It wasn’t that the purification wasn’t happening at all. After all, he was still in contact with a Master.

However, the moment Charlie avoided his gaze, the purification amount reverted to what it was before, meaning it was as if she wasn’t guiding Hector at all.

Hector was equally perplexed.

Moreover, Charlie was a Zero guide.

There was little information on Zeros, and virtually none on purification guides.

With no way to identify the cause, let alone a solution, Hector’s frustration was indescribable.

Finally, a proper purification had occurred.

He hoped to lead a somewhat normal life again.

Perhaps if the temple used holy power to investigate, they might identify the cause. But if that happened, it was clear Charlie would end up in Kaisis’s hands.

Even if it meant giving up the purification guide, Hector had no intention of sending Charlie to the imperial family.

“What time is it now?”

“It’s three in the afternoon.”

Tanner answered with a sigh. To add, Hector had asked the same question just five minutes earlier.

“It’s already three and she still hasn’t returned?”

“…….”

With the mana stone and Leon as her escort, there was nothing to worry about.

Of course, Charlie wouldn’t know about Leon’s presence.

Exasperated by the constant questioning, Tanner finally spoke up.

“If you’re worried, why don’t you go check on her?”

“I’m not worried.”

“…….”

Hector, with a cold expression, picked up the documents again.

To add, he had already reviewed those documents ten times. They were merely production reports from the magic stone mine in the duchy.

What on earth had happened between the two that made Hector so irritable?

Tanner regretted not volunteering as her escort.

“Or perhaps you could inspect the market for a change.”

Tanner, with a vacant expression, stared into the air.

For a moment, Hector’s movements halted.

“Inspect?”

Tanner continued like a stiff wooden puppet.

“Sometimes, directly understanding market trends can help in planning new business ventures.”

“That’s not a bad idea.”

Hector ran his hand through his hair as if it were a bother but inevitable. Then he raised his hand.

“……?”

Soon, a black magic circle appeared behind Tanner.

“Prepare.”

“I can walk…….”

Sucked into the magic circle and dropped into the dressing room, Tanner couldn’t finish his sentence.

“…….”

* * *

“Hm-hm- hm-hm-hm-”

Charlie’s steps were as light as a feather since leaving the temple.

She felt incredibly relieved, as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

Michael had collapsed in the break room, exhausted, but Charlie was unaware of that.

“Charlie. You look happy.”

Charlie, humming and skipping, looked vibrant.

Emma, who had worried that Charlie might be forcing herself to go for her sake, smiled in relief.

“Praying is surprisingly nice.”

In her past life and current life, Charlie never believed in God.

But if a single prayer could relieve her stress like this, she would welcome any god.

She felt so good that she had generously donated five hundred trangs as an offering.

It was a selfish prayer asking for Hector’s ‘situation’ to be resolved ‘as quickly as possible.’

“Now let’s go buy some clothes.”

“I’m really fine…….”

“It’s not free. Instead, help me pick out some clothes.”

Emma’s eyes sparkled at the mention of choosing clothes.

Charlie had anticipated this. Emma was always eager to dress Charlie up. She often hinted that it would be nice if Charlie had more clothes.

“Buy clothes?”

“I only have this one outfit for going out.”

“Really?!”

“So I thought I’d buy some more outfits, including work clothes. But I’m not good at picking, so I wanted to ask for your help.”

Emma’s face, now bright with excitement, moved closer.

“I think bonnets would suit you well, especially ones with lots of lace.”

“Bonnets? What are those?”

“They’re hats with wide brims and lots of lace…….”

Emma, excited, continued to describe dresses that would look good on Charlie.

A dress shop was an unthinkable place for someone of Zero status. But Charlie felt she could manage.

After all, she had never been kicked out of any store. Besides, she had the means to donate a hefty sum of five hundred trangs without a second thought.

How long had they wandered the market, heading to the dress shop in high spirits?

“Huh?!”

Suddenly, Charlie was spun around by someone grabbing her.

“Huh?!”

The person holding Charlie’s arm was a man with light brown hair and fresh green eyes.

He was handsome enough to be described as such at a glance, with straight and proper features. His slightly drooping eyes gave him a kind impression.

“Ha, ha…….”

The man was breathing heavily, as if he had run in a hurry.

His neatly tailored navy uniform, adorned with golden epaulettes and tassels, shone brilliantly.

A long cape draped over one shoulder, secured by a luxurious brooch, indicated his high status.

Could it be because of the rant she had unleashed at the temple?

Was she being taken away for blasphemy?

Fear gripped Charlie.

“Who…….”

At Charlie’s small voice, the man’s expression turned complex.

Just as the man’s lips were about to part.

“Let go of her hand.”

At the familiar voice, Charlie turned her head.

Leon, who approached unnoticed, was gripping the man’s arm that held Charlie.

“……Sir Leon?!”

The man’s eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Leon.

“I didn’t know you were someone who would rudely grab a lady’s hand, Duke Cedric.”

Leon, who usually wore a gentle smile, was not smiling now.

Unlike at the Duke’s residence, Leon’s golden eyes, filled with murderous intent, seemed ready to sever the man’s neck at any moment.

“Are you acquainted?”

The man did not release Charlie’s wrist.

“I should be the one asking that.”

Caught in the tense atmosphere, Charlie looked around nervously.

Cedric?

The name sounded familiar, and Charlie looked up at the much taller man.

Strangers pretending to know her was a common occurrence for Charlie. She had experienced it multiple times due to having no memories from before her possession.

Wait a minute, if he’s a Duke, then he’s a Duke.

In this world, there were only three people called Duke.

No, excluding Hector, only two.

One was Cedric Edwards, the head of the Imperial Guard and the one who dies protecting the female protagonist from Hector……

“Ahhh!”

Suddenly terrified, Charlie shook off Cedric’s hand and stepped back.

Cedric, startled by the sudden scream, let go of Charlie.

Leon was also taken aback by the unexpected situation.

“This…….”

Where did this death flag come from?

Charlie instinctively took a step back. But she didn’t get far before she was stopped again.

This time, because her body was lifted into the air.

“……!”

“You’ll fall.”

The low and deep voice was followed by a flash of red eyes.

* * *

“Your Grace……?”

Cedric’s eyes widened even more at the sight of Hector holding Charlie.

Meanwhile, Hector’s head twisted with a creaking sound, his brow furrowed.

“Do you have some business with my person?”

“…….”

Hector looked away from the frozen Cedric and turned to Leon.

“Explain what’s going on.”

“Ah……. I was just trying to pick up something she dropped.”

Cedric spoke, showing the small ribbon in his hand. It had the same checkered pattern as the dress Charlie was wearing, and it had fallen off while she was bouncing around.

Hector, who had been quietly observing, turned his gaze back to Cedric.

Hector’s fire aura clashed with Cedric’s earth aura, creating a palpable tension.

Charlie, whose ears were ringing from the pressure, winced slightly.

Hector immediately retracted his aura. At the same time, he pulled the swaying Charlie closer into his embrace with his large hand.

“Charlie.”

Hector looked at Charlie.

“Do you need that thing?”

What on earth was going on?

Charlie glanced at her ribbon, then at Cedric holding it, and finally at Hector, whose eyes were blazing.

“Uh…….”

If she said she needed it, wouldn’t she have to go through this situation to get it?

Besides, the question seemed to imply that he wanted her to deny needing it.

Following her survival instincts, Charlie shook her head vigorously.

“Not really…….”

At that moment, a faint smile spread across Hector’s face.

“She said she doesn’t need it.”

Hector sneered at Cedric. Then, his expression turned cold and he stared directly at Cedric.

His red eyes gleamed with a beastly light.

It was a terribly fierce and chilling sight.

Even Leon, who was watching, shivered from the murderous intent that ran down his spine, but Cedric stood still, observing them.

Hector let out a derisive snort as if finding Cedric laughable. Then he turned around and activated a teleportation magic circle.

“Are you done playing?”

Charlie looked at Emma. Emma had been frozen like a statue since Cedric’s appearance.

Understanding her concern, Leon spoke.

“I’ll take care of Miss Emma, so don’t worry, Miss Charlie.”

Charlie glanced at Cedric one last time and nodded.

“Then let’s go home.”

The black cloak fluttered imposingly.

Soon, a cold wind blew, just like the traces of the two who had vanished.

* * *