"Is that so?" Elaine fell into a pensive silence.

Celeste activates her healing ability, and Cecil is alive and protecting her. That means the plot is progressing according to the original story. And the portal creatures or my presence here did not derail it. Waves of relief washed over her, but then another dilemma arrived. Should she implore Elias to save them? But did they even need rescuing? After all, they were under the protection of the Léonas troops, a military power comparable to Étoile. In the original plot, Celeste was the central main character. So Cecil should be safe under her protagonist halo.

"Yes, Princess." The young man glanced nervously at Elaine, inferring the silence as her displeasure at his report. Brascal once overheard a conversation between the Croix knights in training about that blonde young man's relationship with the Croix Princess. He was her most favored guard. And based on his few encounters with the aristocrats, they disliked sharing their properties.

"Thank you, Sir Brascal. I have no further questions." Elaine returned from her meditative state, not knowing that the scout had already misinterpreted her body language.

"It is my honor to be useful to you, milady." Brascal inclined his body.

"I am glad you are satisfied, Lady Estella. We can now return to our prior discussion." Elias stepped forward, steering the conversation back to the Étoile troops' next move.

"Of course, Sir d'Amboise. My apologies for the interruption." Was it her imagination or paranoia? Elaine did not know. The male protagonist had been nothing but courteous toward her. Yet just now, Elaine perceived a slight annoyance in his tone.

"Commanders…" The scout again spoke with hesitancy in his voice. His face agonized as if a battle was raging inside his head.

"Speak up, Sir Brascal!" Elias ordered, sparing no time for indecisiveness.

"Y,yes, Commander." The knight in training finally worked up his courage. "Before Sir Berisha and I escaped, Sir Novik wanted us to relay to you a message."

"What is it?"

"Sir Novik's last request was to 'please save Lady Celeste.'" Brascal's voice adjusted lower. He knew he had made a difficult demand. No matter how heroic Sir Novik was, requiring the entire troop to endanger their lives to save a single noblewoman was absurd. And no commander would accept such an unreasonable request. However, he owed his life to the d'Artois knight in training and could not ignore his dying wish.

How noble! As expected of the female protagonist, even in the middle of the Insidious Forest, she still has a devoted admirer. Elaine's eyes beamed. She debated risking the Étoile troops' ire and requesting a rescue mission—primarily for Cecil. Luckily, someone else stepped in and became the scapegoat. She stared at the knight in training, thanking him in her mind. Suddenly, a shiver traveled through her. Elaine's eyes immediately shifted in the feeling originating direction, and the person she saw was Elias. However, his gaze remained focused on Sir Brascal. Did I image it again? Elaine wondered.

The scout stood motionless while beads of sweat trickled from his forehead, experiencing crushing pressure from the piercing stares of both commanders. He could feel his injuries multiplying.

"Do you understand the implications of that request?" Roland glowered, his towering figure brooding over the young knight in training.

"I, I do," Brascal stuttered, barely audible.

"We understand you are indebted to Sir Novik and do not deny his bravery. However, we cannot jeopardize the entire troop's safety for the lives of a few." The male protagonist maintained his calm demeanor. "Sir Brascal," he addressed the scout. "Can you bear the burden of the many lives we will lose once we interfere?" His voice was more tempered than his Co-Commander, yet the weight of his words hung like a mountain on the young man's shoulders, pulverizing any determination he initially had.

"I…" Brascal again dropped to the ground. "Please forgive me, Commanders. I, I have made a grave mistake."

Not good... It's not even five minutes, and he has already crumbled under pressure. Elaine's hands dug into her dress while her heart thumped against her chest. But what else can I say? She hated to admit it, but Elias was right. Could she sacrifice these men to save one person? Elaine clenched her fists, remembering her dire situation in the Croix's estate. Without Cecil, she would have had no one to assist her in investigating the poisoning, and Elaine was reluctant to trust anyone else. Even with Cecil, she was betting on her life by requesting his help. Elaine was preparing to give up if they could not find her guard. However, now that he was within reach, she had to try.

Her eyes hovered between Roland and the male protagonist. She could use her authority to force the Croix Commander into submission, but Elias was different. They were both aristocrats, and their Houses had the same rank. The male protagonist was a tactical leader and cared about his men. He would not take action based on emotion alone. Therefore, Elaine would need to provide a valid reason. What would convince him? She frowned.

Elaine glanced at the ensuing chaos from beyond the smoke. Suddenly, she recalled the other significant person involved in the fighting. Elaine heaved a sigh and then parted her lips. "I agree with Sir Brascal. We should join the battle."

The entire troop turned around, and Elaine could feel the pressure shifting onto her.

"And what is your argument, milady?" Elias looked at her, revealing no discernible reaction.

She swallowed. Her fingers tightened their grip on her dress. "Our involvement would benefit not only Lady Celeste but also Prince Nikolas, the heir to the Léonas Empire."