Chapter 26 - The Rescue

“I will help out.” Ludwig stepped up. “I believe the Saintess’s heart and mercy can make the world a more beautiful and peaceful place.”

I thought he was laying it on a bit thick, but I nodded since he was on my side.

“I, Ludwig, will lay my life down to fulfill anything you say,” he vowed.

‘Oh, I have no one but Ludwig!’

“Thank you, but I don’t need your life,” I said. His words made me feel like he would die trying to protect me.

“The paladins will follow your command.” As soon as Ludwig took my side, all the holy knights pledged their loyalty to me.

“I will also follow your decision.” Another voice reached my ears. Callian! Even Callian was on my side.

Since the atmosphere turned like this, Miltiades had to choose.

* * *

Miltiades stood there laughing. He was obviously smiling, but his expression was the same one he had made before he went on a rampage. 

‘Why does she want to help him?’ He couldn’t understand. Why did she want to help someone she had met for the first time today? ‘He even pushed her over.’ Miltiades wanted to break at least his hand to make himself feel better. However, he couldn’t do it while Amelia was watching.

‘I wanted to go to the palace right away,’ he thought. But Amelia looked so cute while holding onto him, so he couldn’t cut her off.

On the other side, Berrict was watching the situation unfold. “…?”

He thought Miltiades would coldly reject the saintess, That was why when he saw Miltiades struggling to make a decision, his face distorted. Who was this Miltiades? Rahel’s dictator! He was the merciless emperor who made other countries tremble in fear. And that same Miltiades was thinking about listening to someone and changing his decision?

This was the first time Berrict had seen this. 

“Dad? Daddy? You’re gonna listen to me, right? Hm? I believe you can save anyone in need of help because you’re the strongest! Right?”

When Miltiades saw Amelia’s sparkling eyes, he laughed. “Okay. Let’s save him.” He didn’t have a hobby of saving people, but he thought it would be okay to do it for one day.

“…” Berrict rubbed his eyes as he thought he was seeing things. ‘Is this a sign that the world is ending?’

Amelia beamed when Miltiades agreed, and she then saw the young boy lower his head. ‘Bow. Bow properly! Before he changes his mind!’

The young boy pushed Amelia’s hand away, but didn’t raise his head.

* * *

Whether it was due to luck or not, the group’s destination wasn’t far from where they were.

Many knights had been injured in the fight with the beasts, so Miltiades decided to select only a few to go with him.

“To think there would be a bandit stronghold here, and a big one at that.”

“We’ve been neglecting the border surveillance.”

“This is my mistake,” Berrict said. He was accepting it as his fault, but that wasn’t true.

Miltiades knew better than anyone else who had the most influence in this territory. ‘Duke Ravenhook.’ He smirked as he looked at the hideout. The brat who had begged him to save his brother was unexpectedly calm. He was a young man, but he knew how to hold a sword. He wasn’t bad. ‘He’d be useful if we can raise him well.’ Other than the young man’s usefulness, Miltiades had something else on his mind. And he knew exactly what it was.

“If someone is struggling, you should help! This is a world for people! Okay?”

Ludwig held Amelia as she showed off. What could she know at her young age? But she was the saintess, so no one would go against her.

As Amelia laughed, she made eye contact with Miltiades. She gave him a thumbs up. For some reason, Miltiades’s mood brightened, and he smiled. ‘Well, she’s laughing, so that’s enough.’

Miltiades was originally going to leave Amelia behind. However, she had thrown a tantrum, and he had to take her along despite being unreliable. She had said something like, “If you’re in danger, I’m going to save you!” so there wasn’t a reason to refuse.

Miltiades’s frozen lips moved up. Berrict still couldn’t adjust to Miltiades. 

“Let’s go.” Miltiades signaled, and all of a sudden, the knights started moving. 

* * *

As predicted, Miltiades and the knights raided the hideout without much trouble. Ludwig and the paladins waited on the side to protect me, but they were ready to move if trouble befell Miltiades. ‘I can’t let that happen.’ There was a reason I tagged along. As I waited, I poked the male lead’s side. He glared at me, “What?”

“Let’s go save him,” I said.

We had to move now to save his brother.