By the time Jimte slipped into the ravine leading to Ymir Manor, Carral had already been waiting for ten minutes.
At the sight of the Marquis of Einhaas's nephew, who had always presented himself as arrogant and conceited, a warm smile instinctively appeared on Jimte's face.
Although their brief discussion earlier had already revealed his true nature to the other man, making such pretense unnecessary, this baron's son and marquis's son-in-law still maintained his habit.
"What a hypocrite!"
Carral could not help commenting as he looked at the warm smile on Jimte's face.
"Likewise."
Jimte showed no irritation whatsoever. Instead, he replied with a smile.
Neither man immediately headed toward Ymir Manor afterward. Both stood where they were, waiting for the other to go first.
A full two minutes passed without either taking a single step.
"If we keep waiting like this, won't Lord Credos get impatient?"
Carral frowned, looking anxious.
"Yes, so why don't you go first?"
Still smiling, Jimte extended a hand and pointed farther inside.
Carral immediately shook his head repeatedly and refused.
"You first!"
The two looked at each other, neither showing any intention of moving.
Another minute passed, and Jimte sighed.
"How about we go together?"
"Together!"
Carral nodded.
Yet neither of them moved.
With no other choice, they finally stood shoulder to shoulder and stepped in unison-both lifting their legs high, then planting their feet right where they had been.
Jimte and Carral exchanged a glance at this spectacle. Neither felt embarrassed, much less ashamed.
After all, they had just sensed the death aura that had suddenly erupted inside Ymir Manor.
Although they did not know what had happened inside, the dread that death aura inspired was unmistakable.
The sudden pressure had almost suffocated them.
More importantly, the living's instinctive fear of death told