After an intense battle, the rift to the second dimension finally closed. As expected, the monsters became more formidable the deeper we ventured in.
There were no mind-interfering irregulars like that monstrous presence from before, but overall, they were still stronger than the first wave of monsters.
I now understood why Abel had challenged me to prove myself before participating in the purge. These otherworldly creatures were indeed powerful.
Had I not undergone that month of rigorous training, I might’ve died many times over here already.
I also realized just how complacent I had been until now.
“Huff…”
I wiped the blood off my rapier and sheathed it, gazing absentmindedly at the blood droplets dispersing into the air like dust. My thoughts were interrupted when I felt a hand tap my shoulder; I turned my head.
Yurph stood there with a gentle smile. The question she’d asked me earlier about whether I liked Abel crossed my mind, and I instinctively averted my gaze to avoid her piercing look.
Yurph, seemingly unfazed by my reaction, stepped closer.
“Do you have a moment?”
“I… well…”
[Hesitate much? Either you do or you don’t.]
Sibley, standing nearby, seemed exasperated by my awkwardness and muttered a reproach.
For someone who nitpicks so much in everyday life, he sure acted cool in moments like this.
“Alright, I get it.”
I slightly nodded my agreement, and Yurph took my hand. While still somewhat bony, her hand felt livelier compared to before.
I lost myself for a moment in the warmth of her touch as she pulled me toward a tent.
Kal, who was resting nearby, smiled fondly at our interaction. He gave us a slight wave when our eyes met.
“I’ll be a bit late as I’ve something to attend to.”
With that, Kal moved away. Yurph watched him disappear from sight before sighing in relief. Although I wondered why she seemed uneasy around Kal, I chose not to press the issue.
Yurph roughly pushed the tent flap open and dashed inside. Once inside, a still unfamiliar interior greeted me.
I turned slightly and saw Yurph’s bright eyes watching me intently.
“You do like His Grace, don’t you?”
Although it sounded more like a statement of fact than a question. It was awkward to deny, so I simply nodded.
Her eyes sparkled even brighter.
“You know, I’m actually quite the expert in relationship advice.”
“That so?”
It was difficult to believe, given her usual demeanor.
Sensing my skepticism, Yurph crossed her arms and looked sternly at me. She likely guessed my thoughts.
“Id, please talk to me informally. I’m only fourteen, you know.”
“Um… If it’s alright, I’ll do that.”
Her earlier prickly attitude had vanished completely, and it seemed like she wished for a more friendly rapport.
“So, want to hear my relationship advice?”
She bragged that she had successfully paired over ten couples in the Castle State, though her boast was oddly endearing.
Her pride made me chuckle involuntarily.
“What, you don’t believe me?” Yurph frowned, clearly offended.
“You should ask Kal then; he doesn’t lie, you know.”
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
“So, what shall we do?”
The sincerity in her eyes made it hard for me to refuse her. I had a hunch that she’d sulk and avoid talking to me for a while if I declined.
[Interesting. So you’re getting advice to steal someone else’s fiancée. That’s a laugh.]
‘Which someone happens to be me, right?’
[Hmm, exactly why it’s funny.]
Sibley giggled quietly from the side, amused by the situation. If Abel’s face could smirk like that, I was tempted to throw him a slap upside the head for good measure.
But I restrained myself since that might raise suspicion with Yurph.
*
“Haha…”
A chuckle escaped Abel’s partially covered mouth. He finally burst into laughter, unable to suppress his amusement any longer.
Despite my silent glare, he showed no signs of stopping.
“Haha… you actually agreed to take relationship advice from that saint candidate?”
“That’s enough laughing.”
“If the roles were reversed, wouldn’t you feel the same way and wouldn’t you laugh?”
Thinking about it again, the whole scenario was absurdly humorous—considering that someone disguised as me was trying to steal Abel away from his own fiancée.
It was probably due to my inability to reject Yurph when she offered, filled with hope to help, even though Abel and I were already close enough to call each other by our names.
“Things have been rather gloomy lately, but thanks to you, I feel lighter.”
“That’s great. Now be quiet.”
I sighed deeply and lay down on the couch, puffing up my cheeks in mock frustration, though laughter bubbled inside me, refusing to stop.
“… Hey, Abel.”
“Yes, my apologies. I’ll stop.”
A little glare silenced his laughing, though his apology was rather half-hearted, and I decided to let it slide. After all, I didn’t truly expect him to apologize deeply, either.
“So, how are things?”
“Not bad. I guess she’s no longer fasting, as she’s eating porridge now.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Relief? Does Abel know Yurph?”
At my question, Abel hesitated. After pondering my words, he smirked.
“We’re not related in any particular way.”
“Really?”
When I asked again, Abel readily nodded. There was no sign of dishonesty on his part.
In the first place, there was no reason for him to lie about such a thing.
“Are you jealous?”
“…Me?”
As I pointed at myself while asking, Abel smiled faintly.
“If not you, then who?”
“…No, I’m not.”
Even as I narrowed my eyes and said so, the smirk on his face didn’t fade. It was rather frustrating.
“Ah, do as you please.”
“Hmm. I’ll do just that.”
It was futile to add anything at this point. Abel, in this playful mood, would only smile in response to any words I might say.
Seeing his handsome face, smiling playfully, struck me as beautiful as a painting. This was why physical appearance mattered, I supposed. Despite Adelle’s beauty, which was considerable in her own right, she couldn’t compare to Abel’s allure. In fact, if Abel dressed as a woman, he would probably be prettier than me.
’…Thinking about it, that makes me even more irritated.’
“Well, let’s put personal matters aside for now.”
Then, Abel wiped the smile off his face and picked up a paper from the desk. It was filled with complex imperial writing, the letters too close to read clearly from afar.
“The Emperor is making his moves.”
“He is?”
“Yes.”
At Abel’s snap of his fingers, the paper floated in the air and drifted slowly toward me. I took it, examining the contents.
Records of incidents between the Castle State and the Royal Family were documented there.
“His next target is the Castle State.”
“Yes. He has always viewed the Castle State as a thorn in his side.”
The alliance between the Castle State and the Royal Family was merely superficial; the Arius Empire and Numen Castle State had repeatedly engaged in covert attacks against each other, though never openly.
I couldn’t help but subconsciously touch my neck, and the faint tingling sensation brought back the recent memory of almost being strangled by him.
The genuine fear of death that I’d experienced for the first time resurfaced.
I tried to hide my trembling hands, but Abel noticed, looking at me with a slightly worried gaze.
“You’re still afraid.”
“Yes… The close encounter with death was merely a month ago.”
“Fear is something we must overcome if we want to grow stronger.”
“I know that.”
Though his tone was strict, his voice carried concern for me, making me feel somewhat embarrassed as I scratched my cheek.
“If the Castle State is the next target, then we must go there too, right?”
“That’s why this purge is so important.”
The reason Abel had personally participated in this purge.
To build a friendly relationship with the Castle State through this purge and secure their help against the Emperor.
This was the direction Abel had set for the future.
“We need merit.”
If I remembered correctly, Yurph had casually mentioned before that the Castle State operated purely on meritocracy.
Positions of prestige were awarded based on merit and faith, following the Castle State’s principles.
Most of these merits were about punishing evil and promoting good.
“Yes. There’s only about a week left before the end of the purge.”
“Isn’t my Universal Healing Department merit enough?”
“That’s your merit as Id. It’s not counted as mine.”
“Oh, right.”
Now I understood why Abel had always been at the frontline in battle, wiping out monsters. It was all for forming a strong alliance with the Castle State. Through these efforts, he intended to gain their support to thwart the Emperor’s plans.
Has Abel been strategically planning like this all this time in his quest to take down the Emperor? I found myself curious about his personal motives for doing so.
Beyond just the Emperor’s evil acts, why did Abel hold such personal enmity toward him?
But I refrained from asking outright.
We weren’t close enough for me to broach such private matters, and it might be related to some deep, painful memories of his.
