He sat down and removed his shoe. The pain, like being pierced by a metal fragment, was so unexpected that he gasped.

If he had been barefoot, it would have made sense, but he was wearing sturdy leather boots.

The sole couldn’t have been punctured, and a stone fragment couldn’t have entered through such a narrow gap.

Aaron irritably mussed his hair.

His heart was aching, tears suddenly flowed, and now he was experiencing unexpected pain.

“What is happening to me? Have I really contracted a fatal disease?”

Asking himself would not yield a clear answer.

But his body, which he couldn’t control as he wished, was causing irritation. His nerves were on edge, not knowing when and where sudden changes might erupt.

Even if he had contracted a fatal disease, it would be right to complete his mission and die honorably.

That way, he would leave a good impression in Lucilia’s memory.

Aaron cursed under his breath, massaged his foot, and set off again.

Just as he had barely mustered enthusiasm, his eyes grew hot, and tears suddenly fell.

“Ah, d*mn it! I’m doing all sorts of strange things by myself.”

What now!

His chest ached again.

Aaron clutched his chest and clenched his molars tightly.

This was clearly a bad sign. His expression remained grim at the thought that he had contracted a disease that was gradually eating away at his life.

“If there is a God, please extend my life just a little longer. I’ll take one devil with me when I go.”

Since the Pope was turning this land into lawlessness, he would deliver appropriate punishment.

That way, he would have something to say to his deceased father.

Perhaps God had tipped him off about the Pope’s evil deeds before his life was extinguished for that very reason.

Who knows, if he sent the Pope first, God might allow him to live a little longer on this earth.

* * *

Having returned safely, Lucilia regained peace in the tent permeated with Aaron’s scent.

But the atmosphere of war was not something that easily dissipated.

A few days later, she woke up early to the morning birdsong.

As expected, Aaron had already risen and finished preparing to go out.

Lucilia crossed the partition and approached him.

“Are you leaving already?”

“Yes, I’m going to visit the infirmary.”

“The infirmary?”

Her ears perked up.

Though she wanted to go, she had reluctantly restrained herself because it wouldn’t be good to catch the eye of the church people. She shouldn’t expose herself to danger.

But wouldn’t it be fine if she went with Aaron?

A hopeful tone rose in Lucilia’s voice.

“Can’t I go too? I want to see Sister Mannea.”

She was itching with curiosity about whether Sister Mannea might have found any clues.

It would be perfect if they could secure evidence that the Pope had used the church for personal gain.

But it seemed the time wasn’t right. Aaron cut her off firmly.

“I’ll go and check the situation at the infirmary, so please wait here even if it’s frustrating.”

He must have judged that it would be dangerous for Lucilia to even set foot there.

Knowing what he was concerned about, she had to give up here.

Lucilia hid her disappointment and carefully handed Aaron his sword, which was leaning in a corner.

It was something she had always wanted to say at least once.

“The fate of Caldman rests in your hands. If I may be greedy… if a critical moment comes, I hope you would think of your safety first.”

She insisted like this precisely because the opposite was true.

He was someone who would have to sacrifice his life and die honorably in a critical moment.

Because he believed that leaving his name in history was more valuable than fleeing cowardly.
It was a knight’s mission and responsibility to protect the kingdom with his life.

“You’re telling me to take care of myself first?”

Aaron grasped Lucilia’s nape.

He gently stroked her cheek with his thumb while meeting her eyes.

Lucilia was quite surprised that he voluntarily conveyed his inner thoughts.

‘I have always valued my life. I will survive tenaciously, even if I have to eliminate threats. Just as I have done until now.’

She didn’t want to cry…

She shouldn’t shake him with a weak heart…

She wasn’t sure if it was sympathy or emotion.

Her complicated feelings couldn’t be controlled, and tears were about to fall.

Lucilia scolded herself for getting emotional so easily.

She shouldn’t cry, if only for his sake as he started his day.

Just as she was about to open her mouth to apologize for showing tears—

“Mmph!”

Hot breath wrapped around her affectionately.

Not only did he show his inner thoughts, but he also passionately intertwined his tongue with hers.

The movement of his tongue, deeply exploring, made her mouth feel like it was melting.

The feeling of desire and affection together was unfamiliar yet thrilling.

Aaron’s kisses had the power to make worries disappear.

She was surprised by her rapidly rising body temperature, and by her own desire that was falling for him without even knowing to be ashamed.

Lucilia stood on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around Aaron’s neck.

As their lips crushed together and their breath burst out at once, Aaron, as if his patience had snapped, poured down a storm of kisses.

“Hah.”

Even though she tried to hold back, she was completely captivated by the sticky heat and unconsciously let out a sensual m*an.

She felt like she could do it if he told her to lie on the bed and receive him right now.

Unable to release the tingling sensation bursting from her intimate area, she pressed closer to him.

Aaron also found it difficult to let go, sucking on her lower lip before entering deeply again to add more moisture.

After leaving several lingering sensations, their lips parted.

Lucilia felt her skin swell where he had passionately bitten and sucked, but Aaron’s condition was no less intense, making her blink in bewilderment.

Not only was his mouth glistening with saliva of unknown origin, but it was also plumply swollen, showing that he had just finished kissing.

Unconsciously, Lucilia wiped Aaron’s lips.

“If you happen to meet Sister Mannea, please relay news to me as well.”

“Of course I will.”

Aaron’s face, stained with l*st, was excessively sensual. So much that she didn’t want to let him go outside.

She thought about holding him back a little longer but gave up, knowing he had his schedule too.

After sending Aaron off with regret, Lucilia arranged the bedding and fell into thought.

Though it had been reckless, she had read the enemy’s intentions.

She couldn’t describe how anxious she had been about returning empty-handed.

She was glad to have been helpful, but also trembled with anger at the Pope’s wickedness.

The Pope, who had colluded with the enemy and agreed to hand over Caldman land, was clearly a traitor.

Indeed, there was no place he hadn’t interfered.

The downfall of Baron Artnal’s family, the dissolution of the alliance with Marquis Teneri.

On top of that, he had rebelled against the king, who had begun to support the revival of the new religion.

That wasn’t all.

He had pushed out a perfectly fine saint and hastily filled the vacancy, and now he was trying to sell the country.

“Devil of a man. And you claim to be God’s representative?”

Though humans are said to be evil, shouldn’t they possess at least basic moral concepts?

Especially someone who is the Pope.

Far from fearing God, he had only filled his own belly in God’s name.

“Even if you receive divine punishment, I won’t feel sorry at all. Do you know how many days I’ve been humiliated and shed tears of injustice because of you? I won’t suffer anymore.”

She would make him pay for plunging her life into the abyss.

Until now, Lucilia had suppressed her emotions and lived quietly.

The resentment hidden inside a thick shell finally shattered with a crash.

Lucilia clenched her molars and fists.

* * *

As Aaron flicked his hand, Rombon, who had been walking a step behind, quickly moved to his side.

“Was there no news from the informant planted at the infirmary?”

“I told you yesterday there wasn’t, yet you ask again?”

“It’s too quiet, even for quiet.”

That’s how suspicious the priest’s movements were.

Though they had disguised a trained informant as a volunteer and infiltrated the infirmary, it wouldn’t be easy to approach the priest.

That’s why it was more frustrating.

“Isn’t it strange?”

“It is strange. But what can we do if no specific circumstances are identified?”

“You’re the only one who’s so carefree.”

“I think it’s right to act with composure, especially at times like this.”

Aaron glared at the nonchalant Rombon, who spoke as if they were having a casual conversation, and quickened his pace.

It was because of the hope that if they arrived unexpectedly, they might catch some strange sign.

However, the priest stopped what he was doing and welcomed them warmly.

The priest, who had been listening to the spiritual concerns of soldiers on their free time, dusted off his seat and stood up.

“Welcome! If I had known the Baron was coming, I would have cleared my schedule.”

“Everyone is busy, so I shouldn’t burden you. With battle imminent, I came to check on the infirmary’s situation.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll guide you personally.”

The priest ostentatiously took the lead.