* * *

Seo Woohyun didn’t know much about Erdian.

Recently, he had learned more, but it still wasn’t enough to say he fully understood him.

It’s not easy to know everything about another person, even after a long time together.

Humans are complex, and even the most straightforward among them usually have something they’d rather keep hidden.

And if that’s true for humans, how much more so for a god?

Seo Woohyun could only piece together an image of him based on his appearance and a few gestures, mere glimpses that might hint at what Erdian truly was.

Erdian, with his long, silver hair and sun-kissed, muscular frame, a golden-eyed beauty, always showed concern for Seo Woohyun’s comfort and safety.

Even when Seo Woohyun acted recklessly under the influence of alcohol or spoke a bit disrespectfully, Erdian just laughed it off without making a fuss.

Because of that, Seo Woohyun gradually stopped doubting him and came to rely on him.

It wasn’t only Erdian’s gentle demeanor that eased his worries; on a fundamental level, Seo Woohyun felt he couldn’t keep seeing Erdian as an enemy.

“People should at least have some decency.”

The truth that he was living comfortably here, well-fed and safe, hadn’t changed.

Even though it frustrated him that Erdian wouldn’t give a clear reason for bringing him here, he knew he ought to feel grateful.

And while Seo Woohyun felt thankful to Erdian, he was also wary of his kindness.

But despite his inner conflict, his body had already grown accustomed to the comfort of his privileged status here.

He was ashamed to admit that even a simple half-hour walk uphill—when the path was too narrow for the carriage—felt burdensome.

Though his feelings conflicted, he thought of Erdian as essentially a gentle, kindhearted person.

“If you’re so concerned about it, why don’t you just take him in?”

“He’s just a little guy. How much could he eat? It’s no trouble to feed him.”

Though he grumbled about his annoyance with the growing group, Erdian welcomed the hatchling Marang, who had been caught trying to steal his purse.

“Well, since I’m dressed as a cleric, I should at least give him a chance to reform, right? Besides, he didn’t even succeed in stealing, and as a cleric, I’m supposed to be compassionate.”

Erdian even offered mercy to the petty thief Marvin, who practically flaunted his impudence by invoking Erdian’s name to avoid punishment.

“But why the sudden change of heart? You told me to deal with things like this myself…”

“Because I’d like to earn some points with you. Killing some poor thief who just stole from the rich isn’t exactly charming. As I said, it would make me seem heartless.”

“I thought you said our order didn’t have a strict policy against killing.”

“Oh? Should I just toss him out of the territory then? He stole enough from the nobles that they’d probably hang him the next day.”

“That seems a bit… harsh.”

Back then, Seo Woohyun had sighed.

Maybe it was because he didn’t come from a world where theft warranted a death sentence.

Somehow, it left him with a lingering heaviness in his chest.

“You see? Trying to reform him is better, right? If it doesn’t work out, well, that’s another story.”

“…Yes.”

Like the saying, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” he had to adapt to some extent to life here.

The thief, whom Raullett would have quietly disposed of if Seo Woohyun hadn’t objected, was now part of their group.

Adding to the complexity was Prince Habios, whose childish jealousy made him regard Erdian as a romantic rival.

Until just moments ago, that was the situation.

“Eek…”

The sound of Marang gasping in fear echoed up the mountainside.

The area was a chaotic mess, and Erdian was still covering Seo Woohyun’s eyes, shielding him from the sight.

Parts of bodies lay scattered like debris on the ground.

Blood pooled in quantities too vast to soak into the earth, forming puddles. Erdian looked at the gruesome scene with an unreadable expression.

Someone had sent assassins after the prince again.

If they’d targeted only the prince, he wouldn’t have been this furious.

But they had gone beyond that.

Erdian’s ceremonial robes, once white and pristine, were now drenched in bright red blood.

Even his sun-kissed skin, which Seo Woohyun had often admired, was smeared with it.

Moments earlier, an assassin had lunged at him, weapon raised, but now all that remained were bits of flesh and shattered bone.

Erdian, who was soaked in blood, showed no sign of distaste.

A droplet of blood clung to the end of his long lashes before sliding down his cheek.

Erdian’s golden eyes slowly surveyed the area, finally calling for the head of the temple knights.

“Raullett.”

Raullett, who had dispatched the assassins, knelt before Erdian with a solemn expression.

Though the ground was littered with blood, bones, and organs, she ignored it.

The only thing she feared was the fury of the god standing before her.

“I failed to guard the Saint properly. Please, impose any punishment you see fit.”

Unable to meet his gaze, she looked down at the bloody pool, certain her own blood could easily join it.

But Erdian’s voice held no reproach.

“There’s no need for punishment. Tell Sihero to contact the imperial family immediately and find out who dared to send these assassins. They will pay dearly for meddling with my temple.”

Though his tone was gentle, Erdian’s face remained impassive.

Despite having torn humans to pieces before their eyes, his expression was calm.

“As you command.”

Raullett bowed deeply. Erdian pulled Seo Woohyun, still trembling with fear, into a firm embrace.

Despite confirming that Seo Woohyun was unhurt, his anger hadn’t abated.

“The imperial family owes me an explanation. The only reason I haven’t taken direct action is out of respect for my promise to Calliope.”

Each word he spat out seemed to freeze the air around them.

Just as the dark red puddle of blood began to freeze, Seo Woohyun gasped.

“…Lord Erdian.”

Erdian’s expression softened at the faint sound.

He leaned down and whispered something into Seo Woohyun’s ear.

Nodding, Seo Woohyun looked up at him, reassured.

Erdian’s gaze then turned to one figure.

“Habios de Erhart.”

Having regained his composure, Erdian looked down at the silver-haired man who lay trembling beside Justin.

Habios, overwhelmed by Erdian’s presence, could barely breathe.

It dawned on him who “El the Priest” truly was, and he felt a rush of disbelief.

‘I wasn’t acting friendly because I didn’t know who he was.’

On the contrary, he knew exactly who Erdian was—the only one who could act that way precisely because he understood who Erdian was.

Yet he’d never imagined that Erdian, who showed little interest in human affairs, would descend in person and stay by the Saint’s side.

“You will keep your promise. I agreed to tolerate your presence only as long as Seo Woohyun remains safe from further assassination attempts.”

The chill in Erdian’s voice made it hard to breathe.

Habios, though shaken, forced himself to lift his head.

There he saw Erdian, standing on ground that was thawing from frozen blood.

His golden eyes, serene yet terrifying, looked down at him as he held the pale, frightened Seo Woohyun in his arms.

Seeing that expression, Habios suddenly understood why he hadn’t realized until now.

“Lord Erdian.”

As he spoke aloud, it was still hard for him to believe that the person standing before him now—the one he’d been engaged in petty squabbles with—was actually him.

“I can’t forgive anything that poses a threat to my only Saint, no matter how indifferent Woohyun might seem about it….”

“My deepest apologies for putting such a distinguished person in this situation. I’ll leave at once.”

Without hesitation, Javier responded.

His survival depended on it; everyone present understood that if he lingered, Eridian wouldn’t stand by idly.

Eridian listened to Javier’s response in silence.

A chilling wind blew over the mountainside, thick with the scent of blood.

* * *