Deklan, or rather, the previous Deklan, knew about the Jinketsu Clan.

Having been shunned by the entire family for being untalented and weak, the previous Deklan mostly kept to himself and took reading as a minor hobby. Books about Exorcists are out of the picture as he wasn't one, and those books are reserved only for his siblings.

But history books, on the other hand, are fully accessible to him.

The Jinketsu Clan is a powerful lineage that was instrumental in establishing the Gasea Kingdom's power decades ago, aiding them through a triad of crises: internal unrest, a devastating plague unleashed by a diamond-rank Ghost's manifestation, and mounting pressure from hostile neighbouring countries.

A clan that is well-known for its deadly swordsmanship, that focused on efficient killing.

Naturally, the clan was also the main producer of assassins.

However, soon after the kingdom was established, they became greedy and demanded more from the King. Eventually, the kingdom was forced to confront them and put them down, branding them as an opportunistic, barbaric clan that had no loyalty.

In the entire kingdom, speaking about the Jinketsu Clan is already punishable severely by flagellation.

Or in the worst case, even death.

"Is it really that surprising?" Kaelyn asked with a sheepish smile. "Did knowing that change your mind about me?"

"Naturally," Deklan answered without hesitation. "It's unexpected."

From how Kaelyn looked away, smiling self-mockingly, it seemed she had expected this reaction.

Nobody in the entire kingdom is going to side with her.

Side with a clan that was branded to be greedy, opportunistic, and also has a bad notion for producing myriads of assassins. Even someone like Deklan, who was at rock bottom right now, exiled, is still not crazy enough to side with someone like her.

But that's where she was wrong.

I knew the real story. The Jinketsu Clan is nothing like what the people knew.

Deklan knew the truth.

Unlike what the public knew, he read the unedited story equipped with receipts and a written chronology.

He knew the Jinketsu Clan was not greedy.

In fact, all they wanted was for their clan to have a place to live after a catastrophic civil war in their previous kingdom, which they belonged to. But once the crisis passed and the Gasea Kingdom became more and more established, they were shunned.

Eventually, as they were still practically outsiders, the royal family decided to get rid of the clan.

No need to keep a powerful force that wasn't a part of the foundation of the kingdom.

Better to take them out than let them grow and seize more power.

But Deklan didn't need to tell her that.

She didn't have to know. Frankly, I don't want to tell her that I knew.

[Here I am, thinking that you've changed for the better, host. Just admit it. You want her to think highly of you, and you don't want to miss this opportunity. Just own it like a man!]

I am better. But what's so wrong with trying to look cool? Anyway, you still poke your nose around?

[…]

That's what I thought!

Deklan was still angry that the system was gatekeeping the Four Cursed Kings' identity, so there's no reason for him to play nice. Right now, the system is the last one he would accept judgment from; the very last!

"Still, that doesn't mean I'm going to deny your offer," Deklan spoke again.

Hearing this, Kaelyn's body tensed, and her eyes widened.

She slowly turned to look at Deklan in utter shock.

Just confessing to Deklan that she's the last survivor of the Jinketsu Clan was a big risk as he could've easily sold her out, but she took the risk anyway, hoping that he'd at least think about it. After all, what more could she lose?

But she didn't expect him to accept it that easily.

"W-What did you say?"

"I said that's a deal. Frankly, I don't really care about my family. What I want is their resources, so as long as you help me get back to them, I will see what I can do to help you. So, I'd say, why not? I don't see you and your clan as the same thing, anyway. I'm saying yes… because it's you."

[Bleh… Bleh… Bleh…]

[I can't take it, host. Your tongue is annoyingly good at saying things like this.]

Huh? Fuck are you talking about?

['I'm saying yes because it's you', really? Are you going to flirt with all the women you see?]

Of course not. Not every woman is as good-looking as her. Besides, I really have no intention of meaning it that way. I meant because she seemed useful, and knows how to go around things. Having her with me will certainly be useful.

[Right… I believe you. NOT!]

Wait, I swear! I didn't mean it like that!

"Now you're back to your womanizer mode," Kaelyn shook her head helplessly, though a faint curl on the corner of her lips betrayed her. "How many girls have fallen for that line? You're making it harder for me to trust you."

Her expression shifted, playful but edged.

"Tell me you're not accepting this deal only to get on my good side," She stared at him with a narrowed gaze, almost like she was trying to see through her mind. "Because if you are… I'd have to slice your throat. Better yet…"

Slowly, Kaelyn's eyes tilted down as she stared at Deklan's crotch with lethal intent.

One that made Deklan shudder.

"How about I slice that troublesome worm in there? Maybe then, you'll calm down." She raised a brow.

"H-Hold on!" Deklan scooted away, raising both of his hands. His legs instinctively folded inward, like he was scared of losing his manhood at a whim. "I didn't mean it like that, I swear! Your thought went there because you already deemed me a womanizer, but I really didn't mean it like that!"

Deklan stood up and walked away, not feeling comfortable sitting beside her anymore.

She's from an assassin clan who take up sketchy missions.

Who knows?

From Deklan's perspective, Kaelyn might have gotten a mission from a heartbroken widow who wanted her to castrate her husband. One time is fine—but what if she has done it multiple times? She could be an expert by now!

A Meat Slicer! Or the Widow's Best Friend!

"Where are you going?"

"Away from you, of course. Instead of you not trusting me, I'm starting not to trust being near you."

"I was only joking, don't take it too seriously."

"How can I not take it seriously? You put it in my head!"

Kaelyn chuckled, finding the situation surprisingly funny as Deklan's reaction was not as expected.

But then again, the most important thing for a womanizer is always their Family Jewels.

Just then, Deklan paused when he sensed someone approaching.

Kaelyn looked over to where Deklan's eyes were directed and saw a woman approaching with small, hesitant steps. In her hands, she carried a basket of fruit—and her lips were curled into a faint, strained smile.

"Young master…" She called, stopping right outside the wooden fence.

"Oh, Marsha," Deklan waved, gesturing for her to enter. "What brought you here? Come on in."

Once she gained permission, she went over the wooden fence and approached.

Her eyes lingered a second long at Kaelyn before focusing on Deklan again.

"I brought you fruits, young master," She said lightly. "You've been working hard lately with the tower."

"It's better to finish it sooner than later," Deklan accepted the basket.

An awkward silence fell over between them.

And it was only then that Deklan realized that this was Marsha's first-time meeting with Kaelyn.

"Oh, right, Marsha…" Deklan gestured towards Kaelyn, who was already standing up, smiling politely at Marsha. "This is Kaelyn. I accidentally met her group in the forest when a Ghost attacked them, and then we got to know each other."

"My heart is broken for what happened, Lady Marsha," Kaelyn bowed ninety-degrees, putting her head down in shame for what her servant caused to the hamlet. "If you have anything you need from me, feel free to ask. I am ashamed of what happened and hope you can find it in your heart to tolerate me."

Deklan scratched the back of his head.

He also didn't count the fact that Marsha might also hated Kaelyn for what she did.

And from her expression right now, it seemed like she is.

It was unsurprising, but Deklan was hoping that the tension between them wouldn't escalate.

Fortunately, Kaelyn made it easier for Marsha to put this to rest.

"I'm no lady," Marsha shook her head; her voice was colder than intended, but she managed to catch herself before she said something to worsen the situation. "And it's not you who killed them, so don't be ashamed."

Feeling the need to break the ice, Deklan stepped in.

"Come. Let's have some fruits," He offered, turning towards the hut. "You brought too many, Marsha."

"Actually, I think I'll have to excuse myself. It's getting late, and my people need me," Kaelyn quickly intervened. It wasn't appropriate for her to join right now, and it's best for her to step back. "Good night to the two of you."

Kaelyn turned and left, heading back to where her people were.

On the other hand, Deklan and Marsha went into the hut and ate a few fruits while making small talk.

One might look at them and see nothing out of the ordinary.

Only two people who are enjoying a quiet companionship, but beneath the façade, many unspoken things between them that neither dared to bring up. Even as the minutes stretched to half an hour, the two found no courage to break the gentle, fragile façade.

Dancing around the real tension between them.

Haah… Why can't you just let it out on me? If you blamed me for what happened, for the death of the people, at least scream or yell at me. Let it all out. Don't act as if nothing happened. Now I really don't know what to do.

Deklan took a bite of an apple, crossing his legs with his ankle resting firmly on the opposite knee.

He looked normal, but he felt suffocated right now.

Across from him, Marsha stole a glance at Deklan, also brooding in her own thoughts.

'He's angry at me, isn't he? I did force him to stay… by making it clear I wouldn't leave the hamlet or its people. That I would rather stay and die. But if he's angry, why couldn't he scream at me? Hit me. I don't care. I'm a peasant; he owes me no restraint. So why this silence? Is this my punishment?'

Marsha clenched her fists hard against her thighs, frustrated about the situation between them.

No warmth between them anymore, only shallow formalities.

'Is he going to replace me now? Toss me away because I've been nothing but a burden to him?'

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