19. Exposed

While leading me away from those “places where someone might pass by,” Nilu also explained to me the reason for her appearance: it turned out she was here as Kfir’s assistant to help me escape.

This wasn’t too surprising, as if Kfir was finding an excuse to delay Louis IV, I certainly needed another person to explain the situation to me. Nilu, being the one closest to Kfir and knowing my true identity, was obviously the best choice .

According to Kfir’s plan, I needed to rely on my “experience” to take Nilu to the queen’s chambers first. After that, Kfir would find a way to catch up, and then we would use the secret passage in Louis IV’s chambers that was specifically meant for escape, which had been blocked earlier due to my message delivery.

The script didn’t explicitly say this plan was impossible, so it was currently the only option. However, perhaps because of the evening event, all the guards in the palace were focused on the venue, and along the way, Nilu and I didn ‘t encounter a single person. It was no longer just good luck; it felt a bit eerie.

I had no time to think much, after all, the great Kfir was still waiting for me.

【Kfir had already arrived at Louis IV’s chambers ahead of time after shaking off Louis IV!】

Stealthily opening the door to the chamber of Louis IV, which had already been opened by Kephir, I quickly closed it after Nilu followed suit. To put it bluntly, our actions were no different from those of thieves, and now the chamber of Louise was dimly lit, with only the moonlight streaming in through the window.

Then, just as I had finally begun to adjust to the level of darkness…

Kephir, who had been waiting here all along, came crashing into me like a football tackle!

Kephir lunged straight at me, and immediately began feeling my cheek, which she had just slapped hard, with the back of her hand, all the while apologizing.

“I’m sorry, Oujilide, I had no choice just now…”

“It’s fine.”

It was just a slap that knocked me to the ground; if it could earn me a chance to escape and this kind of chaotic attention from her small hands, I would gladly take a few more slaps!

Kephir didn’t seem inclined to let it go, still “gazing at me.” Honestly, if it weren’t for Nilu watching from the side, the atmosphere was becoming a bit dangerous.

“Miss, Mr. Oujilide, we can’t afford to delay now.”

Ah, not just Nilu; now there was also the Zaun magic sword, Alsace, adding to the situation.

“Why waste time saving someone like this…”

Kephir slammed her fist down on the sword’s blade, making that foul-mouthed girl behave, and the previous dangerous “excitement” finally faded away.

“Because I’m worried that opening the passage set by my mother’s barrier might alert the mages in the palace, which is why I didn’t try before. Now that you’re all here, I’ll give it a shot.”

With that, Kephir, who seemed to know Louis IV quite well, directly pushed aside a corner of the bookshelf. After a painful sound of objects being moved, another door appeared in Louis IV’s chamber, a door I was somewhat familiar with since I had used this secret passage to sneak in and deliver messages to the queen.

Watching Kephir busily working on the magic circle on the door, I fell into deep thought.

Could it be opened? The answer was certainly yes; if the protagonist wanted to escape, could there really be a door in this world that could keep her in? But the problem was what would happen afterward…

If this time I was simply targeted by Louis IV like Tang Seng, clinging to Kephir’s leg as she saved me, that would be fine. But the issue was that Kephir was also in danger here; Louis IV held the biggest leverage over her and could easily ruin the reputation of this favored daughter at any moment.

What was worse: that queen could actually do it! In her eyes, if the situation demanded it, she wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice Kephir!

Currently, the script didn’t explicitly state that the queen wanted to “kill me,” so I could still find ways to maneuver. But if Kephir were to be targeted, she would be facing a significant crisis.

“I’ve opened it!”

At the moment Kephir exclaimed in delight, I finally spoke up.

“Oujilide, let’s hurry and leave from here…”

“Kephir, you take Nilu back first, act as if nothing happened, and don’t follow me. If I find an opportunity later, I’ll make my escape from here alone.”

The joy on her face vanished, and Kephir’s expression changed as she looked at me in confusion.

I hurriedly explained my innocence.

“It’s not because I was really deceived by Louis IV, don’t worry.”

This matter had to be kept away from Kephir; otherwise, it would put her in danger because of me. Whatever happened when I made my escape, I would bear the consequences alone, which was much easier.

“I certainly know that!”

Kephir’s confident statement left me at a loss…

“But why…?”

“Your situation with the queen is not quite what you and I thought. If you insist on taking me with you, you might find it hard to protect yourself afterward. Anyway, the passage is already open. You go first, and I’ll have plenty of chances later…”

I had already been so “tactful” in my words, and I knew that Kephir wasn’t an idiot. Yet, at this moment, she was unusually insistent about “taking me along.”

“Don’t!”

Are you a child!? You were so clever when you quickly calmed down and played along with me to avoid my annoyance. Don’t get stubborn at this crucial moment!

“Before it was impossible, but now that there’s a chance to take you away, I won’t care about the dangers on my side!”

This isn’t about whether you care or not; it’s a certainty that there will be danger! If I’m guessing right: if you sneak away with me tonight, your dear Queen Sister will label you as an accomplice to an internationally wanted criminal the next day. At that point, your script might just be…

【Louis IV seriously injured Kephir!】

Yes! It’s that dangerous! But…

Huh? This is… the script!?

“Kephir, be careful!”

I suddenly widened my eyes and quickly pulled Kephir and Nilu aside! In the darkness, a figure had silently appeared, yet despite Nilu being silent, Kephir was completely unaware due to our earlier argument!

Thank goodness the script reminded me, but now this death script seems to be coming for me!

【Louis IV conveniently dealt with Oujilide!】

I could feel the cold sensation of “death” pressing against my neck, making me feel suffocated! I also knew: once it was deemed necessary to eliminate me, Louis IV absolutely wouldn’t stop just because of some “I wanted to seduce her a few days ago” excuse!

This queen is far more dangerous than Kephir thinks!

In the next moment, that nauseating feeling suddenly faded, accompanied by the crisp sound of clashing swords. Kephir, regaining her senses, immediately retaliated against Louis IV, forcing her back and saving my life with her protagonist aura. Then, together, we watched as Louis IV spun like she was dancing, holding a jet-black slender sword drawn from the handle of her umbrella, smiling at me.

This… is clearly exposed.

“Kephir, it’s a good thing you didn’t go in while flirting with Oujilide just now~ Do you think I would leave the passage your mother blocked unattended? There’s another lock at the exit placed by another mage. If you had gone in just now and the door closed, you would have starved to death inside. This is a friendly reminder from your Queen Sister; don’t think everything is so simple.”

“Queen Sister…”

I won’t say anything more. Kephir clenched her fists, and Nilu looked at Louis IV’s sword as if deep in thought.

【The rescue operation for Oujilide has been exposed!】

【Kephir’s acting has been exposed!】

Now, we’re in trouble.

“By the way… I had this feeling before, but I didn’t expect it to be true. Kephir, Oujilide, you… have really disappointed me~”