Without a moment’s hesitation, she positioned herself between the relentless barrage of kicks and shielded the boy’s vulnerable frame. However, it wasn’t a reckless, spur-of-the-moment decision.
“What the hell is this girl doing?!” exclaimed one of the attackers, momentarily halting their assault. Seizing this fleeting opportunity, Odelliana sprang into action. With practiced precision, she withdrew a pouch from her sleeve and flung it into the air. Simultaneously, she covered her mouth with one sleeve and pressed her hand firmly over Matthias’s nose and mouth.
The pouch erupted mid-air, dispersing a cloud of potent anesthetic powder. As the fine particles enveloped the assailants, they succumbed to fits of uncontrollable coughing, collapsing one by one.
“They’ll be out for at least half a day,” she assessed, her voice calm despite the chaos around them. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, she grasped Matthias’s hand firmly and led the way.
Her injured leg protested with every step, hindering her progress, but she walked as fast as she could. She stumbled several times but gritted her teeth and pushed through. Despite her urgency, her pace was quicker than usual.
She worried Matthias might shake off her hand, but he didn’t resist. Instead, he quietly followed her, despite having the strength to easily break free if he wanted to.
How long had they been walking like this? Breathing heavily, Odelliana glanced around, her surroundings becoming more familiar.
We ended up on the mountain, she realized. Her plan had been to head somewhere unpopulated, and the mountains seemed like the perfect refuge. However, there was a high chance of encountering wild animals or beasts more dangerous than humans. Fortunately, it was early spring and still chilly, meaning most creatures wouldn’t be active yet. Encountering one now, out of season, would be extremely unlucky.
“Haah…” she sighed, already out of breath despite the short distance they’d covered. Her mind felt hazy, and her body began to collapse. Her heart pounded violently, and her entire body felt like it was burning. Through her disheveled hair, she could see her foggy breath rising. She tried to steady her breathing, but it felt like her throat was blocked, making it hard to get enough air.
Damn this body! she cursed inwardly as an unfamiliar hand supported her back.
“Breathe slowly and count,” came a calm voice beside her. A large hand gently patted her back in a rhythmic, soothing motion. The touch was careful and kind.
The unexpected kindness from Matthias sent a shiver down her spine. However, her need for air was overwhelming, so she focused her mind and slowly regained her breath. After a while, as her breathing stabilized, Odelliana looked up at the boy and managed to speak.
“…Thank you.”
“I should be the one saying that,” he replied. His calm, even voice was incredibly monotone, yet it was undoubtedly the gentlest thing he had ever said to her. Odelliana was taken aback by Matthias’s unexpected demeanor.
The boy’s face, streaked with blood and dust, appeared much younger than the Matthias she remembered from her previous life, just before her death. Despite the softness of his jawline and lingering traces of youthful plumpness, his handsome features emanated a quiet strength.
He was markedly different from the Matthias she had encountered in her past, at seventeen. During the Great Barbarian Extermination, he had been a grim figure, drenched in the blood of their enemies, resembling a war demon. Comparing then and now seemed almost futile.
Yet, there was a notable contrast. In her previous life, Matthias had exuded a mature sensuality, far beyond his years, amidst the chaos of battle. Now, he appeared nothing more than a green youth.
The once-chilling, murderous intent in his golden eyes had softened into a luminous transparency, devoid of the dangerous gleam of a predator.
“Thank you for saving me,” he expressed, his voice tinged with a light laugh, surprisingly polite given the circumstances.
