Chapter 45
Although Castian’s condition had been unstable lately, their discussion about John ended there.
Castian decided to mobilize the entire Bernstein intelligence division to find him, and Irine promised that the temple would lend its strength as well.
As the conversation began to wind down and everyone looked ready to disperse, I finally asked the question I’d been holding back.
“Mr. Hamilton, do you know someone called Gaurun?”
“You mean that curse sorcerer?”
Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—Hamilton remembered Gaurun.
He said that John and Gaurun had appeared together at Malpren Castle. But at some point, Gaurun disappeared. Hamilton then asked why I was bringing him up.
Trying to hide my tension, I replied as casually as I could.
“I was just wondering if maybe he, too, fell victim to the soul-binding sorcerer.”
“That’s likely. I didn’t realize it at the time, but thinking back, he must’ve been under soul control.”
“I thought so.”
“Do you know that man? Do you know where he is now? If it’s Gaurun, he might know where John went.”
Hamilton’s eyes lit up as he spoke, but the truth was—Gaurun, who had tried to curse Castian’s heart and kill him, was no longer of this world.
When I briefly explained what had happened to him, Hamilton looked disappointed.
Meanwhile, I had swallowed about fourteen sighs of relief inside my chest.
The truth was, Gaurun wasn’t who I’d really wanted to ask about. I wanted to ask about me—Lydia.
What I truly wanted to know was whether he remembered me, not Gaurun.
I had been so worried that before I possessed this body, the original Lydia might have joined hands with Gaurun and infiltrated the expedition to kill Castian.
But if that had been true, Hamilton would have recognized me immediately.
Thankfully, he treated me as if I were someone he was meeting for the first time.
That meant at least I hadn’t been on the side of the black mages. Maybe it was reasonable to think my path had merely crossed with Gaurun’s by coincidence.
I started to hope that the story I’d once made up on the spot—to survive—might have actually been true.
That somewhere, as a reclusive dark mage, I’d decided to help prevent the Demon King’s descent by seeking out Castian.
Yes, that must be it. Please, let it be that.
Even if the Lydia from before the possession wasn’t really me, I still wanted to believe that she wasn’t a bad person.
At the very least, I prayed she hadn’t tried to kill Castian.
While I was lost in that thought, Castian, who had been listening to my exchange with Hamilton, suddenly looked puzzled and interrupted.
“Wouldn’t you know that man better than I? You came to me with him, after all.”
And here came the part where I had to lie.
If I said I didn’t know, he’d surely ask how that was possible—and I couldn’t exactly answer with, Because I’m a transmigrator.
I did consider saying something like, There’s a Demon King and a Saint, so why not a transmigrator too?
But how on earth was I supposed to explain that he was actually a character from a novel I used to read?
Praying that the pounding of my heart wouldn’t be heard, I answered as calmly as I could.
“I didn’t really know him. He came to me first and said there was a group trying to summon the Demon King. He suggested we work together to stop them, so I joined the expedition through him.”
The few seconds I waited for Castian’s response felt unbearably long.
My heart was pounding so hard it felt like even my brain was throbbing.
My palms were damp, terrified he wouldn’t believe me—but then he smiled softly and patted my head.
“I’m just glad you weren’t caught by that soul-binding magic too. If you had been, I wouldn’t have survived.”
He believed me.
My conscience twinged for lying to him, but I was so relieved I nearly cried.
Even if I didn’t know what kind of life the real Lydia had lived, I silently promised to live kindly from now on.
And then—our eyes met, mine and Irine’s.
I quickly looked away, but when I glanced back, she was still staring at me.
Had the Saint noticed my flimsy lie?
My anxious heart started racing again, and even then, Irine kept her steady gaze on me.
She was tall—much taller than I was—so to meet her eyes, I had to tilt my head back.
She was intimidating enough already, but being stared at like that without understanding why made me shrink a little.
I edged closer behind Castian’s back and asked,
“Wh-why are you looking at me like that?”
Irine’s face lit up with a bright smile, revealing her perfectly even teeth.
“Lydia, was it? You’re just so cute, I can’t stop looking at you.”
“…Huh?”
“I heard from Lord Marcus that you did something amazing. You commanded dozens of soldiers! I was curious what kind of person you were—but up close, you’re just adorable.”
Caught off guard by the sudden compliment, I didn’t know what to do.
Flustered, I stammered out,
“You’re the one who’s elegant and beautiful, Saint.”
Irine burst into a hearty laugh.
“Elegant? Me? Hardly. I’m a mess!”
She waved her hand dismissively, though there was absolutely nothing messy about her—she was pristine, almost perfect.
Who would ever guess, just by looking at her, that she hadn’t eaten or bathed properly in so long?
Was that the divine power’s mystery at work?
While I marveled at that, Irine smiled warmly and said,
“If you hadn’t helped, I might’ve starved to death inside that barrier. Thank you, Lydia.”
“Oh, no. It was the Duke who rescued you. Things would’ve turned out the same even without me.”
She shrugged playfully.
“Maybe so—Duke Bernstein probably would’ve found a way alone. But it doesn’t change the fact that you saved me. I’ll still be grateful.”
“Uh… th-thank you.”
Overwhelmed by her excessive praise, I could only mumble like an idiot.
I mean, when would a necromancer like me ever again receive thanks from a Saint, of all people?
“My, how adorable,” Irine laughed heartily, then glanced teasingly at Castian.
“The cold Duke and a cute little black kitten like Lydia—what a pair! Lydia, you’re a bit too precious for him, but you two look perfect together.”
That was the Saint speaking, but not a word of it was true.
Castian wasn’t cold, I wasn’t kitten-like, and I was definitely not too good for him.
Still… I hoped the last part, at least, was true.
When I turned to look at Castian, he was already looking at me.
The faint curve of his lips formed a smile so breathtaking I completely forgot what I was going to say.
Then Hamilton broke the moment, asking Irine,
“What do you mean by that, Saint?”
“These two—aren’t they lovers?”
“What? Duke Bernstein and this necromancer?”
“I’m telling you, yes! Just look at their eyes—love is practically spilling out of them.”
At her words, Hamilton turned to us, and I quickly averted my gaze from Castian, utterly flustered.
She’d read my feelings instantly, and I panicked—completely forgetting that we were supposed to be pretending to be lovers.
“N-no, it’s not like that, Saint!” I protested, shaking my head.
“Oh? It’s not?” she asked, widening her eyes in surprise.
This time, Castian spoke.
“It is.”
His short, firm reply made Irine’s eyes crinkle with amusement.
“So, it is, Duke?”
Without waiting for further explanation, she gave a knowing nod, looking between the two of us.
“Mm, I see, I see,” she said, winking at me. “Well then, shall we head back? See you in Spellwood, Lydia.”
Before I could say anything, the Saint—who had clearly misunderstood—turned and left without a trace of hesitation.
It seemed Castian intended to keep up the “fake lovers” act.
But was it really okay to lie to the Saint about that?
Still dazed, I watched Irine’s retreating back when Castian turned to me and asked,
“Have you sent all the Death Soldiers back?”
“The Bernstein knights are still here. They said they’ll help until the soul-binding sorcerer is caught.”
I glanced down at my shadow as I answered. Castian nodded slightly.
“Good. It might still be dangerous, so you should keep Eden out with you at all times.”
I had felt a strange presence from my shadow earlier, as if someone was silently watching.
Considering what he said, I thought about summoning Eden again—but couldn’t bring myself to do it.
Everyone already knew I was a necromancer, but walking around with a Death Soldier was a different matter entirely.
To me, they were trusted companions—but to others, they were unnatural, unsettling things that would draw attention wherever we went.
That could cause problems not only for Castian but also for Elysia, who had promised to support me.
While I hesitated to answer, Castian spoke again.
“Before that—there’s something I want to ask you.”
His right eyebrow creased slightly as he looked at me.
