Chapter 32
Chapter 32: You Didn’t See Anything You Shouldn’t Have, Right?
The dying rays of the setting sun filtered through the curtain gaps into the room. Xien stood under the shower, warm water cascading over his weary body.
Water droplets slid down from his hair, washing away the bloodstains and grime from battle, as well as Cynthia’s lingering scent.
Xien closed his eyes, letting the water beat against his face while his mind replayed the day’s events over and over.
That mysterious figure in black, Cynthia’s suspicious gaze at the end, and… that trump card he’d been forced to reveal.
“I was careless…”
Xien turned off the faucet, the sound of water cutting off abruptly.
He grabbed a towel to dry his damp black hair, his brow furrowed in the mirror’s reflection.
The situation had been critical then—he’d had no choice but to use that ability, never expecting it would leave such obvious traces on the werewolf’s skull. If only he’d aimed for the heart instead, he could have destroyed the evidence with sword wounds afterward.
“She just doesn’t have time to investigate thoroughly… for now.”
Xien turned off the faucet and dried his wet black hair with a towel.
He knew Cynthia all too well. That woman was like an elegant cat—seemingly indifferent on the surface, but always observing her prey’s every move. With her keen observation skills and stubborn personality, she would never let any suspicious detail slide.
This saintess wouldn’t just let this matter go.
Xien put on a loose bathrobe, the soft fabric brushing against his freshly bathed skin as he returned to his room, collapsing spread-eagle on the bed.
The bed was soft and comfortable. Xien let out a weary sigh as he lay down.
He stared at the patterns on the ceiling, his thoughts drifting to distant places.
The mysterious figure’s mention of “test subjects,” the revival of the Ouroboros Cult, and Cynthia’s suspicions about his abilities… it all felt like an invisible net slowly tightening around him, filling him with an inexplicable sense of crisis.
Before he knew it, Xien’s eyelids grew heavy.
In his hazy state, he felt himself returning to another world.
Familiar streets, bustling crowds, and… a blurred figure calling his name.
The voice was gentle and familiar, yet he couldn’t make out the person’s face no matter how hard he tried.
“Wait…”
In his dream, Xien reached out, trying to grasp that figure growing more distant.
Just then, urgent knocking yanked him from his dreams back to reality.
Outside the window, dusk had fallen, the setting sun painting half the sky crimson.
Xien rubbed his sleepy eyes, realizing he’d slept the entire afternoon away.
The hallway outside was quiet—the knocking seemed to have been part of his dream.
“Cynthia isn’t back yet?”
Xien glanced at the wall clock. It was already dinner time.
He quickly changed clothes and decided to prepare dinner first. Perhaps a delicious meal could ease the saintess’s suspicions somewhat.
The Knights’ supply depot was brightly lit. Xien carefully selected ingredients.
Though the vegetables and meat in this world differed from those in the other world, through trial and error over time, he’d found suitable substitutes.
“This should work as a bell pepper substitute… this is somewhat like beef…”
Xien selected ingredients while mentally planning the menu.
He finally chose poultry meat similar to chicken, tubers with a potato-like texture, and several herbs that could serve as seasonings.
Back in the residence kitchen, Xien tied on an apron and began skillfully preparing the ingredients.
The knife rhythmically struck the cutting board. Soon, plates of aromatic, colorful dishes gradually took shape: a stir-fry similar to kung pao chicken, steamed fish, and soup seasoned with local spices.
Just as the last dish finished cooking, the sound of the front door opening came from the entrance.
Cynthia walked in with weary steps, her red hair somewhat disheveled, exhaustion written across her delicate features. After the morning’s battle and mental healing, she’d wanted an afternoon nap, only to be forcibly summoned by those old fools in the upper ranks for some damned debriefing.
However, when she caught the wonderful aromas filling the house, her eyes immediately brightened.
“This is…?”
Cynthia looked in surprise at the unfamiliar dishes on the dining table.
“Some home-style dishes from my homeland.”
Xien smiled as he handed her a damp towel.
“I hope they suit your taste.”
Cynthia tentatively took a bite, her eyes widening slightly.
These dishes were indeed unlike anything she’d tasted before, yet they were exceptionally delicious. The chicken was tender and juicy, coated in a mildly spicy sauce, while the fish was sweet and refreshing with a subtle fragrance.
“Very good. Your homeland’s cuisine is quite special.”
Cynthia rarely showed such a satisfied smile. Letting Xien move in had truly been the right decision—good food always improved one’s mood.
Watching the saintess enjoy the meal, Xien secretly breathed a sigh of relief. At least tonight’s opening went smoothly.
After dinner, Xien thoughtfully told Cynthia he’d already drawn her bath.
He cleaned up the dishes, the sound of water washing over plates echoing in the quiet kitchen. Just as he focused on washing dishes, a faint fragrance drifted over, followed by light footsteps.
“Xien.”
Cynthia’s voice suddenly came from behind him.
Xien turned around, nearly dropping the plate in his hands.
Cynthia stood before him wearing only a bath towel, her damp red hair cascading over her shoulders, droplets sliding down her delicate collarbone.
The towel revealed her long, pale legs, her body still emanating the heat and steam from her recent bath.
“C-Cynthia-sama?”
Xien’s ears instantly reddened as he forced himself to keep his gaze on her face.
“When I reported to the Temple of Light today, Heralys looked at me rather strangely.”
Cynthia’s expression suddenly turned serious. She stepped closer, her faint fragrance making Xien’s breath catch.
“Be careful of that Radiant Saintess. If she tries to test you, don’t reveal anything. She may have noticed something.”
“I understand.”
Xien nodded, his Adam’s apple bobbing involuntarily.
“Remember, you belong to me. Turn a deaf ear to other people’s temptations.”
Cynthia stepped even closer, close enough that Xien could feel her warm breath.
“Yes, Cynthia-sama.”
Xien lowered his head, hiding his flushed cheeks.
Cynthia seemed satisfied with his response and left the kitchen, leaving behind her faint fragrance and a red-faced Xien.
After Cynthia returned to her room, Xien let out a long breath. Having worked all evening, he decided to take a relaxing bath as well.
Pushing open the door, the bathroom still held lingering steam scented with jasmine.
Xien was about to undress when he suddenly noticed a familiar set of black undergarments draped over the laundry basket—the set Cynthia had worn today.
More eye-catching was the underwear… Xien’s ears instantly burned as his mind uncontrollably conjured images of Cynthia’s appearance in the basement. He hastily averted his gaze, about to pretend he hadn’t seen anything when the bathroom door was suddenly thrown open.
“Wait—”
Cynthia’s voice cut off abruptly.
The two stared at each other, time seeming to freeze.
Xien instinctively covered his lower body with his hands while Cynthia’s face instantly turned as red as her hair.
Cynthia’s voice carried a rare note of panic as she quickly stepped forward to grab the pile of clothes, her red hair cutting a chaotic arc through the air.
“You… you didn’t see anything you shouldn’t have, right?”