"A god?"
Many people have their forehead bulged, and even Nemhil's tense complexion faltered slightly, looking at Royd with a strange look. How come she didn't realize there was someone so... Unique?
"Royd, I've told you multiple times. Do not fool around!"
"Royd! Don't stay here any longer. I know you don't mean what I interpret from you, but your face was just too perverted!"
"Protect her Lady!"
Several men hurriedly strutted towards Nemhil and blocked her from Royd's view, considering him a threat to her dignity.
A few bystanders have to hold their breath tightly. It would be wrong to laugh, but this Royd, just how could anyone act so innocent with such a face?
Royd's exceptional face contorted in annoyance and anger, inviting a shiver through several men's backs. He gritted his teeth. That's all you talk about: my face!
"Damn it! How could you not believe what I said just because of my face that was given by God?! Have you seen a man part the sky with just a fist? Have you seen a man so striking and handsome? No! You never did!"
Behind the curtain of shadow, Fredrinn shivered. He involuntarily stepped back, looking at Royd with a disgusted look. It's fine if his wives said that, but you, a man with such a face, dared to say that?
"Ehem, I apologize for my intrusion on your turf, but I indeed have come to offer my help to Lady Nemhil. Greetings."
The knights were about to reprimand Royd when Fredrinn positioned himself before the barged gate and exposed himself. Wouldn't they look at him suspiciously instead if he came from the shadows out of nowhere?
"Everyone! This is the God I talked about! His esteemed one is Lord Fredrinn, and he offered his help through me!"
Royd said proudly, but before he could relish himself in praise, a knight came forward and pushed him down. Another man directly faced Fredrinn with a solemn look, having a sword ready for assault.
"Lord Fredrinn, is it? We're grateful for your help, but we don't need it. Please get lost!"
The look filled with indignant and grief was self-explanatory. Fredrinn sighed inwardly. It seems like the rumor was true. Lady Nemhil was indeed tangled in an impossible situation where only drastic measures could solve it.
Nemhil's heart jumped. She wanted to come forward and try for one last time. Perhaps if what Royd said was true, her situation could be made into something more salvageable. But an auburn-haired knight swiftly held her back by the hem of her dress and bowed deeply.
"My Lady, please permit me to handle this. My Lady has always been schemed against by many parties, and we, your knights, cannot remain at the sideline anymore. We do not wish for you to rekindle your hope only to be betrayed again. We do not wish for you to be hurt by the people you consider allies."
The knight looked at her pleadingly, and he even kowtowed, "Please, My Lady!"
"Northon..."
Nemhil bit her lips. She was truly broken by the numerous betrayals she suffered, but she had no other choices. Even if it was just a straw of hope, she would grasp it for dear life.
She knew her love for her people was the one that deteriorated the situation, and she had no excuses. She was indeed a hope-loving fool, a mindless thriver, and a foolish leader.
Perhaps if she could be ruthless like her siblings... Her heart deteriorated even more, and she grasped her dress tightly. She was a warrior and a knight, but when it came to her people, she was as feeble as a naive maiden.
"Don't worry. If you fear that I was a deserter, then I have something you could hold as a guarantee."
The tense situation was cut off by Fredrinn's voice. Seeing that he got their attention, he smiled as he brought out a certificate made out of a specially made sheet. Some people who recognized the sheet widened their eyes.
"My Lady, it seems like the rumor was true. You are indeed a Lady who loves her people. Your knight even begged you to reject my offer in fear for your well-being. I truly admire you. Unfortunately, you made several bad decisions regarding your allies in your moment of desperation, allowing them to take advantage of you."
Her knights behaved exactly how his people acted. Fredrinn could do it because of his special circumstances, but her? She didn't receive anything like he did, but her people were no less devoted than his.
All of his statements were right, and no one could refute it. Besides, Fredrinn's tone was filled with concern and regret, receiving their favorable impression. For their Lady who has been taken advantage of by many people, this is exactly what she needs to hear.
"Thank you for your concern, Lord Fredrinn. But may I ask, what can you do to help us? And just to remind you, I have several enemies who wished for my death, so if you're prepared to lend me a hand, can you handle the dirty tricks of my enemies afterward?"
Nemhil's pleasant voice was filled with anguish and sorrow. She looked at Fredrinn pessimistically.
But the man just stepped forward and gave the auburn-haired knight, Northon, a nod, "Let your Lady see this, Sir Northon."
Northon hesitated, but he was also harboring a glimmer of hope. It took a while, but In the end, he gritted his teeth as he carefully lifted the certificate and presented it to Nemhil.
Although he was brave, he also had a family of his own. There are just too many things at stake, same with every knight in this main hall... They still have something they could lose.
Nemhil's eyes turned firm as she prepared for the worst.
"M-My Lady... This..."
Northon's eyes widened as he read the name of the property of this document. His hands trembled, and he couldn't help but glance at Fredrinn.
"Lord Fredrinn is this...?"
"Indeed. I have acquired the document of ownership of the Litel Trading Site, a popular chamber of commerce a couple of dozen kilometers away, perfect for garnering resources and nurturing businesses to replace the lack of economic activities in Lady Nemhil's isolated territory. I also created a secretive tunnel enough to fit 3 caravans within the harsh mountains. This is the show of my sincerity, Lady Nemhil."
Fredrinn elaborated with an amicable smile, but he wasn't done yet!
"Lady Nemhil, when I said I admire your character, it's not just for pleasantries. So I hope this could serve as a firm foundation of our cooperation. Besides, you're so graceful, beautiful, and brave. This also concreted my decision. So although I proclaimed that I'll lend a hand, my true intention is to create a connection with you."
"Let's be allies from now, my Lady."
In the end, Fredrinn looked at Nemhil with admiration and respect. Although she was somewhat naive and foolish, proven by her numerous records of being taken advantage of by many of her 'allies', her character was worthy of praise. In this world, it's very rare to find such a character.
And there's also her tragic fate. The fact that everything seems to go against her proves that her fate is not ordinary. Who knows, perhaps she could be someone like Maltel.
"Lord Fredrinn... This is the first time someone shows so much sincerity to my Lady."
Northon took a deep breath and even kicked the knight beside him to ensure that this was no illusion. Hearing the man choked on his own snot, he sighed in relief and showed a smile for the first time in these past months. This was considered a mild reaction.
Some knights behind him even cried. Northon gritted his teeth. A bunch of embarrassments! He said as a tear slowly fell from his eyes.
However, when he glanced at his Lady, he was stunned for a moment. He then looked at Fredrinn to inspect him, and after a few ups and downs, his face was graced with a satisfied smile as he let his Lady step forward to face Fredrinn.
"Go on, my Lady. I understand."
The excited, longing, confused Nemhil couldn't help but pinch Northon's back, but the man didn't even flinch as he grinned widely.
The men did not miss this, and they glanced at each other ambiguously.
"Something seems to happen... I could feel it!"
"Could it be?"
"Not bad! Lord Fredrinn, you're so handsome! You're worthy—"
"Shut that man up and never bring him to an engagement party ever again! Remember, that guy is a snitch!"
Nemhil slowly stepped forward with the document in her hands. Her breaths were steady yet shaky as she slowly stood before Fredrinn, who smiled politely.
"My Lord... Although this was all good, there was a pressing issue that needed to be discussed. In a few days, the Outcasts will launch a desperate attack. Rumor said there would be hundreds of knights. My Lord, can you handle this?"
"If you can, then I, Nemhil, shall do anything that you ask of me."
Hearing the voice of their Lady, the excitement of the knights cooled down, and they became solemn. Their eyes held hope towards Fredrinn, who they already recognized as their Lady's partner.
Looking at the graceful Lady before him, Fredrinn's heart skipped a beat.
Still, he remained cool-headed. He just took in a wife, so to pursue another one immediately is a bit...
He stared right into her eyes and said calmly, "Words took too much time. Lady Nemhil, let's go out. I want to know if what I show you will be enough or not."
Soon, the knights and Lady Nemhil stood before a wide opening. The sun glazed the town warmly, with the chilly wind accompanying the weather. In the middle, Fredrinn stood upright, his fur cape fluttered.
He clenched his fist as he looked at the otherworldly Nemhil, who slightly smiled under his gaze. She didn't know why, but this man's presence was very reassuring as if everything would be alright.
Perhaps her mother was right all along...
"My Lady, watch."
Fredrinn thrust his fist to the sky, giving it his all, and a gargantuan, cone-shaped pressure went into the sky, blowing whatever came its way. The impact was so massive that the surrounding was blown, and if not for being a knight herself, perhaps Nemhil would already have fallen on her back.
After the impact, the sky was unnaturally clear. The clouds scattered as if something had forcefully separated them into small groups. In the middle, Fredrinn calmly watched this all with a sense of awe. This sight never gets old...
The knights almost kneeled. They stared at the Lord with fervor, as if witnessing something mythical, something inhumane and unreal.
Lady Nemhil silently watched as the Lord stood amid this all. She had never seen such a heroic figure before... Her cold heart burst out into flames. It was furiously set ablaze, and it continuously grew like an unstoppable force, forcefully occupying her heart.
She didn't realize it, but her gaze had changed. It was something tender, something... Inexplicable.
"How it is? Think that I can't handle a bunch of knights?"
Lady Nemhil felt foolish when her heart fluttered at Lord Fredrinn's confident smile.
She felt complicated and ashamed.
How could she fall so easily for such a heroic man? Granted, he saved her, was strong, was heroic, was handsome, was striking, was gentle, and was the one who was willing to help her even when she had many enemies.
Still! She couldn't be this easy! She refused to be this easy! A hint of defiance appeared in her violet eyes, but it only made her more susceptible to the scheme. At least, Fredrinn sees it that way.
"Hahahah! I knew it! Lord Fredrinn, you're truly a God!!!"
The gobsmacked, perverted-looking Royd screamed in ecstasy as he laughed out loud, running out of the main hall like crazy. A fellow knight who suppressed him earlier, not capable of resisting against his own disgust, finally relented and kicked Royd in the butt.
"Shut it! Don't show such an expression with that horrendous face!"
"What the fuck?! What's wrong with my face?!"
The knight was speechless. Look into the mirror passionately, and you'll definitely puke. That's how fucked up your face was!