Chapter 87: Tests in the Darkness

Hall was mentally numb.

Julia was undeniably cute.

Her figure was gradually gaining a soft, blush-inducing plumpness that stirred the heart.

Right now, the magical lamp sat directly beneath where she crouched, its light focused entirely under her skirt.

She held the fabric up slightly, shielding the pure cotton cloth below from the night’s darkness—yet the material seemed to glow in the illumination.

It was too dazzling.

In the past, he might have joked that the merciful Goddess Julia had descended to grant him such a divine view.

But now?

All he could think was—‘what the hell does she want?’

Seriously?

No way.

Hall was completely overwhelmed.

Julia wasn’t weak among the heroines—she was strong.

Didn’t she just kill Lenny with that clean, precise swordplay less than ten minutes ago?

Could it be…

Hall understood.

He got it.

Julia was testing him.

And he was testing her.

Julia was born manipulative—he knew exactly what she meant.

Her earlier politeness?

That was part of her act.

Now, this was likely another test—was he a gentleman or not?

If he failed, he’d be blacklisted forever.

He couldn’t afford even a hint of ill intent.

She was vengeful.

Not because she’d stab him and end him—no, that wasn’t the real danger.

The real threat was if Julia united several heroines against him.

Then, marrying her as a ‘gentleman’ would trap him for life.

But if she did pull that off?

Otherwise, when Himan returned and saw how warm he was toward Julia, she’d resent him.

Not a problem—he knew that.

He understood it perfectly.

He just pretended not to.

And he intended to keep pretending.

But this wasn’t just about keeping distance.

Each heroine required a different strategy.

He had to diagnose their psychology and respond accordingly—only then could he survive being surrounded by six heroines while also catching the attention of the Empress of Cateline.

Hall knew this.

“Miss Julia,” he said calmly, “are you feeling unwell? Were you bitten by a venomous insect?”

He didn’t confront her directly—just acted as if he suspected nothing.

“Ah… Hall, I’m here,” Julia replied, her face flushed red.

That blush again.

What was she about to say?

Saying she wasn’t shy would be a lie.

Of course she hadn’t been bitten.

She’d come here because she didn’t believe Himan’s claim that nothing had happened between her and Hall.

She’d only pretended to believe it.

In the Papal State, sisters could marry.

Cousin affairs were common.

As for Himan saying Hall had a fiancée—well, even if she married Hall, she wouldn’t be his legitimate wife.

Besides, even if Julia wasn’t the noblewoman Hall was fated to choose, he would still pick her.

And furthermore…

Hall claimed nothing had happened between him and Himan.

Julia didn’t believe it.

In Julia’s eyes, if Hall’s ideal woman was that golden-haired girl who once accompanied him—then she was pure, elegant, radiant like the morning sun, warming everyone around her.

During that brief time together, the version of Julia who stepped out of Hall’s shadow was undoubtedly beautiful.

He was so approachable, his smile gentle.

Fine.

But within that beauty was a sting—a pain caused by that girl, making Julia feel unworthy of Hall in countless lonely nights.

In Hall’s former self, he might’ve thought she was a nice girl.

She might’ve thought the same.

But not anymore.

Until one day, Julia left town.

She took guild missions to earn petty cash—working part-time as a maid.

Yet her living conditions were good.

After divorcing, she’d taken half her husband’s fortune.

Her ex-husband had been a wealthy merchant from a prestigious family.

With half his wealth and her looks, the widow should have lived comfortably.

Many local men pursued her.

Yet, if possible, she wouldn’t lack male company.

Still, Julia noticed—she was always alone.

Lonely.

Julia watched the widow sit alone, deeply lonely.

The marriage ended because her husband ran off with another woman—and she still pined for that heartless man.

Julia had heard rumors, but back then, she only pretended to believe them.

She didn’t know how to judge it.

At her age, such matters felt distant.

Until one rainy evening, she saw the widow crying by the window.

Moyel, kind-hearted, wanted to comfort her.

But the widow just lit a cigarette.

“Youths don’t understand some things.”

She truly didn’t.

Yet she was certain—if she married someone who didn’t love her…

“Well, who knows? At least there’s—”

“Do you think a woman like me—a courtesan—could get this much?”

That stumped Moyel.

She’d never seen her employer hand over such a sum to the Child family’s fund.

Sixteen-year-old Moyel had no idea.

Her employer never gave a clear answer.

Instead, she said slowly, “Little Moyel, you’re still too young…”

‘Why does my employer cling to such a heartless man after divorce?’

Typical assets and property go to the wife.

If it went to court, she could win more.

The husband worked outside, handed over nearly all his money, and earned interest annually.

How should she answer?

The answer?

Sometimes, love is just like that.

After saying this, the widow added, “You’re pretty, young, and full of energy. Don’t end up like me—a courtesan in love, unable to bear children.”

Such a vast difference in status can never have a happy ending.

“But don’t worry,” she continued.

“Young masters like you. As long as you stick to the young masters of high families, they’ll treat you well.”

“Though… true commitment? That only happens with nobles of matching rank.”

Hearing this, Moyel realized something.

It wasn’t normal.

There was a sickness in it.

Her employer told her not to follow her path—born beautiful, yet destined to suffer.

Finding a good husband wouldn’t be hard.

Just don’t fall for a noble merchant’s son.

Love like hers was doomed.

Some viscounts’ and earls’ children?

They just play.

If it leads to pregnancy, well…

‘Sisters.’

Her employer meant well.

Yet Moyel felt conflicted.

Because when she learned that the boy from her youth was Hall Faxtius, she realized—there was no future.

For days, she couldn’t focus on work.

Moyel couldn’t speak openly.

So she asked, “If your former husband left at the start… what would you do?”

“What kind of ending would this marriage have?”

“Ahh… choose again?”

The widow lit a cigarette with one hand, standing by the window.

“I often wonder now—was that man really mine? So even if I killed him…”

“You’re sick.”

The first light in her life vanished when the young master left.

She couldn’t stop sobbing.

The maid asked what was wrong.

“If you could choose again,” Moyel pressed, “would you chase after him?”

The widow whispered by the window:

“I wouldn’t give up.”

“On someone I’ve chosen.”

“Damn societal rules.”

“I wouldn’t let go.”

“Isn’t that right?”

Seeing the woman express such determination, Moyel realized—once you recognize what you truly want, you must never surrender.

So half a year ago, she ventured into the Adventurer’s Guild, earned a bounty, and left her hometown—slowly moving forward.

Until tonight, intending to take lower-tier organization tasks to gain funds.

Then—she unexpectedly met Hall.

The first noble fated to enter her life.

But sadness lingered.

A trace of loss and self-mockery.

She vaguely found an answer.

‘Let go.’

Enough.

She had the money for Saint Louis.

Obtained the license.

She would continue strengthening herself, saving money.

This long-term residence permit, issued by the Saint Louis authorities, made her a legal resident.

He clearly didn’t remember her—the girl from the countryside.

“But, Miss Moyel,” Hall said, feigning careful inspection, “where exactly is the injury?”

The pose was indeed suggestive, amplified by the environment.

A girl in the wilderness on a restless night.

“It’s inside… ah, you can’t see. Hall, please—”

Moyel’s face turned even redder.

The edge of the white cotton fabric shifted slightly.

If she lifted it further…

It would cross the line of what should not be seen.

‘Looks like there’s no wound here either.’

Truthfully, Hall didn’t dare look closely.

The dimness and magical light played tricks on the eyes.

Lifting the skirt should have tempted men.

From the side… maybe, possibly…

“If something crawled inside… could you help?”

Her hand dipped down, gently tugging the side of the fabric.

If she opened it wider, Hall would see everything.

The skin there looked even softer than the rest.

But Hall wasn’t charmed.

Not because he was noble-minded.

But because he was certain—Moyel wasn’t bitten from the outside.

Something had crawled inside.

An arousing insect.

But for someone like him, enhanced by divine medicine, detecting such creatures was easy.

Moyel carried no such aura.

Even as a test, this was excessive.

Especially after Leticia’s precedent.

Did Julia like him?

Recalling her earlier unnatural behavior—

Her plumpness, soft as if it could squeeze out water.

It wasn’t like he’d just sleep with her and leave.

Ninety-nine percent chance she was lying.

Unless it was some kind of succubus-like aura—but no, her stats were ordinary, and she’d been drugged by Lorraine before.

No signs.

He’d reached a terrifying conclusion.

Either Julia was genuinely attracted to him—

Or this was a scheme tied to her father and brother’s deaths, making him her first emotional anchor.

What the hell had he done before losing his memory?

In the game’s plot, choosing certain options allowed players to save Julia’s family.

By showing concern for her father and brother, you could boost her affection.

In other words, if that was the case…

He might have already saved her family in a previous route.

He’d tangled with the Salvation Church, made Leticia fall for him—

And now Julia liked him too?

Even trying to seduce him into looking?

Had he done this?

Light?!

His main route involved rescuing Julia—

She became fiercely loyal, instantly devoted.

He’d maxed her affection long ago.

He had connections with the Salvation Church, made Leticia love him—

But Hall didn’t clarify his thoughts.

Because so far, he’d kept it hidden.

If exposed now, Himan would definitely suspect how he knew Julia—

And what he’d done before amnesia.

Himan hated the Salvation Church.

If she discovered his ties, and that he’d been deemed a heretic in certain routes—

Then disowning him would be the least of his worries.

“Miss Julia,” Hall said carefully, “are you sure?”

He didn’t outright refuse—nor did he accept.

Just made a hesitant, troubled expression.

“This isn’t some cheap thrill,” he added.

“If you check the news tomorrow, you’ll see—”

“I won’t be on that woman’s guillotine.”

He couldn’t afford to scare her off.

Couldn’t reveal he already knew her.

Himan would question how he recognized Julia.

And the things he’d done before?

Probably unforgivable.

Himan served the Church.

If she reported him for heresy, he’d be executed on moral grounds.

“Mr. Hall,” Julia breathed, “you don’t have to pretend you’re afraid of hurting me.”

Her dark pupils shimmered, on the verge of tears.

But she’d been taught—

Relying on the body to bind a man wasn’t the best strategy.

Actually, Hall didn’t know her.

But she had one advantage: novelty.

If they did this now, yes, she’d have leverage.

Maybe she should secretly scratch a mark with her nail—

“Ahh…”

Just as Julia began pulling the white fabric aside, preparing to make a cut—

A voice thundered across the valley.

“What’s going on? Why here?”

“I don’t know. Higher-ups rerouted the mission to us due to manpower shortages.”

“They don’t care about our casualties. Even if we fail, it’s just data.”

“The task supervisor from the Salvation Church will handle it.”

“So how do we test these Frenzied Wolves?”

Before they could react, they were intercepted by the Von Braun family.

“I didn’t expect Himan to show up,” one muttered.

“This duchess will definitely conduct a thorough investigation.”

“If we proceed, it might ruin the experiment.”

“If we die, we waste valuable time.”

“If blame falls on us, our positions are gone.”

“Let’s observe whether Himan can defeat the Wolf King. Record the data.”

They claimed to be testing the Frenzied Wolves’ combat ability—

But in truth, they’d gathered adventurers from a hundred miles away.

Once controlled, they could be used to stabilize the White Knights’ final phase.

The Frenzied Wolves hadn’t yet encountered tiered resistance.

“The lady has been found,” one whispered.

Details unclear.

Too fast to be a coincidence.

Can’t have incidents.

If incidents occur, their families…

The risk of exposure was high.

But letting the Frenzied Wolves run wild would waste the results.

If the Cardinal got angry, they’d be replaced.

“Deal with the Wolf King first. Record the data.”

In a dark corner of the valley, several robed figures conversed in hushed tones.

To them, the female knight was just a test subject.

The Wolf King—sometimes ambushing, sometimes hiding—was their key specimen.

Its power evaluation was nearly level 70.

Watching the scene unfold, they deemed it acceptable.

Soon, as Himan’s patience wore thin, she called out—

A dark aura surged from her body.

“Magic transformation phase,” she murmured.

“Seems I’m becoming one of those monsters… like the Demon God’s Army back then.”

“But my consciousness is completely unstable.”

The knight used the Oath of Purity’s light to suppress the Wolf King, hidden in the shadows.

Its original combat data suggested moderate effectiveness.

They considered the experimental results promising.

During the prolonged battle, the Wolf King seemed to lose control, emitting thick black magic energy.

“Perhaps in our lifetime, we can truly create…”

Another observer gasped in awe.

“Physical strength increased by a tier. Obvious growth in power.”

Himan’s current level was around 85.

Yet she’d rarely faced life-or-death battles with monsters.

Her attacks remained as elegant as ever—graceful even in slaughter.

But without absolute dominance, grace became a liability.

She was being pressured now.

Partly due to the Oath of Purity’s suppression effect on demonic energy.

“What do we do? Should we notify backup?”

“No. The Knight Captain is already here. She’ll recognize one of ours if we send someone.”

“Appearing at night like this is suspicious.”

“She took a minor monster-hunting task.”

“But if Himan gets hurt—”

“Wait. It is best if the Knight Captain intervenes only when necessary.”

“What if the pulse alarm triggers?”

“Even if we call Saintess Candidate Christine, it’s Himan’s fate.”

“As long as the experiment stays secret, we can replace part of the current generals.”

“That’s right. Wait—someone’s coming.”

Himan trained constantly in Saint Louis.

A Grand Knight under the Cardinal shouldn’t appear here—it was unnatural.

“No… no way.”

“If Himan is killed or knocked unconscious, there will be no witnesses.”

What should they do?

At that level, interference was impossible.

“Our top priority is ensuring the experiment’s success. We can completely change the future of war.”

That phrase sounded familiar…

In the darkness, the observers recording data froze.

A black-haired youth whispered,

“How did Hall Faxtius get here?! If he finds out, we’re in deep trouble!”

“Don’t panic. He’s strong. Among the new recruits, his combat score was highest.”

“In that group of monsters, he ranked first.”

“Where did you get that intel? First?”

The Black Knights didn’t just recruit randomly.

From its founding, it had selected a batch of children.

But operating outside the Papal State required shortcuts.

Two of them spotted someone approaching.

‘Is he here too? If he dies tonight…’

“Heard his comprehensive score in the Black Knights was first. Got it?”

Hall, meanwhile, lowered his guard.

The Wolf King was defeated, no longer a threat.

Good thing he arrived in time.

Otherwise, the situation might have escalated.

But when he turned—

He saw Himan, wide-eyed, having just snatched her weapon back.

“Hall…” she finally asked, stunned.

“How did you master the Wolf King’s movements so quickly?”

Her voice trembled.

His fighting style was unbelievable.

“…Never mind.”

She sheathed her blade.

The Wolf King lay motionless.

Himan had lost.

What would this mean for his standing now?

He’d pushed her aside in the crisis.

Yet she still stood frozen.

‘How strong is he?’

Her feelings were complex.

Hall’s swordplay wasn’t like hers.

Not that she thought his skill was inferior.

But she sensed something—

His movements lacked flourish.

While dodging the Wolf King’s attacks, he anticipated them before they came.

“Ahh, it’s fine,” Hall said modestly.

“Back in the day, I studied monster attack patterns.”

He was downplaying it.

She knew.

But her pride wouldn’t let her admit it.

So she shifted the topic.

“What are you doing here, Julia?”

But in truth, she was glad.

Hall had come for her safety—

Not Julia’s.

Julia, who had just tried to seduce him by lifting her skirt.

Himan hadn’t quite heard Julia’s last words.

Himan felt a faint joy.

Hall cared more about her safety.

Even if Julia was cute, even if she blushed so prettily—

He had chosen her.