I’ve Been Exiled, But I’m Alive and Well - Chapter 108 (Patreon)

Regis’ Point of View
Having been kicked out of the inn where Elle was supposed to be staying, I returned to my own inn quietly and exhaled deeply.

"My Lord, did you find Lady Gabrielle?”
"I couldn't find her. I was told that she had already left the inn.”
"That's strange, we have not received any information that Lady Gabrielle has left the inn.”

Gislain, with a dubious expression on his face, said, "I'll have them look into it right away," and left the room.
Perhaps Elle is still at the inn. I sat down on the bed and exhaled deeply.

“Just what am I supposed to do…”

The current Elle won't even allow me to apologize, let alone explain the situation. Forcing her to home would only make her suffer.
The time passed while I was without a clue of what to do.
It was midnight, and what came to my mind was the current situation in the Ansanse Kingdom.
His Majesty the King has not announced Elle's conviction. After the charm was broken, he canceled Elle's exile, but at the same time, he tried to silence the nobles in the known.
The country was about to be taken over by a charm magic of a single little girl.
He is sacrificing Elle just to protect the dignity of the country that is called a magical powerhouse.
That's the reason why we can't make a big deal of searching for her.
If His Majesty hadn't made such a decision, if we as a nation had apologized to Elle, something might have changed.

“Should I deal with His Majesty first…”

As the master of the Kingdom, I understand that he wants to protect the country. But this is something that should not be hidden.
I'll convince His Majesty to apologize to Elle as a nation.
I'm not sure if I can get her to return, but it's much better than being stuck here without any progress.

“My Lord, we have just returned…”

The man who came into the room was a battered Gislain. As I sat him down on a chair and cast a healing spell on him, he told me, "I found Lady Elle... and Giselle was with her.”
So not only is Elle here, but Giselle is here too... What's more, they're together...
While I was surprised and confused, Gislain looked at me bitterly.

"From what I've been told, Lady Gabrielle has no intention of returning."
"I see…”

I knew that. It just makes me feel sad.
She didn’t even listen to my explanation.

"So you fought Elle?”
"Yes…”
"You were beaten to a pulp.”
"I'm sorry.”
"No, it’s fine.”

Gislain is strong, it’s no exaggeration for me to say, even though I look at him in a favorable light. But it would be impossible to defeat Elle, the so-called genius magician of the centuries. He reported back to me feebly, "All of the search party and guards have been done in.”
She seems to be as strong as ever. And Giselle, whom Gislain trained to fight, was with her. The odds were too bad.

"Next time, I will…”
"We don't need to bring her back now. I'm sending the search party away. We'll be leaving Arburn tomorrow as planned, so be ready.”
"Why...?”
"Because I've got something to do back home.”

I'll take care of His Majesty.
Then we'll bring Elle back.
Gislain frowned, but instead of disobeying me, he said, "Understood. I will help heal the others," he said.

"I will clear your name, Elle.”

That's all I can do for you right now.

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