CHAPTER 322: BONDS BEYOND SILENCE ( 322 )

The woman’s gaze burned into both spirits now, unwavering.

"Since you two are still lingering in this world..." she said, voice low and cold, "then let me make this perfectly clear."

Her eyes narrowed.

"I will seal both of you again if you ever speak a word... anything at all... that interferes with his mission."

Ridan flinched, his form dimming again.

Syaria bowed her head, clutching her arms tightly.

Then the woman turned fully to Ridan.

"Do not fail again."

Her voice sharpened like a blade across the sky.

"Your task is to ensure this human, Hazuki doesn’t stray."

She stepped closer, her presence forcing the others to remain still.

"There are still four more herbs to gather. Each one tied to a stage of growth. Each one a piece of resistance."

Her voice slowed.

"This is his trial. His path. His resistance must grow naturally. You will guide him. Not push. Not interfere."

Ridan nodded, trembling.

"...Yes, ma’am."

The woman’s expression tightened as she muttered under her breath.

"I don’t know why the—"

But before she could finish.

It struck.

A force.

Silent. Invisible.

But immense.

Suddenly, all five of them—the woman, the two cloaked men, Ridan, and Syaria, frozen midair.

Their bodies dropped, not like falling, but as if the very air beneath them had turned to lead.

Ghhh!! Ridan grunted, his spiritual body cracking slightly from the weight.

Syaria gasped, her aura flickering violently.

Even the two cloaked men slammed to their knees on the rooftop tiles.

And the woman.

The woman who moments ago stood above them all...

Fell to her knees.

Her head bowed instantly, eyes wide in shock.

"...I’m sorry!!" she cried out, voice trembling.

The cloaked men echoed her apology at once.

"Forgive us!!"

No sound followed.

No visible figure appeared.

And yet.

They all knew.

Something had warned them.

Or punished them.

A reminder.

That Hazuki’s role in this world was not to be spoken of lightly.

Not even by them.

The pressure vanished.

No wind. No echo. No lingering trace.

Just silence.

The rooftop was still. Only the faint lantern lights from the streets below flickered quietly.

The cloaked woman stood slowly, breath steady but face pale—her pride clearly shaken.

She turned to the two mysterious men, her tone clipped.

"You two. Continue your mission as usual. Make sure Ridan doesn’t speak of anything forbidden."

"Yes, ma’am," both said immediately, heads still low.

The woman stepped forward, cloak brushing against the rooftop tiles. Then paused—half-turned.

Her eyes met Ridan’s once more.

"I warn you."

Her voice dropped.

Cold.

Final.

"Ridan. Syaria... I’m not playing."

Then, in a blink of violet light.

She vanished.

Ridan slowly lifted his head, the lingering dread still etched into his fading form.

He glanced at the two cloaked men, still standing silently on the rooftop edge.

But when their eyes met his...

They glared.

Not with fury.

But with disappointment.

And warning.

Ridan gulped. "...Right. Got it."

Beside him, Syaria averted her gaze. Her cloudy hands gripped the edge of the roof as if grounding herself.

One of the men finally spoke.

"Make sure you guide him properly, Ridan. No distractions. No detours."

The other turned his gaze to Syaria.

"And you. Don’t even think about revealing anything."

Syaria nodded quickly. "I won’t... don’t worry."

Ridan chuckled nervously, floating back a little. "Yeah... you can count on me..."

His smile faltered slightly.

"I never spill any secret."

Neither man replied.

They just turned and disappeared in a blur of wind and shadow.

Syaria slowly drifted closer.

Then without a word, she wrapped her cloudy arms around Ridan’s flickering form.

Her head rested lightly against his chest.

"So what you said... it was true."

Her voice was soft. No teasing. Just quiet relief.

Ridan didn’t pull away.

He just floated there, arms hovering awkwardly for a moment before returning the hug.

"Mm."

Then, after a pause, he added, "You think I’d ever lie to you?"

He sighed. "I did mention those two, didn’t I...?"

He looked out over the rooftops, eyes narrowing toward the horizon.

"But her... I never expected her to come personally."

His body trembled slightly.

"...Shit," he muttered.

"She’s scary."

Syaria nodded in silence.

Still holding him.

"...Now what should we do?"

Ridan stayed quiet for a moment, his gaze still lingering on the empty sky where the woman had vanished.

"Well... nothing," he said. "Just be casual."

Syaria blinked. "That’s it?"

Ridan crossed his arms. "Yeah. Act normal. Don’t say anything stupid. No divine pressure falls on our heads. Simple."

She giggled. "If you say so~ tehe~ Ridaaan~"

"Ugh! Stop clinging onto me," Ridan grumbled, trying to float away.

"What~? You like it~" she teased, grabbing his arm again.

"Ugh..."

Inside the property office, the final stack of paperwork was signed and stamped.

The dwarf slid a simple brass key across the counter toward Ellyn.

"Alright, all done. Ye can stay in that house for a year, no trouble," he said, nodding with satisfaction. "Just remember, before ye move out, we’ll inspect everything. Any damage, you’ll be charged, eh lad?"

Hazuki nodded with a sigh. "Yeah, yeah..."

The dwarf grinned. "Since yer adventurer card’s linked, it’s easy to pull payment even if ye run, y’know. Yer account’s tied to the guild bank."

"I know," Hazuki said again, rubbing the back of his head. "I’m not going to run."

The dwarf chuckled, shaking his head.

"Heh. Lad... can’t believe ye got more than a hundred gold in there."

"Ye’re a rich one, eh? Quiet type, but stacked."

Hazuki just shrugged.

But Ellyn’s eyes widened.

"Hazuki?" she blinked, pulling slightly on his sleeve. "Since when do you have that much money?"

Hazuki scratched his head awkwardly. "Dunno. Just... quests here and there. Some from Macia town..."

Ellyn stayed silent, but her fingers clenched slightly on his sleeve.

Inside her thoughts:

I knew it...

The rift gates at Macia...

Two of them. East and West. The demons summoned them through cracks in the world...

He handled both—alone.

That report from the eastern command said the man fought for hours without rest. No magic explosions. No flashy spells. Just... efficiency. Calm efficiency. Like he didn’t even think about dying.

Father wanted to reward him directly.

But I told them nothing. Told them not to reveal anything to him.

Because if he knew who I really was...

She looked down, gripping the key tightly in her hand.

He might leave.

Ellyn looked down at the brass key in her hand.

It was warm from her grip.

But not nearly as warm as the thought rising inside her chest.

There’s one way.

One way to make sure Hazuki won’t walk away...

Even if he finds out who I really am.

Even if he learns I’m a royal. A princess. The one he was never supposed to meet this way.

Her Absolute Eye had shown her.

Not just his strength.

Not just his hidden resistances.

But his heart.

A man who takes responsibility.

Who never runs from something once he accepts it.

If I... if we do it tonight. Or before I’m sent back to Pawston...

Her grip tightened around his sleeve.

Just a little.

She smiled to herself, small, quiet, but sure.

If I succeed... he’ll never leave me.

Even if the world tells him to.

Even if he finds out everything.

She smiled to herself, just a small, knowing curve of her lips.

Not out of pride.

Not out of excitement.

But out of certainty.

And once we do it...

The pinky promise bond... and the divine blessing tied to it...

They’ll react.

Stronger.

Our souls will anchor together. Completely.

No one will be able to touch me after that.

Not a kiss.

Not my body.

Not even a finger.

Her Absolute Eye had shown it clearly, any man who tried to violate her afterward...

Would be repelled. Cursed. Denied by the divine.

Even if it were a noble.

Even if it were a king.

Once I’m his... once we finalize it...

That bond will become absolute.

She looked sideways at Hazuki, who was now politely talking to the dwarf again, distracted.

He doesn’t know how much power he already has over me.

And soon... I’ll be his completely.

And he’ll be mine.

She closed her eyes, her smile softening as her tail gently swayed behind her.

Only mine.

The door to the property office creaked open as Hazuki and Ellyn stepped out into the soft light of early evening.

Hazuki casually looked around, one hand on his hip, the other adjusting the leather strap of his bag.

"...Where the hell’s that cloudy ball again?"

He raised his voice slightly.

"Ridan!? You there!?"

Silence.

Hazuki cupped both hands around his mouth.

"Ridaaaan!!?"

A voice snapped from above.

"Damn it, stop shouting!! We’re both on the roof, idiot!" Ridan barked, floating into view from the edge, looking visibly annoyed.

Hazuki grinned and pointed up at him.

"Pfft! You say she’s annoying—" he jabbed a finger toward Syaria still clinging beside Ridan, "—but look at you! Floating all smug with your spirit girlfriend! Bwahahahaha!"

Ridan twitched, then turned slightly red.

"I’LL DROP A SPIRIT STORM ON YOUR FACE, YOU—!"

"Yeah yeah," Hazuki chuckled, waving a hand dismissively. "You say that every time."

Ellyn giggled beside him, her tail swaying playfully behind her.

( End Of Chapter )