Episode 39
Ever since the Greedy Demon Lord, Lhel, visited the temple, public sentiment toward the Tesarusis Empire had taken a sharp downturn. The capital, once brimming with life and laughter, now felt oppressive, heavy with gloom. Whenever two or more people gathered, the conversation always circled back to the same question.
“What on earth is the temple even doing?”
The cold, judgmental gaze that had once struck the people had faded, yet its remnants lingered like snow piled deep in their hearts, clouding reason. Objectively, the temple’s only feasible action was to reinforce security. But the citizens demanded more. They wanted the temple to eliminate the monsters threatening their daily lives.
“…Why is nothing working properly?!”
Esia, leisurely sipping her tea, flung her cup in frustration upon hearing the priest’s report. The wet carpet and shattered porcelain did little to calm her.
“Everyone… gone? All of them?”
Battle priests were rare and highly skilled, the kind that might appear only once a year—if that. Six had been sent against Lhel, yet not a single scratch had been inflicted. The revelation left her stunned.
“So… that means the hero, Serius, couldn’t be saved either?”
“…Yes.”
When Esia asked in a low, steady voice, the priest trembled violently, fear for his own life evident in every shudder.
“Worthless… No matter how many chances I give, they’re all useless.”
Anxiety gnawed at her as she bit her nails. With the battle priests dead, she had no choice but to consider her next move.
“Two heroes and six battle priests… why did they fail?”
Even a hundred ordinary knights might have struggled, but there were two heroes! After a long moment of thought, a hypothesis formed in her mind. Though not highly probable, it couldn’t be dismissed outright.
‘The hero sided with the demon lord…?’
If that were the case, the plan’s failure made sense. The battle priests alone would never have been enough.
“And one more thing… I have something else to report.”
“What is it?”
“The whereabouts of Hero Peres, stationed on Cordelia Island, are currently unknown. We’ve continued searching, but…”
The priest trailed off, bowing his head. Only the corpses of the six battle priests had been recovered; not a single trace of the heroes remained. That Lhel had taken Rian Serius made sense, but Elder Peres’ disappearance was an unexpected variable.
‘If word spreads that two heroes are missing… it could destabilize everything.’
If the monsters struck first, could anyone stop them? Esia paced the room, her unease manifesting physically.
“No… I can’t let this continue.”
After a prior period of restraint, Esia now had nowhere to retreat. Further failure would jeopardize her plan to push Melenis aside and seize control of the temple.
‘I need power. More than I have now.’
Always the one supporting the heroes from behind, she realized she could no longer leave everything in their hands.
“Have the other heroes contacted the temple?”
“Yes, Lady. Except for the missing Rian Serius and Elder Peres, all five have confirmed they will report to the temple.”
“…That’s a relief.”
The empire’s emperor dreaded the heroes gathering in one place, fearing it might undermine the current system. But the temple acted independently. They sought to overthrow the existing order, eliminate the monsters, and finally achieve freedom.
‘Let them live in fear forever, trapped under our watch.’
This was her last chance. By secretly joining forces with the heroes to defeat the monsters, the people’s loyalty would shift to the temple.
‘Then even the pope won’t be able to push me aside.’
Esia smiled at the thought, imagining herself as the temple’s ruler. She commanded the servants to refill her tea and clenched her fist, recalling Lhel’s piercing, icy gaze.
‘I’ll make them pay for every humiliation they’ve dealt me.’
❖ ❖ ❖
I had been enjoying a rare moment of peace when Rian suddenly handed me a piece of paper.
What’s this? A marriage registration form?
Expectantly, I looked at him. He gave me a brief, almost contemptuous glance before sighing.
“Did you accept the proposal?”
“Just read it first.”
I took the paper, curiosity and anticipation mixing, but my brow furrowed as soon as I saw the title.
[Contract]
Why didn’t it say ‘marriage’ upfront? Just “Contract” in plain letters—my excitement immediately dropped. I began reading, frowning deeper as I progressed.
“So, why exactly did you draw this up?”
I had reached the last line but couldn’t stop staring, disbelief filling me. It was a contract of many irritations.
“It’s something I thought necessary between us.”
“In what sense?”
“We’re only together because our interests align. It’s better to make that clear.”
Every clause grated on me:
1. Acting independently is forbidden.
2. All future matters must be discussed together.
Clearly, Rian had been holding onto the events at Cordelia Island. That must be why he included these clauses from the start. The clauses continued, growing increasingly peculiar.
6. No physical contact without consent.
7. Always maintain proper distance without consent.
I had too many questions to ask at once, but I settled on one.
“Wait… weren’t the no-contact rules over?”
Shock rooted me in place. No close proximity, no physical touch—then who’s responsible for my quality of life? It felt as if the world itself had collapsed.
“That only applied on Cordelia Island. Now that we’re back, I want it respected.”
“….”
I was speechless. I wished I could erase the existence of this contract from memory. Yet my gaze kept returning to the final line.
12. Once everything is over, the contract ends, and no interference with the other’s life is permitted.
A final plea for release. I mulled over the words. Even after everything, should I let Rian go? Would I still remain inside Lhel’s body? Could he die again?
Despite the questions, my heart gave me the answer.
I still want to be with him. I don’t want to part.
“Rejected.”
I tore the contract in front of him without hesitation. His eyes flickered, unsettled.
“Bring a proper marriage registration, and I’ll review it.”
“Rian.”
He seemed slightly annoyed, but I continued undeterred.
“You don’t need a contract for me to avoid doing things you hate.”
I wouldn’t let a scrap of paper bind me into regret. I needed him, and that would never change.
“You were really trying to get something from me, weren’t you? The contract was just to ease my suspicion.”
“…”
“Don’t try to test me. I’ve known all along.”
He had been acting oddly since presenting the contract. If he truly believed it was necessary, he would have addressed it directly from the start.
“What exactly do you want?”
Rian avoided my gaze, moving his lips slightly. My curiosity only deepened. He had never asked for anything from me before.
I rose, straddling his thigh, looking down at him.
“Rian, what are you doing—”
“I just need a little time with you. Waiting is boring, so I’ll try it this way.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck, meeting his red eyes. He fidgeted, unsure how to respond.
“…You said you wouldn’t do things I dislike?”
“Yes. And right now, it doesn’t seem like you dislike it.”
Most would push away if uncomfortable, but Rian only blushed. No one would think he disliked it.
“So… do you feel like talking now?”
“Haah…”
He sighed deeply, half in resignation, and finally met my gaze. Still shy, yet no longer avoiding me entirely. Slowly, he spoke.
“What is it that you want?”
“You.”
Rian’s expression darkened slightly. Not the answer he expected.
Exactly, I wanted his body, his heart, everything. Could anything else compare?
He seemed to consider this before holding my waist and speaking.
“More than that. There’s something inseparable from your life.”
His eyes were sincere. Was that why he had brought up the contract? I frowned, realizing the answer he wanted.
“How did you know that?”
I never said a word.
