[IYFILWATIP] Chapter 48

Jade gave up trying to point out the contradictions in Sonia's beliefs and lay down. Wizards were considered the opposite of the gods. According to ancient myths and the Book of Theresia, they were born from the shadow of Theresia herself. 

That’s why they attacked Theresia when she bore a child, resulting in the birth of the first imperfect being, the sun god Zerev. That was the beginning of the downfall of paradise, the start of all tragedy. 

This is why wizards, despite their useful powers, were shunned in the empire and why most of them lived in the forsaken lands of the East. 

"Just go to sleep, Jade Eclipse. You’ll need to be strong if you’re going to escort the princess out of here." 

"......Did my name come to you in a dream too?" 

"Who knows? The name ‘Eclipse’ isn’t one you easily forget once you hear it." 

"......" 

"Eclipse. The descendant of the Flame Knight, aren’t you?" 

"Don't say my name. I might not be able to kill the princess, but I can kill you." 

"What kind of thug are you?" 

Jade sighed and closed his eyes. As much as he wanted to argue with Sonia, she was right. He had to get the princess out of the forest, whether he handed her over to Beatrice or smuggled her to safety. 

But whatever he decided, the conclusion was the same: his life was now completely messed up. 

"I’m not going to question why she’s here. It’s not my business to know. The more I find out, the more dangerous it gets." 

"That’s right. How could someone like you understand the will of the gods?" 

"I’m just going to get the princess out of the forest, and after that... I don’t know. I’m not going to think about it." 

"Right. Don't think. What good would it do for a mercenary like you to think?" 

The more he thought about it, the less sense it made. Jade glanced at the princess, who was sleeping soundly despite everything. Her long, dark brown hair, freshly washed and combed, still gleamed despite the hardships she had endured. 

He got up and quietly approached the sleeping princess, kneeling beside her. Gently, he pulled the blanket she had kicked off back over her. He didn’t know why, but it felt like the right thing to do. Maybe this was the overwhelming presence of royalty. 

...She was far too important for someone like him to handle. 

If even a hair on her head was harmed, he would literally be dead—whether by Beatrice or the Emperor, one of them would make sure of it. Jade had to keep her alive, unharmed, until they were out of the forest. 

Some might call that "protecting" her, but he wasn’t about to call it that. 

"The Flame Knight would serve the princess well." 

"Shut up, old witch." 

Because if he did, it would feel like he really was becoming some sort of knight for the princess, just as Sonia mocked. But he wasn’t a knight—he was a mercenary. A 200-million-Elysia mercenary who was loyal to no one and focused only on paying off his debt. 

This was just about keeping the princess alive. To save his own neck. 

"You’re not seriously thinking of hiring me when you won’t even tell me what the job is, are you? You’re going to pay off my debt, but you won’t even explain? That doesn’t make any sense." 

"...The Flower of Nadalin." 

Jade suddenly remembered his conversation with the princess and asked the witch who claimed to be a seer, "By the way, does the Flower of Nadalin really exist? In this forest?" 

"Everything Theresia created exists." 

"...I’m an idiot for asking a religious fanatic." 

"It’s just rare, not nonexistent." 

Sonia snapped back, clearly offended. Jade smirked and asked mockingly, "Does it? Where is it, then? Has anyone seen it?" 

Sonia didn’t answer, only frowning at him as if annoyed. He expected as much. Jade propped his chin on his hand and stared at the sleeping princess. 

"Then the princess is just doing something foolish. Who could be so sick that someone like her would go through all this? The Emperor? No, it can’t be her; she’s in perfect health." 

"Foolish actions are what change fate! Just like your ancestor did." 

Sonia declared, glaring at him. Not this story about Yuri Eclipse again. Jade brushed it off and responded half-heartedly, "So even you think it was foolish, huh?" 

"......" 

"Not that it matters. I’m not going to live like that anyway." 

He lay down on the dusty, cold floor, turning his back to her. 

Since Sonia hadn’t given him a blanket, he just curled up, facing the wall. From behind, he heard the witch mutter something that sounded like a curse. 

"The Eclipse has met Theresia again!" 

Jade snorted and flipped her off, making Sonia almost collapse as she yelled at him. 

"You ill-mannered, uncouth mercenary!"