Chapter 12

After knowing Adam for years, it was impossible not to notice such things. His habits and routines were as familiar to me as the back of my hand.

Unlike the times when I had to look up at him, I could now observe him closely as he lay on the floor.

This allowed me to take in the fine details of his features.

‘Come to think of it, he looks more exhausted than before…’

The dark shadows under his eyes were unusually deep.

Was he not sleeping at night or during the day at all?

Recalling how Adam’s room had been lit for several nights, I furrowed my brows.

‘Is he sleep-deprived rather than suffering from muscle loss?’

No, that couldn’t be it. Adam, who didn’t collapse even after several nights of rebuilding the Demon King’s castle, shouldn’t be falling now, especially when he hadn’t been doing much recently.

Unless he hadn’t rested properly even once after killing the Demon King…

…Somehow, this seemed like the most plausible and unsettling explanation.

“You look tired. It’s alright to rest. I’ll take responsibility for keeping Abraxas in check!”

“No. I’m worried the beasts might harm the villagers…”

He was saying he had to stay vigilant to prevent any possible harm from the beasts.

Remembering how he watched over the beasts from the garden during the day and searched for something at night, I thought about the obedience stone.

Didn’t he have that?

I recalled Adam fiddling with the obedience stone when we first met.

When I hesitated, Adam seemed to think I wouldn’t press further, so he got up and straightened his clothes.

He looked as neat as if nothing had happened moments ago.

But Abraxas ruined it by jumping in from the side.

“What’s the point when you have the obedience stone?”

“Abraxas.”

Adam murmured softly, warning him.

“Oh, was that a secret? I thought you used it well enough.”

The situation had changed.

However, Abraxas continued to observe Adam with a playful expression.

Seeing this, I inwardly clicked my tongue.

‘He did that on purpose.’

As Abraxas mentioned, we could control the beasts using the obedience stone found among the Demon King’s possessions.

The reason Abraxas knew this was because he was one of the three chief demons who served directly under the Demon King.

…Though more often than not, he acted as the battle gauge guarding the main gate rather than serving the Demon King at the core.

Before Abraxas could say anything else, Adam quickly spoke, cutting me off.

“I appreciate Eve’s suggestion, but I’m fine.”

Oh, you are not fine.

The reason Adam was trying so hard not to show any weakness was because of Abraxas’s presence.

I was so close to convincing him this time!

I shot a narrowed gaze at Abraxas.

He shrugged his shoulders as if to say he was innocent.

Pretending to be oblivious, I firmly stepped on his foot. Abraxas winced, clutching his painful foot without uttering a word, and retreated to the back. Not missing this chance, I approached Adam.

“I’ve set up a chair in a sunny spot. Please, just rest!”

This time, he didn’t resist.

He was so exhausted that he could hardly think straight and just followed me in a daze.

However, as soon as he saw the chair by the window, he seemed to regain some of his senses, rubbing his throbbing forehead and trying to refuse.

“I’m fine.”

“Do you know how many times you’ve said that you’re fine? You don’t even realize you’re repeating yourself, do you?”

“….”

Adam fell silent. It was clear he wasn’t even aware he was repeating the same words.

I forcibly sat him down in the chair. Although it was just a chair, it was made of plush leather, making it incredibly comfortable, as if you could fall asleep the moment you lay down.

His eyes began to close as if to prove its comfort. He kept mumbling that he couldn’t sleep, but I whispered, “It’s okay,” and gently closed his eyelids with my hands.

I reached for the blanket I had prepared to cover him but realized I must have dropped it somewhere.

Turning to Abraxas, who had been following us like he was watching an amusing show, I called out.

“Abraxas. Bring the blanket.”

“What, me? You keep bossing me around, but I’m—”

“Abraxas.”

I shot him a cold glare.

He gulped and quickly scampered off to fetch the blanket, muttering complaints under his breath.

Moments later, he returned, grudgingly handing over the blanket.

I carefully draped the blanket over Adam’s shoulders. His breathing soon became steady, and it was clear he had finally succumbed to sleep.

Watching him, I let out a sigh of relief. He desperately needed this rest, and I was determined to ensure he got it, no matter what.

It was clear that I would not entertain any more objections.

The mention of the obedience stone had made the hero even more resolute.

“Perfect for this role! I’ll be right back.”

I finally managed to send Abraxas away and propped my chin on my hand, gazing at Adam’s face.

For someone so exhausted, he looked incredibly handsome.

‘I wanted to make him some herbal tea to help him sleep better…’

But even just laying him down made him fall deeply asleep.

How sleep-deprived must he have been for this to happen?

Just then, a faint voice escaped Adam’s lips.

“Don’t go…”

“…”

His long but thin fingers grasped my hand.

The calluses on his palms were a testament to how hard he had lived.

Despite his usual strong grip, this hold was weak, but I couldn’t bring myself to pull away.

I opened my mouth to speak.

“Who are you…”

“Human! Is this okay?”

“…!”

Hearing a voice behind me, I instinctively jerked my hand away from Adam’s with a sharp clap.

It was an automatic reaction.

I hadn’t done anything wrong, but I felt guilty, which made me even more jumpy.

Even Abraxas, who was usually indifferent, seemed surprised and sympathetic toward the hero.

“…Why did you push him away so coldly?”

Abraxas’s eyes narrowed.

“Even so, the hero didn’t wake up.”

He muttered under his breath.

His vertical slit red eyes flickered ominously.

“It would be best if you don’t try anything funny.”

I warned him, feeling a sense of self-loathing for my actions.

‘Honestly, I’m the one who should be warned.’

Watching a man sleep so soundly without leaving his side? It was inappropriate.

After covering Adam with the blanket Abraxas brought, I quickly stood up.

“Your neck is red.”

“I know!”

I needed to go outside and splash my face with cold water from the fountain.

Abraxas wouldn’t harm the hero due to the oath.

I hurried out of the room.

However, I noticed a shadow following me.

At first, I ignored it and continued walking, but the footsteps followed me all the way to the garden. Unable to shake the persistent shadow, I finally turned and asked.

“Why are you following me?”

“Do you expect me to stay and watch the hero sleep like some pervert?”

“…”

Someone who actually did that is standing right in front of you.

I kept silent and quickened my pace, but Abraxas matched my speed effortlessly.

“Why are you following me…”

Just as I was about to confront him, an interruption came.

“Roar!”

“Ah! You are…”

A leopard-shaped beast suddenly jumped between us, causing me to instinctively crouch. Its friendly licking on my arm made me relax.

‘Is this because of Abraxas?’

I heard that animals submit to the strong.

It seemed like beast-type creatures had similar tendencies.

Maybe it was showing friendliness because Abraxas was nearby.

“What’s this? Why is it acting like this?”

Abraxas wore an expression similar to Adam’s earlier, though his was more of bewilderment.

“Growl.”

The beast called out to Abraxas in a playful voice.

Oh, so demons and beasts can communicate?

“What are you saying? Stop whining and speak properly.”

“I apologize for not greeting you immediately, Lord Abraxas. It was out of respect for your presence.”

The beast, which had been whining moments ago, suddenly spoke in perfect human language.

I widened my eyes, looking back and forth between the two, and finally focused on the beast.

I grabbed its cheeks and stretched them out, speaking in amazement.

“You can talk?”