Killing the Possessor - Chapter 103

“I came because I was worried you might be off playing with the men…”

Ren, having recovered the sword from Rudolf’s back, made a dry joke.

“So you were playing with the evil spirit, huh?”

“……”

I never thought I’d feel such relief from the presence of this man. I’d hoped not to see him today, yet the human heart is so deceitful. Even knowing he could ultimately be the one leading me to death, at this moment, I felt simply saved.

“This way!”

The sound of footsteps downstairs meant that reinforcements had arrived at last. Ren glanced once at the spirit struggling to break free and approached me.

“Are you badly hurt?”

As I tried to grasp his hand to rise, I flinched in pain and sank back down. Ren swiftly bent one knee and crouched, asking again. I hesitated, offering an awkward smile.

“Just… a little sore…”

“Excuse me for a moment.”

He said, sliding his arm under my legs and wrapping one around my shoulder, as if to lift me.

For a possessor person unaccustomed to a princess-carry, that action could easily trigger a panic.

“No! I’m fine! I… I can get up myself!”

Flailing embarrassingly, I struggled, and Ren set me down with an unusually flustered look. The sudden movement sent a jolt of pain through my broken ribs, and I couldn’t help but groan reflexively.

Ren sighed at my stubbornness, then unexpectedly clasped both my hands in his. I stared, puzzled, when a white light began to radiate from his hands.

“I’m not trained in healing, so unfortunately I can’t use true restorative magic. But this should help ease your pain.”

A faint, swirling light coiled around my arms. As the unknown energy was absorbed into my body, breathing became noticeably easier.

This was the holy power I’d only heard of. Now I truly felt that the man in front of me had once been a paladin.

But what I couldn’t comprehend was…

[Affinity: 77]

“……Sir.”

“Hmm?”

“Never mind.”

The moment he touched me, that number appeared. Seeing it glow vividly in my mind threw me into utter chaos.

Why 77? Last time, wasn’t it negative? How did it jump so high from negative? Why?

No matter how I thought about it, there could have been no reason for the affinity to rise. We danced once at the banquet—could that really cause such a spike?

Wyner, whom I’d known for over ten years, was at 88, and this man was 77?

“You seem quite surprised.”

“Uh? Ah…”

Surprised, yes. Not by the spirit, but by him.

I didn’t need a mirror to know my face must be pale, maybe ghostly blue. My hair and clothes, of course, were a mess.

“There’s some bleeding.”

“……”

Clicking his tongue, he lifted my chin gently with his left hand, inspecting my face. The proximity, his hand still holding mine, and the truly concerned expression made my cheeks burn.

For a moment, I realized I might not be so pale anymore. And that was a dangerous thought.

“Could you check on Lady Ailrose…?”

I took the chance to free my hands when he noticed Ailrose, still unconscious. He approached her, checked her pulse, and signaled that she was okay.

I exhaled in relief, calming my racing heart. The extent of her injuries was uncertain, but at least her life wasn’t in danger.

“Sir Ren?”

At that moment, a group of paladins arrived and greeted him. Seeing our condition, they clicked their tongues in astonishment and thanked me for holding out.

After a brief exchange, Ren approached me again, kneeling to meet my eye level. His bright, gleaming gaze focused entirely on me.

“I would escort you personally, but to properly deal with the evil spirit, I must stay as the seal’s holder. Dame Harley will assist you. Is that acceptable?”

“Yes? Ah… yes. Of course.”

Acceptable? We weren’t close—what could it matter if he didn’t escort me?