The unexpected answer drew a smile from Nolan as he sat on the edge of the bed.
Then, with a trace of apology, he said to the princess,
"My apologies, Your Highness. I don't intend to die here, and I don't intend to abandon Trina—just as I would never abandon Your Highness."
If Godwyn's body had truly been sent into the tree's roots, then Miquella's carefully prepared soul-summoning plan would likely end in failure. Even so, Nolan didn't believe he would simply fall here.
And if he were to bow out in a desperate battle against a Demigod, there was something almost epic about it. The thought stirred a strange excitement in him.
"You wouldn't abandon me?"
Ranni's voice sounded suddenly.
Her keen perception seized at once upon the words she considered crucial.
After a brief silence, she asked softly,
"Am I that important?"
That sounded… odd.
Nolan paused for a moment, then broke into a bright smile.
He wasn't a fool. He wouldn't say something like that to someone he didn't care about. That had to be a good sign. He nodded.
"Of course you are. How could you not be important?"
The question he tossed back was like a stone dropped into still water, sending ripples outward and leaving Ranni momentarily at a loss.
Once spoken, words carry responsibility.
Especially the kind that should never be said lightly.
Now, the Empyrean who had long resolved to cast aside all worldly ties found herself caught in quiet conflict before this knight whose heart burned with sincerity.
She did not know how to answer. Nor did she know how to bear what such words implied.
From the Haligtree to Liurnia, and from Liurnia back to the Haligtree, she had let the knight come and go as he pleased without reproach. That too had sprung from this same hesitation.
If she forced him to remain by her side, could she truly give him the ending he hoped for?
Ranni had no confidence in that.
So in the end, she chose silence and did not stop him from leaving.
"You will fulfill our promise, won't you?"
Ranni suddenly spoke again, her beautiful eyes fixed on the knight before her.
Promises… Trina, Sellen, Ranni, Malenia. My mouth really does move fast. A king of promises—fitting enough.
Nolan sighed inwardly. Before he realized it, he had made far too many vows to far too many people.
"I will. Please rest assured. I don't break my word."
He looked utterly serious, though his mind was racing, wondering how to leave a deeper impression on her.
Ranni let out a soft laugh.
"Speaking of which, Miquella does love making promises. Have you made any with him?"
The question came abruptly, yet Nolan showed no trace of panic.
His expression remained calm as he shook his head without hesitation.
"No."
Good thing she asked about Miquella. The promise of the so-called king of vows was with Trina. What did that have to do with him?
As always, a straight man's backbone does not bend. He had withstood Gwyndolin—how could he yield to someone like Miquella?
Seeing how decisively Nolan answered, Ranni paused slightly, then a gentle smile bloomed across her face.
"Very well. Then I shall wait patiently."
That was it?
Nolan had expected her to press further. Instead, he could only sit there with a helpless expression. For all his experience, he still had to admit—
A woman's heart truly was the hardest thing in the world to fathom.
Just then, Malenia and Leda had already reached the door.
The main street blazed with torchlight, turning night into sudden day.
Hundreds of bewildered soldiers from Shaded City lined both sides of the road, doing their best to maintain order.
Their lord, blinded by love, had long since issued strict commands. None of them dared slacken for even a moment.
As they watched the three knights depart, the soldiers kept their heads down. They knew their place and would not ask questions they had no right to ask.
"So soon?" Nolan looked out toward the scattered lights flickering across Shaded City in the distance.
The streets stood empty. Only the faint clatter of armor echoed through the alleys, adding to the loneliness.
"Your Highness, we're setting out."
"Mm. Go."
Ranni gave a slight nod, her expression unusually serious.
"Though I do not know where your confidence comes from, since I have entrusted my power to you, it is yours to use as you see fit."
Her tone carried weight. Even the wolfman who had just returned to report felt the heaviness in the air.
Blaidd stared at his princess in confusion.
Ever since the Dark Moon Knight left Liurnia some time ago, Ranni had seemed different.
Even after waking from her slumber, she rarely left her chambers, sitting quietly in her high-backed chair.
At times she smiled. At times she looked stern. Occasionally, a faint trace of shyness would cross her face.
But more often, like now, she sat upright with an unmistakable look of anticipation.
"Don't worry."
With a clear, easy laugh, Nolan adjusted his armor and followed the others out.
Ranni let out a soft sigh and rose slowly from the intricately carved chair, stretching her stiff limbs.
Watching it all felt strangely immersive, as though she were living through it herself.
Like the undercurrents surging within this silent tower.
Like the quiet, lonely town lingering in her mind.
A knight clad in white stepping into firelight, walking willingly toward the schemes of the Dynasty of Blood. His resolve almost felt unreal.
Blaidd, who had remained by her side, slowly approached.
The sharpness in his eyes softened as he looked at Ranni like an elder brother, finally choosing his moment to speak.
"Your Highness, what is troubling you? You seem weighed down."
Ranni lifted her head slightly. A faint smile flickered across her face before her calm returned.
"It's nothing. I just saw someone about to do something rather interesting. It put me in a slightly better mood."
Blaidd had grown up by her side. It took him only a moment to understand who she meant.
"Nolan Bethel? What is he up to now? Don't tell me he was rejected by Miquella again and slunk back like a stray hound."
Blaidd frowned, irritation edging into his voice.
"Betrayal is disgraceful. Strip him of his knighthood this time. Let him start over as a common soldier under Raziel."