Three hours later, Jan stepped out of the library with a tired expression.
[Reorganize the Library (30%)]
"I knew it would take time, but this is just too much."
The place was far messier than he'd expected. Basil had done his best to keep everything where it belonged, but with his bad back slowing him down, there was only so much he could do.
It had been five years since his daughter left Valkeries to complete her studies—long enough for the dust to slowly claim the shelves. What started as a "reorganization" turned into full-blown cleaning duty.
The real surprise, however, came when Jan found the backroom—mountains of untouched boxes stacked floor to ceiling. They were all filled with books, some donated by authors and others sent through the Library Network from across the world.
Jan groaned. He wanted to check every single one, but there wasn't time.
As promised, he reorganized and cleaned three sections before calling it a day.
The three hours he spent there gave him just enough time to prepare himself for his next task.
He could've gone for Maria, or even Sophia as backup, but he didn't want to waste another minute.
The book he read mentioned that, by the fifth day, the infected reached a critical stage—and then died.
'Three days have passed since Aeris was infected,' he thought grimly. 'She didn't seem in pain this morning, but we can't be careless.'
Five days was a very short time. He needed to deliver the blood bottle to the church as soon as possible.
He had his doubts—however, 'If it truly is the source of the infection, this might save her. If not, nothing will be lost.'
Even so, Jan hesitated. Standing before the church's back door, he couldn't bring himself to knock.
'Maybe I should wait for Sophia...'
The door creaked open before he could finish the thought, and a pair of eyes glimmered from the darkness inside.
Jan froze mid-step.
"Lord Jan!" Vinica's voice rang out, bright and certain. "I knew it! I could sense your holy energy radiating through the backyard!"
'Here we go again.' Jan sighed, forcing a polite smile. "You said you sensed it?"
Vinica stepped aside, motioning for him to enter. "Of course, my lord. I can feel the holy energy of Lord Zeryph in those chosen as his servants."
Jan stepped inside, raising a brow. 'Whoa. That's actually a thing?'
A new voice echoed from deeper inside the room. "Don't believe her. That's not a thing."
Vinica puffed her cheeks, offended. "How cruel! I never lie! How can you say that in front of Lord Jan?"
A man emerged from the back, carrying a crate of potions. "I never said you're lying," he said flatly. "You're just delusional."
Jan blinked. "Uh…?"
The man set the crate down and looked straight at him. "So, you're the one planning to take my wife with you on a journey?"
The sudden question startled Jan. His eyes widened as he wanted to refute the claim, but Eric quickly followed.
"Please do!"
"WHAT?!"
"Please take her with you!" Eric exclaimed, hands clasped like he was praying. "That would mean the world to both her—and me!"
Vinica spun toward him, scandalized. "Hey! Who said I'm going alone?! You're coming too!"
"Why would I want to enter the Tower, you crazy woman?! If you want to die, die alone!"
"I'm your wife! How can you say that? You're coming whether you like it or not!"
"I'm not going! And if marriage is what's causing this, I'll fill out the divorce papers myself!"
Vinica gasped in horror, grabbed him by the collar, and shouted, "Over my dead body! You hear me?! You're coming even if I have to tie you up and drag you along!"
"And who said either of you is coming?" Jan finally cut in.
Both froze. Vinica slowly released Eric, who dropped to the ground with a groan, clutching his back.
"But, my lord!" she pleaded, eyes wide. "I can be useful! Take me—take us, please!"
Jan held her gaze, recalling Sophia's warning—logic would never work on someone like her. As a devotee of Zeryph, Vinica's faith wasn't driven by reason, but by duty. No argument could ever change her mind.
If she insists on being so stubborn… then he shall simply turn that devotion against her!
"As a priest, you're already plenty useful," Jan said calmly. "But only here, in Valkeries. Once you leave this place, you're out of your element."
Eric clicked his tongue, brushing dust off his robes. Vinica's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "But, my lord! I can fight too!"
Jan's eyes flicked over her level.
[Vinica — LV.102]
He groaned inwardly. 'Why is everyone here so damn high-leveled?'
Then his gaze drifted to her husband.
[Eric — LV.8]
Jan's face twitched. He couldn't stop the expression that followed.
"Hey!" Eric barked. "Why are you looking at me with that pitying face all of a sudden?!"
Jan didn't answer. He just sighed and turned back to Vinica.
"That is an order, Vinica. You'll stay here and focus on your job. I heard you're an herbalist, right? Then keep working on that—and on your duties as a priest."
The word "order" froze her in place, leaving no room to argue. Vinica lowered her head, voice barely above a whisper. "Understood."
Looking at how devastated she was, Jan actually felt bad for her, so he finally added, "But I do need your help now."
Vinica's eyes quickly lit up. "Anything, my lord!"
Jan quickly pulled out the blood bottle. "Just take a look at this."
"That's...!"