Chimaera's Conquest: The Legend Of The Devourer
Chapter 42: [Weekly Bonus - 1/2] Dungeon Interlude (2)

Chapter 42: [Weekly Bonus Chapter 1/2] Dungeon Interlude (2)

They lay intertwined as the moon hung high in the sky, casting a soft glow on the beach. The world around them remained forgotten as the two stared at the unfamiliar night sky.

Sophia laid her head on Adrian’s chest, hearing his rhythmic heartbeat while he caressed her head. Something he had grown used to after all the nights they spent together.

As they lay side by side, the sounds of the ocean soothed their hearts, giving them the perfect backdrop to enjoy each other’s company in silence.

But soon, Adrian broke the silence, "Well, that was unexpected."

"Unexpected my foot," Sophia chuckled. "You knew what you were doing from the start!"

Adrian grinned, "I can’t deny nor confirm that."

Sophia rolled her eyes before planting another kiss on his lips. Unlike how everyone knew him, Adrian had a hidden side to him. A side only reserved for Sophia’s eyes, and she loved every moment of it.

They stayed on the beach, sharing quiet moments and stolen glances. The timer silently counted down, but in that intimate space, time seemed to stretch, allowing them to savour the moment for a long time.

As the timer drew to a close, they dressed and prepared to leave the dungeon. But Adrian had a different plan.

The time he had spent in the dungeon with Sophia was the best moment of his life, and he would forever cherish them. However, Adrian knew he had to be the only one to remember their encounter.

Chances were, as soon as they stepped out of the dungeon, the heroes and the Church official would be waiting for them.

Adrian knew he would have to escape quickly. Once he escaped, the Church would turn their attention to Sophia and extensively interrogate her until she spilt every detail about their encounter.

It was something Adrian couldn’t allow to happen, not just for his sake but for Sophia’s as well. Sophia was a tough cookie who wouldn’t crack and reveal the truth about him to the Church.

But her actions, or lack thereof, might infuriate the Church, and they could resort to torture to force her to spill the truth. That was the last thing Adrian wanted.

"Adrian... why don’t you return with me?" Sophia mumbled softly. "With your face healed, it shouldn’t be a problem-"

"You know what I’m gonna say, Soph..." Adrian sighed and wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Sure, my face has turned back to normal, but it won’t count for much if the Church had a hand in trying to off me like I think they did."

"I understand..."

---> Edit from here

In the end, Adrian couldn’t help himself and pulled Sophia in for another kiss. His lips met hers, a bittersweet moment that lingered in the air.

"I’m gonna be here for you, Soph," he murmured against her lips. "Always..."

Sophia nodded, her eyes reflecting the turmoil within her heart. On one hand, she knew they couldn’t be together for a long time. But on the other, she wasn’t willing to give up on Adrian now that she had found him.

"Can I come with you?" she asked with a hint of desperation.

"In a perfect world, definitely, but you and I both know what kind of world this is," Adrian smiled wanly, his grip on her tightening. "No, Sophia. It’s a tough life I’m living now. Besides, if you leave the Church, they might come after you, like they did to me. I can’t let that happen."

Sophia’s shoulders slumped, accepting the reality of their situation. "I understand, Adrian. But it’s hard."

"I know, Soph. It’s tearing me apart too," he admitted, his gaze filled with regret as he could feel his words were tearing her apart.

As they stood there, trying to untangle logic from their complex emotions. But as Adrian was steeling himself to erase Sophia’s memories, she informed him of something that instantly removed all the hesitation Adrian had.

"There’s this new priest," she began, her voice a mere whisper. "I’m not sure, but I suspect he can read memories. What if he finds out about us?"

"Don’t worry, Soph. I got something to counter him," he smiled, thinking it was fate making his job easier. "I can make you forget. Make it all seem like a dream."

Sophia looked at him with hope and sadness in her eyes. "Can you really do that?"

She might have said that, but Adrian knew Sophia wanted him to say it was all a lie. Despite the risks, she wanted to remember him and their time in the dungeon.

Adrian knew it as well, but he had a better grip on his emotions and knew what to do.

"What, you don’t trust your lover? Gosh, I’ve only been away for a few days, and you’re already like this?" Adrian teased Sophia before dropping his smile and pulling her closer. "I’ll make sure you only remember this as a dream. A dream where I’m alive."

With that, before Sophia could say anything else to sway his mind, he used [Illusionary Eyes] on her. Sophia’s eyes softened as the illusion took hold, and her memories slowly faded into the realm of dreams.

He glanced at her one last time before gently knocking her out, cradling her unconscious body in his arms. His heart felt heavy as they walked out of the dungeon, and he laid her down on the cold floor.

Adrian bent down and gently kissed her forehead before concealing his face.

"Goodbye, Soph," he whispered with a hint of sadness.

As he was about to vanish into the shadows, he heard a group of fast-approaching footsteps. Soon, the heroes burst into the alley, their weapons drawn.

"It has to be here!" Amelia’s voice echoed in the empty alley. "The Veil disruption was felt right around here."

"Look there!" Clara pointed towards the dark corner of the alley. "SOPHIA!"

Sophia stirred, slowly waking up to the chaotic scene around her. The heroes surrounded her, concern evident on their faces.

"What happened?" Sophia asked, trying to piece together the fragments of her memory.

"Thank goodness we found you!" Clara exclaimed, hugging her. "Looks like the intruder attacked you, but don’t worry, you’re safe now."

Adrian watched from the shadows, relieved that Sophia was in capable hands. He spared one last glance at Sophia before disappearing into the darkness.

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