By then, Shien had returned to the solemn temple.
Ahead of him, Nien approached with a smile, only to suddenly stop in her tracks.
"Huh? How did you...?"
It was as though Nien had noticed something, and a stunned expression appeared on her face.
Shien could see a trace of unease in Nien's eyes.
But he ignored it and merely spoke expressionlessly.
"Can you send me back now?"
Shien was brief and cold, making Nien shudder as she suppressed the unease in her heart.
Though this matter was important, Nien naturally cared more about Shien.
"Are... are you angry?"
Nien spoke weakly, with none of her previous stubbornness or forcefulness left.
"No." Shien shook his head, still expressionless. "Send me back."
Upon hearing that, Nien wanted to say something else, only for Shien to stare at her intently.
Honestly, that look scared Nien a little.
It's over, it's over. He really is angry.
Nien could not help but regret it.
If she had known, she would have used gentler methods.
Now she had angered the Hero she had longed for day and night.
If Shien started to hate her from now on, Nien felt there would be no reason for her to keep living.
Thinking that, Nien decided to peek into Shien's thoughts.
But when she tried, Nien discovered a problem.
I can't... see anything?
How could that be?
Could it be...
He's so angry that he doesn't have any thoughts at all?
Nien's regret immediately deepened.
What Nien did not know was that, back in the Sacred Realm, Shien had gained a skill because he had so strongly wanted to teach her a lesson.
"Skill acquired—Mirror Water—Learn it?"
It was a skill that eliminated distracting thoughts and allowed one to enter a state of thoughtlessness.
The human