Theo didn't know what to call the situation anymore.
The Guild Master—and apparently the Crown Prince—was on the floor… clutching his meatballs.
Looking at him, Theo felt a phantom pain himself. After all, they shared the same junk.
But it had been pure reflex. He couldn't help it.
It all happened in a frenzy.
"A-Are you alright?"
Theo asked, concern etched into his voice. A cold dread followed immediately after—
'would this be considered treason...?'
"Ugh… t-tell…"
"Tell…?"
"Tell my f-family… that I love them…"
And then he went unconscious, face pale.
'Wait—seriously? People can die from meatball pain?'
Panicking, Theo quickly knelt and checked the pulse at his neck.
Then—
Lucien burst out laughing.
'This little shit.'
Theo cursed internally.
'I forgot I made him a character who loves bullshitting people.'
"Come on," Lucien wheezed. "You really thought I'd die from a horse kick?"
Theo remained silent, staring down at him with pure disdain.
'Should I really smash his wee-wee this time?'
"If that is all," Theo said flatly, "I shall take my leave."
He turned away.
"Hold on," Lucien called. "Aren't you here because you need something?"
"Not anymore."
"My identity doesn't matter, does it?"
"I'm not sure what you're talking about."
Lucien chuckled and casually took a seat on the sofa, running a hand through his hair and messing it up slightly.
"The point is," he said smoothly, "I can provide what you need."
With a flick of his fingers, magic stirred—tea cups floated into the air and filled themselves with warm tea.
"So," Lucien smiled, "why don't you join me for a cup?"
Theo paused.
Then sighed—and sat down, earning a sly grin from Lucien.
"I want to request an errand."
"What kind of errand?"
"I need someone to extract something from a dungeon that officially doesn't exist."
Lucien's eyes narrowed with interest.
"Doesn't exist?"
"Well, officially it isn't recorded… yet."
"It's not a monster-type dungeon?"
"Monsters can't exist there because of Obscyra."
The moment the word left Theo's mouth, Lucien's eyes widened.
He hadn't expected that.
"Obscyra," Lucien murmured. "The special mana stone mentioned only in scriptures?"
Theo nodded. Lucien's reaction was understandable. No one had ever seen a real Obscyra.
If the world discovered its existence, chaos would follow.
And now Theo was exploiting that knowledge for his own benefit.
"Once the mana stones are retrieved," Theo continued, "the dungeon will naturally close—like any other."
"…Where's the location?"
Theo tilted his head slightly.
"I don't see a contract in your hand."
Lucien smirked. "Fair enough. What are your conditions?"
"We split the Obscyra evenly."
"And?"
"My identity remains anonymous."
With a snap of his fingers, Lucien summoned the contract. The paper glowed softly as it floated between them.
"Please sign."
Theo carefully examined the contents before taking the floating pen and signing.
"Now," Lucien said eagerly, "do tell me—where is it?"
"The Silent Stratum lies beneath Crownfall Mountain," Theo replied. "Far below the mines the Empire still acknowledges."
"Aha—I got it."
"How long will it take?"
"Depends," Lucien shrugged. "But consider it done."
"Very well."
Theo stood—but Lucien stopped him.
"…You may address me as Luci."
Theo hesitated, then met his gaze.
"I expect news soon… Luci."
And with that, he left.
The moment the door closed, Lucien's lips curved into an amused smile.
"He's more interesting than I thought…" he whispered.
—
—
'…How am I supposed to climb this?'
Theo stared at the rope dangling from his balcony.
Going down had been easy.
Going back up—not so much.
"Hah… let's do this."
With determination, he began climbing.
And honestly? He was pretty good at it.
'Hidden robbery talent, for real', Theo praised himself.
Then—
The rope snapped.
'Ah… shit.'
He fell.
SQUEEZE!
Theo hit—
Wait.
Squeeze?
Slowly opening his eyes, Theo realized his hand was gripping something solid.
A very solid chest.
'Jigglejogglers...I mean—who??'
He looked up.
Eryx was holding him—bridal style.
"…Sir Eryx?"
"...You could've hurt yourself."
His tone was calm, but concern seeped through despite his stoic expression.
'Is he… worried about me?'
'And why is he so close?'
Eryx gently set him down.
"Are you trying to go up?" he asked, glancing at the balcony.
"…Yes," Theo admitted, ears flushing red.
Suddenly, Theo's clothes fluttered. His feet lifted gently from the ground.
Wind magic.
Unlike the dungeon—this was soft. Controlled. Careful.
As though handling something precious and delicate.
In seconds, Theo was back on the balcony—completely unharmed.
'…Aren't I suspicious?'
'Why did he help without questioning anything?'
Eryx didn't ask why Theo was sneaking into his own room like a thief.
He simply helped.
Theo leaned over the railing, smiling warmly as he mouthed a silent 'thank you'.
Eryx looked up.
A beat passed.
Then he bowed—and left.
"I thought he'd be angry," Theo murmured to himself, changing back into his priestly robes.
"After what I did to him in the dungeon…"
He smiled.
"But I'm glad he doesn't hold grudges easily. I definitely support him with the female lead!"
He walked towards the door.
Blissfully unaware of the direction fate was already dragging him toward.
—
TO BE CONTINUED