CH 7 Comparison of Two lives

There was no way it could be true. Irene was more surprised by the extravagance of the room than by the people gathered around her when she opened her eyes. It resembled the spacious and luxurious room she would see when she was summoned to Princess Cecilia’s room in her past life. So naturally, she assumed it was a temporary arrangement, and she needed to be relocated. How could this be her room?

“That can’t be right. I was just re-evaluated and received a 9th-grade ranking. So, I should be in a smaller room, not something like this…”

“No, this is indeed your room, Irene.”

In the face of Michael’s assertive response, Irene found herself unable to say anything. His words were firm, suggesting that it truly was her room.

‘But how?’

Typically, lower-ranked purifiers could secure better rooms only through considerable influence or by spending a significant amount of money. However, Michael, despite being the Commander of the Temple Knights, held authority only within the confines of the temple. Outside, in this fortress under the jurisdiction of the Alliance of Kingdoms, he was treated as an outsider. Therefore, it seemed unlikely that he used his influence to secure such accommodations.

If not through influence, then it had to be through substantial spending. However, Irene found this notion absurd. In her past life, Michael never spent a penny for personal comfort. He adhered to the basic provisions offered within the fortress, never calling for a personal chef or indulging in fatty foods. The same was true for other aspects of his life.

‘He couldn’t have had that much money to begin with.’

As Irene reflected on Michael’s modest lifestyle, she was further perplexed by the luxurious room designated for her.

Like other knights, Michael sold his dungeon rewards through the Alliance’s auction house. The difference was that he sent all the proceeds straight to the temple.

As she scratched her head, still puzzled as to how this really happened, Michael finally elaborated.

“Let me explain. This place was provided by the Kingdom of Tyrenia. Before coming to this fortress, I helped eliminate an unstable dungeon that had appeared in their kingdom. At that time, I refused any expression of gratitude…”

He continued to explain.

“When you collapsed, their ambassador insisted that they had paid in advance for this place, so I couldn’t refuse. Above all, I brought you here to ensure your safety and comfort.”

“Ah… I see.”

Irene listened attentively, realizing that he hadn’t secured the accommodations himself. It seemed that the favor was extended by the Kingdom of Tyrenia. Perhaps declining their repeated expressions of gratitude and rejecting the luxurious room would have been awkward.

Then, a sudden realization dawned on Irene.

“But how do you know my name…”

She couldn’t recall introducing herself back at the banquet.

He didn’t hesitate to answer her question. “Proper introductions were never made, and I apologize for casually using your name without permission. I have only learned of you from what I have heard the priests and men of the Alliance were saying in passing.”

“No need for apologies. I’m the one who should apologize for not providing a proper introduction. I am Irene Rhodiam.”

Irene straightened her posture and slightly bowed her head. In response, Michael stood upright, raised one hand to his chest, and greeted her in the manner of a knight.

“I am Michael.”

It was a very brief self-introduction, and the room fell into an awkward silence once again. Irene finally broke the silence.

“Um, about yesterday, the pairing at the banquet…”

Before she could finish, Michael preemptively apologized again.

“I apologize for yesterday’s rudeness. I didn’t realize that performing purification in front of others would immediately confirm the pairing.”

Then, looking sincerely at Irene, he continued with a question. “Did you have any plans to pair up with another knight?”

She had. If Michael hadn’t shown up, she would have been paired with that lesser knight.

Irene thought about him for a moment, not even knowing his name, then shook her head.

“No, I don’t have another knight in mind.”

Michael murmured, sounding relieved, “That’s fortunate. If you had already formed a pair with another knight, it would have been quite awkward.”

At that moment, Irene felt an inexplicable chill, causing her to shiver and brush her hand against her arm. Michael was just stating the obvious, but something about his words unsettled her. Irene bit her lip, trying to shake off the unease.

No matter how much she’d cleaned up her past, she still had memories of it, and facing him like this made her nervous.

‘Pull yourself together. He’s someone you won’t see again after a few days anyway.’

The admiration and love she felt for him, the moments they spent together, are now all part of the past. They never even happened in this current life. So, she must bury everything in her heart and strive for a different outcome.

For now, Irene decided to tie up loose ends at the banquet.

“Sir Michael, you might find this impolite, but I would like to discuss the distribution of dungeon rewards.”

Even if she was considered a purifier who was only in it for the money, Irene couldn’t help it.

“You might find these worldly matters distasteful but traditionally, purifiers and knights would negotiate their terms regarding such matters before forming pairs.”

“It’s alright. Please go ahead.”

Wondering if someone had already explained this to him, Irene was relieved to see no sign of discomfort on Michael’s face.

“I am aware that you donate all the dungeon rewards to the temple.”

Irene quickly voiced what she had in mind.

“As the leader of the Temple Knights, it’s only natural, and I respect your actions. However, I need money for my worldly needs. So…”

Irene cautiously spoke, keeping an eye on his reaction.

“All rewards can be rightfully yours. Still, occasionally, can I have the rewards from dungeons I designate from time to time?”

“That…”

“I won’t ask for it often. Even once a month would be enough. Apart from that, you can have everything as you wish.”

Considering Irene’s proposal, he pondered for a moment before nodding.

“Alright. If that satisfies you, we can proceed as you suggested.”

Upon hearing Michael’s acceptance, Irene clenched her fist.

‘It worked.’

She celebrated inwardly at his willingness to accept the proposal without resistance. Despite the unexpected events in the past, the outcome aligned with her desires.

‘Michael remains the same.’

He stood a few steps away from her, just as he used to in the past. As if he shouldn’t get too close.

In the past, seeing him keeping a distance like this would have left her feeling dejected. It used to feel like he didn’t want to be near her even if they were a pair.

However, in this current life, perhaps due to her setting boundaries first and organizing her emotions, his actions of maintaining distance oddly made her relieved instead.

‘If things continue like this for a few more days..’

She thought to herself, anticipating the day when she could obtain the Invisibility Ring in the dungeon she designated. Once acquired, she planned to immediately send it to the official auction and then leave this place.

“Then, Sir Michael.”

Irene politely bowed to him, holding a corner of her dress.

“I’ll be counting on you until the end of our pair.”

...* * *...

The next day, Irene breathed a sigh of relief as she took in the new dungeon information from the scouts.

‘It’s just like before,’

Deep down, she was worried about what would happen if a dungeon different from what she remembered appeared. If that were the case, all the memories from the past would have been for nothing. Fortunately, her worst fears didn’t come true.

Just when Irene is relieved that nothing has changed.

Thud!

Suddenly, someone rudely bumped into Irenne from behind. Startled, Irenne staggered and quickly grabbed onto the nearby wall.

‘What was that?’

She turned around in surprise.

“Haa…”

A deep sigh escaped her lips.

“Wilhelmina.”

Irene muttered the name of the woman glaring at her.

It wasn’t an entirely good thing that things remained the same.

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