I Want To Die One Day Before You - Chapter 103
The knight nodded reluctantly, wondering why Rufus was so fixated on meat.
Soon, a fragrant smell wafted into the tent.
“It seems like there’s a bit too much meat.”
Sarubia quietly observed the contents of her bowl.
There was no need to stir the soup with a spoon. At a glance, it was apparent that there was more meat than broth. Looking at the abnormally large chunks of meat, she started to wonder whether this was a meaty soup or a soupy meat.
“Eat a lot,” Rufus said gruffly.
“I can’t eat this much.”
“You can eat it all if you take your time.”
“Do you think my stomach will expand if I eat slowly? I’m telling you, I can’t eat it.”
“You need to replenish your strength. You said your back hurts.”
“What are you trying to do by feeding me this much…?”
Sarubia glanced at Rufus with a sudden suspicion. Rufus remained expressionless, resting his chin on his hand.
“I’m not doing anything. Just eat.”
Ultimately, she couldn’t finish the bowl. Nevertheless, it was the most she had ever eaten in one meal.
As darkness enveloped the land, Rufus walked out of the tent towards the knights.
“Great work.”
Rufus greeted the standing knights first.
“Thank you for keeping up with the hurried pace all day long despite the physical strain.”
“It’s our duty, after all.”
Though the knights said so, internally, they were all groaning. The amount of magical energy they had used to keep the horses going during the rush here was astronomical. Some of the knights had run out of magic and had to rely on potions thereafter.
The knights’ horses were asleep as if knocked out. Rufus’s horse seemed almost dead.
“Keep the fire well-guarded against nocturnal monsters.”
“Yes.”
If humans had animals, the demon race had monsters.
Cursed animals, or monsters, like bone-bare dogs, rotten-blood-drinking rabbits, and corpse-eating snails, which resembled animals farmed by humans, preferred the dark. These monsters could be easily driven away with fire, making them less of a threat than demons.
“You’ve all worked hard. Rest well tonight.”
Rufus’s final declaration lightened the knights’ expressions. It seemed Rufus had no more tasks for them. Now the knights had truly free time.
“Thank you. May you also rest well, Rufus.”
As the knights sincerely bowed in gratitude.
“And we depart as soon as dawn breaks tomorrow.”
“……”
The knights felt as if they had sunk into a swamp.
Was this man truly devoid of sleep? After pushing them hard all day, he plans to depart again in a few hours?
The knights looked back at Rufus as he returned to the tent, internally sighing at their plight.
Unaware or indifferent to their complaints, Rufus smoothly disappeared into the tent.
Sarubia, in her nightgown, was washing her face with water the knights had brought.
“Sleepy?”
“Mm, I slept too much earlier, so I’m not sleepy now.”
“I figured.”
Rufus stared intently at Sarubia.
Droplets of water slowly trailed down her facial contours. The delicate line of her neck stuck in his mind. Sarubia’s long hair, tied back, fluttered softly against her back, reminiscent of a cat’s tail.
He wanted to let it down.
“Where will you sleep?”
Sarubia asked, drying her face with a towel.
“Here.”
“Huh? Isn’t this my tent?”
“Your tent is my tent.”
“How does that work?”
“Like this.”
Rufus replied gruffly.
“I can’t leave you alone in the middle of the night. Come here.”
Rufus, already seated on the bed, called Sarubia over. Sarubia blushed, seemingly understanding his intent.
“What are you planning to do? Continue what we did yesterday?”
“What did we do yesterday?”
“That, you know.”
Hesitating yet inching closer to Rufus, Sarubia asked.
“Like this?”
Rufus’s lips grazed her ear as he spoke.
Sarubia burst into laughter at the unexpected touch. As she tried to turn away, the makeshift bed creaked and wobbled.
“Why do you think I kept you asleep all day?”
At his question, Sarubia, now lying on the bed, looked up at Rufus and laughed heartily.
“You really used your magic for the most wicked things.”
“Thanks to that, you rested well. And when you’re rested, you need to move.”
“Really, you’re sly.”
“Only just figured that out?”
The only lamp illuminating the tent flickered, casting elongating shadows of the two.
“Rufus, you didn’t sleep yesterday either. What if you fall off the horse tomorrow?”
“I’ll take a recovery potion.”
Sarubia played with Rufus’s sleeve as she lay her head down.
“That’s going to take a toll on your body.”
“I’m young enough, it’s fine.”
“If you say so.”
Sarubia fiddled with Rufus’s sleeve.
“But in an hour, we turn off the light and go to sleep. Agreed?”
“Two hours.”
“No, one hour.”
“Two hours.”
“How about an hour and a half?”
“Two hours.”
“Fine, two hours. You’re such a glutton.”
Sarubia laughed as she held Rufus’s hand.
“You really can’t deny your impatience.”
His warmth seeped into every crevice of her fingers, making her feel good.
