Chapter 475: The Dragon who Deceives

「I see. You look a lot like that damn Saint…Altia. 」

Silvery eyes emerged from behind the green clothed male, staring fixedly at the gold-eyed person. Caria reflexively distorted her lips upon seeing that person. Her eyelids twisted violently, and her heart pounded aggressively. Just looking at that damn Saint made her body jump in alarm.

The gold-eyed person was shaken by Caria’s state and spoke in a panic.

「No, you’re wrong! I’m not Altia, I’m not that monster, okay!? 」

She had brilliant golden eyes and flowing, glossy hair of the same color. Her lips were lively, and her shoulders looked small. It didn’t look like she could hold a sword. The shape of her legs didn’t look like she had been riding a horse either.

It was an extremely familiar sight for Caria. The Great Temple of Flimslat. Saint Ariene of the Great Holy Church had said that happiness and salvation were in her hands. The woman who stood before her looked like a living copy of that wicked Saint.

Except for her attitude.

「…You speak as if you know Altia. Hmm? 」

「Gyah!? 」

The woman screamed in fear when Caria narrowed her eyes and spoke with a low voice. Large tears were welling up in her beautiful golden eyes, and the way she sat on the ground as if her legs had given out made her look much more fragile than Caria had thought.

The behavior she displayed at the Great Temple was nowhere to be found. Even her way of speaking was different, as if she were a totally different person.

To be honest, Caria couldn’t believe that this woman was the Holy Saint Ariene of the Great Holy Church or the Savior of Humankind Altia. Of course, her appearance couldn’t be denied, but her attitude proved otherwise. Caria couldn’t understand the meaning behind this foolish behavior.

In that case, Caria decided to listen to what this woman had to say a little more.

Caria believed that she’d fall into defeat if she couldn’t see the reason based on just one assertion. It wasn’t good to dismiss strange events straightaway. Whether this woman was an enemy or not, she was going to find out.

After all, this was something that Caria had learned from Lugis. Caria placed her hand on her chin and looked at Lugis from the corner of her silver eyes.

Lugis’ pupils were wide open, revealing his apprehension. He never let go of the lightning purple sword for even a moment, giving off an aura similar to that of a ferocious beast.

In short, Lugis wasn’t calm at all. Caria let out a deep sigh from her chest.

Perhaps, it was the effect of seeing Filaret being kidnapped right before his eyes, but Caria knew that Lugis had become somewhat unstable recently. He had lost his aloof attitude to put it in a positive way. Though, he had lost his composure to put it in a negative way. He must have been forcing his emotions throughout the march.

And now this strange occurrence has happened. It wouldn’t be surprising if he was becoming mentally unstable. Caria’s teeth chattered in her mouth, and she glared at the gold-eyed woman before her.

「What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that? I’m not tasty, you know!? 」

「…As if I’ll boil you and eat you. Lugis, this is a great time to rest, so let’s rest a little. 」

Caria spoke as she caught sight of the frightened and confused golden figure. Lugis still held his sword towards the strange person looking like Ariene, however he shrugged his shoulders as if he had given up since Caria continued to stare at his profile.

「I got it. Okay, I got it. Ah…this isn’t like you, Caria. Showing pity is not your best trait. 」

「You idiot. Stop talking and rely on your shield a bit more. 」

Caria’s cheeks didn’t relax even though she said those lighthearted words. Caria’s whole body was still convulsing with a type of irritation even after she saw Lugis take a step back and sit down.

Frustrating. That was the word that best described what was going through Caria’s mind.

If Lugis was unstable, then it was her role to support him. It felt good to be relied on. But Caria couldn’t hide her irritation from somewhere completely different. She even felt as if her insides were being torn apart.

After all, the cause of Lugis’ wavering emotions was something other than herself. Lately, it felt as if something had tied his chest, bound him with a rope. Lugis couldn’t think of anything else.

Caria knew that. It was only natural that he was anxious about Filaret’s safety. But that was a different story.

Caria knew that Lugis still yearned for the person he loved.

The fact that the destination of his worries wasn’t directed towards her was enough to irritate her very being. Caria sharpened her silver eyes and asked the name of the gold-eyed person.

「Um, well…that’s right. Shad, yes, my name is Shad! 」

It was a fake name. Caria nodded, understanding that foul play. No one would hesitate before mentioning their own name. That golden figure’s eyes were even flickering from side to side.

Caria’s long eyelashes lowered as she spoke.

「So, Shad. I heard that you asked for help. Why? 」

In the end, what Caria wanted to know was the hidden purpose of the woman who called herself Shad. Why did she act as if she had fled, and then deliberately asked for their help?

It would be too childish if it were a trap. Her act would be seen through.

After all, Shad was no village girl no matter how hard she tried to act as one. From Caria’s perspective as a giant, it was clear at first glance that Shad wasn’t also a daughter of an aristocrat.

Shad thought for a few seconds and then said.

「…An evil dragon called Vrilligant has appeared in the east. I can’t defeat it on my own. So it’s only natural that I would ask for help from someone stronger! 」

Shad spoke with a dignified manner. How could she be so confident when asking for help?

Caria didn’t think her words were true either. Caria lowered her eyelashes again and closed her eyes for a moment. Her vision went dark, and she couldn’t see anything. All she could hear was the sound of her own breath.

But she felt one thing even in the midst of all that. It felt like her skin was burning. A chill ran down her spine.

…It was an overwhelming aura of demonic power. An evil presence that could consume an ordinary person with just a glance.

The source of that evil presence belonged to the woman who called herself Shad. She had a human shape, but she wasn’t human. She probably wasn’t even trying to hide the fact that she had a demonic aura.

It was no good. Caria thought honestly. Her long fingers stroked her beautiful lips.

As expected, the hidden purpose of the woman who called herself Shad and why she was here remained unknown. Still, Caria came to one conclusion.

No matter how suspicious it was, no matter how strange it was. Caria found no reason not to kill her here. That woman could become a danger to Lugis.

There was no other way.

Caria put her hand on the dark scarlet sword at her side. Her fingers wrapped around the hilt, and her waist and elbow were aligned in a straight line. Caria could already see the scene where she decapitated Shad’s neck.

Caria decided to kill her. She would definitely kill her here. Even if she had the advantage now, it would only take an instant for the tide to become disadvantageous.

Caria believed there was nothing she couldn’t kill, no matter how great or evil it could be. And she was Lugis’ shield. She had an obligation to fulfill that role.

「You’ve come to kill Vrilligant, right? If so, I want your protection. I’ll tell you what I know. 」

As Shad said this, Caria made the dark scarlet sword run in the air. Sparks scattered through its path, but a voice stopped its momentum the moment the blade began to engulf the air.

「…Lady Caria. She isn’t lying. That person is truly seeking help. 」

Caria turned around to see Leu, with only her face and feet sticking out from under the blanket. It was no longer clear whether she was walking or rolling.

「If she is seeking help, then we should help her, Lady Caria. 」

Leu spoke from under the blanket. For a moment, Caria coldly hardened her eyelids, but then she saw Lugis’ face, who was standing next to Leu.

After that, Caria sighed loudly and put her sword back into its sheath. Then, she said…

「You said your name is Shad, right? 」

「…Yes, that’s right, Shad. But you can call me whatever you like. 」

Caria was unable to react for a moment because of that childish fake name. After a second, Caria said with a distorted expression.

「Okay, I’ll listen to your story. But don’t lie anymore. If I sense just one lie slip out of your mouth…」

Caria looked straight into Shad’s eyes.

「…I won’t let you live. I swear on my pride. 」

Shad’s pale face and body froze as she nodded.

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Shad is truly a silly character…I don’t think its wise to have such a scaredy-cat as a comrade.

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