My Desertion Would Be Faster Than Heros' Obsession-Chapter 27Vol 2.

“Haa... Haa....”

The realization that I was alone in this unfamiliar northern land made it hard to breathe. A hot tear slid down my cheek.

Looking down at myself, I saw that my beloved white dress had been torn to shreds, caught on the wagon’s edge in my rush to escape.

“Hhic...”

The moment I fully registered the cold, the tears wouldn’t stop.

I hated being alone in freezing places.

But Aquila wasn’t here to help me. I had to accept that.

Right now, I was completely on my own.

“What should I do... Where do I go...?”

Muttering to myself like a madwoman, I eventually collapsed onto the ground. I had no idea where to go.

“I just... need to go back.”

Calm down, Salvia. Just get back on a wagon and return to where you were.

Even though you’re alone, you can do this.

You saw your comrades die in the North, but you survived alone.

You watched them perish miserably in the cold, but you...

“...I can’t.”

I buried my face in my knees, shaking my head.

I was well aware of my own weakness.

If I felt even a little anxious, I’d start feeling cold.

And if I felt cold, I’d become even more anxious.

I had always known it was something I’d have to overcome one day, but I never expected that moment to come so suddenly.

To make matters worse, the Imperial Army had probably already issued a wanted notice for the rebels.

Would they have gone as far as to paint our portraits in detail?

As I sat sniffling on the side of the road, people avoided me, no doubt assuming I was some lunatic.

But I couldn’t bring myself to care.

“I hate this... I hate everything...”

Even as I grumbled to myself, my survival instincts kicked in.

I needed money.

Without it, I couldn’t go anywhere.

Frantically, ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) I searched my dress for any hidden pockets.

But of course, there were none.

This dress wasn’t designed for carrying money in the first place.

How do romance fantasy noblewomen even live in these things...?

As I grumbled over the impracticality of my clothing, I suddenly felt something unfamiliar in my pocket.

Wait.

Could it be...?

I cautiously pulled it out and placed it in my palm.

It was the bank vault key Winter had given me.

“I’m saved!”

I never expected Winter’s key to come in handy like this.

This was truly a lifeline!

For the first time in a while, my thoughts strayed from despair.

‘Winter, thank you!’

There was a reason I had always trusted Winter.

The bank his key belonged to had branches in various locations, and as long as I had the key, I could withdraw money in any region by converting the vault’s contents into a check.

And, of course, since this was Winter’s hometown, there was definitely a branch here.

I could withdraw the money now and pay Winter back later!

“I still have a way out.”

Reigniting my resolve, I wiped my tears and forced strength into my legs as I stood.

The cold still bit at my skin.

This place was still unfamiliar and terrifying.

And I still felt hopeless.

But I couldn’t stay like this forever.

“Think about what you need to do, and do it yourself.”

I had something I needed to accomplish.

And I was going to do it.

***

One thing worried me—was it really okay to use Winter’s account after our rebellion had been exposed?

The only reassurance I had was that news wouldn’t reach this remote region immediately.

Even urgent messages took time to spread this far. Back when I was in the Border Defense Army, even critical reports often arrived late.

Still, before the soldiers of the Imperial Army stormed into Egott Village, I needed to withdraw money and find a place to hide.

“This must be it.”

After wandering for quite some time, I finally managed to locate a small bank in this unfamiliar town.

The wooden door creaked as I pushed it open, and a small bell attached to the frame jingled, announcing my arrival.

A bank clerk at the counter lazily lifted his head.

“Welcome.”

His greeting was anything but enthusiastic. His gaze swept over my torn and tattered dress, then shifted away, as if deciding I wasn’t worth paying attention to.

But—

“I’m here to make a withdrawal.”

Keeping my composure, I confidently placed the key on the counter.

The clerk frowned, picking up the key with a skeptical look before examining it closely.

“May I ask for your name...?”

“I’m withdrawing on behalf of Winter.”

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The moment I said his name, the clerk’s eyes widened in shock.

“Wait—Winter? You mean the son of the noble family from the northern estate?!”

Judging by his reaction, Winter was well known even in this remote village.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Now fully alert, the clerk scrambled to verify the key’s authenticity. He tilted it under the light, inspecting it from different angles—but, of course, he found no faults.

Because it was real.

“I haven’t heard anything about Lord Winter misplacing his key... What exactly is your relationship with him?”

“We’re comrades.”

“But still, how could Lord Winter entrust such a thing to just a mere companion—”

His attitude was starting to irritate me.

So, to assert dominance, I lifted my chin in a manner befitting a haughty noble romance protagonist.

“Enough. Just hand over the money, will you? Five Marknes should be sufficient.”

“...V-Very well!”

Snapping back to attention, the man quickly scurried off behind the counter.

I gracefully crossed my legs and sat with the dignified poise of a noble lady.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have a fan to complete the look, but my expression alone was enough.

A short while later, the clerk returned with five one-Markne bills in hand.

“Here you are! But, really, what is your true relationship with Lord Winter—”

“I told you, we’re trusted comrades.”

Snatching the bills and key from his grasp, I turned toward the exit—

Or rather, I tried to leave.

Had I not come face-to-face with two people entering the bank at that exact moment.

“...Ah, hello.”

Awkwardly, I lowered my head in greeting.

They were both taller than me—a man and a woman—staring down at me with rigid expressions.

“You’re...”

“Winter’s junior he brought here last time.”

...Damn it.

I had just been caught withdrawing money from Winter’s family vault—by none other than his parents.

Shit.

***

The bank clerk, still eyeing me suspiciously, turned to Winter’s parents and asked if they knew me.

Fortunately, they didn’t deny me.

They nodded, having recognized me from when I had followed Winter to their estate for intelligence gathering.

“She has Winter’s key, you say? ...Yes, we know her.”

Satisfied with that response, the clerk went back to his business, while Winter’s parents finished their errands.

Even as they left the counter, I was still awkwardly standing at the entrance when they turned to me.

“If Winter gave you his key, you must be someone important to him.”

“Yes. I believe Lord Winter considers me precious as well... We’re comrades who’ve shared life and death, after all. Hahaha.”

“Hmm.”

They scanned me from head to toe, their expressions unreadable.

“You seem to have been discharged... So why are you here? As far as I know, Winter is in the capital.”

“Well, that’s because...”

I hesitated.

Something about explaining the situation made my throat tighten.

It felt like tears were threatening to well up.

“This isn’t a conversation to have out here....”

Sensing my unease, they subtly shielded me from view, standing close on either side.

That alone was enough to make me feel slightly safer.

After steadying my breath, I finally spoke.

It was a grave matter, and I hesitated, but Winter’s parents needed to know the truth.

“...We were caught plotting a rebellion.”

“What did you just say?”

“You heard me correctly. The Imperial Army discovered us, and we were forced to scatter. I ended up hiding in a wagon and was carried all the way here.”

As I spoke, my voice wavered.

Winter’s mother placed a pale hand on my shoulder.

The chill of her touch sent an involuntary shiver down my spine.

Does she have poor circulation...?

“My, that must have been difficult.”

Her voice was devoid of warmth, but I knew that was just how she spoke.

“I-I’m fine... I’ll return the money I borrowed to Lord Winter, and I plan to head back to the capital soon....”

“You’re going back to the capital?”

Winter’s father frowned slightly.

Had I said something wrong?

Feeling uneasy, I glanced at them carefully.

Exchanging meaningful looks, they seemed to know something I didn’t.

Finally, Winter’s father spoke.

“Supply wagons from the capital only arrive here once every two weeks. That’s the only ride you can take.”

“And we just saw that wagon leave the village not long ago.”

“Besides, if the rebellion has truly been exposed, you have no idea how the situation stands. Returning to the capital right now is a bad idea.”

“Then....”

My voice trembled.

Does that mean I can’t go back for two whole weeks?

What am I supposed to do until then?

I have nowhere to stay... Should I borrow more money from Winter?

Wait, does this town even have an inn?

Aquila must be searching for me like crazy....

While I was lost in my spiraling thoughts, Winter’s mother suddenly spoke.

“Child.”

“Y-Yes?!”

The unfamiliar form of address startled me.

No adult in this world had ever called me something so gentle before.

“Do you have nowhere to go?”

“N-No. Does this village have an inn? I can borrow a little more money and pay it back when I return...”

“No need for that.”

Her tone was firm, cutting me off abruptly.

I flinched.

So she doesn’t like the idea of me borrowing their family’s money after all?

Should I just sleep on the streets? I survived the Border Defense Army, so I could probably handle it....

But then she said something completely unexpected.

“Stay at our house.”

“...What?!”