Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 154
āHow?ā
It wasnāt as if she had applied any kind of ointment. Even if something like that existed, it would be impossible for the marks to disappear so quickly.
The only thing she remembered was that, just before they left the dungeon, Michael had touched the areas where the marks remained, as if reluctant to let them go.
But there was no way he had the power to make such marks vanish.
āDid some unknown force activate as we exited the dungeon?ā
In any case, it was fortunate that she wouldnāt have to show any embarrassing marks to others.
āReally, Iām not hurt, so please, calm down.ā
āHow could we calm down? Youāve been gone for a month!ā
āA⦠month?ā
Irene calculated the time she had spent inside. At most, it had been about a week. But to think that a whole month had passed outside.
āCome to think of it, that dungeon⦠time flowed differently inside.ā
For them, only a few hours had passed, but for Princess Ceciliaās party, it had been much longer. Thatās why they had immediately pounced on the food upon meeting them.
Irene felt a shiver run down her spine.
She was grateful that not too much time had passed. If hundreds of years had gone by and everyone she knew had disappearedā¦
While rubbing her goosebumps, Cynthia, who had just stopped crying, asked.
āBut how did you get out? What happened in there? There was chaos on this end. Suddenly, a distortion dungeon appeared right in front of the fortress, and then you two just dropped out of thin air.ā
āWell⦠Iām not entirely sure myself.ā
The moment Michael had agreed to follow Ireneās wish to leave, the dungeon shook with a loud noise.
They hurriedly put their clothes back on and, with faint hope, ran along the path away from the lakeside.
In the time they had spent between the lakeside and the forest, the dungeon had changed again.
āAnd strangely enough, the monsters didnāt follow us.ā
Dungeon monsters attack humans on sight.
But as they ran toward what they assumed to be the exit, the monsters they passed by seemed oblivious, showing no particular reaction even as the two ran by.
Michael led the way.
Though it was an unfamiliar path, he grasped Ireneās hand and ran as if he knew it well.
And, indeed, at the end of the path he led her on, there was an intact entrance.
Just before leaving, she hesitated.
Like all dungeons, distortion dungeons traverse multiple dimensions.
What would they do if they emerged into a different world instead of the one they knew?
Seeing her hesitate, Michael had pulled her hand, saying,
āItāll be fine. Everything will be as you wish.ā
Before she knew it, her body was passing through the dungeonās entrance.
Then, after a brief feeling of falling, she opened her eyes to find herself held in Michaelās arms.
As she raised her head, she saw the all-too-familiar sight of the fortress.
* * *
Naturally, their return became the biggest topic of discussion at the fortress.
The Infinite Healing Ring, the Invisibility Ring, and now, the return of someone thought lost in a distortion dungeon.
The scholars and fortress staff were beside themselves with excitement as these incredible events continued to unfold.
Ordinarily, they would have been summoned all day to explain everything that had happened over and over.
āMichaelās handling everything, so I have nothing to do.ā
Reyna burst into laughter at Ireneās muttered complaint.
āThatās a good thing, right? Sir Michael is taking care of all the bothersome things. Just relax and rest, Irene.ā
āBut⦠is it okay for me to be resting like this while heās running around all day?ā
After they returned to the quarters, Michael had suggested that she stay in the room and rest for a while.
In a low voice, so no one else could hear, heād whispered,
āIām sure you must be exhausted from accepting me for so long. Please, get plenty of rest.ā
As he spoke, his hand had gently caressed her abdomen.
āBut donāt completely forget about me. Please, wait for me sometimes.ā
For some reason, that subtle remark felt even more embarrassing than blatant lewdness.
Irene fanned her flushed face with her hand.
At that moment, Cynthia, who had brought a bouquet, spoke up as if she had just remembered something.
āOh, by the way, have you heard about Princess Cecilia?ā