From behind, two combat medics came rushing over. They scanned the area, looking around carefully.

"Lord Edmund?"

Edmund turned and saw them hurrying toward him. Both women looked panicked.

"The Vyomir poison will spread quickly if you move too much, My Lord."

"Poison?" Edmund asked, confused.

One of the medics examined Edmund’s body from his feet up to his head.

His face was no longer as pale as before. His body looked far more energized, and he didn’t seem to be in pain at all.

"What happened? Did Sir Sebastian manage to get the antidote and treat Lord Edmund by himself?"

"That’s impossible. I didn’t see Sebastian’s horse in front of the castle, and the distance to Nather City is quite far," the other medic replied, still puzzled.

The noise they were making caused Leonor, who had been resting in a female soldier’s lap, to slowly open her eyes.

The first person she saw was a tall, handsome man wearing an elegant noble shirt, his black hair framing his face.

"What happened?" Leonor whispered, confused.

Edmund gave a small smile, stepped to the side, and crouched down beside her on the right. He positioned himself there to block her view of their burning wooden house.

He didn’t want her to remember her parents’ deaths.

"You can call me brother. I’ll take care of you from now on," Edmund said gently.

"You? Lord Edmund? You were the one who saved me earlier? Are your injuries okay? Are you healed?"

Instead of thinking about her parents’ fate, Leonor focused entirely on Edmund. Her soft hand held onto his upper arm, firm and well-built. Edmund nodded slowly.

"My injuries are completely healed."

"Thank goodness. I’m really glad," Leonor said with a small smile. "Thank you for saving me."

"I didn’t save you alone. The other soldiers helped too. The woman behind you also played a part," Edmund replied.

Leonor turned instinctively and saw a woman with wavy brown hair letting her rest on her lap.

"I’m glad you’re safe, Leonor," the woman said.

Leonor didn’t know how to respond. Soldiers in iron armor and swords had come to save her, even though she was just a refugee from a small border village.

"Why... did you save me?" Leonor asked.

Edmund narrowed his eyes, clearly seeing a fiery red tattoo pattern on the girl’s forehead. He glanced to the side at the other soldiers.

They showed no reaction at all. Their expressions remained blank.

They don’t see the mark? Am I the only one who can see it?

Could it be that the mark is responding to accept my bond mark?

"Does someone need a reason to save a girl from monsters?"

"I believe... the real answer is because we’re all human."

"As fellow humans, we’re meant to help each other, whether we know each other or not," Edmund explained.

Leonor’s cheeks turned red. She smiled brightly, hearing an answer that didn’t hint at using her for anything.

Edmund’s face and demeanor carried the spirit of a true knight. She doubted he had any ulterior motive in saving her.

"I’m happy you saved me."

Edmund extended his hand. The back of his hand glowed with a bond mark, waiting for her acceptance.

"So, will you come with me to Archester?"

Leonor paused, looking at Edmund and the white-armored female soldiers around her.

After convincing herself, she reached out and nodded softly.

"I’ll go with you," Leonor said, shaking Edmund’s hand.

────[Bond System]────

[Congratulations! Host and target (Leonor Reimard) have activated a bond]

[Status:]

[Name: Leonor Reimard || Age: 16]

[Race: Human Half-Demon]

[Affinity: Fire (Max)]

[Class: None]

[Level: 7]

[EXP: 275/850]

[Bond: Conviction || Energy: 5/100]

In the end, Edmund successfully formed a bond with Leonor. From the energy shown, Leonor had only reached 5 out of the total 100 required.

There were many emotional stages she would have to go through to become stronger.

With a villainess like her on my side, the destruction of the Aschwin Family can be handled easily.

Edmund felt relieved. One by one, the problems had been resolved smoothly. He turned to look at Leonor and the other soldiers.

"You two, protect Leonor until we arrive in Archester," Edmund said.

The three female soldiers nodded obediently, ready to carry out his orders. Edmund then glanced at the two medics.

"You stay here and wait for Sir Sebastian. Don’t leave him, and tell him I’m fine," Edmund said.

"Yes, Lord Edmund."

Edmund looked forward again. He reached out and gently patted Leonor’s head.

"We’re going home, Leonor."

***

The next day.

News of Viscount Edmund’s victory in the Battle of Tuca spread throughout the city.

People praised him and placed their confidence in him, saying the future of the Aschwin Family was secure.

"Can you stop that?" Edmund asked, turning around.

"I cannot, My Lord. Your achievements must be known throughout the city. Fighting a monster army alone? Even the Prince and the Duke would hesitate to do that," Sebastian replied.

"Because of you, the whole city keeps talking about me. I can’t even go anywhere freely now."

"I apologize for that, Lord Edmund. However, I cannot stop the public’s excitement," Sebastian answered.

Edmund let out a soft sigh. What had happened was already done. There was no point dwelling on it further.

As he looked ahead, he saw Leonor in the front yard. She sat in a small pavilion, her attention fixed beyond the gate.

A butler assigned from the maid staff stood nearby, ensuring all her needs were met.

What’s wrong with her?

"Sebastian," Edmund called.

"Yes, My Lord?"

"Call Nisya here. I want to know what Leonor is thinking," Edmund said. Nisya was Leonor’s assigned butler.

"Of course, My Lord."

Sebastian left the study and headed to the front yard. From where Edmund stood, he saw Sebastian approach Nisya and bring her back to the study.

The door opened, and Nisya entered. She no longer wore a maid’s white uniform, but a black suit like a professional butler.

"Have you taken care of her needs?" Edmund asked without turning around, still watching Leonor.

"Yes, My Lord. However, I’ve noticed something about her," Nisya replied.

"Leonor. Call her Lady Leonor," Edmund said firmly as he turned.

"My apologies. I’ve noticed something about Lady Leonor."

"What is it?"

Nisya hesitated for a moment, glancing at Sebastian. The cold-faced man with glasses nodded, signaling her to continue.

"Lady Leonor... she’s lonely."

Edmund narrowed his eyes. "Lonely?"

"Since last night, she wanted to visit the city at night. Then she saw children her age playing together," Nisya explained.

"I believe Lady Leonor grew up in loneliness. She doesn’t have many friends."

Edmund fell silent, looking forward again. He now saw Leonor leave the pavilion and stand behind the mansion gate.

Her eyes were fixed outside, watching the lively streets, children her age playing together with their friends.

Edmund clenched his fist tightly. He had provided everything Leonor needed since she arrived at the Aschwin Mansion. Yet there was no sign that the second mission was complete.

Now he understood. Supporting Leonor wasn’t just about material needs, but emotional ones as well.

"When does Livden Academy open enrollment for new students?" Edmund asked.

Sebastian stepped forward. "In two months. However, the minimum age for female students is 17."

"Leonor is still 16," Edmund said, turning.

"Sebastian."

"I’m here, Lord Edmund," Sebastian replied.

"I want you to help Nisya find a house in an area where there are many children around Leonor’s age," Edmund said as he turned around and walked toward the side of his office desk.

"I understand."

Edmund’s attention shifted toward the person standing beside Sebastian, looking at Nisya, who was currently Lady Leonor’s personal butler.

Edmund and Sebastian could not always stay by Leonor’s side and accompany her. Their best option was to let Nisya remain with Leonor while helping with her emotional development.

"Pack your belongings. You’ll be staying with Leonor in that house."

"Maybe living in the Aschwin Mansion makes other children feel awkward about interacting with Leonor," Edmund explained.

"So, if Leonor lives the same kind of life as they do, maybe they’ll start accepting her and playing with her," Edmund continued.

"I understand what you mean, Lord Edmund."

Edmund nodded happily when he saw they had no objections to his suggestion at all.

He walked back toward the glass wall and continued watching Leonor, who was still alone in the pavilion at the front courtyard, her gaze fixed outside the mansion gates.

"I’ll visit her a few times. Hopefully, she’ll feel comfortable staying in that house for a while."