In the dim dungeon, bursts of hearty laughter echoed again, as if hearing the most outrageous joke.
“You’re not expecting me to be your fallback guy, are you, Emilia? If that’s the case, you’re really delusional.”
At this moment, Sieg was so exasperated he laughed until tears streamed down his face, shaking his head lightly.
Given her current situation and actions, this seemed the most likely explanation.
Hearing this, she gently bit her lip.
In a sense, he was right, but she had never been touched by the male lead.
After all, having once been a man, she still had some bottom line.
“That’s not it, I promise. I just… want to stay by your side.”
She paused, unsure how to explain properly. She couldn’t tell the whole truth, but it wasn’t entirely impossible to say something.
“I want to stay by your side to atone. I’ve done so many things that wronged you. I don’t expect forgiveness; just let it be my own satisfaction…”
This wasn’t a lie; it was her genuine feeling.
She had originally planned to make it up to him after returning home.
“Oh, how strange. A traitor like you has such awareness?”
This made Sieg stroke his chin, rubbing it back and forth, staring intently at her, trying to see through her intentions or schemes…
Was she sent to monitor me?
Wouldn’t it be easier to just keep me locked up forever?
Or does she have another motive?
…Could she really be atoning?
…
But that look in her eyes just now?
It was odd.
After thinking it over, he took a deep breath, tilted his head slightly, and stood still for a while, stretching his limbs and flexing his muscles.
With a half-smile, he said meaningfully,
His eyes showed no hint of joking.
“Even though I don’t believe a single word you say and have no idea what your goal is, you not only showed up but also lifted the seal. By all reason, I have no reason to let you go, heh. But be prepared—I’ll make you suffer, bit by bit, for what you’ve done to me.”
“I understand. I can accept that. Do as you wish. I just want to stay by your side.”
As if she had anticipated this, she didn’t say much, simply accepting her fate with a resigned nod.
She looked utterly dejected, her eyes slightly lowered, her beautiful profile catching his gaze, making him pause for a moment.
A flaw.
He couldn’t help but sigh—she had become far too beautiful as a woman.
At this moment, he nodded indifferently and deliberately began talking about his next plans, while also observing her reactions, trying to catch any hints.
“Alright, since I’m out, I plan to keep working toward going home, even if it means destroying the world. But I don’t want to slaughter the innocent. If there’s a better way, I’m willing to compromise.”
He spoke as if muttering to himself.
“Once my strength is restored and my territory is strong enough, the first thing I’ll do is take down the empire, the biggest threat.”
But he saw no change in her expression—she was like stagnant water.
She no longer cared about the empire’s affairs, no matter what happened to it.
After all, she had given her all, only to be kicked aside.
Even the male lead she trusted didn’t believe her, ultimately severing their bond.
Seeing no expected reaction, Sieg shrugged boredly.
He stopped bothering with this inexplicable woman and walked out of the dungeon on his own. Without the seal, nothing could stop him anymore.
He walked slowly, savoring the breeze of freedom brushing his face.
Following behind, Emilia looked frail, her steps unsteady, her delicate, pale face showing exhaustion, yet she forced herself to keep up, step by step, trailing the young man.
It was almost pitiful.
Before she could say more, his demanding hand waved in front of her.
He matter-of-factly asked for startup funds, showing no courtesy, clearly not believing her claims.
If he trusted her so easily again, he deserved to end up like this.
“Come on, Emilia, give me money. I heard you embezzled quite a bit. If you’re atoning, you should obey me completely. Hand it all over.”
This made her feel helpless and wronged.
For years, she had worked tirelessly without taking a single cent, only seeking a clear conscience.
Her salary mostly went to orphanages, leaving her with just a few ladies’ dresses she wore repeatedly.
After rummaging, she found only a few gold coins.
“I didn’t embezzle a single cent, but I don’t mind giving you money.”
With that, she handed over everything she had without hesitation.
He weighed the coins, turning back with a look of disbelief, his expression saying, “That’s it?”
Come on, you’re an archbishop, a world-saving hero who took everything from me, and you’re brushing me off with this?
No sincerity at all.
But thinking it over, it made sense—she had just been exiled and judged, so it was normal not to have much on her.
Fine, he’d make do with this for now.
He skillfully pocketed the coins, now with a purpose in mind.
But Emilia didn’t know that.
She instinctively asked,
“Sieg, what are you using the money for…?”
She quickly closed her cherry-like lips, saying no more, realizing she’d overstepped.
She shouldn’t ask too much; their relationship was fragile, and any friction could shatter their alliance.
That was a result she couldn’t accept.
Right now, her desire to return home through the system was all that kept her going.
Losing that hope would kill her—not physically, but mentally.
She immediately bowed, apologizing.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked so much.”
“No big deal. I’ll tell you anyway—buying slaves. I’m preparing to rebuild the Demon King’s castle. Though you all turned it into ruins shrouded in endless black mist, that place is important to me. Besides, it’s a massive project. I can’t do it alone, can I?”
He spoke openly, not because he trusted her, but because he could easily control her life.
He wasn’t worried about her leaking anything.
Years of imprisonment taught him that individual strength has limits.
To return home, he needed external help.
Looking at Emilia, his mind raced with thoughts.
Keeping this woman close was partly selfish, partly strategic.
He couldn’t quite articulate how to express it…
At first, he wanted to kill her and be done with it, but that seemed too easy for her.
He planned to squeeze out all her value and then discard her, making full use of her.
Not only would it vent his hatred, but he’d also gain a free subordinate—one who didn’t need a salary—and he could even get under the skin of that hero, Gerald.
He couldn’t help but hum lightly, as if releasing some pent-up anger.
“Let’s go. No need to dawdle. Waiting around might cause trouble since lifting the seal will definitely attract attention.”
“I understand.”
She didn’t refuse or make excuses.
Her eyes were fixed only on him; nothing else seemed to matter.
Under the sunset, their shadows stretched as they embarked on the road home, trailed by the ever-present royal guards.