Chapter 47: Funny...

(*Rem’s POV*)

It’s so funny… forcing this little girl, Selenia, to follow me. It is funny how fast I fell… I have always looked up to the Paladins. Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being part of their order. And I was able to join them after a lot of hard work.

And all for what? That position of being the leader of the Table, was mine to hold soon. The current leader didn’t like this, so he schemed against me. Getting me to take on a request of exposing Selenia of being a demon in disguise.

Whoever in the Alwessal Empire that informed us of Selenia, most likely wanted me to kill her without realizing that she wasn’t a demon at all. And Cambal got what he wanted. I was no longer a Paladin, so he could keep his damn position.

All this work, just to be played by both the empire, and Cambal. And now, here I am, holding a little girl, a blessed person, hostage. And all just so that I could have a better chance of escaping with my life intact.

Normally, what I did wouldn’t be something that would get me killed. At most, I would just not be able to be a Paladin any longer. But Cambal would surely kill me while I was in prison. After all, just because I am not a Paladin anymore, doesn’t mean that I can’t find him and get revenge.

Selenia: “What are you thinking about?” She asked with a curious tone.

Rem: “…Nothing special. I am just thinking about how I was played.” I reply with a sigh.

Selenia: “Played? Do you mean by the Empire?” She replied.

Rem: “I was played by them, and also the Table. Or rather, the current leader of it, Cambal. He ordered me to take on that request, which was a trap for both you and I.” I explain.

Selenia: “Really? That is truly unfortunate. I know that you’re a good person, Rem.” She said with a smile.

Rem: “…”

No longer adding “Paladin” before my name? That’s good… As I am not a Paladin anymore. What would the point be? Cambal had greatly extended his life with the help of some witches. For three hundred years, he has been its leader.

The Table was supposed to fight against evil and corruption. But isn’t Cambal corrupt? There is a reason why so many people want to unseat him. Cambal has many scandals, after all. Ruining the hard earned reputation of Paladins.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Selenia: “Do you want revenge?” She asked.

Rem: “Yes.” I quickly reply.

Selenia: “And what if I can give you that in time?” She asked.

Rem: “…Can you?” I ask with an unsure tone.

Selenia: “I can at least try to. First, I will have to convince Resoria and Cirilia to not kill you.” She said with a shrug.

I don’t know much about Princess Resoria, but Cirilia is well known. Hell, I have even fought alongside her once before. So I knew that I couldn’t add up to her strength and skill. If it comes down to a fight, I will not survive at all.

While thinking about this, Selenia had fallen asleep. I was amazed that she could sleep in such a situation. I haven’t slept for days at this point… It hurts to know that she trusts me so much. I did kidnap and hold her hostage, after all.

*The Next Morning.*

Selenia has secretly been leaving a trail for someone to follow us. Knowing Cirilia, running is no longer an option. At best, I can just delay them finding us. But I oddly didn’t want to hide the trail that Selenia left for them…

I knew from the first time that she left a trail that she had been doing so. I didn’t stop her at all, nor alert Selenia that I knew of her plan and actions. Deep down, it seems that I wanted to be caught in the end.

That’s just how it is. Now, even I consider myself to be evil. Evil must be purged, and I am not an exception to that rule. My only wish was that I could kill Cambal. He could sustain his young body, but his mind is already in the process of leaving him. In just a few more years, maybe just fifty, a madman will be in control of the Table…

As such, I’ve planned on threatening Selenia’s life. I will only let her live if they fulfill this last request of mine. If I am already evil, what is one more sin to add to the list? Killing is still a sin, even if those I’ve killed were evil.

Selenia: “You’re unsteady on your feet, Rem. Are you in turmoil at the moment?” She asked with a concerned tone.

Rem: “…I am.” I answer honestly.

Selenia: “I figured as such. But that was the hand that you were dealt, Rem. Now you must figure out how to survive with the few remaining cards that you have left.” She advised.

Rem: “…”

So wise for a child her age. It was no wonder why she climbed up in the world so fast. I thought that she was just a weak, privileged noble girl. But that was wrong. With her being a blessed person, the efforts that she made to get her strength and skill aren’t shown.

In fact, I was lucky that she didn’t realize this. If she tried hard enough, Selenia could break the rope binding her. She would hurt her hands in the process, but she could be freed. Once free, it would be hard for me to subdue her once again.

I used up all my sleeping powder on that ambush, after all. Even with her being a child, trying to fight a blessed person without a plan was practically suicide, but with just a few extra steps added to the process.

Selenia: “Yes, I am certain… Rem, you will make it out of this on top.” She said with a confident tone.

Rem: “What makes you so sure of this, Selenia?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.

Selenia: “I’ve figured out a reason that those two will accept. Then, all you will have to do is count up the days until you can finally get you revenge on that man.” She replied.

Rem: “…I look forward to how you will convince them, Lady Selenia.” I say with a laugh.

Selenia was soaked in the blood of many, just like me. But I could tell that she wasn’t evil. What is and what isn’t evil is subjective. At the very least, Selenia wasn’t. Regardless of how many she has killed in her life. What will she do to convince them?…