Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 104

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During his absence, the circle had grown even larger.

‘The sale of the Invisibility Ring was the biggest advertisement.’

The high auction price, combined with the news that the profits were evenly distributed, had people flocking to join the circle the very next day.

Some knights were openly venting their frustration, tired of acting as the princess’s shield and facing dangerous monsters at the front lines.

Other purifiers said they were weary of being treated no better than maids because of their lower rank within the circle.

But the most common complaint by far was the unequal distribution of rewards.

“Lower-ranked pairs receive a smaller share of the rewards, even if they kill the same number of monsters. Though it’s the only way to access higher-tier dungeons, so they have no choice but to accept it…”

It wasn’t just the money. Many felt unsettled, as if their very lives were being sold off for cheap.

“At least with Sir Michael, we wouldn’t be used as mere shields.”

“Exactly. I’ve heard he teaches the knights many valuable skills as well.”

Those who came seeking to join repeatedly expressed their desire to work with Michael.

‘It’s hard to handle the raid without Michael.’

Even though they had gathered many people, most were lower-ranked, making it difficult to challenge higher-tier dungeons.

Plus, there were plenty of risks involved.

Ultimately, without Michael, the circle couldn’t grow any further.

“In truth, I hadn’t planned to participate in this distortion dungeon.”

“What? Why not?”

Irene was surprised, as she had assumed he would go. After all, he considered dungeon raids his mission.

“It feels like it’s targeting me.”

“Targeting you? What do you mean?”

Irene was puzzled by Michael’s words.

Targeting him? By whom?

Even though she asked, he didn’t answer. Instead, he looked back at the paper.

After a long bout of silence, he turned to her and asked,

“But for the sake of the circle, I should go, shouldn’t I?”

“Well, it would help… Yes…”

Her voice grew quieter, and eventually, Irene lowered her head apologetically.

“I truly apologize. I know you’re not fond of these private gatherings, but if you could just help a little longer…”

“Please, don’t lower your head to me.”

Michael lifted her up as if uncomfortable with her apology.

Still, he didn’t immediately agree to accompany her. After thinking for a long time, he seemed to come to a decision and finally spoke.

“I will join the distortion dungeon raid, but on one condition.”

“A condition? If you’re asking for purification again, it is my duty. You don’t need to make it a condition.”

At the mention of ‘duty’, Michael’s expression turned slightly bitter, and he shook his head.

“It’s not purification. I just need you to spare two hours each day for me until the dungeon raid.”

“Two hours? What for?”

“I’ll keep that a secret. It’ll be more fun if you don’t know in advance.”

He smiled brightly, and there was something playful about it, like a mischievous boy. Irene felt her face heat up and lowered her head again, embarrassed.

It was hard to reconcile the man standing before her—playfully teasing her—with the one who had passionately embraced her at night and the stoic holy knight she had always known.

How could they all be the same person?

* * *

The next day, as Michael had requested, Irene dressed in comfortable clothes, ready to head to the fortress’s temple. He had asked her to meet him there at the appointed time.

‘There’s still some time left.’

Irene sat at the table and picked up a pen.

A distortion dungeon was a rare phenomenon, appearing once in a decade, if that. Because of this, in her past life, the fortress had frantically gathered every bit of information about it.

As a result, even though Irene hadn’t been able to enter the dungeon herself, she had learned a great deal about its size, layout, and the number of reward chests from studying the fortress’s records.

Because so many people had entered, the records were unusually accurate and detailed compared to other dungeons.

This allowed Irene to imagine the dungeon clearly—which entrance Michael had used, how he had fought and defeated the monsters, how many people he had saved, and how he had safely emerged with his rewards.

While his achievements were always heroic, the records of the distortion dungeon were particularly vivid, and Irene had pored over them over and over.

Yet, in all of his records, Michael had always been alone.

Unlike other knights, he never allowed a purifier into the dungeon with him.

‘But this time, we’ll go together.’

Perhaps the change from being a Grade 10 to a Grade 8 purifier had made a difference.

Just as Irene was about to start sketching the layout of the dungeon from her memories, she heard the sound of hurried footsteps outside. Reyna burst into the room, shouting.

“Irene, something terrible has happened! Princess Cecilia, she…!”