Protect Her

After telling Suna and Anna to get ready quickly, I returned to my room and began packing my things. I stuffed everything I needed into my bag.

As I reached for the strap, the sword propped against the edge of my bed slid and fell to the floor. I bent down to pick it up, and as I did, the necklace my mother had given me slipped out from under my clothes and dangled from my neck.

I picked up the sword, then clenched the pendant tightly in my hand before tucking it back under my shirt.

[Everything's going to be fine.]

I took hold of the new sword Gustav had given me. Until now, I'd been using the one Gans had handed down. With everything packed, I ran out of my room and turned toward the corridor where I'd left Anna and Suna.

Everyone in that hallway stood near the windows facing the main gate, staring out in the same direction. Curious what had captured their attention, I approached.

"Where were you?" Master asked me sharply.

"I was packing, just like you told me to."

"From this moment forward, do not leave Anna's side. Protect her. That's an order," he said firmly.

"Yes, Master. But what happened? Why so serious?"

"Look," he said, pulling me closer to the window.

I stepped up and looked down. My eyes widened.

Skeletons. They were approaching the house.

"What the hell is that?!"

"I don't have time to explain," Master said. "They're getting too close. We need to eliminate the main necromancer as fast as possible."

"You mean the one with the glowing book?"

"Yes. Him."

"How are we supposed to beat him? Just look at how many skeletons are marching ahead of him. I've already counted over fifty."

"We can't escape, and we can't fight them head-on. So we set a trap."

"What kind of trap?"

"We turn the house into one."

"Yes. If we take down the necromancer, the rest will fall with him."

"So what's the plan?"

"Gustav!" Master called.

"Yes, sir?"

"You know how to handle a sword, correct?"

"Yes, Master Valorant."

"In that case, Attu, give him your sword."

"Which one?"

"It doesn't matter."

I glanced at my belt and handed Gustav the newly purchased sword.

"I'll do my best not to damage it."

"Just make sure you don't get damaged."

"Now, let's divide the tasks…" He motioned for Gustav and me to come closer. "Attu, you'll go with Anna and Suna to the farthest room from the main gate. Stay there. Gustav and I will wait inside and hold them off. If any skeletons get past us, you finish them. Got it?"

"Yes. Got it."

"If too many make it through, hide in a room and stay silent. Do whatever it takes to survive."

"Understood, Master. Don't worry—I'll protect them no matter what."

"Not just them. Don't forget to protect yourself too," he added softly.

"I understand."

"Now go! Get them out of here!" he ordered.

I turned to Suna.

"We have to move. Take us to the room farthest from the gate."

"Follow me," she said, grabbing Anna's hand and running down the corridor.

I followed, not wanting to fall behind. But halfway down the hall, something gripped my chest—an uneasy feeling. I glanced back toward Master and Gustav. Both of them were watching me. I gave a small nod.

[I trust you. Please… be safe.]

—

Outside, the skeletons advanced slowly, armed with rusted swords and wearing mismatched armor. Behind them stood the necromancer, unmoving, his hands gripping an open grimoire. He wore a long black cloak that covered his face entirely, even the person standing directly before him couldn't see his features.

Valorant and Gustav hid on the first floor of the house, positioning themselves strategically near the entrance. The interior was dim. Valorant stood close to the door; Gustav stayed further back. Both waited in silence, anticipating the enemy's arrival.

Valorant unsheathed his sword, gripping it with both hands, and began channeling mana into the blade. The sword absorbed it visibly in the darkness, glowing softly as green mana flowed down from his arms.

[We can't let them reach the second floor. My sword is charged enough, but I can't use Flaming Wrath inside the house—the flames could burn it down. I'll take out as many as I can from here. Then, I'll fight the rest outside.]

—

Meanwhile, in another wing of the house…

Suna led us to the farthest room.

"This way. We're here," she said, pointing with her finger.

At the door, she opened it quickly. I held it open and urged them inside.

"Hurry in!"

Anna stepped in first, followed by Suna. I entered last and shut the door behind me.

"Suna, hand me the key," I said, taking it from her and locking the door.

Turning around, I glanced around the room. There were random objects scattered about—boxes, toys, even a large wardrobe.

"Get into the wardrobe. Both of you."

"Why?" Anna asked.

"If the skeletons make it this far, they'll have a harder time finding you."

"And what, if they come in they'll say: 'Hmm, no one here. Surely no one would be hiding in the only piece of furniture in the room. Let's head back, friends!'?" she retorted sarcastically.

I scratched my head and looked around the room.

"…Fine. Hide wherever you want. Just stay quiet. Skeletons don't have eyes, but they might hear you."

"They don't have ears either. How would they hear us?" Suna chimed in.

"…You're not wrong," I said, pausing. "They don't seem to have any working body parts. How do they even hear?"

"Why ask me?" Suna shrugged. "Ask Anna—she's the one who reads all the books."

"I don't know either! I only read about healing people, not undead anatomy!"

"So you never read about skeletons?"

"I did—but nothing about how they hear or see! And anyway, I study healing while people are alive, not after they're dead!" she shouted, clearly annoyed.

Suna and I exchanged a glance… and burst out laughing.

"Hey! Why are you laughing?! Are you making fun of me?!" Anna shouted, red-faced.

"She gets so cute when she's mad," Suna grinned. "Right, Attu?"

"No argument here."

Anna's face turned even redder. I added with a smile, "Especially when her cheeks flush like that."

She buried her face in her hands, mortified.

"Alright, alright! Enough teasing. Let's get inside the wardrobe. That way, Attu won't see you blush," Suna giggled, pulling her toward it.

She opened the wardrobe. It had a section for hanging clothes and shelves above. She pushed aside some hanging garments.

"Go on, Anna—get in."

"What about you?"

"I'll join you. You go first and make room. I'll come in after."

Anna ducked her head and climbed inside.

Suna followed carefully, closing the door halfway… but then peeked out.

"Attu," she called softly.

"Yeah?"

"When this is all over… open the door like a prince on a white horse and rescue us. Got it?"

"…Anything else you want me to do?"

"For now—just focus!" she shouted and slammed the wardrobe shut.