Chapter 113
Eir’s face flushed, and she stumbled back.
“Since when have you worried over me like a fool—”
Rubel yanked her hand, stopping her retreat. His voice was low, suppressed, as he stared intently into her eyes. The blue depths of his gaze churned with countless emotions, and Eir gulped.
“You should know—I’ve been enduring and conceding more than enough for you. Someone like you…… I’m trying to take responsibility for you.”
Her pride stung, and Eir bit her lip.
Of course, she understood exactly what he meant.
Someone like him—Rubel Shinote, the embodiment of all that was holy in the Divine Empire—had sworn to protect a witch, even if it meant the empire’s collapse.
A man of his unwavering sense of duty wouldn’t make such a promise lightly. If he said it, he meant it—no matter the misunderstandings, he would protect Eir to the best of his ability.
She didn’t take his words lightly.
It wasn’t the journey to the capital that terrified her. No, what she feared more was him—the one taking her there.
More than this long-standing misunderstanding, she was now afraid of it being shattered.
‘I’m not as innocent as you think.’
Eir lowered her eyes, murmuring inwardly.
In Rubel’s imagination, Eir was a witch by birth but had done no wrong, always striving to walk the right path. Someone who, despite knowing everything was twisted, tried to fix what she could.
But what was the real Eir like?
Just a selfish priestess who couldn’t endure hardship, who abandoned everyone and fled when the Divine Empire was at its most peril.
She had possessed divine power meant to aid others—yet she cast it all aside, chasing only her own safety.
If Rubel ever learned the truth, how deeply would he despise her? His scorn hadn’t mattered before, but now, everything had changed. It would wound her deeply.
Eir sighed.
“Your words are full of contradictions.”
She spoke, though the words were as much for herself as for him.
Rubel, unaffected, replied calmly.
“I don’t see any contradictions. My stance has been consistent from the start.”
“Don’t you think this argument is pointless?”
“Yes. I do. That’s why I’m thinking of just carrying you off right now.”
And then, in the middle of this serious conversation, he abruptly resorted to force—scooping her up and throwing her over his shoulder.
Eir shrieked, “Are you insane?!” and flailed, but his body was like solid rock. The position only made her stomach hurt, as if she were draped over a boulder. Hanging upside down, she pounded his back with her fists.
Rubel strode away from the cliff without hesitation.
Chrome, seeing she wasn’t coming down, hopped up the cliff to peek over the edge, his bewildered eyes meeting Eir’s. Desperate, she pointed at herself with a frantic finger.
‘Now. Help me!’
She mouthed the words desperately.
From far away, Chrome let out a deep, visible sigh, hesitation flickering in his stance. He wavered, as if torn between choices—then, unable to watch her disappear any longer, he finally flung a fragment of his magic toward her.
After all, if Rubel Shinote captured her and took her to the Divine Empire’s capital, Chrome would lose her for good. Infiltrating Magnus’s side was one thing, but Rubel Shinote’s? That was a different story. He wasn’t sure it was possible at all.
Thud.
Eir caught the sphere of darkness, gripping it tightly. ‘What am I supposed to do with this?’ she mouthed.
The rabbit spun in small, frantic circles before pressing its tiny paws to the ground, carefully carving out a single word: “Same.”
It was a clear message—use it exactly as she had before, the same way Chrome had once taught her.
Without hesitation, Eir plunged her finger into the swirling black mass. With hurried strokes, she traced the magic circle—the one Chrome (no, the rabbit) had shown her.
Boom!
Like a sudden burst of compressed air, her body shot skyward, flung toward the cliff’s edge.
As the wind tore through her hair, a breath of relief escaped her. This wasn’t how she had imagined her escape, but at least—at least she was getting away from Rubel.
Yet, she had made a mistake.
She had underestimated him.
Rubel didn’t know much, but one thing was certain. He would catch her.
His gaze locked onto her as she was hurled through the air. Without hesitation, he broke into a sprint, his thoughts singular and unwavering.
He would not let her go.
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