As if responding to my motions, the suspicious rustling shadow stopped moving. Instead of approaching me, a figure ran away in the opposite direction. It was not somebody desiring a confrontation, but rather likely a spy or a lookout. I calmly undonned my weapon and examined my situation.

If I was being spied upon, I could only think of one mastermind -- it must have been the Demon Lord. The letter I received earlier, most likely from the Demon Lord himself, had clearly referred to the Amulet of Anastasis in my possession. The PS note's reference was too accurate to be a coincidence otherwise. The question was, how could he know I possessed it? For that, he must have had spies or observant tracing me all along. It was so simple and logical, and something I should have realized earlier.

I wondered why was it that I only noticed the spies just now. Were they getting more aggressive? It's possible that they were carefully observing my response to the letter, and whether or not I headed to the Lord's castle. The letter may have been a threat, implying that if I did not comply with the request for an audience with the Lord, there may be consequences. A question one would ask is what could those consequences be?

I began thinking of ways they could feasibly damage me -- what I would do if I was in their shoes. I am fairly strong, so taking me head on in a fight would be stupid. A villain sending minions after the hero never works. If it was me, I would target other valuables, such as precious objects or people. However, those things are in short supply in my case. I carry my most important valuables on me, and I don't get attached to other people. I've been fine on my own my whole life. They could burn down this entire village and I wouldn't lose that much.

But then it struck me. I did have something valuable which was not currently with me, and that was Lacerta. We normally travel together, but today I left her at the cave. This might have been what they were waiting for. I realized that must have been it, and how leaving her behind was a grievous mistake. Her skills were simply far too valuable of a resource. I couldn't afford to lose her right now.

Wasting no time, I ran through the forest back to the undead cave. I could sense a shadow tailing me the whole time, but as long as it wasn't intent on confronting me it didn't matter. I could always deal with it afterward. After several minutes I reached my destination and headed inside, looking carefully for signs of intrusions.

The first floor was untouched, the undead corpses still in the same spots where I left them. Next I checked the long hallway and the boulder trap I previously set up. It was untriggered. If somebody did pass through, they must have been quite perceptive. I was worried as I still saw no sign of Lacerta.

I finally made my way to the study room. If she was still in the cave, this would be the only place left. I looked around and yelled her name, but got no response. She was nowhere to be found.

“Damn it,” I said to myself.

I swiftly ran back outside and caught sight of the suspicious shadow once again. This was my only remaining lead now, so I couldn't let it go away. I pulled out my weapon and let out a yell.

“Come out and face me, you coward! I know you’re following me!”

It heard my proclamation and stopped moving. I could tell where it was hiding and stared directly at it. If it made a sudden break for it, I would follow it with all my speed. It realized that it had been caught.

Surely enough, it slowly came out. But the figure wasn't what I was expecting. It came forward and bowed forward, as if apologizing. It was a kobold.

“My apologies, sir knight. I did not mean to bother you.”

It was Lacerta. I sighed in relief and put away my weapon.

“Don't scare me like that. Didn't I tell you to stay in the cave? What if you had been kidnapped? You had me worried sick for nothing.”

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The lizard kept bowing in apology.

“I am deeply sorry. I stayed in the cave as you requested, but I got bored and desired to see the outside. My curiosity got the better of me and I have tailed your progress in the town. Then you suddenly started running and yelling, so I was deeply confused.”

She stood up straight and continued speaking.

“But brave knight, why were you worried about me being kidnapped? That is quite a far-fetched scenario. I have no idea what kind mental gymnastics one would go through to justify such a scheme happening.”

I couldn't help but feel she was indirectly insulting me. This isn't the first time this has happened. Back in my real-life job, my coworkers could never I understand my decisions or thinking. I hated every single one of them. I had every right to choose what I found important.

“You wouldn't understand. I'm different from normal people, and put a lot of thought into every action I take. All it means in this case is that I made a small mistake, and my worries were unfounded. Let's just leave it at that.”

The lizard put on a smile. I had no idea why my response warranted that reaction.

“Even so, this does mean one important thing. You were not deeply worried about my safety, brave knight? It brings me joy to know that just as I dearly love my brave knight, he would also love me back. I could ask for no more.”

I was tired of this charade. I decided to be blunt and tell her the truth.

“Lacerta, let's make some things clear. We are companions and nothing more than that. I don't love you and I never will. I don't love anyone. There is only one person in the world I care about, and that is myself. All I need is my hobbies and passions, the opinions of everyone else be damned. Keep this in your mind so you don't have any unwarranted expectations.”

Her face showed a sad expression.

“Do you truly not love anyone? Not friends or family?”

“No, I have no need for those. I am not like everybody else, I am not a normal person. That is my strength.”

Lacerta looked at the floor with melancholy.

“That is... a sad existence. Humans and kobolds alike are a social race. We need to be together and get along in order to survive. Being alone forever would not be a life worth living. You say you're happy, but I can't believe that. Everybody needs companionship eventually.”

My head began hurting at her reponse. Her statements were logical and almost agreeable, but something inside me couldn't tolerate it. I could never stand pretentious and overreaching philosophy like that.

“But worry not, brave knight. You are the one who saved me the grips of my evil mother and her minions. I will never forget that deed, and will repay it in full. You can count on me,” she said.

She brought her clenched hand forward, eyes filled with determination.

“I swear that just as you saved me, I will save you. I will bring light to your soul and show you the power of love. Just you wait, you may not love me now, but that will change. I will make you fall for me.”

Utterly ridiculous.

“In the first place, I don't need saving,” I said.

“That's for me to decide,” she answered.

“And second, you do realize you're a kobold, right? Your goal is absurd.”

Her smile was left unperturbed.

“Love knows no bounds. I will save you, my knight, even if it takes everything I have.”

I was baffled at her dedication to such an inane goal. I couldn't think of any worthwhile responses.

“Do whatever you want, I don't care. Lacerta, it's time to get to business. I require your magical knowledge.”

The lizard gave an honorary bow and a cutesy smile.

“Of course, brave knight. I am at your command.”