Episode 10
The great sage Marcus—renowned in this era as someone who could even bring back the dead—was not too far from here.
Of course, in this world, people thought a three to four-day journey by carriage wasn’t “too far,” and that was the real issue.
Three days passed as we rattled along in a bumpy carriage like pieces of luggage. Just as I felt like my backside was going numb, we finally arrived at a small temple in a minor town.
According to the Burnstail Duchy’s intelligence unit, this temple was the last known location of Marcus.
Edan had gone inside to look for Marcus, only to return with a grim face.
“Priest Marcus left for another location yesterday.”
“Did he say where?”
“The bishop said His Grace the Duke must come in person if he wants to know.”
At Edan’s reply, Castian clicked his tongue in annoyance.
It wasn’t as though the priest’s whereabouts were classified. The bishop was clearly trying to get something out of this—probably hoping to squeeze out a donation by grabbing onto a big fish.
Still, since we were the ones asking for help, Castian had no choice but to go himself.
The real problem was me.
With my cursed magic and equally cursed life, I couldn’t step inside a temple protected by divine power.
And if we let Castian go in alone, there was the risk that the soul-binding spell I had placed on him might break.
Ethan glanced at Castian, hesitating to speak, then offered, “I’ll go and get the answer, no matter what.”
His eyes sparkled with fiery loyalty, filled with a reckless determination that clearly said he was ready to grab the bishop by the collar if necessary.
But Castian raised his hand to stop him.
Even the Emperor wouldn’t pick a fight with the temple lightly. If we caused any trouble here, it wouldn’t end with a mere inconvenience. Worse, they might even dig into the real reason Castian had come here, jeopardizing his mission as leader of the expedition.
I poked my head out the window to check the size of the temple.
Thankfully, it was small and simple, with a modest courtyard. I had been sustaining the soul-binding spell for nearly a week now, and my magic was running low—but at this distance, I thought I could endure it.
“Please go. I’ll manage somehow.”
“You sure you’ll be okay?”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got your soul wrapped up tight.”
Castian asked with a concerned expression, and I answered brightly, clenching my fist for emphasis.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips, and he nodded.
But just as he was about to get off the carriage, Edan jumped in front of him, face tense with urgency.
Unable to go against his lord, Edan turned to me and shouted, glaring.
“Don’t say that so lightly! Castian’s life is at stake!”
I understood his concern—but his persistent distrust was getting annoying.
I peeked out from behind Castian’s back and replied bluntly, “I’m not taking it lightly. But we can’t afford to lose track of Marcus again. He left just yesterday.”
“If you’re thinking of using this as an excuse to break the spell and run, think again.”
His voice was low and ominous, as he reached for the hilt of his sword. Was that a warning… or a threat?
Well, they say people get used to anything. After days of dealing with his killer instincts, I’d become somewhat immune.
From behind Castian, I narrowed my eyes at Edan and shot back, “Even if I die, I won’t let go of the Duke’s soul. So don’t worry.”
Edan, who was used to me shrinking away at a mere glare, seemed stunned into silence.
But a moment later, he erupted with more killing intent than ever, making even last week’s outbursts seem like child’s play.
“As if anyone would trust the words of a necromancer.”
“I do.”
Castian calmly cut in, stepping between us with a cool tone.
“…Pardon?”
The air shifted instantly. Edan’s killing aura vanished, and he looked up at Castian with wide, disbelieving eyes.
“I said I trust her. Edan, stand down.”
Faced with that icy gaze, Edan had no choice but to obey.
He looked at Castian like a kicked puppy, then slumped his shoulders and stepped aside.
After glancing back at me once, Castian strode confidently toward the temple.
He just said he trusted me… He believes in me?
The same Castian who used to keep his distance was now placing his trust in me.
Isn’t this what they mean by “sincerity always reaches the heart”?
So what if I’m possessing an evil necromancer? Who cares? The male lead believes in me!
My heart swelled with joy. I felt like dancing in the carriage.
But the moment Castian stepped past the temple’s threshold, I was hit with a crushing pressure.
“Ugh…”
It was a flood of magical drain unlike anything I’d felt before.
So when someone bound by dark magic steps into divine territory… the spell’s difficulty spikes into hell-mode?
It felt like someone was scooping out my insides with a ladle. I could barely keep myself upright.
“Hey, what’s going on?” Edan hurried over when he saw me clutching my chest.
Even as he watched me with suspicion, I managed to answer between ragged breaths, “The spell… is still holding.”
He looked back and forth between my pale face and the temple’s doors where Castian had vanished.
“Your face is…”
“Don’t talk to me. I need to concentrate.”
I leaned back in my seat and shut my eyes, focusing every last bit of energy on maintaining the spell.
Edan fidgeted near the door while I clenched my teeth and held on.
I didn’t know how much time had passed.
But when I tilted my head down, I felt something warm drip from my nose.
Blood.
A few drops hit my skirt, and then more followed.
Panicked, Edan rushed back into the carriage and grabbed my shoulders. “Hey! Necromancer!”
I couldn’t answer. If I lost focus, the spell would collapse.
I pinched my nose and tried to breathe.
But the nosebleed didn’t stop—it turned into a full stream.
“You—you’re bleeding—”
“Before someone sees… close the door.”
I coughed up blood and croaked out the words.
Edan hurriedly shut the door.
If any priests saw me like this, they’d drag me inside for healing… and that would be the end for both Castian and me.
I bled and bled, but I didn’t stop focusing.
My dress was soaked, my nose blocked with blood, which forced it up my throat. I let it flow freely.
Blood began to pool on the carriage floor.
Edan finally shouted, “No more! I’m bringing Castian back!”
I reached out with a blood-soaked hand and grabbed his sleeve.
“I can endure. Don’t make a scene.”
“But you—”
“Don’t worry. I won’t die.”
I forced a crooked smile, blood dripping from my mouth.
Day seven of necromancer possession.
Castian finally said he believed in me.
And I was supposed to just die quietly now?
No way. I’d show the world what a true romance-fantasy reader was made of.
Edan stared at me like I was terrifying and reluctantly sat back down.
I don’t know how long I kept bleeding.
Eventually, Edan stood up silently.
“Hey. Where are you going?”
“You’ll die like this.”
He left those ominous words and bolted outside.
I couldn’t stop him. I didn’t have the strength.
My mind drifted. Where am I? Who am I? Where do clouds go when they pass…
Forget grit—I really might die at this rate.
Just then, the carriage door flew open.
“Lydia!”
Castian rushed in and caught me as I collapsed.
Cradling me in his arms, he shouted, “Edan! Get us as far away from the temple as possible!”
“Yes, sir!”
As the carriage sped away, Castian wiped the blood from my face, calling my name over and over.
“Lydia! Lydia!”
Even with such a tense expression, he was still handsome. Somehow, that made me feel proud.
I did it.
Are you watching, author? Even if you drop this series halfway, I’m keeping my man alive.
My mana was still in the danger zone, but now that Castian was holding me, the drain had lessened.
At least now, even if I passed out, the spell wouldn’t break.
Relief flooded in, and I could no longer fight the exhaustion.
Sleep tugged at me. I was hungry. A bit cold, too.
Instinctively, I snuggled into Castian’s chest. His strong arms pulled me in tighter.
“Duke…”
“I’m listening. Say it.”
“I want to eat meat…”
“…Meat?”
“Beef…”
“I’ll let you eat as much as you want. Just hang on. Don’t die.”
He made a dramatic promise with a serious face.
I’m going to eat so much beef. It’s going to be delicious.
With that happy thought, I passed out in his arms.
