DNCTFB 36

Episode 36

While walking through the maze-like hallways, Anna stuck tightly to Melody’s side, looking around nervously.

“They really don’t seem to recognize us,” Anna said with relief after a few temple priests walked past without a second glance.

“They think we’re magic tool makers,” Melody replied.

“Right. I mean, who else would wear these clothes? You can’t even find gargoyle… leather, was it?”

“We’re almost there.”

Just as they turned a corner, a burst of shouting echoed down the hallway.

“Hya! Ha! Hut!”

Several holy knights were training in the practice yard, swinging swords with heavy force. Covered in dust and sweat, they talked as they sparred.

“Sir Dering, just one little spark—and he’s locked away for life? That doesn’t feel right. That kid earlier didn’t even seem like he could light a candle.”

Melody caught her breath. They were talking about a captured mage.

“Quiet. You don’t know what magic he might grow up to use. Don’t forget the disaster from a hundred years ago. One mage burned a whole city to ashes.”

“Still… locking up a child doesn’t sit well with me. How long could a kid like that last in prison?”

“Who knows? Damn it. They’re not human. Quit the chatter and pick up your sword.”

Worried, Melody quickly pulled out her necklace. The red heart charm was still glowing.

“What’s wrong?” Anna asked as Melody suddenly stopped in the middle of the hall.

“It’s nothing.”

Melody gripped the necklace tightly in her cold hand. This was why she hated the temple. If she stayed here too long, she feared she’d start resenting everyone around her without even realizing it.

“Hey, aren’t you the magic tool maker?”

One of the knights spotted them and ran over, wiping sweat from his brow.

“What brings you here? There’s no repair scheduled for today.”

“I came to see Sir Awhin,” Melody replied, showing him the seal Awhin had sent with his letter.

The knight checked it and nodded.

“Confirmed. But… I feel like I’ve seen you before. No, not seen—heard about, maybe? Green hair…”

After a moment of thinking, the knight suddenly gasped.

“Oh! You’re the one, aren’t you?! The person Captain Awhin has been desperately looking for!”

He quickly covered his mouth, clearly excited. Melody had tried to keep a low profile, but somehow her face had become known everywhere.

“I guess that’s me.”

Her calm response made the knight even more enthusiastic.

“Captain’s heartfelt wish must’ve reached you! Are you returning to the temple?”

“No.”

“Then why are you… wearing that outfit? You still wear that even outside the temple? I’ve heard magic tool makers are a strange bunch who deal with monsters, but still…”

The way the knight looked at their clothes made Anna’s face flush red.

“What’s wrong with this outfit?! It’s a great design—practical and durable!”

“I just meant… I thought it was a magic tool maker’s uniform,” the knight muttered.

It wasn’t just about the clothes. That much was clear. Melody’s voice turned sharp.

“That was rude. Apologize.”

She lowered her gaze as she cut the words short. The heavy silence that followed made Anna shift uncomfortably and glance at her.

“A-ah… I apologize. I’m sorry. The Captain is in the prayer room. Would you mind waiting a moment while I fetch him?”

After the knight walked away, Anna whispered quietly.

“Why do people look down on magic tool makers like that? They’re amazing. Anyone who doesn’t see it is just missing out.”

Melody let out a small breath. She knew she’d taken out her frustration on the wrong person. It was her own anxiety lashing out.

“They don’t even realize how lucky they are. Magic tools changed my life completely,” Anna added.

Her dramatic tone made Melody laugh softly.

“You’re right. They’re the ones missing out.”

Anna brightened. “You smiled! Let’s get something tasty at the night market later.”

“Sure. Let’s eat whatever we want.”

“You better not regret that promise!”

As they chatted and laughed, the knight returned—this time with Awhin by his side, wearing his priestly robes.

“Whoa…” Anna gasped at the sight of his face.

“You’ve come,” Awhin said.

“You said I could come anytime, so here I am. I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“Not at all. Please, come in.”

Anna took a step back quietly.

“I’ll be here watching the training. Go ahead.”

“I won’t be long,” Melody said with a nod, then followed Awhin down the hall.

Awhin’s room was as neat and minimal as the rest of the temple. But the first thing that caught Melody’s eye was a bloodstained cloth placed on one side of the desk.

“Forgive me. I haven’t had time to tidy up,” Awhin said.

“I came without notice. Please don’t worry about it.”

As he closed the door, the breeze caused the loosely covered cloth to slip halfway off—revealing what was underneath.

A white whip. Fresh blood was still stained along its surface.

Following Melody’s gaze, Awhin’s eyes landed on the whip and stopped there.

“…It’s nothing,” he said quietly.

His voice was lower and more cautious than usual as he tucked the whip away into the closet.

But Melody knew what it was for.

In the novel, Awhin often punished himself. Those moments usually came after failing to stop the spread of monsters or when he captured a mage. Riheylin was often the one who treated his injuries, leading to emotional tension between them.

Now that Melody thought about it, perhaps Awhin punished himself whenever he questioned the temple’s rules—whenever his heart wavered.

Judging by the whip, he had likely hurt himself again… probably out of guilt for arresting a child mage.

Still, self-punishment didn’t excuse the act itself.

Melody decided to do what he likely hoped for—to ignore it. To not acknowledge his pain.

“I came here today to ask for more Blue Quartz.”

“I see.”

Awhin didn’t look surprised. From the moment he gave her that first piece, he must have known she’d come back. It was just a matter of time.

“You must’ve had a reason for giving it to me in the first place,” Melody said.

“You told me you were helping others. I simply wanted to assist you. Among all the sacred-energy stones, Blue Quartz is the most effective.”

“Would you be willing to give me more?”

Blue Quartz had been banned from being taken out of the temple. Whether the reason was the temple’s dislike of sacred energy being handled outside, or a shortage of the stone itself, no one knew for sure—but one day, it just stopped being distributed.

To Melody’s surprise, Awhin immediately brought out a large box. Inside, it was filled with Blue Quartz. The stones shimmered like starlight trapped inside deep blue crystals.

“This is all I have,” he said. “It’s stored under the name of the Holy Knights.”

It wasn’t a huge amount. Enough for Deonis, certainly—but not enough for what Melody hoped to do.

“I remember the temple vault has more. About ten times this much, right?”

“…That’s beyond my authority.”

“I know. That’s why I’m planning to steal it.”

She smiled.

“Will you be my accomplice?”