***

  The next day, Sungjin quietly called for Ereka.

  “Ereka, I still have yet to learn of this world’s customs,” Sungjin explained with a pleading look.

  “Yes…… Sungjin. I have been complacent. It seemed as though you would know everything.”


  “No, well I am the type to fight with strategies and knowledge. I’m not denying that.”


  Awkward humbleness was only a lie.

  “But how long do you think I’ve been in this world? I’ve been busily thinking about war, dissecting enemy countries, and studying the battlefield all this time.”


  His brain was indeed impressive.

  But he was not the all-knowing.

  He was truly busy gaining information exclusive to war and researching and thinking on it.

  He had gone with the flow on several large and obvious etiquettes but had been truly ignorant of these secretive traditions.

  “So, what I’m trying to say is that even if there may be different interpretations within the customs here, I would like you to take my words literally in my case.”


  “I see how it is.”


  “Yes. It is like that. So please, an event like yesterday……don’t let it happen again.”


  Sungjin pleaded once again emphasizing his awkwardness.

  “Yes. Sungjin. I will be more careful from now on.”


  “Thanks.”


  Sungjin left muttering how embarrassing it was to even talk of the memory.

  Ereka reassured herself in the midst of feeling apologetic.

  Aah. Still, it’s a relief.

  Even if she had brainwashed herself to be prepared, it came as a relief that the event was simply one large misunderstanding.

  It was not like that.

  That meant she still had a chance.

  Although I do think he does not have anyone in mind……

  Although he was simply trying to gain a teammate.

  To become lovers from friends.

  To become couples from co-workers.

  She had heard several stories like those.

  But those scenarios applied not only to Eustasia but also to her.

  It means I still have a chance.

  Watching her actions from far away, Eustasia breathed out a sigh.

  She pouted while caressing her small but elegantly adorable breasts.

  Even if the entire thing was a mistake, we had gone that far.

  Whatever the reason, to think that she would be sent out after all that tension.

  Was she that unattractive to the point that she couldn’t make another lose their reason to the wild?

  She was strangely upset.

  Hmph. Whatever. I was only so determined as a prisoner.

  She did not have any intention of declaring an initiative after all.

  Still……

  For him to choose his future then his immediate greed.

  It is very much like him.

  She was upset but had to admit his decision made him favourably respectful.

  To think it would be a long-term strategy of attacking the mind before the body.

  So, he ultimately wants me not as a prisoner but his teammate.

  It was conflicting to have him treat her so well.

  He was not the one she swore to protect after all.

  But……how else was she to pay back the debt she owed him, if not with her body.

  How troubling.

  She smiled bitterly.