CH 16 A scar

“…Hold hands?”

“Yes.”

It was a straightforward response, like he had assumed there couldn’t possibly be any other thing he could have asked for.

“They say that’s the basis of purification.”

“Well, yes.”

Irene vigorously nodded, fanning her flushed face with her hand.

‘What was I thinking?’

Why did she assume he would lead her to the bed like that?

‘That’s something that never happened. It’s an event that never took place.’

In this world, only she would remember it.

Irene pressed her palm against the heated cheek. Despite that, the warmth didn’t seem to dissipate.

“But, are you really okay with this?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, it’s just that… I thought it might be against the rules of the temple to…”

A paladin visiting a woman’s room alone late at night and even attempting physical contact—it seemed strange no matter how you looked at it. This was something the past Michael would never do.

As Irene cautiously expressed her thoughts, he seemed to understand what she was thinking. His expression tightened slightly, as if acknowledging the awkwardness of his actions.

He then proceeded to say, “I understand that my behavior is likely to make you quite uncomfortable.”

It wasn’t just uncomfortable; Irene was starting to doubt if this person was really Michael.

“But… I couldn’t endure it any longer, and I ended up making this impolite visit.”

After saying so, Michael lifted his head to meet Irene’s gaze. In an instant, Irene felt her heart drop, a sensation akin to plummeting from a great height—a profound and distant fear. Behind his deep blue eyes, she sensed something more profound and unsettling.

“Irene?”

Was she staring too intensely? He called her name in a hushed tone.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

Irene hastily snapped out of her daze, but the trembling in her body didn’t subside.

“But… when you said you couldn’t endure it… What do you mean?”

That particular phrase struck a chord with her. What couldn’t he endure?

“Oh, is it about that?”

Somehow, there was a hint of laughter in his voice, yet his expression remained as calm as ever.

“I just thought that since you’re clearly a paladin, you can cleanse a certain amount of magical energy on your own…”

So, this situation felt even more unfamiliar. Perhaps due to his devout nature, he possessed a level of spiritual power beyond that of an ordinary priest. While it couldn’t eliminate wounds like a purifier, it could still suppress magical energy to some extent.

So, Michael would always go to the prayer room alone after finishing dungeon expeditions, purifying magical energy with his own divine power.

“Normally, that’s true. However…”

Michael trailed off, glancing at the table. It seemed like he intended to share a more detailed story.

Sensing his intention, Irene invited him to sit, unable to leave him standing like that.

“If you don’t mind, why don’t we sit down and talk? It’s not comfortable to keep standing like this.”

“Thank you.”

“Would you like some tea or…”

“It’s fine.”

Trying to ease the awkwardness with a question, Irene received a brief response. Michael then headed towards the table in the center of the room.

Feeling a sense of urgency in Michael’s demeanor, Irene had no choice but to approach him directly.

As Irene attempted to sit, Michael pulled out a chair for her, making it easy for her to settle. He sat down across from her only after she was seated.

‘His manners haven’t changed.’

Since the appearance of dungeons, knights had become obsessed with rewards, neglecting their chivalry and focusing solely on hunting monsters. Many lamented that these individuals should be called hunters rather than knights.

Among the knightly manners, one that could now be considered outdated was Michael’s commitment to a chivalric code of conduct. His adherence to these old customs drew disdain and ridicule from his fellow knights, but admiration and longing from purifiers

‘That’s why I liked him.’

Irene had received little respect and hospitality under the Count’s rule. Even if Michael disliked her, his demeanor, reminiscent of how one would treat a lady, had made her heart flutter several times.

‘But not anymore.’

Even recalling old memories, there was no longer the same excitement. Everything seemed distant, and Irene simply acknowledged it.

Eager to conclude this night’s clandestine meeting, Irene took the initiative to speak.

“Alright. So, can you explain why you need purification?”

She wanted to know why Michael asked for purification in the first place.

“Do you recall that before I came of the Alliance fortress, I helped subdue the unstable dungeon in the Tyrenian Kingdom that suddenly emerged?”

Irene nodded. “I do. Thanks to that, you mentioned that everything in this room, as well as the items and meals provided to me, is being paid for by Tyrenian funds.”

“That’s correct. Due to the dungeon that emerged near the royal villa, the entire Tyrenian royal family was at risk.”

As Michael explained, Irene looked around the lavish room.

‘So, that’s why they poured money into this place.’

The Kingdom of Tyrenia, situated on fertile lands and a crucial route for many other kingdoms, was considered one of the wealthiest nations on the continent. Knowing that Michael had saved the royal family made Irene feel more comfortable enjoying the luxuries of this place.

‘I guess that’s why he said not to worry about expenses and to let him know if there was anything lacking.’

It was a small price to pay for saving the life of royalty. Irene continued to listen to his explanation.

“The problem was the dungeon. As it emerged outside the designated area, the inside of the dungeon was also highly irregular and filled with yet unseen monsters. And while dealing with them…”

He paused and suddenly began unbuttoning his shirt.

Surprised by the unexpected disrobing, Irene stared wide-eyed. When his shirt was half unbuttoned, he opened the collar slightly, exposing his chest.

“…!”

In that instant, Irene was shocked, swallowing hard. On his exposed chest, there was a long and distinct scar, as if scratched by a giant beast.

‘That… that wasn’t there before.’

During their week of intimate encounters, Irene had become familiar with Michael’s body. He had numerous small scars, including on his hands. However, he had never suffered such a large wound before.

“I received a severe injury from an undocumented monster. Fortunately, a regular healer’s medicine worked well, and the wound healed relatively quickly given its size. The problem arose afterward.”

“If it’s a problem…”

“The problem is that the wound itself contains magic. While I can suppress it with my divine power, it doesn’t disappear. Especially after entering the dungeon or as night falls, I feel the magic becoming stronger.”

Perhaps due to listening to his explanation, she did notice that his eyes looked slightly red under the dim light.

“I tried to suppress it with divine power again today, but it didn’t work well, likely because I spent the day alone in the dungeon. So, I came to see you at this hour.”

“…I see.”

Now Irene understood the situation. For a paladin like him, harboring magic within himself would be a dreadful experience. It meant possessing the most wicked element within the very essence of what should be pure.

‘So, he sought out a purifier because he couldn’t bear it anymore.’

Michael, realizing that his divine power alone was not enough to cleanse him, had no choice but to seek the touch of a purifier. But even if it was for the sake of purification, he was still reluctant to engage in physical contact with members of the opposite s*x. That’s why he had chosen this time to come, avoiding the scrutiny of others.

“I understand. Can you give me your hand for a moment?”

In response to Irene’s request, Michael readily extended one arm towards her. Irene adjusted her chair and moved closer.

“Purification might feel a bit strange at first since it’s your first time. First, we’ll hold hands…”

“But isn’t it your first time as well, Irene?”

“What?”

“You recently arrived here, and as far as I know, this is your first time on an expedition. You mentioned that the purification light during the Contract Night was unintentional.”

In response to his question, Irene involuntarily flinched. She couldn’t admit to purifying him multiple times in the past.

“Oh, well… That’s because there’s a purifier named Wilhelmina who I know from my home territory. She often explained to me what it felt like to be purified.”

Wilhelmina, who she thought would never help her in this life, had given her an excuse. In her heart, Irene expressed gratitude to Wilhelmina for the first time.

“Anyway, let me give it a try.”

She thought that if she delayed further, Michael might find more peculiarities in their conversation. Irene took one look at his hand, which was probably twice as big as hers, and took a deep breath before placing it in hers.

“Now, let’s take it slow, just like this…”

Recalling her memories of purification from a past life, Irene aimed to dissipate the magic within him.

“Ugh!”

Irene trembled, letting out a stifled moan.

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