“Don’t you dislike yourself?”
Rudbekia, who asked this, lowered her head deeply.
Her delicate hands, holding her knees, were trembling slightly.
“…”
Yohan silently gazed at her.
From the beginning, there had been no reason for Yohan to dislike Rudbekia.
She was different from saints or princesses.
Rudbekia never saw him as a means to an end, nor did she approach him because of his status or appearance.
The exact reason was still a mystery, but Rudbekia’s heart was pure.
Then, was there a reason to like her?
It was more than enough.
First of all, Rudbekia was a beautiful woman.
With long blonde hair and soft waves adding an elegant style, mysterious green eyes, long and dark eyelashes, and small, pretty facial features.
Her skin was smooth and white, probably well-maintained, and her full chest, slender waist, and long, firm arms and legs matched Yohan’s preferences perfectly.
What about her personality?
Though not much time had passed since they met, Rudbekia seemed to be the diligent type. She worked steadily to complete her tasks.
But she didn’t act stubborn or obstinate. If there was something she didn’t know, she asked right away to avoid making mistakes, and she wasn’t shy about learning from others.
Her smile was beautiful, and she could express her feelings honestly, even though she was shy.
For Yohan, Rudbekia was more than just a good impression—she was a woman he genuinely liked.
“There’s no reason to dislike you. If anything, I might like you, Assistant Rudbekia.”
Yohan said with a small smile, and Rudbekia raised her head, wondering if she had misheard.
“What do you mean…?”
Her large eyes blinked as she asked. Yohan awkwardly scratched his chin, which wasn’t even itchy.
“…What I mean is, Rudbekia, you are a beautiful woman. So much so that my heart might stir.”
He said it honestly.
Yohan, who had been hurt by young ladies since his academy days, tended to avoid women, but still, he could honestly say that Rudbekia was a good person.
“But…”
Yohan turned his gaze slightly, continuing his words.
“As you know, Assistant Rudbekia, I have Princess Ferbache. Unfortunately, I can’t return her feelings…”
Before his words could even finish.
“It’s okay.”
Rudbekia interrupted quickly, her eyes wide open.
She acted swiftly before any rejection could come.
“If I can be with you, Minister, no matter how it happens.”
“What do you mean-“
“I’m saying I’d be fine with becoming a concubine, even if I were second or third.”
Yohan, flustered, stared at her in shock. Her green eyes were fixed on him with unwavering focus. There was no trembling in them.
Rudbekia calmly and slowly wrapped her fingers around Yohan’s hand.
“Actually, I knew you had multiple wives, Minister.”
“…How?”
Yohan’s eyes widened.
His mouth slightly parted, showing his surprise.
“I saw it the other day. You were dining with Princess Ferbache and a pale-haired woman.”
He knew that Yohan practiced polygamy through his conversations with Princess Francia Ferbache, but he hadn’t lied. He had actually seen it.
“I overheard your conversation there. I also learned that the pale-haired woman was pregnant.”
“…”
“So, doesn’t that mean there’s a place for me too?”
Rudbekia asked seriously. Yohan realized it too. There was no hint of joking in her expression or demeanor.
“Please, give me a chance to win your heart.”
Rudbekia said this as she tightly squeezed Yohan’s hand, which she had been holding gently.
Though it was her best effort, it didn’t hurt at all.
“Wait a moment…”
With his eyes closed, Yohan rubbed his forehead with his fingertips. The conversation had progressed quickly, and he needed to organize his thoughts.
“Then, did Assistant Rudbeckia approach me because she knew I have multiple wives?”
“…Yes.”
Rudbeckia slowly nodded her head.
“If it weren’t for that, she couldn’t have approached you, Minister. You already have a fiancée. I know it’s a bit strange, but no sane person would approach someone who’s already engaged.”
Hmm, that’s true…
Yohan easily understood.
“Among the people I’ve met, I would consider you, Assistant Rudbeckia, as normal.”
“Is that so?”
“I’ve met so many weird people.”
As Yohan chuckled, Rudbeckia narrowed her eyes and focused her gaze on him once more.
“So, what’s your answer? Will you give me a chance?”
“That is─”
Boom—!
“-!”
Just as he was about to speak, a loud explosion sounded from outside.
Sensing danger, Yohan instinctively pulled Rudbeckia close to him.
“Minister…?”
Rudbeckia, in his arms, flailed her arms helplessly. She knew there was a crisis, but she couldn’t help the racing of her heart.
“Shh.”
Yohan looked at her and raised his finger to his lips, signaling for silence. Trembling from the excitement of being held by Yohan, Rudbeckia obediently nodded.
Thud—! Thud—!
The sound of hurried footsteps came from outside. Yohan, with his heightened senses, could immediately tell who it was.
“Magical practitioners.”
He whispered, and Rudbeckia’s eyes widened as she whispered back.
“Do they know we’re here?”
“They might. There were traces left.”
Yohan narrowed his eyes, focusing his senses further. He listened to the sounds coming from beyond the wooden door and the cold stone walls.
– They should be in the 4th corridor.
– There’s nowhere else it could be.
– The traces led to the 4th corridor in the first place.
So, we’ve been found.
A shadow crossed Yohan’s eyes.
The situation… wasn’t looking good. His body hadn’t fully recovered, and they hadn’t been here for long.
It would be possible to escape through a hole, but that would only be the beginning of the problem. The monsters would swarm in after them.
Moreover, this place was known as the “Demon Realm,” a cursed cavern in the western part of the empire. High-level monsters roamed in groups, and 1st class monsters were abundant here.
Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem, but in his current state, protecting Rudbeckia and fighting would be impossible.
– Magic doesn’t get traced, does it?
– The trail cuts off here.
– So, they must be here…
Step. Step. Step.
The footsteps grew closer.
Rudbeckia, with a desperate look, glanced up at Yohan. Her green eyes seemed to ask what they should do now.
‘Do I have to go a little more aggressively?’
He didn’t want to make a lot of noise. There was nothing good that could come from it for them.
But if things kept going this way, there would be no other choice.
“…”
Yohan clenched and released his fists. His strength was slowly returning. Of course, it wasn’t even a fraction of what it should be, but it would be enough to deal with a few magical practitioners.
“I’m going.”
Yohan signaled to Rudbeckia, then reached out toward the wooden door. A dark sphere formed in his palm. Whoosh! A gust of wind blew from the surge of mana.
– What’s going on? Suddenly…
Boom—!
Before the magical practitioners could react, the point of explosion shot out. The walls and the door shattered, flying apart in the wind.
“Arrgh—!”
“The explosion…!”
It seemed the magical practitioners were close by, as they were caught up in the magical explosion, rolling on the floor and writhing in pain.
“Go.”
“Yes…!”
Yohan pulled Rudbeckia’s hand, guiding her past the fallen magical practitioners.
“W-Where are you going…!”
A fallen practitioner reached out. A dark, magic-infused tendril shot from his palm like a whip, surging toward them.
Bang—!
The tendrils scattered.
This wasn’t nearly enough to break through Yohan’s mana barrier. Even in his weakened state, the difference in their levels was clear.
Clattering—!
Yohan and Rudbeckia ran through the cave, relying on the light from the torches mounted on the walls. They didn’t know where they were heading, only going in the direction the practitioners had come from.
It wasn’t without urgency, but the magical practitioners had already figured out their location and were chasing them down. They needed to hide or escape as quickly as possible.
Then, it happened.
“Saint Yohan.”
A cracked voice echoed through the cave. It was a cold, malicious tone filled with murderous intent.
Yohan and Rudbeckia instinctively stopped and looked back. There, a man covered in dark tattoos grinned, his smile twisted.
From the aura he radiated, Yohan knew instantly.
He was a high-level practitioner.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
At the man’s question, Yohan frowned and pushed Rudbeckia behind him.
“Can’t you tell? I’m obviously running away.”
“Hahaha! Running away! The saint is running away!”
The man laughed loudly, spreading his arms wide. The dark tattoos covering his body glowed brightly.
Crackle! Purple static electricity surged from the tattoos, drawing the surrounding magic in the cave toward him.
“This is the Tomb of the Four Kings. I will hold a feast with your blood!”
A massive orb appeared above the man’s head. It was as if he was in a different world; it was purely black. The ominous magical energy radiating from it made the skin tingle.
‘That’s…’
A curse.
A very high-level one.
“It’s a feast!!”
With the man’s shout, the orb exploded, and black magical creatures scattered in all directions. It was dangerous. Yohan instinctively covered his nose with the collar of his coat.
“Rudbeckia!”
“Yes!”
Rudbeckia hurriedly covered her nose with Yohan’s coat as well.
Whoosh—
The black magic flowed through the air. It spread so deeply that Yohan could barely see in front of him.
Yohan pulled Rudbeckia into his arms and gathered his mana. He was using his magic to resist the oncoming dark energy.
“Gah…!”
Blood burst from his mouth.
Even just a little of the magic had seeped into him, causing serious internal damage.
“Minister…!”
Rudbeckia, trembling in his arms, looked up at him. She, too, had suffered severe internal damage. Her face had gone pale, and blood was dripping from her lips.
Even though he created a mana barrier, the demon pushed through. Here, Yohan realized something. This demon is not something that can be blocked by a barrier.
In the end, he had to manage his mana, but in his current state, he couldn’t push the demon out.
But he had to.
“Stay focused! I’ll heal you soon!”
“Minister… ugh…”
While focusing on his mana control, Yohan noticed that Rudbeckia’s strength was slowly draining. Her body began to slump, but she kept her eyes on Yohan.
“It… hurts… ugh…!”
Her condition was rapidly worsening. He couldn’t let her close her eyes. Yohan concentrated even more on his mana, focusing it on her. A cool, refreshing breeze swept through.
However, despite this, her pale face showed no improvement.
“Yohan…”
Rudbeckia’s fingertips gently stroked Yohan’s cheek. Her touch was cold, yet soft.
“Don’t speak! Save your breath─”
“J… speak…”
She continued to speak, her breath faint.
“I… love…”
With those words, Rudbeckia closed her eyes. Yohan urgently checked her pulse. There was little time left. At this rate, she would truly stop breathing.
“…”
Yohan clenched his fist. His nails dug into his palm, and blood started dripping from his fingers.
He glared at the demon with intensity.
“Heh…”
The demon sneered, watching the slowly dying ones with a cruel smile. The hateful grin only fueled Yohan’s anger.
Tightening his fist again, he pushed all his emotions into it.
Yohan carefully laid Rudbeckia, now unconscious, down and created a barrier to protect her with his mana. Her fading breath slowly began to stabilize and become clearer.
“I’ll say the words I love you… when I get back.”
Yohan slowly stood up from his position.
“That way, I’ll get an answer.”
He then formed a seal. His fingers intertwined, creating a symbol.
“…Shin-sang-gae-mun (Heart Image Opening).”
He muttered softly.
The demon that had been floating in the air all at once sank down. A cold energy filled the cave.
A moment of silence followed.
Yohan stared intensely, continuing his chant.
“Man-sang-yeo-ui (All Things as Desired).”
Cough!
Blood spilled from his mouth again. The amount of blood increased.
His fingers, still holding the seal, trembled violently.
It hurt.
It hurt so much.
His breathing became ragged. His muscles and the magical circuits within them felt like they were being torn apart.
Attempting to open his heart’s image in this state was no different from committing suicide.
But Yohan endured the overwhelming pain and finished the incantation.
“In my heart’s image, the space created… my will shall be embedded.”
Thud—!
His heart pounded wildly.
Rudbeckia would not die.
Because that’s what he wished for.