“…I thought you’d treat your wounds before coming out.”
As Antar, still panting, called out, a figure emerged from the darkness, blending into the shadows like a painting. The voice was unmistakably the one he heard in the arena. The person was covered in a dark cloak and wore a bizarre owl mask.
Thoughts swirled in his head, making him dizzy. Antar shook his head to clear his confusion, but it was futile.
“Who are you? Why did you… help me?” He choked on the word ‘help’.
Antar had felt utterly powerless, convinced that no one would help him, and desperate not to die. Those emotions resurfaced, making it hard to continue speaking.
“And you mentioned changing my life… what do you mean?”
“Just what it sounds like.”
The owl-masked figure’s calm voice contrasted sharply with Antar’s.
“Let me ask you directly. Would you consider working for me instead of Vitas? I want to make a contract with you. I’ll meet your conditions as best as I can.”
“You’re asking… my opinion?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” Having never received such an offer, Antar’s brows furrowed in suspicion. Moreover, he had just owed his life to this person, so it wouldn’t be strange to demand loyalty in return. It reminded him of the time he was caught stealing as a child, only to be saved and then contracted by the owner of Vitas.
Seeing his reaction, Diana sighed softly under the mask and spoke. “I’m not asking for blind loyalty.” She didn’t want anyone to be blinded, just like she was once blinded by Rebecca’s light, unaware of how it choked her.
Antar stiffened at her words. Meanwhile, Diana continued quietly.
“So, I wanted to give you a choice. This is dangerous work, so think carefully and decide. Determine if I’m someone who can help you. If you believe I can be of help to you, use me. In return, I will also use you.”
“…”
“That’s the condition of the deal I’m offering you.” Diana pulled out a piece of paper from her cloak. The paper, almost blank, had only three lines of text and her signature.
[1. Antar will consider D. Obscure his employer and follow their orders, but negotiations on the orders are possible.
2. Antar cannot disclose the contract with D. Obscure.
3. Antar cannot inquire about D. Obscure’s identity.]
Diana handed the paper to Antar. “You can add other terms and sign it. A contract between elementalists is bound by magical signatures and cannot be broken. I hope you can decide within a few days.”
Although the price for Yuro has been covered by Antar’s blood, I still need to deal with Muf’s price… Mizel can handle the aftermath.
The unique ‘price of singularity’ required by dark spirits was inconvenient and bothersome. Diana clicked her tongue internally. However, Antar remained silent.
“Antar?”
Diana tilted her head in curiosity as Antar stood there, staring blankly at her without taking the paper. Her call brought Antar back to his senses, and he slowly knelt on one knee as if making a decision.
“What… are you doing…?”
Diana tried to step back in surprise, but Antar took her hand and pressed his forehead against it. His lips moved quietly.
“Thank you.”
“…”
“Really… thank you.”
Diana stood still, waiting for him to gather his emotions.
Antar, with his forehead against her pale, delicate hand, closed his eyes. Who are you really? How do you know me? Why do I feel an inexplicable familiarity whenever you call my name? What use do I have for you to offer such a contract? He had many questions but couldn’t voice them. Or rather, they didn’t matter.
“A contract…”
She said he wanted to give me a choice, but…
“Please let me do it.”
Perhaps from the moment he first met this person, he had no choice at all.
* * *
It was a few days later, at the Imperial Palace training ground at midday.
Kayden wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve under the increasingly intense sunlight. “Everyone, let’s take a break.”
“Huaa.”
“Finally, a break.”
As soon as Kayden spoke, the knights of the Third Order dropped their swords and bows and collapsed to the ground. Some couldn’t withstand the heat and stripped off their shirts. However, Kayden wiped off his sweat and grasped his sword again.
Patrasche, noticing that, asked with concern. “Your Highness, aren’t you going to rest? Although it’s not really the best time to relax…”
“Why ask if you know?” Kayden replied nonchalantly. The heat from training felt suffocating, but he couldn’t afford even a short rest.
Patrasche watched him, worry evident on his face. He’s been like this for a while. Of course, it’s good to give your all against an opponent you have to defeat, but…
Kayden had been rigorously preparing to surpass Rebecca since Diana collapsed. As his aide, Patrasche welcomed the change but sometimes found it excessive.
He won’t listen even if I try to stop him. Knowing from experience that Kayden wouldn’t heed his advice, Patrasche decided to lie on the ground instead. Just then, he heard Kayden’s surprised voice.
“…Diana?”
“Yes?”
Patrasche quickly sat up, startled. It wasn’t a mistake. Diana was approaching with servants, carrying something in her arms.
“Kayden.” Diana smiled warmly upon seeing Kayden.
Regaining his senses, Kayden hurried to her. Patrasche was impressed by how quickly Kayden, who was in the middle of training, detected her presence. He got up slowly.
“What brings you here in this heat? How’s your body?” Kayden’s first words were of concern as soon as he stood in front of Diana.
She waved her hand dismissively. “The imperial doctor said I’m fully recovered. I thought everyone might be hot, so I asked the empress for some ice. It looks like you were all resting.”
Diana and the servants brought a substantial amount of ice. While they organized the ice, Kayden glared at the shirtless knights. They hurriedly put their clothes back on.
Patrasche, cheerfully approaching, said, “Welcome, Your Highness.”
“Ah, Sir Remit.”
“It must have been a hassle, but thank you. Although I know it was our lord you were concerned about.” Though Patrasche knew their relationship was contractual, he playfully winked.
Kayden, embarrassed, pushed Patrasche away. “If you’re that perceptive, why are you here? Go away.”
“Your ears are turning red, Milord.”
“Shut up.”
Kayden grumbled and shooed Patrasche away before sitting with Diana.
Diana handed him a cup filled with ice and asked worriedly, “You seem worn out. Are you overworking yourself?”
“No, I’m fine. Don’t worry.” Kayden replied casually with a gentle smile, but his inner thoughts were different. Diana’s words reminded him of the impending mock battle, darkening his expression slightly. We lack defensive power.
The mock battle consisted of a tournament and a defense game, where each order protected their banner. While Kayden could handle the tournament, the core of the mock battle was the defense game. The problem was that the third Order lacked elementalists specialized in defense. Losing the defense game again would mean being unable to stop Rebecca’s influence, which weighed heavily on his shoulders. Also…
Meanwhile, Diana noticed Kayden’s magic fluctuating and stiffened. She quickly looked around and grabbed a towel wrapped in ice. “Hold on. You seem to have sweated a lot.”
“Huh?” Kayden blinked in surprise as Diana gently wiped his face with the towel, pretending to be diligent while actually trying to calm his magic.
Settle down, settle down. Diana patted Kayden’s face, smoothing his eyebrows, his straight nose, and his soft, fair cheeks.
Uh? Why does his skin feel so… soft? As she concentrated on calming his magic, Diana frowned in confusion and pinched his cheek. Kayden’s expression grew strange as she continued to pinch his cheeks.
Finally, unable to stand the tickling sensation, he grabbed her hands. “Diana, stop.”
Lol they don’t even have to try to act in love, they do it without thinking 😂