When the massive basilisk appeared, Lowell quietly began chanting.
“Vincula naturae, serpentes ligate.”
The ground split open, and thick vines burst upward. They wrapped around the basilisk’s jaws, body, and tail all at once.
“Krrrraah!”
The basilisk struggled violently at the sudden attack.
At the commander’s signal, the imperial knights rushed in and unleashed their attacks.
Lowell and the knights moved in perfect coordination, as if they were one body. Their teamwork was flawless.
Watching them fight felt like seeing a perfectly choreographed action scene from a movie.
“Kiik! Kiiik!”
With one clean strike, the commander sliced off the basilisk’s neck. The huge body crashed to the ground.
I stared blankly until Lowell spoke.
“They’re impressive, aren’t they?”
I had only seen the imperial knights described in the game. I hadn’t expected them to fight this well.
“It’s amazing. Imperial knights really are different.”
Lowell smiled.
“Stay by my side like this for the rest of the expedition. You’ll be safe.”
Of course I would. A basilisk was nothing like snowfield spiders.
Still… it should be happening soon.
According to the game’s story, after this fight, several larger basilisks would appear. One of them would ambush me. I’d be in danger, and then the holy knight Theodore would save me.
He would heal me with holy power, and that would unlock his route.
But this time, I had no intention of following the system’s script.
In the game, getting attacked by a basilisk was whatever. But here? In this body? That would be torture.
I glanced at the fallen basilisk.
Just look at those claws. If that thing hit me, losing a chunk of flesh would be the best-case scenario.
I wasn’t even wearing armor. I couldn’t use magic. I had no defense.
Before, the basilisk had been the bridge to romance.
Now? I didn’t need Theodore’s route.
I just needed to survive.
As I firmly decided to stick close to Lowell, he suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me toward him.
His expression turned serious as he stared at the bushes.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The ground shook again, harder than before.
The knights raised their swords. Lowell began chanting.
A larger basilisk stepped out of the brush.
And then another.
And another.
Lowell tilted his head slightly.
“Basilisks aren’t creatures that move in groups…”
Their cold eyes locked onto the knights.
The commander raised his sword high, and the knights charged.
“Vincula naturae, serpentes ligate!”
More vines burst from the ground and bound the monsters.
But the basilisks tore through them in seconds.
Gasps broke out around us.
Lowell remained calm.
“Erborum rex, carcere evoca!”
This time, thorny vines erupted and wrapped around the monsters, piercing their flesh. Blood dripped from their wounds as the knights attacked again.
So this is a basilisk…
One hit from that tail would be instant death.
A shield-bearer was struck, and his shield crumpled like thin foil. Arrows bounced uselessly off their thick skin.
“Krraaaaa!”
The monsters screeched, furious.
These weren’t like the first one. They were bigger. More aggressive.
No wonder I got wrecked in the game.
Okay. I’m scared.
As the battle grew chaotic, I swallowed hard and moved closer to Lowell.
This must be when I get attacked.
With survival as my only goal, I clung tightly to his arm.
“…Lady?”
Lowell’s eyes wavered.
[Lowell Chiprian’s affection has increased by 5.]
[Lowell Chiprian – Affection: 30]
Wait.
Why is his affection going up right now?
But that wasn’t important.
Lowell’s concentration slipped. The thorn vines loosened.
The basilisks opened their jaws—
Green smoke poured out.
Lowell’s face changed.
“It’s poison gas! Everyone, cover your—!”
Too late.
The gas spread instantly. More than half the knights froze in place.
The situation flipped in seconds.
What is happening?!
This wasn’t the plan!
I just grabbed his arm because I wanted to live!
Lowell quickly chanted again.
“Aeris sacrum, veneno resiste.”
A faint barrier formed around the remaining knights, protecting them from the poison.
But it was too late for many.
More than half our forces were down.
The basilisks glared at us.
The surviving knights tightened their grips on their weapons.
Tension filled the air.
Then—
“Kieeeek!”
Just as the monsters charged—
“Sanctum vinculum, hostis ligetur!”
Brilliant holy light burst across the battlefield.
The basilisks twisted in pain under the sacred radiance.
“Kuaaak!”
Through the light, another group of knights appeared.
They wore pure white armor marked with red crosses and flowing crimson capes. They looked like warriors sent from heaven.
At the very front, a red-haired knight leapt onto a basilisk’s back with incredible speed.
With a single swing of his holy-infused greatsword, he cut off its head.
The massive head hit the ground with a heavy thud.
“Whew.”
He brushed back his flame-like red hair.
His bright green eyes sparkled with life as he looked down at the imperial knights and grinned mischievously.
“Sorry I’m late, princesses.”
Red hair. Playful smile. Easygoing voice.
I stared at him.
He added cheerfully,
“But you understand, right? The hero always shows up last.”
The tragic holy knight who would one day be burned at the stake—
Theodore Blair.
