n

n

n

n

"…I refuse.

"

nThe reply came unexpectedly to all of them. Nikolai's eyes widened as he looked at the alchemist, who was glaring at Valkyrie. Then, Sergio slapped away her arm with a frown.

n

"I might be a self-loathing piece of **, but I refuse to die. Furthermore, I won't die for your sake, nor anyone's sake. You can kill me yourself if you want to, but I will not give you an easy time and kill myself.

"

nHis usually kind voice came out harsh, powerful, and unyielding. Nikolai stared at the alchemist as if he did not know him. Those determined eyes were not ones that he was used to seeing in his friend, who followed after him in both lifetimes with an easy-going smile.

n'Ah, I **ed up.'

nNikolai closed his eyes with regret. It was the same as before. Sergio was never weak, even if he was cruel to himself. The alchemist did not flatter when he refused to create poison for the king.

nHowever, Nikolai treated him as a precious, fragile vase. These words made him realize how unnecessary his concerns were and how much he looked down on his friend, even if he did not mean to do so.

n

"I am glad that you finally showed me this side of you,

" muttered the knight, forcing Nikolai to open his eyes.

"I apologize for the words that I said,

" she then proceeded to bow down to him, waist drawing a sharp angle.

n

"…what is going on?

" the alchemist was confused, and so were Yuxi and Nikolai. Valkyrie rose from her position and gave him a sincere, joyful smile.

n

"I wanted to know if we are alike. When Yuxi introduced you to me, I was confused about what she saw in you. However, I now realize that you have what it takes to bring this world together: the pain of a victim and the resolve to march forward.

"

n

"…this was another test?

"

n

"This habit will be the death of me, I swear!

" sighed Valkyrie as she rubbed her nose shyly.

"I want to give people the benefit of the doubt instead of relying on my eyes.

"

n

"That is…

" Sergio began.

n

"…Idiotic,

" Nikolai finished.

nYuxi had no time to notice how shaken he was because she was relieved that Valkyrie was not serious. However, Nikolai was far from that. His eyes glared at the knight, who looked like a kind young woman.

nThen, he sighed.

nShe was not lying. This woman was genuinely testing the alchemist's resolve, and she wanted him to mistrust her enough to do so. That was the reason that she lied, to make him doubt her.

nHowever, if the alchemist listened to her even in doubt, then his will would have been too weak for her to make him one of her followers. Nikolai should have picked up the clues that she left behind instead of allowing his hate toward her to blind him.

n

"The words I said are far from true. The thing about the church was made up as well. I lied to make you doubt me. I need someone who stands against me when I am a villain. I know that you noticed the lie as well.

"

n

"I only thought you were mistaken, but I didn't want to make you feel embarrassed,

" replied Sergio as he scratched his head.

"…now what?

"

n

"Now, I approve of you, and I want to make you a knight of mine. It would be a first for an alchemist to become a knight of this kingdom, but your potions can bring down the gods, so there is no problem.

"

n

"…I was blind,

" Nikolai gritted his teeth because of how things turned out. The alchemist did not need Nikolai to protect him or ignore his flaws, but he needed someone to push him forward. Valkyrie saw this challenge as a way to bring out the best of the alchemist.

nIt made him realize again that the alchemist was better off without him. Nikolai was about to make him go through another traumatizing experience because he believed Valkyrie was unfit for him.

nNikolai was the person who could not let go.

nHis rage blinded him from seeing the alchemist was with people who cared about him and wanted to make him better. Yuxi was also like that, even if she was sent after him by Valkyrie.

n

"It seems that the alchemist is in safe hands,

" said Nikolai to the archer, turning toward the mute.

"However, this exchange should not be known to him. I have a deal for you. I will cure your illness if you take care of the alchemist.

"

n'…my voice?' she gestured with confusion. 'It is impossible to cure.'

n

"I know it happened because of a widespread attack from a certain monster. That scream disturbs the brains of humans, but it is temporary. However, for toddlers, the attack can leave them unable to speak among other disabilities.

"

n'…and you can cure it?'

n

"I can destroy the mana of the monster from your body, using my darkness. This is also an apology for what I did.

"

n'…you have no reason to fool me since you can kill me,' she gestured before nodding. Nikolai sighed and walked toward her, and tapped her neck.

nHis finger sizzled as he touched her skin, and the archer flinched. However, Nikolai looked at his finger silently, knowing that the holy powers would leave a mark on him.

nHe wanted them to.

n

"I am sorry.

"

nAfter leaving those words, Nikolai turned away from her. A door opened inside the room's darkness, leading to the second challenge, where Yuxi will wait for the two.

n

"…who…are… you…

" the mute asked in a hoarse voice as she looked at Nikolai's departing figure. She hurriedly covered her mouth after realizing that she could speak again.

n

"An enemy of your master, so prepare well for that day. I will kill her with my own two hands.

"

nYuxi stared at him with complexity, but Nikolai did not care. He left the dark space and returned toward the master room where the spirit was waiting for him.

n

"…that was fun.

"

n

"I thought you would be disappointed.

"

n

"I had fun watching you fail. I am now interested in that knight, who remained true to herself even after facing greed and fear. The alchemist was also a marvelous sight to behold, a never-dying will to live.

"

n

"I am the one to choose, in the end, right?

"

n

"I gave you that right, did I not? However, the story will be quite boring from now on. Nevertheless, the issue has been resolved, and the three will work together to reach the final challenge.

"

n

"I believe that on the ninth challenge, the three of them will face other challengers.

"

n

"However, none of the others are worthy. All of them are weak-willed and greedy with no major goal to achieve,

" sighed the spirit.

"What happened to the unshakable wills?

"

n

"Do not worry, one of those wills is coming. He should be here soon, a man so terrifying that you would be too scared to look at him.

"

n

"Oh!

" jumped the spirit from the couch as she rushed toward him. Nikolai did not move away as she shoved her face into his, looking at him with sparkling eyes.

"Who is he, exactly?

"

n

"A criminal overlord who terrorized a kingdom. You can call him the king of the underworld. His name is Hyde Crow, and he will be the enemy the three of them has to face.

"

n

"You are cruel to your friend.

"

n

"I realized that I was too soft on him. Sergio needs to grow stronger, and only challenges will force him to do that.

"

n

"However, I know that you allowed the mute to pass the first challenge easily. That is unfair to the rest of the challengers.

"

n

"I am putting her against the most dangerous person in the kingdom, and you think it's unfair to others?

" sighed Nikolai as he walked toward the desk.

"I believe that this small bit of aid is a suitable payment for the troubles.

"

n

"You are a big softie, aren't you?

" smiled the spirit as she floated toward him and hugged him from behind.

"Come on, there is a bed, and there is me. There are no reasons that can hold you back.

"

nNikolai paused and turned around to face her, and he looked down on her. The spirit was a foot shorter than him, her big round eyes looking at him beggingly. He slowly took off his hood and revealed the giant black horns on his forehead.

n

"Ah… they are marvelous…

" she looked at them with lust.

"Please, a simple touch is all I ask for. Just let me touch them.

"

n

"You denied being a succubus, but you are far creepier than one. You are turned on by these horns the most?

"

n

"The horns are a sign of royalty in the demonic realm,

" she said, her legs slowly elevating from the ground.

"The color represents different races and different purities. A black horn is unheard of, even in the demonic realm.

"

nAs he saw her try to touch his horns, Nikolai did not resist because he wanted to see if anything would happen. Her fingers touched the surface, making her eyes widen.

n

"No…!

"

nBoom!

nDarkness exploded from his horns and struck the spirit, sending her flying across the room. It slammed her to the wall enough to destroy it. Nikolai blinked his eyes, unable to understand what had happened. It was not him.

n

"Cough…

" the spirit looked wounded.

"I apologize, my queen, for touching someone that you desire. Please forgive me,

" she begged.

n

"Who are you talking to?

" he asked, and she flinched.

n

"You don't know that another demonic being has their marks on you?

"

nNikolai was confused before remembering a certain short girl with large red horns.. She did him a favor before and said a lot about becoming his wife.

n