Wrapping a loosened chain around one hand, Varkas glanced at her, his eyes moving over her from head to toe.
The look was dry and detached, as though he were inspecting the condition of an item entrusted to him.
Yet for once, anger did not rise within her.
Without realizing it, she asked in an anxious voice,
“A-Are you alright? You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”
Her trembling eyes searched him carefully.
A dark red smear of blood stained the side of his neck.
Talia reached out and touched it.
Fortunately, it did not seem to be his blood.
She released a sigh of relief.
Then a prickling sensation suddenly ran across her scalp.
Looking up, Talia found Varkas staring down at her with eyes that had widened ever so slightly.
She hurriedly lowered her hand.
His silence made cold sweat seep from every pore.
Was it absurd to him?
A woman who spent her days slapping him and throwing things at him was suddenly pretending to be concerned.
Flustered, Talia fumbled for words before muttering defensively,
“I-I’ve known you for nearly ten years. If something happened to you right in front of me, it would leave a bad omen hanging over my dreams. I don’t want nightmares because of you.”
“...Since I have no intention of appearing in Your Highness’s dreams, I suppose that is fortunate.”
His irritating reply was exactly the same as always.
For some reason, relief washed over her.
Talia let her shoulders sag. They had been so tense they were beginning to ache.
Varkas looked down at her silently, as though about to say something.
Then screams rang out again from somewhere in the distance.
Talia turned her head and sucked in a sharp breath.
The sky was filled with black monsters.
An Imperial Guard knight murmured blankly,
“Why would a wyvern flock appear at this time of year...?”
“Instead of wondering about that, bring out the extermination equipment! Your Highness, this way.”
Recovering his composure instantly, Varkas issued orders in a sharp voice, seized her wrist, and strode across the camp.
Talia hurried after him, nearly glued to his back.
The smell of blood and fire filled the air from every direction.
Chaos.
The very chaos she had waited for and wished for countless times had finally arrived.
Yet she felt no joy.
Only freezing terror coursed through her blood.
“Lord Siorcan! We’ve established a defensive barrier over there!”
Someone shouted loudly as Talia stared in horror at the monsters smashing wagons, tents, and anything else in their path.
Varkas immediately changed direction.
“You are not to leave this area under any circumstances.”
After leading the half-dazed Talia toward the center of the camp, he spoke in a firm tone.
She turned and looked around.
A group of people had gathered in front of dozens of supply wagons arranged in a long line like a wall.
“Defensive magical devices have been installed on the wagons. You will be safe if you remain here.”
“W-What about you?”
Varkas ignored the question completely and turned away.
Talia grabbed him in panic.
“Have you lost your mind? Where do you think you’re going?”
“The defensive magic will not last long. We need to eliminate the monsters before it expires.”
Varkas firmly removed her hand from his arm.
Then he ran toward the heart of the battle.
Talia stared after his retreating figure in stunned disbelief.
A moment later, she rushed after him.
“No! Don’t go! Varkas! Varkas!”