The Adventures of an Overpowered Knight in Another World Chapter 638- A Shadow Lurking Near Eleanor (5)

Reinhardt's knuckles connected sharply with the back of the man's neck, rendering him unconscious. The man crumpled to the ground.

"Take him and secure him in the prison," Reinhardt commanded. Knights promptly advanced, hauling the incapacitated man away.

Reinhardt paid the man little mind, his attention entirely on Eleanor. He swiftly moved to her side, supporting her with a gentle hold.

Eleanor was trembling uncontrollably, her body seemingly struggling to maintain its cohesion, her breaths shallow and rapid. She appeared on the verge of a breakdown.

Without a second thought, Reinhardt lifted her into his arms and carried her inside.

"Look at me, Eleanor. It's Reinhardt. That man is gone now. You're safe," he reassured her.

As he spoke, he carefully channeled his [Radiant Renewal] ability into her. A comforting wave of divine healing energy flowed through her, calming her frayed nerves and easing the tension that gripped her body.

Though her eyes remained unfocused and her skin stubbornly cold, her trembling gradually subsided, and she finally succumbed to a much-needed sleep.

.

.

Sunlight, soft and diffused, streamed through the curtains.

Lying in bed, Eleanor's eyelids fluttered open. The ceiling, the familiar decor – she recognized her own room.

"Eleanor!"

A person appeared in her line of sight. It was Melissa, her closest friend. However, Melissa seemed unusually disheveled. Typically, she exuded an aura of professional composure.

Today, her hair was slightly tousled, dark shadows pooled beneath her eyes, and she bore the unmistakable look of someone who hadn't slept.

"Melissa...?" Eleanor's voice emerged, frail.

Witnessing Eleanor stir, Melissa's eyes widened with profound relief.

"You're finally awake! Do you have any idea how worried we were? I'm just so glad you're alright..." Melissa's words carried a scolding tone, but her actions spoke volumes louder. Before Eleanor could react, she was enveloped in a firm, comforting hug.

Eleanor remained still for a moment, then her lips began to quiver, and tears welled in her eyes.

"I... I was so terrified..." Her voice cracked. Melissa tightened her embrace.

"It's okay now. You're safe."

Just then, the door creaked open, and Reinhardt entered.

The instant their gazes met, a silent acknowledgment passed between them.

"How are you feeling? Any better?" Reinhardt inquired, approaching her bedside.

Eleanor offered a weak nod. After a brief pause, she met his eyes again and murmured softly,

"Thank you..."

Before she could finish, she felt a gentle flick on her forehead – Reinhardt's doing.

"There's no need for thanks. Have you forgotten what I told you? You are under my protection."

His simple words resonated deeply within her.

That was right; he had indeed said that before. It was when she had shamelessly relied on him, even securing his agreement to protect her.

She recalled making several similarly unreasonable requests when they first crossed paths, all of which Reinhardt had readily accepted.

Eleanor clutched the bedsheet tightly.

"Still... I'm relieved you were there."

A comfortable silence settled between them for a while.

Melissa, sensing the moment, discreetly stepped back, observing the pair with a subtle, knowing smile.

After some time, Reinhardt broke the silence, his tone gentle.

"What happened back there?"

The question hung in the air, and Eleanor's body tensed instantly. Her breathing grew ragged once more. The memory, the trauma she believed she had finally conquered, began to resurface, threatening to overwhelm her.

"No... no..."

Huff... huff...

As the wave of fear threatened to engulf her, a steady hand reached out. Reinhardt gently drew her into his embrace.

"It's alright. If you don't wish to speak about it, you don't have to."

Sensing his comforting, divine presence anchoring her, Eleanor finally began to relax. Slowly, fresh tears welled in her eyes. Sobbing softly, she leaned into him, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

Within that embrace, her tremors ceased, and the pervasive fear gradually receded.

"No... I'll tell you."

And so, she recounted everything.

The man, she explained, was one of her most ardent fans. He had consistently attended her events, from movie premieres to stage performances.

Initially, she hadn't given it much thought. But in retrospect, she realized she should have paid closer attention. He had followed her from city to city, appearing at every venue.

His initial gestures—flowers, gifts, and letters—seemed innocent enough. However, they soon escalated to an excessive degree, bordering on unnerving obsession.

From there, the situation took a darker turn.

"He started showing up everywhere," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Places he had no business being. Private functions... backstage areas... One day, he even managed to get into my dressing room."

Despite the door being locked and her possessing the only key, upon opening it, she found an unmistakable gift placed conspicuously on the table – his proof of entry.

Hearing this account, even Melissa felt a shiver trace its way down her spine. Reinhardt’s expression hardened with each word.

The man continued to harass her, loitering near her home and neighborhood. He had even left a message scrawled on the mirror in her bathroom.

"I can perceive you."

Melissa’s countenance drained of color upon hearing this, and Reinhardt’s eyes narrowed further. The gravity of the upcoming events was palpable to both of them.

Consumed by an overwhelming sense of dread, Eleanor ceased her appearances on set, desperately seeking a means of escape.

However, on a fateful day, that deranged individual abducted her, confining her within his residence. She was held captive, perpetually under surveillance, a situation one can only imagine the immense psychological toll it would exact.

"I truly believed... I would never escape," she confessed, her head finding solace upon Reinhardt's chest.

Curiously, after unburdening herself, a sense of lightness permeated her being. The crushing burden she had carried for so long seemed to diminish, if only by a fraction.

Following a brief, contemplative silence, Reinhardt resumed speaking.

"I comprehend now. So, it was that man all along."

Indeed, he had harbored suspicions regarding the individual's identity for some time. Eleanor's confirmation solidified his premonition. He now possessed absolute clarity on the course of action required.

"Rest assured, he is confined within the deepest dungeons, never to witness the light of day again. You are secure in this sanctuary."

After a moment's hesitation, he continued.

"Furthermore, I shall augment the contingent of knights assigned to your protection. Consequently, you shall never again harbor fear of him."

Reinhardt's voice resonated with unwavering resolve and an unshakeable conviction.