Vivian and Alicia locked eyes, both of their gazes filled with reluctance and calculation. Lilith’s eyes remained fixed on Lynn, as if searching for a flaw in his words.
“Fine,” Vivian finally spoke, her voice thick with hesitation.
“I’ll believe you for now. But if you dare lie to us, Lynn, I will tie you up myself and keep you by my side for the rest of your life.”
Lynn’s **[Danger Perception System]** flickered.
**[Vivian’s Blackening Value: 85%]**
“Holy Son, if you truly can lift this ancient curse, the Church will credit you for your service,” Alicia added. Her words still carried a sense of authority, but her tone had clearly softened.
“However, if you dare commit any act of betrayal against God before we find the Holy Artifacts, I will personally carry out your Divine Punishment.”
**[Alicia’s Blackening Value: 87%]**, the system prompted.
Lilith said nothing. She simply took a step forward and stood beside Lynn.
Reaching out, she gently grasped the corner of his clothes before tilting her head and offering an innocent smile.
“It’s your call, Brother. But I’m going to keep following you anyway.”
**[Lilith’s Blackening Value: 91%]**
Lynn felt the corner of his clothes being pulled so hard it hurt; he could even sense the chill radiating from her fingertips. Yet, he began to smile.
Although he was still being threatened, he had at least bought himself some temporary breathing room.
He had transformed from a passive survivor into an active adventurer.
Moreover, it was an adventure with three obsessive teammates.
‘This might be my only chance.’
“Very well.”
Lynn took a deep breath and turned toward the pair of giant, crimson eyes.
His voice wasn’t loud, but it sounded like a declaration of war.
“Let’s go.”
He knew this “ceasefire agreement” was as fragile as a sheet of paper.
But as long as it pushed the main story forward and helped him find a way home, he was willing to make even the most dangerous of deals.
As Lynn led the three women out of the Shrine’s main gates, the rock golem kneeling behind them paused, then slowly stood up straight.
Like all the other puppets, it transformed back into a silent stone statue, as if everything that had just happened was a dream.
Cold sweat broke out on Lynn’s palms.
‘My greatest trump card is gone.’
Behind him were three gazes so intense they felt physical, like three blades of different shapes pressed against his back.
In the air, the recently reached “agreement” felt like thin ice under the sun — fragile enough to shatter at the slightest touch.
—
Outside the Shrine, the sunlight was blinding.
Lynn squinted to adjust to the light.
He felt like he had just surfaced from deep water, finally able to breathe.
“We need a carriage,” Lynn said, breaking the suffocating silence.
He had to continue playing the role of the “Leader,” as it was his only protective charm.
“Hmph. My Royal Guard is nearby. Their carriages are the sturdiest and safest,” Vivian spoke first, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword.
Her implication was clear: it was her territory, they were her people, and she would be responsible for Lynn’s safety.
“Secular power is powerless before the Gods,” Alicia’s voice rang out, devoid of any warmth.
“The Church’s carriages are protected by a Holy Light Barrier, which can isolate all filth. The Holy Son should naturally ride in a sacred carriage.”
The two stood in opposition, neither willing to yield.
Lynn felt a massive headache coming on.
At that moment, Lilith stepped out from behind him and naturally linked her arm with his, pressing her body close.
“Wherever Brother sits, I’ll sit,” she said in a soft, sweet voice, as if she were acting spoiled.
Lynn’s body stiffened.
He could clearly feel Vivian’s and Alicia’s gazes turn sharp instantly, landing right on the arm Lilith was holding.
**[Vivian’s Blackening Value: 86%]**
**[Alicia’s Blackening Value: 88%]**
The system notifications screamed frantically in his mind.
“Cough.”
Lynn discreetly pulled his arm away and took two steps forward to put some distance between himself and the three women.
“Any carriage will do. We’re in a hurry. Finding the Holy Artifacts is a matter of the utmost urgency.”
He once again used the excuse he had fabricated.
Ultimately, he didn’t know how they reached a compromise, but a simple-looking carriage with a spacious interior stopped before them.
It bore neither the royal crest nor the insignia of the Church.
Lynn was the first to board; he didn’t want to participate in any more of the two women’s confrontations.
He chose a window seat, thinking he could at least look at the scenery to distract himself.
However, the moment he sat down, Lilith sat right next to him, practically squeezing against his side.
On his other side, Alicia sat down.
Though she kept a bit of distance, her holy yet icy presence was incredibly strong.
Vivian was the last to board.
She didn’t sit next to him, choosing the seat directly opposite him instead.
This way, she could keep an eye on his every move just by looking up.
The atmosphere in the carriage turned bizarre in an instant.
The four of them occupied the four corners, forming an invisible cage with Lynn at the very center.
The carriage slowly started moving, the wheels rolling over the gravel road with a rhythmic bump.
Lynn leaned against the window, watching the retreating landscape. Forests, mountains, the sky…
He had actually made it out.
He was out of that oppressive, eerie Shrine filled with prophecies of death.
Even though he was sitting next to three walking powder kegs, he was no longer a prisoner.
He had a clear goal and an excuse that granted him freedom of movement.
‘Searching for the Holy Artifacts.’
This lie had given him a sliver of hope for survival.
As long as he could maintain this fragile balance and keep giving them new “objectives,” he might be able to find a real way to leave this hellhole.
At that thought, his strained nerves finally relaxed a little.
‘It’s good to be alive.’
The carriage was quiet, save for the sound of the rolling wheels. Vivian kept her eyes fixed on him, her gaze focused as if she were inspecting her own property.
Alicia had her eyes closed as if in prayer, but her knuckles on her knees were turning white from the force of her grip.
Lilith leaned against his shoulder, her breathing steady like a normal younger sister depending on her brother.
Everything seemed to be heading in a good direction.
Lynn even found himself in the mood to think about where he should place the location of the first “Holy Artifact.”
It needed to be far enough to stall for time, but not so ridiculous that it would arouse suspicion.
Perhaps they could head to the Ice-Sealed Valley in the Northlands, or the Endless Sand Sea in the south.
As he pondered, his body relaxed completely.
He rested his head against the carriage wall, feeling the bumps of the journey.
To him, these jolts felt like the beat of freedom.
Just as he was enjoying this brief moment of peace, a strange sensation came from his ankle.
It wasn’t pain, nor was it numbness. It was… a slight tugging sensation.
It felt as though an invisible thread had been wrapped around his ankle.
Every time the carriage hit a bump, the thread would tighten.