Chapter 143 No One Has the Obligation to Risk Their Life to Save You
Everyone looked at each other, confused about why Candy had suddenly turned her accusations toward Anne, who wasn't even present.
After a long silence, a cold male voice came from nearby, "Enough!"
Candy turned to see Holden approaching with a grim face asking, "What did you do to Fort?"
Candy's eyes flickered and she looked away. "I didn't do anything."
"Why are you asking that? Who's trying to drive a wedge between us? Is it Anne, or..."
Holden rubbed his forehead wearily. He hadn't fully believed what Hanks and the others said - after all, they'd been tortured and crippled, so there was no way to confirm if their words were true or false. But seeing Candy's expression, what was there left for Holden to misunderstand?
He looked at Candy mockingly. "You didn't do anything? Then how did Fort's clothes and armor end up on you? You didn't do anything, yet those two knights fell off a cliff?"
Candy's face turned deathly pale. Her lips trembled as she hesitantly took two steps closer. "Holden, let me explain..."
"There's nothing to explain." Holden stepped back, his eyes cold as ice. "It's not the others who regret saving you - I regret saving you. I should have left you in the Drogo Mountains until you died."
The surrounding knights didn't understand what Holden was talking about at first, but seeing Candy and Holden's disappointed expressions, they knew Candy must have done something terrible.
Someone immediately ran to Hanks's tent to find out what happened. When they returned, their eyes were wide with disbelief as they glanced at Candy, then whispered to the others.
"Oh my god, she really did that? Kicked her own trusted subordinates off a cliff to save herself?"
"And stole someone's clothes, causing them to freeze to death... This kind of person was actually the captain of the knights!?"
Seeing the looks from everyone around her - disgust, fear, all looking at her like she was something filthy - Candy couldn't take it anymore and screamed, "I just wanted to live! What's wrong with that! They got so many benefits working under me - what's wrong with them paying with their lives? Why should I always be the one giving, and not be allowed to take something back from them!"
No one answered her.
Candy looked at everyone with hatred, especially Holden, then covered her head and ran out. She was heading toward the Ivy Knights.
Anne had been discussing post-return matters with Cynthia and the others. Except for Anne, the other four planned to leave the knights since they had only joined to earn military merits together.
Now that they'd earned those merits, and the Soth Empire wouldn't see war again anytime soon, Anne didn't force them to stay. Especially Cynthia, who arrogantly lifted her chin. "I don't care about rewards - the Yadleys don't need this little bit of money."
Samira nodded. "That's right, our Cynthia has endless wealth. Why would she care about these things?"
Duncan added in a falsetto, "Then we'll have to trouble Miss Cynthia to give us poor folks an extra share."
"Hey! You're all ganging up to tease me!"
The tent was filled with laughter when Candy stood outside with a cold face. "Anne, come out and see me!"
Anne lifted the tent flap. "I refuse."
Candy gritted her teeth. "People outside are accusing me, calling me dirty. Are you happy now?"
"You all knew I was captured by Zotfort's men, but you dragged your feet and kept Holden from rescuing me in time. You did it on purpose, wanting me to die so you could have Holden to yourself and remarry him, right?"
Anne looked at Candy coldly. She'd explained repeatedly, but Candy only heard what she wanted to hear. Anne was tired of the constant harassment and had no patience left.
She drew her sword and pressed it to Candy's throat before she could react.
"If I wanted your life, I could take it anytime. Would I need to waste time?"
"Picking up a man that no one else even wants to look at, and thinking you found some rare treasure - does that kind of trash deserve my attention?"
"Candy, you need to get this straight - I never intended to compete with you for Holden. How Holden treats you is your family business, and I couldn't care less. As for why I didn't let people come, it's simply because they didn't need to risk their lives for you. What gives you the right to trade other people's lives for yours?"
Candy's eyes looked poisoned. She sneered. "You think I'll believe that? I've seen how Holden has changed. You've had ulterior motives all along, even coming to the battlefield."
"My being humiliated by Zotfort's soldiers was part of your plan too, wasn't it? You wanted Holden to think I was impure, wanted me to break down and kill myself, so he'd discover what a pure woman you are. Too bad - I'm not going to die, and I'm going to expose your conspiracy. When we get back to the capital, I'll report to His Majesty that you colluded with Zotfort's people and have you sent to be a camp prostitute!!"
"That won't be necessary, since I'm the one who contacted Zotfort."
Anne was about to say something sarcastic when a handsome blond young man slowly walked over. He had a high nose bridge and deep blue eyes that seemed to see through people's hearts. Anne was thinking there didn't seem to be anyone like this in the camp, but she quickly realized - this man was actually Friedel!
Friedel had just shaved his beard and trimmed his messy hair. They were about to return to the capital, and if he maintained his previous appearance, his brother the king would probably throw him straight out of the city.
Before he could change into new clothes, one of his subordinate knights hurriedly came to report that Candy had barged into the Ivy Knights and seemed to be going after Anne.
Friedel had no choice but to quickly wipe his face and rush over to check on Anne's situation.
Seeing Anne freeze for a moment before recognizing him, Friedel pressed his lips together to hold back a smile. He first sent people to escort Candy back to the Ivy Knights and ordered someone to notify Holden to keep a better watch on Candy and not let her run wild in the camp anymore.
As for Holden's reaction when he heard this, Friedel didn't care.
After sending Candy away, Friedel beckoned to Anne, asking her to come to his tent to discuss matters. Anne hesitated, barely accepting that this handsome, dashing man was the previously unkempt Friedel.
They entered the tent, and the previously courteous and polite Friedel immediately put on a serious face, explaining to Anne the military garrison plan he had arranged.
"So what you're saying is, in addition to the originally planned garrison, you'll arrange for rotating troops to guard near Warlinekza and the Drogo Mountains to prevent people from the Viller Empire from sneaking into the Soth Empire?"