CH 62

“How do you handle this situation?”

The man. No.

Ian asked in a whisper.

During the interrogation that was posed as a question, I experienced a chill up and down my spine, as if I were being doused in ice water.

‘Let’s think about it, think about it, think about it.’

Not everything is out of whack yet.

Ian had no idea that I had come here because of a deal with The Master of Magic Tower and that the deal was for a medicine that could break the time-limiting curse.

Still, there was a loophole to get through.

I’m certain there was.

After a brief moment of self-admonishing, I raised my head and looked Ian in the eyes.

Behind the mask, a pair of cold blue eyes looked down at me.

‘How could I not have recognized it?’

This person. How.

I should have recognized him from a distance of at least ten miles.

I was feeling so bad about myself 10 minutes ago when I was taking in his sights as if it were a good picture.

“There is a reason for this.”

I said that first.

Excuses were something I had to come up with while I was talking.

“Reason.”

Ian repeated in his own voice what I had just said.

His monotonous delivery lacked any sign of emotion, and he did not even appear to be the least bit agitated, let alone angry.

That made me even more appalled.

“Is that so? Joan. Tell me. What is the reason my wife came here?”

In utter shock, I looked at Dame Joan.

Dame Joan bowed her head discreetly.

“I will gladly accept your guilt in any form.”

“Did you know?!”

Dame Joan seemed to have recognized Ian’s identity from the moment he showed up.

I was the only fool in this place.

“You should take it in stride. There is no need to remind you of what kind of serious crime disobedience is.”

With his cold sarcasm, I turned my head to Ian.

Even Dame Joan would be in danger at this rate. Mumbling was not appropriate at this time.

“I don’t think you really think I was having an affair. If you look at it that way, both you and I, since we met here, would be having an affair.”

Because people were listening, I called Ian ‘you’ instead of his name, and one of his brows raised slightly.

“I was having an affair?”

“If we follow your reasoning, the answer is yes. It’s because you and I are the same people who are here.”

Those eyes beyond the mask narrowed thinly.

“Great. Let’s just pretend you had a good reason for doing what you did.”

“Of course you have to trust me.  There is no way that I could forget about the agreement and go around cheating on you without any repercussions. I just had business here.”

When I lowered my voice to the point where Ian was the only one who could hear it, he let out a chuckle.

“It’s for you to keep. It’s questionable secret business that you went to such a place for, but…… Let’s believe it. I am also here for reasons that are comparable to yours.”

The words ‘I will believe and see’ came out of Ian’s mouth.

However, I was unable to feel any relief. He had only let it slide for the time being, but if we had moved to a location where no one would see us, he would have inquired about my business.

But for now, it was important to earn even a few minutes.

‘Rizello will return shortly……If he’s sensible, he won’t pretend to know right now. Let’s forget about that for now.’

For now, the first thing to do was to put out the biggest fire, called Ian in front of me.

People were openly watching us, which we only realized later. Most of our conversations were probably misunderstood, but that seemed to pique their interest even more.

Even though no one was paying attention to the dancing, the band was compelled to play a new waltz.

After that, a few of the couples started dancing once more, as if they had suddenly regained their faculties.

“Well, first of all.”

While Ian was talking to me about this, he put his arm around my waist.

I opened my eyes wide at the first movement of the waltz that started out of nowhere.

“Let’s finish our business first.”

“What do you mean……”

“My business is after the ball. First and foremost, it means that we need to pass this time well without attracting more attention.”

How can we make it through this situation without drawing even more attention to ourselves?

I think it was already wrong when you ran into me.

That was not something I could say, so I wrapped my arm kindly around Ian’s neck.

I’d gotten used to dancing with Ian thanks to a lot of practice.

As soon as we started the waltz, the people in the room turned their attention back to their partners as if they had suddenly realized there was nothing else more interesting to see.

The basics of waltz are to make eye contact with your partner throughout the dance. Therefore, I had no choice but to make eye contact with Ian.

‘As expected, I think you’re still angry.’

The eyes hidden behind the mask were darker than usual.

He hasn’t received a proper explanation yet, so it’s understandable that his anger hasn’t calmed down.

Then Ian drew me in with a gentle movement. I heard a low whisper in my ear as I was helplessly dragged away.

“I’m not saying that I owe anything to women.”

‘What is that… Ah.’

I owe Ian a debt of gratitude for rescuing me from the man with the red hair, and I remember thanking him for being in debt.

Yeah. If I hadn’t known it was Ian, I certainly wouldn’t have said that. There will be no more debt to this man!

“Yes. I regret it too.”

“You’d rather write a check right away. So that you don’t talk nonsense later.”

The words that Ian spoke came across as sound advice.

I looked up at Ian with bewildered eyes. I thought you would growl in my ears while dancing sweetly, but this is out of the blue.

Nonetheless, I nodded obediently because I was relieved to hear anything other than an accusation.

“I understand……Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“By the way, when does my wife’s ‘business’ begin?”

It would be pointless to back out now. Because I am still here, it is impossible for me to tell a wholly false story.

I quickly shook my head and said that honestly.

“It’s a dark auction.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

The corners of Ian’s mouth turned up in a grin that made him look like a bad boy.

“That business has become impossible.”

“Why. Why?”

I asked with a frown because I was dismayed. Ian lowered his head even more and spoke in a whisper.

“Because it will have turned over before then.”

What?

― There was no need to ask.

Bang!

A roar pierced my ears.

I felt a strong arm wrap around my shoulder and hold me up. I gasped and almost fell over in the arms of other people.

“What is this, what is this…….”

Bang! Kwang!

Then there was an explosion.  I looked around in complete confusion as I tried to process what I was seeing because I couldn’t believe it. However, nothing could be seen clearly because the fog obscured my view.

“Argh!”

“What happened… … Huh!”

The sound of a sword being drawn could be heard all around, and at the same time, people could be heard screaming in pain.

My body trembled with fear without knowing it. It was scary when I crossed between monsters in Ian’s arms, but at that time, I could see ahead. Even if I had wanted to investigate the situation, the fact that there was nothing to see was more terrifying than I had expected.

“It’s okay. Because you are safe.”

Ian whispered.

Ironically, hearing that one word brought a sense of relief to me.

It was none other than Ian who was holding my back as if to protect me.

Regardless of this, the trembling voice continued.

“This, this. It’s what you did.”

“Are you going to start calling me ‘you’ now?”

“It doesn’t matter what I say. Sir Ian also use that to call me that often. Anyway!”

I looked back at Ian desperately.

“You can’t blow everything away. I’ve heard rumors that something important will be listed at the Dark Auction!”

“Important thing? Do you want it?”

“No! It’s not like that!”

What exactly do you mean I want it?

I repudiated it with disgust. Who wants a piece of paper with the name of the devil on it? Unless it’s a cult of lunatics who like to summon demons.

It was time to tell Ian about the item.

“W-who is it! How dare you do this!”

“Boss!”

A man with a huge body screamed desperately and jumped out.

The guard appealed, referring to him as a lord owner. I could see the two of them from a distance because the smoke was gradually dissipating.

“These guys are crazy! They planted a bomb in our venue!”

“These wrathful holy bastards!”

A man called Boss was indignant.

It was funny. Talking about the wrath of heaven in relation to the topic of a party where there is widespread participation in illegal gambling and auctions.

As the smoke dissipated, I could see more distant sights.

My stomach turned as I witnessed the armored men brutally slaughter the guards.

Attacked with the back of a knife and kicked with a foot. Unfamiliar knights clad in armor were fighting their way through the crowd and defeating the guards.

No. Looking at it now, it wasn’t an unfamiliar armour.

‘It’s the armor of the Holy Knights!’

It was only then that I realized what was going on and opened my mouth wide.

In order to completely eradicate the underground ball, Ian has arrived to lead the Holy Knights who are under his command.

When I finally understood, there was a sudden and strong pull on my shoulder.

‘I’m so unlucky……!’

Ian jumped into the place where he had been before!

“How dare you do these things!”

“Boss, that is the armor of the Holy Knights! They are Holy Knights!”

“Wh-what?”

The boss’s voice cracked, as if he was intimidated by the word “Holy Knights,” but he got back up and shouted.

“Do you think that just borrowing the name of God will do everything?! Block everyone! Fight back! All of you guys will be fired if you spare yourself even a little bit!”

“B-But, Boss! Our opponents are highly skilled paladins. Only the guards can put a stop to it……!”

The boss gritted his teeth.

“Aren’t we supposed to use other means than useless bugs! Release it!”

That?

“What are you waiting for! Do you want to become its prey?”

“Hwik! Okay, then!”

The adjutant dashed away.

I don’t know what’s going on, but it looks like he’s trying to activate something like a special move.

‘Shouldn’t it be stopped?’

By the way, why is the person behind my back just standing there watching?

“Hmm.”

Then I heard a strange laugh behind me.