...
For a split second,
Catherine thought she'd misheard him.
'Single-handedly?'
'Charge the enemy lines?'
But when she looked Lynch in the eye again and saw his serious expression, she realized he actually meant it.
In an instant, a furious rage born of intense humiliation surged through her. Her face flushed scarlet.
'That's a ferocious army of over twelve hundred soldiers! There are Beastmen, Mages, and countless crossbows and arrows! How is that any different from ordering me to my death?'
'No, this is crueler than a direct execution. It's more... humiliating!'
'He really does hold a grudge.'
'He's been waiting for this chance, a way to eliminate me completely under the honorable guise of "dying on the battlefield."'
Catherine was trembling with anger. Her eyes were locked on Lynch as she seethed through clenched teeth, "You might as well just kill me now."
"I'll go with you," Lynch said, his tone flat.
Catherine froze, stunned.
****
「A short time later.」
