The Saint Wants to Rest - Chapter 53.2
He offered a naive smile and nodded to the passing employees. Before Holy Water was distributed and inspections became stricter, he had to set up their secret surveillance network inside the Stigma Guild today. The assassination of the Saint would be carried out at the most defenseless moment, once all information was perfectly in hand.
***
Crr-ack.
The red cracks that had been splitting the air collapsed with the sound of breaking glass. This was proof that the A-grade Gate in Jongno, the Citadel of Blood, had completely vanished.
“Ugh. The smell is disgusting.”
Beside Ian, who was covering his nose, Vermouth clung to him like a shadow.
“Watch your step, Lord Ian.”
Vermouth escorted Ian by firmly wrapping an arm around his waist. His usual arrogant demeanor was nowhere to be found; all that remained was a sticky, persistent desire.
“I can walk on my own. Move back a bit.”
“I cannot. If even the slightest harm should come to your noble body, Lord Ian, my soul would not be able to endure it.”
Ian let out a hollow, absurd laugh. It seemed the kiss and the oath they shared inside the dungeon had driven this mad dog crazy in an entirely different sense. He no longer backed away, even at Ian’s commands. He used to at least pretend to listen before, but he seemed to have given up even on that now.
‘Well, whatever.’
Ian was the one who had allowed it, after all. Thinking thus, he approached the Management Bureau employee waiting in front of the Gate, only to see a familiar person behind them.
“Hyung?”
It was Choi Jae-heon. Ian had cleared the Gate at an incredibly fast pace, so he didn’t know why Jae-heon was already here. He understood the situation in Gangnam was supposedly more serious than in Jongno. As Ian tilted his head and approached, he saw that Jae-heon was in a terrible state.
“Are you hurt?”
His clothes were a mess, and there were marks on his neck as if he had been scratched by something sharp.
“No, it’s just a scratch. More importantly, are you okay?”
Choi Jae-heon was restless, checking every inch of Ian’s body. He had always accompanied Ian whenever he entered a Gate, so he must have been anxious since he couldn’t do so this time.
“I’m fine.”
Ian wanted to erase Choi Jae-heon’s worries as much as possible, but it wasn’t particularly effective. This was because Vermouth was stuck to him, holding Ian by the waist. A triumphant smile played on Vermouth’s face when Ian looked up at him reflexively.
‘Oh boy.’
As Ian stiffly turned his head, he saw Choi Jae-heon looking as if his reason had just snapped.
“You.”
Choi Jae-heon’s voice dropped low. By all accounts, he looked furious, but Vermouth paid him no mind and clung even closer to Ian. Seeing the Management Bureau employee’s eyes widen in shock at the sight, Ian let out a groan.
He had momentarily forgotten that Vermouth was a man who didn’t care about the gaze of others.
“Just what do you think you’re doing?”
At Choi Jae-heon’s words, Vermouth replied nonchalantly.
“What do I think I’m doing? I am merely fulfilling my duty as Lord Ian’s loyal knight.”
No knight has a duty like this. Ian had much to say but held it back.
“Vermouth.”
It was meant to tell him to shut up for now, but Vermouth’s mouth showed no sign of closing.
“Today, I have practically been reborn. Lord Ian has mercifully accepted me. Therefore, I do not wish to fight with you right now.”
So get lost.
A gaze carrying that meaning reached Choi Jae-heon. For a man whose reason had already snapped, this was an attitude he could no longer endure.
“The Saint accepted my oath very ‘mercifully’ indeed. Deeply and passionately, in a way you couldn’t possibly imagine.”
Psychokinetic power intense enough to distort the surrounding space erupted from Choi Jae-heon. It was a touch-and-go situation. However, Ian decided he would no longer be swayed by this exhausting love triangle. He irritably swept back his disheveled bangs and raised his hand.
“Stop it, both of you.”
Choi Jae-heon flinched at the firm voice, which was unlike Ian’s usual self.
“Vermouth, move back for a moment. Over there. That’s an order.”
Vermouth stared intently at Ian as he spoke, then eventually nodded. He headed toward the area where the Management Bureau employee had scurried off to.
Only then could Ian stand squarely in front of his brother, Choi Jae-heon. Jae-heon’s eyes were flickering with anxiety and nervousness.
“Hyung.”
“Yeah.”
Ian gently took Choi Jae-heon’s hand.
“I’m sorry for everything until now.”
“For what.”
“For not being able to properly respond to your feelings.”
At those words, Choi Jae-heon felt as though his breath had been caught in his throat.
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