Don’t Be Holy! - Chapter 121

Clatter clatter.

Eir woke to the noisy sound.

Her body was being jostled from side to side. And it was sweltering enough for sweat to pour down—only after opening her eyes did she immediately understand why. Sunlight streaming through the carriage’s small window had turned the interior into a boiling pot, while her own body was wrapped in layers of blankets and placed not on a seat but directly on the carriage floor.

“Oh! You’re awake?”

Eir blinked dazedly at the cheerful voice directed at her before cautiously lifting her head.

A lively-looking woman with brown hair was waving happily at her.

“Ah… who……?”

Her voice came out hoarse, as if she’d slept for ages.

When Eir asked, the woman answered brightly.

“I’m a doctor! I was briefly hired to look after you while you slept. They said I’d get a whopping 300 pirs just for making sure you don’t faint during the journey.”

“Huh?”

“Right? Hard to believe. They must be loaded.”

As she chattered about how nice the weather was, radiating pure happiness, Eir’s jaw dropped at the absurd sum—then suddenly realized something.

‘If I don’t repay 300 pirs by the end of the month, they’ll come to seize my house! How terrifying. Ah, I don’t even have money for food—what do I do?’

It was the exact amount she’d falsely claimed to owe when first meeting Rubel in Solvik, trying to drive him away.

‘Surely he wouldn’t remember that…?’

Knowing Rubel, he absolutely would. Of course he wouldn’t forget.

Back then, Rubel hadn’t truly lost his memories—he’d been pretending while searching for hidden witch magic. How much must he have laughed inwardly watching Eir spout nonsense, completely fooled?

Was that why he kept calling her stupid like it was nothing? Mocking her for merely questioning the trap he’d laid?

“Rubel Shinote, that bastard! He’s the real idiot here!”

Eir clenched her fists and shouted. Remembering how he’d casually ignored all her desperate pleas last night, she couldn’t help muttering a few more curses under her breath.

As soon as she yelled, the doctor sitting across hurriedly waved her hands to stop her—but Eir, still tightly wrapped in blankets and dripping sweat, continued ranting.

“It’s true! He’s stingy, utterly self-centered, and honestly? Crazy. Just between us—he’s completely insane. You should take the money and run the moment you get it! Who knows what might happen if you get involved with—”

“What are you doing?”

“Eek!”

Eir screamed, startled by the sudden hand reaching in as she scrambled back. There was a window on the left too, but the curtain had hidden it completely.

Rubel rode alongside the carriage, keeping pace while frowning through the window at her.

“Already gossiping with strangers about every little thing?”

“Why… are you here?”

“What do you mean?”

“Aren’t you… supposed to be in front?”

“I left Magnus in charge up there.”

Eir’s face stiffened at the name. The horrors Magnus had inflicted were still fresh and terrifying in her mind.

‘She’s a witch!’

His scream as he unleashed the hounds, sending them charging at her—the memory remained vividly gruesome.

Seeing her instantly pale, Rubel tapped the carriage wall with his finger. As if telling her to focus on him, not past ghosts.

“I’m right here. No need to be scared.”

Then he jerked his chin at the knight opposite, who hurriedly handed over prepared water—but gave it to the doctor instead of Eir, ensuring no direct contact.

The doctor, cleverly realizing this was her paid duty, quickly climbed down to pat Eir’s back and offer the water.

Only then did she belatedly notice Rubel’s irritated gaze and turned in surprise. ‘Me too?’ her expression asked, receiving a silent ‘Obviously’ in return.

Awkwardly unwrapping Eir from the blankets, she just handed over the water and retreated. Rubel finally looked satisfied, refocusing on Eir.

“Replenish your fluids.”