Chapter 140: What’s that Letter?

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As the sun set…

A man clad in black walked endlessly, his strides unwavering.

One of the Apostles of the Shadow Cult.

And trailing behind him—a girl.

Her face was full of discontent, though she had long since given up on speaking. She’d tried telling him to turn back multiple times, but he never listened.

At this point, she was too exhausted to argue.

To the man, this was a trial to strengthen his faith. How could the final path of life rely on magic or transportation?

The girl sighed. For days, they’d done nothing but walk—no proper meals, no rest.

Though she bore the blood of dragons, even she had her limits. The mental fatigue was overwhelming. Dozens of times a day, she debated whether to just leave.

But how could she abandon an Apostle who strode so boldly when they should be lying low?

“Ugh…”

And now, he was heading straight for—

“A village?!”

In the distance, pointed rooftops and flickering lights came into view. A decently sized settlement.

Her mind raced with worst-case scenarios. What came to mind when she thought of heretics? Massacres and human sacrifices, those kinds of things. His presence would be impossible to overlook.

“No…!”

She spread her arms to block his path, but as always, he stepped around her without a second glance. Her small frame was no obstacle.

With a worried heart, she followed. If things turned bad, she’d use her powers to stop him.

At the village entrance, guards stood watch.

‘Aah…’

A bloodbath was coming. What could she do?

She shot the man a suspicious look, but he marched forward undeterred, his dull eyes fixed ahead.

‘…Huh?’

Just as she braced for disaster—he abruptly turned, slipping around the outskirts. A beckoning gesture told her he planned to sneak in another way.

Relief washed over her. At least he had some sense.

“After days of just walking… why a village?”

She mouthed the words silently, knowing he wouldn’t answer. Quietly, she followed.

The two heretics slipped inside unnoticed—thanks to the girl’s ability to suppress her mana entirely.

The man scanned their surroundings, as if confirming something.

‘Is this our destination?’

A mix of worry and faint hope stirred in her. Maybe they could finish their business and finally leave.

‘But… why is he heading deeper into crowds?’

The marketplace. A night market bustling with evening revelers. Curious eyes lingered on the girl’s horns before darting away.

She pulled out a hat, yanking it low. Though comically oversized, it hid her horns well enough.

“Hurry up…”

A grumble under her breath. Not like he’d hear her anyway.

The man weaved through the stalls before stopping at one—a skewer stand, its savory aroma thick in the air.

‘What business does he have here? Is this part of the Evil God’s revelation?’

She watched curiously as he pulled coins from his pocket and spoke.

“One.”

‘A code phrase?’

The vendor glanced at the coins and shook his head.

“Sir, you’re two short.”

“…”

‘Was that the response?’

Fascinated, she observed as the man silently added more coins.

“Here ya go.”

He took the skewer and turned to her.

She blinked.

“What kind of exchange was that?”

No answer. Just the skewer held out to her.

“Is there some hidden meaning here?”

Bewildered, she accepted it.

“Eat,” he said quietly.

‘Huh? So… it wasn’t a ritual? He just bought this for me?’

Awkwardness settled over her.

She stared at the glistening meat, its juices dripping enticingly. The aroma of charcoal and spices was irresistible. A small bite sent warm broth bursting across her tongue.

But the girl had no sense of taste. She and the others like her were born that way—stripped of it by their greedy god.

At least she could still smell.

Chew, chew.

“…Not bad.”

After her half-hearted review, she ate in silence. Much later, the man spoke.

“Times have changed.”

“Inflation?”

He bought more food as they wandered—each time, she wondered, Is this the place? Is this where the revelation leads? But he just paid, took the food, and handed it to her.

Maybe he felt guilty for starving her all this time?

As she ate, her tension eased. A giddy lightness filled her as she took in the lively scene—laughing couples, a weary old man, a child skipping beside their mother. Peace, plain and simple.

Then her gaze snagged on something.

Candied fruit, glistening like jewels. The perfect lure for a twelve-year-old girl. Even without taste, the sight alone was satisfying.

“Ah, I want to try th—”

‘Erase your personal desires.’

“…Never mind.”

She couldn’t voice her wants. Everything was as her master commanded.

Her master had told her to obey the Shadow Cult, so she did. Her master wanted their plan to succeed, so she’d joined this Apostle to minimize variables.

The reminder made her clamp her mouth shut.

Then—the man’s hand flew toward her. Instinctively, she flinched.

“I’m sorry…!”

So accustomed to being struck, she didn’t even question it—just braced for pain.

“…?”

But none came. Cracking an eye open, she found his palm outstretched—coins resting atop it.

“Go buy it.”

His voice, rough from disuse.

“…Thank you.”

She bowed her head, accepting the coins.

The candied fruit wasn’t sweet. But she savored each piece anyway.

***************

Steele, June.

With end-of-term exams approaching, students were buried in preparation.

Tests varied—written, practical, or report-based, depending on the subject.

“Ughhh…”

Among them, one girl melted into her desk in the library, becoming one with her textbook. Sugar, ever the slacker, was hopeless at studying.

“Why… why do we still have exams after getting in?!”

No one answered. Only the scratching of pens filled the void.

Her friends were all top or mid-tier students. They knew better than to waste time whining.

Normally, they’d humor her—but not during exams.

Defeated, Sugar slumped. Only one person here would indulge her.

Her precious childhood friend. She tugged at the end of his tie, twisting it around her finger.

“…”

“…Hehe.”

But this barely counted as a distraction. To Riley’s bottomless patience, it was child’s play. He kept writing without pause.

Sugar thumped her forehead onto the desk.

“If you’re not gonna study, leave,” Leon snapped from across the table.

Sugar peeked up.

Their eyes met.

“Pfft.”

She smirked and buried her face again.

“You picking a fight?”

“Look who’s talking…”

She remembered how he’d grinned like an idiot on his date with Ian after she’d dropped her male disguise.

“Wishy-washy jerk…”

Make up your mind—do you like girls or guys?

Leon’s fist clenched at her jab.

“Wishy-washy or not, I—!”

He cut himself off, too flustered to continue.

Sugar’s eyes narrowed. She propped a book diagonally to block his view of Riley.

Leon trembled with rage.

“Do you… have any idea how insulting that is?!”

“Having to do this at all is insulting to me.”

“You—”

“Enough!”

Ian cut in. Mistaking Leon’s crush on Riley, Her Holiness intervened.

“Let’s head out… We have a guest coming today.”

“Who?”

“Sir Cedric.”

“Huh? Why’s he coming?”

“He’s in the area on business. Said he’d drop by to see us.”

Sugar glanced at Riley, who nodded silently.

“Sir Cedric? …Ah, the Guardian of the Holy City?”

Leon, now calmer, piped up.

“Yep! He’s Riley’s teacher!”

“Well… have a good visit.”

As Sugar replied, Leon shot her a sour look before packing up.

“Won’t you meet him too?”

“What’s the point? I’d just get scolded.”

“For the staff? He’s not like that.”

“It’s fine. I’ll take my leave.”

His reclusive nature made it understandable.

After he left, the remaining three gathered their things and exited the library.

In the shopping district, a bear sipped coffee at an outdoor table.

A rare sight.

“He’s huge as ever.”

“Hard to miss.”

While Sugar and Riley whispered, Ian stepped forward.

“Sir Cedric!”

“Ah, Your Holiness. You’ve been well? And you two?”

The four settled around the table.

“This place always feels like home.”

“I heard you went to  Steele too?”

“Who told you that?”

“The professors.”

“Tch. Still here, are they?”

Cedric rummaged through his bag.

“First, Your Holiness. This is for you.”

“Huh? Me?”

“Your request, among other things.”

“You didn’t have to deliver it yourself… Thank you.”

“Just passing through. No trouble.”

He handed her a hefty envelope. Ian’s grin nearly split her face as she peeked inside.

“No way—a limited-edition signed copy?! These are impossible to find!”

“Shh! Quiet!”

What could it be? Sugar, familiar with Ian’s hobbies, pretended not to hear.

“Next—apprentice. A letter.”

“Who’d send me… Oh.”

Riley checked the sender’s name before tucking it into his cloak.

“When did you meet?”

“Ran into them while touring the knights. They asked me to deliver it since I was heading here.”

“Hmph. Treating a Guardian like a courier…”

“That’s just how they are. Thanks.”

“Now…”

Sugar leaned in as Cedric reached into his bag again.

“That’s it. All delivered.”

“Huh?! Nothing for me?”

“Did you ask for anything?”

“No, but… it felt like you’d have something.”

Cedric scoffed.

“Brat. Here, have a snack.”

He tossed her a handful of jerky. Pouting, she stuffed it into her pocket.

“You’re spoiling her.”

“Playing guardian now?”

Riley’s jab earned a snort from Cedric as he stood.

“Leaving already?”

“What’s the point of me sticking around? You kids have fun.”

“I’ll be in the area a while. Call if you need me.”

His eyes met Riley’s—a silent nod exchanged.

“Take care, Your Holiness.”

“Mm… you too…”

Ian, still engrossed in her envelope, barely responded.

***************

Back in the clubroom…

“That guy’s hilarious.”

“You’re hilarious.”

Sugar and Riley bantered as they entered. After airing out the stuffy room, Sugar flopped onto the sofa.

“So why’d he come? Just to deliver stuff?”

“Who knows? He’s got his reasons.”

Cedric hated staying in one place. He was always handling outside matters.

“Maybe there’s a conspiracy brewing here?!”

“I really wish you’d stop jinxing things.”

“Ehh.”

Riley pinched her nose before sitting beside her and pulling out the letter. Sugar stared.

“What’s that?”

Casual curiosity.

Riley answered just as casually.

“From a friend. Probably just catching up.”

An ordinary exchange. Nothing unusual about the question or answer. The setting, the topic—all mundane.

Except for who was listening.

Riley was relaxed lately.

After being marked by Sugar, and after being ejected from her dreams—she’d been oddly calm since. If anything, she’d grown clingier, but he chalked it up to neglecting her during exams.

Either way, her boldness after marking him had lulled him into complacency.

So he answered too carelessly.

He shouldn’t have.

“Hmm… a friend, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“Someone you met while away?”

“Right.”

“While I wasn’t there?”

“Yea—”

The chilling tone made him turn.

There she was—smiling sweetly.

“Tell me all about them.”