Don’t Be Holy! - Chapter 165

Did he really think that was possible? Even the witches themselves were helplessly defeated before Rubel, how could he hope to defeat him with power borrowed from witches?

Honestly, Eir was more worried that Rubel might kill his own brother because of this incident.

Perhaps her thoughts were clearly visible on her face, because Magnus’s expression suddenly distorted.

He grabbed Eir’s shoulder, then lost his balance from the alcohol and leaned forward heavily. Eir’s body swayed along with his. The proximity brought an overwhelming smell of alcohol.

“Do you think Rubel will go wild and seek revenge on your behalf because I captured you? I swear he won’t. All that Purity Rite nonsense was just him desperately trying to save face. He only confessed first because he was afraid rumors would spread and ruin his reputation. It looks more impressive that way.”

She wanted to retort that no sane person would stake their life on saving face, and that if someone did go that far, wouldn’t that be impressive in itself? But she held back.

Gurgle. As Magnus tilted the liquor bottle, alcohol trickled down his chin, leaving a trail. It seemed he had emptied the bottle after just a few gulps, as he irritably put it down.

“Already finished?”

He turned the bottle upside down and shook it, trying to drink even the last one or two drops that might come out. Meanwhile, his interest in Eir faded.

When no more alcohol came out despite his shaking, he threw the bottle away and pulled out another one that had been cooling in fresh water. That water too had been carried all the way here by one of the knights from a stream.

Only after cracking open another bottle and gulping it down satisfactorily did Magnus speak again.

“Rubel will soon be completely helpless. I’m about to obtain the witches’ secret. When I take that back, Father will protect me. And he’ll get rid of Rubel, who’s fallen for a witch like you. For all his effort trying to prove his innocence, the opinion on Rubel is already bad.”

He then began to recite all the negative opinions about Rubel, one by one. His recitation of every criticism from various sources, quoting without missing a single particle, revealed his obsession with bad reviews about his brother.

“Once I learn how to control magical beasts, I won’t need the witches anymore. Then victory will be mine…….”

Magnus mumbled like that and drained even the newly opened bottle where he sat. Then he barked at Eir, asking if she was still here, got up, and announced their departure.

The people who had been resting briefly began mounting their horses, and Sir Gard, the knight who had been guiding Eir thus far, approached again and helped her onto the cart.

From a distance came the sound of Magnus hiccupping loudly. Eir anxiously glanced in that direction, and only after seeing Sir Gard nod reassuringly did she go inside.

As she entered, she didn’t forget to grumble about whether the youngest and eldest sons had the same taste in carts.

Since being captured by Rubel, she had passed through various hands as a criminal, but paradoxically, she had been most comfortable when captured by Rubel, the one she feared most.

Back then, she had complained about being uncomfortable with one wrist tied to the floor, and had even boldly invaded his bed.

‘Are you insane?’

That’s what Rubel had exclaimed in surprise when Eir invaded his bed in the middle of the night. Recalling that incident, Eir found herself laughing briefly without realizing it.

Come to think of it, it was remarkable that he had let it slide. Initially, what had made her act so rashly toward Rubel Shinote, who was rumored to be so frightening?

Perhaps she had believed from the beginning that she wouldn’t be severely scolded even if she acted that way?

If someone were to free her right now and tell her to crawl into Magnus’s bed, Eir would rather say she’d walk to the witches on her own.

“Anyway, thinking about it now, I kind of miss him.”

Eir murmured this as she hugged her knees in the dark cart. Tears briefly welled up, but she quickly wiped them away, burying her shaken emotions again. The cart began to rattle insanely from side to side once more, and the dark night continued relentlessly.

As if eternal night persisted in this vicinity.