IPSC 25

Chapter 25

I swallowed hard.

Jerome’s unwavering gaze made it feel as though he could see straight through me, laying bare every thought I was trying to hide.

His blunt stare made my skin prickle, and I turned my head away to avoid his eyes.

After a brief silence, the hand cupping my foot grew more careful.

Softer. Slower.

As the awkward silence and unfamiliar sensation made my toes twitch, Jerome finally spoke.

“…How did you end up stranded?”

“I was separated from the investigation unit while acting independently. Then I ran into Sir Blair.”

Jerome let out a low sigh.

“Miss Ambervier, you need to take better care of yourself.”

He brought over a dry towel and meticulously wiped the moisture from my foot as he continued.

“As you may have already heard, the number of monsters has increased rapidly of late. The entire Empire is in a precarious state. Until you rejoin the Imperial investigation unit, it would be wise to remain with my party.”

He’s usually so quiet. Why does he get so talkative at times like this?

After drying my foot completely, Jerome applied medicinal herbs to the injured area and then took a clean bandage.

I watched him intently as he carefully wrapped my ankle.

“I think you’re a good person, Duke.”

Jerome’s hands paused for a moment.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he replied in a calm voice and resumed his work.

“I’m not that good of a person.”

“That’s true. I’ve never met anyone as prickly as you in my life.”

Well… honestly, there were times when he was downright unpleasant. Was Jerome just prickly?

Still, there was something I wanted to say to him.

“No one in this world is perfect. Everyone has good sides and bad sides.”

Even as I spoke, Jerome’s hands remained steady and gentle as he wrapped the bandage around my foot.

“You have good qualities too, Duke. You treated Sir Blair, helped me reunite with my party, taught me proper sword posture, and even helped with my treatment.”

“I merely assisted someone who was in danger. No one would simply ignore an injured person.”

“That’s exactly what makes someone a good person. You’d be surprised how many people would just look away.”

“……”

Was it just my imagination? Jerome’s movements seemed to slow even further.

“Isn’t that enough to be considered a good person? I think you could afford to be a little kinder to yourself.”

When he finished treating me, he lifted his head. His blue eyes—deeper than usual, like the sea itself—locked onto mine.

I met his gaze without looking away.

Unlike before, I didn’t feel flustered or strange.

Then Jerome slowly stood up.

“The treatment is finished. It would be best if you avoided using your foot for a while.”

He turned toward the exit of the tent, just as he always did.

“Please rest well.”

I quietly watched his back as he left the healer’s tent.

The back of Jerome’s head—something I’d often found frustrating—felt unfamiliar today.

His steady stride, his broad back as he departed in silence… there was a lingering warmth beyond it.

The reason my gaze lingered on his back didn’t feel like mere gratitude.

Because of my injured ankle, it was difficult to move around the campsite. Staying inside felt stifling, so I got up and stepped outside the tent.

In front of Jerome’s tent, he and several soldiers stood gathered around a table. They were studying a map spread across it, their expressions grave.

A meeting?

I was bored anyway—might as well watch. Since they were meeting outdoors, it didn’t seem like a problem if I listened in.

I approached close enough to hear their conversation and took a spot nearby.

Jerome’s party consisted of essential personnel for travel—healers, mages, and soldiers.

Just who were they searching for to require such elite members?

It didn’t seem like a simple missing-person case.

Since I couldn’t exactly butt into the meeting, I listened quietly.

“We searched the surrounding area, but found nothing suspicious,” a soldier reported.

Jerome responded calmly.

“It won’t be an easy place to find.”

Are they looking for a fugitive?

It was clearly someone hiding.

Jerome continued.

“We cannot rule out the possibility that it is concealed or protected by illusion magic. Search caves and ruins especially carefully.”

A cave?

Illusion magic?

That sounded exactly like the place I’d found yesterday—more precisely, the monster outbreak site the Imperial investigation unit had been searching for.

I cautiously raised my hand.

“Um, I know a place like the one you described.”

“?”

Jerome turned toward me.

“I actually went to a hidden cave with Sir Blair. There was illusion magic at the entrance—”

“Could you explain in more detail?”

Before I knew it, Jerome had already stepped right up in front of me.

That’s… really close.

Feeling awkward, I cleared my throat and took a few steps back.

“It was hidden behind a waterfall. There were monsters inside.”

“Can you tell us the location?”

His pupils were slightly dilated. There was a strange tremor in his low voice.

“Of course. But I think it’d be best to join up with the Imperial Knights first. There were wyverns, broksh, and brokshgal inside—and probably other dangerous monsters too. Wouldn’t it be safer to have more people for the subjugation?”

“I see. Then we’ll first rendezvous with the Imperial Knights—”

At that moment, a familiar voice called out from afar.

“Lady!”

It was Lowell and the Imperial Knights.

Lowell hurried over and pulled me into a tight embrace.

Wrapped in his arms, I caught the gentle, faint scent that was uniquely his.

How could such strength come from such a slender frame? He hugged me tightly and said,

“Where have you been? We searched everywhere. Do you know how worried I was?”

“M-Master?”

Startled by the sudden hug, I flailed awkwardly, unsure where to put my hands.

Only then did Lowell release me and look me over.

“You hurt your ankle. Are you all right?”

“It’s just a minor sprain. The Duke treated it for me. More importantly—how did you find me?”

“I met Sir Blair. He told me where you were.”

So he met Theodore.

I felt relieved knowing he’d safely rejoined the Paladins. He must’ve received proper treatment too.

Then Lowell approached Jerome.

“I hear you rescued Lady Aisha and treated her injuries. Thank you.”

“I merely did what was necessary.”

Jerome gave a light nod in response.

“By the way, what brings Duke Winston to the south?”

“The movement patterns of monsters in the north were unusual, so I came to investigate.”

Jerome glanced at me and continued.

“And I hear Miss Ambervier discovered something.”

“She did?”

Everyone’s attention turned to me.

The sudden focus made me a bit nervous, but drawing on my experience with corporate presentations, I spoke up.

“When I was separated, I found a cave hidden behind a waterfall. I encountered wyverns and broksh inside, but as you can see, I managed to escape safely.”

Lowell asked in shock,

“You encountered a wyvern?”

“Yes. I was unharmed thanks to Sir Blair defeating it.”

“So the temple is useful at times.”

Lowell continued, his expression serious.

“We should investigate that cave. Do you remember where it is?”

“Well… not really.”

I trailed off. I’d stumbled upon it by chance while lost, and I couldn’t remember its exact location. I didn’t even know where we were right now.

Then Jerome spoke.

“Would returning to the place where we first found Miss Ambervier suffice?”

“Oh—yes!”

“Then we can trace the route backward from there.”

Jerome Winston—well done.

You’re pretty sharp, aren’t you?

Turning to Lowell, he continued.

“May I join the investigation?”

“Of course. Our goals align, and someone of your skill is always welcome.”

Wow. That was smooth.

But then a question occurred to me.

Didn’t Jerome say he came to find someone?

The reason he gave me and the explanation he gave Lowell didn’t match at all.