TRWTVPS 10

Chapter 10

Erin had never been acknowledged by any of Ferdin’s knights in her previous life.

No—it wasn’t even about acknowledgment. They had always looked at her with hatred in their eyes.

Amon, Lilia, and all the other knights who weren’t present here—they all hated her and wanted her dead.

But because of Ferdin, they couldn’t act on it.

This time, Erin resolved never to shake their loyalty again. She would rather have them direct all their hatred solely at her.

“A knight who only knows how to talk, I see.”

Karon, who stood behind Erin, widened his eyes in shock at her words. But he quickly came to his senses and reached out to stop her.

Karon had provoked Amon because he was confident he wouldn’t lose easily in a fight. But Erin was different.

If Amon were to challenge her to a duel, she wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Countless thoughts flashed through Karon’s mind.

Now that Erin had become a trainee knight, it would be difficult for him to interfere or fight in her place.

But before he could act, she easily avoided his hand.

Then, in a smooth, flowing motion, she grabbed his wrist in an instant.

Karon couldn’t help but be shocked. He couldn’t understand how Erin had managed to catch his hand.

He hadn’t even been able to read her movement at all.

The other knights also seemed to feel something strange about her movement. Whispered murmurs spread among them.

“Did you see that just now?”

“I did.”

“Really? I didn’t see anything.”

“It wasn’t anything special. Anyone could do that.”

Their conversation was cut short when Amon began emitting a thick killing intent toward Erin.

Grinding his teeth, he spoke to her—each word laced with hostility.

“…You want to die?”

At Amon’s question, Erin almost wanted to say that there had been a time when she did.

When Lilia had tried to kill her in the past, she had wished to die as atonement for everyone.

If her death could ease the sorrow of those who had lost their loved ones, she would have gladly given up her life.

But that would have been a deception toward Lilia. Erin’s death could never replace them.

That was why, in this life, she intended to survive no matter what.

Even if she had to crawl through the mud, she would survive—take revenge on the one who killed Calypse, and tell Lilia the truth.

She would restore what Ferdin had lost because of her. And if, after learning the truth, Lilia still hated her, then she would either die by her hand or quietly disappear.

After all, it was true that Calypse had died because of her.

She wasn’t afraid of death.

She had already experienced death three times.

So Amon’s question—“Do you want to die?”—didn’t stir any emotion in her.

The one who reacted instead was Karon.

Unable to hold back, he released his killing intent toward Amon and reached for his sword.

Even the surrounding knights tensed at the intensity of it.

Erin tightened her grip on Karon’s hand.

She glanced at him once, then looked forward again.

Amon still stared at her with eyes full of contempt.

“Sir Amon, you shouldn’t say things like killing so lightly.”

Erin said calmly as she met his gaze.

It looked as if molten lava burned within his eyes, as though it might scorch her.

“Especially if you can’t follow through with your words.”

At her words, Amon felt his anger rise to the very top of his head.

“…Are you saying I can’t kill you?”

Murder was a grave crime.

But if it occurred within an honorable duel, it was not considered a crime.

Which meant—even if she died during a duel, the Rissus Marquis family couldn’t hold him accountable.

Looking at Amon, Erin spoke calmly.

“Knights do not fight with words. If you have a problem with me, draw your sword.”

Her eyes shone with unwavering resolve.

As if she truly were a knight.

That attitude twisted Amon’s insides.

How dare a murderer speak of knighthood? One who knows nothing of honor cannot become a knight.

And Erin Rissus was the furthest from a knight among everyone present.

Gritting his teeth, Amon glared at her.

If she wished to be treated as a knight, then so be it.

“If you want to die that badly, I’ll grant your wish right now.”

Tension thickened between Erin and Amon.

“That won’t be allowed.”

At that moment, a clear yet gentle voice suddenly cut through the air.

Everyone turned toward the source.

Erin slowly shifted her gaze as well.

There stood Lady Asili.

A beauty with long golden hair swept to one side and a serene face.

Someone loved by all. The Saint of the Lecsia Empire. And the woman who had once been Ferdin’s lover.

With her appearance alone, the atmosphere changed.

Derek, who had been observing the situation, approached her first and supported her.

Because of the overwhelming divine power within her, she was often ill. Yet despite that, she never missed the annual monster subjugations.

That was because she was destined to lead the Lecsia Empire as its Saint.

“My lady, it’s cold—why did you come out?” Derek asked.

She gave a faint smile.

“There seemed to be some disturbance.”

Lady Asili quietly scanned the surroundings.

Amon spoke bluntly.

“My lady, why can’t we duel right now?”

Even Amon, who could be somewhat unruly, didn’t dare act freely toward her.

“That is…”

As she began to speak, Lady Asili turned her head—and met Erin’s eyes.

At that moment, her pupils flashed, then rapidly contracted.

In her previous life, Erin had never once faced Lady Asili directly.

They had always remained inside their carriages, and Erin had deliberately avoided her as well.

After that, Lady Asili had died during a monster subjugation, so they never had the chance to meet.

In other words, this was their first encounter across both lives.

So this is what she’s like, Erin thought as she observed her.

She was indeed someone worthy of being Ferdin’s lover.

After the Saint’s death, people had hated Erin even more.

Erin still couldn’t forget the moment when the Duke of Asili came to her after his daughter’s death.

That man, known for his cold demeanor, had been consumed with rage as he shouted at her.

“It was you… You killed her.”

“This is the result of someone who knows nothing of a knight’s honor daring to call herself a knight. Erin Rissus, look carefully at what your actions have caused!”

It wasn’t entirely wrong.

Even if it hadn’t been intentional, did that mean she was free of guilt?

If she had honestly admitted that she was weak and powerless, would their anger have subsided?

Through several lifetimes, Erin had always wondered.

Ferdin had chosen her life over Lady Asili’s.

If, in that moment when the monsters attacked, he had tried to protect the Saint, he could have saved her.

That was why Erin understood the Duke’s rage.

Remembering the past made this reunion feel uncomfortable even in this new life.

‘This time, I won’t let it happen.’

Thinking so, Erin touched the sword at her waist.

“Why are you…?”

Lady Asili stared at Erin with wide, disbelieving eyes.

Erin had expected to be blamed for the breakup between her and Ferdin.

But her reaction was completely different from what Erin had imagined.

Supported by Derek, Lady Asili suddenly rushed toward Erin.