It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 133
Thankfully, Halid’s horse was a warhorse, much larger than average, and didn’t seem the least burdened by carrying one more person.
He helped me up first, then mounted behind me.
“Pardon me for a moment.”
Perhaps worried I might fall, Halid wrapped one arm securely around my waist and took the reins.
“You said the western exit of the cemetery, correct?”
As soon as I nodded, Halid’s horse kicked off the ground.
As the powerful warhorse tore through the air at a frightening speed, I found myself relieved I hadn’t insisted on riding separately. I would’ve fallen hopelessly behind.
Even though our coachman had gone as fast as he could, it had taken ten minutes to get there. Halid crossed the same distance in under three minutes.
When the shattered carriage came into view, he began to slow down.
“Are you certain you want to go with me?”
“I am.”
“Very well.”
I braced myself. I had no idea what kind of terrible scene might await.
And just as I feared, I saw Lionel covered in blood, collar gripped in the hand of a masked figure. A sharp dagger was pressed to his neck.
I knew I shouldn’t draw attention, but I couldn’t hold back the scream.
“No!”
What happened next played out like a scene in slow motion.
Halid, still on horseback, swung his sword toward the masked man. The man quickly shoved Lionel aside and dodged the strike, throwing himself away.
With stunning horsemanship, Halid brought the horse to a stop and leapt to Lionel’s side, helping me down after.
“Lionel…!”
I rushed to him and threw my arms around him.
“Serenia…? What’s going…?”
Tears welled up in my eyes.
His battered state made my heart ache, but the fact that he was still alive brought overwhelming relief. At the same time, fury surged through me toward those who had done this to him.
As I channeled divine power into Lionel’s body, I turned my head sharply and glared at the masked man.
“You awful…”
But then…
“…Huh?”
Why did that contorted gaze look familiar? Even though it was partly hidden by the mask…
“…Brother?”
He had come to me looking exactly like that just yesterday. There was no way I wouldn’t recognize him.
Halid, who had just been about to draw his sword after confirming Lionel was safe, froze at my words.
“He’s your family?”
“That is… I mean…”
My lips moved, but confusion tangled my tongue.
I thought we’d resolved things, at least to some degree. But maybe I was wrong.
If he hated Lionel enough to hurt him like this, then what in the world was I supposed to do?
No one spoke. A suffocating silence settled between us.
Vaikal, shocked by the sight of me clinging to Lionel. Lionel, overwhelmed by the divine power pouring into him.
Halid, still trying to make sense of what had happened.
Then, Vaikal was the first to break the silence.
“It wasn’t me.”
His voice was urgent.
“I didn’t hurt that bas— I mean, Lord Luanax. I was only holding him until I knew you were safe.”
“…Really?”
“Yeah, I swear it. Please believe me.”
Vaikal, unconcerned whether Halid was watching or not, lowered his mask and approached me. His dagger was tucked away somewhere.
“Count Solen…?”
“Ah… Lord Calitas. It’s been a while. Though I’m more curious about what sort of relationship you and my sister have, that you arrived together on horseback.”
Vaikal’s gaze sharpened once again as he looked to Halid.
“Why are you acting like this, Brother…? He only rode with me because he was worried I might fall.”
“Can you swear that was his only intention?”
Vaikal pressed Halid, ignoring my attempts to stop him.
“You can’t even answer. You’ve been so desperate to find my sister, and yet, just as I thought…”
“So, you’re saying that Lady Dilottete was your sister all along? While I was turning over every stone to find her, you deceived me, and told me she was a myth.”
At last understanding the situation, Halid turned his accusations on Vaikal instead.
