Chapter 84

Ercale stood apart from the group, observing everything with a clear desire not to be bothered by anyone. His sole reason for remaining outside of Xain's body was the looming threat of Amara, ready to intervene if she returned to kill Xain. Despite his clear disinterest in socializing, Mari approached him. In a tone that conveyed annoyance, Ercale asked, "What do you want?" Mari flinched slightly at his words but gathered her courage, saying nervously, "Um-um, I wanted to thank you."

Ercale glared down at Mari, questioning, "Why would you thank me?" Mari met his gaze, the purple intensity of his eyes reminiscent of their first encounter causing a shiver down her spine. Despite the fear, she pressed on, "Your brother told me that you're the reason everyone stayed here." Ercale directed a glare at the back of Xain's head, who, rather suspiciously, began whistling and looking around, avoiding eye contact.

Ercale groaned audibly, his impatience evident. "Fine, thank me and scram," he grumbled. Mari nervously bowed, unintentionally raising her volume as she exclaimed, "Th-thank you for saving me and everyone else!" Ercale rolled his eyes and looked away, uninterested, as Mari hastily made her way back to the black knight and the others.

"Good goddess, every time he opens his mouth, it's like he's one step away from tearing someone's head off," the black knight remarked with a sigh. Mari returned to Zee's side, and Zee tried to comfort her, saying, "Don't worry, Mari. That's probably the best interaction you could hope for with him."

"Come on, Mari, time to go. We have to cure your mother, remember?" the black knight reminded Mari. She nodded, and Zee patted her head, saying, "We'll cross paths again, Mari." Mari looked up and asked, "How did you know?" Zee winked at her, explaining, "I have younger siblings, and they had the same look you have right now when I left, so I can tell." Mari smiled and hugged Zee, who continued to pat her head. Mari eventually broke off the hug, bidding farewell to Zee, Larkin (who was still talking to Victoria), Xain, and Ercale, before joining the departing black knight.

Mari and the black knight joined Lennix, Clarissa, and Karin. Even now, Mari yearned to approach her mother, hold her hand, embrace her, and harbor the hope that she could somehow return to normal. However, the harsh reality refused to conform to such wishes. As Mari gazed at her mother, Karin turned away, her action laden with a complex mix of emotions.

Was it shame that veiled Karin's expression? Shame for the unwavering loyalty she had given to her mistress, knowing that, in the end, her mistress would have readily consumed her for sustenance. Or was it guilt, the profound remorse for allowing her own daughter to come perilously close to sacrifice—the daughter she had single-handedly raised? All for what? The elusive acknowledgment from her mistress? The pursuit of power and status? The answers remained confined to Karin's heart, guarded secrets known only to her.

Yet, amidst the turmoil of emotions, it became apparent that Karin turned away not out of shame or guilt for her actions. Instead, it was an act of deliberate avoidance—a refusal to spend another moment of her existence beholding the offspring she never desired and was forced to bear.

Lennix bent down slightly, offering reassurance to Mari, "Don't worry, Mari. Your mother will be cured, and you've got this cool uncle to hang out with!" He flashed a warm smile at Mari, eager for her response. Yet, before Mari could utter a word, Clarissa interjected with her usual bluntness, "Mari, do not spend too much time with Master Lennix. He will lower your intellect just by virtue of being near you." Clarissa's sharp remark pricked at Lennix, leaving an imaginary arrow lodged in his undead heart. Mari, however, found humor in the banter and chuckled.

"She's insulting me, and you're laughing! Did I not save your life, Mari? Why is everyone so mean to me?" Lennix sighed dramatically, earning a consoling pat on the back from the black knight, who decided it was time to move forward.

"Okay, enough chit-chat. We've got to get going," the black knight declared, eliciting nods from everyone (except Karin). However, before they could set off, Ercale approached them, fixing his gaze directly on the black knight.

*Oh, goddess, what now?* the black knight thought as Ercale walked towards them.

"How can I help you?" the black knight said, putting on his best fake smile, even if it didn't matter much with the helmet on.

As Ercale reached them, he stopped in front of the black knight and extended his right hand, more like an order than a request. "Shake it," Ercale commanded. The black knight could sense that compliance was not optional, and he couldn't help but wonder why Ercale was suddenly being social.

With no other choice, the black knight reluctantly agreed, "Sure," and shook Ercale's hand. For a brief moment, he thought he detected a flicker of disgust on Ercale's face, but after the handshake, Ercale turned around without saying a word and left them.

The black knight, bewildered, looked at his right hand and asked, "What just happened?" Lennix chimed in, "I don't know. He's never shaken hands with me or Clarissa." They all watched Ercale walk back to his spot, clearly avoiding any further interaction.

"Well, let's just go, I guess," the black knight suggested, and as they began to walk away, he took one last look at Ercale. Examining his right hand, he found it perfectly fine, so he shrugged, thinking, *Maybe that's just a quirk,* as they set off on the track to the black knight's covenant.

Ercale, meanwhile, observed them leaving, deep in his thoughts. *Soon,* he mused to himself, his gaze lingering on the departing figure of the black knight, taking a piece of himself with it.