Wondering how she was doing ahead of the punitive force’s departure, whether she looked strained from Aura’s side effects, he had secretly visited the knight squadron the previous night.

He had watched Rosebelia emerge from the training ground and go to the fortress wall before entering her quarters. Afterwards, it became harder to stop thinking about her.

He knew he couldn’t stand in front of her. He knew he had to empty his heart of her.

But he couldn’t.

‘Why is the prince, who should be more than capable of protecting the Rosebelia he loves, acting like this?’

Ian unknowingly bit his lip when he heard Nathan’s inner thoughts.

The punitive force and Aura practice were surely different. What if she overuses her still-unstable Aura and something bad happens? What if, like before, she bleeds and faints in front of everyone?

Suddenly, his strength drained away. Ian put down the documents he had picked up from the forbidden room and approached the window.

For several days he hadn’t slept properly, his eyelids felt heavy, yet paradoxically, his body felt light.

It was due to the Aura swarming inside him.

‘So, in simple terms, a Swordmaster with stable Aura and a Swordmaster with unstable Aura will make contact.’

Vincent’s words suddenly popped into his mind.

He hadn’t had the chance to think deeply, disturbed by the constant noise and hallucinations all day.

‘Can I stabilize Rosebelia’s Aura?’

“Nathan, call Vincent.”

“Yes. Understood.”

Ian finally entered his office and sat at his desk. Tapping his fingers nervously on the desk, he got up and paced in front of the window. Then, the door suddenly opened.

Whether he had gone to fetch Vincent himself, both Nathan and Vincent entered.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

“Do you still believe that the method you told me about is the only way?”

Before my question even ended, Vincent lowered his head.

“Yes, I do. I haven’t found another method.”

“So, this contact can be made by palm touching as well?”

“Yes. The process involves pushing and pulling Aura, so I believe it would be possible even if it’s not the palm, as long as they touch somewhere.”

Vincent had said that simply making contact with another Swordmaster could benefit Rosebelia’s condition. Though it was predicated on the assumption that the other Swordmaster had healing abilities in their Aura, not just self-regeneration.

“Will it really help if I transfer stabilized Aura?”

“I hypothesize it would, but until we try it, it’s merely a speculation… Have you found another Swordmaster to try this with?”
Vincent asked anxiously.

“Yes.”

“Is it really true? Are you in this empire?”

“Right in front of you.”

“In front of me… you mean, Your Highness?”

Ian half-smiled and half-squinted as he nodded. Drawing his sword, Ian gestured for Vincent to step back.

As he slowly pushed the aura into the sword, a blue light enveloped it. At that moment, Vincent gasped.

“What a beautiful spectacle. Meeting the Swordmaster in person has been a dream of mine, and Your Highness has made it come true.”

“If your method works, you can witness this sight many more times.”

“Is it true?”

Life returned to Vincent’s dreamy eyes, as if he were someone in a fantasy.

“Yes, but for now, I don’t want to reveal that I am the Swordmaster, so don’t blab about it to anyone…”

“I’ll keep my mouth shut. My God, there are two Swordmasters in the world. Then I’ll further research the method I mentioned.”

As Vincent left the office, Neison hesitantly approached and asked.

“Have you really become a Swordmaster?”

“You saw it too.”

“I did, but…”

‘How did you become a Swordmaster overnight? Did you reach some amazing state where everything became trivial?’

Although he had become cursed with an immortal body, maybe he could help Rosebelia now that he was a Swordmaster.

But to transfer the aura, he would have to come in contact with Rosebelia. Eventually, he’d have to confront her with his own body…

‘Is there a way to help her without facing Rosebelia? At least, so she won’t use aura during the hunt…’

Struck by a sudden thought, Ian immediately called Neison.

“Neison.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Prepare simple supplies for the hunt.”

“Yes. What? You’re going on a hunt?”

Ian shrugged as if to ask if there was a problem.

‘I have confidence in facing the beasts, but it would be better to have someone guard our rear…’

Ian, who had stopped thinking, looked straight at Neison. Although Neison was his aide, he was not a novice in swordsmanship.

When Calisto selected aides, he chose candidates proficient in swordsmanship.

“Come to think of it, didn’t you say you wanted to take a vacation?”

“I did, but why all of a sudden…”

Ian grinned and nodded his head. Pondering the meaning behind Ian’s gesture, Neison’s eyes widened.

“Hey, Your Highness. This isn’t right. You can’t expect me to join the hunt right now…”

Neison, who had been brushing his face in urgency, waved his hands as if to say this wasn’t right.

“Yes, I’ll grant you the vacation.”

“No, I’d prefer to keep working in a comfortable place.”

‘You said you felt restless from staying inside, and now you’re backing out?’

“Either way, it would be problematic if I left and you stayed here alone.”

Ian was correct. Neison gripped his head as if he couldn’t easily choose either side.

“…You will ensure my safety, right?”

“Who will?”

“Of course, it would be Your Highness!”

‘Does His Highness intend to use me as a human shield?’

Ian swallowed a laugh internally. It wasn’t unpleasant that Neison’s thoughts were visible on his face.

“I’ll handle the beasts; you just guard my back.”

“Is that all I have to do?”

“Yes, just provide minimal rear guard.”

‘I was curious about the red spring said to be in the deserted mountain…’

After some consideration, Neison finally seemed to make up his mind and looked straight at Ian.

“Fine, I’ll go with you. But you have to provide a hefty vacation bonus.”

Ian grinned in response.

“Agreed.”