"Mr. Kurose Akira~ where are you hiding?"
"Come out already~"
Iphesa's voice echoed through the guild hall, sweet and lingering, like silk brushing over bare skin.
By this point, Kurose Akira had already retreated into Rosalin's room.
He was at his limit.
Iphesa's [Death Coil] was simply too powerful. No matter how radiant his Holy Light shone, even brilliance had its limits. Continuous harvesting like that would drain anyone dry.
Rosalin, for her part, showed little reaction to her guild master barging into her quarters. She merely cast him a cool glance from the side.
Then, in her usual crisp, emotionless tone, she asked:
"Were you drained dry?"
"?"
Kurose Akira froze for a split second.
Then he coughed lightly.
"Ahem."
He straightened, smoothing his expression into calm composure.
"I came to see you because there's something important to discuss. I wasn't deliberately hiding from Iphesa."
Rosalin lowered the Oathbound Sword she had been polishing and looked at him directly.
"What is it?"
"I'm going to help you break through," he said slowly. "But you'll need to complete a challenge alone."
Earlier, he had already spent five gold in the shop to purchase an Advancement Stone and the remaining two Law-Enforcement Knight Medals.
Combined with the required 50,000 experience points, Rosalin would be able to advance to Level 50.
Of course, due to her trait [Knight's Loyalty]—which halved required leveling experience—she only needed 25,000 EXP.
"What challenge?"
At the mention of greater power, a faint spark lit Rosalin's eyes.
She had always pursued strength with unwavering devotion. And the strength granted by Kurose Akira himself… carried a significance she could not deny.
"Give me a moment."
Kurose Akira quickly submitted the required materials.
A new challenge prompt appeared before him.
[Rosalin's Breakthrough Trial!]
[Quest Description: Rosalin longs for greater power. However, before she may ascend, she must overcome the shackles within her own heart. Hidden within the Yellman family's training grounds lies a special device capable of awakening her inner demon. Only by defeating it can Rosalin break the chains of her current level!]
[Objective: Defeat Rosalin's Inner Demon!]
[Reward: Level Advancement! (Super Rare Trait +1!)]
"Super Rare trait…"
Kurose Akira's gaze locked onto the reward for reaching Level 50.
A glint of gold flashed in his eyes.
Previously, breakthrough traits had not displayed explicit rarity labels.
But this time, it clearly stated "Super Rare."
That alone was enough to stir anticipation.
"Rosalin. We need to return to Sunset City."
He turned toward her.
Though evening was approaching, there was still ample time to travel.
"Understood."
Rosalin answered without hesitation.
She donned her armor swiftly, lifted her sword, and prepared to depart.
Kurose Akira moved to open the door—
The moment it swung open, he met Iphesa's languid, half-lidded gaze.
She was admiring him.
A soft, knowing smile curved her lips.
"Mr. Kurose Akira~ so this is where you were."
"Ahem. Iphesa, Rosalin and I need to head out for a bit."
He avoided her eyes unconsciously.
"Is that so?"
She glanced past him at Rosalin, who stood ready behind him.
A few seconds of silence passed.
Then her lips curled into a gentle, ambiguous smile.
"I'll be waiting for your return in the guild~"
"It might be late. If you're tired, go to sleep first."
After a brief reminder, he departed with Rosalin.
—
The moment they left, Iphesa turned and walked swiftly toward Eirum.
The little succubus was currently playing some "girls-only" game with Viola and Alice.
As soon as Iphesa approached, Eirum sprang to her feet, pink eyes shining with expectation.
"Sister Iphesa! Will Master come back tonight?"
"He~"
Iphesa paused, tapping a finger lightly against her lips.
"That… I can't say for certain. He and Rosalin have something to handle."
"Oh…"
Disappointment spread across Eirum's face.
These past few days, she had been sneaking into Kurose Akira's room at night.
Even if all she did was cautiously lick at the Holy Light that leaked out…
It was enough to fill her stomach.
Sometimes, she would press her cheek against the gently trembling radiance.
That subtle warmth would make her heart race.
Her lips would curve into an uncontrollable smile—pure satisfaction.
But tonight…
"Don't worry~"
Iphesa smiled reassuringly.
She brushed her fingertip across her crimson lips.
"I can share some with you. Just now, Mr. Kurose Akira~ gave me quite a lot~"
"Really?! Thank you so much, Sister Iphesa!"
Eirum's pink eyes sparkled like starlight at the promise of that brilliant Holy Light.
"What? Share what?"
Alice and Viola leaned in curiously.
Iphesa's smile turned mysterious.
"Of course… we're sharing something sacred~"
…
Meanwhile—
Kurose Akira and Rosalin arrived at Yellman Castle.
Night had fully fallen.
The castle was silent.
They stopped outside Loxia's room. Kurose Akira raised his hand to knock—
But the door opened before he could.
Loxia stood there, surprise written across her delicate face.
"Mr. Kurose Akira? Aunt? It's so late—what brings you here?"
Her voice carried genuine confusion.
"We'd like to borrow—"
Before he could finish—
Rapid footsteps echoed down the corridor.
"Someone's coming. Get inside!"
Loxia quickly pulled both Kurose Akira and Rosalin into her room, closing the door softly behind them.
She raised a finger to her lips.
Silence.
Moments later, footsteps stopped outside.
A man's voice sounded through the door.
"Loxia, I hope you'll consider this carefully. Sunset City's strength has declined. If what that noble said is true and war is approaching, we must plan ahead."
"I understand, Uncle Gacha. I will think deeply about it."
"If we can obtain support from a marquis, a duke—or even the royal family—our Yellman family might survive this coming turmoil," Gacha continued. "You're close to Princess Vivian, aren't you? Perhaps we could align ourselves with her?"
Loxia frowned slightly.
"I'm sorry. My relationship with Her Highness is not deep enough to wager the fate of our family."
She had not forgotten Kurose Akira's warning: stay away from Princess Vivian.
Gacha did not relent.
"Then what about the eldest son of Marquis Eugene? He has long admired you. He visits frequently. If we ally with the Marquis, perhaps we could secure a path to survival."
Loxia didn't want to continue this conversation.
"It's late, Uncle Gacha. I'd like to rest."
"I know this is unfair to you. But for the family's sake, sacrifices must be made. Loxia, it's not that I don't understand your feelings. It's just that sometimes—"
Before he could continue—
Kurose Akira's voice cut through the door.
"Loxia is tired. Can we leave these meaningless matters for tomorrow? We're going to sleep."
Loxia: "?"
Rosalin: "?"