around on the battlefield, and they often end up being treated like friends. And then that commoner wouldn’t be treated carelessly by others.
Let alone if that ‘noble officer’ was a crown princess; the weight is even greater.
“You just said a moment ago that you don’t really know the details.”
“Well, because you haven’t told me.”
Hmm.
I really had no counter to that.
“Weren’t you two supposed to come here to tell us that?”
“More like, I came to hear if you wanted to participate or not…”
“Then that’s fine. I’ve heard what I needed to.”
Huff.
Well, still, Jake’s reasoning wasn’t as emotional as Charlotte’s. He had his own ‘political reasons.’
But due to Jake’s straightforward attitude, it seemed that reason didn’t matter much at all.
“I truly hope I can be of help this time.”
“…….”
At that moment, Roti, who had been shyly turning her face away, finally spoke up.
Her face, turned back toward me, was still a bit red, but it was much better than when she was getting all lovey-dovey over Jake. She was still firmly holding onto Jake’s sleeve, though.
“I don’t want it to be an artificial opportunity; I genuinely want to help this time.”
“Is that so?”
I quietly responded to Roti’s words.
“And no matter how much you are, you can’t finish that battle alone, right? So you came to find us like this, didn’t you?”
Jake asked me.
I nodded.
Can I manage everything alone?
Well, if that place could control my power, it might be impossible alone. This time too, it might be possible if I could somehow ‘break through,’ but that puts a strain on my body, and it’s hard to think clearly when in pain.
If there’s a presence that could definitely help me—
“…….”
—that thought seemed a little strange.
Common sense says that a battle-hardened veteran soldier or knight rolling around in the battlefield would be a much safer choice.
Yet, oddly enough, I was first thinking of my friends as the ones who could help me.
But I couldn’t change my words now after coming this far. That would be… betraying everyone’s expectations.
If I just handle it somehow, it will work out. My initial goal was to save everyone, so let’s commit ourselves to protecting everyone with all our might.
Whether they knew it or not, Jake and Roti were looking at me quietly, waiting for my response.
“I understand. Then I will gladly accept that help.”
“What, we also received significant help.”
Jake said that and then brushed Roti’s hand off his sleeve, wrapping his arm around her waist.
Roti jumped in surprise and slapped Jake’s arm.
……The warm atmosphere from a moment ago disappeared in an instant.
Is he showing off now?
Just throwing kindness back as a gift. How can the loveless person live like this?
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