《Eaten By The Tyrant I Raised》


 Chapter 1 - The Boy In Shackles

    Chapter 1 ¨C The Boy In Shackles


    That day marked precisely one hundred days since the extermination of the western continent¡¯s cursed Imperial House of Iver. The people of that House always appeared depressed, never trusted others and were even said to be obsessed with cleanliness, which was why those of the House of Iver always wore gloves.


    ¡°They probably just hated mixing with the lowborn.¡±


    There was no longer anything to stop the people from bad-mouthing the fallen imperial house. The people spoke as though they had been just waiting for that family to meet their ruin.


    Since the House of Iver had been their enemies, the new imperial family who had taken possession of the western continent, the House of Miltan, in fact, viewed such things rather favourably. Having finally triumphed over them, they were happy for the people to drag their name through the mud as much as they liked.


    Of course, such stories of imperial houses meant nothing to those far removed from the capital.


    The reason the seventeen-year-old Ron¨¦e, the daughter of Count Rieda, remembered that day had nothing to do with the fall of a distant imperial house. She remembered it because of the boy that she had met on that same day.


    It was sheer coincidence. For the path of Ron¨¦e de Rieda, the daughter of a nobleman, to intersect with that of a slave cart was complete chance.


    The cart was passing through the Riedas¡¯ territory on the border of the Empire. The face of a child inside was just barely visible through the barred window.


    He did not seem like a child.


    That was the first thought that struck Ron¨¦e when she looked at him. His hair, which was so thick with dust that it looked gray, had lost its life a long time ago; and his blue eyes were the same. Eyes that were as dark as an ocean abyss.


    It might have been that non-childlike darkness which drew her to him. Or perhaps it was because she was still haunted by the death of her own little brother, who had died of illness.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to buy that boy,¡± Ron¨¦e said.


    Ron¨¦e, a small girl of noble birth, rested her gaze on the child. His wrists, clapped in shackles, were bloody, and she could see layers of dirt covered the bloody wounds. That was how long the child had been trapped in the cart, being hauled all over the Empire.


    ¡°Ah, finally someone wants to buy him. However, this boy¡­ He¡¯s defective. Is that all right?¡± The horseman, who recognized her nobility, cast the boy a sideways glance.


    ¡°Because of that pretty face¡­ A lot of other young noblewomen thought to buy him, but they all gave up on him eventually.¡±


    Why? Ron¨¦e looked at the boy. His outward appearance was almost completely obscured by dirt. Ron¨¦e eyed him once more and then dropped her gaze. Suddenly, he was staring back at her.


    Sharp eyes. She did not know if it was an expression befitting a child, but he looked at her with a venomous gaze. His young face looked murderous, as though he wanted to kill her, no matter how.


    Even as blood started to trickle from where he was biting down on his lip, he did not stop glaring at her viciously.


    Ron¨¦e could see his pride: pride that refused to let himself be sold. She found herself murmuring to him, ¡°Humiliation only lasts for a moment.¡±


    The horseman was busy rambling on about the boy¡¯s history. Ron¨¦e pretended to be listening and kept talking. ¡°I¡¯m against slavery.¡±


    But he looked as if he did not believe her. She whispered again, ¡°Compared to being locked up here, you¡¯ll get a lot more chances to escape if you come with me.¡±


    He glared at Ron¨¦e, this young noblewoman who thought to buy him. He wondered if she was telling the truth.


    Ron¨¦e held his gaze. The boy¡¯s expression had started to flicker. Ron¨¦e whispered again, ¡°Humiliation only lasts for a moment.¡± It seemed like the boy understood the second time, and he lowered his eyes.


    ¡°Eh, what¡¯s wrong with him?¡± the horseman garbled in surprise. ¡°He¡¯s not usually obedient, but it seems like he¡¯s worn out! Or maybe it¡¯s because he hasn¡¯t eaten anything¡­¡±


    The horseman had been complaining of his faults before, but now that it seemed like Ron¨¦e was truly considering buying him, he switched tacks to start going on about his good points. Ron¨¦e abruptly cut him off.


    ¡°How much?¡±


    The boy stayed quiet, even at the mention of his price. The horseman looked at him as though it was strange, and then held up one finger. ¡°One gold, Miss.¡±


    It was an absurdly small amount for a person¡¯s life. But the horseman¡¯s face was as though he was being relieved of a burden. Without hesitation, Ron¨¦e handed over a gold piece.


    Clunk!


    ¡°Better not to unlock his handcuffs yourself! He¡¯s too much for a little lady like your good self to handle alone. No, we¡¯d best call the knights first.¡±


    Ron¨¦e shook her head at the horseman¡¯s words. The boy was staring at her. It looked like he still felt some doubt. She shook her head lightly again to reject the horseman¡¯s unwanted assistance.


    The horseman tilted his head questioningly, but in the end handed her the key and turned away. He was in no place to disobey a noblewoman.


    The handmaiden of the House of Rieda that had waited quietly throughout the entire exchange ¨C she did not dare to interrupt her mistress¡¯ conversation ¨C quickly moved to stop Ron¨¦e.


    ¡°It¡¯s dangerous, my Lady.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± Ronne reached out towards the boy without any fear.


    Clunk.


    The bloody shackles which had been restraining the boy fell to the ground. It was then that their hands brushed.


    ¡°.¡­!¡± The boy pulled his hands away from her in alarm.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to hurt you.¡± Despite her words, the boy kept staring at her with wide eyes. Ron¨¦e waited with her hand held outstretched towards him, until eventually he placed his hand on hers. He peered at her closely as though he was reading her thoughts, and then relaxed his guard.


    ¡°For now, let¡¯s go home and eat some food. We¡¯ll be leaving soon ¨C is that okay?¡±


    His dirty hand was clasped in Ron¨¦e¡¯s soft one. Suddenly, she noticed his hair. When she looked closely at it, gray with dust, she realized that it was actually golden.


    Now that I think of it, I¡¯ve heard that those of the Imperial House of Iver had golden hair


    For a moment, Ron¨¦e recalled the imperial family of a neighboring country, before dismissing the thoughts from her mind. Not long ago, the imperial family had changed to the House of Miltan and every member of the previous imperial bloodline had been murdered.


    However, there was no reason to relate that story to this boy. In the Miltan Empire, with the Iver family gone, silver hair was now considered the most noble.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    The boy carefully followed after Ron¨¦e.

 Chapter 2 - Nabel

    Chapter 2 ¨C Nabel


    Count Rieda, her father, regarded the boy with disapproval. Even without him, Ron¨¦e was already a thorn in his side. For Count Rieda, she was no more than an existence which caused unpleasant rumors tarnishing the reputation of his House to spread.


    ¡°Get rid of him as soon as you grow bored of him. That you would dare to bring a filthy lowborn into my house¡­¡±


    She likes things which remind her of herself, it seems.¡±


    Her step-mother, the Countess, who was a mage, thought of nothing else but what she could take from the House of Rieda. Like Count Rieda, she too detested Ron¨¦e more than anyone else.


    ¡°Cursed girl.¡±


    It was a story that began when Ron¨¦e had turned five. When the holy magic had had no effect on her, the priest had thrust his cross at her, proclaiming that this child had been abandoned by the Gods. From that day on, those she called her parents had looked upon her with loathing.


    ¡°Hey. Dust is going everywhere.¡± Her stepmother, the Lady Rieda, called to a knight and gestured towards Ron¨¦e with her chin. ¡°Shut them up in her room so they can shake the dust off their bodies there at least.¡± She coughed exaggeratedly and looked away from Ronee. Her eyes showed how lowly she thought Ron¨¦e was.


    ¡°Yes, my Lady!¡± The knight grabbed Ron¨¦e¡¯s arm roughly, showing no respect for her in his manner.


    ¡°.¡­!¡± Ron¨¦e¡¯s mouth gasped open. She tried to plead that he was hurting her, but the knight dragged her down the hallway as though she were a criminal.


    ¡°Ah!¡± Ron¨¦e let go of the boy¡¯s hand in shock and looked back at him immediately. She discovered that the boy was looking at the knight with even fiercer eyes than when he had been locked up on the slave cart.


    His eyes were fixed on the knight, as though he were seeing something quite different. His gaze was that of a young, injured beast.


    ¡°Get in there, please!¡± Only his words were polite. The knight who had just thrown Ron¨¦e into her room also grabbed the boy by the scruff of his neck and threw him in after her.


    Surprised, Ron¨¦e caught him in her arms instinctively. Thud!


    The boy who had been thrown and the girl who had caught him rolled onto the floor in each other¡¯s arms, their bodies aching from the impact. ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    Bang! The knight slammed the door shut.


    ¡°Cursed girl¡­¡±


    That, too, she heard clearly. Once they were gone, Ron¨¦e turned to the boy. It had always been this way for the poor child; it wasn¡¯t a surprise anymore. But, the boy seemed shocked.


    ¡°¡­You can leave whenever you like.¡±


    Accursed house. That was how Ron¨¦e referred to this place. Although the gods did not listen to her prayers, she did not believe that they had abandoned her.


    If the Gods had truly abandoned me, I wouldn¡¯t have been born, would I? She had already come to this conclusion long ago. Curse this house.


    Ron¨¦e, who had been lost in her thoughts again, closed her eyes and fluttered them open. ¡°Or, if you want, you can stay.¡±


    The place was not a good environment for a child, but it was still better than living on the streets or being locked up inside a slave cart. It was merely a simple act of kindness that served no benefit to her; though, she thought that it might be nice in some ways.


    But, while for her it was just a small kindness to let him live in a corner of her room, it could have been more than that for the boy. Such a young child could never have done anything to deserve to become a slave. She was sure his only crime was being born as the child of enslaved parents.


    As she had told the boy before, she despised slavery. Perhaps because it reminded her of the images of countless slaves who had been beaten in her place by her father.


    Count Rieda had used to beat the slaves in front of her without reservation, as though he was telling her how he would beat her if she were not of his noble bloodline. Slaves of about her age were dragged out with broken bones, bloody and bruised all over.


    And there was only one reason for this brutal treatment. It was all because she was a cursed girl, abandoned by the gods, that the holy magic had had no effect on.


    The boy stared at Ron¨¦e for a while and then nodded his head.


    ¡°Get this boy cleaned up first, please.¡±


    Only one maid, Ryne, followed Ron¨¦e. Their mothers had been close.


    ¡°Yes, my Lady.¡±


    There was a clear distinction in status in their household between the employees that received a wage and the slaves that were treated as less than human. But at Ron¨¦e¡¯s instruction, Ryne took the boy¡¯s hand without hesitation and gently led him to the bath.


    The boy did not resist, but said to Ron¨¦e, ¡°I will not forget your kindness.¡±


    It was the first time the boy had spoken. His eyes were still as dark as an ocean abyss, but he met Ron¨¦e¡¯s gaze directly. There was no hostility there anymore. Ron¨¦e nodded, though she did not really know what he meant.


    ¡°Of course.¡± She supposed they were just meaningless words of thanks.


    ¡°My name is Nabel.¡± Having said his name, he proceeded towards the bath.


    ¡°I have told my name only to you,¡± he added quietly. His feet, covered with wounds, stepped onto the clean floor of the bathroom.

 Chapter 3 - Accursed Child

    Chapter 3 ¨C Accursed Child


    Nabel soon emerged from the bath. He showed none of the sense of unfamiliarity with being clean that one would expect from someone who had been raised as a slave.


    ¡°¡­?¡± His hair definitely seemed like it was golden before¡­ Ron¨¦e thought as she looked at him coming out of the bathroom. After bathing, his hair was now black as ebony. There was also a mysterious necklace that was glittering on his chest. She had not noticed that before either.


    The reason why Ron¨¦e was able to see the necklace now was that the clothes that Nabel had worn were too big for his body. He was actually wearing a bathrobe that Ryne had prepared for Ron¨¦e to use.


    ¡°Nabel¡­¡± Ron¨¦e murmured to herself. She could finally see him properly now that he was clean.


    Without the dust and bloodstains, Nabel looked more like a child of noble birth than a slave. The wounds on his neck and wrists were obviously still fresh while the rest of his skin was pale and flawless as if he had lived the life of a prince.


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡± It seemed like he had heard her murmuring. Nabel was staring at her silently.


    ¡°My name is Ron¨¦e de Rieda.¡± The cursed seventeen-year-old daughter of the House of Rieda. A person who was awaiting the word of the temple¡¯s Oracle. A person who was awaiting her final judgement.


    A person who had been reported, by her stepmother, to the temple as the one who had turned away from the hands of the gods just because the holy magic had not affected her.


    And one day, the temple would give her an answer. She, who was unaffected by the gods¡¯ holy magic, was considered as an evil existence.


    ¡°de Rieda¡­¡± Nabel muttered. It was an aristocratic name.


    Although he was young, it seemed that he understood. Ron¨¦e eyed him. He certainly looked younger than her.


    ¡°¡­It¡¯s a meaningless name. As you saw before, outside.¡± Ron¨¦e waved towards the door. She was referring to the abuse from those people she called parents. Nabel glanced at the door and then back at her. His withdrawn manner did not suit a child.


    Ron¨¦e could understand not wanting to act like a child as well. Her parents would not abide by her childish begging and crying. She had to grow up quickly as she endured her life in that house, awaiting the temple¡¯s judgement.


    ¡°How old are you?¡±


    ¡°Twelve this year,¡± Nabel replied.


    Do twelve-year-old kids usually talk like that? Ron¨¦e tilted her head a little. ¡°I¡¯m seventeen.¡± Of course, she probably did not look like a seventeen-year-old girl either. The eyes of those two people who had to grow up too fast met.


    ¡°A five-year gap. You¡¯re like my older sister, then.¡± At Nabel¡¯s words, Ryne, who had been standing next to them, was startled with astonishment.


    ¡°Hey, you can¡¯t call her that!¡± Having stifled Nabel, she carried on, ¡°It¡¯s a good thing that the Lady is forgiving. How dare you call her with such familiarity as a slave-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Ryne,¡± Ron¨¦e interrupted her. After all, everybody knew that she was a child of Count Rieda in nothing but name. Even all the high society aristocrats who had never once seen her face knew it.


    Nabel looked at her with confused eyes. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to ask?¡± he questioned stiffly. Ron¨¦e cocked her head slightly. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°How I became a slave.¡± At Nabel¡¯s words, Ron¨¦e shook her head.


    It was obvious, even if she did not ask. His parents must have been slaves. Such a young boy could not have committed any crime.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have to ask about your painful past.¡±


    The life that he had lived up until now was unlikely to be a happy one. Nabel¡¯s eyes widened a little at her words. ¡°Then, do you trust me?¡± he said softly.


    Ron¨¦e was about to reply when he spoke again.


    ¡°The slave trader was telling the truth. I attacked people. The people who tried to buy me.¡± Nabel¡¯s eyes were asking her, ¡®Despite that, do you still trust me? How can you put your trust in me and let me into your sanctuary?¡¯


    Ron¨¦e¡¯s small sanctuary. In this huge manor, her only safe haven was this one shabby room. A room whose door was not even oiled and creaked as it opened and closed. If she let something dangerous in, it would be the same as losing her only safe place.


    Although it was his first time in this place, Nabel could tell right away. It was not just because he had good intuition ¨C this child, with his mature gaze, was used to being surrounded by enemies.


    Nabel looked up at Ron¨¦e silently. This person did good turns without hesitation. He was not sure if it was because she was young or if she had other reasons.


    But it did not seem like she bore any ill intentions ¡ª it was nothing but simple kindness. How wonderful and strange.


    Nabel had never seen anyone like Ron¨¦e. ¡°I¡¯m dangerous,¡± he said in a low voice, like a small beast growling.


    Ron¨¦e was suddenly reminded of the look Nabel had given the knight who had treated her roughly. Just like that time, he seemed like an injured beast. A young beast hiding its wounds, its fur bristling, warning you not to come any closer.


    ¡°People who are truly dangerous don¡¯t say that they are.¡± The reason Ron¨¦e knew was that her house was full of such truly dangerous people.


    The stepmother who had once approached her with a kind smile had turned hostile as soon as they discovered that holy magic did not affect her. That was when she was only six.


    Then suddenly,


    ¡°Ron¨¦e-!¡± A furious, screeching voice echoed from the hallway. Ron¨¦e flinched and turned her gaze towards the door. Her stepmother was calling.

 Chapter 4 - Humiliation Only Lasts for a Moment

    Chapter 4 ¨C Humiliation Only Lasts for a Moment


    Ron¨¦e could not ignore the Countess¡¯ summons. If she did not respond when called upon, the Countess would probably even fetch the knights just to drag her out.


    Ron¨¦e felt like she already knew why the Countess was calling her. It was always the same. The only difference was that this time, she had Nabel following behind her. Although she told him not to come, he was adamant.


    On their way to meet the Countess, Nabel passed her a handkerchief. It was one from her room.


    Or rather, it seemed more like he was clasping her hand through the handkerchief. Only then did Ron¨¦e realize, she was trembling.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Ron¨¦e said quietly.


    She always put up a front, but she was actually afraid. Her unpredictable stepmother was quite capable of hurting her. It was only natural that she was scared of her.


    Yet for some reason, she was not as afraid as before. She was not sure if it was because Nabel was holding her hand or if it was just because she was not alone this time.


    Even though she knew it would not change anything.


    ¡°Again! It¡¯s because of you again!¡±


    Even before they reached the Countess¡¯ chambers, they could hear her loud, hysterical voice. Somewhere in the distance, three bracelets dangled on her wrist.


    That showed that she was a mage of the third rank, the third level of nine steps that leads up to the gods. It was a relatively low position ¡ª but still, she was a mage.


    The mages were absolute believers of the gods. They performed strange acts by borrowing the gods¡¯ power.


    ¡°You harbinger of misfortune! This happens every time I speak to you! I cannot reach the gods!¡±


    In other words, her magic was not working. Her voice that was reverberating through the entire hallway caused the servants to emerge from every corner. They were muttering.


    ¡°It¡¯s starting again.¡±


    ¡°So it is. With that cursed body, why did she even¡­¡±


    All of their blame was directed at Ron¨¦e. Nabel¡¯s gaze skimmed over them.


    ¡°Who¡¯s that boy?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Do you?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know either.¡±


    The servants did not care if Nabel and Ron¨¦e could hear them. Passing between them, Ron¨¦e gradually quickened her steps.


    ¡°Don¡¯t come closer!¡±


    Suddenly the Countess, who had been screeching from afar, shot up. Ron¨¦e flinched and instinctively turned her head.


    The magic circle that the Countess had created was shining. It seemed that the magic had started flowing again.


    Whoosh. In a flash, a flaming fireball flew at Ron¨¦e. Shocked, she quickly threw herself around Nabel. Wrapped in her arms, Nabel widened his eyes.


    Boom! The fireball crashed into Ron¨¦e¡¯s body. The hot air around them was very real. Ron¨¦e squeezed her eyes shut and endured the heat.


    It¡¯s just for a moment. It will end very soon.


    The handkerchief between their hands fell to the ground and the moment their hands touched, a weak, white light shone out. Only Nabel saw it; Ron¨¦e, of course, did not. With her eyes squeezed shut, Ron¨¦e was trembling as she held Nabel.


    ¡°Ron¨¦e.¡± Nabel was surprised and tried to free himself from her arms, but Ron¨¦e would not let him go. The fire was spreading around them.


    Splash! The servants of the House of Rieda, who were used to such incidents, had brought buckets full of water and poured them over the flames and the two people amongst them.


    Ron¨¦e¡¯s dark pink hair was soaked thoroughly with the startlingly ice-cold water. Shivering from the cold, Ron¨¦e let Nabel go. She had already known that the servants were going to pour water over them.


    ¡°My Lady!¡±


    Even after the fire was all put out, they kept on pouring the water. It was as though they were trying to wash the dirt off the floor. Ryne, who had been dragged all the way here by the knights, ran towards them.


    ¡°Are you all right?¡± Ron¨¦e asked. Nabel wanted to ask her the same thing. It was Ron¨¦e who was struck by the magic. He looked at her. Other than being thoroughly soaked, Ron¨¦e seemed fine.


    ¡°Magic doesn¡¯t work on me,¡± she smiled. Water was still dripping from her chin.


    Nabel looked at her eyes. Although they were not red, the water dripping down her cheeks looked like tears.


    ¡°At least now you look clean.¡± The shrill voice of the Countess echoed throughout the hallway. It sounded almost like she was laughing. ¡°Hmph¡­ Let¡¯s go. I¡¯d like to eat something sweet in the garden.¡±


    ¡°Yes, mistress.¡±


    After tidying up the buckets, the servants followed the Countess. They all glanced at Ron¨¦e once and then quickly went away.


    Humiliation only lasts for a moment. Nabel recalled what Ron¨¦e had said when she rescued him. Her words may have been directed at him, but he supposed they had been for herself as well.


    Humiliation only lasts for a moment. Nabel did not think that he would ever be able to forget Ron¨¦e¡¯s dripping wet face.


    His gaze dropped to Ron¨¦e¡¯s dark shadow, and his eyes suddenly widened. He could see something there, hiding in her shadow. It had twitching, pointy ears, and a swaying tail. The tail even looked fluffy.


    A fox¡­? As soon as Nabel had the thought, Ron¨¦e¡¯s shadow faded.

 Chapter 5 - At One’s Touch

    Chapter 5 ¨C At One¡¯s Touch


    Before heading back, they replaced the wet handkerchief which had fallen on the floor. Thanks to that, Nabel and Ron¨¦e were able to keep their hands joined the whole way. Nabel stared alternately at their hands and Ron¨¦e¡¯s face.


    ¡°You¡¯re not hurt?¡±


    Nabel nodded in response. The one she should really be worrying about was herself. Nabel¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. He did not hold hands with others. Nabel looked at Ron¨¦e¡¯s hand again as he dwelled on that thought. He now disliked his own hand.


    Just as the rest of his dead family had.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    A warm voice called out in Nabel¡¯s head. He looked again at his hand clasped in Ron¨¦e¡¯s. That was the source of the voice. The white light that only he could see twinkled again.


    Nabel thought of many people. People who did not know the meaning of clasping the hand of another could have. Their heads were full of nothing but lies. Just lies and their disgusting inner desire. People who lived for nothing but their own gain.


    But not Ron¨¦e.


    Such a strange person.


    Ron¨¦e, to whom prioritizing herself first did not come naturally, was a very strange person. That was why he could not stop thinking about it.


    ¡±Magic doesn¡¯t work on me.¡±


    That was what she had said¡­ The scent of dried roses, matching her dusky pink hair, had come from the words which were whispered in his ear.


    ¡°Sit down here, my Lady.¡± As soon as they arrived in Ron¨¦e¡¯s room, Ryne brought out a first-aid kit and cast her eyes over Ron¨¦e ¡°Do you not have any burns?¡±


    It was only the magic that did not work on her; she had still felt the fire¡¯s heat. Ron¨¦e began to shake her head when Nabel, who had been staring continuously at Ron¨¦e¡¯s hand, rolled up her sleeve.


    ¡°Ah.¡± Without even realizing it, Ron¨¦e had been concealing a red burn mark from below her hand. It was the instinct of someone who did not wish to show it when they get hurt.


    The people from that household secretly rejoiced whenever she, who dared to reject the gods and not be affected by magic, was injured.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it just a punishment from the gods?¡± they would say. She detested their laughter. That was why she hid in front of others.


    But there was no such need for it now. Ron¨¦e, who had started to pull her sleeve down, dropped her hand. ¡°¡­Nabel.¡±


    Nabel widened his eyes in surprise at her tone as she called his name. Ron¨¦e¡¯s voice reverberated strangely in his ears. ¡°You told me you were dangerous, right?¡±


    Ryne said nothing and started to apply ointment on Ron¨¦e¡¯s arm with a sad expression. Watching her, Ron¨¦e continued, ¡°You¡¯re not more dangerous than this place.¡±


    At her words, Nabel clenched his fists unconsciously.


    ¡°Hey, let me take a look at you too.¡± After carefully checking Ron¨¦e¡¯s whole body, Ryne turned her gaze on Nabel.


    Nabel shook his head slightly in refusal, but Ryne was already fussing over his singed sleeves. ¡°Burn scars don¡¯t fade easily, you know. Hurry up.¡± Ryne took Nabel¡¯s hand and started to lift it. The moment she touched him, Nabel recoiled from Ryne¡¯s touch instinctively.


    Smack!


    ¡°¡­¡­!¡± Ryne was startled by his aggressive rejection.


    ¡°Ah!¡± Nabel appeared surprised too.


    ¡°She¡¯s not going to hurt you, Nabel.¡± Nabel¡¯s hard breathing settled at Ron¨¦e¡¯s words. Her voice calling his name got stuck in his head strangely again.


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m fine, thank you. I will say something if it hurts.¡± Nonetheless, he still rejected Ryne¡¯s hand. He spoke far more politely than before. It was the same as accidentally treating someone who had done you some kindness roughly.


    Perhaps she was able to tell that he was sorry from his softened tone, Ryne nodded her head. She thought nothing more of it than that it seemed like the young boy had been surprised.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Ryne replied to Nabel and bowed her head to Ron¨¦e. ¡°I will bring you some fresh clothes right away, my Lady.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Once Ryne had moved far away, Ron¨¦e turned to Nabel. Nabel was rubbing at the spot on his hand where he had bumped earlier after he had pulled away from Ryne¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Do you dislike people touching your hands?¡± Ron¨¦e asked. It was the only explanation she could think of.


    Nabel shook his head and stayed silent. Then he looked up at Ron¨¦e. ¡°It¡¯s a secret.¡±


    ¡­It could only be a secret.


    Ron¨¦e turned away respectfully, but Nabel was not finished speaking yet.


    ¡°But I¡¯ll tell you since it¡¯s you.¡± Nabel took a step closer to her, who was sitting on a chair. He placed his hand lightly over hers.


    ¡°If I touch someone¡¯s hand like this,¡± he said, his quiet voice reverberating, ¡°I can hear the other person¡¯s thoughts.¡±


    What? Ron¨¦e, with her eyes wide, had not said a word. But Nabel smiled as though he had heard her.


    ¡°Your surprised, questioning voice. I can hear it. And the deeper the touch¡­¡± Nabel¡¯s hand moved slightly from the back of Ron¨¦e¡¯s hand to her palm. ¡°The deeper the thoughts I can hear.¡±


    Ron¨¦e¡¯s lips parted. Nabel smiled at her surprise. ¡°I¡¯m only telling you. If anyone else finds out about this, someone will die.¡±


    At that instant, Ron¨¦e¡¯s shadow had darkened. Neither of them saw the pointy ears nor the defensively bristling tail that manifested there once again.


    ¡°Not you, but me.¡±


    How could he kill his saviour? Nabel had enough enemies to know how to repay kindness.


    He heard Ron¨¦e¡¯s thought that she would absolutely keep his secret through her hand.


    ¡­I¡¯m someone who holy magic doesn¡¯t work on. There ought to be people with other abilities too, I suppose.


    And her acceptance.


    Wouldn¡¯t an ability like reading thoughts be highly coveted by others?


    And her worrying too.


    ¡°¡­Why are you telling me something that¡¯s dangerous to know?¡±


    ¡°Because I know that you truly trust me,¡± Nabel responded. He paused for a moment and then continued quietly, ¡°Because I wanted to tell you a secret that you could hold over me.¡±


    So that if by any chance, I ever betray you, you can wield it over me.


    That was Nabel¡¯s vow that shackled himself: though such a time may never come, to never betray Ron¨¦e, who had been kind to him.


    ¡°Ah¡­?¡± Ron¨¦e¡¯s eyes widened while Nabel smiled. Their hands met once more. Ron¨¦e did not know it, but her hand was the first hand Nabel had ever held on his own free will in his life.

 Chapter 6 - Thuna

    Chapter 6 ¨C Thuna


    ¡°I¡¯m dangerous.¡±


    Contrary to those words, Nabel passed his time there quietly. In the Rieda household, he only ever opened his mouth in front of Ron¨¦e. He never once spoke in front of others, in particular the Earl or his wife. He only gave hostile looks.


    ¡°That mannerless thing!¡± Lady Rieda did not like Nabel¡¯s gaze at all. ¡°Throw it out!¡± she ordered the guards. But Ron¨¦e did not abandon Nabel to be dragged out of the house.


    ¡°Mother, I¡¯m afraid you have no right to throw this child out.¡± As she was the one who had bought Nabel as a slave, she was right. Nabel¡¯s owner was Ron¨¦e, and if it was not Ron¨¦e¡¯s desire, then he could not be thrown out.


    The matter would have been resolved if they could just throw Ron¨¦e out too, but they could not. They were still waiting for an answer from the temple concerning this ¡°cursed one¡±.


    The temple, which had originally been very sensitive concerning the matters of heresy these days only told the people, ¡°If you discover an evil thing, do not set it loose upon the world, but wait.¡± regardless of the type of matter.


    Thus, whether it was a blessing or a curse, Ron¨¦e was able to remain in the Rieda household.


    ¡°Then poke those rude eyes out or something!¡±


    On such days when her magic did not work, Lady Rieda would eventually fire her magic at Nabel. This time it was not a fireball, but lightning magic. Small black clouds appeared in the hallway and little bolts of lightning struck at Nabel.


    Bang! As a mage of the third rank out of nine, Lady Rieda¡¯s magic was not that powerful. But to injure a young child, it was enough.


    As soon as Lady Rieda¡¯s expression turned ugly, Ron¨¦e shielded Nabel. Thanks to that, the only damage the two of them suffered was the hem of Ron¨¦e¡¯s clothes becoming singed.


    ¡°Ron¨¦e.¡± Nabel clenched his small fists so tightly that they turned white. Neither of them had been hurt, but his eyes were growing darker and darker. The Rieda household that he had observed was indeed, as Ron¨¦e had said, a dangerous place.


    A place where only one person, Ryne, could be said to treat Ron¨¦e kindly. In this place where there were enemies on all sides, they could only lean on each other.


    ¡°This is a household where we worship the god, Thuna,¡± Captain Devant of the knights of the House of Rieda said, with his chin in the air. Thuna, the god whom these people worshipped so faithfully.


    His gaze looking down at Ron¨¦e was full of scorn. He spoke politely to her only out of deference to her station ¡ª he held no respect for her. He, too, would not treat her in such a way were it not for the label of ¡°impious one¡± applied to her by the temple.


    ¡°So please do not cause trouble. Do you understand, My Lady?¡±


    Bang!


    After the incident where Ron¨¦e, instead of Nabel, had been struck by Lady Rieda¡¯s lightning bolts, Captain Devant had practically imprisoned the two of them in her room. They did not know whose order it was, but there was no one in the household who opposed it.


    ¡°Who did this?¡± Nabel looked at Ron¨¦e¡¯s scorched-black hemline while Ron¨¦e¡¯s gaze darted about here and there.


    Thankfully, she was not hurt. Nabel was relieved but was also saddened by the way that she protected him so naturally. By the reason why she was not injured. But Nabel knew that having no injuries on your body did not mean that you were not hurt.


    ¡°He¡¯s Captain Devant,¡± Ron¨¦e said, staring at the door. Ryne hurried off to bring her a change of clothes.


    ¡°Captain Devant¡­¡± Nabel repeated in a quiet and cold voice, as though committing the name to his memory.


    ¡°My stepmother brought him with her.¡±


    He was a faithful follower of the god, Thuna, and he had no patience when it came to Ron¨¦e. Ron¨¦e remembered the first time they had met. Thuna said that people must be treasured. But Ron¨¦e was not considered a person in that place.


    However proud and arrogant she might be, she was someone who was so insolent that she would even reject the hands of the gods.


    ¡°Such a person must be sent to the side of the gods and rehabilitated!¡±


    Devant¡¯s voice had been surprised and scornful, as though he had not known that there could actually be such a person. He doubted that anyone like that would dare to exist and asked if it was not just magic that she rejected.


    ¡°¡­I see. Nabel¡¯s cold gaze bore a hole at the door.


    ¡°My Lady.¡± At that moment, Ryne approached. Although she had gone to fetch a change of clothes, she was empty-handed. She bowed her head, her expression apologetic.


    ¡°Your clothes to change into are not yet dry. Will you be able to wait for an hour, my Lady?¡±


    Ryne did not know what to do, but Ron¨¦e nodded her head understandingly. The reason why she did not have clothes was not because Ryne had not done her work. It was the fault of other servants who only put old and dusty clothes in her room. Ryne was skilled. She washed and repaired those clothes so that they would look like new.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Ron¨¦e replied with a small nod, and Ryne bowed her head again.


    Sensing the atmosphere growing heavy and wanting to lift it for the sake of her precious young mistress, she opened her mouth and said in a bright tone, ¡°By the way, I heard something from the other maids.¡±


    Ryne went a little away and started to prepare teacups and pour water. She was being attentive so that her mistress would not be bored for an hour.


    Nabel looked at Ryne, and then back at Ron¨¦e.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°They say that the western continent¡¯s House of Miltan has changed.¡±


    Nabel froze.

 Chapter 7 - A Thorny Briar

    Chapter 7 ¨C A Thorny Briar


    ¡°They say that the western continent¡¯s House of Miltan has changed.¡±


    Nabel froze at Ryne¡¯s words. She was looking at Ron¨¦e and Ron¨¦e was lifting her tea cup, so neither of them noticed.


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t it not that long ago that the House of Miltan came into power? After overthrowing the House of Iver.¡±


    That was already a well-known story. Ryne nodded her head. ¡°That¡¯s right, my Lady. But they say that the Emperor was killed in an uprising and his younger brother has ascended to the throne in his place.¡±


    ¡°So there was yet another uprising¡­¡± Ron¨¦e nodded her head. It was not as uplifting a conversation topic for her young mistress as Ryne had hoped, but she was limited to such stories as she was able to overhear in the household. The other maids did not view Ryne, who served Ron¨¦e, favorably, either.


    ¡°Yes. They say that divisions keep forming within the House of Miltan itself.¡±


    Having finished arranging the tea leaves, Ryne next bent down to examine Ron¨¦e¡¯s hemline. She cut off the part that was burnt black and trimmed it with the practiced hand of one who had carried out the same task more than once before.


    Ron¨¦e left her to it with an apologetic look. Nabel watched them, locked deep in thought.


    ¡°But since there is no one with a mind to overthrow the Miltans, it¡¯s already decided that it will be one of their family who will rule over the western continent.¡± Ryne¡¯s fingers were nimble, and she continued talking while she worked.


    She went on with stories about the legendary forest at the edge of the western continent and the rippling ocean at the edge of their own continent. As people who lived far inland, neither Ryne nor Ron¨¦e had ever seen such places.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s trimmed nicely.¡±


    She finished adjusting Ron¨¦e¡¯s hemline just as the conversation reached its natural end.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you follow us, now.¡±


    Nabel¡¯s expression had remained unchanged the whole time. Of course he had no intention of following Ron¨¦e while she went to change her clothes. He took a step back to show that he would not follow them.


    Ryne tilted her head thoughtfully as she guided Ron¨¦e over to the small room they used as her dressing room.


    She had been a maid in service to the nobility for her entire life ¨C as had her mother ¨C so she was well accustomed to the nobility¡¯s tendencies.


    It seemed to her experienced eyes that Nabel¡¯s mannerisms and movements were nothing like those of a slave at all. If anything, they were rather those of an aristocrat.


    *


    That night was as bright as if it were daytime. Nabel was staring out of the window through which the moonlight was streaming, quietly gazing up at the clouds.


    ¡°Shall we go outside?¡± Ron¨¦e suddenly asked. Nabel shook his head, but then stopped and opened his mouth. ¡°¡­Ah, if you want to.¡±


    Ron¨¦e realized he had misunderstood her. ¡°Not me, you. You keep staring out the window. I was wondering if you wanted to go outside.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡± Nabel¡¯s heart, which until then had been pounding as though he was nervous, quickly settled down at Ron¨¦e¡¯s words. ¡°Then, shall we go out?¡±


    It was night-time, anyway. Even all of the servants should have been sleeping by then.


    ¡°Okay. I was also just starting to feel like some fresh air, too,¡± Ron¨¦e replied.


    Ryne, who had been listening to the conversation, hurried to prepare for the night-time excursion. She fetched an oil lamp with a little flame burning in it and wrapped a cardigan around Ron¨¦e¡¯s shoulders.  ¡°It¡¯s still cold out these days, my Lady.¡±


    Ron¨¦e nodded. It was the time of year right before spring turned into summer. She also gave Nabel some appropriate over-clothes. They were old and ragged, but Ron¨¦e¡¯s room now had a pile of young boy¡¯s clothes for Nabel. It was a small change that his stay there had brought.


    Click. Ryne opened the door.


    Crunch. The sound of something catching in front of the door came. Ryne jumped and Ron¨¦e¡¯s eyes widened. At that moment, Nabel noticed Ron¨¦e¡¯s shadow darken again. Just as a pair of pointed ears started to form, her shadow fell still again, like a trick of the light.


    Nabel looked at Ron¨¦e. Ron¨¦e did not look as though she had ever, even in her dreams, seen strange things appearing in her shadow.


    ¡°This¡­¡±


    They shone the lamp light under the door and all three of their expressions stiffened.


    ¡°Thorn vines¡­¡±


    The thing blocking the door was a tangle of thorny vines. It filled the part of the hallway right in front of the door to Ron¨¦e¡¯s room.


    A thorny briar: the divine symbol of Thuna.


    Ron¨¦e was so surprised, she could not speak. The briar filling the hallway sent only one message: Do not emerge from that room, accursed one.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡± Nabel moved in front of the speechless Ron¨¦e. He grabbed a vine and tugged at it. It seemed like it would take a long time to clear the whole hallway.


    The vine which Nabel had grabbed was particularly thick and sturdy, and its thorns, too, were big and sharp. But Nabel ignored that and yanked it out of the way even though it pricked his skin.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch it, Nabel.¡± Ron¨¦e covered his hand with hers. His hand was already covered in blood. At that moment, their eyes met. When their hands touched, her thoughts were passed on to him more deeply than ever before.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. We don¡¯t have to go outside.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay to give up.¡±


    That was how she had survived in that household. By giving up on her own desires. Nabel gripped the vine firmly. He did not want Ron¨¦e to have to give up on the things she wanted anymore. A determined gleam glinted in his eyes.

 Chapter 8 - Despite

    Chapter 8 ¨C Despite


    Many months passed after Nabel cleared the thorny vines from in front of Ron¨¦e¡¯s door. The cuts on his hands scarred, and even as they healed over, the people of that household continued treating Ron¨¦e as less than human.


    The longer they waited for the answer from the temple, the harsher their attitude towards Ron¨¦e became, as though they were hoping she might just put a noose around her own neck.


    During that time, there was a small change in Ron¨¦e¡¯s room. Nabel, with bandages wrapped around his wrists, suddenly got taller. Even though they were unable to eat properly, he grew to a good height. As for when he exercised, sometimes if Ron¨¦e woke up in the night, she would find him gone.


    Ron¨¦e had been happy for Nabel to have one side of the only bed in the room, but Ryne had opposed it, and so Nabel slept on a mat on the floor. That was why Ron¨¦e usually saw him when she opened her eyes; but since some time ago, she would often find him missing in the early morning.


    ¡°Nabel?¡± The first time, she had been surprised, and had looked around him.


    Since she had once told him that he could leave whenever he wanted to leave, she had truly been alarmed the first time she had found him gone. It had felt like her heart would beat out of her chest. Even though she knew that she could not keep Nabel with her there forever.


    In this unhappy household, Ron¨¦e had no way of protecting Nabel. This house may have been better than being hauled around in that shabby cart, but nonetheless, it was an unpleasant place.


    Nabel, who had endured his moment of humiliation and followed her willingly, was now free. He could leave whenever he wished. Even though she knew that, Ron¨¦e had shot up from the bed to look for him.


    She had been ready to set out from her room right that moment if Nabel had not appeared at the window.


    ¡°¡­Ron¨¦e?¡±


    ¡°Nabel.¡± Relief bloomed in Ron¨¦e¡¯s chest at the sight of him. That had been when she had had to admit to herself. During those few months, Nabel had become her friend and her companion.


    Although they had not known each other long, in that household where she had nothing but enemies, he had become, like Ryne, a precious person on whom she could rely.


    ¡°¡­You¡¯ve really shot up,¡± Ron¨¦e, who had been reminiscing on the last few months, suddenly commented, looking at Nabel.


    Nabel, who was standing next to her, was growing noticeably taller. The young boy was growing more and more unrecognisable by the day. Although no more than a few months had passed since they had met, he was about a hand¡¯s span taller.


    And although she was five years older than him, she barely had to look down at him anymore. This was partly because Ron¨¦e herself was not very tall to begin with, but it was also on account of Nabel¡¯s early growth spurt.


    ¡°¡­Do you dislike it?¡± Nabel asked hesitantly. Ron¨¦e tilted her head slightly. ¡°What?¡±


    Do I dislike your getting taller, you mean? Ron¨¦e laughed.


    ¡°Rather than that¡­¡± It just felt strange that a boy whom she had always looked down at was suddenly getting taller than her. Eventually, Ron¨¦e said, ¡°I was just thinking that you¡¯ll be much taller than me one day.¡±


    In the end, it probably sounded like she did dislike it. Even at the light words, Nabel did not smile.


    ¡°If you dislike it, I¡¯ll do my best not to grow any more.¡±


    As though his height was something he could control as he wished. Ron¨¦e let out a small laugh.


    ¡°It¡¯s just that it feels strange when someone who¡¯s younger than you gets taller than you,¡± she said lightly. ¡°Since you¡¯re growing up so fast, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be taller than me some day.¡±


    Nabel eyed her. He replied quietly, ¡°You¡¯ll still always be the older one.¡±


    Always¡­


    Ron¨¦e felt the word get stuck in her head. As though he had said that he would never leave. Even though she knew it was selfish, she could not help thinking: it sounded good. Even though she knew that living in that accursed house would only bring him harm.


    Even though I know exactly what will happen to Nabel if I get dragged off to the temple.


    Still, Ronee could not easily let him go. With just one more person in that desolate house that she could talk with, she had felt like she had been able to rest these past few months.


    Ron¨¦e looked at Nabel. ¡°I know this isn¡¯t a happy place for you to live.¡±


    That was why the words were hard to get out. Nabel, who was gazing up at Ron¨¦e silently, was still just a little bit shorter.


    ¡°You know how people treat those who are cursed. When I have to go to the temple, that¡¯s when you have to leave here.¡±


    Those few months had been such a sweet time for her. But they could not go on like that forever. Ron¨¦e was of the opinion that it was better to give up early than to cling on.


    Before I get any more accustomed to happiness.


    Ron¨¦e made an effort to say the words firmly. Nabel could not go against her orders.


    Nabel, who had always followed Ron¨¦e¡¯s words, that day stayed silent. As though he would not follow them. As though he did not want to. And paradoxically, Ron¨¦e liked it better that way.


    Since that night, Nabel¡¯s excursions gradually became more frequent. Ron¨¦e wondered just how he was able to clamber in and out through the window so well.


    Perhaps he was always light-footed, she thought, and one day she happened to notice the countless results of his training underneath the thick bandages on his wrists.


    ¡°Don¡¯t overdo it.¡±


    When she said things like that, Nabel¡¯s ocean eyes grew even darker. As soon as his gaze met hers, he briefly dipped his head.


    He was looking at Ron¨¦e¡¯s wrist, where not long ago a maid had intentionally left scratches on her. Ron¨¦e had pretended it was just an accident.


    ¡°Just a little more.¡± He hesitated and then continued, ¡°It¡¯s because I want to keep you safe.¡±


    Another few months passed like that.


    During that time, Nabel spent his time quietly, as he had said he would. There were no clashes with other members of the household, either. But to Ron¨¦e, he did not look like he was meekly lowering his head.


    His gaze was certainly not meek. Just like the time when he had listened to her words and endured a moment of humiliation, he had the aura of a young beast keeping its head down while it waited for its chance to strike.


    ¡°I won¡¯t do anything that might bring you harm,¡± Nabel had said calmly, on a day when the knights had kicked him in their heavy military boots. Ron¨¦e had felt it on that day, too. The rage of an injured young beast.


    It was also on that day that she realized that he would leave her one day.


    Many people had left Ron¨¦e in her life. Those who treated her well at first quickly changed their tune once they discovered her identity. That was how she knew. She could recognize it when someone was going to leave her.


    It may not be because of me, but Nabel will leave this house eventually. The house was too cramped and unpleasant a place to keep him confined there.


    While it made Ron¨¦e sad, it also brought her joy ¨C she wanted Nabel to go somewhere where he could be at least a little happier. It would probably be the last gift she could give to him before she was eventually dragged off to the temple.


    Some time after that, the man who had kicked Nabel was still alive. But the servant who had left scratches on the back of Ron¨¦e¡¯s hand on the same day died.


    They considered it a coincidence. A big coincidence.

 Chapter 9 - In the Shadows

    Chapter 9 ¨C In the Shadows


    The Reida mansion was a south-facing building with good sunlight. The panoramic view overlooking the large glass windows was also considered to be one of the best in the local residences.


    Of course, enjoying it was a very short, or rare opportunity for Ron¨¦e. But on the day of the Countess¡¯s birthday banquet, she had a chance.


    ¡°Never go downstairs!¡± Countess Reida said to her, while holding Count Reida¡¯s hand. She was concerned that Ron¨¦e shouldn¡¯t be visible to her precious guests who came to her banquet.


    They turned their back and left where Ron¨¦e was, before she could even answer. It seemed like she didn¡¯t want to be in the same space with her.


    The fourth floor of the mansion where Ron¨¦e was located was empty. Only, the stairs going down were guarded by the knights, but the entire fourth floor was spotless as if no one had set foot on it, except for the servants who occasionally came and went.


    It was rather free for Ron¨¦e. On that day, she fully admired the view exposed through the wide window.


    ¡°I was told that the views of this place are as clear as any other mansion.¡± Ryne knew how to match the mood of the Young Lady.


    Ron¨¦e laughed. That day, she was able to receive as much sunlight as she wanted. So, her face was in full bloom. She was facing the opposite of the hall on the east side where guests had come. She didn¡¯t know where the Count¡¯s couple¡¯s anger would suddenly blaze if they showed up.


    ¡°There are huge forests in the Western Continent. Where the leaves spread out like the sea. When you look down from the high tower, it¡¯s really heart-pounding.¡± Ryne occasionally told the story of the Western Continent, where she had never been to by herself.


    Nabel glanced up at her. Ron¨¦e opened her eyes. ¡°The leaves are like the sea¡­¡± She was an inland person who had never been to the sea, but she knew that the sea was so long, that she could never see the end.


    In her head, she tried to create a wide forest by endlessly connecting the trees below. Of course, it wasn¡¯t easy.


    It was then.


    ¡°The master ordered me to make sure that you won¡¯t come out.¡± The maid, who appeared while holding the bucket, had an unpleasant expression on her face. It seemed like she didn¡¯t want to be next to someone who had been abandoned by God. But cleaning was her duty, so she couldn¡¯t help it.


    She yelled and put the bucket down in front of Ron¨¦e. And Ron¨¦e, who had stepped away from the bucket without her knowledge, only realized then that the height of railing was too high.


    In an instant, her body fell backward. The moment she was in the air, she lost her words. Her body fell off the railing. The blinding sunlight lit her shadow. She shimmered. Then, the ear and the sprinkling of tails moved from the end of the dark shadow.


    ¡°Sister!¡±


    ¡°Miss!¡±


    Nabel¡¯s reaction was faster than Ryne¡¯s. He reached out quickly and held Ron¨¦e¡¯s arm. At that time, Ron¨¦e saw something popping out of her shadow, behind Nabel.


    ¡°Nabel!¡±


    It was some animal that jumped out behind Nabel, and it wasn¡¯t a small one.


    Kwang! Black and pointed ears first appeared to Ron¨¦e, barely hanging on the railing. She also saw a white, fluffy tail swaying back and forth. The animal was holding them back, as if trying to protect her and Nabel from falling off the railing.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°Sister, hold me.¡± Nabel did not care about the new appearance. Ron¨¦e¡¯s feet were trembling violently, causing her shoes to fall onto the ground.


    Soon, the sound of shoes crashing into the ground was heard. The surprised maid screamed, dropping the mop. ¡°Oh my!¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡± The knights, who were guarding the stairs to prevent Ron¨¦e from leaving the fourth floor, rushed through the room. With a surprised face, the maid pointed towards Ron¨¦e. Their gaze turned to the other side, away from Ron¨¦e, who was on the brink of falling.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°Fox?¡±


    ¡°Why is that in the mansion?¡±


    A black, pointed ear stood erected. Its black front feet were slightly bent as if it was about to jump forward. The soft-looking orange fur stood still as if guarding the surrounding. The same was true for the white, frivolous tail. The fox was clearly wary of the knights.


    ¡°¡­¡­!¡±


    At that moment, the fox¡¯s appearance became translucent, and Ron¨¦e felt her body was floating. ¡°Uh¡­?¡±


    Along with that power, Nabel hoisted her with great force. She didn¡¯t know where the child¡¯s arms came from. ¡°Sister.¡± And only when her feet touched the floor, Nabel let his breath.


    Ron¨¦e¡¯s bare feet touched the hallway, and felt the coldness of the floor, which jolted her awake from her daze. ¡°Nabel¡­¡± Her gaze turned to the new fox. ¡°The fox¡­?¡±


    ¡°It appeared in the shadow.¡± Nabel pointed to Ron¨¦e¡¯s shadow. It was when Ron¨¦e opened her eyes wide.


    ¡°That devil brought a special animal into the mansion!¡± One of the servants, who saw the fox, screamed. It was not long before the gazes of the knights became harsh.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let that go to the master!¡±


    ¡°Kill!¡±


    Knights who believed in gods could also use magic. They made a fireball in one hand with a sword in the other.


    ¡°¡­¡­!¡±


    There was no hesitation in their attacks. Ron¨¦e flung her arms around Nabel without his knowledge.


    Kwang!


    For the first time, Ron¨¦e didn¡¯t feel the scorching heat. It was the virtue of the fox standing in front of her, who had consumed the fireball.


    ¡°My, my¡­!¡± The knights were unable to coordinate.


    ¡°It¡¯s also that woman who has a fox!¡± The servants and knights shouted. At that time, fox¡¯s appearance again faded.


    Kwang! The fox staggered. Surprised, Ron¨¦e reached out to the fox unknowingly, and the fox hid in her shadow. In the dark shadows, the pointed ears and fluttering tails appeared briefly, and then disappeared.

 Chapter 10 - Blossoming Love

    Chapter 10 ¨C Blossoming Love


    ¡°She was a woman abandoned by God!¡±


    ¡°What kind of devil that fox might be!¡±


    ¡°Apparently, it jumped out of her shadow!¡±


    There was an uproar in the hallway. Meanwhile, Ron¨¦e was locked in the room, and even her maid, Ryne, was unable to go to her. Rather, Ryne was reprimanded for dragging a devil into the house. There were even stories of accomplices.


    ¡°Ryne must be safe.¡± Ron¨¦e was bowing her head as she listened to the clamor in the hallway. The room was dark and there was no Ryne to set the fire on the lamp.


    Nabel tried to do Ryne¡¯s work. He wasn¡¯t familiar with all those works so it took time to light the lamps. Then, he sat next to Ron¨¦e after lighting the room¡¯s lamps and handing her a warm tea.


    In the quiet room, Ron¨¦e said suddenly. ¡°What was that fox?¡±


    Nabel answered immediately. ¡°It¡¯s not a devil.¡± He answered as if he knew something about it. Ron¨¦e¡¯s gaze turned to Nabel. ¡°Do you know what it is?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± Nabel reached out without hesitation. Originally, he was extremely reluctant to reveal himself, but in these months, he was different, at least not in front of Ron¨¦e.


    She was a strange, grave and tickling person to Nabel. A person who he wanted to keep touching. A person who he wanted to reach down. That was the first time in Nabel¡¯s short life. He was able to reveal everything.


    His hands touched the shadow of Ron¨¦e. A knocking sound rang the room. Ron¨¦e was looking at the shadow with her eyes wide open.


    Kwang!


    ¡°Ah?¡±


    It was the cry they heard earlier. It seemed a little sore. Then, Ron¨¦e¡¯s shadow moved a little, and the fox she saw then, popped out.


    ¡°Ah¡­!¡±


    The fox stayed in Ron¨¦e¡¯s arms. As if it had known Ron¨¦e for a long time, the fox snuggled on her shoulder. When Nabel and the creature¡¯s gaze met, the little crying fox crouched in Ron¨¦e¡¯s arms. Ron¨¦e was frozen, unable to move.


    It was the fox that felt something familiar. It was as if Ron¨¦e had been raising it for a long time, as if she had known it for a long time.


    ¡°This fox¡­¡± Ron¨¦e looked at Nabel. Nabel seemed to know something.


    ¡°From the West¡­ I can see it.¡±


    She was surprised at his answer. When did he go to the Western Continent if he was a slave in a wagon?For the first time, her curiosity peaked, and she wanted to ask Nabel despite his past being painful.


    ¡°Animals that protect people¡­ In the Western Continent, it is called Shinsu.¡±


    Nabel had noticed her shadow and suspected it several times. He thought there were no people with Shinsu in the Eastern Continent. However, the fox in shadow moved whenever Ron¨¦e was in trouble, and in her shadow, there was a nervousness whenever she was threatened. It was undoubtedly a Shinsu.


    ¡°My god, you have a god¡¯s animal.¡±


    Ron¨¦e had been told that the gods had abandoned her, which was why magic had no effect on her. Ron¨¦e looked down at the fox, speechless. Nabel nodded slightly. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a creature from the gods. And maybe it was thanks to this fox that sister isn¡¯t affected by magic.¡±


    Stupid people. Nabel curled his hands into a ball.


    Shinsu, the animals of the gods were sacred beings in the Western Continent. Although it was never common in the Western world, Nabel was another man possessing such divine power. He was a man who was also highly revered.


    There, they couldn¡¯t recognize Shinsu, and they were foolishly referring to the master of the gods as a person abandoned by  the gods.


    ¡°God did not abandon my sister.¡± Nabel said with a soft smile on his lips. It was said that when the gods¡¯ love transcended, it took the form of an animal. ¡°Foolish ones.¡± He said again. Ron¨¦e stared at him.


    ¡°You have to send her to the temple right now!¡±


    ¡°You must purify her at the temple altar!¡±


    Outside the window, in the training ground, the cruel voices of the knights bellowed. Nabel laughed, clenching his fists. ¡°¡­Do you want to go out there?¡± His voice was low and sweet. Nabel¡¯s expression, shrouded by shadows of the moonlight, was invisible to Ron¨¦e.


    Ron¨¦e closed her eyes, tears trickling down her face. ¡°¡­I want to go out.¡± But I can¡¯t go out.


    Nabel silently put her hand in his hand and Ron¨¦e¡¯s thoughts flowed through his hands. She no longer needed to say out loud what she desired.


    ¡°If I can go out, I want to go out.¡±


    ¡°Neither you nor I can get out without getting hurt.¡±


    Then, Nabel made up his mind completely. ¡°I said I must pay back my grace.¡±


    It was the story he told the first day they met. Ron¨¦e opened her eyes. Her vision was slightly blurred.


    ¡°I like you, sister.¡± He whispered. Although still young, he said it wholeheartedly. ¡°Even after ten years later, I want to live by seeing you.¡±


    In his short life, spending time with Ron¨¦e was the most meaningful time. He wasn¡¯t happy where he was then, but now, it was different. It was good anywhere beside her. Even a mansion full of mindless creatures. Because he only had one sister.


    Ron¨¦e was the first to save him. It was a small favour, and now it was time for Nabel to save her. He was completely determined.


    ¡°Forever, I want to be with you.¡±


    He thought of leaving Ron¨¦e¡¯s side for a short period, so that he could see her free.

 Chapter 11 - Blue Farewell

    Chapter 11 ¨C Blue Farewell


    It was a dreamy voice.


    ¡°Forever, I want to be with you.¡±


    Ron¨¦e thought it might be a dream. It was such a nice and calm night if it weren¡¯t for the knights downstairs who were obnoxiously loud with their intentions to kill her.


    Ron¨¦e opened her mouth. ¡°¡­But.¡±


    ¡±How could she send someone like that to a sacred place!¡±


    ¡°I want you to call the heresy interrogator of the temple right away!¡±


    From outside, Nabel heard voices that talked about how to punish Ron¨¦e. Ron¨¦e fell silent. The Count seemed to be in motion. He planned to send Ron¨¦e to the temple, and thought he would sell it to the merchant family afterwards.


    The merchants were worshippers of money rather than the gods in the distance, so they were well suitable to the Count¡¯s wicked schemes.


    ¡°¡­But, you and I, no.¡± Ron¨¦e spoke firmly, swallowing the bitterness that crept in her heart. She didn¡¯t even know her hand was touching Nabel¡¯s. ¡°My father will somehow try to sell me to a better place, so I will object to it.¡±


    There was no way to protect Nabel if he came across so many knights. Ron¨¦e closed her eyes. She suppressed her desire as she always did, but Nabel heard it.


    ¡°I like you too.¡±


    If she was sold somewhere as the Count¡¯s intentions were, they might meet again. But if the temple would decide that she is indeed a heresy, she would be burned. Then, it was goodbye.


    Nabel slowly closed his eyes. Above his shoulder, a fox jumped up, as if comforting him. He looked at the fluttering tail and returned the fox to Ron¨¦e, who snuggled comfortably in her arms.


    ¡°Grace will surely pay back.¡±


    ¡°I will not forget your kindness.¡±


    The fox bounced in Ron¨¦e¡¯s arms. Nabel did not dare reach out to Ron¨¦e. It wasn¡¯t a rejection, but it wasn¡¯t the best time. Instead, he stroked the fox. ¡°This fox will only follow its sister. Sometimes it will disappear, but then¡­¡±


    Nabel reached out and touched Ron¨¦e¡¯s shadow. Then, the fox purred as if Nabel was stroking his body and soon emerged from the shadow. Ron¨¦e¡¯s eyes opened wide.


    ¡°Stroke the shadows, and it will come out.¡±


    ¡°How¡­¡± Does he know so well? She wanted to ask that. Ron¨¦e was wondering where he came from. Surely, he was not a slave.


    ¡°I could see very occasionally, where I was.¡± Nabel bowed briefly. ¡°It¡¯s from a family that follows only the owner, supports only the owner, and will risk its life. It will never leave its sister, Ron¨¦e.¡±


    Ron¨¦e¡¯s eyes quivered at Nabel¡¯s words. She knew that the moment she wanted to avoid was coming.


    ¡°Ron¨¦e¡­¡± Humiliation was evident in his voice. Ron¨¦e knew that Nabel would change someday, but she still hoped. He had grown older than when he first came


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget me.¡± Nabel whispered. He was determined to save Ron¨¦e from this place.


    The scars left by the chains were gradually fading on Nabel¡¯s wrists. Now, only faint traces of his imprisonment remained. But for him, it didn¡¯t matter if there were rough marks there again, because he had fixed his soul on his goal.


    ¡°¡­Are you leaving?¡± Ron¨¦e¡¯s voice was weak. Even though she knew he would go someday, Ron¨¦e wanted to hold him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be alone again.¡±


    Once again, she suppressed her desires, not realizing that her thoughts were flowing through Nabel.


    ¡°Ron¨¦e, wait.¡± Nabel held her hand tight. He whispered strongly, ¡°Certainly, I¡¯ll be back.¡±


    ¡°¡­Nabel.¡± Ron¨¦e muttered his name briefly, bowing her head. ¡°¡­I¡¯ll name the fox, Bell.¡±


    ¡°After your name.¡± She meant she would not forget about him and the months that were most special in her life.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Nabel caressed her hair, which was slightly unkempt and looked like dried rose petals. Her rosy hair stayed on his fingertips for a while. ¡°I will come back, for sure.¡±


    Where would Nabel go? Ron¨¦e thought curiously, but didn¡¯t ask. She didn¡¯t know where to go, but as soon as the answer came from the temple, she knew she would be erased from the world. Then, they won¡¯t be able to meet again.


    She closed her eyes, but opened them at the soft touch on her forehead. It wasn¡¯t on her lips because she didn¡¯t allow it. Nabel had placed a kiss on Ron¨¦e¡¯s forehead.


    As he bid his farewell, he left, the picture of Ron¨¦e still captivated in his mind.


    He should rather leave. Ron¨¦e thought as she looked at his back. She closed her eyes. This was not a happy place, and hence, the treasured moments in her life were over.

 Chapter 12 - Unfortunate Devil

    Chapter 12 ¨C Unfortunate Devil


    The people at the palace laughed at Ron¨¦e.


    ¡°Slave ran away?¡±


    ¡°Even a slave couldn¡¯t serve a person cursed by God!¡±


    ¡°Perhaps he didn¡¯t want to be punished along¡­ ¡±


    Ron¨¦e didn¡¯t respond to their jeers. Leaving would be a happy path for Nabel. When he left, she stared out of the window every night; perhaps she could figure out where he had gone. Why did the knights regard him like a thorn in their eyes? She pondered.


    Under the window, where there wasn¡¯t a single trace of Nabel, knights and servants gathered and chattered. Some went to pray.


    Ron¨¦e was convinced that the mansion was cursed. She wondered if Nabel was somewhere outside, because he had a habit of listening to other people¡¯s conversation. Eventually, her eyes fluttered close.


    Bang! Ryne snapped the window shut, startling Ron¨¦e, who flinched. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry.¡± Ryne gasped. She looked apologetic. Ron¨¦e laughed at her. ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡±


    Fortunately, Ryne returned safely to Ron¨¦e¡¯s side. To be precise, no one wanted to enshrine Ron¨¦e. She had to be kept alive until she went to the temple. At the end of the day, she would have to endure their scorn.


    In her arms rested the fox, Bell.


    ¡°Take that demonic thing to the temple right now!¡± The Countess, who had seen Bell cried out, but Bell was stronger than she had assumed. She had attacked Bell restlessly with her evil magic until exhaustion took over her, but Bell endured to the end.


    As Nabel had said, no magic worked on Bell, and there was no way for the knights to exercise their skills to the fox that swiftly dodged their swords like a breeze. Moreover, Bell had a special ability. Bell knew what Ron¨¦e wanted as if it could read her mind.


    Like the first time when Ron¨¦e almost fell off the railing, the fox knew what Ron¨¦e wanted and saved her. When she did not want to fall off the railing, she would only make a wish not to fall. And when she asked Bell to protect Ryne, the fox wrapped up Ryne, who was almost drenched in scalding water.


    It seemed there was no limit to the fox¡¯s abilities.


    ¡°You have to kill that evil animal somehow!¡±


    But what was certain was that knights of the palace were not capable of hurting Bell, no matter how much they desperately tried. This made Ron¨¦e assured.


    At least, until the heresy interrogator came from the temple, there were no more people who could torment her.


    People in the mansion would step back, wary of Bell. It was natural that if they tried to attack Ron¨¦e, the fox would not hesitate to bite, and like the devil¡¯s, God¡¯s magic would not work. And Bell was going to stay by Ron¨¦e¡¯s side no matter what.


    Its body relaxed as soon as the noise outside disappeared. Ron¨¦e stroked Bell. The fox was like a friend that Nabel gave. She thought with a light smile. There won¡¯t be anyone coming from the temple soon.


    Ryne combed her hair. Although she may have suffered from her, Ryne remained the same. Ron¨¦e was both grateful and sorry for that. Ryne wasn¡¯t sure what would happen if she was taken to the temple.


    ¡°There¡¯s been a disturbance at the temple.¡±


    ¡°Disturbance?¡± Ron¨¦e opened her eyes, curious.


    ¡°The temple was attacked.¡±


    Ron¨¦e didn¡¯t know whether she should be cheerful or downcast. So, her disposition was postponed until the temple regained its peace. In fact, it was an indefinite postponement.


    ¡°Keep watching the devil in custody.¡± It was a message from the temple.


    The temple, which had already heard of the fox, defined her as a demon. However, they hadn¡¯t classified her as dangerous; that was only their instruction.


    That was how Ron¨¦e was kept in a strange, concealed room in the mansion. It was a great place for one who didn¡¯t want to interact with anyone. At her sudden disappearance, other people even thought Ron¨¦e was gone.


    *


    Ten years have passed.


    Meanwhile, an upheaval struck on the continent.


    The centre of the upheaval was the Western Continent.

 Chapter 13 - Desiring Freedom

    Chapter 13 ¨C Desiring Freedom


    The Emperor of the West Empire had changed four times. The West Empire was a strong empire back when Emperor Iver, famous for his tuberosity, occupied its throne. But now it barely existed, like a piece of cake eaten around.


    The minorities, who relegated to the corner of the West, did not miss the opportunity and attacked the Empire. All sides of the Empire became a battlefield, and in the middle of it, a young child with a sword suddenly appeared.


    ¡°On the battlefield, even a child like that¡­¡±


    Ironically, those who felt pity towards the child died first. Yet the child survived tenaciously, even if his back was covered with wounds and his breathing was ragged, persistently enduring. The longer he was on the battlefield, the more injuries he suffered.


    By the time the Emperor of Miltan was replaced for the fifth time, he turned his sword to the center of the Empire, the symbol of the Iver family carved in his gloves.


    He sported black hair, which was golden before. The necklace around his neck was nothing but a tool for hiding his blonde hair.


    It was about ten years after the child appeared.


    His name was Nabel Iver.


    ***


    The fork poked the apple in the middle, clutched by a hand that was tender and thin. The owner of the hand saw one side of the apple turning brown, and took a bite, avoiding it.


    Ron¨¦e suddenly looked at her hand. Every time she looked at it, she would sometimes remember another hand, holding her own.


    ¡°Nabel.¡± A small frown appeared on her lips. It was a name she hadn¡¯t forgotten even after ten years.


    The child, who was no longer there, was a little taller than her then. By now, wouldn¡¯t he be much bigger than her?


    Ron¨¦e thought, how are you doing?


    He was bought by her as a slave, but he was not a slave. Ron¨¦e did not treat him as a slave. Nabel was a free man, and he left. You said you¡¯d come back.


    She hadn¡¯t been under much sunlight, so her skin was pale. She picked up the fork again. It was then,


    ¡°Lady!¡±


    There was only one person who came rushing into her room: the maid Ryne.


    ¡°Ryne? Is something wrong?¡±


    ¡°Lady¡­¡± Ryne was panting, unable to speak.


    Ron¨¦e immediately knew that the fear she had been dreading for ten years had finally come.


    ¡°From the temple, I got a call.¡±


    Ron¨¦e dropped the fork. The fox, Bell, jumped into her arms and sat down. As if it was reassuring, as if it was there to protect.


    Ron¨¦e saw Nabel from Bell. For a moment, she reminisced about their childhood promise that he would come back, but she immediately erased it from her mind. The child, who said he would be back soon, was late. It¡¯s been ten years since she started expecting his return even though she said she wouldn¡¯t.


    Ron¨¦e closed her eyes. This year, she turned 27 years old.


    ***


    ¡°Where are the heretics?¡±


    The Wizards of the God¡¯s Crest entered the mansion. While Count Rieda and Lady Countess treated them with great care, knights rushed into Ron¨¦e¡¯s room.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be dragged out anyway when the sorcerers arrive. Is there any reason to stay here?¡±


    The knights laughed at Ron¨¦e to their heart¡¯s content. Now that the sorcerers from the temple had officially come, they thought that no matter how many foxes she had, she still would not be able to endure.


    It was the moment they had been waiting for ten years.


    ¡°Lady¡­¡± The maid, Ryne, was at a loss.


    Ron¨¦e looked out of the window. Oblivious to her wretched situation, the sun was brightly shining across the clear skies.


    It would be better to walk out than to be dragged out, Ron¨¦e thought, raising herself up.


    ¡±Don¡¯t you want to go out?¡± The voice of Nabel she remembered was still young. He¡¯d be an adult now. She recalled his voice again, wondering how he looked now.


    I want to go out, too. Ron¨¦e gazed out of the window once more. That was the first time in her twenty-seven-year-old life. Can we get out of here?


    The Rieda family was the leading family of numerous knights and wizards. It was too much for her alone. Until now, she had been told to behave at the temple, which prevented her death. However, orders had already been issued to kill her if she resisted violently.


    ¡°If the devil resists strongly, cleanse it.¡±


    Ron¨¦e¡¯s father accepted the order from the temple with a look of regret.


    What they said was quite a spectacle.


    ¡±It¡¯ll take a long time to recreate your daughter, but¡­ you are still young, wouldn¡¯t it be all right?¡±


    Ron¨¦e¡¯s stepmother, now in her late thirties, could not hide her laughter at the remark. That day, Ron¨¦e completely abandoned her personal affection for the two after hearing their conversation. Besides, it was already thinner than a thread.


    ¡°¡­¡­¡± Still, I couldn¡¯t get out. No, I couldn¡¯t get out.


    Since then, they¡¯ve been acting like they could kill Ron¨¦e somehow.


    ¡°If you try to escape with all your might, we won¡¯t hesitate to do anything cruel on the other side,¡± they would say.


    But Ron¨¦e still desired to leave. It was better than being treated like a demon and going to the temple anyway.

 Chapter 14 - Return

    Chapter 14 ¨C Return


    ¡°Are you not going?¡± The scoffing knights¡¯ voices rang inside the room. Ron¨¦e raised herself up.


    As soon as the Bell jumped out of her arms, he growled at the knights, determined to bite them.


    The knights flinched. Some knights who had been bitten by Bell in the arms were still unable to lift their swords.


    ¡°Now, it¡¯s no wonder that fox cubs are burned to death.¡± The knights turned away as if they had no respect.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Ron¨¦e picked Bell up. Bell looked back at her. His face, which had become gentle again, seemed to say ¡®I¡¯ll fight as hard as I can.¡¯


    But Ron¨¦e knew that Bell could get hurt too. Bell seemed to be heavily influenced by her strength. She could not have been full of strength, as she gradually lost sight of the sun and could only eat with the help of Ryne.


    On the day he stood up against the knights, Bell was battered. Every day, Ron¨¦e was afraid of Bell¡¯s death.  Still, Bell would never die, even if he would return to the shadows.


    Ron¨¦e held Bell tightly. It seemed unbearable to see the few people she treasured in the world die. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    But the knights seized her despite her resistance. Ron¨¦e thought she could really make it.


    Suddenly, one of the knights whispered to Ron¨¦e. ¡°Listen without answering, Ms. Ron¨¦e.¡±


    It was a polite voice, as if showing respect. A voice Ron¨¦e had rarely heard in her life.


    ¡°The Lord has spoken to me.¡±


    Ron¨¦e opened her eyes wide. Lord? Who, the Count?


    But the Count¡¯s knight wouldn¡¯t be so polite to her. Ron¨¦e suddenly recalled the man whom she had wanted to see for ten years. A familiar figure crossed her mind, bringing her back to the first time they met.


    ¡°Now, you¡¯re not alone.¡±


    Nabel. Ron¨¦e opened her mouth slightly.


    ¡°Please forgive my discourtesy.¡± The knight on her right side also spoke very quietly. Ron¨¦e thought of someone else through them.


    Nabel was coming.


    ¡°Come on, get her down to the basement!¡± Knight Commander Devant ordered. The knight, holding Ron¨¦e¡¯s arms, dragged her down the chuck. Ron¨¦e did not rebel.


    Bang! Devant, the leader of the knights who opened the door roughly, even pushed Ron¨¦e¡¯s back. The sound of the knights¡¯ military boots filled the hall, and nobody found anyone coming near the mansion.


    Hihing! An ornate golden-embellished carriage traversed the Countess Rieda¡¯s estate. In front of it, a white horse had rushed out with its owner on board, seemingly unable to withstand the slow pace of the carriage.


    When the hood of the blue robes reclined, it revealed a hair that was as black as midnight. It was originally a bright gold hair.


    *


    Ten heresy interrogators came to Count Rieda¡¯s estate. One of them was on the sixth of the nine steps to god. It was the highest-rated wizard among those who engaged in external activities.


    The wizard raised his hand, while Ron¨¦e¡¯s hands were tied behind her back. The sorcerers, who were on their knees, checked if there were any magic barriers around her.


    The method was very simple.


    Ouch! Ron¨¦e¡¯s rosy hair became drenched. Cold water poured over her suddenly and she took a deep breath without realizing it. The taste of water inside her mouth was salty.


    ¡°There is no magic barrier,¡± said the wizard with four bracelets on his wrist, which meant that he was ascending towards the fourth staircase.


    The wizard of the sixth step raised his hand. ¡°Then start the diagnosis.¡±


    ¡°Lady!¡± Ryne screamed.


    The magic circle which unfolded in front of the wizard was the magic circle of the Lightning System. After the magic circle had glowed white, electricity started to flow from within.


    Clang! Bell popped out of Ron¨¦e¡¯s shadow. The wizard was startled and shouted. ¡°Is that the summoner?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Knight Commander Devant replied. Even with a sword in his hand, he still looked tense. He looked back on the wizards. It was clear that he thought that he could defeat the fox this time, with the strong wizards by his side.


    ¡°Attack!¡±


    It was when the wizard, who identified the enemy, attempted to hit the magic circle. The knight next to the wizard suddenly turned the sword at him.


    ¡°What the¡­!¡±


    It was one of the knights who had previously held Ron¨¦e¡¯s arms. Because the knight wielded the sword with his back on her, she could not see the wizard¡¯s arm being cut off.


    Her vision was obscured by someone¡¯s sleeve. It was the sleeve of a blue robe. The ends of the sleeves were decorated with an ornate golden leaf.


    The owner of the sleeve then gave her a large black robe, covering the sunlight under its hood. Ronee¡¯s body, which had been chilled by the cold water, suddenly felt warm. Afterwards, the blue robe¡¯s sleeves had disappeared in front of her eyes and someone had held her tightly.

 Chapter 15 - Ten Long Years

    Chapter 15 ¨C Ten Long Years


    ¡°Close your eyes.¡± A man whispered to her in a small voice. Old memories suddenly rushed in Ron¨¦e¡¯s mind at the voice.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at this horrible sight.¡± He whispered quietly, but Ron¨¦e opened her eyes still. The robes that covered her body were too big for her. When she lifted the hood slightly, the light that had been obscured poured in at once.


    ¡°Sister.¡± The man¡¯s face came to her sight. Ron¨¦e stared at his dark blue eyes as if she was gazing at the deep sea. All the noise of the world seemed to be hushed and only one person could be heard. The man¡¯s breath tickled Ron¨¦e¡¯s skin.


    He, who seemed to be a little weary from running too fast, was the man she had wanted to see for ten years.


    ¡°¡­Nabel.¡± She could recognize him at a glance. Nabel embraced Ron¨¦e¡¯s stiff body. It was a reunion they had been waiting for ten long years.


    Ron¨¦e¡¯s heart was beating violently. When Nabel felt it, he was speechless. He was thinking about what to say, but he only had one thing in mind after seeing Ron¨¦e, who had become noticeably pale and emaciated.


    ¡°It¡¯s too late, sister.¡± A soft voice sighed in Ron¨¦e¡¯s ear.


    Nabel did not show Ron¨¦e the terrible scene. His followers had long since executed the interrogators. He then covered the corpse with the robes that the interrogators were wearing before. The clothes they wore were all black in color so that they could not know their affiliation.


    ¡°What the hell are they¡­!¡±


    ¡°You will be punished!¡±


    Each of the astonished knights added their own words.


    Nabel was still watching Ron¨¦e as he said, ¡°Wait, please wait a little longer.¡± Nabel who whispered suddenly turned around. His black hair appeared when he tipped the blue robe¡¯s hood. It was a bright gold hair just a moment ago, but he had changed his hair color with magic.


    It was a more familiar figure for her. She wondered how he would have grown, but he grew so suddenly.


    Suddenly appearing after ten years, he had become a much taller man than Ron¨¦e. There were a lot of scratches on his powerful hands. It was like showing his ten years of hard work.


    ¡°Heresy inquisitors?¡± Nabel looked around at them. They were the ones who wore the sword¡¯s medal around their necks, revealing that they were the Heretical Inquisitor of the United God.


    ¡°Those who don¡¯t even recognize the gods?¡± Nabel laughed at them without remorse. Then he shouted to see if anyone recognized him.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that the slave who ran away a long time ago?¡±


    ¡°Are you a slave?¡±


    A loud voice had spread among the crowd. Nabel laughed.


    ¡°Slave.¡± His voice was cold. To Ron¨¦e, it felt like someone else was talking.


    ¡°If I truly were a slave, I wouldn¡¯t be your slave.¡± Nabel raised Ron¨¦e¡¯s hand. Her hands, which had been chilled by the cold water, slowly heated up, accepting the heat from Nabel. He then kissed a little above the back of her hand.


    Slaves could not dare to look directly at their masters, so it was only polite to kiss them at the back of their hands when expressing reverence. It was a sign that his owner was only Ron¨¦e. Even the strangers dressed in black opened their eyes wide in surprise.


    ¡°It¡¯s because the surroundings are so ugly that I dare not show them to my sister¡­¡± Nabel slowly raised his hand to arrange Ron¨¦e¡¯s robe, making the bright sunlight to be obscured by its black hood.


    ¡°Would you like to rest a little, sister?¡± There was a sense of security in his low voice. While touching Ron¨¦e¡¯s cold hand, Nabel continued to sweep her cheeks with a wistful face. ¡°If you like, I¡¯ll take care of them later.¡±


    It was still cold outside, much more when she was drenched in water. Ron¨¦e nodded briefly.


    ¡°I prepared a place to rest in advance.¡± A quiet voice reassured Ron¨¦e. He then escorted her naturally.


    ¡°Catch them!¡± Devant, the captain of the knights, who had yet to come to his senses, was blocked by the men in black clothes. Their faces were covered with a mask and the only thing he could see was their blue eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯ll see it soon even if you don¡¯t want to. Do you need to come after me?¡± Nabel spoke with a cold voice. Taking the white gloves off of his hand, he took Ron¨¦e¡¯s hand and placed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand. The men in black were startled once again.


    ¡°You¡¯ll soon find out what kind of person am I.¡± Leaving his last words, he led Ron¨¦e with perfect courtesy.


    In the shadow of Ron¨¦e, Bell hid.

 Chapter 16 - Scent of Roses

    Chapter 16 ¨C Scent of Roses


    The place where Nabel took Ron¨¦e was a small mansion near the Count¡¯s house, which used to be someone else¡¯s villa. Ron¨¦e didn¡¯t know it, but the mansion had changed its owner just a week ago. She, who had been drenched in salt water, could bath there. There were already people waiting to serve her inside the mansion.


    ¡°Miss!¡± Ryne, who had been safely saved by the men sent by Nabel, also arrived shortly afterwards. Much to her surprise, the maids prepared by Nabel helped Ron¨¦e take a bath.


    I can hear the sound of water. There is my sister beyond this wall.


    Nabel endured for ten years. Her figure, which he had not looked at for a long time and had only recalled, was far more beautiful than he thought. Nabel stood by and waited for her until she came out of the room. He seemed to want to see her as soon as possible.


    Click. The door opened, and Ron¨¦e stepped into the room, inhaling a deep breath.


    ¡°Nabel.¡±


    Her damp, dark pink hair was covered in a white towel. The few strands of hair that fell smelled like the scent of the bathroom¡¯s fragrance.


    More than that, it was the scent of roses that stirred Nabel. The scent was thicker than how it was a decade ago. Nabel was looking at her, who had been in his dream for a long time.


    Ron¨¦e was unharmed. Even though he was so late, she was unharmed. Nabel closed his eyes. The wall that had grown thicker for ten years had disappeared.


    ¡°Thank you for waiting.¡± Thank you so much. He whispered in a low voice. It was time for him to return her favor, which he had received ten years ago, to a larger one.


    It¡¯s been ten years since I¡¯ve lived just for that. He hid his wounded body and pulled Ron¨¦e to his chest. A strong scent filled his nose. His heart was beating so hard. With trembling hands, he gently embraced Ron¨¦e.


    The tough hands that had slaughtered enemies were as soft as before. He calmed his desire to rave like a tyrant and kissed Ron¨¦e¡¯s forehead.


    Like the day I left.


    Now the two were not alone.


    Thump. Someone knocked on the door. ¡°My Lord, it¡¯s Nesha.¡±


    Nabel¡¯s eyes squinted upon hearing the voice that interrupted their sweet reunion.


    ***


    Knight Nesha was a faithful knight. He was the one who would serve the Lord to go on a long way, and he was so talented that he was promoted before anyone else. He was quick-witted and was a man who understood the orders given by Nabel. There were two orders that Nabel gave when he came here.


    ¡®Don¡¯t interrupt their time at the mansion.¡¯


    ¡®And if you feel strange about the heresy interrogators, report it separately.¡¯


    What about the heresy interrogators? No one had the courage to ask him back. The knights who followed him only carved the orders deep in their heads.


    Nabel clearly gave the orders to not disturb him when he came here, but this was a matter of urgency. Nesha had no choice but to tap into his visit, even if he had to disobey the command of his Lord.


    ¡°Lord, it¡¯s Nesha.¡±


    ¡°¡­I have already told you to not disturb us.¡± A deep voice resounded behind the door.


    Nesha was nervous. As the main soldier who first made his mark on the battlefield, Nabel had no mercy in making mistakes. And the Nabel he knew did not kill for no reason, but once he was certain, he would push forward without hesitation.


    The traitors from before had become a cruel example that made those with disrespectful hearts tremble. This meant that Nesha, who had violated his orders to not disturb him, could become an example too.


    Nesha bowed his head nervously. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but¡­¡±


    Click. The door was opened. Nabel, who opened the door himself, narrowed his eyes. His dark blue orbs stared at Nesha. ¡°Speak. Is it urgent?¡±


    ¡°I came to report that the bodies of the heretic interrogators were scattered in black powder. It was a strange event, so I had to report it.¡±


    The truer the followers of the gods, the more their bodies are preserved until their funeral.  It was also called divine consideration for the wizards who followed their gods for the rest of their lives. Despite that fact, the bodies of the heresy interrogators had disappeared without a trace.


    ¡°Not if they¡¯re fake.¡±


    ¡°That¡­¡± Nesha couldn¡¯t even speak. The Lord¡¯s face looked displeased to everyone. Nesha knew that he had the least mercy in his hands at times like this.


    It was the Lord who had spent a long time on the battlefield. There was no way he didn¡¯t know.


    ¡°Nabel.¡±


    Then, a small voice was heard inside. Of course, it was Nesha¡¯s first time to hear the voice.


    Is she crazy? Nesha was astonished at the voice who mentioned the most precious name in the West. He wasn¡¯t aware, but it was the wisest moment of his life that he didn¡¯t take the idea out of his mouth.


    ¡°If you¡¯re busy, you can go for a while.¡±


    Nesha had a hunch. I might see her face for the first time on the walls tomorrow morning. No, this is still the East Coast, so I think she wouldn¡¯t get caught to be on the wall.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t want to leave you alone.¡±


    But Nesha¡¯s prediction was visibly wrong. He opened his mouth unknowingly. It was not the cold voice of the Lord he knew. That soft voice was directed at the woman.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going too far. I¡¯ll wait.¡±


    At last, with a soft sigh, Nabel nodded. And when Nesha saw it, he couldn¡¯t believe what was happening right in front of him.


    Who the hell was she?


    Nabel was not a person who talked much to his inferiors. Because of this, the opinions of the knights interpreting Nabel¡¯s words became different.


    ¡®It should be a woman of high status in the East.¡¯


    ¡®She must be someone who was needed to maintain the relationship for the exchange between the East and West empires.¡¯


    Their ideas seemed to be all wrong. The knights had etched in their heads that they needed to treat her as important as the guests of their Imperial City.


    No, absolutely not. Nesha realized an important fact. He should never go against that woman.

 Chapter 17 - Promise

    Chapter 17 ¨C Promise


    Nabel did not make Ron¨¦e wait long. He returned to her immediately after hanging out urgent orders.


    ¡°Ron¨¦e.¡±


    ¡°Nabel.¡±


    Ron¨¦e was gazing out of the window. Even just a few hours ago, she could never have imagined that things would turn out like this.


    Bell should have recovered her strength a little, but she was curled up in Ron¨¦e¡¯s arms with her tail hanging, the same as before. After staring at Bell for a while, Nabel opened his mouth.


    ¡°Do you remember the forest that was like an ocean?¡±


    Ron¨¦e widened her eyes. As did Ryne, who was combing her hair. Only the maid of this foreign mansion, who was standing beside them kept her head bent low, showed no reaction.


    ¡°A place where the dense leaves stretch on endlessly and ripple like ocean waves when the wind blows.¡± Nabel¡¯s gaze brushed Ryne briefly and then fell. It was a story that Ryne had told the two of them once when they were younger.


    It was a scene that was difficult for Ron¨¦e, who had been born far inland, to picture. A forest as wide as an ocean¡­ She had tried to multiply the image of the few trees she could see from her window in her mind to visualize the breathtaking scene.


    ¡°I know that place. I want to go there together,¡± Nabel murmured quietly.


    Ron¨¦e had no reason to refuse. She could not return to the Rieda household nor could she go anywhere else on the Eastern Continent. Or at least, not anywhere where the Church had a hold. What was more, they had even killed an inquisition officer¡­


    Ron¨¦e¡¯s expression darkened. Will we be okay?


    She, who had been branded a demon, would be treated as an enemy of the Church wherever she went. She may have to watch out for mages for the rest of her life.


    But what about Nabel?


    ¡°You¡¯re worried.¡± Nabel, who had approached at some point, lightly placed a hand on her cheek. His gray glove brushed her skin.


    ¡°Ah.¡± As though realizing something, Nabel pulled off the gray gloves with his teeth. They dropped onto the floor.


    The maid from that mansion widened her eyes at that. She had known her master to keep his gloves on at all times.


    Now barehanded, Nabel again smoothed the worried creases forming at the edge of Ron¨¦e¡¯s eyes. ¡°If it¡¯s the incident with the inquisition officer you¡¯re worried about, you need not. Did I not promise you?¡±


    So long ago now.


    He said softly, ¡°I said I would never do anything that would bring harm to you. So¡­¡± His voice quavered ever so little as he spoke. ¡°Would you like to go and see the ocean of trees with me?¡±


    It was the same as asking if she wanted to go with him wherever he went. Ron¨¦e could clearly recall the conversation from their youth.


    ¡°That¡¯s on the Western Continent, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    That meant that they had to leave the Eastern Continent. A completely new land. A foreign place that she had never seen or even imagined she might someday venture to.


    It must be a very different place. Originally, there had been almost no interaction between the people of the Eastern and Western Continents, so the culture must be very different indeed.


    ¡°The place where you spent 10 years.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Nabel did not deny it. Although nothing good would come of revealing his identity on the Eastern Continent, at the very least, he would not deny it before Ron¨¦e.


    ¡°¡­.Your home.¡±


    That, too, he did not deny. ¡°So you knew.¡±


    Ron¨¦e nodded her head slowly. ¡°More than saying that I knew, I wondered where this person who knew so much about mythical creatures came from.¡± It was a conclusion that she had come to during the time that they had been separated.


    People of the Eastern Continent knew nothing about mythical creatures. Ron¨¦e had never even heard of such creatures before. But Nabel had seemed to know all about them.


    A place where even a child as young as Nabel knew about mythical creatures¡­ She could only conclude that it was a completely different part of the world.


    ¡°I used to think about it every time I thought of you. ¡®So he was a westerner, after all.¡¯¡±


    Nabel chuckled. ¡°I should have come sooner.¡± His regretful gaze brushed Ron¨¦e¡¯s pale face.


    Because I was afraid that those who were looking for me would come for you, I settled for just drawing your face in my mind over and over again.


    He swallowed those words back down. ¡°You look just the way I remember.¡± He wanted to call out her name one more time. Nabel smiled.


    This person with her rich scent of roses. From now on, he would not be separated from her. He did not want to be separated from her.


    Just as I thought of nothing but seeing her again for ten years, I wonder if Ron¨¦e thought of me.

 Chapter 18 - To the Western Continent

    Chapter 18 ¨C To the Western Continent


    He had never wanted to hold her hand as much as he did just then. He would be able to hear all of her thoughts if he touched her hand. But it was more respectful of him to wait to hear it from her herself. He restrained his desire.


    ¡°However, if we go to the Western Continent like this, we may never be able to return to the Eastern Continent.¡±


    The two continents were far apart. The only land connecting the two was a thin stretch of ground called ¡®Finnely¡¯s Leg¡¯ which could be crossed only once a month.


    Now was just the right time period when Finnely¡¯s Leg could be crossed safely. They could not be sure that they would be able to return from somewhere that was so difficult to reach.


    That was what he was implying. He wanted her to know that she may not be able to return. Did she truly want to leave this place? Was it really okay for her to come with him to a foreign land?


    ¡°The Western Continent¡­ is very different to the Eastern Continent. As I¡¯m sure you know,¡± he said slowly. The words were reluctant to come out.


    Come with me. Let¡¯s be together forever. Just like the wish I made when I was younger. I want to be with you always.


    That was what he really wanted to say. But they were nothing but his selfish desires. Nabel did his best to control himself. He had not come here to restrain Ron¨¦e.


    He had not forgotten how Ron¨¦e had let him into her small sanctuary that had been the only place where she could breathe freely. He had not forgotten how great a kindness she had done for him.


    That was why he was able to push down his own desires. How could he dare to try to control Ron¨¦e?


    The people of the Western Continent, who had known him as the Western Kingdoms¡¯ young tyrant, would have been shocked to see him now.


    ¡°The Western Continent is huge,¡± Nabel went on, finally stifling his desires. ¡°Because it¡¯s big, the monsters there are also large and vicious. It¡¯s dangerous. The people of the Western Continent also do not know much about people from the Eastern Continent. A lot of things will be uncomfortable for you. More than anything, that pink hair of yours is a color you can only see on the Eastern Continent.¡±


    Nabel delicately brushed Ron¨¦e¡¯s pink hair with his fingertips. ¡°Since the Westerners think of people from the Eastern Continent as outsiders¡­ You might struggle to adjust to life there.¡±


    You will probably be the most brightly shining person on the continent, though.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you to do anything that will be difficult for you. If you want to remain on the Eastern Continent, you can,¡± Nabel finished quietly.


    Ron¨¦e chuckled watching him point out all the negatives of the Western Continent. It was as though he was trying to intimidate her before they went somewhere scary. But unlike his words, his expression was earnest: it said ¡®Let¡¯s go together.¡¯


    That was enough to convince Ron¨¦e.


    ¡°Is it scarier than that mansion?¡±


    Nabel¡¯s mouth fell shut at her words. His gaze flickered towards the window. The Rieda Manor was not so far off and was still vaguely visible. ¡°It should¡­ be scarier than that place.¡±


    Ron¨¦e widened her eyes a little at his words.


    ¡°There will be even more petty, small-minded people than in that place. But there will also be more good people.¡±


    Ron¨¦e¡¯s smile returned at the last part. ¡°That¡¯s enough for me, Nabel.¡± She took his hand and Nabel could read her sincerity.


    ¡°More than anything, I just don¡¯t want to be alone again.


    ¡°That was why I had already decided to get out of there. If you hadn¡¯t come, I would have escaped.¡±


    In which case, it must certainly have been dangerous¡­ Nabel inhaled deeply and then exhaled. He let out a restless huff of breath that showed he was still restraining himself.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, then.¡± To the Western Continent. To the place I have spent ten years preparing for you. ¡°You have given your permission,¡± he finished in a very small voice.


    Inside his mind, the last remaining thread of rationality broke.

 Chapter 19 - Mythical Creatures

    Chapter 19 ¨C Mythical Creatures


    Nabel escorted Ron¨¦e to the carriage that awaited them behind the mansion. The carriage was loaded minimally in order to travel as fast as possible. There were two of them.


    Ryne rode in the second carriage with the others. She understood that it could not be helped to let Ron¨¦e travel more comfortably.


    The carriage rattled as it sped off. Ron¨¦e had only ridden a carriage a few times before in her life. She felt like she had ridden in a carriage often when she was a young child, but then her stepmother had arrived and such opportunities had diminished.


    As such, riding a carriage as an adult was yet unfamiliar to her. Ron¨¦e watched the black-clad riders following beside them.


    ¡°They¡¯re all people we can trust,¡± Nabel said quietly, smiling.


    ¡°I see you met many good people while we were apart.¡±


    That was a relief. She had worried so much that he had been suffering alone. A tender smile formed on Ron¨¦e¡¯s face. Of course, it must have been hard for him. But she was relieved that he was safe.


    ¡°It¡¯s not as meaningful now as it used to be,¡± Nabel smiled. The first good person he had ever met in his life was staring out of the window, illuminated by a shaft of warm sunlight.


    They traveled by carriage for a long time. Fortunately, there was no need for them to voyage across the rough sea. He had dreamed of the wide ocean since he was young, but he had put it off for now. Ron¨¦e¡¯s body was too weak. He did not want to make the journey any longer than it had to be.


    The Western Continent where they arrived after traveling for more than ten days certainly was different to the Eastern Continent.


    In the distance, Ron¨¦e could see trees that towered so high that you could not see the whole thing in one glance. She did not think that even ten people linking arms could encircle the trunks of those trees.


    As the carriage drew a little closer, the sky cleared, casting sunlight over the trees that had been shrouded in shadow and she saw that they were, in fact, all connected to one trunk.


    ¡°Wow¡­¡±


    It was just as Nabel had said. This place was completely different from the Eastern Continent. If that kind of immense tree could exist here, the monsters too must be as big as Nabel had said.


    That was how dangerous this place was. It was all unfamiliar. Suddenly, the carriage jolted violently, rattling.


    A black-clad rider saw her blanch and bury her head. He was the one guarding the area around the carriages.


    Ron¨¦e tried to bob her head towards him to show that she was okay, but the man was clearly looking right past her to meet Nabel¡¯s eyes. Eyes which warned against letting the same mistake happen a second time.


    The man passed the message on to the carriage driver with a nervous look. The carriage sped onwards, quickly but carefully.


    Ron¨¦e peered ahead to a distant place beyond the huge tree. On top of a hill, animals that Ron¨¦e had never seen before were chasing each other. They yowled.


    Perhaps they were not animals, in fact, but monsters. The brown monster that was leading the chase pounced on the monster that was fleeing and bit into its neck.


    At that moment, Nabel gently covered her eyes with a warm hand. ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll enjoy seeing what comes next.¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t think I will,¡± Ron¨¦e agreed and turned her gaze to the inside of the carriage. The structure of the carriage was also very different from what she remembered from her childhood.


    Ron¨¦e had to admit: the Western Continent certainly was a strange and dangerous place. Yet she was not uneasy. She still felt much freer than when she had lived at the Rieda Manor. She felt like she could breathe for the first time.


    She sucked in as much air as she could fit in her lungs and let it out again, laughing. Her heart pounded. Nabel kissed the back of her hand again.


    Her hand felt so delicate that he thought it might break if he squeezed it too hard. Nabel closed his eyes. He needed to be patient. He wanted to ask if something had happened. He wanted to ask if there were people who had wronged her and if they were unharmed.


    He could not bear to just leave them to remain in the world. But he did not want to dig up Ron¨¦e¡¯s bad memories. ¡°There¡¯s no need to insist on hearing about her painful past,¡¯¡± he thought to himself, just as a young Ron¨¦e once had.


    Nabel took a short and quiet gulp of air. He already had many plans made inside his head ¨C among them was a plan to drive the loathsome House of Rieda to ruin.


    He already had the way to do it within his grasp. He placed his hand over Ron¨¦e¡¯s again as he mulled over Nesha¡¯s report.

 Chapter 20 - Ronée Palace

    Chapter 20 ¨C Ron¨¦e Palace


    The carriage headed to the white castle. In front of the humongous building were strictly vigilant knights, and they all bowed their heads without daring to face the wagon.


    ¡°I see you, Your Majesty.¡± They greeted Nabel one by one, but he paid no attention to their salutes. Nabel pulled the hood of his blue robe, revealing a bright blond hair.


    Ron¨¦e¡¯s eyes shifted to his hair. When the sunlight shone upon it, it seemed to shine brighter than the sun itself. Her gaze then moved from his hair and fell on the white gloves in his hands.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you like this?¡± Nabel leaned slightly.


    Ron¨¦e knew that her assumption of Nabel was true, as he did not even deny the title that was called to him. It was less realistic than it was surprising. What had happened in his childhood, when he was in the East as a slave?


    Ah. Ron¨¦e¡¯s thoughts quickly found the right answer.


    The day she first met Nabel. The day she found Nabel in the wagon. It was a hundred days since the Western Empire became ruled by the Miltan Imperial.


    They claimed that they have destroyed the people of the House of Iver, who were recognized for their blond hair and conjunctive quality. However, Nabel seemed to have survived.


    ¡°Nabel Iver.¡±


    Nabel laughed at Ron¨¦e¡¯s words. ¡°In this palace, the only person who can call my name is you, sister,¡± he whispered low.


    It was when Ron¨¦e silently shut her mouth. Was it rude?


    Nabel laughed once again. ¡°So, please call me more.¡±


    Ron¨¦e opened her eyes wide. Nabel leaned over to her, a gentle smile forming on his lips. Their conversation seemed like a dream.


    ¡°I like the name my sister says.¡± He liked it as it reminded him of his sweet childhood memories.


    Ron¨¦e blushed slightly. Very lightly.


    *


    Kwaang!


    Bell seemed to have regained a bit of its strength. By the time the wagon had arrived in the white castle, Bell nestled in Ron¨¦e¡¯s arms.


    The fox, which had been playing with a ball on Ron¨¦e¡¯s lap, seemed surprised when the guards saluted at the wagon all at once.


    ¡°Shall we go?¡±


    There wasn¡¯t even a pebble on the ground. The Imperial Palace, the Emperor¡¯s residence, was situated in the remotest place of the Western Empire.


    The most expensive robes, their fabric light and soft, were laid in front of them. Nabel handed Ron¨¦e one.


    ¡°The people outside¡­¡± It was too much for Ron¨¦e; she was too embarrassed and could not utter a word. It was displayed all over her face; there was no need for Nabel to read her thoughts. There was no need to touch her.


    Nabel looked outside. ¡°Don¡¯t raise your head.¡± As the order fell from his lips, the knights¡¯ heads bowed all at once. Nabel turned back to Ron¨¦e again. ¡°How about this?¡±


    He spoke to the knights with a voice that of a dignified king. Then, he turned to Ron¨¦e and his voice softened. Ron¨¦e stared at him for a little while and laughed. If he hadn¡¯t ordered them sooner, the guards outside would become more uncomfortable.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s a little better.¡± Ron¨¦e took his hand. Bell jumped up and settled over her head.


    ¡°Come this way¡­¡± Nabel led Ron¨¦e slowly. They passed through numerous maids and knights standing on either side, and approached the palace.


    Kwaang¡­


    The sight of the crowd worried Bell, so the creature returned to the shadows.


    ¡°¡­¡­!¡± Gasps slipped from the mouth of the maids and knights, surprised as the two passed by them.


    ¡°¡­Shinshu?¡±


    ¡°Surely¡­.¡±


    They looked at Ron¨¦e¡¯s shadow with wide eyes. Then, as the shadow became darker, the fox¡¯s sharp ears and tail shook and soon disappeared


    It was indeed a Shinshu. Not long after, rumours began to spread in the castle.


    His Majesty had brought the owner of Shinshu.


    *


    ¡°This person¡­?¡±


    Dia, the chief of the court, was a bold figure who had been holding the position of the maid¡¯s court for thirty years.


    She remained in the palace all the way until the fall of the Iver family and its revival. Naturally, she was demoted as a maid when the Miltan family reigned over the continent.


    However, as the chief, her well-established experience and promising ability to manage the palace wasn¡¯t disregarded and saved her neck from the sword. She was an outstanding figure, remembered by Nabel, who had stayed in the palace for a short time at a young age.


    So, as soon as Nabel regained his imperial status, he reinstated the chief position to Dia. Then again, the palace returned to being one of the most beautiful places. The palace was named after Ron¨¦e ¡ª ¡®Ron¨¦e Palace.¡¯

 Chapter 21 - Foreign Kindness

    Chapter 21 ¨C Foreign Kindness


    Dia bowed deeply to Nabel, who was approaching. Then, she glimpsed a hair of a unique color that was not found in the West. Certainly, she belonged from the East.


    Dia also bowed her head at Ron¨¦e, recalling Nabel¡¯s order before he left. ¡°The owner of the palace will come, so be prepared.¡±


    The owner of the palace has finally arrived, she thought.


    Nabel glanced at Dia, as if he didn¡¯t have to say anything. The chief maid then greeted with a warm smile. ¡°The master of the palace?¡±


    Ron¨¦e looked at Nabel as he laughed, but deep within, he was becoming impatient. Ron¨¦e was like a journal Nabel didn¡¯t want to show to anyone.


    ¡°Can we dare ask your name?¡± Dia asked softly, and Ron¨¦e looked back at her. ¡°Ron¨¦e,¡± she paused. She was hesitant to reveal her surname. ¡°¡­de Rieda.¡±


    At her answer, the maids around them held their breaths.


    ¡°Be comfortable.¡±


    Ron¨¦e glanced around briefly and caught a glimpse of subtle fear in their faces. Most of the people she met at the Rieda mansion were hostile to her, and those who heard her rumours avoided her. Because of this, she was able to perceive people¡¯s reactions better.


    Everyone in the hallway was staring. Perhaps it was the formidable presence of the Emperor of the West, but that wasn¡¯t entirely the reason. Even Nabel knew that.


    After a moment¡¯s silence, Ron¨¦e finally nodded her head. ¡°I will.¡±


    A warm smile then spread across the face of the chief maid. ¡°I heard a lot about you. First, would you like a little rest?¡± Her gaze turned to Ron¨¦e¡¯s legs, which were a little swollen from their long travel.


    ¡°I will prepare a massage.¡± Dia held her arm toward Ron¨¦e. At the end of the corridor, several eyes were fixed at their backs.


    They were strangers to Ron¨¦e, and among them was Knight Nesha, who had unintentionally interfered with her and the King¡¯s moment together. Pulps of sweat began to form on his palms. ¡°Why is the timing so bad these days?¡± he thought.


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Nabel¡¯s gaze turned towards them. Their complexion was as pale as a sheet.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be looking around the castle for a while,¡± Ron¨¦e interrupted.


    Nabel still had urgent matters to attend to. Above all, Nabel was the Emperor of their country. Ron¨¦e hadn¡¯t completely realized it yet, but there were countless people who he had business with, so she tried to understand it a little. He would be very busy.


    ¡°Alright.¡± Nabel nodded helplessly at her words. He wanted to spend the whole day with Ron¨¦e, if only he could. For the last ten years, he had been enduring his longing.


    It was all because he wanted to keep her safe, and it was only possible if he regained the throne that he had no interest in.


    ¡°¡­Instead, stay only at Ron¨¦e Palace.¡± Nabel looked around. It didn¡¯t reassure him that Ron¨¦e would be exposed to strangers. It was not an order. It was close to a request or appeal.


    ¡°Why?¡± Her question was pure curiosity. Was there less work left than she thought?


    The faces of the people at the end of the hallway looked desperate as they clutched a pile of documents. They seemed to be waiting for Nabel.


    ¡°Outside this palace, it¡¯s still dangerous.¡± There was a reserved smile on Nabel¡¯s lips. ¡°I¡¯ll get it organized as soon as possible.¡±


    Ron¨¦e understood. She captured Nabel¡¯s figure in her eyes. He was no longer her younger brother Nabel. It wasn¡¯t just his appearance that changed. Now, he was needed by his country and his own people. But, there were also those who envied him and desired his demise.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going far. I am tired.¡± Ron¨¦e smiled reassuringly. Nabel held her hand. ¡°I¡¯ll be finished soon. You should take a rest,¡± he said. His gentle voice echoed in the hallway. It was a warmth only Ron¨¦e.


    Meanwhile, the servants behind them were frozen in their feet. They didn¡¯t hear their master¡¯s sweet voice, which had never happened before. Only his previous words were ingrained in their minds.


    He said he would organize the palace as soon as possible, and it only meant a storm was coming.


    *


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know that I would be serving the owner of Shinshu.¡± The chief maid, Dia, wore a delighted face. Next to her, Ryne was assisting Ron¨¦e.


    ¡°This is a perfume that I have never seen in the East Continent¡­.¡±


    According to Ryne¡¯s words, most of the Easterner¡¯s enjoyment was prohibited. Because the people in the Eastern Continent were weaker than those in the Western Continent, there was much they worried about.


    Moreover, Ron¨¦e¡¯s health was not in its best condition. A doctor even had to be summoned to give her a diagnosis before a massage.


    ¡°Hmm¡­.¡± Domelo, the doctor who resided in the palace, was the son of the physician dedicated to the Iver family. He looked at Ron¨¦e¡¯s condition and spoke with a troubled expression, ¡°Start with a taste test first, until she gradually adapts to the food of the Western Continent¡­¡±


    Upon hearing the doctor¡¯s advice, Dia called for another maid. ¡°Tell the chef right away to prepare the dishes for our guests.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± The maid went straight into the hallway and reported, ¡°The food that the owner of Shinshu will eat¡­.¡±


    It bothered Ron¨¦e that the word ¡®Shinshu¡¯ was constantly being mentioned. Most of all, she was keenly aware of their behaviour.


    When they saw Bell and called him Shinshu, they treated Ron¨¦e with utmost respect. It was very different from her own family who branded her as a devil¡¯s summoner.


    The people at the palace tended Ron¨¦e. She was perceived not as a curse, but as a child of God. Kindness was a stranger to Ron¨¦e.


    There had been people who had treated her kindly, but as soon as they discovered that magic had no effect on her, she was labeled a cursed demon, and they turned their backs on her. Since then, Ron¨¦e was scared of meeting new people.


    ¡°¡­Dia.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡± Dia responded, bowing her head.


    ¡°Is Shinshu common in the West?¡±

 Chapter 22 - Supreme Power

    Chapter 22 ¨C Supreme Power


    ¡°Is Shinsu common in the West?¡±


    Dia shook her head at Ron¨¦e¡¯s words. ¡°It can¡¯t be.¡± In a somehow surprised voice, she said, ¡°The most recent Shinsu from the West Continent, who had been an archmage of the royal family about ten years ago. His name was Pell.¡±


    ¡°An archmage¡­?¡± Ron¨¦e asked, tilting her head slightly. As Nabel said, if Shinsu was a person who is full of divine love, it was expected that he is a mage.


    However, Ron¨¦e was not a wizard.


    ¡°Yes. His Shinsu was a lion, and he defended the Iver family with powerful magic. If only he hadn¡¯t been mutilated¡­¡± Dia trailed off, unable to continue.


    Ron¨¦e stared at her. She could see why the Shinsu were revered by the people.


    ¡°Maybe after his death, the Miltan revolted?¡±


    It made sense. It happened ten years ago, coincident with the death of the mentioned Shinsu, so it was likely correct.


    Dia nodded slightly. ¡°Yes, his messenger, the lion, was able to use really powerful magic.¡± For a brief moment, she paused. Then, she said, ¡°Like the Archmage Pell, I want you to protect the Iver family with Shinsu.¡±


    ¡°If it is possible, I will¡­¡± thought Ron¨¦e.


    If it was indeed possible, there was no reason for Ron¨¦e to refuse. Bell was powerful and she wanted to protect her savior, too.


    Suddenly, Bell poked out from her shadow, and Ron¨¦e let out an embarrassed laugh. Did you notice that we were talking about you?


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    ¡°She¡­.¡±


    Several bystanders were surprised to see Shinsu and immediately bowed their heads as if a king stood before them.


    Bell yawned in Ron¨¦e¡¯s arms. Kwaaang.


    Pairs of expectant eyes were staring at the fox and its owner. They recalled the once powerful archmage who had defended the House of Iver. They expected the same power.


    ¡°But I can¡¯t use magic.¡± Ron¨¦e murmured. She thought it would be better if she made her incapabilities known rather than fail their expectations.


    She was afraid to be abandoned. To be precise, it frightened her that the people she treasured would turn their backs on her. Everyone in the East Continent did. Ron¨¦e didn¡¯t want to experience the same thing again.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    The chief maid¡¯s remark surprised Ron¨¦e.


    ¡°¡­¡­?¡± Ron¨¦e looked back at her.


    ¡°I heard that the owner of Shinsu, Pell, disliked mages¡­¡±


    Wasn¡¯t he protecting the royal family with powerful magic? Ron¨¦e thought, but her assumption seemed to be a little wrong.


    ¡°Mr. Pell wasn¡¯t able to use magic, either. Instead, he made use of Shinsu¡¯s supreme power. Can you see the tower over there?¡± Dia pointed out of the window. In the palace, there was a tall tower, surrounded by a long staircase.


    ¡°The 9th floor over there is Shinsu¡¯s seat. It¡¯s the ninth step of the tower that reaches the gods.¡± Dia told Ron¨¦e, whose eyes were wide open. ¡°Hence, Shinsu is the most powerful in existence.¡±


    Hence, Ron¨¦e, a master of Shinsu, deserved ultimate respect from the people. She was a master of definite power.


    *


    Nabel was in his office. He had spent about a month traveling to the East. That was the soonest possible, including the time for the preparations to rescue Ron¨¦e.


    There was still a lot he ought to take care of. The palace had not completely eradicated the blood of Miltan in it.


    [There are still supporters of the House of Miltan in the palace. Particularly, the Duke of Lowood, who had been kept an eye on, is discreetly carrying out his plans.]


    Nabel read the report and muttered, ¡°I should have brought sister after everything was safer¡­¡±


    But he couldn¡¯t delay any longer. The temple, which had been in turmoil by frequent attacks, ended the civil war for the first time in ten years.


    And the first time she tried to deal with Count Leeda, Young-ae, who was named ¡®devil¡¯.


    Nabel leaned back slightly on his chair. In the beginning, the devil¡¯s luck was nonsense.


    No matter how noble they were, in the Eastern Continent, even the highest of rank in the temple may not have known the existence of Shinsu. It was ironic, they were serving the same god after all. Perhaps, it was the reason that Count Rieda had summoned a heresy inquisitor.


    As soon as Nabel heard the news, he set out for the East Continent. He could not afford to risk Ron¨¦e¡¯s life. In the end, his judgment proved to be right.


    [And after checking, the heresy interrogators killed at that time are not in the temple. Assassins of an unknown affiliation were confirmed.]


    In other words, the heresy inquisitors weren¡¯t from the temple. Nabel believed it was someone else¡¯s trick. The real objective of the fake heretics must have been to kidnap Ron¨¦e to a place where nobody knew.


    Nabel, whose eyes were fierce, continued to read the report.


    [As your Majesty¡¯s expected, the temple was not aware of heresy interrogators.]


    Then, those in need of power sought Ron¨¦e. It was a clear fact, Nabel thought. And at the present time, there was only one place where strong magic was needed.


    ¡°Nesha.¡±


    Knight Nesha, who was waiting outside, stepped inside immediately as his name was called.


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. Please give me a command.¡±


    ¡°Obtain as much information as you can on the House of Miltan and the Eastern Continent.¡±


    It was Nabel¡¯s speculation that the House of Miltan was affiliated with another master, who might have helped in overturning the House of Iver.


    After he had read the contents of the report, Nabel burned the letter. Bringing Ron¨¦e under the care of the House of Iver was an excellent choice before it was too late.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be alone again.¡±


    It was what Ron¨¦e had wished for. So, Nabel believed and followed his instincts. It frightened him to think of Ron¨¦e¡¯s suffering. Nabel closed his eyes.


    ¡°And¡­.¡±


    Several more orders were issued to Knight Nesha.

 Chapter 23 - Death’s Handshake

    Chapter 23 ¨C Death¡¯s Handshake


    The story that a master of Shinsu had come to the palace quickly spread like a wildfire.


    After the assassination of Archmage Pell, the House of Iver gradually met its demise. Many people cheered, believing their savior had returned, and there were those also who had their doubts on the master of Shinsu.


    ¡°Is it real?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t she pretending to be the master of Shinsu after seeing Pell?¡±


    ¡°Masters of Shinsu must not appear so often.¡±


    In fact, The Great Mage Pell, the master of the Gods, emerged in the West for the first time in 400 years. It has been about ten years since Pell¡¯s death, but it was too soon for another master to suddenly appear.


    ¡°Your Majesty brought it. Refrain from speaking. If you don¡¯t want your throat to be sliced.¡±


    The chief maid, Dia, strictly monitored the conversations in the palace. However, it was not possible to completely suppress every rumor.


    ¡°Your Majesty, the Duke of Lowood, is asking for an audience.¡±


    Nabel welcomed the fourth guest today, narrowing his eyes. The Duke of Lowood was apparently related to the Miltan family. The House of Lowood was among the families in the Western Continent that did not lose its power despite the fall of the House of Iver and when the Miltan Imperial came into supremacy.


    Rather, the Miltan family lived with the Duke of Lowood, who then sold information on Iver. In fact, Nabel was chased by the knights of the Duke of Lowood prior to his voyage to the East. Although he was only a child, Nabel vividly remembered that family¡¯s words.


    ¡°Tell him to come in.¡±


    But there was no evidence yet.


    When Nabel took over the throne of the Emperor, before anything else, he made sure to be aware of the thoughts of those around him. He was different from the former Emperor Iver, who despised the ability to read thoughts with a touch.


    Most of those Nabel remembered disliked such power. It was not just because some of the former emperors of the Iver Imperial had been betrayed or had led themselves to death by blind faith in their ability.


    They abhorred the despicable thoughts of the people they touched. They wanted to live comfortably in trust.


    But there was no one to believe in the world. The same was true for couples sharing a bed together. As a result, the late emperors of the House of Iver suffered from extreme human distrust.


    The conjunctive quality painted on the Iver family was a conception. They no longer wanted to reach out to people, traumatized by their own ability.


    But Nabel was different. Nabel actively used the ability. Since then, identifying traitors had become a simple task.


    It hadn¡¯t yet been a year since the term ¡®death¡¯s handshake¡¯ was coined into existence. There had been dozens of people whose hands shook with his, and more than a half of them had died.


    Since Iver¡¯s abilities were not known, people only assumed Nabel was a bright young man. However, the Duke of Lowood was one of the few who escaped Nabel¡¯s ¡®death¡¯s handshake¡¯, who was suspected of betrayal. However, it was not simple to acquire evidence.


    As a sleaze who had maintained his power despite the rise and fall of kingdoms, the Duke of Lowood eradicated all possible proofs of his betrayal before the Emperor could do so.


    Hence, there was nothing Nabel could do yet.


    ¡°I see you, Your Majesty.¡±


    The wealthy Duke of Lowood appeared before Nabel, and bowed. But Nabel knew there was no respect underneath his gesture. The Duke of Lowood seemed to disregard the young emperor. The ability to read thoughts sometimes revealed even the smallest things.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been to the East Continent recently. You don¡¯t know how anxious we were because you didn¡¯t tell us.¡±


    The corner of Nabel¡¯s mouth curled and a dry chuckle slipped from his lips. ¡°I appreciate your concern.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re okay. The Duke of Lowood, who was now in his sixties, bowed his grayed hair once more. ¡°You were always wise, so I believed you would come back safely¡­ Recently, rumors of a woman of unknown identity were heard in the palace, and I was worried.¡±


    Nabel narrowed his eyes. Rumors that Ron¨¦e was a master of Shinsu had already spread throughout the city. Those who wanted to reinstate the Miltan Imperial had become anxious.


    ¡°The identity is unclear?¡±


    Nabel¡¯s low voice made the Duke of Lowood pause. But soon he laughed and continued speaking.


    ¡°¡­Yes, there are rumors that she is a master of the gods, but in fact, it is not known until she climbs to the top of the tower. It seems that there are still impure people, so I am concerned about the safety of His Majesty, so please do not be angry.¡±


    There was no need to hold his hand, the intention of the Duke of Lowood was evident. The top of the palace, the ninth floor, was the tallest building in the Western Empire. It was said it was a place that could reach the gods.


    And the alleged masters of Shinsu were to be tested there. The late Archmage Pell was no exception.


    The trial was none other than jumping off the tower.

 Chapter 24

    *? Spicy smut lies ahead ? *


    ¡°Nabel!¡±


    Startled by his actions, Ron¨¦e tried to keep him from raising her gown by pushing his head away with her hands. However, Nabel ignored her weak protests and dug his fingers into her thighs.


    The hem of the sheer chemise was lifted, revealing her white underwear. After tying the gown into a knot at her waist, he pulled down the flimsy fabric, and her glistening folds came into view.


    Ron¨¦e shivered at the feeling of Nabel¡¯s warm lips kissing her inner thigh. When he began to gently bite and suck, she gasped and grabbed hold of his shoulders to steady herself.


    His thirst grew after seeing his mark on her flushed skin, so his lips moved upwards


    And soon, her underwear was pulled down to her knees. Nabel¡¯s lips touched the hem of her chemise instead of her soft skin, annoyed by the barrier it caused, he rolled it up to her stomach.


    ¡°Ahh.¡±


    Nabel¡¯s lips brushed against the deep pink bushes. His skillful lips slowly descended, his tongue barely grazing her sensitive bud.


    ¡°Aah!¡±


    It was such an intense stimulus that her knees buckled, and she lost the strength in her legs almost immediately. Nabel grabbed her by the waist with one hand while lifting her leg and resting it over his shoulder. With her weight completely supported Nabel, once again, swept his tongue over the swollen bud.


    ¡°Ah¡­!¡±


    When Ron¨¦e wove her fingers through his golden hair, Nabel grasped her hips and pulled her closer as his tongue continued to tease her. Completely overwhelmed by the waves of ecstasy sweeping over her body, Ron¨¦e shivered and tightened her gripped his hair tightly. Soon after, the silence in the room was interrupted by her breathy moans and the wet sounds of Nabel lapping at her wetness.


    Sensing her approaching climax, Nabel gently sucked on her clit, while stoking the swollen bud with the tip of his tongue. Ron¨¦e cried out as she reached her peak, her body shuddering uncontrollably from the intense pleasure.


    Nabel didn¡¯t stop even after she came down from her peak. He was intoxicated by, the way she responded to his touch and the expressions she made as he pushed her to the height of pleasure. Since the day had just begun, he couldn¡¯t drag her to bed, so he was satisfied with a taste.


    Ron¨¦e wiggled her hips as she attempted to escape the intense sensations that left her body feeling feverish. Nabel grasped her thigh tightly, preventing her from escaping, and holding her in place.


    Just when Ron¨¦e felt like she couldn¡¯t handle it anymore, Nabel¡¯s fingers slid into her sopping wet core, causing her to gasp in response. He curled his fingers upwards to stroke the place that seemed to make her the most desperate for release, as he slowly thrust his fingers into her again and again.


    The combined pleasure from Nabel steadily sucking her bud and his fingers pushing inside had Ron¨¦e shivering and whimpering in need. When she began to plead and desperately rock her hips against him, his fingers plunged into her wetness with a quickened pace.


    Soon, a delicious sensation quickly began to claim her and the moment Ron¨¦e reached her peak again, she was a trembling, sobbing mess without a coherent thought.


    Nabel¡¯s hand was drenched in her juices when he finally withdrew his fingers from her quivering depths. The warm liquid of love slowly flowed down his fingers to his wrist. He tilted his head back and smiled gently


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you a little too excited?¡± Nabel asked while lifting the hand coated in her juices for Ron¨¦e to see.


    Before she could say a word, Nabel bowed his head again, lapping up the overflow, drawing an unsteady sigh from her lips. After a few moments, he kissed her inner thigh before pulling out a handkerchief, wiping his hands, and dropping the damp cloth on the floor.


    Nabel rose to his feet and caressed Ron¨¦e¡¯s flushed cheek. He couldn¡¯t help but think that she didn¡¯t need any makeup.


    Surprisingly, her hands and feet were no longer cold or trembling as before, instead, her entire body was full of vigor.


    ¡°Excuse me for a moment.¡±


    He kissed the tip of her nose and took a few steps away to wash his hands.


    Then a slightly cold hand tidied up Ron¨¦e¡¯s outfit.


    Her ample breasts were hidden behind her clothes, and when her chemise and dress were properly adjusted, all the red traces on her body were covered.


    On her shoulders was the red cape that Ryne had brought earlier.


    ¡°Now I¡¯m done,¡± Nabel chuckled.


    As for the shoes, they must have been prepared by the maids waiting outside the door since the slippers matched her outfit.


    Nabel stood behind Ron¨¦e as she faced the mirror.


    She was a head shorter than him. Ron¨¦e found herself easily falling into his arms once again.


    ¡°Nabel.¡±


    Her body was gradually getting warmer. And it wasn¡¯t only from his touch.


    It was also from the sense of stability Nabel gave her.


    ¡°You can always lean on me like this.¡±


    Nabel embraced her and pulled her closer to him.


    In his warm embrace, Ron¨¦e took a deep breath and then exhaled. Her head was no longer throbbing from the tension and anxiety she felt earlier.


    Nabel hugged her tightly and whispered, ¡°One moment, I¡¯ll be right back¡­¡±


    He disappeared briefly, but when he returned, she never expected him to return with cosmetics. Nabel was holding a makeup brush coated with red powder and smiling at her reaction.


    ¡°Can you close your eyes?¡±


    He was a man of many talents.


    ¡®When did he learn this?¡¯


    Ron¨¦e gladly closed her eyes.


    She felt the feathery soft touch of the brush against her cheek. The brush swept across her cheek a few times and then withdrew.


    ¡°I can¡¯t even touch you in front of priests, so I need just a little more¡­¡±


    Something soft and warm thing touched her cheek once again.


    His lips.


    Nabel stole a kiss like a thief and laughed in embarrassment when Ron¨¦e¡¯s eyes fluttered open.


    ¡°You caught me.¡±


    Ron¨¦e also laughed in the end. The tension had dissipated in the air like magic.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget, you are the most precious person here,¡± Nabel whispered slowly.


    There wasn¡¯t a mage in existence that was more valuable than the Master of a Shinsu.


    ¡®Of course, she is valuable in other ways as well.¡¯


    ¡°If you¡¯re still nervous, think about all the strength you¡¯ll have soon.¡±


    Nabel hugged her one last time.


    ¡°Countess Rieda is a trivial third rank mage. What can she do?¡±


    ¡®My sister will be the greatest mage, the Master of the Shinsu, she¡¯s truly beloved by the gods.¡¯


    ¡®And she has the emperor of the Western Empire supporting and standing by her side.¡¯


    That¡¯s how the Trial of the Tower began.


    * * * * * * *


    A large number of temple mages were gathered in front of Ron¨¦e, on the large square of the imperial castle.


    ¡°Miss Ron¨¦e has arrived!¡±


    She wasn¡¯t the master of the Shinsu yet, so she was simply known as Ron¨¦e.


    But the wizards were only paying attention to the red fox walking beside her.


    ¡°That one is¡­¡±


    ¡°Indeed, it has no shadows.¡±


    Even in the bright sunlight, Bell didn¡¯t have a shadow. This was proof that Bell was a Shinsu, a divine beast created with pure divine magic.


    The wizards cheered.


    Ron¨¦e looked livelier than ever.


    Bell shrank in size before jumping up and settling on her shoulder,


    Her dark pink hair, which usually cascaded down her shoulders, was neatly styled on top of her head. The little jewels and the gold embellishments on her cape were dazzling under the sunlight.


    Although her gaze was a little shaky, it was still confident as she looked straight ahead.


    As the cheering wizards quieted down, the chiming sound of swaying bracelets pierced her ears.


    Ron¨¦e took a deep breath, held it in for a moment and then exhaled.


    What reassured her at that moment was Nabel¡¯s warmth.


    And in a split second, a slightly more confident gaze looked ahead.


    Then, she locked eyes with Countess Rieda standing in the third row of the crowd.


    * * * * * * *


    Countess Rieda was in a very difficult situation now.


    ¡°I will go as the representative of the Southern Eastern Continent Temple.¡±


    It felt good to speak to the temple head priest arrogantly.


    The head priest ordered her to immediately report to the Western Continent and contact their ¡®helper¡¯ from the Eastern Continent. The plan was to capture the Master of the Shinsu.


    The Countess¡¯ gaze focused on Ron¨¦e in the distance.


    She had no idea how Ron¨¦e managed to escape to the Western Continent and catch the eyes of the emperor.


    ¡°Running away like a mouse¡­¡±


    If Countess Rieda had been sharper and more attentive in the past, she would have known that Nabel was the young slave Ron¨¦e kept in her room.


    But she had no interest in the identity of a lowly slave.


    As a result, she discovered Nabel¡¯s identity only after she arrived in the Western Empire.


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ ?¡±


    At first Countess Rieda thought she was mistaken.


    Those features, gorgeous blonde hair and white gloves were all trademarks of the Imperial House of Iver.


    The young emperor was so breathtaking, especially under the bright sunlight, that she could only admire him from a distance.


    However, his face looked awfully familiar.


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ !¡±


    The moment she recognized him, Countess Rieda forgot her noble dignity and her jaw dropped.


    ¡°I, I¡­!¡±


    ¡®Why is that slave here?¡¯


    She quickly closed her mouth and didn¡¯t utter another word. At that moment, a black-haired knight guarding the emperor made eye contact with her.


    The knight eyed Countess Rieda suspiciously, as if he knew exactly what she was planning to do.


    ¡®A Shinsu will only obey its master¡¯s orders.¡¯


    Countess Rieda tried to calm herself as she contemplated the temple priest¡¯s words.


    In actuality, the ¡®helper¡¯ was a spy from the Eastern Continent, who revealed everything he knew about the Shinsu and its master. While Countess Rieda didn¡¯t know his true identity, she trusted that he had investigated well.


    ¡®If the Master of the Shinsu lacks the will to harm people, the Shinsu is also unable to harm people.¡¯


    Countess Rieda had laughed gleefully at his words. According to the spy, the Shinsu had yet to killed anyone, so it would be easy to kidnap the owner.


    ¡®In any case, you haven¡¯t passed the Trial of the Tower, so your security should be lax.¡¯


    With that in mind, Countess Rieda grew more confident and proceeded with the preparations for the plan.


    But somehow things turned chaotic.


    The spy reported that Ron¨¦e¡¯s security would be weak, but her surroundings were already covered with strict boundaries. Countess Rieda arrived a few days ago and tried to find an opening, but never had a chance.


    There was no time to use sedatives or poisons, and it was even more difficult to approach and use items that neutralized magic power.


    Before long the Trial of the Tower began .


    ¡®¡­¡­I can¡¯t believe this.¡¯


    Countess Rieda struggled to accept the reality of the situation.


    The emperor, Nabel Iver, met her gaze and clearly threw a mocking smile in her direction.


    ¡®How?!¡¯


    ¡®How the hell did that slave become an emperor of an entire continent?!¡¯


    Did he somehow discover that Ron¨¦e was the owner of a Shinsu and approached her from the beginning?


    Did the Iver family even know about the existence of such creatures?


    Didn¡¯t the spy mention that the Iver family hadn¡¯t noticed the existence of the Shinsu yet?


    Her thoughts were complicated.


    ¡°¡ªThen, let¡¯s begin the Trial of the Tower,¡± Ron¨¦e¡¯s dignified voice rang out.


    The Countess¡¯ gaze reluctantly shifted to the figure at the podium.


    Ron¨¦e did not avoid her gaze.


    And for some reason, her eyes were devoid of any warmth as she stared at the Countess.


    * * * * * * *


    Click.


    The door of the tower opened.


    ¡®There will be no one in or around the tower. You only need to climb the stairs until you reach the top.¡¯


    Ron¨¦e recalled Nabel¡¯s words.


    ¡®The last portion of the trial may be the scariest, but¡­¡¯


    The trial required her to jump off the roof of the nine-story tower.


    The ground would barely be visible from the top of a tower.


    ¡®-I¡¯ll be watching you from below.¡¯


    Nabel promised he wouldn¡¯t leave the front of the tower and would wait for her below, which gave Ron¨¦e a bit of courage.


    For a place with a lot of foot traffic, the inside of the tower was neatly organized.


    If there was one thing that disappointed her, then it certainly was that all the lights were out, and it was pitch black inside.


    But that changed once she started moving forward.


    Poof!


    As if welcoming the owner of the Shinsu, the first floor of the tower lit up brightly.


    At first, Ron¨¦e was slightly startled, but then she exhaled slowly.


    ¡°¡­Do I have to walk up?¡±


    After she finished recalling the instructions, Ron¨¦e soon ran into her first real problem.


    Second to her jumping off the ninth floor, the tower was too high.


    Kkling!


    Bell suddenly appeared, his tail swaying gently as he approached while his form morphed into a larger size.


    In an instant, Bell was large enough for Ron¨¦e to ride on his back. He even bowed down, signaling for her to get on.


    ¡°Then, please take us to the 9th floor.¡±


    Bell nodded his head.


    Bell had always been a precious companion, who knew what she wanted, since the day they met, 10 years ago.


    Ron¨¦e smiled softly at Bell.


    Whoosh!


    Bell bolted the moment his passenger was on board.


    Despite Bell¡¯s large body, his speed was still fast.


    ¡®If this keeps up, we will soon arrive at the ninth floor.¡¯


    Bell wasn¡¯t simply running, he was climbing the tower at a incredible speed.


    [4th floor.]


    They had already arrived on the 4th floor. Ron¨¦e looked around cautiously. The Mages¡¯ Tower was taller than the highest floor of other buildings, so she could see father into the distance than usual.


    The forest was also visible from there.


    ¡°It¡¯s like an endless sea of trees¡­¡±


    Ron¨¦e had only seen the sea in pictures, but she heard it was a place where the blue water seemed to stretch out infinitely, and the calm waves would gently swirl at your feet.


    Just like the forest below.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    Bell slowed down, as if he knew she was appreciating the scenery. Thanks to this, Ron¨¦e was able to spot an oddity at the edge of the forest.


    The boundary between the forest and the field was clear, like two separate sheets of color paper had been cut and pasted together.


    That couldn¡¯t have occurred naturally. Regardless of how rarely she left the mansion, she knew at least that much.


    ¡®It¡¯s as if someone has carved out the field.¡¯


    She tilted her head slightly and looked down at Bell again.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    There would be plenty of opportunities to take a closer look at the forest. She didn¡¯t have the time to look at everything now.


    ¡®I know of a forest that¡¯s like the sea.¡¯


    Nabel¡¯s words came to mind.


    In addition, she wanted to see the forest, where the rustling leaves resembled the ocean waves, with him.


    Whoosh!


    Bell darted forward once again. his pace grew increasingly faster.


    It was when they passed the 5th floor and a light flickered on.


    Click.


    Ron¨¦e heard a mechanical clicking sound form somewhere nearby.


    ¡°Huh¡­?¡±


    Ron¨¦e glanced around, searching for the source of the sound.


    While Bell had a translucent form when Ron¨¦e rode him, his form was still very much physical.


    Therefore, when Bell went around a corner, the moment his front feet touched the ground, something emitted a strange light.


    ¡°What is-¡±


    Before Ron¨¦e even had the chance to react the ominous light suddenly engulfed her.


    Note: Ya¡¯ll I worked sooo hard on that smuttt, I hope you enjoyed ittt ?

 Chapter 25

    ***


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back.¡±


    Nabel kissed her cheek once more.


    He didn¡¯t need to worry about the public display of affection as   would take care of those who were watching.


    In fact, Nesha was glaring at those standing behind them while Ron¨¦e and Nabel whispered loving words to each other.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want your heads to fly, pretend you didn¡¯t see anything here!¡±


    His stony-faced expression demanded it.


    Ron¨¦e received several kisses on the cheek from Nabel under the pretext of a greeting, and then disappeared into the tower.


    Nabel did not take his eyes off of Ron¨¦e for a moment, even after she entered the tower.


    Previously, the mage¡¯s tower was glowing brightly, but now it was cloaked in darkness.


    However, the tower would gradually regain its original brightness as the owner of the Shinsu ascended the stairs.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe we are about to witness the awakening of a new Master of a Shinsu.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this the result of the Iver¡¯s blessing?¡±


    The mages were still bursting from excitement at seeing Shinsu with their own eyes. As each floor of the tower began to light up, revealing its structure, their hopes grew while they waited for the ninth floor to be revealed.


    Nabel¡¯s gaze immediately shifted to the second floor the moment it lit up.


    Ron¨¦e was ascending the tower at a rapid pace. Then, in a split second, the third floor was flooded with a brilliant light.


    ¡®The moment my sister reaches the 9th floor, the fog will be lifted.¡¯


    ¡®But she won¡¯t be able to see my expression properly.¡¯


    ¡®I¡¯m sure she will be scared.¡¯


    So, he wouldn¡¯t move an inch until Ron¨¦e safely reached the ground. Her red cape would be seen clearly, even with the significant distance.


    A moment later, the lights on the fifth floor turned on.


    ¡°¡­¡­?¡±


    But all of a sudden, a strange sound could be heard coming from the side of the tower.


    Due to the countless years spent on the battlefield, Nabel knew immediately that something ominous was about to occur.


    ¡°Nesha.¡±


    He summoned Nesha without averting his eyes from the tower.


    Nesha had been always wary of his surroundings, so it came as no surprise that he was also staring at the tower blankly.


    ¡°Yes, your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°Did you hear-.¡±


    He was just about to ask Nesha if the strange noise originated from the tower.


    But the next moment, Nabel was at a loss for words.


    Boom!


    A giant fire rose from the fifth floor of the tower.


    And the cause seemed to be an explosion.


    BOOM!


    The sound of an explosion could be heard in the distance.


    Instinctively, Ron¨¦e closed her eyes tightly and covered her face with her hands


    She didn¡¯t suffer any injuries, but the bright light from the explosion blinded her momentarily and left her ears ringing.


    Ron¨¦e¡¯s scream was silenced by the deafening sound of another explosion.


    BOOM!


    Deprived of her vision, Ron¨¦e could only grab hold of Bell tightly as she felt her body tilted sharply to the side.


    Bell darted through the tower, quickly maneuvered to avoid the next explosion, and barely managed the blast.


    ¡°Oh my god.¡±


    Ron¨¦e¡¯s eyes flew open and once her vision cleared, she was frightened to find that they were standing on a set of stairs that was on the verge of collapsing.


    The horrifying scene was something she had seen before.


    The memory of the wooden annex in the Rieda mansion rushed into her mind.


    Kwang!


    When the Countess Rieda threw a fireball in one of the corridors of the annex.


    Remembering the terror, Ron¨¦e squeezed her eyes shut.


    BOOM!


    There was another explosion, followed by a burst of flames. The only way out had been blocked long ago.


    ¡®You only need to go up to the 9th floor.¡¯


    Ron¨¦e looked up as she recalled the mages¡¯ words. She was still on the 5th floor.


    ¡®It¡¯s unlikely, but if you jump out at from a lower level, you will fail the trial.¡¯


    Those who pretended to be the owners of a Shinsu often claimed that they didn¡¯t have the confidence to jump off the ninth floor and would only climb the tower halfway.


    As a result, it become a rule that the trial couldn¡¯t be completed successfully if a participant jumped out of the tower at the halfway point.


    ¡®¡­I thought everything would be fine.¡¯


    Ron¨¦e clenched her fists.


    But something was wrong, she could feel it.


    ¡®I¡¯ll be watching.¡¯


    And Nabel wasn¡¯t here to help her.


    ¡®If the trial included explosions within the tower, Nabel would have told me.¡¯


    The same was true of the mages.


    All I have to do is go up to the ninth floor and jump through the rough air currents.


    ¡®You must be scared, but¡­.¡¯


    At that moment, Ron¨¦e thought of Nabel¡¯s expression.


    ¡®Of course, jumping from a high place is scary.¡¯


    But he will be waiting for her at the end.


    ¡®And above all, Bell will protect me.¡¯


    Ron¨¦e was well aware of this fact.


    From an early age, even before she was aware of Bell¡¯s existence, he protected her.


    The same was true when she tripped over the railing while looking outside with Nabel and Ryne at the Rieda Mansion. Her body was thrown over the ledge and she almost lost her life.


    But fortunately, Bell summoned a gust of wind to lift her to safely and put her back down in the hallway.


    She was confident it would be the same this time.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go up first.¡±


    Squeak.


    Suddenly, Ron¨¦e heard an ominous sound coming from the center of the tower.


    The way downstairs had already been blocked. She had to go up as fast as she could because the fire was spreading upward.


    There was no time to waste.


    ¡°Put out the fire!¡± Nesha screamed.


    The whole situation was a mess. All the mages were summoned to help with putting out the fire regardless whether they were mages in the West or mages from the East.


    ¡°¡­Sister.¡±


    Nabel clenched his teeth. For a moment, he felt like he was going insane.


    ¡®Somehow, someway, I had to get my sister get out of there.¡¯


    Before Nabel realized it, his feet were carrying him closer to the tower..


    ¡°Your Majesty!¡±


    Other knights, including Nesha, grabbed him to prevent him from going nearer.


    ¡°The closer you get, the more dangerous it is!!¡±


    The remains of the building, that had already been destroyed by the explosion, was  scattered around his feet.


    Nabel looked down at the charred pieces in front of him. A complicated feeling came over him when he couldn¡¯t even tell what it was originally.


    Ron¨¦e was still in the tower where the explosion occurred.


    ¡°Sister!¡±


    Nabel kept moving toward the tower as he was unable to restrain himself any longer.


    His pace gradually increased until he had begun to run.


    The knights tried to drag him back.


    ¡°You can¡¯t get any closer!!¡±


    They held onto his precious body, an action that was against the will of the emperor, so even if they were beheaded as a punishment, there was nothing they could say to defend themselves.


    But it was the responsibility of the knights to protect their master from danger, even if that danger was himself.


    The tower would be a danger to anyone.


    The fierce flames filling the space inside the tower could be seen from outside the window.


    ¡°Why are you just standing there? Do something!¡± Nesha screamed.


    As soon as the explosion broke out, the mages skilled in divine water magic were ready to take action. But, there was another factor obstructing them.


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    ¡°We can¡¯t use any magic to put out the fire from outside. The center of the tower has already weakened and tilted. And if we accidentally do something wrong, the tower could collapse due to shock from the magic..¡±


    Then what about Miss Ron¨¦e? She¡¯s still trapped inside the tower.


    Nabel clenched his teeth.


    ¡®I always thought¡­¡¯


    ¡®I didn¡¯t need anything like the owner of a Shinsu.¡¯


    ¡®It didn¡¯t matter what status you had or what I needed to do to get you next to me.¡¯


    ¡®I just wanted you to be next to me, smiling happily while we spent the rest of our days together.¡¯


    ¡®For that, I held out for ten years.¡¯


    He had to save her at once. If it¡¯s impossible to stop the fire from outside, there is only one way.


    He had to use his position and issue orders.


    ¡°The lights on the 6th floor are on, Your Majesty!¡± Nesha shouted.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Nabel quickly looked back at the tower.


    It was as Nesha said, the tower was lit by one more floor.


    ¡°¡­No way.¡±


    ¡®You¡¯re still going to ascend the tower and jump from the top?¡¯


    And then¡­


    ¡°The 7th floor is also lit!¡±


    Nabel clenched his fists. The sixth and seven floors were now lit, which meant her pace was steady.


    He couldn¡¯t take his eyes off of the tower.


    ¡®You don¡¯t have to take the risk, why are you going to such lengths?¡¯


    He clenched his fists until they turned white.


    The Mages¡¯ Tower.


    Of course, someone  had planned to harm Ron¨¦e and cast explosion magic in the tower.


    They must have assumed that the evidence would have been destroyed by the explosions. Which is why they committed such a bold crime.


    And the audacity to commit such a crime was fueled by their ignorance of the Iver family¡¯s abilities.


    His lips twisted into a sneer. Regardless of how they hid the evidence, Nabel was a man who would find the culprit by any means necessary.


    Ting!


    Before long, the lights on the eighth floor flickered on.


    Coincidentally, the fire had already spread to the seventh floor. It was almost as if Ron¨¦e was being chased by the fire.


    The black smoke rose and covered the eighth floor. The smoke was so thick that made it extremely difficult to see the light properly.


    ¡°¡­Sister.¡±


    ¡®You don¡¯t have to be the Master of a Shinsu.¡¯


    ¡®You have no need for such a title.¡¯


    Nabel¡¯s gaze was fixed on the roof of the tower.


    ¡®Just come down safely.¡¯


    At that very moment, a brilliant light illuminated the ninth floor.


    -Cough-


    Due to the smoke, her eyes were burning and it was harder to breathe


    Whether she buried her face in Bell¡¯s fur or leaned down, she could not free herself from dizziness.


    Her clothes, which were clean and neat at the start of the trial, were now stained with black soot blown by the wind.


    [9th floor]


    Ron¨¦e glanced upwards at the wooden door that led to the roof.


    It was already the last floor.


    Squeak!


    As Bell moved a little closer, the door opened wide in response to his divine magic.


    She went up the stairs connected to the ceiling and arrived on the rooftop.


    Since the height of the tower was immense, Ron¨¦e should have felt a cold air breezing the moment she stepped onto the roof.


    But what greeted her instead was the heat of the fire that had been chasing her from the fifth floor.


    Ron¨¦e grabbed Bell¡¯s fur tightly. She couldn¡¯t prevent her hands from trembling with anxiety.


    She didn¡¯t want to be on top of the tower when the fire finally reached the roof.


    She took a deep breath just as the smoke hit her face.


    Kwang!


    Ron¨¦e recalled the memory of her youth when the annex in the Rieda mansion was charred black from the constant lightning strikes.


    ¡®You¡¯re the reason my divine magic won¡¯t activate!¡¯


    Whenever the Countess¡¯ divine magic would fail, she would blame everything on Ron¨¦e. As a child, she escaped the Countess¡¯ rage numerous times, much to her stepmothers dismay.


    ¡°Oh my god!¡±


    Had it not been for the maid, who was killed by the Countess¡¯ magic, she would have continued to run away.


    When she managed to learn how to avoid the lightening spells thrown by the Countess, there was a maid who had just entered the mansion.


    She was a new maid from a commoner family, who had not yet heard the rumors about her properly.


    Since then, Ron¨¦e decided that it was better to suffer than to be chased down.


    She even gave up running away whenever she saw the Countess.


    Memories of the past began to flood her mind.


    The memories started to dominate her thoughts, just as the black smoke gradually grew thicker and obscured her vision.


    Kyaang!


    Then the piercing sound of Bell¡¯s cry rang through the rooftop.


    A strong breeze whipped around Ron¨¦e, blasting away the suffocating smoke and blistering heat in an instant.


    At first, Ron¨¦e thought the wind was caused by the air currents, however, the soft, glowing Bell shook his tail as if to reassure her. When she observed this, Ron¨¦e hugged him tightly as a reward.


    As if he had read her mind, Bell approached the edge of the roof. There was no railing to prevent anyone from falling, perhaps to make it easier for the owner of a Shinsu to jump off.


    The lower floors were still engulfed in flames. The fire was spreading at high speed and would soon reach the ninth floor.


    The heat was blocked by a blue dome-like shield, which was created by Bell, but there was no guarantee of how long it would last.


    Whoosh.


    Once again, when the wind blew and the smoke surrounding the tower was removed.


    In no time, the people wandering around the base of the tower could  be seen clearly by Ron¨¦e.


    Among them, at the forefront, was a man wearing a red cloak.


    With his gorgeous blonde hair, his eyes were locked on where she was standing.


    She couldn¡¯t see his expression because the distance was too great. However, she could see a group of knights clad in black, struggling to pull him away fro the tower.


    ¡°¡­¡­Nabel.¡±


    He was keeping his promise to her.


    ¡®I¡¯ll watch until the very end. I¡¯ll be waiting for the moment you come down.¡¯


    Ron¨¦e looked down.


    Beyond the visible flames, the ground was far below. If an ordinary person jumped from this height, they would not survive.


    Kking¡­


    At that moment, Bell rubbed his face against Ron¨¦e¡¯s cheek.


    She believed in Bell. And she also trusted Nabel.


    ¡°¡­¡­This is the only way.¡±


    Even with this knowledge, she was still nervous.


    Standing at the edge, her hair whipped around her face as the violent air currents blew gusts of wind over the rooftop. There wasn¡¯t a mage in existence with the ability to use flight magic to navigate through the turbulent winds on the ninth floor.


    With the exception of the Master of a Shinsu.


    Ron¨¦e was considerably anxious.


    She was certain that someone was after her. If an explosive device was installed, she was certain that Nabel and the mages would have informed her in advance.


    Even if she jumped from here and survived, someone would continue to aim for her in the future.


    ¡®You don¡¯t have to be nervous.¡¯


    She recalled Nabel¡¯s low whisper, the soft touches and the red traces he left beneath her clothes.


    The memory of the sweet moments they spent together made her nervous in a different sense, but strangely it was enough to dispel her fears.


    ¡®If I jump down, I can see Nabel.¡¯


    ¡®We will be happier than we were in our younger days, and I can fight by his side as we face these perils and defeat all who seek us.¡¯


    ¡°Bell.¡±


    At Ron¨¦e¡¯s signal, Bell crouched low.


    As she glanced down, Ron¨¦e remembered the only wish she had during her youth, something she had long forgotten.


    Ron¨¦e was no longer willing to sacrifice her desires, or fear that the joy she experienced everyday would be snatched away forever.


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    She relished her time with Nabel.


    And she never wanted to be separated from him again.


    This trial was a step towards that.


    She held onto Bell tightly.


    Bell sprang forward into the air as Ron¨¦e¡¯s eyes swung downward.

 Chapter 26

    ***


    ¡°It¡¯s the master of the Shinsu!¡±


    From below, Ron¨¦e could be seen standing on the roof of the tower.


    The black smoke that had covered her surroundings was lifted in an instant, revealing her figure. It seemed to be the power of the divine.


    She was still wearing the white dress and red cape, which Nabel had chosen and dressed her in. It was only after catching sight of the red fabric fluttering in the wind that Nabel finally released the breath he had been holding back.


    ¡®She is safe. She is still unharmed.¡¯


    Then, Ron¨¦e climbed back on Bell again.


    ¡°It looks like she¡¯s about to jump!¡±


    Nabel knew what was going to happen next, even before Nesha shouted it. Before he realized it, he found himself running forward.


    ¡°Your Majesty!¡±


    And Ron¨¦e flew into the sky.


    It was an unbelievable sight to see her riding upon Bell while he descended from great heights with ease as if he was walking down a set of stairs.


    Then, Ron¨¦e landed on the ground in an instant.


    ¡°Sister!¡±


    Nabel¡¯s pace slowed as he took a few steps forward. As the distance between them shortened, he could see that her face had a little bit of soot, but other than that, she was unharmed.


    Ron¨¦e was gazing at Nabel like the world around them did not exist. Perceiving his master¡¯s desires, Bell let Ron¨¦e down in front of him.


    Using flight magic in calm winds was an easy feat.


    But it was extremely difficult to use flight magic in the midst of violent winds. On the ninth floor, there was a magical wind that was so powerful that it was well known to those who visited the Mages¡¯ Tower.


    The mages were solely focused on the Master of the Shinsu, who just landed in front of them in a casual manner.


    ¡°Nabel.¡±


    When Ron¨¦e hugged Nabel tightly, he could feel the touch of her cold hands through his clothes.


    Nabel wanted to crush her against his chest and hug her tightly. He embraced her gently and sighed in relief.


    He clenched his fists as he suppressed his desire.


    And Ron¨¦e was surprised by how gently he hugged her.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay now.¡±


    Her heart was beating too fast. Nabel stroked her cheek and tried to calm her anxious heart with comforting words.


    And then, a loud cracking sound interrupted their reunion.


    The fire was still burning fiercely, the flames quickly enveloping the entirety of the tower.


    ¡°Oh, god!¡±


    ¡°How is this possible?!¡±


    The mages were unable to celebrate the birth of the new Master of the Shinsu. They were too busy trying to extinguish the flames that had weakened the pillars of the tower after reaching the ninth floor.


    There was an ominous cracking sound as the tower tilted sideways. The force of the original explosion had weakened the burning structure to the point that it was completely unstable.


    ¡°That is¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s falling towards the palace!¡±


    The mages desperately cast various forms of magic to stabilize the tower, but it was all in vain. Of course, their divine magic alone could not support something as immense as a tower.


    A few white magic circles appeared under the collapsing tower and then shattered.


    The magic could not withstand the weight of the tower.


    ¡°¡­Oh my god.¡±


    Ron¨¦e¡¯s complexion paled the moment she saw the state of the tower. Observing the tilting direction of the tower, she quickly realized that the burning structure would soon collapse.


    Although she had never been to that area of the Imperial Castle before, she knew it was a densely populated place.


    There would be unimaginable human casualties.


    ¡°The knights¡­,¡± Nabel uttered while hugging Ron¨¦e.


    The desire to kiss Ron¨¦e disappeared as a new disaster reared its head.


    Turning around quickly, Nabel shouted, ¡°Evacuate all the knights in the barracks and surrounding area! Disregard any standing guard post orders!¡±


    If Nabel didn¡¯t issue the command, the fiercely loyal knights would stay in place until the tower collapsed and killed them.


    When Nesha heard the urgency in Nabel¡¯s voice, his face turned ashen as he looked back at the building belatedly.


    He ran to the nearest horse and quickly mounted it.


    Directing his horse into a swift gallop, Nesha headed towards the Inner Palace.


    There were two knights corps living in the barracks of the Western Empire Imperial Castle.


    The 1st Order of Imperial Knights directly served and supported Emperor Nabel von Iver. The 1st Order of Knight Guards was responsible for guarding the entirety of the Inner Palace in the Imperial Castle.


    The two knights corps did not communicate well in the first place. The main issue was a difference in backgrounds. The Knight Guards¡¯ dislike for the Imperial Knights was due to their battle-hardened character and undignified behavior.


    But today, the two knight corps were of one mind as they gazed upon the burning tower.


    While it was an unexpected situation, the knights were still shocked to see the Mages¡¯ Tower leaning towards their quarters.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe it¡¯s actually falling this way!¡±


    Thead, the 1st Knight Guards Commander, observed the situation with a pale face.


    The tower was gradually leaning toward the barracks and other buildings within the Inner Palace.


    Ron¨¦e Palace was unlikely to be damaged since it was a detached palace.


    ¡°Maintain your position! A new order hasn¡¯t been issued yet!¡± Thead said with a strained expression.


    The maids and servants of the nearby palace had already avoided and were evacuating the area.


    But the knights didn¡¯t move. It was their duty to maintain their current position in case of an emergency until they were deployed elsewhere.


    ¡°Yes, Commander!¡±


    The Knight Guards didn¡¯t take a single step from their positions, instead, they watch the tower with expressions similar to those of Thead.


    They were determined to follow their orders, even if they died in a trivial way.


    Because that was the iron rule of the Knight Guards.


    And the Imperial Knights hated them for it.


    ¡°The tower is collapsing, what position are you holding?¡±


    ¡°Are you crazy!¡±


    The Imperial Knights tried to convince the Knight Guards to leave their posts.


    But, the Knight Guards remained in place.


    ¡°His Majesty¡¯s orders have yet to come¡­!¡±


    ¡°Move now!¡± Nesha shouted as he approached from afar. The seal of the 1st Order of Imperial Knights fluttered on his shoulder.


    ¡°His Majesty has ordered all knights to evacuate! If you don¡¯t want to be crushed to death, abandon your position and escape!¡±


    ¡®Fortunately, I arrived before it was too late.¡¯


    Nesha quickly beckoned towards an escape route. Several white magic circles flashed over their heads and shattered.


    It was a sign that the mages were still working to prevent the collapse of the tower.


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    ¡°Move out now!¡±


    Only after Nesha¡¯s second order did the knights begin to leave while watching the tower inch closer.


    Nesha glared at the leaning tower and grit his teeth.


    He had a bad feeling.


    Regardless of remote the Mages¡¯ Tower location was, the building was most definitely within the outer wall in the Imperial Castle of the Western Empire.


    ¡®And they chose to cast explosive magic in that building?¡¯


    ¡®This is nothing short than a declaration of war against the Western Empire and the Master of the Shinsu.¡¯


    Coming to the same conclusion, the knights exiting the knight hall with hardened expressions.


    ¡°What is the status of the evacuation?¡±


    ¡°Upon arriving on the scene, all the maids and servants from the nearby palaces have evacuated, but the Knight Guards had not abandoned their post. They remained in position until the order was delivered.¡±


    Giving the report was another Imperial Knight, who was standing in for Nesha. Ron¨¦e held Nabel¡¯s hand tightly with a pale face.


    She had never seen something burning so fiercely.


    -Creakkk-


    The ominous sound rang out louder, signaling that the tower wouldn¡¯t last much longer.


    ¡°Prevent the tower from collapsing by any means necessary!¡± Nabel ordered. The mages of the Imperial Palace moved forward at his command.


    In the center, Ruchel, the strongest Imperial Mage Ruchel, raised his staff and their white magic circle shone once again.


    Whoosh!


    A few huge magic circles flew towards the collapsing structure and supported its weight. But that also seemed to not be enough.


    Ziing!


    The magic circles could not withstand the weight of the tower and began to shatter again. The magic spell that lasted the longest was cast by Ruchel, which shattered within 30 seconds.


    ¡°There are still a number of knights that haven¡¯t been evacuated yet!¡±


    ¡°The tower¡­¡± Ron¨¦e grabbed Nabel¡¯s hand after hearing the new report.


    She could see the tower gradually tilt towards the ground.


    ¡°These knights are well-trained, so there won¡¯t be any significant casualties,¡± Nabel reassured her.


    Even if it wasn¡¯t significant, there would still be casualties. Ron¨¦e closed her mouth tightly.


    ¡®I don¡¯t want the tower to collapse. I don¡¯t want anyone to get hurt.¡¯


    Bell stood in front of her with his tail swaying and stared at the tower.


    Whoosh!


    A strange vibration spread out around Bell. It wasn¡¯t just the mages, who were preparing to cast another round of magic, but also the knights, who escaped from the Inner Palace, looked back at Bell.


    Bell was glowing white.


    ¡°The Shinsu!¡±


    All eyes were focused on Bell.


    The Shinsu, a sacred animal, whose body was made up of divine magic, was the closest to the gods.


    He possessed a magical strength and abilities that could not be compared to humans.


    Whoosh!


    A large magic circle spread under the tower. It was such a powerful magic circle that the light was bright enough tot blind you.


    Kureung!


    ¡°Oh, my¡­.¡±


    The mages flinched at the sudden loud noise coming from the tower. They thought that the tower would collapse before the divine beast could properly use his magic.


    ¡°This catastrophe¡­¡±


    On the other hand, there was a mage openly sobbing as he watched the tower burn. It was only natural that he shed tears when all the research materials he studied throughout his life were burning in the Mage¡¯s Tower.


    Of course, the mages were shaken. The Mage¡¯s Tower, which is a significant symbol for the mages of the Western Empire, was now collapsing. It was unbelievable that tallest structure in the Imperial Castle and the only building high enough to reach the gods could be destroyed in such a way.


    Boom!


    The white magic circle created by Bell grew brighter and brighter. And then, everyone in the surrounding area witnessed a miracle.


    ¡°The fire¡­¡±


    The flames were gradually suppressed. The tower began to move back to its previous position with a loud creaking sound.


    Bell¡¯s magic was gradually reverting the tower back to its original shape.


    Whoosh!


    The wreckage of the structure, caused by the explosions, floated among the crowd, and as if attracted by a magnet, the floating debris returned to the top of the tower.


    And the charred marks and smoke gradually faded away until finally disappearing without a trace.


    The tower looked exactly as it did before the start of the trial.


    As if nothing had happened.


    As if there had never been a fire from the beginning.


    Nabel was struck speechless by the sight and immediately turned to look at Ron¨¦e.


    Because what determined the strength of Bell¡¯s power was the Master of the Shinsu.


    Ron¨¦e was also looking at the tower in surprise.


    She had only wished that the tower didn¡¯t collapse and for no one to get hurt, however Bell was able to completely restore the crumbling tower.


    ¡°The Master of the Shinsu¡­!¡±


    The mages were so surprised that they were unable to speak.


    It was the same for the mages of the Eastern Continent Temple. Unlike the Western Continent, where the owner of the Shinsu had appeared several times throughout their history, the owner of the Shinsu had never made an appearance In the Eastern Continent.


    No, it was something that they had never considered to be possible.


    ¡°Unbelievable¡­¡±


    Joy and sorrow crossed the faces of the mages from the Eastern Continent Temple. It was the joy of being able to witness a miracle of the gods and the sorrow of missing the chance to see the gods¡¯ miracle in the Eastern Continent.


    The owner of this Shinsu was from the Eastern Continent.


    Of course, the expressions of the mages from the southern temples of the Eastern Continent were especially sour because they have known about the existence of the Shinsu from an early age.


    Countess Reida, in particular, had bit her lip to the point of bleeding.


    ¡®Is she really that strong?¡¯


    After some time, Bell¡¯s glowing body, slowly returned to its original form. Both the mages and the knights from the Inner Palace were staring at Ron¨¦e.


    Ron¨¦e was undoubtedly the Master of the Shinsu, the most powerful mage in existence, and the most beloved by the gods.


    No other proof was needed.


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    ¡°Ah.¡±


    Suddenly, Bell began to stagger. His body had shrunk down to the point that he was as small as a baby, the same size when he first met Ron¨¦e.


    Ron¨¦e felt dizzy, it was as if the world had tilted to the side.


    ¡°Sister!¡±


    She could hear Nabel shouting as everything faded into darkness.

 Chapter 27

    ***


    Ron¨¦e was immediately taken to the royal physician, who exclusively served the Imperial House of Iver, for treatment. She was escorted by  Nabel and two knights from the inner castle.


    ¡°No trauma has been identified.¡±


    Even Ruchel, the Imperial mage, was called upon for magical advice. There were eight bracelets hanging from his wrist.


    ¡°Perhaps she exhausted herself by using too much divine magic at once.¡±


    That was the conclusion  Ruchel and the royal physician reached after a long and thorough discussion.


    There was nothing wrong with Ron¨¦e.


    After a while, Nabel regained his original composure as he sat next to Ron¨¦e and monitored her condition.


    ¡®Ah¡­¡¯


    The memory of her collapsing before him in slow motion continued to replay in his head.


    Her exhausted face became pale the moment she lost all strength.


    It was a sight he never wanted to see again.


    ¡°After a bit of rest, she will recover,¡± concluded Haas, the royal physician, after the examination.


    His disciple, Domelo, didn¡¯t dare examine Ron¨¦e.


    Now that she was recognized as the Master of the Shinsu, and Nabel had announced his intentions to marry her, Ron¨¦e status was no less than a member of the imperial family.


    Nabel peered out the window at the tower. The immense structure, which was visible from anywhere within the walls of the Imperial Castle, still stood upright.


    The mages were busy carefully examining the outside of the tower.


    When he heard shouts of excitement, the mages rushed into the tower. Due to the miracle, there seemed to be no sign of any damage to the structure.


    The research the mages had devoted their entire lives to and their dignity were still intact.


    It was as if the explosions had never happened.


    They repeatedly bowed respectfully to the new Master of the Shinsu as she was taken away.


    Of course, it was obvious that they should be thankful.


    Nabel¡¯s lips twisted into a sneer.


    ¡°Summon every single person who has entered the tower since the day the preparations for the trial began,¡±


    It wasn¡¯t enough that Ron¨¦e was safe. Before she woke up and began her duties as the Master of the Shinsu, Nabel had every intention of quickly locating and killing the culprit.


    ¡°Should I torture them first?¡±


    His sister¡¯s eyes would have widened in surprised at his words, but she didn¡¯t understand the cruelty needed to survive against their enemies.


    Nevertheless, Nabel could be cruel for her sake.


    ¡°Hurry up and find them. I want to send their heads flying before my sister awakens.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± Nesha bowed briefly and left the room.


    It wasn¡¯t suppose to be like this.


    After Ron¨¦e proved that she was the Master of the Shinsu, the Western Empire would have two things to celebrate. If Emperor Nabel Iver was to marry the Master of the Shinsu, there would have been no greater honor than that.


    The Iver Imperial Family would once again have the protection of the Master of the Shinsu.


    However¡­


    The the landscape would be drenched in blood before any of that occurred.


    After hearing Nabel¡¯s order, Ruchel¡¯s complexion lost all color. It didn¡¯t take him long to realize the individuals who visited the Mages Tower included himself and the mages under his command.


    Soon, the wind would carry the scent of carnage.


    The Mages¡¯ Tower was now a restricted space due to Nabel¡¯s command.


    ¡®Summon all those who entered the Mages¡¯ Tower during the preparation for Trial of the Tower.¡¯


    As a result, all the mages with registered magic power patterns were confined to the tower.


    The mages were convinced that something cruel would happen to them when they heard Nabel Iver, the new Western Empire¡¯s Emperor, would be arriving soon. Most of the mages returned to the tower with fearful expressions on their faces.


    But nothing happened in the tower.


    ¡°Please wait here.¡±


    Since an order had been issued to gather at the tower, there was obviously a reason to be concerned.


    However, the 10th Knights Order and 21st Knights Order, who were under the direct control of the emperor, did nothing other than prevent the mages from leaving the tower.


    The knights also did not mistreat or disregard the mages.


    ¡°Is it due to the Eastern Continent temple mages being present?¡±


    The mages of the tower were slightly relieved by this thought.


    ¡°While there was an accident during the Trial of The Tower, the trial was successfully completed. His Majesty has several  reasons to celebrate a joyous occasion, perhaps he¡¯s setting aside time to thank us?¡±


    Many of the mages nodded their heads in agreement.


    ¡°Then why have we been summoned here instead of the main palace?¡±


    Of course, it was natural that they would have many questions. However, the knights of the 0th Order did not give a response.


    On the first floor of the tower, two men wearing dark mage robes entered through the gap formed by the knights thoroughly guarding the entrance. They pulled up their hoods very briefly and showed their faces.


    When the knights saw their faces, they bowed their heads to greet them, and naturally made a way for them.


    Beneath the hood of one of the robes, a head full of ebony hair was illuminated by the small light fixtures in the tower.


    ¡°Hurry up,¡± Nabel said to Nesha, who followed behind him silently.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Nabel gestured towards the knights guarding the entrance. It was an order to not let others in.


    Thead, the general of the 1st Knight Order, who was in charge of guarding the outside the Mages¡¯ Tower, bowed obediently.


    ¡°I was hit by some of the debris from the explosion!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, but why don¡¯t you have any wounds?¡±


    ¡°Even your wounds were healed?¡±


    The mages were busy discussing the trial when they caught sight of Nabel passing through the corridor on the 3rd floor.


    Naturally, the corners of his lips drew into a smile as he passed by them.


    He noticed most of the mages were starting to relax. The more relaxed they were, the better it was for him. His hands, without his usually white gloves, lightly brushed against the mage¡¯s hands. No one was suspicious of his actions as there were many mages gathered in the hallway.


    ¡®Are you really not going to do any research?¡¯


    With a touch of his hand, their thoughts were revealed.


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    ¡°It¡¯s only been 20 years since Pel died in an accident and now there¡¯s a new miracle!¡±


    Nabel usually despised touching other people, but so far, the mages¡¯ thoughts were filled with their excitement for the appearance of the new Master of the Shinsu.


    ¡®Ten, why are you in a higher rank when you have less magical power than me?¡¯


    ¡°Ten, haven¡¯t you been recognized for your divine magic since you were young?¡±


    Nabel scoffed at the contradicting thoughts and words that came out of the mage.


    Because of such people, he hated hearing the thoughts of others.


    But this wasn¡¯t an unusual occurrence. He had dealt with thoughts more repulsive and vile than the mages, all while smiling casually.


    However, today was an exception. For today only, Nabel didn¡¯t mind touching others, and reached out to as many people as he could. It didn¡¯t matter if he became nauseous each time there was a disgusting thought.


    In pursuit of the truth, he could endure it all.


    When he remembered how Ron¨¦e collapsed in front of him, his resolve strengthened.


    ¡®Shouldn¡¯t I handle this my way to ensure something like this doesn¡¯t happen again?¡¯


    Nabel headed to the fourth floor.


    It wasn¡¯t possible for him to touch all of the mages in the tower, so the next best thing was to investigate the scene of the crime.


    A knight from the oth Order had already provided him with a report after investigating the interior of the tower.


    ¡°There was a magical reaction on the 5th floor. Upon searching the area, I found something that looked similar to a magic circle, but the shape wasn¡¯t clear. Nevertheless, it does not appear to have been erased in the aftermath of the explosion.¡±


    The Master of the Shinsu had accomplished an astonishing feat and that in itself was a blessing in disguise.


    The tower had exploded and then was restored to its previous state.


    To be more specific, the evidence was restored, leaving behind clues that would help identify the enemy.


    ¡°Thankfully, our research papers are safe.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen a magic ability that can turn back time.¡±


    ¡°Whatever the master of the Shinsu has done¡­¡±


    The mages also praised Ron¨¦e.


    ¡°I mean, I just finished writing the report for that study yesterday! Imagine if it flew away! I would have thrown myself from the ninth floor!¡±


    Nabel observed the mages with an indifferent gaze as he passed them by.


    ¡°But the report I wrote yesterday is still here! She must have turned back time to the day before the trial!¡±


    ¡®Hail the Master of the Shinsu!¡¯


    The mage whose hand was touched by Nabel was praising Ron¨¦e.


    But on the other hand¡­


    ¡®She looked quite young for her age. If I somehow get the chance to play with her¡­¡¯


    Hearing the vulgar thoughts, Nabel narrowed his eyes and pulled back his hand.


    ¡°We will arrive at the scene of the explosion soon,¡± Nesha said quietly as he followed behind. Nabel nodded briefly, his expression hardening slightly.


    The tower incident was nothing short than a declaration of war against the Western Empire.


    Some of the neighboring countries had heard the news and were already sending gifts. On the surface, it was to celebrate the birth of a new master of the Shinsu while offering consolation for the accident that occurred in the trial of the tower. Of course, they also referenced the amazing ability of the master of the Shinsu that prevented a disaster.


    [I don¡¯t know if it will comfort you but¡­]


    All the neighboring countries sent gifts with similar words to the Western Empire.


    In short, they were denying any involvement in the trial incident.


    Nabel was not interested in anything as insignificant as gifts when there were enemies aiming for Ron¨¦e.


    But he knew the surrounding small countries couldn¡¯t cause such a disturbance since he had already suppressed their ambitions during the early days of his reign.


    Those who dared to invade the Western Empire were given a taste of the nation¡¯s immense power. Even if the nation¡¯s power was gnawed on by the Miltans, and the internal situation was complicated, it was not enough for them to be defeated by a small country.


    Nabel¡¯s eyes narrowed. Yes, the national power that the Miltans coveted.


    There was only one force that would dare declare war like this.


    The House of Miltan.


    Most of the Miltans were beheaded as traitors after rebelling against the Imperial House of Iver.


    But Nabel knew that wasn¡¯t the end.


    ¡®Why else would Duke Lloyd and Miltans have similar intentions?¡¯


    ¡®Perhaps there is still someone of the Miltans¡¯ bloodline, who wishes to overthrow the Iver family and become emperor instead?¡¯


    Most of all, Nabel knew that like the Miltans, the Iver family was also beheaded. Every single one, except for him.


    It was thanks to the last remaining loyalists of the imperial family that he managed to escape with his life. They were now known as the 0th Knights Order.


    ¡®I will never run away again.¡¯


    [5th ??floor.]


    Nabel¡¯s gaze shifted to where the mages had gathered. They were feeling around the wall in wonder. This must have been the place where the explosion first occurred.


    ¡°Do you recognize this form of magic?¡±


    ¡°No, I have never seen it before. What does this triangle mean?¡±


    ¡°A triangle? Where do you see a triangle?¡±


    The mages were burning with the urge to research the unknown magic. The magical shape drawn on the wall appeared differently to each individual.


    But its true form was visible in Nabel¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± Nabel started to speak, but quickly closed his mouth.


    While he wasn¡¯t a mage, Nabel had a great deal of knowledge when it came to the different forms of magic.


    As such, there were a few things that only he was privy to as a member of the royal family.


    For example, before Archmage Pel¡¯s death, the former master of the Shinsu left behind the knowledge of a defensive magic circle for the Iver family.


    The magic circle was supposed to explode the moment an unauthorized person entered the magic circle¡¯s field.


    And that magic circle could only be used by the imperial family of the Western Empire.


    However, the magic circle was clearly visible on the wall of the tower.


    The Miltans were once an imperial family of the Western Empire and would have knowledge of it too.


    In short, the only individuals who could draw the magic circle were members of the Miltan family and the Iver family.


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    ¡°This makes it clear.¡± Nabel spat out briefly.


    Members of the Miltan family were clearly alive.


    And they were aiming for Ron¨¦e, the Master of the Shinsu.


    1previously the 1st Order of Imperial Knights


    2previously the 1st Order of Guard Knights

 Chapter 28

    ***


    The Mage¡¯s Tower had great symbolic meaning.


    If the tower had collapsed as their enemies had intended, various rumors would have spread within an instant.


    ¡®The Master of the Shinsu has abandoned the Western Empire.¡¯


    ¡®The relationship between the Master of the Shinsu and the Imperial House of Iver is broken.¡¯


    Once the rumors start, they would spread like wildfire.


    And that¡¯s exactly what the Miltans wanted.


    As their goal was to prevent the Ivers from having the Master of the Shinsu on their side again at all costs.


    More than 20 years ago, the Iver Imperial family was under the protection of a Master of a Shinsu and had the strength of an impregnable fortress.


    He had protected them until his last breath.


    Nabel knew how the previous Master of the Shinsu, Archmage Pel, perished. He had personally witnessed the gruesome scene.


    ¡°Greetings, Your Majesty.¡±


    The Western Empire¡¯s Political Affairs Conference was convened frequently these days. Nevertheless, Nabel still called an emergency meeting as he did not have additional time to delay.


    ¡®Before she awakens, I need to handle all these troublesome matters.¡¯


    This was his only desire.


    ¡®I don¡¯t want her to see anything that will traumatize her further.¡¯


    Hadn¡¯t she already witnessed enough of that at the Rieda mansion?


    After seeing Nabel¡¯s blank expression, the nobles in the conference hall hardened their expressions as well. They assumed the mages would naturally be punished first, but then another political affairs meeting was suddenly assembled.


    ¡°My sister has asked me to become a saint.¡±


    Silence befell the conference hall when he spoke out those words.


    When he gestured towards Nesha, the door to the Conference Hall swung open and a man in a mage¡¯s robe was dragged inside.


    His mouth was gagged.


    The mage may not have realized, but Nabel had discovered his malicious thoughts after touching him in the Mages¡¯ Tower.


    ¡°I can¡¯t erase the traces of evidence without the help of that person¡­¡±


    The memory of a silver-haired young man, a symbol of the Miltan family, secretly engraving a magic circle on the side of the Mages¡¯ tower during the night flowed into Nabel¡¯s mind.


    With his ability of ¡®The Hand of Truth¡¯, just that passing thought was enough reason for Nabel to be suspicious.


    ¡®I should head back quickly and report this.¡¯


    When the mage turned to leave, he was instantly captured by Nesha, and later, brought into the conference hall.


    Nabel recognized the faces of the individuals in the mage¡¯s memory.


    The first face belonged to Duke Lloyd and the other Countess Rieda.


    The formation of this team was unexpected, but without the silver-haired Miltan involving himself, those two would have never gotten together.


    ¡°Your Majesty.¡±


    At that time, a Knight of the 10th Knights Order approached and handed him a small report.


    ¡°I found the location of where the three planned to meet, but it was already burned to ashes by the time I arrived.¡±


    The destruction of the evidence must have been the work of Duke Lloyd.


    Nabel laughed as he rose from his seat, dismissing the knight of the 0th Knights Order with a gesture of his hand.


    ¡°My sister has asked me not to be a tyrant,¡± he repeated, rephrasing his previous words.


    He said it earlier, but this time it was a bit different.


    ¡°As I mentioned before, I don¡¯t want to doubt the Lords, but unfortunately¡­¡±


    Following the pause in his words, Nabel¡¯s gaze passed over Duke Lloyd as he continued to speak.


    ¡°There was evidence left behind on the tower.¡±


    ¡°You say there is evidence¡­?¡±


    It was Thead, the 21st Knights Order general, who asked this question. Nabel smiled in response.


    ¡°It¡¯s on the Mages¡¯ Tower. If you¡¯re curious, you can ask the mages. It seems that every mage who entered the tower has seen it at least once.¡±


    Nabel tilted his head slightly.


    ¡°Of course, they wouldn¡¯t know what the magic circle looks like. Only the eyes of the Imperial family can see its exact shape.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­.¡±


    ¡®Who drew the magic circle?¡¯ Thead nearly asked, but after a moment, he suddenly turned pale.


    There was only one answer.


    ¡°¡­.But Your Majesty, the vicious family of Miltan has already been decapitated by the guillotine.¡±


    Those were the words of Duke Lloyd.


    ¡®He¡¯s quite shameless, too.¡¯ Nabel laughed silently.


    ¡°I¡¯m curious about that, too. The problem is that Miltan¡¯s blood still remains, and they seem to feel quite uncomfortable with me sitting here instead of them.¡±


    Nabel¡¯s gaze fell upon his sword, which was leaning against his seat.


    ¡°Because they are familiar with the protection magic designated for the royal family.¡±


    Nabel lifted the sword and spoke while staring at the sword in its sheath.


    ¡°Seeing as I cut their heads off myself, I don¡¯t know how they¡¯re still alive¡­¡±


    Nabel dragged the tip of the sheath against the floor. The sound of the scabbard scratching the floor echoed throughout the conference hall, filling the room with an ominous sound.


    ¡°If there are still some of their underlings here, pass along this message. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to eradicate them twice.¡±


    Shiiing


    The gagged mage¡¯s face became deadly pale at the sound of the sword being unsheathed.


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    Nabel looked into the eyes of the person who was about to die.


    When he first started killing, he often avoided their gaze.


    But when he began to stand alone, he couldn¡¯t afford to act weak anymore.


    So, he focused on their eyes.


    He believed that if he stared straight into their eyes and memorized their gazes, he would get used to the act of killing, and feel fine.


    Of course, that was pure nonsense.


    ¡°Make sure to tell the Miltans these words.¡±


    After finishing his speech, Nabel held the sharp blade against the mage¡¯s neck.


    ¡°And I hope you report his expression in detail.¡±


    He raised the corners of his mouth and laughed while looking straight into those terror-filled eyes. Every time he saw an expression like this, something in his heart would break.


    It was because he had the same expression when his family¡¯s heads were severed by the guillotine when he was young.


    Of course, it was not a good idea to think about that now. His sword slowly dug into the mage¡¯s neck.


    ¡®It would have been nice if Countess Rieda was here.¡¯


    She is also after his sister.


    He didn¡¯t want to keep her alive. He wanted to erase her from the world, through any method, even by assassination.


    But it wasn¡¯t the time yet.


    He had no intention of stealing Ron¨¦e¡¯s revenge.


    As long as Ron¨¦e was the owner of a Shinsu, one word from her and the countess would be treated as a heretic by all the mages.


    Which meant that she would be isolated from the world.


    Because who would doubt the most beloved child of the Gods?


    ¡°¡­¡­!¡±


    The mage shook his head violently as if to say it wasn¡¯t him. Nabel figured he was reacting this way because he thought there was no evidence.


    Nabel laughed.


    ¡°As far as I know, there are no mages in the Miltan family, so who made the magic circle?¡±


    The answer was in the mage¡¯s mind which Nabel was able to read. The blood completely drained from the mage¡¯s face.


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    ¡°If it¡¯s not you, then tell me who.¡±


    ¡®Tell me all about the people who conspired with you.¡¯


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you don¡¯t feel wronged.¡± Nabel laughed.


    All names who came out of the mage¡¯s mouth would die.


    Nabel¡¯s blade dug into the mage¡¯s neck a little more.


    ¡°Uuh¡­..¡±


    Blood splattered.


    The nobles who were watching turned away as they couldn¡¯t bear such a gruesome sight of a life slowly and painfully ending.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look away,¡± Nable ordered the nobles in the conference hall.


    It was a warning.


    Thud.


    The sound of the mage¡¯s body collapsing on the floor echoed throughout the conference hall.


    Clang!


    Nabel threw his sword on the floor after killing the mage. His white gloves and uniform were drenched in the blood of the mage. The tips of his bright blonde hair were also coated with the thick liquid.


    ¡°Trace the source of the Miltan¡¯s military power. Feel free to collect evidence in any manner you please. Catch him, so I can kill him here.¡±


    Nabel stepped across the middle of the conference hall.


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    The empty gaze of the dead mage seemed to be following him. Nabel struggled to not look back at those eyes as he roughly opened the door to the conference hall.


    Bam!


    The large door hit the wall before closing once again.


    ¡°Ah.¡±


    And Nabel¡¯s voice was muffled by the sound of the door closing.


    He stood still in front of the conference hall with his eyes wide open.


    ¡°¡­Nabel?¡±


    Ron¨¦e was standing right in front of the Conference Hall.


    Her eyes immediately went to his white uniform, which was stained in blood.


    It was sunset when Ron¨¦e finally awoke.


    ¡°Here.¡±


    It was her first time seeing this room. The VIP room was spectacular and the second most precious place after the Imperial family¡¯s room.


    But it didn¡¯t use the gold and red colors of the Imperial family.


    However, this place was decorated in silver and navy.


    ¡°Are you awake?¡±


    The mage Ruchel bowed his head in surprise. Eight bracelets shook from his wrist.


    ¡°Milady!¡±


    Ryne grabbed Ron¨¦e¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Ryne.¡±


    Her voice seemed to be a little hoarse. Recognizing her expression, Ryne immediately poured water into a glass and handed it to her.


    ¡°Tell His Majesty the news!¡±


    Behind Ryne, the head maid Dia and the maids of Ron¨¦e¡¯s Palace moved busily.


    ¡°Is there any part of your body that is difficult to move?¡±


    Ruchel was busy scanning her. The reason all the other mages could be here, even though they were commanded to stay in the tower, was due to the need of a mage to look after Ron¨¦e.


    Of course, he was also destined to be investigated when Ron¨¦e woke up.


    Nabel never made an exception.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    Ron¨¦e tried to move her hand. Ruchel let out a sigh of relief.


    ¡°The tower¡­¡±


    Her gaze looked towards the tower.


    ¡®The tower is safe.¡¯


    She could see the mages randomly sticking their heads out of the windows.


    ¡°The tower is safe and no one is injured, Milady.¡±


    Ryne held her hand.


    ¡°You should worry about yourself first before worrying about others. Are you not sick anywhere?¡± Ryne asked anxiously, her gaze directed at Ron¨¦e.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay,¡± Ron¨¦e laughed.


    That had always been the case.


    It felt like she was going back into a distinct time in the past.


    Where Ryne carefully nursed her, after she lost her strength due to the magic of Countess Rieda.


    Just like now.


    ¡°More than that, everyone is safe, Ron¨¦e. ¡±


    Ruchel bowed his head in a troubled voice.


    ¡°Please address her properly as the Master of the Shinsu.¡±


    Now that she had been recognized as the Master of the Shinsu, no mage was above her. Ron¨¦e found it very absurd to hear the honorifics.


    ¡°¡­Of course.¡±


    For Ron¨¦e, these mages were still difficult to be around. She couldn¡¯t help but feel complicated every time she saw the bracelets shaking on their wrists.


    However, it was something she would have to adapt to gradually.


    ¡°How about Nabel?¡±


    ¡°¡­Ah.¡±


    Ruchel was confused when the noblest name in the Western Empire suddenly popped up. But he quickly fixed his expression.


    ¡°The political affairs meeting will be ending soon. The maids left to personally deliver the news to His Majesty, so he will be here soon.¡±


    ¡®That¡¯s a relief.¡¯


    When Ron¨¦e collapsed, she saw how Nabel¡¯s expression was distorted by anxiety and anger.


    ¡®He must have been very shocked.¡¯


    Still, he seemed to be handling the situation calmly as the Emperor.


    It was only then that Ron¨¦e allowed a small smile to form on her face.


    ¡°Nabel.¡±


    ¡®I miss you, I want to see you.¡¯


    The moment she had such a thought, a fox with pointed ears popped up from the shadows.


    ¡°Bell?¡±


    Upon hearing her small wish, Bell glowed softly into her arms.


    Wooosh!


    At that moment, the scenery in front of Ron¨¦e started to change. Ron¨¦e was so surprised, that she closed her eyes tightly.


    Bam!


    Then, she opened her eyes at the loud sound of a huge door closing in front of her


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    It was dark brown doors, adorned with gold-rimmed decorations as if they were used only for important guests.


    However, Ron¨¦e could not give pay any more attention to the door.


    ¡°¡­Nabel¡­?¡±


    He was standing in front of the door with his white uniform and gloves drenched with red blood.

 Chapter 29

    ***


    ¡®Did he get hurt?¡¯


    That was the first thought that came to Ron¨¦e¡¯s mind.


    Surprised, Ron¨¦e reached for him with her hand, but Nabel¡¯s movements were faster.


    His hands moved to cover Ron¨¦e¡¯s eyes but after glancing at his bloody gloves, he pulled out a handkerchief instead.


    It was clean and unstained since it was in his front pocket.


    Then, Nabel used it to cover Ron¨¦e¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°¨DI don¡¯t want you to see something like this.¡±


    ¡°Did you get hurt?¡±


    Nabel shook his head at Ron¨¦e¡¯s urgent question.


    ¡°¡­¡­No.¡±


    It was a deep voice. Ron¨¦e¡¯s heart sank in a different sense. The heavy scent of blood eventually reached her nose.


    ¡°¡­Nabel.¡±


    Ron¨¦e spoke in a small voice. She told him to not be a tyrant.


    She didn¡¯t want him to become a tyrant who harmed others without reason.


    If too many people began to despise him and saw him as an enemy, he could not live happily. Just like her when she was in the mansion.


    But on the other hand, she understood him.


    Nabel was the emperor of the Western Empire, but Miltan¡¯s power was so strong that even the palace was not safe yet.


    So, he would have to be cruel.


    Right. He was a tyrant.


    A tyrant who must take control of his surroundings by showing blood and inciting fear if necessary.


    ¡°¡­Sister.¡±


    Nabel¡¯s deep voice rang again. They were the only two in the quiet corridor.


    ¡°You don¡¯t like it when I hurt people, do you?¡±


    He knew this based on her actions during the incident at the tower. Ron¨¦e poured herself into restoring the tower until she collapsed. Thanks to that, no one was hurt.


    ¡°There will be a few casualties.¡±


    With those words, she accepted it, despite her own dislike for others being hurt.


    ¡°Are you disappointed?¡± A murky voice broke out.


    ¡°This is something I never wanted to show you, Sister,¡± Nabel continued.


    That was why he took care of it while she was asleep.


    The dark thoughts within him did not come out of his mouth.


    ¡°¡­No,¡± Ron¨¦e replied in a small voice. At that moment, she didn¡¯t have any feelings of disappointment.


    She felt heartbroken for Nabel.


    ¡°Have you been like this all along?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­?¡±


    Although the white handkerchief prevented their gazes from meeting, they were still facing each other.


    ¡°For ten years¡­¡± Ron¨¦e¡¯s small voice rang. After a moment of silence, she added, ¡°You have been unhappy, too,¡±


    ¡®I knew you were unhappy, but you were far more uncomfortable and miserable than I thought.¡¯


    Nabel used fear to control people because he rarely trusted anyone.


    In other words, he was very lonely.


    Just like her.


    ¡°¡­He was the mage who hurt you, Sister.¡± Nabel stated.


    He still smelled of blood. It was the last trace of the man he killed.


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    Recalling his own appearance, Nabel gave Ron¨¦e the handkerchief as he stepped away.


    He was too dirty to be next to her.


    ¡°Can I take a shower for now?¡±


    Ron¨¦e nodded silently at his words.


    Ryne noticed that Ron¨¦e seemed startled and soothed her with calming tea and sweet cookies.


    But Ron¨¦e could not forget Nabel¡¯s bloody appearance or the stark contrast between dark red stains and his white uniform.


    It must have been something necessary for Nabel.


    She understood that.


    ¡°I won¡¯t do anything bad to you.¡±


    She remembered the child who had said those words to her.


    Even then, Nabel was not an obedient child. His eyes were glistening with anger, as if planning his revenge on the knights and the people of the House of Rieda.


    During that time, he endured violence, then he left the mansion and lived alone for ten years.


    ¡°Nabel,¡± Ron¨¦e whispered his name.


    As far as Ron¨¦e knew, every member of the Iver Imperial family were dead.


    Nabel was the only one left.


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    Then Ron¨¦e discovered Nabel¡¯s secret and the reason why he couldn¡¯t trust people.


    He could read her mind just by touching her.


    Ron¨¦e had seen many horrible people. If an individual was horrible on the outside, could their insides be even more hideous?


    Nabel didn¡¯t go overboard with murder and didn¡¯t enjoy cruel things either. Above all, Nabel¡¯s expression at the time was not one of amusement.


    It was a more dismal look than she had ever seen.


    When he gave in to the cruelty surrounding him, Ron¨¦e saw his vulnerability, which had been revealed only briefly.


    Killing people hurt him, too.


    He had endured that alone for ten years.


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    Creak.


    Then the door opened. Ryne was standing next to Ron¨¦e. Although Ron¨¦e and Nabel seemed to enjoy spending their time together, Ryne still glanced at her hesitantly.


    Her eyes were questioning whether she should leave. Ron¨¦e looked at her and smiled apologetically.


    ¡®This isn¡¯t something to feel sorry about,¡¯ Ryne thought as she left the room.


    Thud.


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    The two were alone in the room again.


    Nabel had sprayed a heavy scented cologne on his body, but the smell of blood still lingered.


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    A gaze that held a long silence went back and forth between the two.


    Nabel recalled the time he first took up a sword and killed someone. He was sure it happened much earlier than Ron¨¦e assumed.


    At that time, he was at the Rieda Mansion.


    There was a servant, who behaved harshly towards the young slave. Nabel brushed off the servant¡¯s words, but he could not bear it when he spoke ill of Ron¨¦e.


    And the day the servant deliberately dropped a pot over Ron¨¦e¡¯s head, he no longer held back his anger.


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    He had seen plenty of people die, even as a child.


    However, it was difficult to face the person who died by his hand.


    Most of all, the empty gazes of the dead were difficult to forget.


    Every time he saw their eyes, Nabel thought of Ron¨¦e.


    ¡°I miss you, sister.¡±


    It was evident that the Rieda Mansion was a thorny place, but when he was by Ron¨¦e¡¯s side, there was only warmth. He wanted to go back there.


    When he had to relieve people of their heads, his thoughts should¡¯ve been focused on himself. Instead, they kept drifting to Ron¨¦e.


    The more his sword spilled blood, the more he missed Ron¨¦e.


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    It was the same today. As he was slowly cutting people¡¯s necks, his thoughts were filled with the one person he should not dare think about.


    He missed her so much.


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    But he didn¡¯t want her to appear. He was incredibly surprised to find her in front of the conference hall earlier.


    Even now, Nabel still smelled blood.


    ¡°Sister.¡±


    Nabel seemed a bit tired. He would always take off his white gloves in front of Ron¨¦e, but today was different.


    A thin pair of white gloves, decorated with gold, caught her eye. To Ron¨¦e the gloves felt like a barrier.


    ¡°Nabel.¡±


    Compared to earlier, Nabel had become cleaner than before. If not for the gloves, he would look like his usual self.


    Flop.


    He collapsed on the bed, causing her body to shake slightly. Nabel didn¡¯t come near her. Sitting a little farther than usual, he gazed at Ron¨¦e.


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    He stared at her like that for a long time. Keeping her in his sight seemed to restore life to the broken things within him.


    When he looked at her, the eyes of the mage he killed in the conference hall, and the eyes of those he had killed on the battlefield were briefly forgotten.


    ¡°¡ªI didn¡¯t mean to be a tyrant. I¡¯m just¡­.¡± Nabel spoke after a pause.


    ¡°I¡¯m just so angry.¡±


    Ron¨¦e returned his gaze and he laughed bitterly.


    ¡°I wanted to get rid of those who put you in such a state. I wanted to be crueler, cut off their heads, and hang them on the wall. Then¡­ They¡¯d be unable to go after you anymore.¡±


    Nabel buried his face in Ron¨¦e¡¯s neck and sighed. His deep breath brushed across her ear. He closed his eyes, placing his hands, still encased in the white gloves, on the bed behind her.


    ¡°¡ªI would do something even crazier than this for you, sister.¡±


    He was afraid to look up at her face. The longer she stayed silent, the more he feared that her expression would be distorted.


    ¡®Are you so disappointed in me that you won¡¯t even listen to my words?¡¯


    He pressed his face against Ron¨¦e¡¯s neck.


    Her scent was a soothing aroma.


    ¡°Nabel,¡± Ron¨¦e called him in a small voice.


    Nabel slowly raised his eyes and looked up at her. Ron¨¦e closed and opened her eyes slowly.


    ¡°I know you endured much suffering during those ten years.¡±


    ¡®I know the path you took to reach me was one covered in thorns.¡¯


    ¡®I understand the things you did to forge through.¡¯


    ¡°I thought of you so often¡­. About the day I met you and the day you left. Every day, I was thinking about you.¡±


    Ron¨¦e paused for a moment and went on.


    ¡°For the first time, I wanted to run away from. I knew I would die if I was caught, but I thought it was a far better option than staying still. If there was a slight chance, I wanted to see you, even if it was just a glimpse¡­¡±


    ¡®If you hadn¡¯t come, I would have been caught escaping and then killed.¡¯


    Ron¨¦e swept a hand over his forehead. His soft bangs brushed against her fingertips and scattered.


    ¡°You told me to not give up on what I want, right?¡±


    She brushed her fingers through Nabel¡¯s bangs slowly and patted his eyes. His slightly red eyes looked pitiful to her.


    She gave up her desires when she was younger because it was more disappointing to want something she couldn¡¯t have.


    It was the first lesson the Countess taught her.


    The more she wanted it, the more she despaired because she couldn¡¯t have it. That was how she gradually lost her spark.


    Until she met Nabel.


    Nabel was the one who instilled a desire in her again.


    ¡°I want to be with you in a safe place. A place where we won¡¯t be threatened by anyone, unlike the mansion.¡±


    Ron¨¦e continued while stroking his cheeks.


    ¡°I¡¯d hate the thought of you dying more than the thought of you amassing hatred,¡± Ron¨¦e whispered softly.


    ¡°I told you to be a wise king, remember?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    Nabel nodded slowly, but Ron¨¦e shook her head.


    ¡°It¡¯s better for you to live as a tyrant than to die as a wise king, Nabel.¡±


    His opponents were more unruly and crueler than Ron¨¦e had ever imagined.


    Those people were after their necks, so they couldn¡¯t stay still.


    It was the natural outcome. She didn¡¯t even think twice about it. Ron¨¦e hugged Nabel.


    ¡°You told me to not give up on my desires, right? Then¡­¡±


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    ¡®If you can make my wishes come true, Nabel¡­¡¯


    ¡°You must become a tyrant and survive,¡± Ron¨¦e whispered softly.


    ¡°I will help you.¡±


    Everyone wanted the Master of Shinsu. They knew having a Master of Shinsu defending the clan had brought the Iver Imperial family to their peak.


    ¡°I will make you the most powerful emperor to ever exist by protecting you as the Master of Shinsu.¡±

 Chapter 30

    ***


    ¡°I will make you the most powerful emperor to ever exist by protecting you as the Master of Shinsu.¡±


    She caressed Nabel¡¯s face with her hands.


    ¡°But I need you to promise that you will never leave my side again.¡±


    It was okay to be greedy.


    And yearn for the things they wanted, as much as they wanted, no matter what it was.


    But they had to stay next to each other forever.


    That is what Nabel wanted the most, even more than Ron¨¦e.


    ¡°I promise.¡±


    Nabel closed his eyes, his lips brushing against her forehead briefly before going lower.


    He couldn¡¯t bear to touch Ron¨¦e with his bloodstained hands. Instead, he tilted his body and pressed his lips against her eyes once more. Her tears wet his lips and then trailed down her cheeks.


    Nabel slowly went lower as she leaned on the headboard.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    He did not dare to touch Ronee.


    Sweeping away the tears with a careful kiss, he moved down to her neck.


    His love bites, which had almost faded, were placed on her once again.


    Thump.


    Ron¨¦e¡¯s hand lightly hit the bed. With a small laugh, Nabel looked at her hand.


    His hands were still confined in his white gloves.


    Ronee saw his hand move to hold hers several times.


    So, she reached out and grabbed his hand.


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    Momentarily surprised, Nabel flinched, but did not dare to reject her.


    Ron¨¦e smiled, feeling his warmth through the white gloves.


    ¡°Hold my hand, Nabel.¡±


    The smell on Nabel lingered in the air around them.


    ¡°It smells like blood, sister.¡±


    ¡®And it¡¯s coming from me.¡¯ He smiled sadly.


    Ron¨¦e shook her head.


    Only then did she realize why the smell hung thick in the air, making her choke.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Ronee lightly whispered. ¡°I still want you to hold my hand.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not like you enjoy the smell of blood either.¡±


    ¡®As you stood in front of the door to the conference hall, I could see you were hurt, too.¡¯


    ¡°¡­¡±


    With his head hung low, Nabel took off the gloves. His hand was hesitant at first, but slowly moved toward Ron¨¦e.


    She grabbed his hand, placing it on her cheek before finally closing her eyes.


    Then her thoughts flowed into Nabel.


    [I like being like this.]


    How could somebody be this pure?


    The moment Nabel touched her; his mind was cleansed.


    Unlike other impure people.


    Kiss.


    Ron¨¦e smiled as Nabel raised her hand and briefly kissed her fingertips.


    The white gloves only served as a wall between them.


    This was so much better.


    Nabel gently laid her on the bed.


    Beyond the thick scent that covered him, Ron¨¦e could smell his light natural scent. The scent that reassured her was being overpowered.


    She could not smell the blood he was talking about. But his natural scent was quite faint.


    As if he would leave soon.


    She knew that wouldn¡¯t.


    Thus, she buried her face in Nabel¡¯s arm and his scent grew stronger.


    ¡°Sister.¡±


    ¡®She is so lovely.¡¯


    The only light he has been waiting for.


    Nabel leaned towards Ron¨¦e, who shined brightly in his eyes, and knelt beside her on the bed after a short kiss.


    When he leaned over her, their eyes met.


    Ron¨¦e was looking up as Nabel was gazing down at her.


    Smiles bloomed on their faces at the exact same time.


    ¡°The smell is too strong,¡± Nabel said, with a distressed look on his face. He wasn¡¯t referring to the smell of blood from earlier. It was a scent that permeated to the point where they felt dizzy.


    A strong musky scent filled the air. The residual scent of blood only remained on his arms.


    ¡°It¡¯s still fine.¡±


    Ron¨¦e closed her eyes as Nabel touched her lovely face. Then he put a hand under her shoulder, hugging her as he lifted her up.


    When she opened her eyes in surprise, he kissed the corners of her round eyes.


    ¡°I wish you could be engraved with my scent alone.¡±


    Unlike the light smile on his face, there was a deep desire in his voice as he spoke. Ron¨¦e held Nabel¡¯s hand without saying a word.


    [Your scent is too light.]


    When she conveyed her previous thoughts, he leaned closer.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t like it¡­¡±


    While his scent may fade in time, he wouldn¡¯t disappear.


    Ron¨¦e knew that now.


    Nabel buried his face in her neck, inhaling the light rose scent.


    Her face became flushed when she felt the warmth of his breath through her thin clothes. Nabel pulled her close, his powerful arms supporting her body.


    ¡°¡­Could you help me?¡± He asked seductively. Ron¨¦e turned to look at him.


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°Like this.¡±


    He grabbed Ron¨¦e¡¯s wrist lightly and placed it on his chest. Her hand sat atop his white shirt.


    ¡°There¡¯s more of that scent on my shirt.¡±


    Ron¨¦e blushed at his words, realizing what he wanted.


    ¡°Quickly.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t overcome the temptation. She wanted to bury herself in his arms more than anything.


    Ron¨¦e lowered her head and slowly unfastened several buttons. Then she discovered that his kneeling position made his erection very apparent.


    ¡°Oh.¡±


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    When her cheeks became flushed, Nabel smiled.


    ¡°Please help me.¡±


    It was just as he said. His wrist and neck, as well as his shirt, were potent with his natural smell.


    Ron¨¦e pushed his shirt back with a slightly clumsy motion. Once his body was revealed, she found herself at a loss for words.


    She hadn¡¯t properly seen him undress since the room was usually dark during those times, but now, there was nothing obscuring her vision.


    Nabel carried the marks of the past 10 years. There was a long diagonal scar from his shoulder to his chest and then to the bottom of his ribs. The other scars seemed quite small in comparison.


    ¡°This is¡­¡±


    Without realizing it, Ron¨¦e placed a hand on the scar and traced her fingertips over the rough skin.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Ron¨¦e couldn¡¯t bear to speak. Even Ron¨¦e, who was not familiar with injuries, knew this was a life-threatening wound.


    The fact that there were several wounds overlapping the same spot meant he went out and fought again, even after receiving such an injury.


    She knew there must have been continuous amounts of bloodshed for someone like Nabel, a runaway royal with no foothold, to be able to return to his rightful position. Nevertheless, it filled her with sorrow to see the scars.


    Nabel noticed and smiled reassuringly. ¡°These scars are in the past.¡±


    ¡®Isn¡¯t it fate that I was able to see you again after this wound?¡¯ Nabel lowered his head and kissed her.


    He would not hesitate to go back to the battlefield, even at the risk of his life, if it was the only way to see Ron¨¦e again.


    Therefore, these old wounds did not matter to him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t cry.¡±


    Suddenly, tears cascaded down her face. Nabel lightly kissed her cheek, stopping the tears with his lips.


    The long sleeves of his shirt had only been pushed down to his elbows, preventing him from moving his arms. Thus, he had to bend down to kiss her.


    Once the trembling of her lips stopped, Nabel sat back once again and whispered, ¡°Are you going to leave me like this?¡±


    For a moment she almost said, ¡®This works, too.¡¯ Ron¨¦e shook her head and hugged him.


    ¡°Nabel.¡±


    [Don¡¯t get hurt anymore.]


    He read her thoughts, soothed by her peaceful emotions. The hand that always revealed disgusting thoughts now seemed to be cleansed by her.


    Nabel closed his eyes.


    It was time to comfort his weary heart.


    ¡°Okay, Sister.¡± His low whisper filled the room. Ron¨¦e finished removing his shirt and pulled it down his arms. Afterward, his scent seemed a bit stronger.


    With both arms free, Nabel embraced her. When their bodies overlapped, his erection brushed against her legs.


    ¡°Ah.¡±


    Ron¨¦e¡¯s face turned red, which made Nabel smile widely.


    ¡°Please help me.¡±


    It was the same words as before, but this time, his voice was mixed with playfulness.


    ¡°¡­More?¡±


    Ron¨¦e¡¯s eyes widened, and Nabel laughed.


    ¡®You don¡¯t know how many times you cross my mind.¡¯


    ¡®I want to color you a little black. Then you won¡¯t avoid me, even if you find me in this state again.¡¯


    ¡°Yes. Like this.¡±


    Nabel guided her hand to his throbbing arousal.


    She couldn¡¯t fully grasp his length since it was straining beneath the fabric of his pants. The moment Ron¨¦e felt his heat, she was surprised and tried to let go.


    However, Nabel gently pressed her wrist down, trapping her hand against his cock. Ron¨¦e didn¡¯t know what to do.


    ¡°Sister,¡± Nabel called her name tenderly.


    ¡°It hurts.¡± His whisper was more devilish than any other.


    ¡°Help me,¡± he pleaded.


    Even if he didn¡¯t look so desperate, Ron¨¦e wouldn¡¯t refuse.


    ¡®Her red ears are cute,¡¯ the dark-minded devil thought.


    ¡°Please hurry.¡±


    Ron¨¦e¡¯s hands moved clumsily.


    He wondered if she had ever unfastened a man¡¯s buckle before.


    ¡®Probably not,¡¯ Nabel quickly realized.


    Her inexperienced hands fumbled about as she attempted to free his cock. The awkward touch was enough to draw a groan from Nabel.


    ¡°Hngh.¡±


    Exhaling a shaky breath, Nabel had a feeling that he would come soon.


    However, unless one was a fool, it was unlikely that someone couldn¡¯t figure out how to undo a buckle. Eventually, Ron¨¦e was able to unfasten it.


    Once his pants slid down, his cock was fully visible, which caused her face to turn red once more.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡®You saved me.¡¯


    ¡®In the past and now.¡¯


    Nabel moved towards her and Ron¨¦e¡¯s back met the bed.


    ¡°Ah.¡±


    Beneath her bottom was a soft cushion. As she slid a little lower, her gown lifted, exposing the wetness between her thighs to Nabel. He whispered while gazing down at her, ¡°You¡¯re beautiful.¡±


    ¡®Everywhere.¡¯


    Nabel kissed her fingers, moving his cock to her soft, wet entrance.


    He gently pressed into her.


    ¡°Hng.¡±


    However, his alarming size was too much for Ron¨¦e to take at once. He lowered his head and went for her lips.


    The deep kiss was enough to relax her. Nabel took advantage of the moment and buried himself deep inside her.


    ¡°Ahhng!¡±


    Ron¨¦e cried out with pleasure, trembling each time he filled her completely.


    ¡°Ngh.¡±


    The way she tightened around his length, caused his mind to go blank, and it took a moment to fully recover.


    Every time Nabel moved, his cock stimulated all her most sensitive places, and the sensation was so intense, that she saw flashes of light.


    ¡°Mmhngh.¡±


    Ron¨¦e arched towards him, gasping and whimpering with need. Nabel lost all rationality, his hips slamming into hers with each powerful thrust.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    He moved his hips quickly, driving his cock inside her. There was a mixture of squelching sounds and moans, their tightly pressed bodies moving at a feverish pace.


    ¡°H-Hng! Ah¡­!¡±


    Ron¨¦e released sharp, heated gasps. Her entire body was trembling in ecstasy, and it felt like time was moving slowly. Nabel leaned down, his tongue catching the tears that fell down her face. Then he thrust into her once again.


    ¡°Ahng!¡±


    Ron¨¦e cried out and arched against him, her body shuddering as she reached her peak. Nabel buried his cock deep within her depths and groaned in bliss. Her breath stopped for a moment as she felt his hot desire release inside.


    ¡®She is so lovely.¡¯


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    Nabel deeply lusted for her.


    The long, sweet night was only just beginning.


    ***