* * *

Erdian returned to the Palace of Silence with a small box in hand after showering the jeweler with miracles and blessings.

The garden was bustling with preparations for lunch, and Seo Woohyun was reading on a sofa in the bedroom.

“Seo Woohyun.”

“Oh, you’re back?”

Hearing his name, Seo Woohyun immediately closed his book and stood to greet him.

Even after a brief separation, his welcoming smile gleamed like sunlight.

“I have something for you.”

“What is it?”

“Take a seat for a moment.”

“…Okay?”

Obediently, Seo Woohyun sat back down.

Just as he was wondering what could require him to sit, Erdian knelt on one knee and took out a small box.

When he opened it to reveal a ring, Seo Woohyun blinked in surprise.

“You’re giving this to me?”

“Yes. It’s a pair of rings for you and me.”

But instead of reaching for the box, Seo Woohyun wrapped his arms around Erdian’s neck and laughed.

“Is this what you went out to get earlier?”

“Yes.”

“But I don’t have anything to give you in return. What should I do?”

“Just choosing me is more than enough.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

That morning, the thought that he was someone’s gift filled Seo Woohyun with an inexplicable happiness.

---

Their next destination was decided: the ocean.

Though Seo Woohyun couldn’t handle long boat rides due to seasickness, he planned to visit a beautiful sandy beach instead.

Malrang was so excited about the trip that his tail popped out, tearing his clothes in the process.

As Seo Woohyun packed, Erdian casually murmured beside him, “I’m thinking of traveling as a bodyguard instead of a priest this time.”

“You?”

“Yes. Believe it or not, I was pretty good with a sword when I was human.”

Considering his reputation as the God of War and his undefeated ten-year campaign as ‘Ciel,’ Erdian’s claim was likely an understatement.

“Then will you wear the same uniform as Raullet? I think you’d look great in a knight’s outfit.”

“As a bodyguard, I’ll dress more comfortably.”

“Could you wear the knight commander’s uniform for me someday? Raullet looked so cool wearing the formal attire with all those medals.”

“Medals? Oh, you mean the swordsmanship honor. That’s not a big deal.”

“It is a big deal. There are only three on the entire continent, right? It’s a title reserved for Sword Masters.”

Seo Woohyun couldn’t hide his admiration for Sword Masters.

Even with Erdian right next to him, his eyes sparkled whenever the topic came up, which didn’t sit well with Erdian.

Eventually, Erdian muttered something laced with childish jealousy.

“Woohyun, did you know? I was the first person to ever receive the title of Sword Master.”

Sure enough, Seo Woohyun’s eyes widened as he stared at Erdian, utterly shocked.

His mouth hung open, unable to form a proper response.

“…What?”

Erdian suppressed the urge to steal a kiss from those parted lips and smirked.

“Why do you think they call me the God of War? Just swinging a sword around doesn’t make someone the God of War. There’s a reason behind it.”

“Can you also create aura? That intangible energy that envelops a sword…?”

“Of course. Want to see?”

“…Yes!”

Seo Woohyun nodded eagerly, unable to hide his excitement.

He’d never had the courage to ask Raullet to show him aura.

He’d planned to bring it up casually once they became closer, but their relationship had become awkward after various incidents.

Raullet had even vowed that he’d draw his sword against Erdian himself if Seo Woohyun so commanded, but that kind of loyalty only added to the burden.

Asking to see aura out of mere curiosity felt too frivolous.

‘Wow, Erdian is a Sword Master?’

Seo Woohyun rubbed his faintly flushed cheeks and trailed after Erdian as he headed to the garden.

“Hm, what should I use?”

Erdian stood gracefully atop the gently swaying grass, seemingly walking on air.

After briefly pondering which weapon to draw, he gestured toward a knight standing guard in the garden.

“May I borrow your sword?”

“…Of course, Lord Erdian.”

The knight, caught off guard, quickly unfastened his sword and offered it with a bow.

Erdian unsheathed it, gripping the blade he hadn’t held in years, as though it were an extension of himself.

Tossing the scabbard aside, he gave the sword a few light swings and murmured.

“If you want, Woohyun, I can teach you how to use a sword myself.”

“Really?”

“Of course. But the training will be grueling. Do you think you can handle it?”

Erdian’s expression was utterly serious.

Even by divine standards, the training he spoke of was bound to be brutal.

Woohyun had adapted to a comfortable life after arriving here, far from the harsh beginnings he once endured.

Between regular practice of holy power and self-defense lessons with Raullet, Woohyun felt no pressing need to train in swordsmanship.

“I think I’ll just stick to the self-defense Raullet taught me.”

“Fair enough. If you ever change your mind, let me know. I’m more than ready to be a very demanding teacher.”

As soon as he finished speaking, blue energy rippled around the blade.

It was impossible to imagine how much effort it would take to master such intangible power.

‘Wow… Thank goodness I turned him down. No amount of normal training could prepare me for that.’

Relieved, Woohyun clapped enthusiastically at the sight of Erdian’s aura.

---

The Day of the Journey to the Sea

On Woohyun’s right stood Erdian, clad in knightly attire with his silver hair tied back, and on his left, Malrang, dressed in a page’s uniform.

Erdian had maintained his signature long silver hair but darkened his golden eyes to a calm black.

He naturally extended a hand, his elegant white fingers resting lightly on Woohyun’s palm.

Erdian’s gaze fell to the ring on Woohyun’s left hand.

After a moment of admiring it, his playful tone broke the silence.

“Are you still following the rules you set last time?”

“Why are you talking like that all of a sudden?”

Woohyun shot him a sharp look, as though he’d lost his mind. Erdian chuckled and shrugged.

“Since I’m playing your escort knight on this trip, I thought I’d try it out. Doesn’t suit me, huh?”

“…When we’re alone, just talk like you normally do.”

“Fair enough. But I noticed you wrote down some travel rules last time. Care to share them with me? I’ll do my best to follow them.”

Feeling a bit embarrassed but wanting the trip to go smoothly, Woohyun nodded.

A set of rules might help reduce risks on the unpredictable road ahead.

“What? Let me see too! Hyung, I’ll follow the rules too!”

Malrang bounced on his toes, his sky-blue hair fluttering as he tried to peek at the notebook.

When Woohyun handed it over, Malrang and Erdian leaned in, reading the clumsily written rules together.

“Well, aren’t these admirable. If there’s anything unclear, just ask. Respect and consideration for each other are key.”

“Erdian-nim, what does ‘exclude’ mean? It says here, ‘Exclude unnecessary conflicts.’ I don’t know what that means.”

“You don’t know that?”

“Hng… What does it mean, then? Tell me.”

Listening to Erdian explain the term in simple words, Woohyun gazed up at the unusually clear sky, feeling his worries melt away.

‘This trip feels like it’s going to go smoothly.’

After reviewing the rules, Erdian returned the notebook.

Woohyun tucked it into his pocket and accepted Erdian’s overly formal escort into the carriage.

As the scenery outside the window began to shift, Woohyun glanced at the god and the hatchling sitting on either side of him.

“What is it?”

“Oh, nothing. I’m just excited for the trip.”

“Me too!”

The cheerful chatter filled the carriage as the door closed.

As the horses neighed and the wheels began to turn, Woohyun leaned back, letting the memories of his past life fade further into the distance.

For now, Woohyun had no worries.

* * *