"Vera, what did you mean we can't use spatial teleportation anymore?"

Albel asked urgently when he saw Verdandi fail to activate the teleportation magic, *Dimensional Crossing*.

"B-bro... I can't seem to use teleportation magic anymore."

Verdandi looked panicked. She tried again but still couldn’t teleport herself to the Light Sanctuary in the Imperial Capital—or even to any other city.

She couldn’t understand it. Earlier, while searching for the missing Albel, she’d scoured the entire continent, checking nearly every major city. Why had teleportation suddenly stopped working now?

"Let me try."

Verdandi furrowed her delicate brows slightly. She visualized a location in her mind, silently channeled her magic—and vanished. The next second, she reappeared in the valley where they’d gathered crystal grass earlier.

"I see."

Realization dawned on Verdandi’s face. *So that’s how it is.*

"Vera, it’s working again?"

Albel’s eyes lit up as he watched Verdandi disappear and reappear before him.

"My teleportation magic is fine. It’s the *destination* that’s changed."

Verdandi shook her head. The magic itself worked—the human cities they targeted were the problem.

"So you can’t teleport to cities near the Light Sanctuary anymore?"

Albel blinked. He thought he understood.

"Exactly. Someone must’ve set up a barrier blocking teleportation."

Verdandi nodded. *Why did this start suddenly? Could it be because of Isharis?*

"This is troublesome. I heard the Imperial Capital is far—right in the continent’s center."

Albel ruffled his hair in frustration. He’d normally avoid such a long trip, but without reclaiming his contract, he couldn’t enjoy certain... *pleasures* with Alicia.

*Damn those old geezers at the Light Sanctuary.*

Albel gritted his teeth. For his future happiness, he’d travel to the ends of the earth. This was a matter of principle.

"Uh... Al, you’re not seriously going to the Light Sanctuary in the Imperial Capital, are you?"

Alicia tugged his sleeve, her voice uneasy.

"Of course. But first, I should test if this seal affects *me*."

Albel nodded naturally. He wouldn’t take a Holy Knight’s word at face value—he needed proof. *Heh heh heh.*

Grinning lecherously, he reached for Alicia, ready to "inspect" her body thoroughly.

"Wah! Xiao Hui, run!"

Alicia yelped, clutching Fire Drake as she bolted for the door—but Albel blocked it instantly.

"Bro, could you *look* at your surroundings?"

Verdandi facepalmed. *Does this country bumpkin not see everyone watching him act like a pervert?*

"You’re still alive? Since you didn’t run when I gave you the chance..." Albel turned to see the brown-haired Holy Knight and his comrades sitting dazed against the wall. "...then don’t bother leaving."

"You promised not to kill me if I answered your questions!"

The brown-haired knight scrambled back, but the wall trapped him.

"Did I?" Albel tilted his head, feigning forgetfulness.

"And you never said we could *run*!" The knight’s voice cracked. *Am I really dying today?*

"Brothers, we can’t just wait to die!"

"Yeah! One last fight—turn this bike into a motorcycle!"

"Kill him!"

The Holy Knights surged up, weapons raised to ambush Albel’s back.

"Die."

Verdandi’s voice was calm. The knights vanished without a trace.

"W-what was that?!" The brown-haired knight trembled, sanity fraying. *Are these monsters?!*

"You too—"

Verdandi began the incantation, but Albel cut her off.

"Spare him. He’s still useful." Albel knelt, whispering in the knight’s ear.

The knight’s face paled. His body shook violently.

"Think carefully—which matters more: humanity, or your own life? And don’t dream of running. I’ll find you anywhere. Understood?" Albel stood, towering over him.

"I-I understand." The knight swallowed hard, nodding numbly. *Screw the Light Sanctuary. I just want to live.*

"Go. And don’t fail." Albel waved dismissively. The knight scrambled out like a pardoned criminal.

"Now that we’re alone, where were we—" Albel froze. "Huh? Alicia?"

***

At the gates of Rainhall City—

"Run, run, RUN!"

Alicia sprinted down the street, Fire Drake clutched tight. *Gotta escape before Albel pins me down for... unspeakable things!*

"Ow ow ow~"

She crashed into someone, stumbling back while rubbing her head.

"Where are you off to, my lady?"

Albel smiled down at her. *Good thing Vera’s Instant Teleportation can lock onto anyone as an anchor point.*

"I-I just wanted a walk! Yes, a walk!" Alicia cleared her throat, feigning innocence.

"Is that so? But walks can wait. I need to inspect your body—what if that knight lied and wasted my trip?" Albel advanced, grinning wickedly.

"N-no!" Alicia shook her head fiercely.

"Trying to escape my grasp? How naive. You’ll be my wife. Accept it." Albel swept her off her feet, carrying her toward the inn as onlookers gawked.

"P-put me down!" Alicia squirmed like a caught fish, but his grip held firm. Flustered by the stares, she buried her face in his chest.

"Why hide? I’ve seen and touched every inch of you." Her wriggling made walking difficult. He swatted her backside sharply.

"Help! He’s assaulting me!" Alicia screamed, but no hero emerged. More spectators gathered instead.

"Apologies, everyone. My wife’s a bit... unwell." Albel nodded politely. The crowd returned knowing looks.

Despite Alicia’s struggles, Albel carried her straight back to their room.

"Ugh, what’s that stench?"

The urine puddle from the Holy Knight’s earlier panic hit him like a wall. *No way I’m doing anything in this reeking dump.*

"Bro, in here."

Verdandi opened the adjacent room’s door, beckoning him inside.

"My thoughtful Vera—even booked a new room for me." Albel chuckled, carrying Alicia in. He moved to toss her onto the bed... and froze.

Yurei Amamiya and Shenluo World sat side by side on the bed, watching him.

Yurei’s eyes widened. Her hand flew to her katana’s hilt. Shenluo merely smiled, untouched by the chaos.

"...Fancy meeting you here." Albel’s smile twitched. *Why are they here?! My plans are ruined!*

"Albel, since when do you snatch girls in broad daylight?" Yurei half-drew her blade before Shenluo gently restrained her.

"How fortunate you are, Mr. Albel." Shenluo’s smile never wavered—unreadable as ever.

"You misunderstand." Albel set Alicia down. Yurei recognized the golden-haired girl as his companion and sheathed her sword.

"She’s just my kidnapped bride." Albel said it like stating the weather.

"You bastard! Kidnapping women?!" Yurei’s blade flashed out again—too fast for Shenluo to stop her this time.

"Stop drawing your sword over every little thing!"