I Became The Childhood Friend of the Obsessive Second Male Lead - Chapter 381

“I’m sorry, but…”

Rieta replied with a slight smile.

“If there’s a clear threat, most people will be busy running away.”

She wanted to avoid unnecessary deaths. Just as the soldiers reluctantly went to capture the rebels, she thought Wagner’s soldiers might feel the same.

“Of course, that doesn’t mean I want Emile to get hurt.”

Rieta wanted to make it clear that there were limits.

“In that case, I’ll respect Emile’s judgment.”

“Tsk.”

Emile grumbled, placing his palm on Rieta’s head.

“It’s such a bothersome request. It’ll be expensive.”

“I know.”

At that moment, he noticed Noel and Elisha behind Rieta, glaring at him fiercely. Almost as if they wanted to kill him.

…?

Wondering why they looked at him like that, Emily tilted his head. Maybe they didn’t like him touching Rieta’s head. But Rieta didn’t seem to show any signs of disliking it so they couldn’t interfere thoughtlessly.

Well, this is quite interesting, this…

Emily thought, continuing to pat Rieta’s head. As he did, their glares intensified.

“Princess, just letting you know in advance.”

“Huh?”

“If I happen to die during the operation, the culprits are the Princess’s boyfriends, got it?”

“. . . ?”

Rieta stared at him in confusion, but Emile just chuckled and continued patting her head.

As time passed, the lord’s procession appeared in the distance. Rieta prepared everyone for any moment to start.

. . . It’s okay.

After retracing the order multiple times in her mind, she reassured herself.

She truly believed that the soldiers needed a ‘moment of victory’. She had led everyone confidently up to this point, but there was still lingering unease deep within her heart.

What if… I’m wrong?

If everything was exposed, the supreme mercenary unit under the King’s command would come to try to kill Rieta and the soldiers. The anxiety slowly growing within her heart started to synchronize with the pounding of her heart.

Warmth touched her hand that was hidden behind her back. From the wrist downward, her entire hand was soon enveloped. She didn’t need to turn around to know the identity of the person.

. . . Noel.

Throughout her life, it was the hand she held most frequently, it was unmistakable from any other.

Tap, tap. He gently moved the fingertips he grasped.

As if trying to convey something.

Perhaps, he wanted to say, ‘Don’t be afraid, those emotions won’t help at all.’ Noel had a strict side, subtly resembling the Duke. He probably didn’t say it out loud to prevent her from expressing anxiety.

Rieta firmly pressed on Noel’s hand and willingly let go of his hand. It felt like shedding the last remnants of reluctance and worry. The warmth remaining in her hand was solely filled with trust.

For Noel, for everyone here…

The procession finally approached the place she had calculated. Rieta raised her hand.

The archer unit, positioned in a high place, silently drew their bows. The time had come for them to reap the victory they wanted.

*

Arrows pierced the front of the procession, scattering the formation as the swift vanguard charged in, splattering red blood.

While no actual casualties occurred, for a brief moment, the sight was dyed red.

Most of the soldiers either trembled with fear, hesitated in their places, or fled, just as Rieta had expected. Hugh Mclean was entrusted with overseeing the carriage ridden by Wagner. In case if he tried to mix in with the fleeing soldiers, it could pose a problem.

The remaining soldiers joined forces with the vanguard, clearing out those who still resisted, intending to fight until the end.

“What, what are you doing? Hurry up and go out there to fight those bandits!”

Craig Wagner shouted from inside the carriage toward the rear of the procession. However, those who had exhausted themselves pulling the carriage until now had no energy left to fight.

A few resisted, but soon ended up running down the hill, mixed with other soldiers fleeing with blood-stained bodies.

“Where are you going?! How dare these damn bastards abandon their master and run away?!”

He yelled at their backs, but after some time, he fell silent. He realized that the remaining forces loyal to him were being subdued, and there were fewer people left to protect him.

He firmly locked the carriage door and covered all the windows with curtains. As the soldiers rescued those trapped in the prison carriage, Rieta approached the front of the carriage.

“Hanging in there won’t be of much use.”

Perhaps it was strange to hear a woman’s voice. Wagner peeked through the curtains, and his narrow eyes met Rieta’s.

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