[IYFILWATIP] Chapter 45

"Do you really believe that exists?"

"Do you have proof that it doesn't? You saw the basilisk here, didn’t you? So why is everyone so certain the flower doesn’t exist?" 

"So, you came all the way here because the Emperor ordered you to find it? Are you naive, or just plain foolish? Do you really think the Emperor sent you here to find that flower? Wake up. The Emperor has sentenced you to death, whether it's a political death or a literal one..." 

"......" 

"You were sent here to die, in the most miserable way possible, so that not even your body could be recovered—whether it's being eaten by that basilisk or killed by a mercenary like me." 

"......It wasn't the Emperor who ordered it." 

Jade stopped his sarcastic comments. For the first time, the girl who had been so composed looked on the verge of tears. Her eyes reddened, and moisture gathered in her large eyes. 

Does even a crazy person like this have tears? 

Seeing her once steadfast face crumble, he felt a twinge of guilt. Softening his tone, he asked, "So you're looking for it because you need it, not because the Emperor ordered you to?" 

"Yes." 

"Why? Is someone sick?" 

"Yes, they're sick." 

"You said you have a lot of money. Why not just find a healer or doctor? There are skilled people all over the continent." 

"Only that flower will work." 

It seemed that just the act of showing tears was a blow to her pride. She bit her lip, turned away, and curled up, burying her face between her knees. Half-submerged in the water, she didn’t lift her head for a long time. Jade became more certain—she was someone of noble birth. It wasn’t her bare body she found shameful; it was her tears that she was trying to hide. 

So, who could be so important that she would come here herself? Who was she risking everything for by entering this dangerous place? Only those who have nothing to lose venture into a place like this. 

"It's impossible." 

"Then you go on thinking that. It doesn't matter. No one has ever said it was possible anyway. I'm going to keep searching." 

"Before that, you'll probably be captured and handed over to someone." 

"Don’t make me laugh. I’m not scared of you at all. The moment we get out of this forest, you'll end up handing over your sword to me. I’ll pay you far more than whoever hired you, buy off your debt, and own you." 

Jade had dismissed her words as nonsense before, but now they left him with a strange feeling. The girl seemed to be of higher status than he had thought, and her goal was so naive it was almost foolish. Somehow, these things made her ridiculous claims feel oddly believable, if only for a moment. Jade chuckled and asked, "You’re going to spend 200 million Elysia just to buy me?" 

"Isn’t that a bargain to acquire a descendant of Yuri Eclipse? I don't know if you'll be as loyal as the Flame Knight, though." 

Once again, she mocked him with his lineage, but this time, Jade didn’t get angry. He was a mercenary who sold his life for money. And if someone valued the Eclipse name at 200 million Elysia, what reason did he have not to sell it? 

"There aren't many decent mercenaries in the East. You're the best I've met so far. You didn’t abandon me and run, after all. So trust me. I’ll make sure to buy you, even if it costs 200 million Elysia." 

"......" 

"So stop thinking about turning me in and start figuring out how to get us out of this forest that the basilisk has taken over. You know this forest better than I do." 

"I don't see how that's any better. It's still a life of slavery, even if it's worth 200 million Elysia." 

"It’s different. You won’t be a slave; you'll be my knight." 

Though she still had her face buried in her knees, her voice was full of confidence, as if being her knight were some grand honor. Jade shook his head and looked away. There was no need to listen to these baseless boasts for too long. He had felt strangely drawn to her words for a moment, but he had to stay focused. 

The priority was getting her out of the forest. Everything else could be dealt with later. 

"Alright, stop crying and get up. My wounds are mostly healed, so I’ll head outside and toss you your clothes. Like you said, let's think this through." 

"Who said I was crying!" 

"Sure, if you say so. Fine, you weren’t crying." 

Jade nodded absentmindedly and stood up. But once again, he couldn’t leave. This time, it wasn’t because of the pain from his wounds. The sight of the girl’s eyes as she lifted her head froze him in place. Just moments ago, her eyes had been a perfectly ordinary gray, but now they were glowing with an amber hue.