“It’s pointless.”

Noah’s voice was so devoid of emotion it sounded resolute.

“The tower has already collapsed. Nothing remains inside. Death will claim him faster than you could find any potion.”

Noah’s words were cruel but true. Rudis knelt down and embraced the blood-covered Iska. Her hand gently stroked his black hair.

“I don’t blame you for what happened.”

Rudis’s voice trembled yet remained firm. Iska looked at Rudis with wavering eyes. Soon, a faint smile spread across his lips.

“Are you… forgiving me?”

Iska struggled to speak. His voice was barely audible, but filled with sincerity.

Rudis wiped away her tears and shook her head.

“No. If you die like this, I’ll never forgive you.”

Yet everyone knew the truth. Iska’s time was running short. Despite this, Iska smiled faintly and nuzzled his head against Rudis’s chest, resembling a pitiful animal seeking comfort.

At that moment, another message appeared before Rudis’s eyes.

[Please name your pet.]

Rudis paused, staring at the choker. The red light emanating from it awakened something buried deep in her memories.

“Iska…!”

Rudis called out his name forcefully into the empty air.

Instantly, light burst from the choker and enveloped Iska. Red streams of light seeped into his wounds. The severely torn injuries gradually healed, and focus returned to his previously hazy blue eyes.

When the light faded, Iska was gazing at Rudis with clear eyes. His lips trembled slightly as a small voice emerged.

“Lady Rudis…”

Rudis exhaled in relief and pulled Iska into a tight embrace. Her small, trembling hands continuously stroked his broad back.

“Thank goodness.”

Complex emotions intertwined on the faces of Noah and Xenon as they silently observed the scene. Neither interrupted this moment of relief, but their displeasure was evident.

They were shooting such cold glares that Rudis could feel them burning into the back of her head.

This is awkward…

Rudis felt uncomfortable. Their reactions were understandable. Noah and Xenon had always disliked beast-people.

Moreover, Rudis, whom they had worked so hard to cure, was now embracing Iska, who had caused all these problems. Even she understood why they would be angry.

Can’t be helped.

Having steeled herself, Rudis raised her eyes sharply and deliberately raised her voice.

“Iska! Trying to turn me into a beast-person was clearly wrong.”

Before Rudis could finish speaking, Iska bowed his head and apologized in a small, weak voice.

“I’m sorry.”

His apology came so promptly and submissively that Rudis momentarily couldn’t continue. Knowing Iska hadn’t acted with malicious intent, she no longer had the heart to scold him harshly.

However, she could still feel the burning gazes on the back of her head, threatening to bore holes through her. This much wasn’t enough.

“I understand why you did it. But you should have asked for my consent first. Your actions…”

Before she could finish, Iska met her gaze. Then, with a trembling voice, he said:

“I’m so happy.”

“…What?”

Caught off guard by this unexpected response, Rudis was bewildered. She had intended to scold Iska in front of Xenon and Noah, but the situation was heading in an entirely different direction.

“It means you understand my true feelings.”

Iska’s voice, sounding so innocent, made Rudis even more uncomfortable. The atmosphere grew heavier. Xenon and Noah’s gazes fixed on Rudis. Their eyes were sharp like blades.

Finally, Noah, gritting his teeth, interjected in a cold voice.

“What did I tell you? I said beast-people have no sincerity.”

His voice suggested he might do something to Iska at any moment. Xenon’s face had already turned bright red, looking ready to explode.

He was trembling with anger, unable to speak. Rudis hastily waved her hands, trying to appease Xenon and Noah.

“No, that’s not…!”

However, Noah cut off Rudis’s words and stepped forward.

“It seems he still has no intention of telling the truth.”

Noah’s gaze pierced through Iska. His undisguised hostility was fierce in every word.

“He’s a beast who approached you with hidden, sinister intentions. You shouldn’t forgive him like this.”

When Noah finished speaking, Iska’s eyes flashed.

“I won’t hide anything. I’ll tell you everything.”

His blue eyes gleamed sharply, fierce like a predator, making it hard to believe he had been trembling just moments ago.

“C-can we go home first…?”

Rudis blinked her large eyes and pointed at the ruined tower with one hand. Her expression was utterly desperate.

* * *

Iska’s story, which continued in the uncomfortable atmosphere after they arrived home, was long and heavy. Past wounds and regrets, the hardships he faced as a beast-person, and even the fact that he had initially approached Rudis deliberately.

Rudis confirmed both shocking stories she couldn’t have imagined and facts she already roughly knew. However, one part particularly caught her attention.

“The forest of Tarkar… Was it Noah who did that?”

Although Noah hadn’t been mentioned directly, somehow it seemed that way. While she was shaking her head, thinking it couldn’t possibly be true, Noah calmly nodded.

“Yes.”

Noah spoke so casually, like he was explaining something trivial. No, beyond casual, he even seemed somewhat proud. Rudis was shocked by Noah’s confident attitude, seemingly expecting praise.

“They were a cheap race anyway. Pure evil, they were.”

Noah’s face showed not a trace of guilt as he added this. She had always thought something was slightly wrong with him, but he was far more deranged than she’d imagined. She couldn’t even figure out where to begin explaining how disturbing this was.

Moreover, this time even Iska nodded in agreement with Noah’s words.

“That’s right. They were a hideous and cruel race.”

Rudis held her forehead, baffled by their conversation. Just when she understood why Iska had shown aversion and hostility toward the potion, she couldn’t comprehend why Iska was now siding with Noah, who had exterminated his own kind.

The perceptive Noah awkwardly added:

“…It was God’s will.”

Noah’s eyes wavered subtly. He seemed belatedly worried about what Rudis might think of him.

“But I’m different. I won’t do such things anymore. I promise. Please just let me stay by your side.”

Seeing Noah’s anxious gaze, Iska seized the opportunity to promote himself.

“Lady Rudis. You shouldn’t trust a beast-person’s words. Innate nature cannot be changed. Even now, God’s unfinished will…”

Before Iska could finish, holy light began to emanate from Noah’s fingertips. The air in the room turned both sacred and eerie.

“Wait. Everyone calm down.”

All eyes turned to Rudis at her urgent cry. Sighing deeply in frustration, Rudis carefully began to speak.

“I should tell you all since everyone’s worried. Iska, the collar you’re wearing now is…”

[Item Name: Lifelong Promise

Item Description: Can be set as a pet regardless of species.

Once set, the pet’s lifespan is automatically extended to match the owner’s life.

The effect lasts until the owner’s life ends.

Actions against the owner’s will are automatically restricted.

Release? None. Abandonment? Don’t even dream of it.

The Lifelong Promise is not just a simple collar. It symbolizes trust, obedience, and eternity.]

Rudis opened the item window and roughly explained the nature of the dog collar Iska was wearing.

“So this can’t be removed now?”

When Rudis finished explaining, Iska asked while fiddling with the choker.

“No. I’m sorry. It was the only way to save you.”

Rudis hung her head and answered quietly. Even though it was a choice made to save his life, she felt terribly sorry for setting Iska as her pet.

“Really? So we can be together forever?!”

But making her concerns seem foolish, Iska wagged his tail and nuzzled his head against Rudis’s hand. It was strange to see him so purely happy while wearing a collar he could never remove.

Rudis cleared her throat and looked away from Iska, who appeared oddly sensual.

Noah still glared at Iska with cold eyes, while Xenon turned his head away and sighed deeply. Rudis had thought everything would be fine after emphasizing that Iska couldn’t go against her will, but strangely, the atmosphere grew even more somber.

“Um… aren’t you going home?”