~Chapter 119~
The temple was as peaceful as ever. Unlike the chaos outside, the priests walked about in calm routine. It felt like a space completely cut off from the outside world.
“Honestly, I’m not someone with a clear purpose. I’m just… curious about many things.”
Onyx, walking beside me, seemed bothered by earlier events and brought it up lightly.
“I just happened to form ties with the temple. If I hadn’t, my interest would have gone elsewhere.”
“Having something that brings you joy is a blessing.”
He smiled at my reply.
“I hope Lady Roygin can find joy here too.”
His eyes narrowed, as if debating whether to raise a difficult topic. I smiled faintly at him.
“Earlier, you seemed hesitant to talk about your research. That’s okay with me.”
He clicked his tongue softly.
“The truth is, I feel I said something unnecessary to you. Things are… a bit complicated right now.”
“That happens.”
“S-sorry…”
“Of course, I came because I was curious about your research, but if circumstances don’t allow it, that can’t be helped.”
I smiled brightly, and his eyes shook violently. Sweat gathered on his forehead.
Then I murmured wistfully,
“Even so, it’s a shame. I love studying, too. Finding someone who shares that passion made me so glad.”
“Lady Roygin…”
“But don’t worry! I’ll just study hard on my own so I can be of help to you someday.”
His face went pale.
“When that time comes… could I earn the honor of joining your research?”
At last, he broke.
“No, no! You don’t need to study alone. Come with me.”
“Really?”
I grabbed hold of his offer instantly.
“Of course. I was the one who mentioned it first, after all.”
He sighed in relief, color slowly returning to his face.
“Let’s go quickly. We can’t let Yurian see.”
He raised a finger to his lips, telling me to stay quiet. I mimicked him, and only then did he look reassured as we hurried along.
But then—someone grabbed me suddenly.
“You…!”
It was a man I’d never seen before, yet his tone felt strangely familiar. His hair shone silver in the sunlight.
“Lady Roygin, do you know this person?” Onyx asked curiously.
The man immediately released me, realizing his mistake. I gave a sheepish smile and nodded.
“Please, go on ahead. I’ll follow soon.”
Onyx hesitated, then nodded and walked away. As soon as he was gone, I dragged the man with me to a quieter place.
Then the questions came pouring down like arrows.
“Why are you here? You should be at the Roygin estate…”
“Sorry, but shouldn’t I be asking you that? Why is someone from the Tower here at the temple?”
Peril’s face twisted in a grimace.
“I asked first.”
“I became a member of Cardiff.”
“…That’s not the answer I wanted.”
I sighed inwardly and spoke more gently.
“They’re moving the relic into Dremokan in two days.”
“That’s still not the answer I wanted.”
Whatever was bothering him, Peril’s tone stayed sharp. At least he seemed aware he wasn’t hiding his emotions well.
He closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath, pressing his fingers to his temples.
“…Fine. I expected you wouldn’t sit quietly. But the only reason I helped him was for your safety.”
“……”
“But now, finding you here, I have no reason left to help him.”
How does that conclusion make sense…?
“Wait. You’re too worked up.”
“How am I supposed to calm down?”
I had never seen him this angry before.
Usually, he was so composed.
“This has nothing to do with you. Go back, now.”
Before I could react, my whole body froze as if bound.
“Seriously? Throwing magic at me already…!”
The suffocating aura around me was frightening, but worse was knowing he could send me straight back to the estate at any moment.
“Can’t we at least have a proper greeting?”
“Greetings, my foot.”
Clearly, my words weren’t getting through. He scoffed and began sketching a magic circle.
This was bad.
“Then at least answer one thing. Just one, and I’ll go.”
“Oh? You’re daring to bargain with me now?”
“Don’t you think it’s a little late to complain about that? I’ve already had the nerve to make requests of you before.”
For once, he faltered. I seized the chance.
“You’re here for the same reason I am, aren’t you?”
“If you already know my answer, then you won’t regret leaving.”
“Oh, come on!”
“What, not satisfied?”
“Of course not!”
I struggled against his magic. Seeing I wouldn’t give in, he let out a long sigh and finally released me.
I glared up at him, but his face softened strangely as he spoke.
“You told me you have a home to return to. If Orphen wins, everything will go back to the way it was. I don’t need to help him.”
“……”
“Then why are you siding with the Duke? Did he force you to?”
I nearly laughed.
“Do I look like the type to take anyone’s orders, let alone his?”
“Then why?”
His eyes were calm, but the emotions behind them surged like crashing waves.
“Now you’ve made me curious, too.”
“Curious about what?”
“Why would a Tower Master who swore to stay out of politics choose to help Ricardo?”
“As I told you—because I wanted you safe.”
He frowned, as if to say I already knew that.
“No. Did you really think I wouldn’t make this choice?”
“……”
“If your only goal was to send me back to my world, then you wouldn’t need to side with him at all.”
Peril studied me with a hard expression. My reasoning must have hit home.
“You don’t have the right to stop me.”
He gave no answer.
The silence dragged. I kicked at a pebble on the ground.
“If I was wrong, you could at least correct me… Don’t just leave me hanging.”
“You’re completely wrong. All wrong.”
“…Liar.”
I glared, and he sighed deeply, turning his head away in resignation.
“You’re right. What power do I have to stop you?”
“You stopped me just fine a moment
ago.”
“Tch. Again.”
Peril ran a hand roughly over his face.
“You really don’t let a single word go.”
