Emill opened the window and handed a gold plate to the guardsman. The guard glanced at the plate and quickly handed it back to Emill once he saw its contents.

However, as he glanced at Helen, who was looking in the opposite direction, the guardsman became stiffened. In his entire life, he had never seen a more beautiful woman. His heart beat uncontrollably as thoughts raced through his mind, and in that sudden moment, an undeniable desire was born.

"Hey, what's the matter?" Emill asked, noticing the Knight's hesitation. His words drew Helen and Eirik's attention towards the guardsman.

Eirik noticed the sharpness of the spears held by the guardsmen, their edges gleaming in the sunlight, which caused a twinge of fear in his heart.

"Oh, apologies for the wait. You may proceed now, sir," the Knight regained his composure and quickly apologized to Emill, allowing them entry. However, the intense desire he felt for Helen did not dissipate; instead, it only intensified.

In the carriage, Eirik was lost in thought.

"The way I am right now, nobody would suspect me. But if somehow I change back into my original form, that means I'm literally walking into my grave."

"But... What if I don't change back into my original form?... Damn it, this is terrible. I can't think of anything anymore without feeling my treasure with me. Also, what the hell happened to my grimbranch?"

"Emill, I think it would be better if he went to the tample first. Even though Eirik doesn't show it on his face, I think his injuries are much more painful than we can see," Helen added, looking at Eirik's injured leg.

In truth, Eirik felt the pain from his leg, but he managed to conceal any signs of discomfort on his face. Thanks to the extra clothes Emill had given him, he had tightly bound the injury to prevent further blood loss.

Soon after the carriage entered the city, it moved through bustling streets teeming with people. Eirik grew curious as he observed human life—what they did and how they behaved.

While watching the humans, Eirik attention was drawn to a majestic building structure that spanned a vast area, mesmerizing him with its beauty.

The towering spire led to its giant door, adorned with intricate and vibrant color paintings that gave it an intimidating aura.

"This is the Temple of the Holy Mother. Anyone can receive healing sessions here for the right price, but that 'anyone' excludes criminals and polluted souls," Helen explained to Eirik as she also glanced at the building.

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Emill opened the carriage door first and stepped out, ready to assist Eirik , but Eirik refused help and got out on his own.

"I'll sent another carriage to pick you two up," said Helen from inside the carriage, and the coachman urged his horses onward. The carriage departed, leaving Emill and Eirik in front of the temple.

"Let's go inside," Emill said as he grabbed Eirik and helped him.

Though Eirik disliked needing assistance, he accepted it because he realized, from earlier, that it was impossible for him to climb the steps to the giant doors of the temple.

After a few minutes of climbing, they arrived at the top of the stairs. Near the giant doors stood a hooded figure, dressed in white robes, who greeted them.

"Welcome. Are you here for a healing session?" he asked, already noting Eirik struggle with his injured leg.

"Yes, his leg was injured by a goblin attack. An intermediate healing session should suffice, I believe," Emill replied.

"It depends on the severity of the injury," the robed man, a priest of the temple, guided the two inside.

The interior was as impressive as its exterior. Everything was painted in pristine white with accents of real gold on instruments and decorations.

Eirik's eyes widened as he beheld the wealth displayed solely through its appearance. If not for Emill holding him back, he might have rushed forward to touch them.

"This way," the priest invited the two to a room where a bed was prepared. Emill helped Eirik to lie down on the bed.

The moment Eirik settled onto the bed, he felt a comfort he had never experienced before. "What kind of magic is this? Not even my thorn gives me this sensation," Eirik thought as he savored the feeling.

While Eirik was enjoying the pristine environment, the priest began the healing session. he also noticed the broken hand of the king of the and put some effort into healing it too. A tingling sensation coursed through King's body, slightly disrupting his newfound comfort.

"Tsk! Even with this much luxury and comfort, these puny humans still need healing sessions. If it were my old body, this would heal instantly," Eiriku thought to himself.

After a few minutes of effort, the priest stood up. "It's done. Let him lie here for a few more minutes to adjust to the healing," he said to Emill, and both of them walked out of the room, leaving Eirik alone.

Once they left, Eirik lay back in comfort on the bed.

"Huff! Kha kha, when I go back, I should snatch this comfort with me," King muttered, sinking into deep enjoyment.

Suddenly, he felt a strange sensation in his body.

Crik!

A sound, like something on the verge of breaking, startled him, and he quickly opened his eyes.

"Huh!"

He looked down and saw a glow emanating from his body. He hurriedly leaped out of the bed. "I... I am back!" His body had transformed from the weak human form to his original, powerful physique with muscular arms and a robust stomach. "Kha! I missed this!" He rubbed his belly in joy.

In that moment, he forgot everything else with the joy of his body returning to him.

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In a deep corner of the temple, an old and weary priest in tattered robes was praying before a faint figure of a goddess statue. Even the two priests nearby stayed silent.

Suddenly, his eyelids twitched, and he opened his eyes. "A disturbance has crept in."

The two priests beside him became confused upon hearing his words.

"Quick, tell the guardian knights to block the entrance, and search the temple... No, there's no need for that. I will find this dark creature myself," said the old man. A bright glow suddenly appeared around him.