Looking for a Husband to Confine Me - Chapter 41.2
Chapter 41.2
Oops. I’d been so focused on observing the exchange, tuning out Damian’s pronouncements, that I’d inadvertently revealed my presence to Pazl.
He narrowed his eyes at me, recognition dawning. He clearly remembered me as the one who’d caused the commotion with Damian at the banquet. His frown deepened.
“You’ve been a thorn in my side from the start.” His anger at the failed summoning and his defeat at Damian’s hands now shifted towards me. I subtly averted my gaze, pretending not to notice his hateful stare.
“Now, now, that’s not very nice. You were trying to kill me, remember?” Damian stepped between us, blocking Pazl’s line of sight.
“I’m being very careful not to damage this one, so you shouldn’t look at her so carelessly. Hmm?”
If it weren’t for that last comment, I might have genuinely thanked him. Ignoring him completely, I carefully made my way towards Bashar, who was watching Pazl with a grim expression. Kelliard was also nearby, likely seeking safety in Bashar’s presence.
“How did you do it? Why did the summoning fail…?” Bashar’s face was a mask of confusion. He seemed to have assumed the holy power in the room had vanished the moment Pazl began his incantation.
“The jewels decorating the dagger were imbued with holy power. I thought that if a strong burst of holy energy was released, it might disrupt the summoning….” I explained as I approached, drawing Bashar’s attention.
Beasts couldn’t be summoned in areas saturated with holy power. My hope was that shattering the jewels, creating a sudden surge of holy energy, would disrupt the summoning. However, I hadn’t been certain whether my holy stone and the dagger’s jewels would be enough. Fortunately, it had worked.
“Did you… plan this with Damian beforehand?”
I nodded.
Bashar turned to look at Kelliard, who was still catching his breath. “Are you alright?”
“Cough! I’m fine, Your Highness. Thank you for your concern.”
Kelliard offered Bashar a reassuring smile. Despite being taken hostage, he seemed to believe this incident would earn him Bashar’s trust. His green eyes, so like my own, betrayed his thoughts.
‘He’s quite the survivor.’
I had to admit, Kelliard’s ability to emerge unscathed from such chaos was impressive. In any case, his survival was preferable to the complications his death would bring.
After calming his cough, Kelliard pushed himself to his feet, still slightly unsteady. He spotted the sword Damian had discarded and picked it up. “Now that the sanctuary’s holy power is gone, Pazl could summon another beast. It would be best to leave this place, Your Highness.” He offered, positioning himself as Bashar’s protector. But Bashar shook his head.
“He won’t be able to try again for some time after a failed summoning. We’re safe. Besides, Ditronil should be here to subdue him soon.” Summoning magic required a recovery period after a failed attempt. That’s why they hadn’t used the holy power from the start and waited for Pazl to complete the summoning.
Bashar seemed confident that they were safe remaining where they were. He then turned to me with a question.
“What do you think?”
“As Your Highness says, Pazl won’t be able to summon magic beasts for a while. Besides, it seems the other knights will arrive soon, so I don’t think we need to leave.”
Going downstairs felt unsafe. There was no telling what was happening below because of the liquid Pazl had spread. If the divine power here had been neutralized, the lower floors would likely be the same. Wild beasts could have entered. It seemed far better to confirm Pazl’s capture here.
Bashar gave a small nod, indicating his intention to stay. Kelliard’s expression momentarily flickered with unease, but he quickly schooled his features, ensuring Bashar didn’t notice. He clearly wanted to keep his distance from Pazl.
Pazl gritted his teeth, slowly backing away, searching for an escape route. But for every step he took back, Damian advanced.
“Give it up. Aren’t you tired of running?”
Clink. Pazl extended a hand, revealing a small, metal whistle.
“Running? Did you really think I wouldn’t have a contingency plan in case my summoning failed?”
“Hmm?”
“The annex, including the lower floors, is already surrounded by beasts. They only obey my commands.”
At Pazl’s words, a glance was cast out the window. The wild beasts that had been prowling moments ago were no longer visible. It seemed he was telling the truth; they must have already entered the annex.
Backing away, Pazl reached behind him, grasping the doorknob with a sneer. He brought the small metal whistle to his lips.
The moment he opened the door and blew the whistle, the enraged beasts would rush in, attacking everyone except Pazl.
“Damn…” Kelliard cursed, tightening his grip on his sword.
“…So, you’re saying there are beasts outside that door, just itching to get at us?”
“That’s right.”
“The moment you open that door and blow that whistle, I’ll be torn to shreds?”
“The prince you swore to protect, and those who have only interfered, will all become chunks of meat.”
Damian slowly nodded. After a moment of silence, he spoke softly.
“…Frightening.” His voice held no trace of fear.
