PMEVBO 113

Iser changed not only his face and hair color but also his voice. He also concealed his scent.

Knowing that Lucariel’s mission would take place at Chepony Castle during the banquet, he had gathered information well in advance from the prison library.

He also discovered at that time that many of the banquet attendants at Chepony Castle were temporary hires.

‘Since I’ve changed my face and have a reliable means of transportation, infiltrating the castle shouldn’t be difficult.’

─────【 Report 】─────

XXX Hayut’s location has been

fixed at the “Tower of Serpentss.”

Note: This information has not been relayed to the mission operator.

────────────────

Lucariel was currently using a different body, and Iser had no idea what his new face looked like. So he had no choice but to rely on the beam of light extending from the panel.

The moment he confirmed the target the beam was pointing at, Iser realized something. Even if he’d had nothing to rely on, he would have found him.

……Because from the moment their eyes met, his heart had begun to race out of control.

Black hair and red eyes were physical traits unique to the Pope’s bloodline, and the empire revered them as sacred. To Iser, such things were nothing more than common knowledge. Even when he had a private audience with the Pope in the reception room, he hadn’t felt any particular emotion.

But now, as he looked at Lucariel, it was different. A fiery red emotion, impossible to hide even in the darkness of the polar night, seethed within him.

‘……This is nothing short of blasphemy.’

Lucariel happened to be alone. Dressed in his clerical robes, he was slumped into his chair with his head tilted back. Iser almost greeted him without thinking when he saw him staring at the black sky and exhaling white breath.

But someone else approached him before he could.

“If it’s not too much trouble, may I join you?”

“Sure.”

No matter how much his face had changed, some things remained the same. Iser noticed that Lucariel had reluctantly accepted the priest’s invitation.

……He said he’s good at turning people down.

‘If I didn’t want it, I would’ve said so already. I’m good at saying no.’

‘You’re good at saying no?’

‘I am. Why, don’t you think so?’

‘No, I don’t.’

Lucariel looked tired. Even so, he responded politely to the priest across from him, afraid of making her feel awkward. Iser snorted as he watched him from a short distance away.

‘See, I told you. …I don’t believe it.’

He had known for a long time that Lucariel lacked the talent for saying no. Since he was even the target of the mission, it must have been all the more difficult for him to refuse. He had always felt disgusted with himself for taking advantage of Lucariel while knowing his disposition and circumstances.

Iser had always tried to censor and restrain his desire for Lucariel. He didn’t want to be hated for craving him. But in the end, he lost control.

‘Because he treats me as if he’ll give me everything, I never feel satisfied and keep demanding more….’

Because Lucariel was such a kind person, Iser was happy, but he was also often unhappy. He knew that kindness wasn’t directed solely at him. He was always on edge, worried that someone else might come along and exploit his soft, vulnerable side just as he had.

As the saying goes, “you only see what you want to see.”

Encouraged by Lucariel’s responses, the priest continued the conversation cheerfully, and eventually her gaze met Iser’s. As if he were a real servant, Iser approached the table where the two were sitting with a tray in hand.

As the distance between them closed, he could feel his heart beating faster. His features, build, and voice were all different, yet it was strange how he still felt just like Lucariel.

Lucariel slowly answered to the priest’s words.

‘He must be very sleepy right now.’

Iser had no intention of revealing his true identity to Lucariel. If he did, not only would it be discovered that he’d lied about the banquet week meeting, but it would also expose that he knew about his mission.

‘……Until the brainwashing wears off, I don’t want to be hated.’

Chepony Castle, where the banquet was being held, was overflowing with food. Even here, where outdoor tables were set up, there was an abundance of appetizing-looking dishes. Having been locked up in a cell without a proper meal, Iser wished Lucariel could eat something… yet he wasn’t even looking in the direction of the food.

‘Is his stomach still upset?’

He knew that if he used his ability, Lucariel might discover his true identity. But seeing him up close, he looked so terrible.

‘This is my first time doing this, but…’

He infused his ability into the water he was holding. Then he poured it into Lucariel’s cup.

“It’s water.”

Fortunately, Lucariel was not the type to refuse a kindness from a servant he’d never met before.

“Ah… thank you.”

Iser pretended to be tidying up a nearby table. But he soon realized something. Lucariel’s gaze was fixed on him the entire time.

‘…Did he figure it out already?’

As fear spread from his heart to every corner of his body, his already cool hands grew as cold as a corpse’s. Iser froze with his gaze fixed on the floor.

It was at that moment that he was saw something.

“Kieeng?”

It was a creature he’d never seen before in his life. But he recognized it at a glance. That thing right in front of him was the “root” Lucariel was supposed to find.

Iser concentrated his power into the ground beneath his feet. A blue aura spread out from where he stood. He succeeded in pinning the root to the frozen ground.

‘I’ve caught it, but how do I hand it over……’

His gaze met Lucariel’s when he lifted his head to look at him. Lucariel immediately looked away unnaturally; it was an uncharacteristic reaction. Iser was relieved that he didn’t seem to have recognized him, but he couldn’t help but feel a little put out.

‘What’s with that? You’ve never shown me such a cute reaction before.’

…Is this kind of face his type?

Just as he was wondering if he should just live with this face for the rest of his life, the atmosphere between Lucariel and the priest turned strange.

“I remember. You cried when you were ordained. You were so happy.”

“…….”

“You have been drinking too much. Your face is really red.”

Iser bit his lip and relaxed his grip on the wine glass.

Clang!

The wine shattered into a thousand pieces when it met the ground. Everyone’s gaze turned toward him at once. But he didn’t care. He’d done it in the first place to catch Lucariel’s attention.

‘……Did I just want his attention?’

He knew it all along. He knew exactly who would rush over the moment something like this happened. His prediction was correct, and soon he was face to face with Lucariel’s worried expression.

“Are you alright? Did you get hurt anywhere?”

“……Yes, I’m fine.”

What am I supposed to do with this kind person?

He was disgusted with his own weakness, and he felt sorry for Lucariel, who always ended up having to deal with him.

“Thank you, Priest.”

For putting everything aside and running to me.

He was happy that Lucariel ran to him even though he had a different appearance, and also was annoyed that he ran to him even though he had a different appearance. His love and resentment were mixed together in equal parts, melting into a sticky mess. Iser found his own contradictory self repulsive.

Lucariel even helped clean up after the attendant who had caused the trouble. He didn’t refuse his help on purpose, he wanted him to find the root he had caught.

When Lucariel found the root, he was momentarily flustered, then reached out for it. Not long after, the root vanished in a flash of white light. Seeing him standing still with his fist clenched, Iser worried that he might have cut his hand.

“……Are you hurt somewhere?”

“No.”

Lucariel shook his head and stood up. He looked at Iser with an expressionless face, and said softly.

“You be careful, too. Don’t get hurt.”

“……Thank you for your concern.”

Even at such a formal reply, Lucariel smiled slightly. In that moment, his previously cold expression softened. If he had been within reach, Iser might not have been able to resist and would have kissed him.

After exchanging a few words with the priest, Lucariel stood up and left. Iser took a moment to catch his breath before following him.