Chapter 7: An Unexpected Invitation

“!! What the…?”

‘…What’s happening?’

“Why did it break? This shouldn’t be possible.”

Ebert stares at his hand in disbelief. Shards of a crystal, a different color from the one he forced on me, spill from his grasp. At the same time, enormous black wings sprout from Vega’s back.

Crack… snap! Shatter!

“What?! How did she…?!”

“Vega!”

“Jaehan, hold on!”

“This can’t be…!”

Ebert is clearly shocked that Vega broke free. She rushes towards me, but an invisible barrier blocks her path.

“It’s no use, Vega Spica. You can’t break this barrier. Never.”

Crack…

“Ugh!”

“Jaehan?!”

A sharp pain shoots through my body as the barrier cracks. The crystal…

‘That’s it!’

“The moment this barrier breaks, your precious Jaehan will be torn to pieces. Still want to try?”

“Ebert!”

Vega stops, seeing my pain. The barrier begins to constrict around her.

“Gah!”

“Just die, you wicked!”

Think, Jaehan, think! How do I get that crystal out…?

‘…That’s it!’

“Jin Jaehan, watch closely. I’ll do the same to you for helping a criminal.”

“…Ebert Executioner. I heard you’re a bringer of ‘justice,’ correct?”

“Trying to stall won’t work…”

“Then, do you really believe First Prince Ursus, the one giving you orders, is righteous?”

“…What?”

I know how vile Ursus is. I read every single episode detailing his despicable acts. His actions contradict Ebert’s supposed “justice.” Yet, Ebert remains his loyal dog. I need to exploit that contradiction.

“I disagree. He uses his fiancée’s feelings to carry out his dirty work.”

“…Shut up.”

“He’s consumed by guilt, so he falls for a pure and innocent Saint, completely different from Vega.”

“…You little…”

“And you, working for such a hypocritical man who treats Vega like a dirty secret, call yourself just?”

“Shut your mouth!”

Whack!

“Gah…”

Ebert grabs my throat, his face contorted with rage.

“How dare you insult my lord?! I was going to kill Vega first, but now I’ll rip your tongue out!”

“Ugh… Rip my tongue out? You know the truth. You know what a piece of
trash your precious First Prince is!”

“Shut up!”

Punch!

“Ugh?!”

He punches me in the gut. The pain is excruciating, but it’s working.

“Blegh!”

“Yes, that’s right, you scum. Suffer…”

I haven’t eaten in days, so there’s nothing to throw up, but something dislodges in my throat.

Clatter…

The purple crystal rolls on the floor.

“The crystal?!”

Ebert lunges for it. I’m chained, but there’s one thing I can do. I slam my head down with all my might.

“Aaargh!”

Crack!

My vision turns red. Blood drips into my eyes. But it’s done. The crystal shatters.

“This… is… the end… you
…”

I lose consciousness again, overcome by blood loss.

“ I have to run!”

Crack… shatter! Boom!

The barrier explodes. Vega grabs Ebert by the throat as he tries to escape.

“Gah?!”

“…No need for words. Die.”

“Aaaaagh?!”

Vega’s black wings vanish, and her magic gathers in her hand.

“W-wait! You’re going to show your ugly ‘Villainess’ side again in front of him?”

“…”

Ebert’s last resort is to trigger Vega’s trauma, her fear of Jaehan’s rejection.

“If you kill me, Jaehan will be afraid of you. Don’t do something you’ll regret…”

“…No. I don’t think so.”

But Vega’s heart is set. His words don’t reach her.

“No, please spare me…”

Vega tightens her grip on his throat.

“Jaehan will always look at me, no matter what. He promised.”

She channels her magic, twisting Ebert’s arm at an unnatural angle.

Crack… crunch!!

“Aaaaagh! My arm! My arm!”

“And I will always look at Jaehan.”

“Aaah… please…”

“I’m his, and he’s mine.”

Even in his agony, Ebert feels a chilling disconnect. Vega’s eyes aren’t on him. Her gaze, burning red in the darkness, is fixed on Jaehan.

“I… I’m sorry…”

“Die.”

Crack… crunch… snap… thud…

A small piece of flesh falls to the floor. Vega crushes it under her foot and walks towards Jaehan’s unconscious body.

“Jaehan, I’m back.”

“…”

“You’re unconscious. Don’t worry, I’ll heal you.”

Flutter.

Her black wings envelop them.

“…Jaehan, let me heal you. Come here.”

She leans over his unconscious body.

Rustle…

His clothes fall to the floor, revealing his battered form, illuminated by the moonlight.

“…This is just… treatment.”

Her soft tongue enters his mouth.

“Mmm…”

Her magic, [Life-Giving Black Wings], flows through her touch into his body. His wounds heal, and a wave of pleasure washes over her. Her kisses become more passionate as his wounds close.

“Ha… ha…”

The “treatment” complete, she stands, licking his essence from her lips.

“Remember, Jaehan. I’m yours.”

Two days have passed since Ebert Executioner kidnapped me. I woke up sooner than expected, my injuries completely healed. Apparently, the slimes alerted Vega, and she came to rescue me.

The problem is solved. I’ll head to Byzel in a few days to earn some money, and everything will be perfect…

“Vega?”

“Yes.”

“You healed me with your magic, right? Thank you.”

“Yes.”

“Thank you for saving me too.”

“Yes.”

“But…”

“Yes?”

“Now that I’m healthy, shouldn’t I get back to work?”

“Yes, work.”

“So… to do that…”

“Yes.”

“You need to get off of me.”

“No.”

Ever since I woke up, Vega has been clinging to me, constantly vigilant. She’s afraid someone like Ebert will kidnap me again. It’s cute, but also inconvenient. I need to reassure her.

“Vega?”

“Yes.”

“What will it take for you to let go…?”

“Then…”

She slides off my back and stands before me, arms outstretched.

“Hug me.”

“And you’ll feel safe?”

“No, but it’s enough for now.”

“…Okay. Come here.”

I hug her gently. Her sweet scent is intoxicating, but I maintain my composure.

‘She’s relying on me, protecting me. I can’t think like that. Focus, Jaehan!’

Little did I know how dangerously her gaze had changed.

“…♡.”

As we embrace…

Bang, bang, bang!

“Special delivery!”

“?”

A letter arrives.

“What’s this?”

“…”

I open it.

“…What? Is this a dream?”

I can’t believe my eyes. The sender is Beatrice, Guild Master of Byzel, the largest and most exclusive produce distribution guild in Horizon.

A man enters a grand building in the heart of Horizon, the holy nation protected by the great goddess. Inside, countless packages of produce are being prepared for transport.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Guild Master, as you commanded, I delivered the letter to the farmer, Jin Jaehan.”

“…Thank you.”

Beatrice, the Guild Master of Byzel, stands and looks out the window.

“We’ll have a VIP guest soon. Make preparations.”

“Yes, Guild Master.”