IFLDMHF | Chapter 124

Chapter 124

Evgenia, who had already been feeling uneasy, quickly withdrew her hand in surprise upon seeing the man entering the corridor.

Having a past of following the crown prince around, she had no choice but to be mindful of her conduct.

‘But who is that person?’

Evgenia belatedly examined the owner of the voice and tilted her head in confusion.

It was someone she had never seen before in the ducal residence.

To have such a rude expression, as if annoyed that his path was blocked, and to speak so informally right away…

Even Euclid, the master of this castle, did not treat Evgenia that way.

However, there was something oddly familiar about him, making Evgenia narrow her eyes as she observed him closely.

Soon, her expression became subtle.

“Could it be… the Tower Master?”

“Why the ‘could it be’? I’m not someone whose face should be forgotten in just a few months.”

As expected, it was the Tower Master!

So the impatient guest who had made the butler flustered was the Tower Master.

Recalling that Euclid had mentioned contacting the Tower Master, Evgenia politely spoke.

“Your style has changed so much since the last time we met.”

Indeed, the transformation from his shockingly rainbow-colored hair to black hair had momentarily prevented her from recognizing him.

“Hmph, so… is it better now? …Of course, it’s not like I changed it because I was criticized.”

Ah. He’s the troublesome type.

Honestly, Evgenia had no interest whatsoever in what hairstyle the Tower Master chose.

But reminding herself that he was Euclid’s friend, she forced a smile.

“I was only joking back then. Your style was excellent then, and it is excellent now.”

“…Hmph.”

“And since you are as intelligent as you are stylish, I trust you wouldn’t misunderstand the current situation. This gentleman here is the High Priest, and we were in the middle of a very solemn… um, verification process at his suggestion.”

Evgenia diligently explained, worried that the Tower Master might misunderstand and say something strange to Euclid.

However, rather than making a snide remark about ‘what kind of solemn process involves holding hands with a strange man,’ the Tower Master twisted his lips as if he had heard something ridiculous.

“Hmph, of course, I wouldn’t misunderstand. If the Duchess were the type to be unfaithful, then right now, here—”

“…?”

“Oh! Look at me, losing my train of thought. My one and only friend has been desperately looking for me, yet I’m wasting time here. I’ll be off, so feel free to continue your solemn verification or whatever.”

Abruptly changing the subject in an awkward tone, the Tower Master hastily ended the conversation and quickened his steps.

Watching his retreating figure, Evgenia found herself momentarily dazed, then turned to glare at Damien, who had remained silent since the Tower Master’s appearance.

Because of him, an innocent married woman could have been wrongfully misunderstood, yet he did not even step forward to explain!

But despite her glare filled with indignation, Damien was staring at the spot where the Tower Master had disappeared, his expression one of shock.

“The Tower Master? That man… is?”

“Yes. He’s also the Duke’s friend.”

Evgenia deliberately emphasized the fact that they had shown a potentially misleading scene in front of ‘her husband’s friend,’ but Damien didn’t react.

Instead, he furrowed his brows deeply, alternating his gaze between Evgenia and the window.

Observing this, Evgenia sharply questioned him.

“So? Have you finished your verification? Was the change in weather really not caused by the goddess’s power?”

“…I don’t know.”

Damien’s voice was filled with confusion.

“I’m not sure.”

He had sensed a blessing from a different entity, distinct from the goddess, covering Evgenia’d soul and the entire northern region.

At the same time, his heart pounded rapidly, and a chill ran down his spine.

A sigh escaped his lips.

Incredibly, he instinctively knew—it was the very being from the vanished future that had turned his world into ruins.

Yet, he struggled to accept it.

Because the power he had felt seemed even warmer and gentler than the divine power he wielded.

The idea that this very power had created that hellish world…

Moreover, from the Tower Master, who had suddenly appeared, he detected an energy eerily similar yet distinctly different from that being’s presence.

His mind was in turmoil, drowning in confusion.

So, irresponsibly, he could only answer that he didn’t know.

Perhaps it was a disappointing response, as Evgenia visibly frowned.

“You don’t know?”

“…Yes.”

“Is that all you have to say?”

Damien was momentarily speechless.

Something to say.

In truth, what he truly wanted to ask, he couldn’t bring himself to voice.

Did she already know about that precious person?

Was it related to how that person’s presence had suddenly disappeared some time ago?

If so, where was that person now?

There were too many things he wanted to ask Evgenia.

In the past, when his connection with that person had suddenly been severed, he had felt a hollow emptiness, as if a hole had been punched in his chest.

If he had known, he would have spoken to them just once—he regretted it so much.

Before entering the temple, he had promised that person something. Perhaps there had been a way for him to help.

But he couldn’t dwell on regret forever, so he had convinced himself that their prayer had been answered, and that was why they no longer came to the temple. That they must be happy now, no longer crying.

Maybe that was why he had been so shocked when Evgenia had threatened him.

The thought that they had been put in danger because of him drove him mad.

So… he had lied.

He had said that person wasn’t important to him, that as someone who served the divine, he had long abandoned personal emotions.

He had hoped Evgenia would believe his lie and let that person go.

In his desperation, he had even obstructed Evgenia’s actions.

And then, when Evgenia was imprisoned by the crown prince, Demian had visited her and asked:

— Where is that person?

— …Didn’t you say they weren’t important? That they were just someone irrelevant?

Evgenia had spoken indifferently before letting out a small laugh.

— That person will die soon. Don’t concern yourself.

— You…!

— That is that woman’s fate. So, High Priest, please don’t think of it as your fault.

As if that was all she had to say, Evgenia had closed her eyes, and Demian, gripping the iron bars, had shouted in despair.

That harrowing moment was still vivid in his mind.

That was why he couldn’t sort out his feelings about Evgenia.

No matter what, before everything collapsed, he needed to ensure that person’s safety.

But ever since he arrived at the ducal residence and faced Evgenia, everything had been a series of unexpected events.

Or perhaps it was because he had encountered the presence of that being—the mere thought of which sent shivers down his spine.

His lips felt frozen, unable to move.

After a moment, Damien resumed walking.

Evgenia also took a step to follow him.

When the turmoil in his heart settled and he could think rationally again, he wanted to meet Evgenia once more and have a proper conversation.

To set the stage for their next meeting, Damien asked, “When will you be coming to the capital?”

“The capital?”

Evgenia furrowed her brows at his question, as if it was only natural that she would go to the capital.

“I have no plans to visit the capital for the time being.”

“……Is that so?”

Even as he asked, Damien’s expression subtly shifted, as if he couldn’t believe it. Then, silence again.

Evgenia felt a bit frustrated.

More precisely, she was annoyed by Damien, who seemed to have something to say but kept delaying, never speaking his mind clearly.

She wanted to return to Euclid as soon as possible.

She wanted to check on her condition one more time and confirm whether she had truly been affected by Damien calling her ‘madam.’

The Tower Master also weighed on her mind.

‘He said he wouldn’t misunderstand, but who knows?’

If the topic of the money found in the carriage came up during a conversation, he might get upset and say something unpredictable.

It was hard to believe that friends would be so petty, but hearing about the discovery of a mana stone mine might make him envious…

“I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

Just then, Damien spoke again.

“Is healing the Duke truly the only matter in which you need my help?”

“……”

Damien keenly caught the flicker in Evgenia’s gaze for a brief moment and spoke with more urgency.

“No matter what the Duchess asks of me, I will devote myself to helping.”

This time.

Even if it wasn’t the goddess’s will.

To ensure that person’s safety…

At that moment, Damien’s pupils widened.

In his vision, he saw Evgenia lightly tapping her fingers under her loosely hanging arm, as if contemplating something, with her chin slightly raised.

Overlapping that image, another person appeared.