With Greg's reassurance, Wendy didn't need to explain herself anymore, didn't need to prove herself, and didn't need to face everyone's suspicion and accusations all on her own.
Because there was one person who had chosen to believe in her from the very beginning, she hadn't been abandoned by the entire world. Someone had gripped her hand tightly!
This trust was like a fire, burning away the despair and coldness in Wendy's heart piece by piece, replacing it with a warmth and security she had never experienced before.
It was a warmth far more blazing than when her older sister Sarah had stood up to speak for her back then. Because this time, Greg wasn't just risking a few words; he was betting his everything.
Wendy looked up. From this angle, she could just make out Greg's sharply defined profile.
She suddenly remembered the picture books she had flipped through countless times under the candlelight of her bedchamber as a child. The artist's delicate strokes had depicted a prince defeating an evil dragon and carrying the princess out of the high tower in his arms.
Those scenes had filled her imagination countless times before she fell asleep. She had once thought they were just fairy tales written for children—fantasies that would never cross over into reality.
Yet at this moment, she was being cradled securely by arms just as warm and powerful. Guided through the smoke and clamor, she felt as if she had truly become the rescued princess from those picture books.
Wendy gently pressed her cheek against Greg's chest. Through his clothes, she could feel his steady, powerful heartbeat. It was a reassuring rhythm, like a lighthouse that would never go out in the dark night.
Closing her eyes, she savored the warmth and sensation in her heart, silently thinking:
If I stay by his side forever, will there come a day when I can obtain that thing called "happiness"?
Not the airy line of text at the end of a fairy tale, but a real, tangible happiness that I can hold in my palm and feel every single day.
If it's him, perhaps it really is possible.
...
Greg didn't notice the change in Wendy's state of mind in his arms. He was thinking deeply as he dashed rapidly through the alleyways.
Although his current plan was proceeding smoothly, Wendy had been thoroughly branded a traitor by the Empire's people due to the interference of the Demon King Cult.
Recalling Wendy's state when he had just rescued her, Greg felt that although she hadn't given up on herself, she must be incredibly sad. This might even affect her future performance at work.
Thus, Greg wanted to comfort Wendy a bit more. But just as he was about to speak, he suddenly felt a ticklish sensation on his chest.
Looking down, he found Wendy pressing her cheek against his chest, gently rubbing against him like a kitten that had found a warm nest.
Furthermore, her face bore an expression Greg had never seen on her before.
It was an almost clumsy smile, with her eyes curved like crescent moons and the corners of her mouth slightly upturned. She radiated an aura completely different from the usually clever and proper Wendy.
What's going on?!
Greg was taken aback, not quite understanding why Wendy had suddenly become like this.
But on second thought, this proved she hadn't taken too big of a blow, and her mental state seemed relatively stable. So, that was a good thing, right?
Therefore, he didn't stop Wendy for the time being, letting her nuzzle against him while he raised his head, warily scanning their surroundings.
“That Floor Boss who escaped from the third layer is really patient,” he muttered to himself. “I've already rescued her, yet he still hasn't made a move... Is he waiting for something?”
Just as Greg was lost in thought, a fierce wave of sword aura suddenly swept in from the side, accompanied by a sharp whistle that tore through the air.
He instantly guessed that this attack must have come from Roland, the Empire's Sword.
Greg's pupils contracted sharply. His instinct was to activate Insubstantiality.
But he suddenly remembered that Insubstantiality only worked on himself. If he used it now, he would survive, but Wendy would certainly die. In the end, he could only abandon this option.
Moreover, since the attack wasn't coming from the front, he couldn't use the Violet-Gold Thorn Shield to block or parry it.
Thus, just as he was about to reveal his trump card and use Dark Abyss Armament to swallow it up—
Clang!
A crisp sound of clashing metal erupted in the air, sending sparks flying in all directions.
A figure with dark gold hair appeared by Greg's side. In front of him, a slender sword steadily parried the wave of sword aura, completely neutralizing the attack.
“Perfect timing, Allie!”
Greg was pleasantly surprised. In a place with so many prying eyes, he really wanted to avoid exposing his dark mana if possible.
“Hmph, perfect timing?”
Allie stood in front of Greg. After glancing at the unharmed Greg and Wendy in his arms, she said, “Take Wendy and leave first. I'll cover the rear.”
Greg glanced at her and nodded.
“Got it.”
He knew now was not the time for pleasantries. Since Allie had told him to go first, it meant she was confident in handling the enemy before them.
Holding Wendy tightly, he exerted force through his legs and continued sprinting forward.
Hearing Allie call out her name, Wendy shuddered guiltily in his arms. Like a cat caught stealing fish, she silently stopped rubbing against his chest.
But as Allie's figure began to shrink in her vision, she still whispered toward the direction where she stood, “Thank you, Lady Allie.”
Once Greg's figure vanished around the corner of the alley, Allie slowly turned around to face the old man stepping out from the street corner.
Roland held an ancient-looking longsword, a faint cold light flowing along its blade.
He sized up the young woman before him, a hint of undisguised surprise flashing in his eyes.
“To be able to block my strike at such an age... even in the entire Empire, there is absolutely no second person who could do so. Young lady, who on earth are you?”
Allie pointed her sword tip diagonally toward the ground. “I'm just a foolish young master's maid.”
“A... maid?!”
Roland didn't usually like using his brain, as he believed his swordsmanship was more than enough.
But now, he felt he might actually need a brain, because he realized he couldn't even understand a young girl's words.
What did she mean, someone who could take his strike completely unharmed was just a maid?!
He was a little unsure if he had misheard. After a brief hesitation, he spoke, “I see that your talent is extraordinarily high, and it would be a pity for you to fall here. How about this: come back with me and become my grandson's wife, and I'll let those two leave today. What do you say?”
“Heh, it seems there really are quite a few people in this world who are even stupider than my young master.”
Allie, who had been feeling slightly pleased about encountering a powerful enemy of decent strength, immediately had a shift in her gaze upon hearing his words.
First, because she loved Greg, yet this old man actually had the audacity to try to make her his grandson's wife!
Second, because the old man in front of her actually believed she couldn't stop him!
This was simply the ultimate insult to her!
Rate on N.U.
