—”So… that’s how it comes across?”

Although she had never sworn at him, Chronosa remembered the murderous resentment Penelope had shown.

He really did seem to be more than just an ordinary bastard.

Among the satyrus living in Holy Arboas, for example, the reputation of the higher-ranking holy race was uniformly terrible.

Combined with each individual’s own experiences…

At the very least, the satyrs here would side with the demons rather than the priests, even if they never openly showed it.

Chronosa lowered her eyes timidly, unlike her usual self.

—”I do feel a little sorry for you, but… thinking about the rest of the journey, I thought it would be better this way.”

“You have nothing to apologize for. You made the right decision.”

Anankeus answered as though it were of no consequence.

After all, they would be parting ways soon enough.

What people here thought of him no longer mattered.

So what if they saw him as a bastard?

Or even a complete son of a b*tch?

The only thing that concerned him was the possibility that the mercenaries travelling with them might start making crude remarks.

Those remarks would inevitably be directed at Chronosa.

The real problem was whether he would be able to stay silent after hearing them.

That was the real problem.

Aside from that one concern…

Chronosa had made the right decision.

“If they believe that…”

Without warning, Anankeus leaned in and pressed his lips against Chronosa’s.

In an instant, he stole her breath away and savored the softness of her lips.

It lasted only a moment.

Yet when they finally pulled apart, their cheeks were already flushed crimson.

They both knew the familiar joy that would follow.

“…then they’ll continue to allow us to stay together like this.”

None of this would be viewed positively.

But that was none of their concern.

The only thing that mattered was that the two of them stayed faithful to each other.

Joy and sorrow.

Happiness and despair.

Ecstasy and disappointment.

They would face it all together.

Forever.

***

Fortunately, the journey continued without any major incidents.

Although the merchant caravan was not particularly large, belonging to a well-established trading company had many advantages that they had not anticipated.

The caravan master, Meros, was an experienced merchant who had spent years travelling across borders.

At smaller checkpoints, the guards merely glanced at his merchant certificate before allowing the wagons to pass into the villages.

They seemed to pay little attention to the fact that Meros employed satyrus in his caravan.

It was almost as though the hatred and discrimination that should have been commonplace existed only in the capital, Zion.

Before long, the harsh chill of winter gave way to the gentle warmth of spring.

The first major city that the caravan reached was Herakleion, situated on the north-western edge of the continent.

It seemed that Herakleion had always been the home base of Meros’s merchant caravan.

After leading everyone to a large manor, Meros explained that although they could not afford to stay long, they should at least spend one comfortable night there before continuing their journey.

From the great manor, an endless stretch of white sand and a brilliantly blue sea could be seen.

Chronosa stood by the window, gazing endlessly at the horizon where the deep blue sea met the pale blue sky.

The blue world was reflected in her crimson eyes.

Captivated by the vivid contrast of these complementary colors, she gradually sank into quiet contemplation.

She appeared expressionless, as always.

Yet, at the same time, it was as though countless unreadable thoughts lay hidden beneath that calm exterior.

“Is this your first time seeing the sea?”

Penelope, who had remained constantly at Chronosa’s side and had all but appointed herself her personal attendant, asked with a smile.

Chronosa picked up the small slate Penelope had made for her and carefully wrote a reply.

—”Yes.”

Thanks to Chronosa, Penelope had gradually learned to recognize simple written words.

As a result, even without Athanasios, who had once served as their interpreter, the two of them could now communicate reasonably well.

It was remarkable progress.

“I thought so. You were looking at it like it was something completely new. So? Isn’t it beautiful?”

—”It is.”

It’s beautiful.

“I’m glad you like it. The sea is my favorite too. I was born here and grew up here. I’m actually a really good swimmer. I wish I could teach you.”

Penelope whispered cheerfully.

Talkative and warm by nature, she had quietly woven herself into Chronosa’s life.

As though she had always been there from the very beginning.

“It’s even prettier at sunrise and sunset. When the sunlight colors the sea, it’s truly breathtaking. If it were summer, I’d suggest dipping our feet in the water. It’s a shame it’s still winter.”

—”Really?”

“Mm-hmm. Ah, maybe we could at least go collect some seashells… Though… would that be too difficult?”

—”Yes.”

I can’t walk for very long.

Judging by the distance…

Simply walking from the manor to the beach would leave her entire body drenched in cold sweat.

And naturally…

It would take her far longer than anyone else.

But could emotions really be conveyed through handwriting?

Looking at the neat characters carved across the slate…

Penelope couldn’t help feeling that they seemed strangely cold and distant.

She scratched the back of her head, smiling awkwardly.

“But…”

Then, as though she had suddenly remembered something, Penelope quickly lifted her head.

Chronosa blinked as their eyes met.

Taking this as a signal, Penelope began firing off questions as though she had been waiting for this opportunity all along.

“Why do you always speak so casually to me? I always speak politely to you. Besides, I look older than you.”

Tap.

Tap.

The satyrus moved confidently across the slate.

After quickly scribbling her reply, Chronosa lifted it for Penelope to read.

—”I’ve never spoken politely to anyone since the day I was born.”

Of course.

That was an outright lie.

After all, she had always been a dutiful daughter, addressing the Great Demon Lord Belphegor with the utmost respect.

Penelope stared blankly at the slate before slowly furrowing her brows.

She had just watched Chronosa casually scribble the words on it moments ago.

Yet the handwriting carved across the slate was astonishingly refined and beautiful.

Yes.

The handwriting was beautiful.

That was precisely the problem.

“Ah… I think I’d better go get Athanasios…”

What was the point of having beautiful handwriting?

Penelope left behind an awkward smile and slowly began to back away.

A moment later, her back bumped against the door with a thud.

Apparently, there were still a few characters she couldn’t read.

There didn’t seem to be any difficult words.

While Chronosa looked down at the slate, wondering which part she should rewrite so that Penelope could understand it, the door suddenly flew open.

The door suddenly flew open.

“Ah!”

The force sent Penelope stumbling backwards.

Anankeus had just entered the room.

She fell straight into his arms.

For a brief moment, their startled eyes met.

The instant Penelope realized who had caught her…and whose chest she had fallen against.

Her expression hardened into a scowl.

She quickly pulled herself free from his embrace.

For some reason, her cheeks had flushed a deep red.

Of course…

She wasn’t about to let the moment pass without complaining.

“Well, look who’s here. His Lordship the Great Master himself.”

Sometimes…

Ignorance truly is a blessing.

Had Penelope ever realized just how much courage it took to behave the way she did?

Very few people would dare speak to Anankeus so sarcastically to his face.

Even someone who had never been to a battlefield should have had enough instinct to sense the High Priest’s commanding presence and quiet authority.

Yet Penelope seemed completely unaware of it.

Even Meros, the caravan master, chose his words carefully in Anankeus’s and Chronosa’s presence.

But Penelope held nothing back.

At that point…

Being that oblivious was almost a flaw.

Or perhaps…

It was a blessing in disguise.

Anankeus simply ignored the way she looked at him as though he were a loathsome insect.

He was more than used to her constant hostility by now.

And, honestly…

It wasn’t worth paying any attention to.

Taking a couple of steps forward, he extended his hand towards Chronosa as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Let’s go.”

“Where do you think you’re taking her?”

By now, Penelope had grown genuinely attached to Chronosa, and she immediately sprang to her feet.

Unable to think well of Anankeus for any reason whatsoever, only one possibility came to her mind.

“Sorry to disappoint you, Priest, but Herakleion doesn’t hold slave auctions! There’s nowhere you could possibly sell Chronosa!”

Exactly who was selling whom?

Confronted with such an absurd misunderstanding, Anankeus could only let out a quiet sigh.

Without another word, he reached towards Chronosa and carefully pulled her half-slipped cloak back into place.

He fastened it neatly around her and drew up the hood, concealing her hair and eyes.

No matter how you looked at it, it seemed as though he was preparing her to go outside.

Chronosa silently moved her lips.

—”Where are you taking me all bundled up like this?”

“Somewhere nice.”

His pleasant voice gently tickled her ears.

Then, as though it were only natural, he slipped one arm beneath her knees and lifted her into his arms.

The familiar weight, unchanged from before, settled comfortably against him.

“It feels like it’s been a long time.”

Chronosa smiled brightly.

She slipped her arms around Anankeus’s neck.

It was so different from before.

Back then, she would simply let her arms hang at her sides, as if none of it mattered.

When had that changed?

When had Chronosa finally accepted their closeness?

Still carrying her, Anankeus turned and walked away.

Penelope stood frozen, watching the two of them leave, her cheeks flushing all the way to her ears.

Before she realized it, she found herself murmuring, “What did I just witness?”

That was definitely not how a master and a slave were supposed to behave.