Summoned and Unwanted

597 A race against time begins

“But I am at my limits, as you are seeing. I need more time to win the fight against my old, weak self.” Lilith continued in a low voice.

Jun Ye Rim could now understand how Lilith was thinking.

Lilith was giving it her all to become courageous and act as a Baroness. To become a person others can depend on, instead of the other way around.

Jun Ye Rim saw others change, yet she still couldn’t figure out what to do to begin her change. She wasn’t going to participate in the judgment by combat. This made her increasingly even doubtful that she could ever change because of her low power and unique personality.

However, Jun Ye Rim didn’t want to feel like a spectator or inconvenience the people who accepted her for who she was. A faint spark of change was lit inside her body at this moment. How long it was going to take to burn brightly was a thing only the future could tell.

“I... I will try to change... b-but it is not because of you... o-or anything like that. Humph!” Jun Ye Rim nervously said before pouting as if Lilith had done something to her.

“Plow wants to become very very strong too.” *Pho* Plow snuggled her head against Jun Ye Rim’s chest and continued while acting cutely, “Jun Jun can train with Plow.”

“Good luck, you two, hehe. ” Lilith said before giggling and patting Jun Ye Rim’s shoulder.

“...” Jun Ye Rim was out of words.

.....

*Step, step, step* Many heavy metallic footsteps approached them. In the area with alleyways from entrances entered roughly fifteen soldiers and a vice-captain. The armed soldiers had their weapons drawn, and it appeared they were prepared for any type of situation.

Five women wearing soldier uniforms were behind them. Each woman held a bag by their shoulder. Additionally, on their arm was an armband with the plus sign, indicating they were first aid soldiers.

The vice-captain went to speak with the newly arrived vice-captain. A few words later, the newly arrived vice-captain ordered the medics to treat the wounded.

The medics approached the injured soldiers. They saw the green herbal balm and Iris applying it. They moved their head and saw Lilith and Jun Ye Rim wearing the academy uniform. Even if no student could leave the academy to this day, only nobles could procure such uniforms.

“Thank you for the first aid, but we can take care of this situation. You can return to your noble master.” One of the medics said kindly to Iris. The medic didn’t want to suffer from the anger of the two nobles wearing the academy uniform.

“Okay.” Iris agreed and stopped her treatment. Iris turned, and just before she went to her sisters, the soldiers and the female adventurer said, “Thank you.”

While this was happening, the newly arrived vice-captain ordered half of the soldiers to enter the building. They were to bring out the two bodies of the thugs and search for any suspicious materials or incriminating proof.

The rest of the soldiers were ordered to check the nearby buildings and, if possible, enter to search for criminal activity. With that, all the soldiers wearing armor and holding their swords left to follow their vice-captain’s orders.

While the soldiers were doing their work and both vice-captains were talking with each other, the four uninjured adventurers approached Ester, Lupa, Iris, Lilith, and Jun Ye Rim holding Plow.

“Baroness. Can we have the offer of quest protection from your powerful family?”

“Saviours. Thank you for saving us. But can we be under your protection for a long time?”

“We have become afraid this might repeat again. I heard many F Rankers are also suffering a similar fate. Can we be under your great family’s protection?”

“Yes, we need to be protected. In exchange, we can offer a forty percent cut from our completed quests.”

The four adventurers said one after another as if they had talked before approaching the members of the Lionheart family. They hoped for a positive answer. That is why the last person to speak mentioned offering a forty percent cut from each quest they complete.

Ester looked at Lilith while Lilith looked at her. Ester approached Lilith and leaned her head.

“What should we do? This decision is far bigger than having sponsored soldiers join us.” Ester whispered.

“I agree. This is more of a large-scale business proposal rather than offering soldiers to use our family name and free medical treatment.” Lilith whispered.

“Visit our home and ask my mate. He will decide if he wants to help you, humans.” Lupa responded without thinking too much about what to do.

“Kind savior. By mate, do you mean Barron Lionheart?” Asked the uninjured female adventurer.

“Yes. Visit the Emerald Lionheart Mansion to meet my husband, Baron Vincent Lionheart. You can ask the gate guards to meet us. If they tell you we aren’t available, then visit the next one or two days to receive a date for a meeting.” Lilith formally said with an aura of authority around her.

“Can I bring my friend with us?” Another adventurer asked.

“... s-sure. ” Lilith answered after a short pause.

The four adventurers became happy Lilith didn’t reject their proposal. However, they overlooked one crucial thing. Even if they had a chance to meet with Vincent, it didn’t mean he was going to accept their proposal or the forty percent cut from each completed quest.

“Lilith. Do you think Vincent and Kazumi will like this kind of strange protection business?” Whispered Ester to Lilith

“I think we could figure out what to do after a brainstorming session. But do not forget the intelligent Kazumi might figure out what to do in a day’s time.” Whispered Lilith to Ester.

The three male adventurers respectfully bowed. They went to give their contact details to the two vice-captains before leaving.

On the other hand, the female adventurer went to check on the other female adventurer being treated.

“I think it is time to leave.” Suggested Ester.

“Yes. I want to see the little green lizard pup.” Lupa agreed while wagging her tail.

“I hope we can arrive at a good time. I want to make a nutritious drink for the lizard woman.” Iris said while touching her pouch.

“... I will follow because I have nothing else to do.” Jun Ye Rim said before a short pause.

“Plow wants to rest on sofa. Plow is tired now.” *Pho* Plow said while jumping off Jun Ye Rim’s arm and landing on the ground like a nimble cat.

“Then let’s tell the vice-captains we are going to leave. ” Lilith suggested.

After Lilith made the suggestion, they approached the two vice-captains. They informed them of their departure, and the two vice-captains agreed without any complaint.

Ester, Lupa, Iris, Lilith, Jun Ye Rim, and Plow left and headed for the Emerald Lionheart Mansion.

They hoped to be welcomed with good news upon their arrival, yet they felt doubt even if they trusted Vincent and Kazumi. Because of the conditions of the slaves, the situation could go well or poorly. In the end, only fate could tell.

*The Blackheart Carriage*

About half an hour before the adventurer problem took place, the situation inside the carriage was worsening.

They had traveled more than halfway to the mansion, yet Kazumi was noticing the mana fluctuate chaotically, and the female lizardman appeared to be suffering more than before.

[Vincent. I think we don’t have much time left. The baby is upon us, and we are still far from the mansion.]

Vincent could see the female lizardman trying her best to resist the pain, yet her body was weak. Her breathing pace gradually increased, and her face was also gradually contorted in pain.

Vincent felt conflicted. He wanted to do something to help, yet the risk of an unknown side effect was too high of a price to pay. To save the mother at the possible cost of the child or to save the child at the possible cost of the mother. Not to mention the possibility of the mother and child dying together.

“We are almost there. Keep strong. We are with you.” The deer woman encouraged while wiping the sweat off the female lizardman’s forehead.

[The deer woman is trying to help, but words alone aren’t enough, unfortunately...]

“Shit... ” Vincent murmured.

‘The baby is incoming, and the situation is escalating. We don’t have enough space and this carriage isn’t very clean. Not to mention we do not have stable footing under us.’ Vincent pondered while rubbing his chin and frowning.

[Stop thinking and use our initial plan. Use Overheat and carry her home as quickly as possible. It has become obvious now that she can’t hold for longer.]

[Her water might break soon...]

“My leg feels wet.” The deer woman looked down and continued, “I think your water broke.”

[...] “...” Vincent and Kazumi paused for a brief moment, and their thoughts became blank as well.

[... We need to hurry to deliver the baby. The longer it takes, the more risk of infection she will suffer. Not to mention her current weakened body. A simple infection could kill her.]

Vincent opened the side window and shouted, “Stop the carriage. I need to get out now.”

The coachman carefully pulled reins and stopped the carriage slowly. He didn’t want Vincent to threaten him for causing the pregnant woman an injury.

The soldiers also stopped. The leader jumped off his horse and opened the carriage’s door. He became shocked and retreated a step back after hot green steam escaped from inside the carriage.