Chapter 8.4

In the pitch-black forest where not an inch ahead could be seen, the light from Eloe’s soul served as a guide. But the light was so distant and faint that it seemed it would vanish if he looked away for even a moment. Jeras lit the smallest fire just enough to see what was below, relying on animalistic instincts and the dim light to cut through the darkness.

At one point, Jeras spoke in a low, calm voice. It wasn’t to himself, but to Nia and Kieryk, who were following close behind.

“Where’s Sion?”

“We came right away, thinking the two of us could handle it. Is the disciple… safe? Did you see where she went?”

“I can see her.”

Jeras fell silent, unsure how to answer the question of Eloe’s safety. His eyes could only sense her soul, not her condition. With anyone else, he would have answered without hesitation that they seemed to be alive. But when it came to Eloe, he didn’t want to say that. He feared that speaking of something ominous might make it come true.

“Let’s hurry.”

This was all Jeras could say. Nia and Kieryk followed him closely and silently.

The dense forest seemed to stretch on forever. ‘Was this forest always so big?’ he wondered. It didn’t seem this vast when he came to hunt monsters. It was possible that the demon Sion was fighting had taken control of the space. The more he thought, the more anxious Jeras became.

“You’re not getting through.”

A heavy, low voice warned them. Another demon descended from the air, flapping a pair of bright red wings. With bat-like wings and a muscular physique, this demon’s appearance was quite different from the one they had encountered earlier.

“I’ll. Crush. You.”

Its fighting style was as different as its appearance. It spread its folded wings and charged at the three of them. Its movements were agile for its large size. But it couldn’t match Jeras, who had pushed his senses and muscles to their limits. Moreover, Jeras had eyes that could clearly see the demon’s movements even in the darkness.

Jeras, who stood at the front to protect Nia and Kieryk, collided head-on with the demon. There was a tremendous explosion and the wind howled like a hurricane. It was a simple body-to-body attack, but the added speed gave it a destructive force that couldn’t be ignored. Jeras pushed the demon back with his sword and pondered.

‘I’m getting farther from Eloe. Can’t I leave this to them?’

Nia and Kieryk were mages. They were relatively weak in a direct confrontation. But if he fought this demon, he would lose Eloe. However, if they fell into danger, that would also be his fault.

As Jeras hesitated, unable to make a decision, Kieryk placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Brother?”

“Leave this to Master and me. You should go to the young lady.”

“That’s what I was about to say… Anyway, go. You’re the most efficient one.”

“It feels like you’re reluctantly letting me go, Master.”

“Of course I’m not happy about it… but what can we do? Saving my disciple is the priority right now.”

Nia let out a big sigh and pulled out her staff. Kieryk also activated the bracelet that amplified his mana. Jeras, who would usually have grumbled about being picked on, silently put his sword away. He bowed his head to the two of them.

“Don’t overdo it. I will definitely save the princess.”

“We’ll finish this quickly and follow… so don’t worry.”

As if to back up her confident words, Nia cast a spell at the attacking demon. The wind moved according to her will, immobilizing the demon. Instead of thrashing, the demon, frozen in a ridiculous pose in mid-air, roared.

“What trick did you pull!”

“Don’t worry and go. Hurry.”

Kieryk smiled softly, as he always did, to reassure Jeras. He was the same kind and gentle older brother who had made his loveless childhood happy, a brother he adored.

‘My brother wouldn’t have willingly touched black magic.’

“Jeras? What’s wrong? Is something bothering you?”

“No. Nothing. Brother, Master. Be careful. He may look stupid, but he’s not weak.”

Jeras hurried his steps, as if to chase away his distracting thoughts. Eloe and Siliya had only said that Kieryk might be involved with black magic. But it couldn’t be, not with someone like Kieryk, who had great magical talent and taught students at the academy. If Kieryk did use black magic, it would have to be out of his deep love for his mother.

In any case, saving Eloe was the priority now. Jeras ran, chasing the flickering light in the distance.

 

***

 

Not long after parting ways with Kieryk and Nia, Jeras found the demon holding Eloe. The demon greeted Jeras warmly as he appeared from the darkness. He showed no surprise at seeing Jeras, as if he had been waiting for him to follow.

“You’re very persistent. I thought you would have given up by now.”

Jeras had no intention of talking to a demon. He proved this by immediately drawing his sword. The demon chuckled. He threw Eloe down on the ground as if she were a sack.

“Weren’t you with quite a few people? Is this a ‘love conquers all’ kind of thing?”

“You’re noisy. Shall I cut out that annoying tongue of yours first?”

“If it’s not love… Ah, I see. This woman is quite useful to humans, isn’t she? Very troublesome for us.”

A flash of light appeared in Jeras’s eyes. The demon’s casual talk about Eloe’s “usefulness” was incredibly irritating, and what bothered him most was Eloe being left on the cold ground. Eloe was wrapped tightly in her robe and didn’t move.

“You’re quite famous among us, too. Everyone underestimated you as a mere human and got a good beating. I’ll be different.”

“I’ve never met a guy who was all talk and no substance.”

“You’ll see one now. Ah, should I introduce myself? I am Tervana, who serves Lord Agtatius.”

‘So he had a name.’

A name was the exclusive right of powerful demons and a symbol of their authority.

Tervana extended his arm forward. A magic circle was drawn on the ground where his arm pointed, and a shadow flickered within it. It was a summoning spell.

This was going to be a hassle. Jeras clicked his tongue and unleashed magic, but Tervana skillfully deflected all the attacks. He was proficient in magic.

“I get lonely easily, so I hate fighting alone.”

The summoning circle was completed. A strange creature with a translucent, ghost-like body and a long, thin, stick-like snout popped out from the magic circle.

It was a creature he had never seen before, but Jeras was not flustered by its unfamiliar appearance. He knew from experience that such intangible beings were likely to launch mental attacks.

– I’ll show you a fun dream…

The summoned beast, Luxie, approached Jeras with a weeping sound. Despite its seemingly slow movements, its speed was incredibly fast.

Tervana smiled confidently from behind the creature.

Luxie, the summoned beast, was a creature that infiltrated a person’s inner world to give them endless nightmares and gnaw away at their mind. Physical attacks did not work, and once it infiltrated, it was impossible to attack Luxie from the outside. As long as the victim didn’t wake from the nightmare, Luxie would show them nightmares until they died.

Tervana was able to reach his current location using Luxie.

Tervana’s confident face stiffened. A terrifying aura was felt behind him.

‘When did he get here? Without a sound?’

In a fraction of a second, he instinctively knew. His neck would be cut off. But there was no way to completely avoid it.

Tervana didn’t hesitate. He shifted his body’s center of gravity to the left, dodging the vertical slash aimed at his head and neck.

“Argh!”

His right arm, cleanly severed, fell to the ground. Black blood spurted like a fountain from the shoulder where his arm used to be. It hurt too much, even as a substitute for his neck. On top of that, a wave of humiliation washed over him for having his arm cut off by a mere human.

With the mana supply from Tervana cut off, Luxie’s movements became sluggish and it gradually faded.

“How dare a human…!”

“I told you. I’ve never met a guy who was all talk and no substance.”

The way to handle a summoner’s beast was simple: take out the summoner.

A fierce barrage of sword strikes followed. Tervana hastily put up a shield, but it shattered before it could even block five attacks. It wasn’t that Tervana dispelled it; Jeras had simply broken it. The blade, charged with sword energy, charged forward like a ferocious beast that had found its prey. It was a barbaric and violent attack, far from being elegant or graceful.

Jeras was both extremely rational and emotional. The thought of defeating this guy as quickly as possible and the idea of not killing him mercifully for kidnapping Eloe dominated him.

“Cough, ugh…!”

The sword that had been slashing his body delivered a final blow. The sharp tip of the sword pierced Tervana’s abdomen. From his one remaining foot, Tervana began to crumble into ash.

He was about to pull out the deeply embedded sword. A smile appeared on Tervana’s face, which had been horribly contorted with extreme pain. He looked straight at Jeras. His blood-soaked lips moved slowly.

“I told you… I don’t… like being alone.”

After uttering those meaningful words, Tervana closed his eyes. A massive amount of mana drained from his body. His empty shell of a body crumbled into dust.

Jeras quickly turned towards Eloe.

“…Eloe!”

“Ugh…”

Eloe let out a small groan. Someone was calling her name. The voice was so desperate and sincere that she couldn’t help but open her eyes.

‘Sion… Is that Sion?’

Eloe slowly opened her eyes. They stung, and her head throbbed as if she had been hit. She didn’t see the ceiling of a beautifully decorated hall, but rather a darkness from which she couldn’t determine her direction.

‘What happened?’

She remembered cutting the cake and the lights suddenly going out, but after that, it was like a blank space.

“Eloe, no!”

“…Jeras?”

The voice that had been calling her so desperately wasn’t Sion’s, but Jeras’s. Something moved quickly toward the surprised Eloe.

– Dream… Let’s dream together.

Luxie’s snout was about to pierce Eloe. Luxie’s snout was the organ that allowed it to invade the victim’s inner world. By inserting the snout, it would inject a dream, and once the victim’s consciousness became completely scattered and familiar with the dream, Luxie’s main body would seep in along with nightmares.

The moment the snout was inserted, Luxie would be in a different dimension, between the real world and the dream world, so no attacks would work on it, and its snout could not be pulled out. Tervana called Luxie the ‘Dream Weaver,’ but the dreams Luxie created were perfect, overflowing with happiness, pleasure, and joy. In Luxie’s dream, one could have anything they wanted, be anything, and do anything they wished. Once someone fell into Luxie’s dream, they would either not know it was a dream or, even if they did, they would not want to wake up from it. The victim, losing their sense of self in the sweetness, would become Luxie’s prey.

However, Luxie, who targeted the defenseless Eloe, failed to stab her. Jeras had blocked her. The long snout that should have been in Eloe’s body was instead in Jeras’s forearm.

“Jeras, why…!”

“Because I’m stronger than the princess.”

Luxie’s eyes, which had been solid dark brown, turned red. Tervana had squeezed out all his remaining mana and transferred it to Luxie just before he died.

An unpleasant energy rapidly spread from his forearm to his head. Jeras reached out with his hand, trying to do something about the snout connected to his arm. His hand grasped at nothing, fumbling in the air.

Luxie’s eyes glowed a fiery red. It was a desperate struggle to carry out its summoner’s last will.

Jeras’s body staggered. A powerful urge to sleep suddenly came over him. He couldn’t maintain his consciousness. Yet, in the midst of it all, Eloe’s small hand holding him was still clear.

Jeras furrowed his brow, trying to look at Eloe. In his wavering vision, Eloe looked like she was about to burst into tears if he touched her.

‘Even her tear-stained face is pretty…’

Jeras’s hand slowly moved to caress Eloe’s cheek. This time, he didn’t grasp at air; he made contact. Eloe’s cheek was warm and soft. His lips formed a gentle line.

“Don’t worry. I’ve met guys… tougher than this…”

Jeras’s body went limp. Eloe held him up with all her might.

 

***

 

Jeras was much taller and heavier than me, and it was impossible for me to stay on my feet. I hugged his head to make sure he didn’t get hurt and we fell to the ground together. The demon that had been next to Jeras had vanished.

“Jeras, please! Snap out of it, okay?”

I shook Jeras. His eyes and mouth were tightly shut, and he didn’t react. A sense of foreboding crossed my mind, wondering if he might have died. The thought alone made my heart stop. I quickly put my fingers under his nose. I could feel a faint breath. His chest rose and fell at regular intervals, as if he had fallen asleep.

It was a blessing in disguise that Jeras was safe, but the feeling of helplessness didn’t disappear. ‘Now that I think about it, before it attacked, it said something about a dream. Is it a spell that forces someone to dream?’ I thought back to the original story, wondering if there was a similar demon. A moment later, I remembered Tervana and his summoned beast, Luxie. A heavy sigh escaped my lips without me realizing it.

Tervana was a high-ranking demon, one of the top ten, and a close subordinate of the demon who possessed Kieryk. Why had he appeared so early, when he was supposed to show up in the middle to late stages when the demon’s power grew stronger? And why was Tervana, who should have been with Luxie, nowhere to be seen?

I forced my mind to think of something else. Knowing his identity didn’t change anything. Since the summoner Tervana had disappeared, I could only wait for Jeras to wake up from the dream on his own. I scattered mana around us as Nia had taught me. She said that since I could use both divine and light magic, I could sense hidden demons this way. But I didn’t feel anything special. I figured it was best to stay here until Jeras woke up or someone found us.

I made Jeras comfortable, letting him use my lap as a pillow. Then I gathered mana to create a small orb of light. The orb circled around us, casting a soft glow. I was suddenly curious about what kind of dream Jeras was having. I had heard that Luxie’s dreams were so pleasant that people had no desire to wake up.

There was nothing I could do right now anyway. I just looked down at Jeras. Scratches were scattered across his face, as if he had been through a lot while unconscious. The cut above his left eyebrow was particularly large and deep. He was so handsome that even his wounds looked cool. The more I looked, the more I realized his striking and captivating looks were definitely my type. No, what am I thinking?

I fanned my flushed face with my hand.

“You should have been more careful. What if it scars?”

I grumbled to hide my embarrassment. A faint divine power flowed from my fingertips as I traced the wound. As I became more skilled at handling divine power, I could easily heal wounds like this without a spell.

The moment the wound was completely healed, Jeras suddenly grabbed my hand as I was pulling it away. I was so surprised that I could only blink.

“…Are you lying? Be honest, princess…”

Jeras’s grip tightened. My fingers felt like they would be crushed by his strong grip, but I didn’t pull my hand away. In that brief moment, I saw a dark red aura squirming inside him while he was muttering in his sleep. Luxie’s dream world was unstable.

‘Is it because I used divine power?’

I tried casting a purification spell on Jeras to test my theory. Fortunately, my guess was correct. The aura shook even more violently than before and almost came out of Jeras’s body before going back in. Jeras groaned and stirred.

‘I can do this.’

Hope was visible. The hope that Jeras would safely wake up from Luxie’s dream.

Even if he had a temperamental personality, a harsh way of speaking, and was self-centered—a guy with nothing likable except his face—I didn’t want him to get hurt. I knew he would make a fuss when he woke up, saying he got hurt while saving me. He might even make some absurd demands, asking for repayment.

‘…That’s an excuse.’

I laughed with a sigh. The reason I was making all these excuses was because I knew my own feelings better than anyone. Since the moment Jeras had jumped in front of me to protect me from Luxie, no, maybe even long before that, my heart had been leaning to one side, completely losing its balance. I just hadn’t admitted it.

‘Of all people, I had to fall for Jeras. I tried so hard to avoid getting entangled with him.’

Anyway, this wasn’t the time to be thinking about that. I cleared my head and held Jeras’s hand. And I cast a purification spell. I chanted continuously, pouring divine power into him without interruption. I hoped my divine power would help Jeras break free from Luxie’s dream. Please.

Our silent struggle continued for a long time. At first, Jeras only stirred, but his movements became more intense. The dark red mana flowing from him also became denser. I held his hand tightly and endured. It was not easy to continuously pour a significant amount of divine power into his body, which was resisting because of Luxie. Cold sweat dripped from my chin. Whenever I felt tired and wanted to rest for a moment, I remembered Jeras, who had smiled at me even after being attacked by Luxie.

‘This is nothing. Endure.’

The nightmare that seemed like it would go on forever ended suddenly. Divine power flowed into him without any resistance.

– Why… when you can be happy forever in a dream…!

A scream mixed with a sob was Luxie’s final sound. As the echo in my ears disappeared, Jeras immediately opened his eyes. I stopped using my divine power, taking a deep breath and letting it out. My eyes met Jeras’s, and an awkward silence fell between us.

I suddenly realized I had been holding his hand too tightly. I quickly let go, muttering,

“Ah, sorry. I was using divine power to help you…”

“Hold on.”

“…Huh?”

But Jeras didn’t let go of my hand. Instead, his long fingers intertwined with mine, and he held my hand tightly. ‘W-what’s wrong with him? Is he still dreaming?’ Jeras grinned, seeing me flustered.

 

***

 

“Were you really only holding my hand? Or are you just too embarrassed to talk about what you did?”

“I told you I wasn’t! What kind of person do you think I am? I’m not like you!”

“I’ve known since you snuck into my room late at night and waited for me.”

“Known what?”

“The princess’s naughty intentions.”

“Haa… I wish I had actually done something, so I wouldn’t feel so wronged.”

“So you did want to. Oh no, what am I to do? Oh dear, oh dear.”

Jeras covered his mouth with both hands and acted all dramatic. Eloe, who had been trying to endure, reminding herself that he was her savior, finally exploded when her patience ran out.

“Ah! That’s not fair, princess!”

“Are you going to shut up and rest?”

“Don’t be shy around me. Okay. Ow! I said okay!”

Eloe reluctantly let go of Jeras’s cheek that she had been pinching. She had put a good amount of force into it, and his cheek quickly turned red.

Jeras stared up at Eloe. He was still lying with his head on her lap, claiming he was dizzy and nauseous.

“Princess, want to hear about my dream? Aren’t you curious?”

“Ah, yes. Tell me.”

“You were in my dream.”

“…Me?”

“At first, you listened to my every command. I was so excited that I thought we’d conquer the continent together.”

Conquering the continent was a random idea. He was already a prince of the empire, so what else did he want to conquer? Eloe gave Jeras a look that said, “Are you serious?”

“Suddenly, you grew squirrel ears and a tail and started to refuse my commands. You said you had gained a will of your own.”

“You’re just making things up, aren’t you?”

“You caught me.”

A mischievous smile appeared on Jeras’s face. He took her hand and placed it on his chest. Eloe flinched.

“But you being in my dream is true. I can’t tell you what it was about.”

“Sounds like you have something to hide.”

“Anyway. While I was wandering in the dream, I heard your voice. You were calling me a ‘braggart who’s all talk,’ and it was so scary.”

Jeras closed his eyes and thought for a moment. At some point, Eloe’s voice became varied. She spoke, cried, and laughed. He fought his way through the distractions and followed the voice, and the nightmare started to end. There was one last thing that held him back just before the final step.

‘I love you, Jeras.’

He knew it was a lie, but he couldn’t easily take that step, which made him even more certain that it was a dream. Watching Eloe desperately trying to save him after he had woken up from the dream, Jeras realized something. He had been in love with this princess, this mischievous squirrel, much more deeply than he thought, to the point of risking his own body for her.

“Eloe.”

Calling her name softly, Jeras whispered gently, with sincerity.

“I’m glad you’re safe. And, happy birthday.”

Eloe. It had taken a lot for her to get used to the unfamiliar name that wasn’t hers. Thanks to her family, who always called her with warmth and overflowing affection, she was able to adapt more easily. Not just her family, but there were many good people around her. Grandpa Mason, Nia, the teachers at the academy… Most of the people she had met liked Eloe. They showed her a proper amount of goodwill and interest. A very ordinary kindness that one person can show to another.

But Jeras was different. The way Jeras called her name held an emotion she had never felt before. It was incredibly gentle and soft, and at the same time, it was deep and sticky. It felt like she was facing a clear swamp covered in beautiful crystals. A place you couldn’t get out of once you stepped in.

Of course, this feeling was fleeting. Because Jeras’s voice calling her name scattered quickly. A short shiver ran through Eloe’s body. After the unknown shiver passed, fear washed over her. Eloe was confused. She didn’t have the time to process this. Admitting her feelings for Jeras, a guy she thought of as only funny and annoying, was already overwhelming. Why was he calling her so seriously with that kind of voice, and why was he acting so sweetly like cotton candy?

She knew the answer, but she wanted to avoid it for now. Eloe subtly avoided Jeras’s gaze.

“Oh… um. I’m glad too. Thank you for the birthday wish…”

“That’s it?”

Below the hand she had placed on Jeras’s chest, she could feel his strong heartbeat. Thump, thump, thump. If she stayed like this, her own heart might explode.

Eloe slowly moved and pulled her hand away.

“By the way, did you really come here alone? Where’s brother?”

“Why are you looking for Sion? I’m the one who risked danger to save the princess.”

“Are you serious, not kidding?”

“Do I look like a person who only jokes around?”

Jeras retorted grumpily. He had said it to reassure her, but it hurt his feelings to hear her looking for Sion as soon as she caught her breath, even though he hadn’t expected a special reaction. He reached out to hold her hand, if only for a moment. Eloe dodged his hand and hid both of her hands behind her back.

A fierce battle of wits was about to unfold between the two.

“This way. I can feel their mana.”

“Eloe! Jeras!”

“If you can hear our voices, answer! Jeras! Princess!”

“…You said you came alone?” Eloe glared at Jeras and asked. Jeras shrugged with a shameless expression.

“Looks like they followed me.”

“Ugh… Just get up. Brother! Master Nia! I’m over here!”

Jeras, who had been hit on the forearm by Eloe, reluctantly got up. Hearing her shout, several footsteps quickly approached.

With the light created by magic, Sion and the other three appeared. Among the familiar faces, Eloe was a little surprised to see a face she hadn’t expected.

‘Siliya?’

“Eloe! Are you hurt anywhere? Did that demon do anything to you? No, wait. You must have been very scared. It’s okay now. Don’t worry.”

“Let me check the princess’s condition. Would you give me a moment?”

“Please do.”

“Jeras, are you okay?”

“What about the demon who kidnapped the disciple? Did you get rid of it?”

Sion and Mason rushed to Eloe, while Kieryk and Nia asked Jeras questions. Siliya stood quietly at the back of the group. Seeing the dark red blood on the hem of her dress, it seemed she had also fought a demon.

Siliya came to save her, too. When Eloe’s eyes met hers, she bowed her head slightly in greeting. Siliya bowed back.

“Your mana and divine power are a little unstable, but everything else is fine.”

“Eloe… I’m sorry. This time too…”

“It’s okay, brother. You came to save me. Don’t say that.”

Despite Eloe’s consolation, Sion hung his head low. Eloe hugged the discouraged Sion and patted his back.

Sion sighed heavily and stroked his sister’s hair. Then he noticed that Jeras was standing very close to Eloe. Jeras made an expression of undeserved indignation and turned his head away.

‘Why is he acting like that?’

“Sion, you have a… teleportation circle at the Duke’s estate, don’t you? Please… tell me the coordinates.”

“Yes, Master.”

Nia’s voice became slow, as it usually was. They had found the most important thing, Eloe, and all the demons that appeared had been eliminated. For now, that was enough.

Nia looked at Kieryk as she opened the magic circle to the coordinates Sion had given her. Kieryk was trying to soothe the sulky Jeras. After a while, the magic circle opened. The group all stepped onto the circle.

The forest was once again enveloped in silence.