And inside the wall, there were many of Hayden’s teachers.

The beings that provided knowledge and power to Carlos had various professions when they were alive. Hayden, who had nothing but the corpses of monsters, honed various skills using them as materials. Since he had plenty of time, he had to learn whatever he could to survive.

“So, did you learn jewelry craftsmanship here too?”

Ru’s mouth dropped open. Hayden nodded slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed. It wasn’t something to be surprised about.

“Quite decent gems come from the bones and organs of monsters. The eyes, too.”

“And did you learn painting here?”

“I learned it when I was young and then specialized in it here. The person who taught me to paint was freed when the first wall door opened. He hated being here so much.”

Ru’s eyes widened. Ah, interesting. Hayden loved Ru’s expressions that changed vividly every time he spoke. It was enjoyable to converse with her.

“Do they have emotions? Have you talked to them?”

“Not really. They’re already dead, so it’s just lingering wishes. I learned from the knowledge they had.”

Ru sighed, resting against him.

“That’s sad.”

“Yes, it is sad.”

He nodded quietly.

“This is a very sad place.”

It was hell with endless tears and despair.

“How could it be okay?”

Ah, now the body was tired again. While feeling her eyelids getting heavy, Ru asked earnestly. Anyone alone here would have gone mad.

“I thought you might be looking for me.”

“I found you.”

Ru answered clearly without hesitation now that all her memories had returned.

“I thought I had to somehow cross the wall after losing you, so I confronted that thing and lost everything.”

“You did well.”

“Yeah.”

At that time, he risked everything. Yes, he made enough preparations. So, he lost everything and became powerless. The shock was greater than expected, and even the memories were blurred, but Ru had no regrets.

“If you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have a face to show you. You did well at that time.”

“Thank you.”

With the last strength, he thanked her and the deceased northern sage Sofia Clarice. Thanks to them, he survived here. He could grow away from Carlos’s eyes.

“Ru, shall we go back now? It’s better to rest in a warmer place.”

Staying here for a long time wasn’t good. For patients, this place wasn’t a pleasant one, having to constantly adjust the environment with magic and kill monsters endlessly. Hayden took a step while holding Ru. The chilly air changed warmly, and the noisy surroundings became quiet.

Tick, and the massive, very old clock in the Emperor’s bedroom moved. One second had passed since they left. In that moment of realizing the meaning, Ru’s weak fingertips trembled on Hayden’s shoulder.

“I’m okay, Ru.”

He gently laid Ru on her bed and murmured. Having spent more than a day inside the wall, only a second had passed since they returned here. Hayden murmured, his eyes meeting Ru’s deeply.

“I’m okay.”

Seeing her eyes reddened in an instant, Hayden quickly repeated in a hushed voice.

“Stop saying you’re okay.”

If she couldn’t withstand even a single moment after Ru disappeared, how could she be okay? Enduring so long alone, how could she be okay?

He smartly responded while looking at her eyes, now reddened, “I love you.”

That was the correct answer. If he said it beautifully as her eyes teared up, he would receive bonus points. Ru, overwhelmed by Hayden, burst into laughter, wiping her eyes.

“You’re crying because of me, which is good. But now, go to sleep. Sleep well and eat a lot when you wake up.”
“Uh-huh. I love you too.”

With a small voice, he smiled so happily.

“Sleep well.”

Lips touched her eyes and forehead. Deep sleep poured in.

In the Perseta Empire, there seemed to be nothing unusual on the surface. Today, as usual, the nobles were quietly preparing to stab the Emperor in the back, and the Emperor was deeply in love with his fiancée, while the Dragonlord, sleepless, had to keep an eye on the border day and night.

It was always peaceful in Perseta.

“Sister.”

The frightened younger sisters, holding onto the father’s trouser leg and the mother’s apron, looked at the sister lying on the bed. Ignoring laws and everything else, the sister lying in the Emperor’s bedroom looked very painful.

Although a visit was allowed after a bit of recovery, the young children cried at the sight of their sister.

“Does it hurt a lot?”

“I’m fine.”

Ru smiled and reached out to touch Sia’s cheek.

“I’ll get better soon.”

“Does it hurt too much? When will you get better?”

“I’ll get better soon.”

Since the parents’ faces were too dark, Ru deliberately smiled brighter, but Hayden, who approached, firmly told the truth.

“You have to keep lying down until it gets colder.”

Hi-ee-eek. Bella, who had brought a picture to give to her sister, widened her eyes.

“So much!”

“Yeah, don’t move at all until it snows. You need to rest your bones. Relax.”

Hayden casually told the maids a terrible story while helping Ru up. Milene, who had been watching her daughter rely on magic to barely get up, sat down nearby, looking terrified.