Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 326
TL: Elphie / PR: Mikan
Ever since then, Michael continued entering the dungeon with Irene on the appointed days.
The night before each expedition, he could never sleep properly.
Maybe because of that, on the mornings they went to the dungeon together, he would sometimes make uncharacteristic mistakes or even wake up late.
As he glanced toward the corner where she always stood, he noticed something unusual.
As dungeon hunts progressed and Michael began participating in higher-level expeditions, the other pairs who accompanied him also began reaping generous rewards.
Thanks to this, the knightsâ weapons became sturdier and sharper, and the other Purifiers acquired safer armor.
With abundance came ease, and many began adorning themselves more lavishly.
But amid everyoneâs growing prosperity, Irene had not changed at all.
Even if he had sent most of their shared treasure back to the temple, the portion she received was still significant. The rewards from those expeditions had been enormous.
So why hadnât Irene gotten herself any protective gear?
And it wasnât just during dungeon runs.
Once, while passing through the Fortress, he happened to see her walking in the distance and she looked the same as she always did.
Her clothes were made of rough fabric similar to what the maids in the Fortress wore and looked terribly worn, even to Michael’s eyes.
As usual, just before entering the dungeon, when he took her hand, Michael couldn’t help but closely examine what she was wearing.
âIf an artifact that offers protection comes outâŚâ
Should he give it to Irene?
As the thought crossed his mind, he let out a quiet, self-deprecating chuckle. Everything he obtained was meant to be given to others in the name of the god.
And yet, here he was, wanting to offer it to just one person.
That wasnât how a knight of the temple should think.
Even so, Michael couldnât shake the hope that a defensive artifact worthy of giving to Irene might appear.
Maybe it was because he couldnât clear his mind of such distractions.
Just before reaching the final reward chamber, a monster suddenly lunged out and Michael ended up with a shallow wound on his arm.
âAaahh!â
The monster, seemingly enraged at having failed to take down its prey in one strike, let out another shriek and lunged at Michael again.
But there would be no second mistake.
Michaelâs sword sliced cleanly through the beast. As he shook the blood from his blade, silently chastising himself for the earlier slip, Irene stepped quietly up beside him.
Then, she placed her hand gently over his bloodied arm.
The moment her cool fingers touched the skin, flushed hot from combat, Michael felt a jolt like being struck by lightning.
At the same time, he could sense the malevolent energy that had begun to seep into the wound weakening and retreating from her touch.
He had never truly received a proper purification before.
And so, Michael stood still, entranced and letting her continue.
But as clarity returned to him, he suddenly realized who it was that was touching him. Startled, he pulled back.
Smack!
Without meaning to, he harshly knocked Ireneâs hand away from his arm.
âAhâŚ!â
Her hand was tossed away into the air as if it had been thrown. The sharp sound caught the attention of everyone nearby, and all eyes turned to the two of them.
As soon as the others realized what had happened, their gazes turned cold and accusatory toward Irene.
Irene stammered, not even thinking to wipe the blood off her hand.
âI just… wanted to purify it…â
At that moment, other Purifiers from behind spoke up.
âSir Michael doesnât need purification for a wound like that. Didnât you know that as his pair?â
ââŚâ
At their biting words, Irene couldnât say anything and lowered her head deeply.
That day, the dungeon they had entered was fairly deep, with multiple rooms containing rewards.
And in one of those rooms, Michael finally obtained the defensive artifact he had been hoping for. He had planned to give it to her as his reward for the day.
But when he went to find her, someone told him:
âIrene Rhodiam? She said she didnât need her share of todayâs rewards and left with the other pairs who had already returned.â
That day, Irene left alone, abandoning him without a word.
