Episode 21
This time, Violet leaned closer to Ash.
“What happens once I get used to all this?”
“I’ll help shape you into something new—into your complete self. From then on, it’ll be a new beginning for you.”
Violet’s heart gave a small flutter. But… why would Ash do all that for her?
“No matter how I look at it, I’m not the kind of person who gets kindness for free. You must want something from me, right?”
Ash stayed silent for a moment.
“Let me polish you up first.”
“…Polish me?”
“Your talent is rare. They say it’s one in ten thousand, but this is my first time actually seeing it. I want to develop it—make you stronger.”
“If I get stronger, I’m the only one who benefits.”
“Well, when you’re strong enough, you’ll be able to pass interviews and join any knight order. Or maybe even a top-tier mercenary group.”
“I guess so. I kind of want that.”
In the Empire, there was always high demand for knights. This land was filled with monsters and traps left behind by ancient races.
So the job of hunting them was very popular—and very profitable.
It wasn’t just knights. Elementalists, barrier masters, and mages all dreamed of joining top knight orders or elite mercenary groups.
‘The old me wouldn’t have gotten a single offer from any of them.’
But now, if she continued developing her skills, maybe she really could join one.
Unlike her, people like Ash already had a strong reputation. Knight orders would be fighting over him.
Someone like Ash could even start his own mercenary corps and be guaranteed success.
‘Wait… is Ash trying to recruit me early for a future knight order or mercenary group he plans to start?’
If that’s what this was, she’d be grateful beyond words.
But… she remembered that disturbing scene from her future vision.
In it, she was performing a horrifying sacrificial ritual, offering hundreds of people.
That meant she might be involved in some kind of cult that worships demons.
And the way Ash was being so nice made her suddenly wonder—could he be part of that cult?
‘Am I going to ruin my life by falling for Ash’s pretty face and sweet words?’
For the first time, Violet found herself curious about Ash’s future.
“I’m not part of a shady organization, or a criminal group, or a sketchy unlicensed religion, Violet.”
Ash said with an exasperated look.
“How do you know exactly what I was thinking? Wait—can you read minds?”
“You’re easy to read at times.”
Didn’t he say she was difficult before? Violet’s lips twitched.
“Anyway, sorry for doubting you. It’s just that… in books, whenever a charming guy acts too nice, he’s always part of some cult.”
Of course, that was a line from Lady Roseneath.
“…”
Ash went quiet.
“Are you mad, Ash?”
“You think I’m charming?”
“Of course.”
Doesn’t he own a mirror? The house looked nice, so it wasn’t like he couldn’t afford one.
“Wait—was that line from… no, never mind. Anyway, I’m a proper follower of the mainstream state religion. And even if I recommend a knight order, you don’t have to join unless you want to.”
“So that’s all you want from me? That’s too good to be true.”
“There’s one more thing.”
“Tell me.”
“Don’t drop out of the academy like someone who’s given up on everything.”
“Ash… that’s…”
A good friend would naturally try to stop her from quitting the elite academy path.
But it was already too late. Violet had lost all faith in the academy.
She couldn’t stay there. And if she ever became a great knight, that ‘academy graduate’ label would follow her for life.
“If you’re going to quit…”
“…?”
“Drop out with me, Violet.”
Ash whispered.
‘Wait, wasn’t I just thinking this guy might be crazy…?’
For the second time, she was convinced:
Ash was not normal.
‘All my thoughts just flew out the window.’
Then they heard footsteps.
A man was standing outside the cell.
He wasn’t incredibly handsome, but like Ash, he was tall and looked friendly. He was wearing robes from the Temple of the State Religion.
“Ash, it’s a priest!”
“…So it is.”
“This is bad! Isn’t that the guy they bring before giving out severe punishments? To give your last prayer time? Marlon’s really trying to ruin your future!”
Violet’s heart dropped.
The priest gave Violet a solemn look.
Then he looked at Ash. The two of them were trying very hard not to laugh.
“…This talented young lady seems worried. What about you, Gran?”
“We definitely need to pray. If only to ask our… unpredictable Lord—no, I mean Ash—how many more innocent souls he plans to corrupt. Good thing I got here early. If I’d been late, your words might’ve infected her like a drug.”
The priest, called Gran, shrugged.
“She doesn’t get jokes and takes things the wrong way. Bad timing, too. Things were going great, you know.”
“How can anything ‘go great’ in a cell like this? Feels like rats could pop out any minute.”
“Clean your heart, and everything will look beautiful.”
“Are you giving a spiritual lecture… to the High Priest?”
High Priest?!
Violet looked at Gran again. High Priests were rare—even in the capital, only a few existed.
‘But this guy… he looks more like a casually dressed, lazy noble walking around town.’
Violet thought.
“Has a decision been made?”
She asked carefully.
“Obviously, you’re being released. We had a lawyer come—Brown.”
Gran explained.
“Then please use the most difficult method possible. Violet seems to prefer that.”
Ash said casually.
“Unfortunately, it’s going to be easy.”
Gran pulled out a key.
“Well then. Time to go, you two troublemakers.”
Click.
The door opened. Gran did a dramatic little bow with a spin.
“Wait—is this a prison break?”
Violet asked, a bit nervous.
“Of course not. It’s legal. I prayed hard, and the Lord sent His servant to help us.”
“Or… we can just call it political influence. Ash here was lucky enough to get help from the Temple.”
Gran grinned.
Now that she looked more closely, Gran only seemed a few years older than Ash.
‘To become a High Priest at that age… he must be insanely talented.’
Violet was curious.
“Ash, what’s your connection to the temple?”
“Every major institution wants to stay on a Sword Master’s good side.”
Gran answered.
‘Ah…’
Of course. Even the temple needed knights. So they were probably trying to win Ash over too.
Violet accepted that explanation.
And nobody stopped them from leaving.
Only the paperwork took a little while—Brown, the lawyer, was handling it.
The office where the final processing happened was small and connected to a side door.
Violet and Ash were sitting on a long bench. Gran stood nearby like a bodyguard.
“You arrested them in public? That’s excessive force! What? The commander went to the palace? I don’t care. I’ll sue whoever it takes! They’ll pay for this!”
Their lawyer, Brown, had brown hair and glasses.
He was shorter than Gran, but also had a calm, refined vibe.
‘Just who is Ash, really?’
One thing was clear: everyone treated him like someone important—even without saying it out loud.
Violet glanced at Ash.
‘I wonder if there’s a way to see Ash’s future?’
Maybe if she stayed close to him… she’d get a vision.
With that thought, she leaned toward him, just a little.
