In This Life, I Will Be Your Dog - Chapter 39

The Valensis knights, their mouths hanging open in shock, were completely ignored as Bellona walked toward the Imperial knights.

The knights turned pale as if they had seen the very messenger of death, trembling in fear. They had witnessed her monstrous skills during the vice-commander’s trial, and now, after seeing her brutal side on full display, it was no wonder they were utterly terrified.

Bellona looked down at the knights—who had once been her subordinates—with a cold gaze, and in a frosty tone, she asked, “Where’s the horse?”

“Th-there, in the forest….”

“Bring it.”

Without hesitation, one of the knights darted off, seemingly forgetting that Bellona held the rank of a mere knight. In no time, he returned with the horse, handing the reins to her respectfully.

“Put Ether on it.”

The remaining knights, eager to save themselves, rushed over to the unconscious Ether. But when they saw the gruesome sight of his severed arm, they hesitated, finding it difficult to stomach. None of them had any real battlefield experience, so seeing such a sight had their legs trembling.

Reluctantly, they hoisted Ether’s large body onto the horse, grimacing as they worked. At least they weren’t vomiting, Bellona thought—they weren’t entirely useless.

She snatched a mask from one of the knights’ hands and used it to bind Ether’s severed arm. Then, looking at the remaining knights, she spoke calmly, “The only reason you’re still alive is that I’m giving you a chance.”

A chance? The knights exchanged bewildered looks, unsure of what she meant.

Bellona’s next words were dangerous, something that could be considered treasonous. She said them without hesitation, “Those who wish to serve His Highness the Prince, stay here. Those who would rather be the lapdogs of the imperial family, go back with Ether.”

The knights blinked in disbelief at the unexpected choice laid before them, glancing anxiously at one another.

“The choice is yours, but you’ll be responsible for the consequences. Today, I’ll let you go without harm, but if we meet again as enemies, there will be no second chances.”

For a moment, they were paralyzed with indecision. Then, one knight suddenly stood up. “I’ll follow Sir Bellona!”

“Me too! I’ll follow Sir Bellona as well!”

“I will too!”

As if sparked by the courage of one, the others began to rise one by one, declaring their allegiance to Bellona.

Of course, she knew not all of them were sincere. Some were simply afraid of death and were going along with the flow. But it didn’t matter to her. This was just a little game aimed at Impes.

Finally, one knight, trembling with fear, remained seated. He spoke with a terrified expression, “I’ll return….”

She knew this knight well—he had always been one of Ether’s closest lackeys. In this life too, he chose to remain loyal to his superior.

One day, they would meet again as enemies. But for now, Bellona had no desire to kill a knight who still possessed some semblance of loyalty. Besides, someone had to bring Ether back.

“As soon as you return, report everything you saw and heard today to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Th-then Sir Bellona, you—”

“You and I are enemies now. Why are you worried about me?”

“…Understood.”

Bellona turned her back on him coldly and ordered the knights still standing around, “From now on, we head to the Grand Duchy of Camirus. Surrender your swords and retrieve the horses you came on.”

“Our swords…?”

“How could I possibly trust you when just moments ago, you were trying to kill me?”

“T-that’s…”

“I’ll test your loyalty again when we reach the Grand Duchy. If you don’t like it, leave now.”

The knights, still hesitant, quickly ran off into the woods. They returned with their horses and handed over their swords without complaint.

“Where should we put them?”

“Load them into the luggage compartment.”

The knights hurriedly placed their swords in the carriage’s storage and regrouped. Bellona nodded in approval, and they mounted their horses, ready to depart.

Only then did Bellona turn and approach the Valensis knights. Still looking like they had seen a ghost, the knights quickly averted their eyes, coughing nervously.

“We’ve wasted too much time. Let’s go.”

“Yes!”

The large knight who had previously sneered at her with disdain quickly responded with newfound respect.

Bellona glanced at Rondo before climbing into the carriage. As she did, the others finally relaxed, smiling with relief.

***

Akon burst into Caelus’s office, out of breath and barely able to contain himself.

“The Imperial Order is in an uproar!”

“Why?”

“It’s… it’s the Crown Prince! He sent Imperial knights!”

“To where?”

Caelus, busy writing the last of his reports to the emperor, responded indifferently, not fully grasping the gravity of the situation.

But then Akon dropped the bombshell. “They attacked Sir Bellona’s carriage!”

Crash!

The pen in Caelus’s hand snapped cleanly in two.

His eyes sharpened dangerously, and Akon quickly relayed everything he had heard. “Luckily, our side seems to be fine. But the real issue is with the Imperial Order.”

“What do you mean?”

“Sir Ether came back with his arm cut off.”

“What?!”

“And out of the ten knights that were sent, only two returned—including Sir Ether.”

“Are the rest dead?”

When Caelus pressed for details, Akon hesitated, then cautiously answered, “Well… apparently, the rest of them went with her to the Grand Duchy.”

“…Ha! Unbelievable. I knew she was extraordinary, but this is beyond my expectations.”

Akon, still stunned, glanced at the broken pen in Caelus’s hand.

“Could you do something like that?” Caelus asked.

“What?”

“Could you spare enemies sent to kill you?”

“I’d slaughter every last one of them. Why would I let them live?” Akon puffed out his chest, almost offended by the suggestion.

Caelus’s mouth twitched, a glimmer of amusement passing over his features. “Exactly. And yet, she not only spared them but made them her subordinates—all while being just a knight herself.”

“I don’t like it. Betrayers will always betray again. What’s stopping them from doing it a second time?”

“They won’t dare.”

Akon frowned at Caelus’s confident response.

“After witnessing her swordsmanship, they wouldn’t even dream of betraying her.”

“How skilled is she, exactly?”

“If you’re curious, why don’t you go to the Grand Duchy and find out for yourself?”

She’ll still be a knight until the wedding, after all.

Akon scowled, clearly dissatisfied with the conversation, but Caelus rose from his seat, gathering his papers into an envelope.

As he hurried out of the office, he gave a final order, “We’re leaving tomorrow morning. If we delay any longer, every mercenary on the street will have already flocked to the Grand Duchy.”

Though Caelus grumbled as he left, his face was brighter than it had been in a long time. The more he thought about her exploits, the more a smile crept across his face. Yet, even as he smiled, he muttered to himself.

“I gave her that sword to protect herself, and she’s out here collecting men with it…”

His expression soured, but his lips remained curled in a grin he couldn’t quite hide. Hearing that she had been just as remarkable as in the past filled him with pride.

That’s the Goddess of the Sword.

The sword he had always coveted had finally come into his possession, and the thought brought him a sense of satisfaction. But even so, his resolve remained unchanged.

He still intended to make her pay. He hadn’t forgotten the bitterness of their past.

Caelus’s brisk pace slowed until he came to a stop, his gaze drifting toward the sky.

Where is she now?

“If I leave early tomorrow, maybe I can catch up to her.”

His longing eyes scanned the clear blue sky before his face hardened as he turned toward the imperial palace. Unconsciously, he felt as though his heart had been split in two.

He could never forget that day. The emotions etched into him then were anger and resentment. But now, with her reappearance, his emotions had shifted to longing and worry.

He was conflicted, torn between opposing feelings.

What do I want from Bellona?

A sword? A woman? Or simply revenge?

Back then, he had never desired anything more from her. He had only ever admired her as a knight.

But this time… what had changed?

Was it that he had crossed a line he shouldn’t have? That he couldn’t resist his desire?

“Hah. It’s pathetic either way.”

Caelus dragged a hand over his face, gazing absently at the documents in his hand.

Tomorrow, he would leave the palace where he had been born and raised and become the ruler of a foreign land. Soon, he would have to risk his life in battle to reclaim this empire.

Yet, in the midst of all this, his mind was consumed by thoughts of only one person.

Bellona Riknis.

It was as if the very reason he had come back to life was because of her. Suppressing a bitter laugh, Caelus resumed walking.

At least he could inform his father of his upcoming marriage. Though it wouldn’t be a happy one.

With a wry smile, he quickened his pace.

No matter how much he tried to deny it, Caelus’s heart was now racing toward one person. He wanted to leave the palace and go to her as soon as possible. Perhaps if he saw her, this gnawing feeling in his chest would subside.

Once he became aware of his feelings, they grew wild, consuming him.

I want to see her. I want to hold her. I want to kiss her.

“I must be out of my mind.”