<CHAPTER 67>
I Really Hate Men Who Kill People
Redemberg’s gaze turned toward Herond.
Herond trembled as if frightened by the overwhelming demonic energy, yet he spoke clearly.
“If we leave her like this, won’t the wound worsen? We must stop the bleeding and treat her immediately!”
“Fortunately, it does not seem to be a serious injury. She only fainted from shock, so she will regain consciousness soon.”
“Treat her.”
Redemberg entrusted Ehilie to Herond.
If he tried to treat her himself, he might end up hurting her instead.
“That crow… was also a subordinate of the Demon King…?”
Gabriel muttered in confusion.
“Just how far are you planning to deceive Miss Ehilie?!”
His anger did not reach Redemberg.
Because Redemberg was not in his right mind.
He had only regained his senses briefly when he handed Ehilie over for treatment.
His chillingly emotionless eyes turned toward Gabriel.
‘I should kill that one too.’
Black demonic energy surged toward Gabriel.
But the power of the Holy Sword barely managed to block it.
Redemberg slowly bent down and picked up a blood-soaked sword lying nearby.
If magic did not work, then he would simply cut him down.
The swords clashed.
“What kind of strength is this…”
Gabriel’s arm trembled faintly as he blocked the strike.
Redemberg attacked relentlessly.
Sword strikes infused with demonic power poured down like heavy rain.
There was no concern for defense, only violent intent to kill.
Slash—
Blood splattered violently, staining his pale face and lashes.
Even so, Redemberg did not blink, swinging his sword mechanically.
Already exhausted from fighting numerous enemies, Gabriel reached his limit.
Boom!
Unable to deflect the force, Gabriel was thrown into a tree.
“Ugh!”
Even then, he did not drop his sword.
He staggered, trying to stand.
But Redemberg was faster.
In an instant, he leaped forward and aimed his blade at Gabriel’s throat.
Just as he was about to thrust—
“R-Rek…”
Light slowly returned to his unfocused red eyes.
“Stop!”
Slender arms wrapped around his waist.
The scent of grass filled the air.
It was Ehilie.
Her trembling voice barely held his fractured sanity together.
“Mr. Gabriel is not with those people. He actually saved me.”
Savior or not,
he failed to protect Ehilie.
So he should die.
“So please… calm down, Rek.”
Calm down.
Yes, if Ehilie told him to calm down, then he should.
To calm down, he had to kill.
When Redemberg still did not lower his sword, Ehilie cried out desperately.
“Rek, I told you I hate violent people!”
Around them lay horrifying piles of flesh.
The area was drenched in blood.
“Ugh!”
Ehilie shut her eyes tightly and vomited.
‘Gabriel must have wiped them all out while I was unconscious.’
She realized just how powerful he was.
‘Earlier, he held back because I was awake.’
She felt grateful for his consideration.
If she had seen this earlier, she would have fainted immediately.
“Lady Ehilie! Are you alright?”
“I-I’m fine… Hah… more importantly, Mr. Herond, why is Rek attacking Mr. Gabriel…?”
Though her words were incomplete, Herond understood perfectly.
“W-well… I believe there has been a misunderstanding!”
“A misunderstanding?”
“H-he must have thought that man was with those who threatened you!”
“Ah, I see… but then why is Rek overpowering Mr. Gabriel?”
“T-that is… because he used all his strength to protect you earlier! And His Highness is also highly skilled in swordsmanship!”
‘So that’s why. No wonder he wasn’t intimidated even against Mikhail Luminous’s knights.’
This was no time to admire.
Ehilie staggered to her feet.
‘I need to stop Rek right now!’
And that led to the current situation.
“Mr. Gabriel, are you alright?”
Gabriel struggled to stand, looking exhausted.
His blue eyes twisted painfully at the sight of the bandage on Ehilie’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Miss Ehilie. I failed to protect you properly.”
“No. You held back because of me.”
“What?”
“You only used minimal strength earlier so I wouldn’t be shocked, right? I saw it. I knew you were strong, but I didn’t realize you were strong enough to wipe them out instantly.”
Though it was somewhat brutal for a hero.
In the end, it was to protect her.
Ehilie sincerely thanked him.
“No, that’s not—”
As Gabriel hesitated, Rek cut in.
“Thank you for protecting my wife, Hero.”
His stiff, awkward tone sounded like he was reading from a textbook.
Ehilie burst into laughter.
“Rek, what was that? You sound like a robot!”
“Ah, right. That doesn’t exist here. I’ll explain later at home.”
Strangely, the fear from earlier had vanished.
‘Maybe because Rek is here… I’m not scared at all now.’
Though her body was battered, her heart felt at ease.
A large hand touched her forehead.
“Ehilie, you still have a fever.”
“Ah, but I feel better than before.”
Despite her words, Rek removed his jacket and wrapped it around her.
His eyes were filled with worry.
“Your shoulder… how is it? Are you dizzy? How did your hand get injured? Is there anywhere else that hurts—”
“Rek, calm down. I’m really okay. Mr. Herond treated me well, and my shoulder doesn’t hurt. See? My voice is fine too. If I rest well at home, the fever will go down quickly.”
He stared at her silently before letting out a slow breath.
His heavy breathing trembled slightly.
“I was very scared. I thought something had happened to you.”
A shiver ran through him.
Redemberg flinched.
But this was not violence.
Killing those who harmed Ehilie was only natural.
He had to kill them.
“More than anything, I really hate men who kill people!”
‘Ah?’
Strength instantly left Redemberg’s hand.
Clang.
The sword fell to the ground.
‘She hates men who kill people…’
Redemberg thought about how many people he had just killed.
He had not counted.
But what was done could not be undone.
The dead could not be brought back.
Seeing the fallen sword, Ehilie let out a sigh of relief.
What was this situation the moment she regained consciousness?
She retraced her memories.
“Lady Ehilie! Are you awake?”
The first thing she saw was Herond, looking distressed.
Her shoulder was bandaged, and the pain had lessened.
‘But why is Mr. Herond here?’
Her confusion was brief.
The sound of clashing blades made her turn her head.
There, Rek was attacking Gabriel.
‘What? What happened?’
The horrifying scene came into view.
Trees were cut down, and the ground was torn apart as if by an earthquake.
“I should never have sent you alone to such a dangerous place… this is all my fault.”
He even began blaming himself.
Seeing him like that hurt her heart.
She wondered how to calm him down.
After a moment, she slowly opened her arms.
“Rek, hug me.”
“…What?”
His shaking red eyes froze.
Then, with utmost care, he lifted her into his arms.
Thump, thump.
She could hear his steady heartbeat.
Burying her face in his chest, she spoke gently.
“I’m sorry for worrying you. I’m okay now. It’s all over.”
“I will never leave your side again.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I promise.”
His red eyes shimmered with complex emotions.
Sadness and relief intertwined.
Slowly, his lips drew closer.
‘Huh?’
Ehilie instinctively closed her eyes.
But instead of lips, something else touched her.
His slightly stiff, blood-dried hair brushed against her cheek.
“I love you, Ehilie. I cannot live without you.”
His desperate voice made her chest tighten.
She could tell those words were not exaggeration.
Gently stroking his hair, she whispered.
“Me too.”
How could she not love a man who clung to her as if his life depended on it?
Watching the emotional reunion unfold before him, Gabriel wondered whether he should step forward and remind them that he was still there.
