OPDSP 20

“No, not at all.”

His expression and words both said no, but his pheromones were trembling faintly.

“Your pheromones say otherwise.”

“Hmm. I don’t know.”

“Try to focus. You have to be able to feel your own pheromones to control them. Think of it like peering into your own mind.”

The Grand Duke concentrated deeply but soon shook his head.
“I can’t feel anything at all.”

“You’ll get there eventually. It takes practice.”

Since the medicine was working well, Aeryl decided there was no need to release seductive pheromones to tempt him. But the lingering anxiety probably needed soothing.

“Your Grace, lie down and close your eyes.”

“…Do I really have to?”

“Yes.”

Having received help from Aeryl several times already, the Grand Duke obeyed without protest. Aeryl sat on the edge of the bed and gently placed his hand over the Grand Duke’s eyes.

“I’ll release a little pheromone now.”

“Are you planning to try something strange again?”

His tone was as flat and dry as when he gave orders, so Aeryl almost responded seriously—until he realized the Grand Duke was teasing him and flared up in indignation.

“I am not! And I don’t even need to use that method anymore!”

“Shame. I wanted to see your face again.”

The Grand Duke murmured in disappointment.

‘No way am I falling for that again! He just wants to tease me!’

Aeryl felt like he was being drawn in against his will.
Was he always like this? Or am I just getting used to him?

He exhaled slowly to calm himself, then carefully released his pheromones.

“There we go. You’re okay now. Everything’s going to be just fine.”

His voice was gentle, like soothing a child.

“Do I look like a child to you?”

“Of course not. You look like a big patient.”

Aeryl didn’t let the comment go unchallenged. The Grand Duke went quiet. With his eyes covered, his other senses grew sharper—he could even hear the rustling of the guards outside.

This really isn’t pleasant.

He started to get up, bothered by the heightened senses, but then Aeryl’s pheromones reached him. The scent was warm and gentle, like flowers drifting on a spring breeze. Everything else faded—only Aeryl’s scent remained.

Strength drained from the Grand Duke’s body. The tension slipped away so thoroughly it startled him—but he couldn’t resist it.

“I didn’t know pheromones could be this powerful.”

“Most people don’t. It’s all about how you use them.”

“Is that so.”

“Your Grace is lucky. I’ll teach you step by step.”

The Grand Duke reached up and took Aeryl’s hand that was covering his eyes, resting his head against it. It was a thoughtless gesture, as if drunk on the pheromones.

“Bringing you here was the right decision. Even if it must have been misfortune for you.”

“Haha…”

“If there’s anything you need, say so. I’ll take responsibility for dragging you into this.”

The Grand Duke was more talkative than usual, likely because he was feeling relaxed. His tone had softened too. This man who was usually like a block of ice now seemed unguarded, dazed by pheromones—and there was something strangely endearing about it.

He’s a patient, Aeryl Pryon! Aeryl forced himself to ignore the ticklish feeling rising in his chest.

“Why don’t you try sleeping?”

“Feels like a waste of time.”

“I told you—rest is important, remember?”

“…So you did.”

The Grand Duke blinked slowly. Their conversation continued at a leisurely pace, unhurried and comforting despite its lack of content.

Eventually, the Grand Duke fell asleep.

Well, that was rewarding.

Mission “Put the Grand Duke to Sleep” accomplished!

Aeryl drew a blood sample to check the medication’s effect. As expected, he also tended to the Grand Duke’s battered palms.

“You’ve endured a lot again today. Good job.”

He praised him, even though the Grand Duke couldn’t hear it in his sleep. Then, he tucked in the blanket and carefully left the tent—unaware of the way the Grand Duke’s eyelashes trembled ever so slightly.

***

Morning of the fourth day of the campaign dawned.

‘I’m sleep-deprived.’

Aeryl groggily pushed himself up. If he were still assigned to the combat unit today, his body probably wouldn’t hold up—but thankfully, he wasn’t going out. The subjugation in this area was finished, and the main camp was now preparing to move to a new location.

‘I’d better get ready too.’

He stuffed everything into his bag and stepped out of the tent. The camp, quiet just moments ago, was now buzzing with activity. Everyone was working together to dismantle tents—except Aeryl, who was alone.

“Urgh…”

He groaned and grunted as he worked to take down his tent. He tried to recall how it looked and how he’d set it up, but it was no easy task.

At this rate, I’m going to be the only one who leaves the tent behind.

Which meant sleeping outside for sure.

I’ll freeze to death.

Aeryl shivered violently. Just standing still made the cold worse. Maybe he should ask Mason for help.

The purge unit members generally took care of their own tasks. Mason was probably busy packing his own things too, so Aeryl hesitated, wondering if he should go ask for help. He looked around.

Amidst the bustling activity, one person stood out for doing absolutely nothing—it was Innis, with her dark blue hair. She was leaning against the palisade, frowning slightly as she watched the soldiers.

“What are you staring at so intently?”

When Aeryl approached her first, Innis shot him a quick glance before turning away again.

‘Is she ignoring me?’

There was something oddly familiar about the feeling. When he looked at her again, it finally clicked. That was the woman who had ignored him when he asked for help setting up his tent on his first day in the unit!

“Why do you always ignore me? You did it last time too. Do you not like it when I talk to you?”

“…What do you want?”

Innis finally opened her mouth. Aeryl pointed at his tent.

“Help me take it down. I can’t do it by myself.”

“And why should I?”

“You’re the only one not doing anything.”

“You’re really asking for anything and everything.”

She replied in that same flat tone of hers—but contrary to her words, her body moved, heading steadily toward Aeryl’s tent.

“If you were going to help anyway, why’d you ignore me back then? I was a little hurt, you know.”

Aeryl grumbled.

“I was… a bit on edge that day. I’m sorry.”

“This forest really does get to people. I felt the same way when I first got here.”

Aeryl, deciding to be generous, accepted her apology—especially since she was helping him now.

She took down the tent with impressive skill. But then she suddenly flinched and drew her hand back.

“Ugh.”

“What happened?”

When he got closer, he saw blood dripping from Innis’s palm. She’d scraped it on a sharp edge of one of the poles. It wasn’t too deep, but since it was a frequently used area, leaving it untreated would be a hassle. Since there was no battle today, he figured it was fine to use healing magic.

“Give it to me. I’ll heal it.”

Aeryl held out his hand. But Innis instead hid her injured hand behind her back.

“I’m fine. No need.”

“You’re bleeding.”

“I said I’m fine!”

Even as blood dripped from her hand, she hurriedly went back to cleaning up. Aeryl, flustered, grabbed her wrist.

“You need to stop the bleeding first!”

“I said I’m fine…!”

Her repeated refusal made Aeryl snap back.

“Is it because you don’t trust me? Who said I’m a quack?”

“That’s not it! Not at all…!”

Innis denied it desperately.

“Then why?”

“……”

She didn’t answer. Aeryl took that chance to grab her wrist and place his hand over her palm wound. He was about to use healing magic. He knew it was pushy, but being treated like some amateur again had sparked his stubbornness. A bright light flared.

“U-urghh—!”

Innis suddenly turned her head and vomited. Nothing but bile came out, probably because she hadn’t eaten much. Aeryl was startled and quickly let go.

‘What… What just happened?’

“…I told you I didn’t want it.”

Innis raised her head. Her face was flushed red, her eyes brimming with tears. A look Aeryl had never seen on her before.

“…I’ll be going now.”

She quickly walked away, almost like she was running from something. Aeryl stood frozen in place, dumbfounded.

‘What the hell was that?’

***

Despite the incident, the purge unit moved as scheduled. Since they were retracing their steps through areas already cleared of monsters, they reached the next location without issue. It was another well-maintained clearing, similar to their previous campsite.

Aeryl pitched his tent in a relatively secluded spot. It wasn’t perfect, but after watching the dismantling process, he managed well enough. The only problem was that Innis’s bloodstains had been left behind on the tent.

‘Did I push her too hard?’

He had assumed she was one of the few people who didn’t mind him, but when she rejected his help, he’d acted on impulse and forced the matter. That hadn’t been his intention at all.

‘I should go apologize later.’

Once things were mostly settled, Aeryl spotted the Grand Duke and his knights preparing to head out. They said they would do a light patrol and survey of the area.

‘That man really never rests…’

Aeryl watched the Grand Duke quietly. He was talking to the Knight Commander about something. Then, as if sensing the gaze, the Grand Duke turned and looked toward Aeryl.

Their eyes met.