My Strange Savior - Chapter 131

Chapter 131

“Wow….”

Pure admiration flowed from Gia’s lips. 

The weapons were stored so well that they gleamed as if they had been used just yesterday.

“I only touched them a little because Master removed the rust and stored them. Of course… they can’t be used, though.”

“Why?”

“It seems they’re not in perfect condition.”

Gregory, while stroking his chin, handed Gia the pistol that was placed beside him.

Click-clack.

As Gia familiarly inspected the gun, missing parts were revealed here and there.

“The heavily corroded ones were separately removed by the Master. I tried my best to reconstruct them…”

At Gregory’s uncertain voice, Gia patted his unsure shoulders.

“Even in this state, it’s incredible. Of course, some parts are missing here and there… but if well taken care of, they might be usable.”

Entering, Kalion scanned the weapons created in Gia’s world with his eyes.

“Anyone can use them after training?”

“Yes.”

“In that case…”

Kalion looked down at the weapons seriously.

“But parts are missing here and there, so they are not operational. Let’s go and see if we can find replacement parts. It might be helpful for our forces.”

Cradling the guns in response to Gia’s explanation, Kalion stroked them. Knowing the power of the weapons Gia had used for the first time, Kalion’s eyes sparkled.

If he selected some of the knights for weapon training, they might have slightly better combat skills than before. Helplessly being defeated by Morrison without any resistance was enough in those days.

Sensing Kalion’s thoughts, Gia touched the weapons one by one. As she examined the missing parts, she nodded after a while.

“It seems like it just needs a little fixing. It would be better to find complete weapons, but…”

“Are you going to the place Master discovered?”

“Yeah, it seems like I should go.”

“I see.”

Making eye contact with Gregory, Gia cautiously handed over the staff she had brought. Holding the small handle in his hand, Gregory asked with a curious look.

“Is this… a Satapi bead?”

“This is… well…”

Although it was the alchemy laboratory of the secluded palace, rumors of Gia catching a Satapi had spread this far. Holding the red bead in his hand, Gregory, who had ignited the scholar’s curiosity, asked.

Unnoticed by Kalion, who was examining the weapons, Gia whispered.

“I was planning to give it to Kalion as a bracelet…”

Gia blushed as if embarrassed. Gregory’s expression subtly twisted at her girlish appearance. However, catching a glimpse of Gia’s excited face, Gregory quickly hid his expression.

“But why give this to me?”

“Can something like alchemy be engraved on it?”

“Alchemy?”

“Yes.”

Gregory’s eyebrows raised slightly. He seemed to be thinking about what to engrave.

“With this level of magical power… it’s possible.”

“Then, please. How long will it take?”

“It’ll be done quickly. What do you want to engrave?”

“Anything, as long as it’s the best.”

Gregory pondered, stroking his chin.

“Understood.”

With the upcoming battle against Morrison in mind, Gia looked at the radiant bead. She hoped this bead would be helpful to Kalion. If, like on the cliff, the bracelet could provide even a moment in a dangerous situation…

Even if the bead broke, it didn’t matter. Gia quickly gestured to put it in her pocket before Kalion saw.

“It’s a secret.”

“Yes.”

Gia whispered. Gifts were supposed to be given in secret. Although Kalion knew that she had caught a Satapi, surprising him with a gift might still work. 

With a hopeful heart, Gia looked at the bead disappearing into Gregory’s pocket.

“Oh, after engraving the alchemy, send a letter to the Duke. When the messenger comes, give the bead to that person.”

“Understood.”

With Audrey’s help, Gia had already arranged for a skilled craftsman. She squinted her eyes in anticipation of how the red bead, born from the hands of two artisans, would transform.

“Oh, by the way, there’s something else.”

“Yes. Here.”

Gregory handed Gia a small book.

“What’s this?”

“Master’s journal with detailed records of the location where the shelter was found and the surrounding environment.”

“Thanks. I was wondering if I had to search the entire Mount Yotun. This is a relief.”

“It’s nothing. I’m just glad I could help a bit.”

As Gregory smiled, his cold impression melted away like the warmth of a spring day.

“You look handsome when you smile.”

“What?”

Gregory’s face turned bright red at Gia’s compliment.

“Yeah, it’s nice to smile and live like that. You always have this stern expression.”

In response to Gia’s words, Gregory cleared his throat and rubbed his dry face.

“Well, then, We’ll be going.”

“Yes, y-yes… Take care.”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

Gia casually gathered the books in her arms, turned to Kalion, and looked at him with another crooked glance from the corner of her eye. Pausing at Kalion’s gaze, which once again stared at her and Gregory with a disapproving look, Gia hesitated.

“L-Let’s go, Kalion.”

Whether Kalion was still in a bad mood or not, he stepped briskly, and with long strides, left Gregory’s laboratory. 

“Are you upset?”

“No.”

“Ugh… Of course, Kalion is the most handsome.”

“Hah.”

At Gia’s flattery mixed with admiration, a slight twitch appeared at the corner of Kalion’s mouth. 

Although his heart had already softened, he tightened the muscles around his jaw, determined not to show it. Gia, hanging on Kalion’s arm, anxiously gauged his reaction.

“I mean it.”

Feeling the intensity of Kalion’s gaze, Gia blushed and leaned her cheek against his strong arm.

* * *

Even inside the carriage, Kalion still looked at Gia with a clenched fist and a chubby expression. 

Gia’s back was covered in sweat under his gaze.

“I told you, it’s not like that. I just want to take care of him like a younger sibling. Huh? You don’t believe me?”

Kalion raised his head, claiming he was becoming like Gregory, and sighed loudly.

“Looks like Gia should be a little more careful.”

“What do you mean?”

“How men can be… Ugh. Never mind.”

Kalion cautiously took Gia’s hand, which was reaching towards him, as they sat side by side. 

“Who would like someone like me.”

An odd stranger from another world, carrying the zombie virus in her body. Knowing her situation better than anyone, Gia casually belittled herself.

“Then what about me?”

Kalion’s voice momentarily became stern.

“Oh… is that so? No… I didn’t mean it like that.”

“You are a person fully deserving of love. So, please don’t say things that hurt yourself.”

In Kalion’s earnest tone, Gia extended her lips. She realized that speaking carelessly led to mistakes. Under Kalion’s serious gaze, Gia felt somewhat ashamed.

“Answer me.”

“Oh, okay…”

“Saying such things not only hurts you but also hurts me, who loves you.”

“Sorry…”

Seeing Gia looking downhearted, Kalion let out a low breath, as if he intended to stop at this point.

The carriage headed towards the entrance of the capital, not towards the Duke’s residence.

“Here it is.”

Kalion offered a brown hood. Holding the hood designed to cover from head to toe, Gia blinked.

“The Emperor’s men are still around. We plan to change the carriage twice and then proceed on horseback.”

“Do you think the Emperor’s spies won’t notice?”

“We hope they won’t notice as much as possible.”

Kalion didn’t sound confident. Although there was no place without the Emperor’s eyes, being cautious wouldn’t hurt.

“Since the palace is noisy… it’s not impossible.”

Nodding at his added comment, Gia pulled the hood down. Kalion, with a warm touch, tidied up Gia’s stray hair.

While entrusting herself to Kalion’s hand, Gia looked outside and took in the scenery. The sounds of the bustling market didn’t feel like noise but rather vibrant. Everything was lively, and the energetic movements of the living people felt refreshing.

It was a sight not seen in her world that had succumbed to ruin. To protect this peace, she had to kill Morrison. If they could find a cure in the shelter they were heading to this time, it would be perfect.

Gia suppressed the slowly emerging anticipation with a smile.

Although she had decided not to entertain such expectations, whenever a brief moment opened up, the fantasy of taking the cure and becoming human seeped in. The imagination of becoming an ordinary human and growing old together with Kalion kept creeping into her thoughts, making her dream of the future.

Gia bit her lip and carefully lowered her eyes. Where could she obtain a weapon to harm Morrison? She tried to console herself, focusing on the task at hand.

After a while, the carriage, now beyond the capital, came to a stop, and as Kalion had mentioned, they transferred to another carriage. Swiftly changing carriages a few times, they realized that evening had already passed.

“What about Lux?”

“My words are too conspicuous.”

Gia understood Kalion’s explanation. In a strange village, two horses were prepared as Kalion had said. Gia and Kalion mounted the ordinary brown horse, gripping the reins tightly.

“We’ll ride without stopping.”

“Got it.”

With that, the two of them continued to move ceaselessly toward their destination, cutting through the wind.

* * *

Stopping intermittently in villages to rest the tired horses and having meals on horseback to save time, they were able to arrive in just two days, not three.

Looking at the towering mountains, Gia took out Myers’ journal from her pocket and handed it to Kalion.

“The details are well-written. It seems easier to find than I thought.”

Even for Gia, who wasn’t familiar with geography, the instructions were detailed enough for her to follow. Kalion tied the horse at the edge of the forest and confidently stepped inside. 

The forest, not very dense, seemed to be frequented by herb gatherers and woodcutters, as there were paths.

After walking for half a day, traversing the forest that was almost like a plain compared to the infamous Hagria Mountains, and sleeping minimally, they soon arrived at the entrance of the shelter, following the locations marked in the journal.

“This is…”

“Yeah… the entrance to the shelter.”

Although Gia hoped it was the shelter where she had stayed, it wasn’t. Shelters built in the region were divided into underground and above-ground types. Of course, most shelters were above-ground.

Later, shelters were built underground, guarded by enhanced humans, but they were rare. Due to the zombie crisis, hastily constructed shelters were prevalent. As far as Gia knew, there were only two shelters built underground – the one they just discovered and the one where Gia had stayed.

All shelters used the same mark, making it easy for Gia to recognize. 

Unless you looked closely, the entrance was nearly invisible, surrounded by vines and moss.