Chapter 148: Why Should I Run?

I headed straight toward my room.

After everything that had happened yesterday, I had absolutely no intention of doing anything productive tonight. My body had recovered considerably thanks to my newly evolved class, but that didn’t mean I wanted to spend another evening solving mysteries, fighting monsters, or dealing with someone else’s problems. I’d already done enough good deeds for one trip.

I rounded the corner leading toward the guest chambers, already imagining the comfortable bed waiting for me. Unfortunately, someone had other plans. Standing directly outside my room was a familiar woman in silver armor. Ash-blonde hair tied into a high ponytail. Sharp blue eyes. A white cloak bearing the Light Temple’s insignia.

I slowed my steps. She stood with her arms loosely folded, her expression composed, although the way her eyes immediately settled on me suggested she’d been waiting for quite some time.

"Good evening, Captain."

She straightened. "Lord Valen."

I glanced at my door, then back at her. "Do you need something from me?"

"Just a moment of your time, if you don’t mind."

I raised an eyebrow. "That depends. Are you here to discuss tomorrow’s departure, or are you planning to interrogate me before bedtime?"

Her expression tightened slightly. "Neither. I’m simply curious about something."

"Oh?"

She studied my face. "You seem remarkably calm, Sir Valen."

"Should I be panicking?"

"No, but..." She hesitated. "You don’t seem particularly surprised by our presence. In fact, I have the impression that you already know why we’ve come to Lumenford."

I made a faint smile. "And what makes you think that?"

"Your behavior. The way you questioned our orders at the harbor. Even your reaction when I mentioned that our mission was urgent." She paused. "How much do you know?"

I simply smirked. "Isn’t it obvious?"

Vera narrowed her eyes. "What’s obvious?"

"You want to bring me to the Holy City."

Her shoulders stiffened.

I continued casually. "Presumably because someone at the Light Temple gave you orders to escort me there. Whatever those orders involve, I imagine they’re important enough to justify sending six S-Rank Holy Guardians."

For several seconds, she said nothing.

Then she asked, "How did you know?"

I almost laughed. "Captain, have you heard the rumors about me?"

She hesitated. "Yes."

"Then you already have your answer." I leaned against the wall beside my door. "The Mad Magus. The Corrupted Hero. Rey Valen, the Royal Magus who supposedly lost his mind after defeating the Dark Lord."

Her expression grew uncomfortable.

I smiled. "Some say I’ve begun practicing forbidden magic. Others claim I’m searching for the Dark Lord’s lost knowledge." I tilted my head. "And my personal favorite? Apparently, I intend to become the next Dark Lord."

Vera remained silent.

"At first, they were merely rumors," I continued. "People enjoy inventing stories about things they don’t understand. Especially when those things involve someone powerful." I glanced toward the Temple insignia on her cloak. "But lately, those rumors have become rather popular among the Light Temple’s followers."

"Lord Valen—"

"And apparently, the Temple itself has started believing them."

Her lips parted.

I didn’t let her interrupt. "Even some of the companions who once fought beside me seem willing to entertain the possibility. And the Light Temple," I added, my smile thinning, "the same institution I once bled to defend."

Vera lowered her gaze slightly. So she understood the irony. I wasn’t particularly interested in giving her a lecture about loyalty. But there was something almost artistic about watching an institution turn suspicious of the very man who’d helped save it.

"Now, imagine my surprise when I saw six Holy Guardians traveling toward Lumenford this afternoon." I continued. "Considering the Temple’s current opinion of me, I doubt you came to offer me another mission. Why would they entrust an important assignment to someone they supposedly don’t trust?" I spread my hands. "So the remaining possibility was rather obvious. They wanted you to bring me to them."

Vera studied me for a long moment. Then she nodded. "You’re correct." Her expression softened slightly. "Yes. We’ve been ordered to escort you to the Holy City." She drew a slow breath. "Then there’s something else I don’t understand."

I raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead."

"If you already knew our purpose, why didn’t you leave?"

I blinked. Then laughed. "Why should I run?"

Vera stared at me. "Because you know the Temple suspects you. And you might be subjected to an investigation."

I tilted my head. "Captain, I’m not the one who’s done anything wrong here."

Vera fell silent. For a while, she simply watched me. Her eyes searched my expression, perhaps hoping to find nervousness, anger, or some subtle indication that I was concealing something. Unfortunately for her, I was perfectly comfortable.

"Let me guess," I said. "You expected me to escape?"

Vera hesitated. "That possibility was discussed."

I nodded repeatedly. "Ah. So that’s why you were panicking earlier."

Her cheeks reddened. "We weren’t panicking. We were concerned that you might have departed before we could fulfill our orders."

"Right..." I said, my voice laced with doubt.

For a moment, she looked as though she wanted to argue. Then she sighed.

I chuckled. "Well, now you know. I’m not running anywhere. Besides... if I wanted to disappear, do you honestly believe six Holy Guardians searching the streets would have found me?"

Her expression changed. She knew I was one of the five heroes. And she knew that if I’d truly intended to leave Lumenford, I could have flown away long before her team reached the harbor. The fact that I’d remained wasn’t proof of innocence. But it certainly wasn’t the behavior she’d expected from a frightened fugitive.

"Now," I continued, straightening, "I suggest you get some rest." I gestured toward the corridor. "You’ve been traveling all day, and tomorrow will be another long journey." I smiled. "Besides, I can fly to the Holy Capital. You can’t."

Vera suddenly reached forward. Her fingers closed around my wrist. "Wait."

I glanced down. Her grip was firm. Not painful, but certainly determined.

"You need to travel with us," she announced. "Our orders are to escort you personally to the Holy City. Which means you can’t simply fly ahead and arrive without us."

I stared at her. Then slowly tilted my head. I narrowed my eyes. "Are you telling me you want me to ride a horse?"

"Yes."

I looked at her, waiting for her to laugh and tell me it was a joke. She didn’t.

"You want me," I repeated carefully, "a Royal Magus capable of flying directly to the Holy Capital, to spend the journey sitting on a horse?"

"That’s correct."

I closed my eyes. The inefficiency. The absolute, breathtaking inefficiency. I could cross the distance in a fraction of the time. But apparently, the Light Temple preferred its Royal Magus delivered through conventional transportation. "And where exactly am I supposed to get a horse?" I asked.

Vera answered immediately. "The Temple provided funds for your transportation. We can purchase one here in Lumenford tomorrow morning."

I stared at her. They’d actually budgeted for it. I lowered my hand. "Fine. I’ll ride with you."

Her shoulders visibly relaxed. "Thank you for your cooperation, Sir Valen."

"Don’t mention it." I glanced at her hand.

She immediately released mine. "Oh. My apologies."

I opened the door. "Good night, Captain."

"Good night, Lord Valen."