Chapter 24 -

A dark shadow? A sword? The cryptic words made my face scrunch. If the voice was still narrating what was happening around me, the 'dark shadow' was likely the arsonist.

'Does that mean someone is hiding a weapon nearby?'

Unconsciously, I looked around warily. If 'nearby,' it might mean inside this shop. The voice continued.

[He carefully examined the narrow alley. He could not afford to be careless. If caught, the master would surely kill him.]

'Their master?'

That sounded as if there was someone behind the arsonist. If my earlier deduction was correct, and this arson was meant to send a warning to Russell for some unknown reason, then the one behind the arsonist would surely be the true culprit.

An unsettling anxiety began to creep into my heart. The voice wouldn’t be revealing details about the culprit without a reason.

'If it’s a narrow alley, does that mean they’re down there right now? Could it be... Amon is in danger?'

I clenched my skirt tightly.

"Lady? Lady?"

"Ah, yes?"

Only then did I realize I’d been lost in thought, forgetting that Marvin was still chattering on about his benefactor.

"Are you alright? Is something the matter?"

Should I tell Marvin about this and ask for help? He would probably believe me without much explanation.

'But the risk is too great.'

According to the voice, the arsonist hadn’t noticed the Knights' ambush yet, though they were being cautious. If I caused a commotion and the ambush was exposed, we might never catch them. And frankly, I didn’t trust Marvin to handle things quietly.

"Lady?"

"It’s nothing. I just... don’t feel very well."

In the end, I chose to make an excuse. Marvin looked at me with a worried expression before abruptly standing.

"I’ll fetch you some water."

"...Wait!"

I grabbed Marvin’s wrist just as he was about to pass by me. He turned back with a surprised look.

"Lady? Your expression... What’s wrong?"

[The man rejoiced. Amon Spencer, captain of the Blue Knights. Of all the people, he encountered this man in the alley. The conditions were perfect.]

The arsonist knew Amon’s face and name. Worse, he’d just seen him.

The ambush had already failed. No, that wasn’t the issue...

[It was the opportunity to carry out the master’s orders. If he could eliminate this man, the master would be sure to praise him. The man drew a well-sharpened knife from his coat.]

Amon’s life was in danger. I sprang to my feet.

Amon and Eloise were patrolling along their prearranged route. The dark alleys, slightly removed from the bustling main streets, were labyrinthine and complex.

Eloise, as if expressing her dissatisfaction, kept a significant distance from Amon, even though staying close together was a fundamental rule during patrols.

Amon held back from pointing this out. He knew she was in a foul mood, largely because of his unexpected interference.

Not that anyone would have been in a good mood in such circumstances.

'Why is Julia so interested in this case?'

Though he couldn’t leave her alone, he still didn’t understand her motives. Especially since just yesterday, they had detained Hayden at the Knights’ headquarters, making this seem like an unnecessary distraction.

He sighed inwardly, thankful that he’d at least tasked Carlyle with investigating the identity of the duke’s soldiers. Once the ambush ended, they’d have a detailed report.

'Hopefully, we’ll find a lead from the soldier.'

Thinking of the soldier naturally reminded him of Julia’s strange behavior. She knew far too little about this world’s customs. Was that truly due to memory loss?

Amon’s gaze drifted to the shop where Julia was likely seated. Even today, she marveled at ordinary food and ale as though encountering them for the first time. She truly was an amusing person.

"Captain, no suspicious individuals so far..."

Eloise trailed off, frowning as she approached.

"Why are you smiling? Did you notice something?"

'Smiling? Me?'

Amon touched his lips, puzzled. Eloise, meanwhile, looked as if she’d witnessed something unspeakable. Clearing his throat, he replied, "It’s nothing."

"Anyway, since there is no one suspicious, let’s just check the alley on the right and switch shifts."

"Alright."

Passing the still-bemused Eloise, Amon headed for the right alley. He intended to finish the patrol quickly and return to the shop before making any more strange impressions.

'...What is this?'

But as he reached the alley entrance, a strange unease made him halt. The unusually dark street could be explained by a broken lamppost, but there was something unmistakable—a presence filled with malice.

Eloise seemed to sense it too. Without a word, the two exchanged glances and placed their hands on their hilts.

Just as they were about to draw their swords—

"Captain!"

A familiar voice called from behind. Reflexively turning, Amon was met with a sudden flash of light. The dazzling brightness was harsh on eyes accustomed to the dark alley.

Instinctively shutting his eyes, he felt something small and fragile rush into his arms. The impact sent him tumbling backward, and he instantly realized who it was.

The slight, bony shoulders he couldn’t forget. The faint scent that always surrounded her.

'Julia.'

In an instant, he twisted his body to shield her.

Thud.

Amon hit the ground, cradling Julia protectively. Chaos erupted around them—Eloise shouting, a knife clattering to the ground, angry voices...

"Argh!"

With a final scream from the man, whose arm Eloise had nearly broken, the situation was resolved.

Amon glanced around the alley. Eloise was locking cuffs onto the man, Boyd had his sword drawn, and Marvin was stepping on the fallen knife.

And there he was, sprawled on the ground with Julia.

"Are you alright, Captain?" Marvin rushed over as Amon pushed himself halfway up.

"What in the world just happened..."

"I’m sorry, Captain!" Boyd interjected. "I saw the danger and shone a light, but—"

Finally, the situation made sense. The arsonist had drawn his blade to attack Amon. Boyd, startled, had tried to help but inadvertently blinded Amon. Julia, witnessing it all, had thrown herself in to shield him.

Exhaling a short sigh, Amon looked down at Julia in his arms. She seemed to have briefly lost consciousness but was now blinking groggily.

When her eyes met his, she exclaimed, "Are you alright?"

Her wide brown eyes, filled with worry, peeked through her disheveled hair. He had told her repeatedly to stay somewhere safe, yet here she was.

As Amon silently chuckled, Julia’s expression darkened further.

"Sir Spencer?"

She propped herself up slightly, her sharp knees pressing against his thighs.

"Did you get stabbed? Are you hurt? You’re alright, aren’t you?"

Julia’s small hands began patting him frantically. It was clear she hadn’t realized she was straddling him or that eight pairs of eyes were watching. Or rather, she didn’t have the luxury to notice.

Amon stared at her serious face for a moment before instinctively reaching out to tuck her disheveled hair behind her ear.

"Your hair is a mess."

"...Pardon?"

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

"...No."

"In that case, it would be best for you to stand."

Her light brown eyes blinked, her lashes fluttering as if processing his words. Then her face flushed bright red.

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