Chapter 40: When I Came to My Senses, It Was a Needlessly Glamorous Hell 3

They say everyone experiences hitting rock bottom in life, but…

I never imagined it would happen to me in such a manner.

At this moment, Cazeros, Polena, and I found ourselves in a cramped underground prison cell.

Accused of being Holy Knights – in other words, Church lackeys – we had been dragged here, our belongings completely confiscated, and were now bound like luggage.

“Hic… Hic… Hic…”

The sound of sobbing echoed within the cell.

The source was Cazeros, who could be considered the primary catalyst for our current predicament.

“Hic… Hic… I’m… I’m so sorry… Because of me… If I hadn’t carelessly carried those items…”

Having likely been formally excommunicated from the Church by now, Cazeros nevertheless clung to her mindset as a Holy Knight. Even after entering the city, she had kept her Holy Knight insignia and attire on her person, unwilling to relinquish that part of her identity.

Although those very items had become the damning evidence leading to our present circumstances, I harbored no intention of blaming her.

Her status as a Holy Knight had undoubtedly proven helpful during our journey, and her pure-hearted dedication deserved respect.

With this in mind, I addressed Cazeros in a gentle tone.

“It’s alright. Although unexpected, this situation was truly the result of sheer misfortune.”

“But… But…”

“And truthfully, I share some responsibility for this incident. Regardless of the entertaining spectacle, I should not have indulged in such blatant gawking. I lacked vigilance.”

“Santana…”

After consoling and calming Cazeros’s tears, I still found no solution to our predicament.

The tightly sealed prison cell.

Although Cazeros could wield the purifying force known as an Aura as a Holy Knight, it was insufficient to break us out of here.

Perhaps a mage or warrior capable of wielding magical power could, but to exert that level of physical force through an Aura alone would require at least the strength of Nune and Tine.

‘But I cannot allow us to be wrongfully executed as spies. There must be a way…’

If at least a guard were present outside, I could attempt negotiation, but our cell was firmly sealed behind a steel door, with no suitable guard in sight to potentially sway.

‘Come to think of it, that itself seems suspicious… Or perhaps they intend to bypass any trial and simply execute us Holy Knights without further ado?’

Truthfully, I harbored little fear of death itself.

Having already died once to become this existence of Santana Andreas, in a sense, my current life was a bonus granted after my original life.

Although this bonus period had been relatively short and filled with regrets, it still held meaning.

Moreover, at this very moment… I was not entirely without means to put this gifted life to worthwhile use.

‘Yes… If there’s a chance to at least save these two women who have trusted and followed me thus far…’

Resolving to sacrifice this one life, if necessary, to preserve theirs, I steeled my determination.

Then…

“Master, does this mean we’ll die here?”

“…”

Rather than worry, Polena’s expression seemed almost intrigued at the mention of death.

Inwardly marveling at her nonchalance even in such circumstances, I replied with grave seriousness.

“…Perhaps it will be difficult for all of us to emerge unscathed. However…”

“However?”

“However, I will endeavor to ensure you two can escape safely, no matter what may happen to me… Without fail.”

“…”

At my words, Polena’s smile faded momentarily as she averted her gaze and muttered softly.

“…Perhaps I should just discard it all now?…”

“…Pardon?”

“…No, it’s nothing…”

Immediately after, Polena’s cheeks flushed slightly for some reason, prompting Cazeros to heave a heavy sigh of inexplicable weariness.

As the two women behind me lapsed into silence, a wistful smile formed on my lips.

-Clank!-

“Hm?”

The next moment, the prison door suddenly opened.

It was unclear when they had arrived, but several people stood outside, including not only soldiers but also well-dressed men who appeared to be high-ranking officials.

“…Come out.”

“…”

They spoke in composed tones.

Obediently following their instructions, I rose from my spot.

Resistance would serve no purpose in this situation, and if I wished to negotiate or plead for the other two’s lives, I could not afford to antagonize those in a position of authority.

As Cazeros and Polena attempted to follow, the soldiers barred their way, and one of the officials addressed them in an even tone.

“You two shall remain here for the time being. Until further measures are taken.”

“…Santana…”

“Master…”

The two of them called out to me with concerned voices.

To allay their worries, I gave them my brightest smile as I spoke.

“…Do not worry, I will handle this properly.”

With those words, I left the two behind as the soldiers escorted me out of the prison cell.

As we proceeded through the castle’s corridors, my mind became consumed with thoughts of how to save those two women.

‘Now that the Holy Knight insignia has been discovered, any flimsy excuses would be meaningless… Perhaps the simplest approach would be to claim full responsibility, asserting that they were merely prisoners or slaves accompanying me? Or alternatively… I could attempt to negotiate using the assets we left at the inn…’

Whichever path I chose would not be easy, but with their lives at stake, I was determined to succeed.

The destination I arrived at, surprisingly, was not a courtroom or interrogation chamber, but rather the Lord’s personal study.

“I’ve brought him.”

“Good work.”

As I entered the study, the official spoke deferentially.

Then, a man who had been standing with his back turned slowly faced me.

A middle-aged man with a full beard, showing signs of advanced years.

He scrutinized me with an inscrutable expression before slowly nodding.

“…?”

Immediately after, the soldiers released their grip on me and bowed their heads.

The officials and soldiers then promptly exited, leaving only the Lord and me in the room.

‘A full, brown beard with a powerful gaze… If he’s the current Lord of Bohemia at this point, then this must be Count Turen… The renowned mage Turen?’

As I identified the man before me based on the original work’s narrative…

Count Turen, for some reason, began trembling slightly as he approached me.

‘What’s… What’s going on? The atmosphere seems rather strange…’

Now that I thought about it, many aspects had been peculiar since entering this room.

Not only had everyone else promptly vacated the premises, leaving a supposed ‘spy’ unattended, but crucially, the Lord had allowed himself to be alone with a ‘criminal’ – an utterly bizarre decision.

As I belatedly began to question the situation…

Count Turen had already drawn near, standing right before me.

‘Wait… Why is he acting like this?’

My confusion only deepened as Count Turen’s peculiar behavior unfolded.

At that moment, when my bewilderment reached its peak…

“!”

“…”

Count Turen suddenly embraced me tightly.

His actions only served to further compound the turmoil in my already perplexed mind…

Addressing me with an emotion-laden voice, Count Turen spoke.

“Finally… Finally, you’ve returned… Santana… My son!”

‘…Huh!?’