Chapter 132: From Now On, I’ll Be Counting on Your Help, Miss Wexler
Soon after Cillian Forrest used his communicator, people arrived to take Shawn Thorne away.
As they left, they gave Cillian Forrest a nod.
Then, their gaze swept thoughtfully over Sophie Wexler’s face.
When Sophie looked over, the person smiled at her before leaving.
The whole process was incredibly swift. Aside from a brief inquiry about Shawn Thorne’s condition at the start, not another word was spoken.
They arrived quickly and left just as quickly.
Sophie Wexler: "???"
’That was quite an operation.’
Sophie Wexler looked up at Cillian Forrest and asked, her voice a little dazed, "Who on earth is Shawn Thorne?"
’Those people were clearly not your average grunts. I hope my good intentions haven’t caused some kind of trouble.’
Cillian Forrest saw her worried expression and smiled. "You’ll find out eventually," he said enigmatically.
’I can’t reveal the Little Prince’s identity just yet, in case any complications arise. Once we’re sure Shawn Thorne has fully recovered, Your Majesty will certainly summon her.’
"How are you feeling? Is your Spiritual Sea stable after you cleared his toxins?"
He knew of Shawn Thorne; the man’s spiritual power had been Level 3S from the moment it awakened. With such a High Rank, soothing his power and clearing away toxins was an exceptionally difficult task.
Sophie had overexerted herself before when clearing toxins for Leo Fane, and he wasn’t sure how she’d fared this time.
"I’m fine," Sophie Wexler said.
"His Level is high, but I’m Level 3S myself now. Besides, he didn’t have as many toxins as some others, so it wasn’t too difficult to clear them."
Cillian Forrest relaxed after hearing her explanation. He had been worried she might feel unwell again.
Even so, he still took out a Crystal Stone and placed it in Sophie’s palm.
Sophie Wexler looked up at him.
Cillian Forrest said, "Even if you feel fine, you still used up a lot of spiritual power. You should replenish it."
Sophie looked at the Crystal Stone in her hand. ’I can’t absorb High Rank crystal stones anymore, but I’m absorbing this one just fine.’
’That means the level of this Crystal Stone...’
She didn’t ask, and Cillian didn’t say. It was a top-grade crystal stone. The entire Empire had a limited supply. Most were in the possession of the Royal Family, with the rest reserved for use in the most advanced battleships.
But because they were so rare and precious, they were seldom used.
Sophie looked at the Crystal Stone in her hand, pursed her lips, and lowered her gaze.
Cillian Forrest asked, "What’s wrong?"
Sophie looked up, giving Cillian a long, searching look. A question rose to her lips, but she hesitated.
Cillian looked at her, puzzled. "Hm?"
"You..." Sophie said one word, then paused. "Your military rank is quite high, isn’t it?"
Cillian’s expression froze at her words, and his gaze fixed on her.
’Does she know something?’
But he dismissed the thought a moment later. ’If she already knew my identity, given her initial terror of the so-called Imperial Marshal, there’s no way she’d be acting like this now.’
Sometimes, he wondered if he should just tell her his identity.
Cillian Forrest looked into Sophie’s clear eyes.
’A little longer,’ he thought. ’Just a little longer.’
’I’ll wait until she’s no longer afraid of my identity, until she won’t run away, until her feelings... ’
’I’ll tell her then.’
Cillian lowered his gaze. "Mm," he hummed, answering her question.
’She’s definitely realized something, but she’s still a ways from the truth.’
’Since she’s asking, I don’t want to lie about it anymore. Laying the groundwork bit by bit will be less of a shock than dropping the whole truth on her at once.’
Sophie Wexler: "Oh."
Just when Sophie thought the topic was closed...
"Is there anything else you want to ask?" Cillian looked at her and suddenly asked.
He couldn’t quite put his finger on what he was feeling. He didn’t want Sophie to find out the truth right now, yet he also didn’t want her to be completely incurious about him.
Sophie shook her head. "No, that’s all."
’Actually, what I really wanted to ask was, ’Who are you, really?’’
But she kept the question to herself, thinking about Cillian’s past injuries, his amnesia, and all the time he had spent on Karath.
’This isn’t the first time I’ve had this feeling, or the first time I’ve had suspicions, but I’ve always pushed them down in the end.’
’He must have his reasons for doing things this way. Everyone has secrets. Me, for instance... I’m not even from the Galaxy, am I?’
Suddenly, she felt there was no need to ask. When he was ready to tell her, he would.
Cillian was silent for a moment. "Alright."
Pushing the matter to the back of her mind, Sophie returned to her usual self, gripping the Crystal Stone in her hand and slowly absorbing its energy.
Then she looked up at Cillian and said, "I should help you clear your toxins, too."
The last time she’d helped him clear toxins was a long time ago. She had said she would help him twice a week. He hadn’t refused back then, but he never sought her out for it afterward.
It was only later that she belatedly realized he hadn’t actually agreed, either.
He hadn’t even replied to her previous message about clearing his toxins.
’So he’s just determined to tough it out on his own, is that it?’
"I know you’re worried about my health and my Spiritual Sea, but don’t worry. I’m Level 3S now, and I know my limits. I won’t let what happened last time happen again."
"The problems with your Spiritual Sea are serious! You won’t let me help soothe it during your episodes, and you won’t clear out the toxins. Are you trying to kill yourself? I..."
Sophie let it all out in a rush, furious at the thought of him being so careless with his own health.
Besides, she had used so many of his Crystal Stones to raise her Level, and he’d never asked for anything in return. Her conscience wouldn’t be clear if she didn’t do something for him.
’If he gives me another vague answer this time, I swear I’ll just knock him out next time and do it anyway. See how he likes that!’
"And let me tell you, you’re matched with me now. I know it’s just a temporary arrangement, but I have no desire for a sickly partner whose Spiritual Sea is a complete mess. I..."
Just as she was about to continue her lecture...
"Alright."
Sophie stopped mid-sentence, not quite processing it. "Huh?"
"I said, alright," Cillian replied, his eyes crinkling as he smiled.
’Before, I never got a notification from my Light Brain, so I assumed Sophie’s Level wasn’t high enough. Since she couldn’t clear the toxins completely, there was no point in making a fruitless effort.’
’But things are different now.’
’Now that Sophie is matched with me, it means she has the potential to reach my level.’
’Besides, we’re matched now. We’ll be partners in the future. I don’t want her to have a partner who’s living on borrowed time.’
’So, alright!’
"From now on, you’ll help me clear the toxins from my Spiritual Sea twice a week."
Sophie hadn’t expected Cillian to agree so readily. She was a little taken aback.
Sophie asked, "So... it’s a deal then?"
Cillian smiled and nodded. "Mm-hm."
Sophie said, "Great! It’s a deal. Oh, and you have to tell me in advance when your Disorder Period is coming. I’ll help you soothe it."
"Alright." The smile never left Cillian’s eyes. "Then from now on, I’ll be counting on your help, Miss Wexler."