Chapter 488: Forced To Reconsider.
Roland's eyes widened as the claws stopped inches from his face, crackling against the barrier of dense mana. The tension in the air was palpable, and for a moment, all movement ceased. The inn's walls seemed to close in around them, the few onlookers too stunned to react.Hadley, the maid-knight, stood poised like a coiled spring and ready to pounce at any moment. Her eyes locked on Roland’s helmet which was glowing. He knew that she was probably a trained knight and bodyguard but he had underestimated her capabilities. Her status remained hidden to him and thus he assumed that she would not be much stronger than any other tier 3 class holder he had encountered.
‘Does she have a second tier 3 class? Why would someone like this be defending a teenage girl? Who is Margaret exactly?’
Roland had made a blunder and underestimated what he was dealing with just like his opponents did with him. Now he realized that the recent string of victories had bolstered his confidence to a dangerous level. He had thought himself untouchable, but now he was facing someone with enough skill to push him back, something not many had managed.
The stand-off couldn’t last. He needed to diffuse the situation before it escalated further, but his options were limited. If he pushed back, the entire inn could be destroyed in the ensuing fight, drawing unwanted attention from the Count's forces. This would probably be held against him and could jeopardize Robert’s case. Without him around, there would probably be no one around to exert any kind of pressure against the opposition. However, backing down might mean losing control over Margaret and the other girls, putting them all in danger.
“Miss Margaret… and Miss Hadley”
Roland began talking, his voice still calm despite the situation.
“I apologize if I startled you, but you must understand that your safety, and that of your friends, is my top priority. The city is becoming more dangerous by the hour, it would be better if you returned to the academy, this issue is not something you should involve yourself in…”
Hadley's eyes remained locked on Roland's, her stance unwavering no change in her expression. It was as if this woman had no mind of her own and would only follow the orders of her young mistress. Margaret, however, seemed to soften slightly as she realized the gravity of the situation. Her initial anger gave way to concern, not just for herself but for Lucienne as well.
“Luci is my friend, and I won’t abandon her when she needs me the most!”