There Are Truths in the World That Are Better Left Unprobed

As Vermilion’s story ended, Kyle nodded as if he could understand.

“So that’s why you didn’t bring her along.”

“Yes. Of course, it’s not like that place is completely safe either, but at least it’s better than being involved with me.”

“I understand. I would have done the same.”

From Kyle’s perspective, having experienced it firsthand, he fully understood Vermilion’s feelings.

Of course, as Vermilion said, there’s no guarantee that place is safe either.

However, just as it’s safer to evacuate as far away from the battlefield as possible than to be in the very center of it, it’s also true that being there allows you to avoid their eyes as much as possible.

The reason Kyle tried to keep Sylvia as far away as possible was the same.

Although it has become a meaningless act now, at least at the time, Kyle thought it was the right thing to do.

However, unlike Kyle, who listened to this and agreed, Sylvia started to get angry with her cheeks puffed out.

“What are you talking about, Kyle…! Rather, because of this situation, we should have brought Anis-ssi even more.”

“But Sylvia. There’s danger if we do…”

“Drake Gongja also said it, didn’t he? There’s no guarantee that place is safe either. If that’s the case, you should keep her by your side with the mindset that you will protect her. At least, if you’re a real man.”

It was almost the first time Sylvia had expressed her anger so fiercely, so Kyle exchanged glances with Vermilion, dumbfounded.

He, too, was just blinking his eyes, as if he didn’t expect Sylvia to react like this.

“If it was someone completely unrelated, I wouldn’t say anything. But Drake Gongja also owes that person a debt, right? Besides, the fact that you said this much means that you have her in your heart to some extent, doesn’t it?”

“…I can’t say I don’t.”

“Look at this. How can you achieve a great cause if you don’t even have the courage to protect the woman you have in your heart?”

“……”

Vermilion became speechless at Sylvia’s scolding and closed his mouth.

It wasn’t because he was uncomfortable with her criticism, or because he was displeased with the thought that she was talking without knowing anything.

It was just that everything she said was right, so he couldn’t dare to open his mouth.

Everything from 1 to 10 is as Sylvia said.

Although it is true that he turned away because he didn’t want to bother Anis, and because he was too ashamed to see her, that was just avoidance.

If he really had feelings for Anis and wanted to protect her at all costs, he should have kept her by his side to protect her from the battle with the Eyes of Dawn that could happen at any time.

“There’s some truth in Sylvia’s words. But I can’t say I don’t understand Vermilion’s feelings either, can I?”

“At least I can’t understand. I predict that Anis-yang also had Drake Gongja in her heart to some extent. To leave such a woman alone and run away is hypocrisy, no matter how well you try to package it.”

Kyle scratched his cheek awkwardly at Sylvia’s uncharacteristic fierce criticism.

To a third party, it may seem like she is only criticizing Vermilion, but from Kyle’s perspective, it felt like he was being beaten together.

That’s because, until recently, Kyle’s feelings were no different from his.

“Drake Gongja. Don’t regret it later and go find that person quickly.”

“Now?”

“Then you should go now, when else are you going to go? What if you find out later that Anis-yang was dragged away by the Eyes of Dawn, you’ll regret it so much you’ll beat the ground, you know?”

“Ah…”

It was almost a command, but Vermilion, who heard those words, didn’t feel unpleasant at all, but rather felt like he had gained a great realization.

That’s right. Sylvia is right.

Although he left after saying goodbye because he didn’t have the face to face Anis right now, and because he didn’t want to put her in the middle of this war.

What if, in the future, when he finishes the battle with the Eyes of Dawn and returns to that place, she is not there?

In the worst case, what if she is found as a cold corpse?

In that case, Vermilion would lose the very reason for fighting a life-or-death battle.

“…Thank you, Princess Eleanor. I feel like my eyes have been opened a little thanks to you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I’ll go find her now. Even if she says she won’t follow me, that’s a problem to think about later.”

“That’s the spirit.”

As Vermilion stood up from his seat with a determined expression, Kyle looked at him with surprised eyes and then looked at Sylvia.

She winked one eye as their eyes met, and then poked Kyle’s waist with her elbow and opened her mouth.

“Now that it’s like this, Kyle, how about we go together?”

“There’s no need for you to…”

“No, Sylvia is right. We’ll accompany you too. In the worst case, there’s a possibility that those guys will appear there.”

Vermilion tried to refuse instead at the unexpected suggestion, but Kyle shook his head, cutting him off firmly.

As Vermilion just said, if that girl really possesses a miraculous power that even the Eyes of Dawn would covet, she might be in a life-threatening situation at this very moment.

Besides, it would be more comfortable to go with Vermilion than to send him alone.

Moreover, Vermilion is in a situation where it wouldn’t be strange if his life was targeted at any time, so it’s better to do this than to hear the terrible news that two corpses were found after sending him alone.

Now, from Kyle’s perspective, Vermilion was a valuable piece that he couldn’t let die, and also a precious comrade.

“I’ll have a carriage prepared. It’s better to take action once something like this is decided. You go pack your things.”

“Thank you for your consideration. Both of you.”

“Hehe, you’re welcome.”

In that way, the members of the so-called Anis rescue operation were quickly formed.

＊＊＊

The two people who left the annex after finishing their conversation with Vermilion.

Then, Sylvia suddenly stopped in her place, and Kyle turned around and tilted his head.

“Did you leave something behind? Sylvia.”

“…No, I just have something to ask Kyle.”

“Something to ask…?”

Kyle nodded, feeling puzzled by her, who was talking to him with a very serious expression.

It was a silent nod to tell her to say whatever she wanted.

At that, Sylvia lowered her eyes calmly and then opened her mouth quietly.

“A little while ago, Kyle said something like he understood Drake Gongja.”

“I did.”

“Is that perhaps a statement that comes from experience?”

“……!”

Kyle was quite embarrassed by her actions, which suddenly stabbed him in the side.

How did she notice?

“…You wouldn’t believe me even if I denied it.”

“Yes, because I pride myself on knowing Kyle better than anyone else.”

Kyle, realizing that lying was meaningless early on, muttered with a bitter smile, and Sylvia responded as if it were obvious.

I can’t tell you everything, but I still have to tell you the truth.

Kyle, having made up his mind, carefully parted his lips.

“You could say that.”

“That’s the story about me and the Eyes of Dawn, right?”

“Yes.”

“Hehe, you’re being honest today, I like it.”

Sylvia, smiling as if she was quite satisfied, moved her feet forward and passed by Kyle.

As if that was the end of the matter.

“…Aren’t you going to ask more?”

“This is enough. In the first place, even if I asked more, you wouldn’t tell me in detail while beating around the bush, would you?”

In fact, she said that, but Sylvia didn’t have anything more she wanted to ask, so she didn’t bother to continue the conversation.

If she were to ask anything, there would only be one thing.

Just as Vermilion tried to protect and hide Anis, trying to keep her as far away from himself as possible.

She could have asked why Kyle committed the same act against her.

But Sylvia didn’t bother to do that.

No, it’s because she already knows the answer to some extent.

It’s probably because, just like Anis’s existence to Vermilion, her existence was precious to Kyle.

And if she were to ask why he cherishes her so much, even while being crushed by that heavy karma, she could now infer the answer to some extent.

After all, she’s not an idiot.

However, even if she knew that fact, she couldn’t convey this feeling to him now.

No, it’s because she knows it that she can’t convey it even more.

If what she imagines is reality, he’s probably still not ready.

So.

Kkog.

“…Sylvia?”

“Let’s just stay like this for a moment.”

She decided to be grateful for the fact that she could feel his warmth so close right now, and she didn’t try to forcibly seize anything bigger.