Escape from the evil lady (GL)
Chapter 143 - 4. Disguise

Chapter 143: Chapter 4. Disguise

I looked at the bulky man in front of me with obvious suspicion.

Of course, I couldn’t so easily trust the words of a villainess’s subordinate, no matter how incredible they might be.

What if it was just a ploy to lure me to the empire’s border?

But on the other hand... Was it really necessary in his case?

It would not have been difficult for this man to force me to follow his instructions. Or, at the very least, just make me lose consciousness and kidnap me... However, Jacob Osman did not do any of this. It couldn’t help but make me suspicious.

Finally, after a moment’s thought, I slowly opened my mouth:

«But what if I refuse anyway?»

— ...

«Then you’re just going to make me do it anyway, right?»

To be honest, I initially did not believe in any «illusion of choice» in my position. Nevertheless, the knight managed to surprise me again.

— Not at all.

The man’s unexpected response somewhat confused me.

I asked, surprised.

The warrior with the menacing appearance looked at me seriously in his usual manner and took a deep breath.

— If you really refuse to do it even in that case, then... I won’t force you anyway.

«But why?» I couldn’t help but ask. After all, it was not about any other person, but about the fate of his mistress, whom Jacob valued more than anything else in the world.

However, the man hesitated before answering:

— Because... I still haven’t forgotten what you did for me once.

— .....

I opened and closed my mouth, puzzled. Although I didn’t immediately understand what exactly he meant, it soon became clear.

«That time, you stood up for me in front of Her Highness and saved my life,» Jacob continued, «It doesn’t matter to me what reasons you acted like that then, but... I’m not the kind of person who prefers to stay in debt, so to pay it back, this time I’m really going to let you go.

— ......

When I finally remembered the execution incident, I shuddered involuntarily. I didn’t expect that this man really still remembered something like that. Although, in fact, it was nothing more than a trick on my part. And yet... It seems that this time it was really sincere on his part.

In the end, I took a deep breath, reflecting on everything I had heard from Jacob Osman.

— OK... I’ll go there.

When I made this decision, I was still mentally hesitating. And yet... I realized that I couldn’t just let it go, and not even try to figure out the true circumstances of what happened. After all, this situation was not only about me, but also about the fate of many other people. At least for their sake, I had to find out everything.

— Really?! — he asked.

«You said yourself just now that I would only be able to find out the truth from Her Highness, right?» I chuckled.

The man in dark armor shuddered and immediately bowed his head in front of me.

«I sincerely thank you, Lady de Walt,» he replied respectfully.

I just sighed.

«That would be a good thing...»

Meanwhile, the knight continued:

— In that case, my partner will arrive soon to escort you to the empire’s border.

I was somewhat surprised by this.

— what? So you’re not coming with me?

«According to Her Highness’s orders, I have to stay at the castle to look after things,» Jacob stated, «I cannot disregard the lady’s decree, so my trusted companion will do it instead.

— Ah, that’s how it is.

I shook my head slightly, making it clear that I understood everything.

— Anyway... I wish you good luck, Lady de Walt.

My lips twisted into a kind of smile.

— I suppose it’s mutual.

In the end, as a result of unforeseen circumstances, my trip to the main character’s secret hideout turned out to be a trip to the border of the empire, where the thick of the military battles was currently unfolding.

Once again, I was convinced that fate never stopped «spoiling» me.

However, as it turned out, the surprises of this day are not over for me yet.

As it soon turned out, this «trusted companion» of Jacob Osman turned out to be none other than Meg. When I saw a huge knight with a scar all over his face who rushed here from nowhere, at first I couldn’t even believe my eyes.

«no. And why, of all people, am I going to travel in his company...?»

On the other hand, if you think about it, even here you could find some advantages.

At least he was someone I knew at least a little. Besides, Meg Rivera wasn’t such a bad guy, and unlike his friend, he was even friendly. So in the end, I figured it wasn’t that bad.

— Wait a minute... Aren’t we going to ride in a carriage?

When Jacob Osman gave his companion the necessary instructions to accompany me, he left us alone in the middle of the road. And then, when we were about to set off immediately, I was surprised when Mag really wasn’t going to use the most convenient form of transportation like a carriage. Instead of that... He was just going to ride with me on the same horse.

To be honest, I didn’t really like this idea. But...

«This way will take too long,» the knight replied eloquently, «and since we have to get to the border as quickly as possible, riding a horse without extra luggage would be the best option.»

«But then why not at least take two horses...?»

— If we go together, it will be faster. Besides... Lady de Walt, you don’t seem to be very experienced in horseback riding, so this will be for your own good.

«......»

Well, that was a statement that was really hard for me to argue with. So in the end, I just had to accept it.

We continued our journey to the border of the empire for a whole week. And despite the fact that initially this trip was supposed to take longer, but in the end we were really able to manage in that time. And all because of Mag, who continued to drive our horse at a crazy speed. I was even surprised how the poor animal was able to survive after all this. But, apparently, the horses belonging to the Knights of the Dark Host were also not quite ordinary...

In any case, when we finally got to the right place, I could see a military camp from afar with familiar symbols on the flags, as well as the Knights of the Dark Army marching there. Mag and I watched them for a while, hiding behind a bulky boulder nearby.

«Our army’s camp is over there,» Mag pointed at it with his finger, «Lady, you should go there.

I asked uncertainly:

— Really... Aren’t you going to accompany me?

The man scratched the back of his head in his helmet.

«Actually, I shouldn’t be here either...» He confessed sheepishly, «Her Highness also told me to stay at the castle to help Jacob with his business. I’m worried that I won’t get into trouble if I get noticed here...

I sighed. But in any case, there doesn’t seem to be anything you can do about it.

— OK... I got it.

Meanwhile, before I went there, I still continued to hesitate. The very thought that I was really about to appear in front of the Crown Princess after running away from her caused me justifiable anxiety. After all, I couldn’t even begin to predict what her possible reaction might be. And because of that, I was still hesitant to come out from behind our «hiding place.»

Meanwhile, the knight noticed my hesitation, and asked in perplexity:

— What’s the matter, Lady de Walt? Why don’t you go? Is something wrong?

«.......»

At that moment, I blurted out the first excuse that came to my mind.

«Ah... um...» I scratched my cheek in embarrassment, «I think I need some kind of disguise.»

«Disguise? But why do you need it?» he asked, puzzled.

Fortunately, due to the fact that I was in extreme situations too often in this world, but my tongue was really well-hung. I answered quickly:

— After all, we are on the battlefield, and the enemies are surely watching Her Highness’ surroundings closely. If they find out that someone unknown has arrived at the camp, they will also keep an eye on him. The enemies might try to take advantage of me to put Her Highness at a disadvantage. I’m afraid that I might become a weak point for Her Highness. So... I think it would be better for me to temporarily hide my real identity.

After finishing my muddled explanation, the initial astonishment in the knight’s expression was soon replaced by an epiphany.

«Oh, so that’s the thing!» he exclaimed. «I hadn’t even thought about it... Lady de Walt, you really are so perceptive!

The knight looked at me with undisguised admiration, while I just awkwardly cleared my throat, trying to hide my real emotions.

«Well, I’m really lucky that this guy isn’t as smart as Jacob...»

Meanwhile, Mag continued to puzzle over this newfound question.

— But in that case... What kind of disguise can we get here? — he thought out loud absently.

Fortunately, just at that time, one of the knights of the Dark Army was passing by our hiding place. Just by looking at him, it was as if a light bulb immediately lit up above Mag’s head.

— I thought of it! — he suddenly exclaimed.

«what? What is he talking about...?»

However, before I could ask about it, the man had already started implementing his incredible idea.

— Hey, you, come here.

The next moment, Mag dragged this confused soldier towards us. He was very surprised when he suddenly saw him.

— what? Commander Mag, what are you doing here...?!» he asked, puzzled.

But since we didn’t have any extra time to talk, Mag didn’t hesitate and decided to get straight to the point.

«Take off your clothes,» he suddenly demanded.

«Wh-what?»

At that moment, we both stared at him in shock.

— Take it off, I say!

«........»

In the end, the knight still forced this poor guy to undress, leaving him naked. All this time, I tried to look anywhere but at this awkward sight. Until Mag suddenly called out to me.

— Lady de Wald, everything is ready now! You can change into this.

«.......»

I stared speechlessly at the Dark Host Knight’s armor, unable to believe that I was actually going to wear it.