After the strange supper, Knox removed the stigma as promised. The blue mark in the shape of a grip, which had remained persistently on the back of my elbow, disappeared with a light gesture of his hand. Of course, it was simple and easy for him, but not for me. The pain that flared up as the stigma burned was worse than I thought.
I bit my lip and held back my moans. I knew Kyle's gaze from the side was pouring out, full of concern for me. Even so, I didn't want to upset those who had come to this dangerous place because of me.
Kyle frowned, as if he didn't like the fact that I was enduring the pain because of him. He carefully rubbed my back and soothed me.
"So..." After a long time, I opened my mouth, my voice sinking slightly. "I mean to cooperate with the experiment. Tell me what to do. Let's work together quickly and go our separate ways. This Grand Duke is, in many ways, a busy man, you see."
"No, I was thinking about it anyway." Knox, who was glancing at my complexion, said with a smile. "Apparently, the kid doesn't seem to be the type to live at a loss."
"You saw it well. I'm not someone to just be exploited like a fool."
"Yes, that's why I like it more. Then how about 'equivalent exchange'?"
"Equivalent exchange?" I didn't ask because I didn't know. It was because the method was somewhat unexpected. Knox, and the wizards of the lawless zone led by Lukit, whose souls had been torn to shreds—I had to be prepared to pay a reasonable price to find out about them. The reason I walked here on my own feet was to cure the frost addiction. And wasn't it because he had promised not to attack the North while he took me to study or explore?
But what was an equivalent exchange? It was difficult to easily judge whether it was a benefit or not. It meant that I had to give the other person what they wanted.
"Of course, if you make up your mind and reveal everything, you'll be in trouble, so I'll put a limit on it." I sat still and waited for his next words. "One secret a day, and three questions. The answer to the question is 'yes' or 'no.' You must answer only the facts to the other person's questions, and the right to remain silent can only be used once until the day you leave here. Or, if the other person also doesn't want to answer the question, you can silence them with impartial silence."
In short, it was a matter of how effective the questions asked were. I've almost never done anything like this, but I couldn't say I wasn't confident. I nodded my head in agreement.
"It's all good, but you can lie, right?" Kyle, who was sitting quietly, also helped.
"Yes. He doesn't seem to be good at lying, but this is the only one who is investigating unilaterally. It could look like you're being taken advantage of."
"I can't believe I'm so untrustworthy." Knox sighed exaggeratedly and looked pitiful. Not pitiful at all, you idiot. Get rid of the act.
"I'll cast a spell similar to a magic contract. But it's much more intuitive than paper, and more powerful. There's a magic called the Balance of Information, which was created for this kind of equal exchange. It's because of it." Knox pointed to his neck. A thorny, vine-like mark around the white nape of his neck began to be carved in a pale color.
"Don't worry. This noose only lasts for about a week. If the exchange isn't enough, you will feel pain, and if you don't relieve it, it will get worse. The same is true when you answer falsely."
"Don't think about just getting information in moderation and moving on, this is it."
"Yes. But I don't have anything to complain about. Kid, it's not only for you, but also for me."
"I'm trying to secretly put something like that on me somewhere."
I don't get beaten twice in four masterpieces. Definitely, really. Obviously.
'Isn't it worth doing it for about a week?'
It would take that amount of time to raise the number of anomalies anyway. As if asking for permission, I looked up at Kyle, and he nodded briefly, although he was a little nervous. A blue light approached my neck. If I didn't feel anxious, I would lie.
I called the system and asked quietly, 'Is this really okay? It's a week, right?' I didn't want to live with doubts one by one, but since the other person was who he was, I couldn't believe him blindly.
The system looked at me for a moment and guided me. [This is a temporary curse that will be lifted in 7 days.] In fact, even if it wasn't, if the abnormal interference rate was filled, it would be released on its own. Anyway, I was relieved to hear that it was correct. It was true that he was a sinister and dangerous guy, but at least if he was going to hit it, he would hit it big, so he didn't seem to want to cheat on the little things.
Knox said that since he had finished eating, he would have to study in earnest, and led me to the lab. There was no reason to refuse, so of course, I followed. Kyle followed me as if it were a matter of course. With my right hand, which was finally free, I squeezed his hand tightly. I wanted to tell him not to worry, that he would be fine, but his fingertips were cold. It wasn't easy. Rather, Kyle's fingers dug into mine. He told me about his hot body temperature.
I'm here.I'll protect you no matter what.I love you that much.
I felt relieved to hear him say that.
As I lay on the cold test table, Kyle sat by my bedside. His beautiful face was full of worries. It was as if Knox was going to kill me, and as if secretly declaring it, Kyle's expression turned his head slightly to look at him. Hostility came and went clearly.
"How much do you have left?" he whispered. It referred to the remaining time of 'importing.' Speaking of which, I had spent a lot of time eating breakfast and talking. My miracle value was now over 80 percent, so how much time did I have left today...
[After 4↑↑, '□□□□.' will be lifted.' 』¿¡]
At that time, Knox's hand, which was picking out reagents from a glass shelf with his back to the iron bed, stopped. As if sensing a disparate force, he looked at me with an interesting expression.
[Inappropriate¿(w)[] was ¡¡.] [(╯▔Plate▔)╯] [Don't peek at me! Respect each person's territory¿? ¿Let's do it!]
'I think you can see our conversation... Is this possible?' I'd never thought that someone would watch my conversation with the system, so I was embarrassed. As my body stiffened momentarily, Kyle jumped up and caressed my cheek. He called my name.
I was about to answer, but all at once, a bright blue system window came up in front of my eyes, and I muffled my mouth, confused.
[Inappropriate interventions have increased, we are looking for appropriate numbers.] [For 'Anomaly Zone' only, the duration of 'Load' will be doubled.]
Just a second. Doubling the duration? My miracle figure was now over 80 percent. It meant sixteen hours...
'Awesome.'
It was a miracle. For at least the next week, I could stay as a human the whole time! I clasped Kyle's hand tightly with both hands, my eyes glowing.
"Your Highness. I have a lot of time."
"... What do you mean by that?"
"I'll explain in detail later. Anyway, I have about twelve hours left."
With those words, Kyle understood what had changed in me. His red eyes sparkled brilliantly. While we exchanged glances, Knox returned to the test bench with a few vials. Then, he put a small plate at my bedside and, with careful hand gestures, dropped a few drops of medicine onto it.
An unpleasant smell rose with a sizzling sound. I looked at it, then turned my head to avoid giving him a reaction, and leaned close to Kyle.
"Don't worry, we'll only experiment with a few reactions today. 'Equivalent exchange' is also basic. I'll take it step by step."
"What are you worried about? Be careful not to rob me of your undertones."
"It's good to be strong." Knox's blue eyes curled. "Then shall I tell you today's secret first?"
"No, I'll tell you first."
You have to set the first button well. From the beginning, I didn't want to get caught up in his pace. Moreover, if he brought out a big secret, I would feel pressured to confide in a secret that matched it too.
"I..."
If it was shocking, it was a shocking secret. However, Kyle already knew. A good topic to find out the identity. The first secret I would confide in was actually predetermined.
"I'm not a man of this world."
Knox wasn't too surprised. I guess he expected it to some extent. He also brought out the kind of secret that I expected to some extent, but was quite shocking.
"I'm a person from hundreds of years ago."
I half-stood up and complained. The tip of my nose tingled from the smoke. Kyle pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to me.
"What if I lump it together like that?"
"Kid, you didn't explain what world you came from. This is the right price. Actually, my neck doesn't hurt right now."
"... And what is this smoking dish? Please clean it up."
"Oh, that's it. I can't hear you well."
Is it a magic pill that helps eavesdropping? I squinted and scolded. System, because I'm going to call you? Anyway, there is nothing for you to hear or see. Stop playing tricks.
"Repeat three questions. I will answer you honestly."
"Well, no hesitation." Knox quickly asked.
"Are you an ancient man?"
"No, I don't."
"Do you love Kyle Blake?"
"Yes."
Kyle laughed slightly. The tips of my ears burned for no reason. It's just a matter of course, but what?
"Are you going to kill me?"
I looked at Knox. His blue eyes were so intense that they seemed to see through me.
"No, I don't."
If the current relationship was over, and he attacked the North in the future, I would kill him at all costs, but that was not the case now. Anyway, until I got everything I wanted, I would negotiate quietly. Knowing that my infidelity was not completely sincere, the noose tightened. However, the pain disappeared after a while. It was as if he was convinced. As if it were a joke.
"I see."
Knox smiled brightly and put the plate away. It seemed that he had given up on wiretapping.
"Now ask me what you are curious about."
There were many things I wanted to ask. I picked out the most basic questions.
"Are you going to plunder the North?"
"Yes."
"Are you a long-dead person? You know... dead like the servants of this castle?"
He shrugged. "Yes."
After a short pause, I asked. "... Do you intend to create the Heart of Winter in its entirety?"
Knox didn't answer right away. However, with blue eyes that you didn't know if it was interest or animosity, he looked at me and answered slowly.
"Yes."