[Trantor - Peptobismol]


    [Proofreader - Demon God]


    <strong>Chapter 75 - Not Like It Wears Out</strong>


    ‘The brand...’


    Thud, thud.


    Sylvia’s footsteps felt heavy as she made her way toward An’s bedroom.


    Absentmindedly rubbing the back of her neck, she recalled the past.


    “Ugh…”


    She bit her lip, furrowing her brows.


    Pain, humiliation—this brand was the living proof of that history.


    From the moment it was seared into her flesh, she had wanted to rip it off.


    But if she removed it, her life would be shortened to less than a year.


    If she could have destroyed the Vermont family within that year, she would have done it.


    But stripped of her magic, she couldn’t even bide her time and wait for an opportunity.


    So, she lived on, helpless.


    She lived because shecked the courage to die.


    Swallowing her humiliation, letting her former glory fade into a distant memory.


    ‘You could’ve removed it all along…’


    But then, one day, An had suddenly granted her mana.


    A massive amount of mana out of nowhere.


    With it, she could have used the removal spell.


    She could have gotten rid of the brand at any moment.


    However, using magic to remove the brand coulde with side effects.


    While it wouldn’t reduce her lifespan to a year, there was no telling what might happen.


    So, Sylvia hesitated.


    She had been making excuses, unable to bring herself to remove it.


    But today…


    An had casually offered to remove the brand, as if he’d forgotten about it and only just remembered.


    Since he would be cancelling the contract itself, there was no need to worry about side effects.


    There was no reason to refuse…


    So, Sylvia made her way to An’s bedroom.


    But for some reason, she felt uneasy.


    Something felt off.


    A strange emptiness.


    It was hard to describe.


    “It’s me, Master.”


    “Come in.”


    Knock, knock.


    She lightly tapped the door before opening it.


    Come to think of it, it had been a long time since shest entered An’s bedroom.


    Did he even use this room? It always seemed like he spent his entire day in the study or his office.


    “Why are you still in your uniform? You’re off until tomorrow.”


    “Ah, it’s just a habit…”


    Sylvia nced down at her outfit, realising she was still in her stiff work uniform, even though it waste at night and she had the day off.


    “You should’ve just shown up in your usual baggy clothes and thatzy bun you always do.”


    “Th-that time was…!”


    “Enough. Sit here.”


    “….”


    Every time she had worn something sloppy on her days off, it had just been bad luck that her hairpins were missing, and she had to use a fork, okay?


    She wanted to exin herself, but Sylvia didn’t even get the chance.


    Frustrated, she plopped down in a chair with a sour expression.


    Suddenly, a hand reached from behind her and unbuttoned a couple of buttons in one swift motion.


    “Hyak?!”


    “Keep it down. It’s the middle of the night.”


    “Why do you always touch ady’s clothes so carelessly? Even earlier today!”


    “I don’t touch ady’s clothes carelessly. I only touch yours.”


    “….”


    Grinning, An examined the back of Sylvia’s neck.


    She sighed and let her shoulders rx, resigning herself.


    It wasn’t like this was the first time he’d done something like this…


    Any hope of being treated like a properdy was long gone.


    An fiddled with her cor for a while before sighing and pulling back.


    “Are you wearing underwear?”


    “Wh-what?!”


    “I need to examine your back. So, Sylvia, take it off.”


    “Are you just saying random things to get me to strip?”


    “Do you want me to dock your pay?”


    “….”


    At An’s annoyed tone, Sylvia flinched.


    He wasn’t good at lying.


    He was serious.


    Without further hesitation, Sylvia stood up and began quietly unbuttoning her top.


    Click, click, click.


    One by one, the buttons came undone, revealing her smooth, pale skin.


    Through her thin undergarments, her well-toned back muscles were faintly visible.


    An couldn’t help but swallow.


    ‘Wow. She’s got some nicets.’


    For a woman, she was impressively muscr.


    Even though her frame was small, her muscles were more defined than his own.


    An admired her form in silent envy.


    ‘He just swallowed, didn’t he? He did, didn’t he?’


    Sylvia’s eyes darted around in panic.


    Ah. I should have known when he called me to his bedroom!


    There’s no way this man would just remove the brand for free!


    Maybe he’ll demand my body in exchange for removing it?


    Oh no…!


    Sylvia’s mind raced with all sorts of wild scenarios.


    Completely unaware of her thoughts, An retrieved an old, dust-covered book from a nearby shelf and ced his hand on her back.


    “This book was used to inscribe the brand on your neck. I’ll use it to cancel the contract.”


    “Do you really need to touch my back for that?”


    “My entire hand needs to be in full contact with your body. Your back is the most suitable ce for that.”


    “….”


    He could also use my thigh—it’s wide enough.


    …But she kept that thought to herself.


    It sounded too much like she was bragging about having thick thighs.


    In the end, her back was the best option.


    Belly would’ve been awkward.


    Her back was a solid choice.


    “I’m starting now. The spell imbued in the book is powerful enough to cancel the contract, even if I’m not familiar with magic. All I have to do is recite the spell.”


    Muttering under his breath, An flipped through the pages and began chanting.


    A strange flow of mana seeped through, and Sylvia could feel the brand on her neck begin to heat up.


    ‘He’s really doing it… without asking for anything in return.’


    I was wrong again.


    I jumped to conclusions and judged too quickly.


    Come to think of it, he’s always been like this.


    Lately, there hasn’t been a single thing Master has done with malicious intent.


    …Well, maybe one or two things?


    Three, perhaps?


    Anyway, at least this time, An’s intentions were entirely pure.


    People who didn’t know him would still think of him as a cold, heartless man, but he was surprisingly kind.


    Even his hands, pale as they were, were unexpectedly warm.


    I realised that all too well when we were buried together underground, pressed tightly against each other for so long.


    ‘Ugh…’


    Memories of An’s broad chest, their legs entwined, and the sensation of his body against hers made Sylvia’s face turn red.


    Ah. That was pushing it too far, wasn’t it…?


    “Your heart rate’s increasing. Whatever it is you’re thinking about, stop. If you lose focus, the spell won’t work.”


    “Wh-what…!”


    “Calm down.”


    “I’ll calm down if you answer one question.”


    “Ask away.”


    Sylvia’s lips trembled.


    She hesitated for a long time before finally speaking.


    “Why… why are you suddenly doing this for me? Why now?”


    “Is it really that surprising? That I’d do something nice for you?”


    “….”


    “Of course, it is. I should’ve known.”


    An chuckled dryly, almost mockingly.


    He kept forgetting.


    This body had once belonged to a selfish, arrogant scoundrel.


    “As long as this brand is on me, I can’t harm you, Master. But I’ve held a grudge against Vermont for a long time. Aren’t you afraid of what I might do after you remove it? Especially since I still have a lot of mana left.”


    “What if I change my mind and decide not to remove it? What would you do then?”


    “I’m just… curious. What changed? Why do you trust me now?”


    “Do you really think I trust you?”


    “…What?”


    Sylvia’s eyes widened.


    “I’m not removing it because I trust you. I’m doing it to earn your trust. If you kill me the moment I remove it, then so be it. But building trust is better than keeping you bound by a contract. Bonds forged through trust are much stronger than those tied by contracts.”


    “….”


    Taking the risk…


    It wasn’t like An to say something like that.


    He was always soposed, always acting like he had a n.


    And now he was risking his life, putting his neck on the line.


    It was rare, but it wasn’t the first time he had gambled with his life.


    Not just when he was buried underground for the sake of the children’s sess, but there was another time…


    ‘When he saved me. His hands were shaking then, too…’


    She remembered it clearly.


    Last night, surrounded by monsters, prepared for death.


    When An walked in and saved her as if it were just a bothersome errand.


    He acted like it was no big deal, but…


    Sylvia had seen his trembling hand, the one he couldn’t fully hide.


    At that moment, she knew.


    He hadn’t charged in with any certainty.


    He had risked his life, facing death head-on.


    For me.


    And then he pretended it was nothing.


    ‘Why…’


    Suddenly, Sylvia felt somber.


    I’ve always doubted you, always focused on keeping an eye on you.


    She bit her lip, overwhelmed with guilt, and let out a deep sigh as she made her decision.


    I’m not worthy.


    Not worthy ofplete freedom…


    "Haaah…"


    "Stay still. It''s almost over… Hey! Didn’t I tell you not to move?"


    Sylvia suddenly sprang up.


    Just as An was reciting the final incantation, what on earth was she doing?


    An''s expression twisted into a frown.


    "What on earth are you thinking? With that just now, the book’s effect has been interrupted! That means we can no longer proceed with the contract termination through normal means!"


    "That’s fine."


    "...What?"


    "What you always say is correct. I am dull and foolish, easily swayed by momentary emotions. There’s a chance I might suddenly turn on you the moment the brand is removed. I don’t want that. So I willpletely block that possibility. As long as I am bound by this brand, I won’t be able to betray you even if I wanted to."


    "You fool... You’ve just willingly given up your freedom. Do you even realise what you''re doing?"


    "Even if I’m a fool, I understand that much. I’ve decided to forfeit my freedom and live my life monitoring you. Please respect the decision of a humble guard knight."


    "...."


    With a face full of relief, Sylvia spoke to An.


    Just as you trust me,


    I must trust you as well.


    If there is something you receive, there must also be something you give.


    Since you risked your life,


    I will risk my own life.


    The future I was worried about, where you might turn and be a viin,


    I will prevent it with my own hands.


    This decision, in broad terms, meant that.


    "...Hah."


    Facing Sylvia’s resolute gaze,


    An let out a hollowugh.


    His gaze had shifted from Sylvia’s eyes to the area below them.


    Only then did Sylvia lower her head and gasp.


    "Eek!?"


    "It’s fine to say impressive things, but with that outfit, it only looks ridiculous."


    "D-Did you see?"


    "I’ll pretend I didn’t see it, so just put on some clothes."


    "You clearly saw it, didn’t you!?"


    "Even if I saw it, it won’t change anything. If you''re not going to show me anything else, just put on your clothes and leave. How absurd. I’ve never seen someone refuse freedom before. Is it stubbornness, foolishness, or stupidity, or is it all of them?"


    "...."


    If you say you want to see more, I’d be willing to show you.


    Sylvia pouted as she put on her clothes.


    "Julia! If you push like that... Aah!?"


    "Argh!"


    "...."


    "...."


    Crash.


    The door burst open, and Charlotte and Julia tumbled in.


    An’s brow furrowed as he locked eyes with the children.


    Sylvia’s face turned beet red in an instant, still in her underwear.


    [Trantor - Peptobismol]


    [Proofreader - Demon God]