Chapter 71: I will keep it in mind

As Liamy stood silently to the side watching, Larian, the Grandmaster of the Templar Knights, approached her.

Liamy looked at him with some confusion. She didn’t know why the renowned Grandmaster would seek her out. Still, she smiled and stepped forward; she certainly didn’t want to leave a bad impression in front of Colin’s master.

Seeing Liamy come over on her own, Larian’s smile grew warmer. He glanced toward Colin’s direction, where Colin was still being fussed over by other Templars, unable to free himself for the moment.

Seeing this, Larian lowered his voice and spoke a sentence that surprised Liamy.

“Miss Liamy, there’s something I hope you’ll agree to. Are you interested in hearing it?”

Upon hearing this, Liamy was genuinely taken aback. What honor had she earned to be entrusted by the Grandmaster of the Templar Knights?

To be honest, before this, Liamy didn’t even know that Colin’s master was the Grandmaster of the Templar Knights. She knew Colin’s background had to be extraordinary—after all, his master must be powerful to train him like this—but she never expected it to be the Grandmaster himself.

No wonder Colin had hardly returned to the Templar Order in the past two years, yet there was no reaction from the Order. Despite holding the title of the strongest Paladin, he was largely left alone.

It seemed this Grandmaster must have been handling those troublesome affairs for Colin. Yet, why would such a powerful and influential figure entrust her—a mere assassin—with a favor? What could be so important?

Noticing Liamy’s hesitation, Larian quickly added, “It’s regarding Colin.”

Liamy, who had been momentarily distracted, immediately became serious upon hearing this. She nodded lightly, signaling that she was ready to listen.

Seeing this, Larian smiled again and said, “Actually, you don’t need to be so tense. What I’m asking isn’t difficult. On the contrary, it’s quite simple.”

Liamy’s curiosity deepened. If it was so simple, why was he asking her? Why not have other Templars do it? Those Paladins certainly seemed eager to help Colin with his troubles.

Before she could figure it out, Larian continued.

“What I want to ask is this: If one day Colin finds himself trapped in danger he cannot handle, I hope you’ll stand by him without abandoning him and fight alongside him. What’s your answer?”

“Of course! I don’t need you to say it—I would do that anyway.”

There was not the slightest hesitation in Liamy’s reply, but even after answering instinctively, she still wondered why the Grandmaster would personally ask her for such a thing.

“I know what you’re thinking—this isn’t a small matter. And I’m not only entrusting you. Colin is now a squad leader, and this request extends to all his squad members. I hope you will all wholeheartedly fight alongside him.”

Having said this, Larian turned and left without looking back, leaving a thoughtful Liamy behind.

Standing there pondering for a while, Liamy realized that no matter how she thought it through, she couldn’t grasp Larian’s true intentions. So, she decided to take his words at face value.

At that moment, she noticed that Colin’s conversations were wrapping up; he had greeted and exchanged pleasantries with every Paladin present.

Larian began issuing orders, preparing to lead the Templars to the “Iqru” labyrinth that Sivney had mentioned.

Colin had also finished his farewells and was about to personally escort them out when the mansion’s front door suddenly opened from outside.

Standing there was a weary-looking Sivney.

Her gaze swept over everyone before resting on Larian. She stepped forward and pulled from her pocket an ornament-like object.

Liamy quickly recognized it as the Flourishing Stone Bead she had given Sivney to study earlier. Now, Sivney intended to hand this stone bead over to the Templar Grandmaster Larian.

“You’ve finished researching this?” Colin, recognizing the item in Sivney’s hand, asked curiously.

But Sivney shook her head, denying that.

“No, I haven’t finished. But it’s no longer necessary. Continuing won’t uncover any useful information—it’s just wasting time. Rather than that, it’s better to give it to someone who can make better use of it.”

Sivney handed the Flourishing Stone Bead to Larian, then pulled out a small notebook from her clothes. She instructed him that the notebook contained the usage instructions and precautions for the bead. If there was anything unclear, he should consult it.

If anything happened that wasn’t recorded in the notebook, he should write it down and give it to her when they returned so she could study it.

After finally explaining everything, Sivney yawned, lowered her head, and slowly walked upstairs, looking utterly exhausted. She clearly just wanted to rest.

Liamy watched her ascend with pity until she disappeared around the corner. She sighed silently in her heart, feeling sorry for Sivney, completely unaware that she herself was the cause of Sivney’s current state.

Meanwhile, after bidding farewell once more to the Templar Knights, Colin escorted them to the street.

When everyone waved off his further escort, he turned and returned to the mansion.

Back at the mansion, Colin found Liamy waiting by the door. He smiled slightly as he approached her.

“You’re quite popular, Lord Colin,” Liamy said, a bit stubbornly, as if trying to convince him not to think she had been waiting on purpose.

Colin said nothing but smiled and came closer.

He looked at her with calm, reassuring eyes.

Liamy, feeling uneasy under his gaze at first, quieted down as their eyes met.

Their gazes intersected in the air, and a serene calm spread around them.

Finally, Colin spoke softly, “Thank you for agreeing to help me without hesitation back then. I’ll remember that.”

Of course, he was referring to the matter Larian had entrusted to Liamy. Given his hearing, there was no way he hadn’t overheard it.

Having said that, Colin left and headed toward the backyard, seemingly intending to check on the new servants.

Notably, at some point, he covered his face with his right hand and walked faster than a normal pace, as if eager to leave quickly.

None of this was seen by Liamy, who herself was not in a good state.

At some unknown moment, she had crouched down, burying her head in her thighs, arms wrapped around her legs.

Only her ears, flushed a faint crimson, betrayed her restless emotions.

Thus, the day ended with both of them deeply unsettled.

Tomorrow was the day they had agreed to take a walk together.