One Day, a Villain Fell into My Wardrobe

17

After the meal, Yeon Ji-ho left the two of them alone at home. It seemed he had something to tidy up outside.

Set was naturally trying to follow Yeon Ji-ho. However, he couldn’t because Apophis, who was quietly watching from the side, held him back.

“Your Excellency. When do you plan to return?”

“…What?”

“After Hadad took the throne, the Gorgon family has scattered. The Gorgon Knights are still being hunted.”

Unlike when he was following Yeon Ji-ho, Set looked at Apophis with a stiff expression.

The Gorgon Knights.

After the duke who had been controlling Set died, Set, who became the master of Gorgon, was always accompanied by the Gorgon Knights.

They were all those who risked their lives for Set, who had been at odds with Hadad. Originally, the Gorgon Knights were those who risked their lives for orders, but after Set ascended above the duke, they followed him with even greater loyalty.

Set was endlessly cruel to those who were not his own, but he would definitely protect those under his wing.

In his world, if there was anyone who would not flee upon seeing Set’s odd eyes, it would only be the Gorgon Knights. And Apophis was one who also served as the deputy commander of the Gorgon Knights.

“…Do you have any thoughts of returning…?”

Apophis, who had been staring intently at Set, finally spoke the words he had been holding back. It was indeed the case.

As Apophis watched Yeon Ji-ho feed him and take care of him, he thought that perhaps his superior had found true happiness here. It was a sight he had never seen before.

Set Gorgon had always seemed to find no meaning in life unless he was killing Hadad.

“Apophis.”

“Yes.”

“Do I… matter?”

At those words, Apophis tightly shut his eyes. He immediately realized what Set was trying to say.

“Your Excellency. Your Excellency… We have no one but you. Rather, please give the order to die.”

The Gorgon Knights were originally those who knew nothing else. Without the duke’s orders, they had no reason to live. The fact that they were still alive and being hunted by Hadad was perhaps due to the hope that Set might still be alive.

As Set’s aide and the deputy commander of the Gorgon Knights, Apophis spoke earnestly.

“I will not suggest that we return and set our goals anew from the beginning. However, however… Please give the order so that the beasts who only look to you can die.”

The beasts of Gorgon.

Some referred to the Gorgon Knights as such. They acted like beasts who could not think at all without the Gorgon duke. Only Set could hold the leash of those beasts.

“…”

However, Set could not readily say that he would return with Apophis. Even if he could go for a moment and then return to Yeon Ji-ho’s side.

A hint of unease sprouted in his heart. The sweet happiness he had tasted for the first time was maddeningly sweet, yet he was frantically anxious that someone might take it away at any moment.

“This place has a one-way gate.”

“I know. But I, Apophis, swear by the name of the serpent that I will definitely make it a two-way gate.”

“Apep.”

Set called Apophis by his nickname in a voice devoid of emotion. Apophis bowed his head and accepted his command.

“I will not leave this place.”

“…”

“However, letting go of the leashes of the lost beasts will be my… duty.”

Set’s sighing words split the air. At that moment, Apophis raised his head and looked at Set. The corners of Apophis’s eyes trembled briefly.

“We leave in three days. Prepare yourself.”

“Yes, Your Excellency!”

The most cunning tongue of Gorgon, Apophis’s head bowed deeply. Once again, for our god who bent his wings for mere beasts.

***

The next morning.

Yeon Ji-ho stretched and stepped out of his room, only to face Set. Today, unlike yesterday, Apophis was with him, still training his body.

“Are you exercising too, Apophis?”

Yeon Ji-ho asked as he brought a refreshing barley tea to them. While Set was large and muscular, Apophis was not, of course. He was a wizard and also shorter than Yeon Ji-ho.

“Just like swordsmen, physical training is essential for wizards as well. Ultimately, the way to reach mastery with a sword and magic is the same.”

“Oh… I see. In what sense is it the same?”

“It is in the need to contain mana within the body and handle it freely.”

Yeon Ji-ho was about to ask another question when he glanced at Apophis. Somehow, he felt that Apophis’s demeanor had become much more polite than yesterday.

Apophis seemed to be aware that his attitude had suddenly changed overnight, clearing his throat briefly. Then he suddenly bowed his head.

“Please forget my rude behavior from last night. You, no, Ji-ho, are…”

Thud.

Yeon Ji-ho clearly heard the sound of a hit, but nothing caught his eye. He only saw something gradually protruding above Apophis’s head. A swelling had begun.

“I didn’t know you were such an important person.”

“Me? Why is that?”

“So, to be precise, you are important to…”

Thud.

This time, he didn’t even blink and could barely see it. Set had swiftly struck Apophis on the back of the head.

“Ji-ho. When is breakfast?”

“Oh, right. Since there are three of us today, should I make rice cake dumpling soup?”

At Set’s question, Yeon Ji-ho clapped his hands and turned back to the kitchen. As he briefly stepped away, Set, with a stiff expression, commanded Apophis.

“Watch your mouth, Apophis.”

“Your Excellency, um…”

“What is it?”

“Are you perhaps enjoying this alone…?”

Apophis looked up at Set with a face that said he could never believe that. However, his eyes were shaking with anxiety.

Set quietly looked down at Apophis, then finally averted his gaze. Realizing that this was a confirmation, Apophis’s expression turned to one of shock. In the end, it was Set who left first.

“No, why on earth… how could…”

Apophis sighed softly at the fact that he had assumed Set and Yeon Ji-ho were on the same wavelength. Still, he stealthily followed the two into the kitchen.

“Ji-ho. Is this how I do it?”

“Yes, that’s perfect. With your strength, the eggs mix well.”

Set was now naturally playing the role of Yeon Ji-ho’s kitchen assistant. As he whisked the eggs in the bowl with chopsticks, he briefly exchanged glances with Apophis and gestured.

Get lost.

Apophis, who had approached because he couldn’t just stand still while his superior was moving, immediately shrank back. As Apophis moved away from the kitchen, Set changed his expression and approached Yeon Ji-ho.

“Ji-ho, is this enough?”

“Wow, this is great! This is just right.”

As Yeon Ji-ho looked down at the bowl and smiled, Set unconsciously raised the corners of his mouth. Apophis, who was sitting at the table and secretly watching, was completely unaware of the shock he was experiencing.

“Apophis, please take this. Just place it on the table.”

Ultimately, the only thing Apophis did during the meal preparation was to take the food and place it on the table. The four-person table was quickly filled with the rice cake dumpling soup Ji-ho had made, along with various side dishes.

Apophis watched as Set and Yeon Ji-ho picked up their utensils, and he was the last to pick up a spoon. Then, after tasting the broth, he paused.

“I understand now.”

“What?”

“Ji-ho is using cooking to…”

“Apophis, should I feed you directly through your throat instead of your mouth?”

In other words, it was akin to saying he would behead him. Apophis immediately shut his mouth and buried his nose in his own bowl.

“Fortunately, it seems that Apophis’s taste suits you.”

“Yes, of course. It’s a flavor I’ve never tasted before, but it’s very delicious.”

“That egg was mixed by Set. Isn’t the color beautiful? It turned out so clean.”

*Cough, cough…*

Apophis choked on his food. That was only natural.

Set Gorgon was a man known as a legendary demon. There was not a single survivor in the path he had taken, and everything had burned and collapsed, leaving nothing behind. It was believed that Set Gorgon had no feelings of pity or compassion for anyone. Yet…

“Haha, it seems Set is embarrassed.”

Who on earth is that man, turning his head to the side with flushed earlobes?