<CHAPTER 34>
Which One Is the Fake?
About ten minutes earlier.
Gabriel opened his eyes inside a dusty storage room.
In the cold chamber without a single window, he crawled around until he found the door.
Fortunately, it was not locked.
He staggered outside and clutched his throbbing head.
With a sharp pain, the memories that had vanished returned all at once.
I am the Hero.
And Rek, the woman’s husband, no, her fiancé.
He was undoubtedly the demon Gabriel had been pursuing.
The one who had slaughtered the Black Dragon alone.
A demon suspected of being the Demon King.
Though he seemed to be hiding his strength, he could not deceive Gabriel.
Then why is that man claiming to be Ehilie’s husband?
While staying at Ehilie’s cabin, Gabriel had felt his vitality rise and his heart grow calm whenever he was with her.
Now that his memories had returned, he understood why.
It was because of the holy power Ehilie possessed.
To destroy the wicked Demon King, God created two children.
The Hero who would shatter the Demon King’s heart.
And the Saintess who would embrace him with an immortal light.
When the two bound by fate stand together, they become complete.
The resonance of their souls will allow them to recognize one another without fail.
It was written in the sacred scripture passed down to every Hero.
Gabriel had felt that resonance from Ehilie.
What is going on?
The current Saintess was Clarisse Lupelrochia, the youngest daughter of the Count of Puzelrochia.
Clarisse Lupelrochia had been officially recognized by the temple.
Gabriel himself had witnessed the holy relics shine when she entered the sanctuary.
There can only be one Saintess in an era.
Just as there cannot be two suns in the sky.
If two Saintesses existed at the same time, one must be a fake.
“Which one is the fake.”
Naturally, it made sense to believe Clarisse Lupelrochia was the true Saintess.
Yet Gabriel’s heart leaned toward Ehilie.
He had never felt any resonance from Clarisse Lupelrochia.
“Perhaps you feel nothing because you have not fully awakened as a Hero yet.”
Clarisse Lupelrochia had attributed it to his inadequacy.
Gabriel had believed that explanation.
Compared to past Heroes, his strength was lacking.
Even now.
Even if I had lost my memories, how could I be defeated by men like that.
He had collapsed against mere thugs who stormed Ehilie’s home.
A true Hero would never fall so helplessly.
“Ehilie.
What happened to her?”
There was no time for self reproach.
Gabriel hurried to find her.
It did not matter which woman was the true Saintess.
What mattered was that his soul resonated with Ehilie.
He soon found the large door emanating a powerful presence.
His soul reacted instantly.
But when he burst inside.
It was Rek.
The demon radiating killing intent.
And Ehilie.
“Gabriel?”
She had been close to Rek.
Too close.
Gabriel could not finish warning her.
Rek’s crimson eyes flashed dangerously.
In his current state, Gabriel could not defeat him.
“Ah.
I was just treating his wounds.”
Ehilie stepped slightly away with an awkward smile.
Rek slowly lifted his hand.
Gabriel tensed, preparing for an attack.
But Rek simply wrapped his arm around Ehilie’s waist and drew her closer.
He leaned his head against her and spoke weakly.
“My head hurts terribly.”
“What.
Where does it hurt.
Is it this wound?”
“Ah, I am sorry.
Did I press too hard?”
“Not at all.
When your hand touches me, the pain eases.”
“That makes no sense.
Just endure a little longer.
I will apply the medicine and get painkillers.”
“Please do not go.
Could you stay like this a little longer.”
His red eyes, which had been chilling moments before, now looked gentle.
“Alright.
Lean on me until you feel better.”
She stroked his hair softly.
“Thank you, Ehilie.”
When her gaze briefly left him, Rek looked at Gabriel and mouthed silently.
Get lost.
Gabriel was speechless.
The demon who tore apart the Black Dragon now acted as though a small head wound was unbearable.
“Gabriel, could you wait outside a little.
Just until I finish treating Rek.”
Gabriel opened his mouth, then closed it.
Her eyes were too gentle when she looked at Rek.
I am nothing to her.
To Ehilie, Gabriel was merely an intruder.
Rek was the one she loved.
“Very well.”
He stepped back obediently.
It was not yet time.
Until he uncovered the truth, he would pretend his memories had not returned.
That was the only way he could remain by Ehilie’s side.
***
After finishing Rek’s treatment, Ehilie felt guilty toward Gabriel.
He was hurt trying to protect this house for me.
She tried to stand to treat him, but Rek did not let go.
“Leave his treatment to Herond.”
“But.”
“Do not worry.
Herond’s medical skill is excellent.
He will heal him without leaving a scar.”
She could not object further.
“Alright.
I will just inform him.”
When she moved to leave, Rek stood as well.
“You are a patient.
Wait here.”
“I do not wish to be apart from you even for a moment.”
Understanding him, she relented.
They stepped into the corridor together.
“Ehilie.”
Gabriel straightened from the wall.
“Gabriel, Herond will treat you soon.”
But Ehilie froze mid sentence.
“What on earth happened here.”
The corridor was in ruins.
The ceiling was cracked as if about to collapse.
The walls were stained with dark marks.
The windows were shattered.
The air was freezing.
This is not normal.
A fierce wind howled somewhere outside.
“Rek.
Have you been living in a place like this?”
“It is somewhat worn, but livable.”
“This is not somewhat worn.
The windows are broken and the ceiling looks ready to fall.”
Before he could finish.
A section of the ceiling crashed down.
Rek remained calm.
“Do not worry.
I have repaired the room where you stay so that such things will not happen.”
