ACTUALLY, I WAS THE REAL ONE

VOLUME 5
By: Sam Wol & 삼월
Translated by: Ms MTLer
Epub by: notyourtypicalgirl
Contents
Cover
Contents
Chapter 151
Chapter 152
Chapter 153
Chapter 154
Chapter 155
Chapter 156
Chapter 157
Chapter 158
Chapter 159
Chapter 160
Chapter 161
Chapter 162
Chapter 163
Chapter 164
Chapter 165
Chapter 166
Chapter 167
Chapter 168
Chapter 169
Chapter 170
Chapter 171
Chapter 172
Chapter 173
Chapter 174
Chapter 175
Chapter 176
Chapter 177
Side Story 1
Side Story 2
Side Story 3
Side Story 4
Side Story 5
Side Story 6
Chapter 151
The first night of the ball began.

Keira’s outfit today was a dress made of ivory fabric adorned with gold lace.

Zeke’s suit also matched Keira’s dress, the black cloth embroidered with gold thread.

Since Keira wore heels, she was at eye level with her brother. The appearance of the siblings standing side by
side looked pretty cool.

Zeke: “Let’s go, Noonim.”

Keira: “Yeah.”

The two got into the prepared carriage. As they departed, Keira jokingly said.

Keira: “You know we’re a little late, right?”

Zeke: “Nobles like us can be a little late.”

He sounded just like a young master who lived his life enjoying the privileges of his status.

“Oh, by the way, has Your Grace gone already?”

“He’s already departed for the Imperial Palace this afternoon. I heard he had something to talk about with His
Majesty.”

Cosette must be there by now, too.

Three people with the same surname attended the same event but arrived separately. People would probably
refer to their family as a mess [1].

While the siblings were having a conversation, the carriage arrived in front of the Imperial Palace main gate.

The two went straight to the hall where the ball was held. There was nowhere else to go.

The Imperial Ballroom was bright and sparkling, just like it was when she last saw it. It seemed like all the
wealth of the world was gathered here.

When someone announced their arrival, the crowd’s eyes turned to them.

Zeke: “Ugh, I feel like my lunch wants to go back up.”

Keira: “You get used to it after a while.”

Zeke: “Are you okay, Noonim?”

Keira: “It’s already my third time at the National Founding Day ball.”

Moreover, she was often called to various events with Ludwig.

Getting the attention of many people was nothing.

‘Has His Grace not arrived yet?’

If that were the case, they would greet the Imperial family and then their grandfather.

Keira looked around, searching for Michael or Simon. Finding them was difficult because the hall was so
spacious and so many people were in attendance.

Nevertheless, Keira soon found her grandfather Simon and Crown Prince Michael together.

However, she wouldn’t consider it ‘fortunate’ that she found them.

Crash–!

“Kyaaa!”

The sound of glass breaking and screams echoed.

“…?”

Keira turned to the sound.

‘What happened?’

Due to superstitions of wanting to escape bad omen, people tended to refrain from causing fights during
National Founding Day.

And yet who was making such a big fuss?

She and Zeke headed towards the crowd and found out.

A circle of people surrounded two men grabbing each other by the collar.

Keira: “Grandfather…”

And, of course, his opponent was none other than Count Weinberg.

Zeke: “Shouldn’t we stop them, Noonim?”

Keira: “Of course.”

She had already agreed with her grandfather that the Weinbergs shouldn’t be given an excuse to advance the
trial.
There was no way Simon would have been the first to make a fuss. It was clear that her grandfather had been
caught up in the machinations of Count Weinberg.

Keira strode into the circle and stood between the two of them.

Keira: “Count Weinberg, what are you doing?”

Isaac: “Oh, Lady Keira. Just in time. Aren’t you also a party to this?”

Keira: “I don’t know what it is, but today is the National Founding Day celebration. Your Majesty the Emperor
will be offended if you make such a fuss. Talk about this later.”

Keira mentioned the Emperor because she thought he probably wouldn’t be able to ignore the Imperial family’s
authority. Just in time, Prince Michael appeared.

Michael: “What’s going on?”

Marquis: “Your Highness!”

Simon’s expression brightened when he saw the Crown Prince. He had hoped Prince Michael would de-escalate
the situation.

However, there was one fact he overlooked–if Isaac Weinberg had been willing to accept the Crown Prince’s
intervention, he wouldn’t have quarreled like this today.

Michael: “What are you doing? Did you forget that this is the National Founding Day? Furthermore…”

Michael trailed off. But Keira could guess his train of thought. It’s probably to protest that they didn’t agree to
make it public until after the National Day celebrations.

Count Weinberg answered.

Isaac: “I’m sorry for breaking my promise, Your Highness. I am well aware that this is a place of camaraderie
and harmony.”

Michael: “If you knew…!”

Isaac: “However!”

The Count’s voice rose as he cut off the Prince. Everyone started looking at him like he had gone insane.

So did Keira. Why on earth was he acting that way?

Isaac: “I wonder if the Marquis of Edinburgh will ever be able to become an object of camaraderie and
harmony. The man who brutally murdered my innocent sister shamelessly showed his face here!”

“Count!”
Isaac: “So, I hereby accuse Simon Edinburgh of murder!”

Shock swept through the crowd. All of a sudden, the ballroom became so quiet that one could even hear the
needle falling.

But a moment later, whispers started in every corner.

“What do you mean, you’re accusing the Marquis of Edinburgh?”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden? Are you going to hold a trial in the middle of the banquet?”

They sounded skeptical. It is worth noting that, now, they were at the place where the National Founding Day
Imperial Palace Ball was held.

It was a place where the people had to laugh and have fun for the sake of superstition and to avoid the ire of the
Imperial family. But now, he was accusing another nobleman here?

The man wasn’t thinking about the consequences.

‘Or he couldn’t think of anything but revenge.’

Keira gulped. Count Weinberg seemed intent on ignoring even the Imperial family.

It seems he accepted the Crown Prince’s intervention a few days ago to stab them in the back today.

Furious, Michael said.

Michael: “Count, didn’t we decide to discuss this after National Founding Day? Give the time and place.”

Isaac: “Yes, I tried to be patient. But I couldn’t stand it when I saw that devilish man brazenly pretending to be
a good person.”

Isaac Weinberg pointed his index finger at the Marquis of Edinburgh.

Isaac: “Nobles with the ranking Count and above have the right to hold emergency trials. Your Highness, please
hold a trial.”

Michael: “…if you know you have the right to do that, you also know you are also responsible for it.”

Isaac: “Yes, of course.”

If it turned out that his claims were false, he would have to pay dearly for his defeat.

Isaac: “I understand that His Majesty, the Emperor, will be present on the last day of the ball. Therefore, the
highest person in this position will be His Highness, the Crown Prince. Your Highness, would you please take
the lead?”

“…”
Michael hesitated to answer, but not because he was trying to come up with an excuse not to hold a hearing.

Although he was still only the Crown Prince, he could not dismiss his own authority.

He delayed answering for a moment to contain his anger.

According to the Emperor’s will, Michael had mediated between the two, and they had reached an amicable
agreement in his presence. Nevertheless, this person dared to take advantage of the crowd and used the
opportunity to do this!

He did what his instincts told him to do. Otherwise, he would have cut off the limbs of this cheeky and
disrespectful servant.

Zeke, who went to Keira’s side, whispered softly.

Zeke: “Noonim, does it sound like there was an agreement behind the scenes between the Crown Prince and the
Count?”

Keira: “You heard right.”

Zeke: “What? Did you know?”

Keira nodded slightly, her gaze still fixed in front of her.

Michael’s face twitched with anger.

Michael: “Okay.”

Finally, Michael spoke, his voice filled with anger.

Michael: “Do what you want. To do that, we have to move.”

Hearings couldn’t be held in the ballroom. But since they were at the Imperial Palace, there were plenty of
rooms for a hearing.

‘I’ll have to leave for now.’

It was when Keira was about to step towards the exit.

‘Cosette…?’

Cosette, who watched the scene from a distance, came into view.

She was biting her now red lips. Her face looked so white, and it was probably not because of make up.

Keira wasn’t the only one who noticed Cosette’s surprised expression.

Zeke: “Look at that woman’s face.”

Zeke said.

Zeke: “It doesn’t seem like she knew what was going on today, did she? They didn’t seem to have discussed it
beforehand.”

Had the trust between the two of them been shaken? Cosette stared at Count Weinberg as if he was a thorn in
her side.

And at that moment, one question that had been bewildering Keira’s mind was resolved.

Even if it was revealed that the Marquis of Edinburgh killed Rowena, it wasn’t direct evidence that she’s not
Ludwig’s biological daughter.

But for Count Weinberg, that wouldn’t matter at all.

‘Because he only has a grudge against grandfather, not me.’

Therefore, her guess that Cosette did this to secure the position of the elementalist by accusing Keira of being
fake might not be accurate.

‘Maybe the two of them had a feud.’

Keira felt a little relieved that Ragibach, one of the Great Demons, had not intervened.

She moved, trying not to let go of her tension until the end.

[1] ‘콩가루’, which literally means ‘bean/soy flour’, is an idiom describing a broken/messy family.
Chapter 152
The trial was held at Minchester Hall, where the State Councils used to occur.

Due to the limited space, not all nobles could watch the hearing. Therefore, under the Crown Prince’s order,
some nobles were forced to return to the ballroom.

But they probably wouldn’t be able to enjoy the ball and pretend nothing happened.

Michael stood on the podium and said.

Michael: “A provisional hearing is held at the request of Count Isaac Weinberg. The accusation is against
Simon, Marquis of Edinburgh.”

The two faced each other under the podium where the Crown Prince stood. The spectators sat around them in a
semicircle, Keira among them.

Michael: “Isaac Weinberg may pursue the charges against him, and he must present evidence accordingly.
Simon Edinburgh has the right to refute claims that are not true.”

Even though there were quite a few people gathered, the room was utterly silent, and only Prince Michael’s
voice echoed in Minchester Hall. Only read at Novel Endeavors.

Michael: “As this is an ad hoc hearing, I hope the questions and answers will be as concise as possible. First, the
requestor of the hearing, Isaac Weinberg, speak.”

Just as Count Weinberg opened his mouth, the door banged violently open.

Michael clicked his tongue as he turned towards the exit. He told them not to let anyone in.

He was well-acquainted with the man who came in through the open door– Grand Duke Parvis, slightly
disheveled as if he had rushed to the hearing.

After Ludwig joined the crowd and took a seat, the hearing, which had paused for a moment, resumed.

Michael: “Speak, Count Isaac Weinberg.”

Isaac: “Thank you, Your Highness. First of all, I want to ask you one thing.”

Count Weinberg spread his hands toward the audience.

Isaac: “Since the country’s founding, our families have always been at odds with each other. We fought hard for
the values we thought were right and fought fair and square in political disputes. I don’t think that’s wrong.
Confrontation and strife are part of human history. However!”

Was he finally getting to the point? The crowd swallowed hard, their ears perking up.
Issac: “Should it be acceptable to stick a knight in the back of your own kind even in the face of a mighty
external enemy? I believe everyone knows we humans are on a truce with the demons. Yes, after the war, the
water has dried up. Without an elementalist capable of dealing with Beatrice, we would all die of drought. And,
if the barrier fell, the demons would again ravage this land.”

Having said that, he pointed his index finger at the Marquis of Edinburgh.

Isaac: “I am accusing Simon Edinburgh of putting the people of his Empire at risk for his own interest! This
man framed my sister, the Grand Duchess, of being infertile, and when he found out she was with child, killed
her in an attempt to destroy evidence! The child in her belly who will be the only elementalist mentioned in the
prophecy! If this isn’t the act of selling off your people to the demons, then what else would it be?”

Marquis: “Gibberish!”

The Marquis shouted.

Marquis: “The prophecy predicted a different elementalist! What evidence do you use to make such an
accusation…!”

Michael: “Calm down. The Marquis will have his chance to speak.”

Michael calmed the angry Marquis of Edinburgh, then turned to Isaac.

Michael: “A claim must have a basis for it. I’m sure you’ve got it ready.”

If he had asked for a hearing at this time without evidence, he wouldn’t have acted this way.

Issac nodded and replied.

Isaac: “Of course. Come out.”

Then, a man watching from the sidelines stood up. He was a middle-aged man who appeared to be in his mid-
forties. His charred skin and skinny physique made the crowd guess his hardships.

He glanced at the Marquis of Edinburgh and trembled like a leaf. Then he knelt before Michael and said.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince, this lowly man’s name is Alexander. Of course, Your Highness doesn’t
need to remember the name of someone as humble as myself. A few days ago, you must have heard a report
about me. I had asked the Imperial guards for protection since I was being pursued by those trying to kill me at
that time. I can only think of one person who would hire people to kill me.”

He turned to stare at Marquis Edinburgh, his gaze filled with fear and anger.

“It was about twenty years ago, around the time of the marriage between the Grand Duke and the Edinburgh
family. At that time, I was in a relationship with Lady Edinburgh. I couldn’t tell you because of my humble
status.”

Michael: “Go on.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. Shortly after… Simon Edinburgh discovered my existence and kidnapped me. He
threatened he would leave her alone if I didn’t make my presence known to society. Then, thinking I was
shackled, he ordered me to kill the Grand Duchess. He must have calculated that if he held on to my
weaknesses, I would not be able to expose them easily.”

The man gulped and said.

“At the time, Rowena Weinberg was… pregnant. I caught the runaway Grand Duchess… killed her, and
abandoned her body. But the child was no longer in the womb. She must have used herself as bait to get the
pursuers’ attention to her and away from her child.”

Marquis: “If that’s true, give me proof!”

The Marquis of Edinburgh, who could not stand it, shouted.

Even Michael didn’t stop him this time. After all, it was easy to falsify witness testimony.

Punishing the head of the Edinburgh family only with a few words was impossible.

Marquis: “This is an absurd accusation! Your Highness, the Count is now committing the crime of deceiving
the imperial family.”

Count Weinberg answered.

Isaac: “Of course, there is evidence. Twenty years ago, my sister fled under the name Sylvia to avoid pursuit.
She had to present her ID to enter or leave the castle. There would be a record of her passing. If you look at the
consistency between the witness testimony and the traffic record, wouldn’t you see the authenticity?”

“…”

Simon’s daughter was framed for having a lover.

However, it was undeniable that he tried to kill Rowena Weinberg, and it was also true that Rowena used the
identity of ‘Sylvia’ when she fled.

Even if Isaac was a Count in the capital, he couldn’t just look at the confidential documents of other castles.

In such a situation, if the witness’s testimony and the record matched, it would be fatal for Simon.

“Then we can’t find out if it’s authentic or not right now.”

They had to send people all over the country to get those records. No matter how fast, it would take at least a
fortnight.

Michael: “Then, the decision of the hearing shall be postponed until then. For the sake of fairness, neither can
leave the capital until the verdict is issued.”
When the verdict was delayed until further notice, the crowd looked disappointed. An exciting play was cut off
at the most important part.

Everyone murmured in dissatisfaction and started preparing to go back. These people would spread what
happened today across the country.

It was unreasonable to cover things up like this and move on quietly.

While it was unfortunate for the Marquis of Edinburgh, it also made Cosette uneasy.

Cosette looked over the podium, biting her nails.

‘D*mn it, d*mn it, d*mn it.’

That man was so curious about his sister’s end that she told him the story. Had she known she would be stabbed
in the back like this, she would never have told him.

‘No, I have nothing to worry about. If the Marquis of Edinburgh’s crimes are revealed, it’s good for me, then.’

The only dissatisfaction was that Count Weinberg, who she thought was a comrade, opened up the incident
without notice.

How could she be sure that someone who had done something sudden wouldn’t do it twice? It was like she had
a time bomb in her hands and didn’t know when it would explode.

Worst of all, if he revealed her identity once he was done with his revenge on the Marquis…

When Cosette imagined the worst, she couldn’t control her expression. Her irritation grew so high that she
didn’t even notice Keira approaching.

Keira: “Cosette.”

Cosette: “What?”

Naturally, her voice came out sharp.

Keira: “Judging by your face, it seems you didn’t even know about today.”

It wouldn’t be wise to keep talking about unfavorable subjects. Cosette immediately changed the subject.

Cosette: “Right. That man indeed did something without my knowledge. But you know.”

Cosette took a few steps closer. Suddenly, her agitation disappeared and she looked the same as usual.

Cosette: “Most of what he testified is true.”

“…”
Cosette: “Don’t even think about denying it. I was convinced by your reaction at the hunting contest last time.
Right?”

She knew. Keira’s grandfather killed Rowena.

Keira: “But that doesn’t prove that the man is my father.”

Cosette: “But everyone will start to suspect.”

Keira scoffed.

Keira: “So? They’re going to suspect me, so what? Even if Grandfather’s sins are exposed, they can’t even
blame me for it. You are far worse off than me right now.”

She failed to establish a foothold anywhere. Not in the family, the temple, and society.

What’s the big deal about people’s gossip and backbiting when Cosette was alive and well?

Unable to resist, Cosette glared at Keira once, then turned around.

Cosette: “You’ll see.”

Was it because Keira knew she was one of the Great Demons? Her piercing eyes seemed to feel even creepier.

Cosette walked away, mingling with the crowd as they exited the hall, not even sparing Count Weinberg a
glance.
Chapter 153
A fortnight later, the hearings resumed.

When Rowena was driven out, the identity she used was that of a woman named ‘Sylvia Reno Wheaton.’

It happened long ago, but they managed to find records of Sylvia’s journey.

“Here are the travel records.”

The second hearing was conducted with only a small number of people in attendance.

Looking nervous, the Marquis of Edinburgh watched the Crown Prince accept the documents.

Keira sat a few steps away and watched the scene, but she looked around the room a moment later.

‘I can’t see Cosette.’

It seemed she had broken ties with Count Weinberg or was trying to get out in case things went wrong.

She made the right choice.

Tak–. Michael put down the records. Alexander’s testimony contrasted the log.

Michael: “It doesn’t match at all.”

It made Keira wonder what he was thinking when he confidently asked for a hearing.

As soon as Michael finished speaking, the room became arctic.

All eyes turned to Alexander, the man who dared to testify falsely in front of the Imperial family.

Michael threw the papers in front of the man.

Michael: “See for yourself.”

Alexander: “T-this is…”

He picked up the papers with trembling hands. His facial muscles froze, and only his eyes moved left and right
as he read the papers.

Finally, he spoke.

Alexander: “Y-you didn’t say anything like this! Count!”

The man crawled on his knees and approached Isaac.

But Isaac looked just as perplexed.

Isaac: “Your Highness, there must have been a mistake. His testimony is correct.”

Michael: “If you don’t believe it, why not check it yourself?”

Isaac wanted to ask for a chance to investigate again, but it was unlikely that his request would be accepted.

Isaac: “Y-Your Highness. Something is wrong with this! Something is strange!”

He insisted on his innocence, to no avail.

Keira didn’t do much. She merely told her grandfather that it was strange that Count Weinberg had easily
accepted the request to postpone the meeting.

The rest of the work was done by the Marquis.

He quickly found out the identity of one of the witnesses and contacted his family.

No, to be precise, he was kidnapped. And he said to Alexander, who was under the protection of the Capital
Guard:

“Who knows how your family is doing?”

Alexander had begged for his and his family’s safety and promised to do whatever he asked, so Simon ordered
him to confess the wrong testimony.

And this was the result.

It would have been a disaster if Count Weinberg had left him alone because he had no way of knowing
Rowena’s whereabouts.*

To be honest, the route of Rowena’s movement, which Alexander confessed to the Count, coincided with the
records.

Simon expressed his fear, saying he couldn’t understand how the Count of Weinberg found out about this.

‘Well, it’s good you dealt with it in advance.’

Keira stood up and said.

Keira: “Then the innocence of my mother has been revealed.”

Her voice was filled with anger. The truth was she was furious, so it wasn’t acting.

A secret lover? It was too indecent to frame the dead.

Keira: “How would you apologize for your irresponsible actions?”

As she blinked, the soldiers began to move, even without Michael’s command. It was clear who the sinner in
this situation was.

Isaac: “Ugh.”

Count Weinberg groaned, probably recognizing he was cornered.

As long as things went like this, it would be a long way for him to regain the status he had before.

There was no Simon could just let this opportunity pass. In other words, this was his last chance.

It happened quickly. Count Weinberg flew away, pushing the besieging soldiers away.

“Catch him!”

Keira snorted at his futile struggle.

They were in the middle of the Imperial Palace. How would he even get out of here?

But there was something she and everyone else overlooked–the Count’s intention wasn’t to escape.

As a high-ranking nobleman, no one expected that he would make such an extreme choice.

He didn’t run to the door but to where Simon Edinburgh stood.

“Watch out!”

Someone shouted from the crowd. It was then that Keira saw something shining in the hem of Isaac’s robe.

The knife from his robe went straight into Simon Edinburgh’s abdomen.

“Ahhhhhh!”

The sudden bloodshed turned the hall into a bloody mess.

The soldiers rushed in and took the Count away, but the accident had already happened.

Simon Edinburgh staggered as he bled from his stomach. Fortunately, the knight by his side supported him, so
he didn’t fall to the stone floor.

Keira: “Grandfather!”

“Marquis!”

Most of those who recognized the situation ran towards the doorway, while others ran to the fallen MMarquis.
Keira was one of them.

Keira: “Grandfather!”
The amount of blood flowing out was unusual. A large blood vessel must have been hit somewhere.

Just when Keira thought things went through safely, this happened…

Shouts to call the doctor, voices swearing not to push, the sounds of furniture falling, the loud footsteps.

Everything was a mess. Keira felt dizzy.

While the operation was in progress, Keira had to wander the corridor nervously.

Even Zeke, who wasn’t close with his grandfather, was restless and couldn’t leave his sister’s side.

She knew all too well that her grandfather was injured at a critical point.

As she turned to her fatigued brother, Keira said.

Keira: “Zeke, go back to the mansion.”

Zeke: “Huh? Why?”

Keira: “Someone might come to the mansion. Someone has to guard the house.”

Zeke: “Ah, you’re right.”

Even Ludwig was staying in the Imperial Palace to interrogate Count Weinberg.

Zeke nodded quickly and stood up.

Zeke: “Then I’ll be waiting for you at home.”

When her brother left, she was alone. The Imperial Palace servants stood by, but she couldn’t speak
comfortably to them.

A long time passed before the doctor came out of the operating room.

Click–. At the sound of the door opening, Keira raised her head.

The doctor walked out, soaked in blood.

Keira: “How is grandfather?”

“T-that…”

The doctor’s expression didn’t look good.

“I’ve done everything I could, but… he’s still in a coma. Only the goddess knows when he will open his eyes.
Furthermore…”
He trailed off. Keira urged him to continue.

“Well, since the Marquis is quite old… I really have no choice but to leave it to the will of the goddess.”

“…”

It meant they had to prepare for the worst.

Simon rarely interacted with Keira, and he’s a villain.

Nevertheless, Keira wasn’t at ease when she heard her grandfather was in critical condition.

“For now, I will do my best.”

Keira: “Of course.”

After saying this, the doctor hurriedly left.

‘Grandfather is dying…’

One of her allies would disappear. Her head throbbed at the thought.

Keira ordered that her grandfather’s condition be reported to Ludwig, then turned around.

Keira: By the way, where exactly is His Grace?”

The palace attendant answered.

“He left the prison after questioning the witnesses at the hearing. Perhaps, he’s talking to the Emperor or Crown
Prince by now.”

Keira: “Then I would like to meet him too.”

“Yes? Are you talking about Count Weinberg?”

Keira: “They are the ones who tried to harm my mother. I mean, I’m also a party to this case. It doesn’t mean I
will get involved in the investigation. I just want to visit.”

“U-uhm. I will ask permission from my superiors first.”

As an attendant, he couldn’t just guide her there even if it was a simple visit.

“Wait here for a moment and I’ll come.”

Keira: “No, it’s okay. I’ll go to His Majesty directly and ask.”

Rather than waiting for permission here, it would be better to go and ask in person.
Fortunately, the Crown Prince accepted her audience as soon as she asked to see them.

When Keira arrived, Michael was alone.

‘Didn’t they say he was talking to Father?’

Michael: “What’s the matter? Lord Parvis just left, you must have missed him.”

Keira: “I didn’t come to find Father, so it’s alright. I’d like to speak with Count Weinberg for a moment. Is that
possible?”

Then the Crown Prince was stunned for a moment.

Michael: “Hmm… The dungeon isn’t a good place for a noblewoman to visit.”

Keira: “It doesn’t matter.”

Michael: “If the lady insists, then.”

He stood up and led her to the prison.

Chapter 154
It was a long walk from the Crown Prince’s audience in the Inner Palace to the dungeon.

As they entered the dungeon, the characteristic moist air greeted her. Keira lifted the hem of her skirt as she
walked down the steps.

There was a clear division of status even in prison. There was a separate place for imprisoning the nobles and
the criminals.

As they walked down the hallway, Keira saw the witnesses the Count had brought.

Keira didn’t look at them for a long time and passed by.

“He’s tied up… but be careful as he can still cause harm.”

The guard anxiously warned as he opened the thick iron door. Keira nodded and entered the cell.

As the guard mentioned, Count Weinberg was tied tightly to his chair, and his head hung low.

Even though she had only seen him a while ago, he looked so exhausted that she thought he was someone else.

She could see his clothes soaked in blood. Her eyes narrowed.

‘Was he tortured?’

They tortured him, a high-ranking aristocrat, in just a few hours? Something wasn’t quite right.

Keira sat in the chair in front of him and said.

Keira: “Count Weinberg, I have a question for you.”

“…”

She didn’t come to him to ask about his well-being or mock him for failing to harm her.

Keira wanted to know. Cosette and the secrets between them.

If he promised to tell the truth, Keira planned to make a deal that she would guarantee the best possible safety
for him.

‘If it’s true that he joined forces with a real demon, he would never open his mouth.’

Although the odds of success seemed low, she had to try.

Keira calmly called him once more.

Keira: “Count Weinberg, if you’re listening, answer me.”

“…”

Keira: “Count?”

No answer. At that moment, a cold feeling crept up her back.

Something was strange.

Keira jumped up from her seat.

Keira: “Count!”

She grabbed Isaac Weinberg’s head and tilted it upwards to see a face bleeding from the mouth. He was as
white as a sheet.

“…!”

He looked like a corpse.

Keira placed a finger under his nose and couldn’t feel even a hint of a breath. The heart was the same. He didn’t
have a pulse.

‘…He’s already dead.’

Seeing the large amount of blood dripping from his mouth, it seemed as if he had bitten his tongue and
committed s*icide.

Blood dripped from his mouth and drenched his robe.

She didn’t take much notice a while ago because she thought it was a sign of torture.

‘He was the most promising among Ragibach’s contract candidates.’

Now that he’s dead, the difficulty of revealing the truth grew. It’s a huge loss.

Keira licked her lips and stepped outside.

Michael asked.

Michael: “What’s going on? You don’t look well.”

Keira: “He committed s*icide.”

Michael: “What?”

Keira: “Count Weinberg. He was dead when I went in.”

“…!”

He leaned over Keira’s body and hurriedly entered the cell. After confirming Isaac’s death, she heard a scream
inside.

“Aah!”

Keira pondered as she watched the investigators recover the body. As the shock subsided, she started doubting
the events.

‘Why did you k*ll yourself?’

The most plausible reason was probably that he was afraid of being punished for his sins.

However, he wasn’t guilty of treason, and there was a good chance that he’d be spared the death sentence if he
properly presented his status as a high-ranking nobleman.

It was strange that he had taken his own life before the investigation could even begin.

Keira asked the guard.

Keira: “When was the last time you saw the Count alive?”

“Well, that’s… when the Grand Duke stopped by here for a while.”

The guard trembled.

“Because the Iron Gate is thick, it is difficult to hear the sound from the outside. Besides, you can’t see inside
unless you open the window on the door.”

“…”

He looked incredibly pale.

It would be unreasonable to question the guards about Isaac Weinberg’s s*icide.

Even so, there must be a reason why this guard was trembling so much.

Keira: “You, you’re hiding something.”

“P-pardon? N-no!”

He was terrible at acting. It was, of course, a blessing in disguise for Keira.

Hearing the guard’s voice, Michael poked his head out of the cell.

Michael: “What’s the fuss?”

Keira: “Your Highness, it seems that the next criminal who will use this cell has been decided.”

His gaze moved to the trembling guard. He looked suspicious.

Keira: “He seems to know something. Perhaps he killed the Count and disguised it as s*icide.”

Of course, the last sentence had no basis, and Keira herself didn’t think it was a convincing scenario.

Nevertheless, she said that to throw the bait.

“I-I didn’t!”

Unsurprisingly, he took the bait immediately.

“It’s nothing else… Before you two came here, Lady Cosette also came to visit.”

“You didn’t let her into the cell, did you?”

“That…”

Seeing him hesitate, he must have.

Keira quietly opened her mouth, her voice calm yet obviously angry.

Keira: “I don’t understand. I could only visit the criminal after the Crown Prince had granted permission. But
you let her in without the consent of your superiors? I don’t understand it unless you took a bribe.”

The guard didn’t bring up Cosette from the beginning probably because he’s aware that he’s done something
wrong.

Besides, that wasn’t the only problem.

Keira: “Why is Cosette free to roam inside the Imperial Palace? She’s related to a criminal, shouldn’t she be
detained?”

It was Michael who answered.

Michael: “That seems like my mistake. It may sound like an excuse, but since many things happened all at once,
I was going to issue an order to have her detained at home.”

It was frustrating to think about what it would have been like if things had been handled quicker, but there was
nothing to be done.

Keira turned to the guard and asked.

Keira: “Why did you bring Cosette here? Your life depends on your answer.”

After hesitating for a while, he answered.

“…I don’t know.”

Keira: “What?”

She thought he was bad at acting, but he was a fool, too.

“I-I’m not lying! The guards on the ground said the same thing. As their mind went hazy, they unwittingly let
her in. So did I.”

Keira: “Tell me more.”

“The moment Lady Cosette said she wanted to talk to her Uncle… I felt like it had to happen. When I came to
my senses, I was already opening the cell door for her.”

“…”

It was a story that Keira, who knew Cosette’s identity, would not shrug it off

But not Michael. To allow contact between a prisoner and an outsider for such an absurd reason?

Michael: “Do you think that makes sense?”

All he could think of was that the discipline of the palace was shoddy.

“Hiik!”

The guard was startled by the Prince’s fury and fell to his knees.

“P-please believe me! I didn’t lie. If you interrogate the guards on the ground, they will certainly give the same
testimony as me.”

He tried his best to explain, but it was futile.

Michael: “Take him away.”

“Y-Your Highness! Your Highness!”

The other guards by the door dragged him out, and there was a moment of silence. Keira spoke first.

Keira: “Count Weinberg committed s*icide after Cosette visited here. I don’t think it’s a coincidence.”

The Prince merely nodded in response.

He seemed ashamed that this had happened within the Imperial Palace under his jurisdiction and that it had
happened because of his own negligence.

Michael: “……But I wonder. Isn’t Count Weinberg her relative?”

Keira: “Nevertheless, there must have been a reason why he had to die. For example, she was afraid that he
would say something he shouldn’t say during the interrogation.”

For example, things about demons, black magic, and contracts. Secrets that would cause an irreversible
situation if words leaked out.

However, if Keira told him what she thought, he would probably think she’s insane.

Hiding her thoughts, Keira said.

Keira: “During the hearing, she acted like she wasn’t aware of the Count’s schemes… Maybe she wasn’t acting
at all.”

Michael: “Was she silent for fear that we might discover that she was involved in this?”

Keira: “Yes, it seems so.”

Michael: “If that’s true, then she’s a reckless fool. She got rid of her protector in a day…”

Still stunned, he continued.

Michael: “Besides, if it is known that she had visited the Count before he committed s*icide, wouldn’t people
suspect that she was silent because she had a secret to hide?”

You’re a fool, a complete fool. Michael muttered.

Of course, the secret that Cosette wanted to hide wasn’t that she was involved in today’s affairs.

However, it would be advantageous for Keira if the Crown Prince, who had doubts, would investigate more
thoroughly.

Keira: “Now that you’ve ordered to have her detained, she wouldn’t be able to remove additional evidence.”

Michael: “But she can get rid of the evidence at home.”

With that, he gave further orders.

After kicking out all of the count’s servants, keep a close eye on them, and lock Cosette in the room so she
wouldn’t have any chance to move or touch anything.

It was as expected. She couldn’t ask for more unless they found traces of black magic in the Count’s house.

But it was then.

The stairs to the dungeon thumped, and soon a servant appeared, almost rolling.

“B-big news! Your Highness! The Marquis of Edinburgh…!”

Chapter 155
After meeting with the emperor, Ludwig headed to the room where the Marquis of Edinburgh was being
treated.

He heard that the surgery had gone well and that he would recover within a few days. But when he got to the
front of the room, Ludwig found the nurses running around in haste.

Through the crack in the door, he could see the back of the doctor examining the patient.

It didn’t look good.

He called one of the servants and asked.

Ludwig: “What happened? Didn’t the treatment go well?”

“T-that’s what I heard. But the Marquis’s fever rose a while ago… I-I’m not sure. All I know is the Marquis is
in bad shape.”

Anyone could see that. Ludwig was about to answer back with irritation but held his tongue.

Instead of getting mad at the servant, he returned to the drawing room in the same building. He wasn’t stupid
enough to interfere with a doctor who was busy caring for the patient to satisfy his curiosity.

His lieutenant asked.

“Your Grace, will you wait here until the Marquis comes to his senses?”

Ludwig: “We don’t know when he’ll wake up. I’m going to talk to the doctor, then go back.”

Fortunately (or unfortunately), he didn’t have to wait long.

Bang–!

Without a knock, the door swung open. How rude. Before Ludwig could comment, the servant spoke first.

“Y-Your Grace!”

Ludwig: “What?”

“The Marquis opened his eyes. By the way, he’s not in good condition… I–I think you should go see him
anyway!”

If his condition was serious, they should have called another doctor. Why did they come here for Ludwig
instead? Ludwig, puzzled, soon realized why.

The Marquis had called for him to leave his last will.

As soon as he realized that, he went out without a word.

The hallways were full of people running around. Some personnel even left the room altogether. It looked like
they were trying to call someone else from the outside.
Marquis: “G-Grand Duke…”

The smell of blood and a faint voice greeted him as he entered the hospital room.

Ludwig: “Marquis.”

Ludwig stood by the bed. He could feel the energy of death.

Throughout his life, he witnessed countless dying creatures.

Although his medical knowledge was non-existent, his foreboding that one’s chance of survival was slim never
failed.

Marquis: “I have something to tell you…”

Ludwig: “What is it?”

He didn’t even pretend to be sad. Looking at the unchanging expression on his face, Simon Edinburgh burst into
laughter.

Marquis: “I pride myself on knowing anything about my daughter. I had complete control over her when I
raised her…”

If he was talking about his daughter, it was Keira and Zeke’s birth mother.

Ludwig could only think of one reason someone on the verge of death was talking about his daughter out of the
blue.

Marquis: “So I can assure you. My daughter couldn’t have flirted with another man without me finding out…
K-Keira… She’s your biological daughter. If you don’t believe me… Someday, you will shed tears of blood.”

At that moment, Ludwig felt strange. It felt like he’d heard the same thing in the past.

Ludwig: “Again, say it again.”

Marquis “You have to believe me…. Otherwise, one day… you will surely, surely regret it.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his eyelids fluttered closed. And that was it.

‘He’s dead.’

Although they were connected because he married her daughter, they didn’t have a close relationship.

Maybe that’s why Ludwig felt sorry rather than sad.

He prayed to the goddess for the dead for a while, then gestured to the doctor.

“Your Grace?”

Ludwig: “Check him.”

“Yes?”
He let out a quick breath and gulped. Leaving the confused doctor behind, he turned and stood up.

‘Shed tears of blood…’

Had he ever said the same thing before?

Of course, there were countless times when he claimed the innocence of his own daughter and Keira. However,
it was the first time the Marquis had spoken so strongly, even mentioning tears of blood.

But why did he have a sense of deja vu? It’s too uncomfortable to just dismiss it as a feeling.

Just when he was anxiously pondering about it…

Burst–!

“Grandfather!”

The door to the hospital room burst open, and a familiar person ran in–it was Keira.

She briefly glanced at the atmosphere in the room and turned pale as if she had guessed the situation.

Ludwig grabbed Keira’s shoulder as she approached the bed, and she turned to him.

Keira: “Your Grace?”

Ludwig: “Don’t look. It is already too late.”

“…!”

Keira quickly understood the meaning of his words. Her body staggered for a moment, probably in shock.

Keira muttered, rubbing her forehead as if her head hurt.

Keira: “My god, even while the Count k*lled himself…”

Ludwig: “The Count committed s*icide?”

Ludwig’s voice rose at the words that couldn’t be ignored.

Ludwig: “Are you talking about Count Weinberg?”

Keira: “Yes, I just found him. He bit his tongue in the cell.”

Ludwig: “Haa…”

Two people who bared their teeth when they ran into each other as mortal enemies died on the same day. It
wasn’t ironic at all.

Ludwig: “I didn’t expect him to rush in with the idea of dying together…”
Keira: “But there’s something a little strange about it.”

Ludwig: “What do you mean?”

Keira: “Let’s talk about it somewhere else.”

Keira said so and shook his hand off her shoulder.

As she approached the bed, the nurse who noticed her presence looked back at her.

“Y-Your Ladyship.”

“…”

She looked worried she might be punished for failing to prevent his death.

Instead of scolding her, Keira quietly said.

Keira: “Take care of the body and send him back to the marquisate.”

“Yes? Y-yes, I will.”

She stared at his pale face and tightly closed eyes. Soon, a white cloth covered his pale face.

She prayed for the dead in her head. It was the bare minimum.

The funeral was held immediately. The Marquis of Edinburgh’s final resting place was at the cemetery where
the remains of the nobles were buried.

Because it was her grandfather’s funeral, Keira had no choice but to attend.

Ding, ding, ding–.

The bell rang to pray for the dead, and the coffin slowly descended.

Soon, people sprinkled flowers and soil over it. It was a ceremony to see the dead off for the last time.

Throughout the funeral, the atmosphere was rigid, not solemn, probably because the cause of death was not
through battle or natural death.

Zeke muttered.

Zeke: “The atmosphere in the capital is terrible these days.”

Keira: “Because two high-ranking nobles have died.”

One was murdered, and the other committed s*icide. The former was even stabbed in front of many people, so
they couldn’t help but be shocked.

Zeke was also trying to act resolutely, but if one looked closely at his expression, they could quickly notice it
was acting.
His grandfather was stabbed to death, but it was rather strange that he didn’t care.

After looking around for a moment, he continued.

Zeke: “By the way, it seems that no one from the Weinberg family came to pay their condolences?”

Keira: “How can they show their face? A person called the deputy head of their family had sent a letter.”

Zeke: “Did you read it?”

Keira: “No.”

A relative with a name Keira had never heard of was acting as the head of the household.

There was another reason why Cosette did not play that role– she was detained in her home for the crime of
meeting a criminal without permission.

She made all sorts of excuses–she didn’t know it was impossible without permission to meet her uncle and that
the guards didn’t stop her. It didn’t work.

Of course, since she was a very close relative to Count Weinberg, she would not have been able to avoid being
questioned even if it had not happened.

Zeke: “Noonim, it’s your turn.”

Keira: “Okay.”

Keira tossed the lily, then scooped up the soil with the shovel and sprinkled it over the coffin.

Zeke was next. After he did the same, he returned to Keira’s side.

Zeke: “Noonim, I may be overthinking, but.”

Keira: “What is it?”

Zeke: “The fact that the woman had visited the Count before he committed s*icide. Shouldn’t they look at it as
murder rather than s*idice?”

Keira: “It wasn’t that such an idea didn’t didn’t pass the investigators’ minds, but they ignored it. All I could do
was bite my tongue. He didn’t have any signs of poisoning.”

Zeke: “Hmm… Maybe she verbally persuaded him to commit s*icide?”

It seemed the younger sibling had similar thoughts to his older sister.

Zeke: “It’s common sense that it’s impossible to visit a criminal without permission, right? There’s no way she
didn’t know that.”

Keira: “I think so, too.”

Zeke: “There must have been a reason to kill him, even if it would raise suspicion.”
Why would she kill an ally? There were a few possibilites.

Zeke: “She needed to shut his mouth.”

After looking around again, Zeke lowered his voice and said.

Zeke: “That’s what Noonim told me last time. About demons.”

Keira: “You thought she killed him for fear of revealing anything related to demons?”

Zeke: “Isn’t that right?”

Keira: “That’s the most likely situation.”

Keira’s eyes darkened.

Chapter 156
Shortly after Cosette left, Count Weinberg committed s*icide. It’s too cunning to be a coincidence.

Moreover, there was no way she didn’t know that contacting criminals without permission would cause
problems later.

Nevertheless, pushing ahead means that there was a reason to do so.

A secret that must remain hidden so much that she had to kill her ally for fear of it leaking.

The only conclusion they could think of was that Count Weinberg was silenced because he knew her true
identity.

‘But is it okay to just kill the contractor like that? Or is the real contractor secretly hidden to hide their
identity…? Or was she trying to help the Count Take revenge…?’

Her head felt like it was about to explode. A moan escaped from her mouth.

Zeke: “Noonim? Are you okay?”

Keira: “I’ve been thinking about a lot of things. For now… No, Cosette is in custody. We don’t have to worry
about her making more moves.”

The problem was that the strongest witness had died. Haa, Keira sighed again.

Ding, ding, ding–.

Then the bell rang again, announcing the funeral’s end. The mourners begin to prepare for their departure.

Some people even came up to Keira and Zeke just before they left to express their condolences.

“He’s gone to a better place now.”

“The deceased will watch over Her Ladyship.”

Keira mechanically expressed her gratitude and dealt with them.

When the funeral was over, for some reason, she felt depressed.

Cosette was detained in a small attic in an annex. Guards were guarding the door all day long, so she couldn’t
take a single step outside without permission.

They took such measures because they believed if she were given free rein, evidence in the house might be
destroyed.

It was a very shabby room for a noble lady, but Cosette remained indifferent.

The guards by the front door were startled and whispered amongst themselves.
“Usually, in this case, don’t they go wild and shout something like, ‘How dare you treat me like this?’… It’s
amazing.”
“She grew up living as a commoner. Maybe that’s why.”

“Don’t they become snootier when they’ve originally lived like that?”

The chatter was interrupted by the sound of someone’s footsteps. Turning to the sound, they found a familiar
face walking toward them.

-
The guards bowed and saluted.

“Your Grace, the Grand Duke!”

They had heard someone was coming to investigate the mansion, but they didn’t know it would be Ludwig.

Ludwig nodded his head to greet the soldiers and entered the room.

When the door opened, Cosette, sitting by the window reading a book, turned her head.

Cosette: “Your Grace?”

Soon, both wonder and joy spread across her face.

She jumped up and greeted him, slightly lifting the hem of her skirt.

Cosette: “I didn’t know you would come in person.”

Ludwig: “You’re not calling me empty words like ‘Father’ anymore.”

Cosette: “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You told me not to call you that. I’m just following your
orders… Is there a problem?”

Ludwig’s expression hardened at her sly reply.

With her arms outstretched, Cosette said.

Cosette: “I don’t know what you were thinking of coming here, but look around as much as you want. It’s okay
to interrogate the maids. Do anything.”

“…”

Cosette: “Nothing you can imagine will come out.”

Ludwig: “We didn’t give you time to destroy evidence, but you’re pretty calm.”

Cosette: “I don’t have to get rid of things that didn’t exist in the first place. I have no doubt that Your Grace will
conduct a fair investigation.”

Ludwig: “…you speak well.”

Ludwig turned around. A thud, and the door slammed shut.

As soon as she confirmed she was alone, Cosette’s expression wrinkled like a newspaper.
‘That b*stard…’

Why did he do those things even though she told him not to move alone?

Cosette felt like she wanted to take out the corpse already buried in the ground and cut it up again.

It would have been a disaster if he ever divulged anything about her identity during the interrogation process.

So she killed him. More precisely, she encouraged him to commit s*icide.

‘He’s not the contractor, so I have no obligation to protect him.’

Well, even if he were, she still had no obligation to protect him. The important thing was to fulfill the contents
of the contract faithfully.

After this, the reputation and status of the Weinberg family were none of her business.

‘First, I need to find the spirit stone.’

Her expression distorted even more when she recalled her original goal.

She pretended to be as carefree as she could be in front of Ludwig, but her heart burned with anger.

‘Things are getting more messed up.’

According to her original plan, she should have found out the location of the spirit stone by now and played
with the contractor’s enemies with ease.

But she had achieved none of the goals she had set for a year. She would have no face to show to the Demon
realm if they find out.

Cosette: “First of all, find the location of the spirit stone… No, better yet. How am I going to move in this
situation?”

Because of what Isaac had done, people began looking at her suspiciously. She would be in the public eye no
matter what she did. She might get caught if she moved hastily.

Cosette nervously chewed her nails and clicked her tongue.

Cosette: “Tsk.”

Keira: “I didn’t expect anything to come out.”

Even after searching all over the Weinberg house, the villas spread across the country, and even the houses of
relatives, no plausible evidence was found.

They found evidence of minor corruption, but Keira wanted more than evidence of embezzlement.

The devil. Black magic. A contract.

A decisive shot that could bring Cosette down.

It seemed they’d catch a clue that would disappear like a mirage. Keira sighed and sat down on the sofa.

‘…Now what?’

Not so long ago, she was almost certain that Ragibach’s contractor was Count Weinberg.

However, it seemed she was wrong since she threw him away without hesitation.

‘But, if there was a contractor, I thought they’d be a member of that family…’

She didn’t expect a book about black magic to come out, let alone a revelation on the contractor’s identity.

As she agonized for a long time, she inadvertently remembered Erez’s proposal.

Erez: “That’s enough. Then why don’t you meet someone who believes in me?”

Erez: “There is someone you should meet for Plan B. They will definitely help you.”

It just so happened that the situation was appropriate. Cosette had been detained in the mansion for a while, so it
would be difficult to notice her absence.

Even if she did, Cosette wouldn’t be able to conspire against Keira since she was under surveillance.

Devil realm. An unknown world where dangers might exist…

Even if Erez accompanied her, her anxiety didn’t go away.

‘That’s why I wanted to find evidence of black magic in Weinberg’s mansion…’

Since things had become like this, she had no choice but to accept his proposal.

‘Then where should I start preparing…’

Keira tapped her head in thought.

First, she had to make an excuse to leave the capital for a while.

In Zeke and Sir Joseph’s case, she could just say, ‘I have something I must confirm. Please trust me.’

Moreover, not all employees could be trusted. Creating an excuse to leave the capital was a must.

How could she hide her existence for a while without public suspicion?

‘It would be best not to let the outside world know I’m gone. After all, I rarely appeared in social circles, so no
one would think it’s strange that I didn’t show up for a while.’

Moreover, the incident with her grandfather happened recently, so she’d be less likely to socialize.

But what if someone asked for her whereabouts?

‘Then, why don’t I go around saying that I left the capital for a while to recuperate?’
She was sorry for the deceased, but it looked like she had to use her grandfather’s death as an excuse again this
time.

She was shocked by her grandfather’s death, especially since it was a murder committed by a high-ranking
nobleman, so she left the capital for a while to recuperate.

‘But Cosette might doubt that I left to recuperate…’

She probably wouldn’t hear the news since she was under surveillance and lacked manpower, but it didn’t mean
Keira shouldn’t be vigilant.

It would be better to keep it as secret as possible that she has left the capital.
Chapter 157
Keira ordered a maid to bring Zeke. Not long after, she returned with Zeke.

Zeke’s expression darkened a little.

Zeke: “I heard the results of the search. Is that why you called?”

Keira: “It’s not that… Come here and sit down.”

When Zeke sat across from the table, Keira gestured to all the servants. In the strange atmosphere, Zeke’s
expression became more serious.

Zeke: “What’s going on?”

She answered with a sigh.

Keira: “I didn’t want to use this kind of method… You know that they didn’t find anything in the Weinberg’s
mansion.”

Zeke: “And?”

Keira: “I think I will have to leave the capital for a while. I have something to find.”

“…”

Zeke quickly understood what she meant.

Zeke: “Is this dangerous?”

Badump–. Keira almost flinched when Zeke got it right.

‘You’re quick to notice…’

But Keira couldn’t exactly say she was going to the demon realm. If she did, he might persuade her not to do it
or, worse, insist on going with her.

Keira: “It’s not. I just meant that I didn’t want to use this method because Cosette would be suspicious if I left
the capital. It’s something I really need to investigate.”

Zeke: “Really?”

Keira: “Yes.”

Zeke’s eyes narrowed in doubt.

Zeke: “Don’t do anything dangerous.”

Keira: “Of course. I also value my life.”

Fearing that she might get caught, Keira quickly changed the topic.
Keira: “In that sense, I’d like to ask you a favor.”

Zeke: “If you promise not to do anything dangerous, I’ll do it.”

Keira: “Of course.”

Keira thought to herself, ‘I’m sorry, Zeke.’

Keira: “As I said before, Cosette shouldn’t notice my absence.”

Zeke: “Yes.”

Keira: “So we should try not to let the outside know that I’m not in the capital. For that…”

Zeke: “Father’s cooperation will be essential.”

Keira: “That’s right.”

For Keira to leave for a while without being questioned, there was one last person she had to convince–
Ludwig.

Ludwig wouldn’t send her off without asking or arguing with her if she told him she had something to find.

Zeke: “Well, why don’t you use Grandfather as an excuse to take a breather? You don’t want society to gossip
about it, so you want to keep it a secret that you’re leaving.”

Keira had the same idea. She nodded and said.

Keira: “I was about to use that, too. So, I need your cooperation.”

“…?”

Which part of this simple plan would require his cooperation? Zeke’s eyes lit up with intrigue.

Keira: “I’m planning to say I’m going on vacation to the family villa, but the place I have to go is far from
there. At any rate, they might find out that I’m not there…”

Zeke: “You’d like me to deal with the chance you’ll get caught?”

Keira: “Yeah, can you make it seem like you went on vacation with me? You don’t have to fool the maids who
serve you. I’ll take care of them.”

Zeke: “Well, it doesn’t matter as long as Noonim can guarantee that you won’t go to do anything dangerous.”

“…”

Keira wondered where he got his tenacity from. Ignoring the voice of her conscience, Keira answered.

Keira: “I’m just going because I have something to find out. It’s not dangerous.”

She tried to convince herself that while it was a dangerous place, it wouldn’t be bad because she was with Erez.
Zeke: “But there’s no one else to convince other than me, right?”
Keira: “… There’s one last hurdle left to overcome.”

The last hurdle was Ludwig.

Of course, Keira had no intention of explaining the situation in detail. The only question was whether she could
convince him why she had to go on vacation.

Keira: “He might just tell me I shouldn’t look weak.”

Considering how they were raised until now, this was quite a possibility. Beside her, Zeke nodded in agreement.

Strike while the iron is hot. It would be better to push through with the plan immediately rather than delay it any
longer.

She rose from her seat and headed straight to Ludwig’s office, thinking of even shedding a few tears if
necessary.

Ludwig: “What’s going on?”

At Ludwig’s question, Keira answered.

Keira: “I want to go on vacation. I think I need to leave the mansion for a while.”

But just as Keira thought, ‘Should I start crying because I’m stressed?’…

Ludwig: “Do as you please. Instead, don’t be away for too long.”

“…?”

Strangely enough, he gave her permission.

As Keira stared at him strangely, Ludwig slightly frowned.

Ludwig: “What’s the problem?”

Still surprised, Keira answered.

Keira: “No. Rather than a problem… I wish to keep my departure from the capital a secret.”

Ludwig: “Why? I don’t think it’s necessary to hide that you’re on vacation.”

Keira: “If I go on a vacation at this time, people will surely talk and say I left the capital in shock because of
what happened to Grandfather. I don’t want to be the target of gossip. It’s not good.”

Ludwig: “That’s true.”

Ludwig quietly nodded. He hated it whenever people gossiped about his family.

Ludwig: “Then why do you want to go on vacation all of a sudden?”

Keira recounted the excuses she had prepared.

Keira: “First of all, I’ve been thinking about taking a little break for a while, but I couldn’t easily leave the
capital because of Cosette. But when Grandfather’s death and her house arrest overlapped… I thought I should
take a break.”

Ludwig: “When are you going to come back?”

Erez said they only needed to discuss something briefly, so it shouldn’t take long.

But Keira deliberately set aside plenty of time.

Keira: “I think I’ll be gone for about ten days. If I want to rest a little longer, I will send you a letter in
advance.”

She was thinking of instructing Zeke to write a letter to the capital for her if she hadn’t returned three days
before her vacation ended.

Ludwig: “Okay.”

Ludwig gave permission without a hint of suspicion. Her Grandfather’s incident a while ago seemed to be a big
help in convincing him.

Keira said goodbye and left the room.

Preparations for her departure proceeded quickly.

Keira had decided to go to the villa owned by the Grand Duke, built near a lake shore.

Of course, it was a long way from where she and Erez were supposed to meet. He summoned Keira to a small
village at the foot of the mountain.

Because of that, she had to travel by carriage for a long time.

Even though she was traveling, hiding her face was a little tricky. The only comforting thing was that it was a
small town that didn’t check the identity of each visitor.

In the pitch black night, Keira, a sword in her hand, groped through the darkness as she headed to her
appointment alone. It was a warehouse located in a sparsely populated area.

As she entered the warehouse, the disgusting smell of oil stung her nose.

Keira: “Ugh!”

Could it be a warehouse for storing oil? Keira grabbed her nose and looked around but couldn’t see anything.

After closing the door, she went in a little further, and a lamp lit the inside.

It didn’t look like it was a dirt floor, and there was a big white cloth all over the warehouse where piles of straw
and unknown grains were stacked.

And in the middle was a person drawing a big picture…

Erez: “Oh, you’re here?”

Erez asked as he turned to Keira.

Keira: “You’re slow to react.”

Erez: “I didn’t notice because I was concentrating.”

Keira looked closely to see what he was drawing, but she couldn’t figure out the pattern.

Perhaps it was because she knew he was a demon, but it looked quite ominous. It seemed to be a magic circle to
go to the demon realm.

Keira: “Why does this place smell like oil? It’s disgusting.”

Erez: “I doused the whole warehouse. I’ll burn this place.”

Keira realized why before she could even ask. After they’ve left, only a seemingly ominous magic circle would
remain.

It would be easy to see this was black magic if someone investigated deeply.

The country would be in a state of chaos if traces of black magic were found in a small country village.

Erez: “I’m going to drop the fire right before I cast the spell. You can stand it even if it’s a little hot, right?”

“…”

Erez: “Oh, you’re going to have to hold your breath for a while. If you breathe in the smoke, your airways will
get hurt.”

Well… There was no other way, so I couldn’t say I couldn’t do it.

Chapter 158
Erez straightened once he finished drawing the magic circle.

Erez: “One more caveat before we move on.”

Keira: “There’s more?”

Erez: “It’s only a one in a million chance… but we can fall in different places. It’s a very slim chance, so don’t
worry.”

Falling alone in an unknown world? She was a woman who hadn’t been afraid of anything but couldn’t stop the
goosebumps from appearing on her body.

Keira: “Your hometown is a pretty dangerous place, isn’t it?”

Erez: “Hmm, compared to here? But don’t worry. It’s very rare for such accidents to happen.”

It wasn’t comforting at all. Perhaps aware of her anxiety, Erez continued cheerfully.

Erez: “But if you’re separated from me, prioritize your safety. Don’t do anything that stands out, and stay quiet.
I’ll find you soon.”

Even without saying that, Keira had no intention of attracting attention in the middle of the Demon Realm. She
narrowed her eyes and nodded.

Erez: “Okay then, let’s get going.”

Erez flicked his fingers through the air, creating a spark. Blue flames fell on the oil-slicked straw, and the
warehouse was engulfed instantly.

Keira couldn’t help but frown at the heat that pricked her skin. Cough, cough–.

She raised her voice to Erez standing opposite her. She couldn’t see him properly because of the smoke.

Keira: “Not yet?!”

Erez: “It’s done.”

The next moment, a light flashed under her feet. The black dot in the center gradually expanded.

Just before the black circle touched her feet, Erez raised his voice as if he had just remembered it.

Erez: “Ah! I forgot to mention.”

Were there any other caveats? Keira’s head snapped back.

He quickly said.

Erez: “You might get a little dizzy since it’s your first time!”

As he finished speaking, the black hole reached where she stood, and she felt a slight sting on her feet.
And for a moment, Keira lost consciousness.

Keira: “Ugh…”

As soon as Keira woke up, a throbbing pain enveloped her whole body.

She could smell a faint hint of greenery, a scent specific to plants. Keira raised her body and opened her eyes
carefully.

‘…Where is this place?’

The scenery in front of her was disconcerting. There were trees so large that she couldn’t hold them all when
she stretched out her arms, and vines wrapped each other on the ground. She thought it was quite soft when she
was lying on the ground, but it seemed to be thanks to these.

When she listened closely, she could even hear the faint crowing of insects.

There was no doubt about it– she was very deep in the mountains.

‘Did I fall off a horse while hunting? Why am I here…’

Then she remembered why she was here.

Keira: “I was going to the Demon Realm.”

She even remembered standing on the magic circle Erez had drawn and a bright light enveloping her body.

‘Then, is this the Demon Realm?’

She raised her head and looked carefully around her.

She didn’t notice it when she first saw it, but the trees seemed to have a slightly different shape.

Keira got up and approached a tree. Upon closer inspection, a small mane like a cat’s tongue had sprouted from
the ear of a leaf.

Keira: “Ah!”

She felt a stinging pain when she touched the leaves. It was obviously not fluff.

There was a rustling sound from behind. When I turned around, the vines on the floor slowly moved.

“…”

A chill went down her spine.

‘So, this is the Demon Realm?’

Her goosebumps became more pronounced when it sunk in that she was here. She looked around and opened
her mouth.

Keira: “Hey, Erez Shore… No, Yurr.”

She lowered her voice to avoid attracting the attention of demons that might exist. No one answered.

Keira: “Yurr, if you can hear me, answer me.”

No one still answered even when she raised her voice a little more.

‘D*mn it.’

Maybe the coordinates were slightly off right before the magic was activated.

It looked like Keira and Erez got separated and fell into different spots.

Fortunately, she still had her weapon on her. Keira took the hilt in her hand and cautiously moved.

She could feel the vines moving under her feet, the feeling eerie and unpleasant.

‘I’m glad it doesn’t seem aggressive, but…’

How long had she wandered in the woods?

The blue sky was getting darker and darker.

‘It might be bad at night…’

She looked up to see a four-winged bird flying above her.

Gyaaaaah, gyaaaah–.

“…”

It was a bird that made the same sound as a human scream. Keira felt even more desperate to contact Erez as
soon as possible.

‘First, I need to find something to drink.’

She didn’t know if it was possible to drink the demon realm’s water recklessly.

Keira closed her eyes and focused on her hearing to hear a faint sound of water in the distance.

‘Over there.’

She figured she should quench her thirst before thinking about what to do next. She almost jumped to the source
of the water.

There, she found a small creek flowing peacefully. At first glance, it was a peaceful landscape just like in the
mountains of the human world.

Thanks to the setting sun, the water looked red. Keira lowered her head and scooped out a handful of water.

‘I don’t see anything wrong with the color or smell…’

After tasting the water a few times with the tip of her tongue, she didn’t notice anything off. So, she drank to
her heart’s content then walked down the water’s edge.

The creek was supposed to flow downwards. If she walked along the path of the creek, she’d be able to get out
of the mountain.

However, if there was one thing that she didn’t expect, it was that the mountain had become darkness itself after
sunset.

Since she was in the mountains, the sun was setting quickly. The moon didn’t exist in the sky of the demon
world.

As the sun went down, darkness came. If she had been an ordinary person, she would sit there and do nothing; it
was so dark that one would find it difficult to do anything.

She could faintly see if she focused, but she could barely move.

‘I’d rather take a break now and move on again when the sun comes up.’

Fortunately, she didn’t find any traces of demonic beasts that could be a threat while coming here.

Keira leaned against the tree, her hand wrapped around her scabbard.

She wondered if she could sleep in this state, but she closed her eyes when drowsiness unexpectedly hit her.

Thankfully, she was able to sleep well.

But it was then.

Thump, thump–.

“…!”

Footsteps echoed through the quiet mountain, the steps getting closer.

When Keira opened her eyes, there was a light flashing in the distance.

‘What is that?’

It wasn’t like a beast’s eyes. It felt more familiar than that–like a lamp that humans often used.

As the sound of footsteps approached, the figure of the person holding the light gradually became apparent.

Keira: “Oh.”

The other person was a slender woman with brown hair.

She had heard that the higher the level of the demon, the closer they looked to humans. But Keira couldn’t even
feel a hint of a menacing aura on her.

She was like a real country girl.

‘W-what the?’
Had she mistaken this place as the Demon Realm?

Perhaps Erez’s teleportation magic had failed so badly that she had fallen into a strange place in the human
world.

While Keira thought of the possibilities, the woman spoke first.

“Are you… human?”

She was clearly speaking the Empire’s language, her pronunciation precise.

“D-did you also fall here through the gate?”

Keira: “Gate?”

“Yes! There are often cases like that. If you are near the gate and accidentally get caught up in it and fall into
the Demon Realm. That’s what happened to me.”

Keira: “Demon Realm?”

“Yes, that’s right. Um, it’s hard to accept, but you’ve fallen into the Demon Realm.”

Come to think of it, people would often go missing whenever the gate was opened. Keira thought the demonic
beasts ate them, but maybe some of them fell into the Demon Realm through the gate.

‘…Is that even possible?’

If it was possible to travel from the Demon Realm to the human world through the gate, then the reverse was
also possible. In fact, some scholars have argued that.

There was no way to prove it, so it remained a theory.

Keira asked cautiously.

Keira: “Then you mean there are more people like you?”

“Yes, it’s a bit small to be called a village… but we live together.”

Keira would be lying if she said she wasn’t surprised.

Many people who fell into the Demon Realm were still alive.

‘Maybe the Demon Realm isn’t as dangerous as I thought…’

At that moment, Erez’s warning came to mind. He said that Keira should move cautiously and not attract as
much attention as possible if she got separated from him.
Chapter 159
‘Is this forest particularly safe?’

Keira didn’t find any traces of large beasts all the way here, only moving plants or four-winged birds.

“If it’s okay with you, would you like to go with me? There’s food and a place to sleep. It would be much better
than sleeping in a place like this.”

“…”

It certainly was. There was no way she could get proper rest sitting on the dirt floor.

‘Besides, she looks really weak…’

When a person reaches a certain level, they acquire a sense of judging their opponent’s abilities.

Keira looked closely, but the woman in front of her was quite ordinary. If anything happened, she thought she
could subdue her with one hand.

Keira: “I’d be grateful for your hospitality.”

“That’s great! We want more people, so don’t feel pressured. Oh, by the way, I came out to get some water.
Please wait a moment.”

Then the woman ran to the water. The big wooden bucket looked too heavy for a vulnerable person like her.

Keira: “Let me.”

Keira lifted the wooden bucket for her.

“Wow! You’re stronger than I thought.”

Keira: “I get that a lot.”

“By the way, my name is Ella. What about you?”

Keira: “Um… it’s Kira [1].”

Ella: “That’s a beautiful name.”

Ella chattered nonstop as they walked.

Worried they might attract the attention of demonic beasts, Keira suggested Ella lower her voice.

Ella answered with a smile.

Ella: “Hey, there’s nothing like that here.”

Keira: “No?”
Ella: “Uh huh. It’s not that there aren’t any small beasts, but they don’t attack humans. They only eat the plants
growing here.”

Keira: “Hmm.”

Ella: “Actually, we didn’t even think about going down this mountain and going back to the human world. We
don’t know what dangers may be outside this mountain… so it’s better to live in a safe space than take risks for
nothing.”

Keira: “I see.”

Ella “Ah, we’re almost here. There it is.”

As she turned to the place Ella pointed, she saw several flickering lights.

It was a village–if you could even call it that–with a few sloppy, tiny houses clustered together.

“Ella? Who is the girl next to you?”

The first to find the two was a middle-aged man lounging outside. He looked startled when he saw Keira.

Ella: “We met at the creek. This is Miss Kira. Oh, and this is Uncle Perry.”

Perry: “Nice to meet you, Miss Kira. Did you also get caught up in the gate and come here?”

Keira: “Yes. I don’t really remember what happened, but… I guess so.”

Perry: “You must have been very scared and nervous, but I’m glad you met Ella.”

At that moment, another voice interrupted their conversation.

“Oh? Perry, who’s that?”

The villagers who heard Keira’s voice started coming out, looking puzzled yet delighted. There was no fear or
wariness to be found.

‘It would be common to be wary when a stranger enters the community…’

Was this proof that it was frequent for people to join them and that the forest was safe? Keira tilted her head.

The villagers, who had come close, flocked to Keira’s side.

“Are you a noble? Your clothes look good. It’s a bit dirty, but…”

“You must have been terrified, but I’m glad you found us. Oh, what would you like to eat first? Are you
hungry?”

“Hey! Do you have any leftover stew?”

“Come this way!”

The atmosphere was more favorable than Keira had imagined.

‘Oh? Oh?’

In the meantime, Keira was dragged into the house, where one of the women placed a blanket over her shoulder.
A ten-year-old boy even handed her a warm bowl of gritty stew.

“You must be hungry, so please eat, noona.”

Keira: “…thank you.”

“Hehe, welcome to our village.”

The boy’s bright smile reminded Keira of Zeke from when he was young. Keira smiled a little and drank the
stew the child had given her.

It was a stew with vegetables and some meat.

It was a taste she wouldn’t usually consume, but she emptied the bowl at the thought of saving up stamina.

As Keira put the bowl down, she was handed a teacup by a woman from the village.

“It is a tea brewed with herbs. Drink it to help you relax.”

Keira: “Oh, I… thank you for the hospitality.”

“Don’t mention it. Everyone’s in a similar situation. I know how scary it was when I first fell here.”

“This area is safe. Don’t worry too much.”

Everyone smiled warmly and looked at her Keira. They seemed delighted that they had one more villager.

The boy shoved Keira’s side and asked.

“Noona! Where did you live? Are you from the capital?”

Keira: “Yes, I lived in the capital.”

“Wow! Tell me about the capital! It’s been my dream to go there one day, but since I came here…”

“Ben! Ask about that later. Kira must be very tired today.”

When one of the women stopped him, the boy named Ben pouted. Keira stepped forward in embarrassment.

Keira: “No. I’m not that tired, so it’s okay.”

The boy reminded her of her brother. Keira told Ben about the squares, shopping streets, and the Imperial
Palace.

He listened intently, eyes twinkling, and as the night deepened, the child nodded off, drowsy.

Keira: “Are you sleepy, little one?”

Ben: “No… I can hear more…”

“Ben, don’t be stubborn. Just go to sleep.”

One of the women took Ben and went outside.

“How about sleeping for a while, Miss Kira? There is an empty room available. Please sleep there.”

Keira: “Thank you.”

“Oh, my name is Claire.”

Keira: “That’s a lovely name.”

The two of them stepped outside. As they walked to the empty room, Claire glanced up at the sky and said.

Claire: “Looks like it’s going to rain.”

Keira: “Rain? How can you tell?”

Claire: “You can’t see any stars. It means there are clouds.”

Keira: “Oh.”

There wasn’t a single cloud until the sun went down, but maybe because it was the Demon Realm, the weather
was constantly changing.

Keira was led to a small hut in the middle of the village. It was just big enough to accommodate two people.

Claire: “The room hasn’t been used in a long time, so it might be a little dirty. I’ll clean it up tomorrow. Just
wait a day.”

Keira, who was planning to leave after only staying for one day, couldn’t help but smile awkwardly.

Everyone might be sad if she told them she was leaving tomorrow.

Claire: “Sleep well then.”

Keira: “You, too.”

The woman took a blanket out of the warehouse and left for another place.

‘Since I’m here, should I just stay and wait for Erez to find me? It might be dangerous outside the forest…’

Keira was full and sleepy. She should take a nap and think about it later. With that, she set up her sword on one
side of the wall.

‘She said they haven’t used it for a long time, so it’s really dusty.’

It was so bad that Keira kept coughing, so she tried to open the window to ventilate the room.

“…?”
But the window wouldn’t budge. Rattle, rattle–. It only made a rattling sound even when she applied force.
It was only after she looked closely at the window that she realized that the window sill had been nailed shut.

Keira: “Did they shut the window because they haven’t used it in so long?”

She felt a little uncomfortable, but it seemed like she should just sleep today. Keira took off her robe and
carefully folded it over the chair.

Keira: “Hmm?”

Then the wall hidden behind the chest of drawers caught her eye. Of course, she wouldn’t have noticed if it had
been a little darker.

It was a brown stain that had been splattered like some kind of graffiti. Ben’s face flashed in her head.

‘I think that kid was playing a joke.’

He seemed to be the only age in this town to do graffiti like this.

‘But how did you get the paint?’

At that moment, a thought suddenly ran through her head– blood turns brown when it hardens.

“…”

In an instant, a chill rose up her spine.

‘Did they chop off their prey here?’

The stew she ate also had meat in it. She didn’t know if they hunted low-level demonic beasts in this area.

The thought that she might have eaten those beast’s meat made her feel slightly nauseous, but Keira tried not to
think too hard about it and lay on the bed.

Well, it was more hay than bed, but now wasn’t the time to focus on the specifics.

‘What should I do next?’

Keira felt drowsy while thinking about it. Soon, she fell into a deep sleep.

[1] Keira introduced herself as 키라. Her name is spelled as 키이라. She used the same alias early on.
Chapter 160
Trigger Warning: There are some parts that might not be good for the faint of heart. Slight gore.

Shwaaaa–.

Keira woke up only two hours later when she heard the rain outside.

She tried to sleep again, to no avail.

Keira: “I’m thirsty…”

Was the stew she ate too salty? Strangely, she felt parched.

Eventually, she gave up trying to sleep and got up from bed. It was pouring rain outside.

Keira thought about drinking rainwater for a moment but gave up the thought. The thought of drinking
rainwater from the Demon Realm was uncomfortable.

‘Ella picked up water from the creek a while ago…’

Even in a small village, finding a small bucket of water wasn’t easy. However, waking a sleeping person to
drink a glass of water seemed like too much hassle.

As she was contemplating whether she should just put up with it and go back to sleep or drink rainwater when
Keira saw the light from the house she had gotten her stew earlier.

‘It seems they haven’t slept yet.’

She was relieved she could finally quench her thirst. Keira walked over to the place, muffling her steps so the
sleeping ones wouldn’t wake up.

When she was about to open the door, she smelled something sweet inside.

‘Cooking at this hour?’

Something was strange. An ominous feeling crept up her back.

Why did she suddenly remember the brown marks she saw just before she fell asleep?

Instead of knocking, Keira decided to peek inside through the crevice. The first thing she saw was Ben’s back.

‘Didn’t you fall asleep early?’

The child was stirring a large pot. Each time he stirred the spatula, a large ingredient appeared outside the pot.

It was a human foot.

Keira had to cover her mouth with her hand to avoid screaming.

She could also see a woman carrying a colander, a black and red thread hanging from it.
Human hair, Keira guessed. The head must be in the colander.

A couple of thighs were hanging from the wall with a handful of flesh off them. In this unrealistic scene, the
villagers smiled brightly.

Just like ordinary country village wives preparing dinner.

‘Then what I ate earlier…’

She remembered there were a few chunks of meat in the stew.

Keira: “Urgh!”

She felt sick and had to shut her mouth to muffle her disgust.

She couldn’t stomach the sight anymore. She had to leave. Keira muffled her footsteps as she took a step back.

As soon as she was about to leave the village, she remembered that the sword was still inside the house.

‘I don’t know what will happen in the future, so I’ll have to bring my weapon.’

She cautiously made her way to her room. Luckily for her, no one found her while she was outside.

Now, if she could just take her sword and sneak out…

Gulp–.

“Oh my, Miss Kira. Where have you been?”

Keira: “…!”

However, as soon as she opened the door, she saw Ella, the sight giving her goosebumps.

Standing near the bed, she hurriedly hid what she had in her hand behind her back, the item something shiny
and silver.

Keira: “W-what’s going on here?”

Ella: “It was raining, so I came to see if you slept well. But why did you go outside at this hour?”

Keira: “Ah… I–I wanted to drink some water…”

Ella: “Was the stew a little overcooked? Did it make your throat sore? Do you want me to bring water to you?”

Talking about the stew almost made Keira nauseous again. She suppressed her repulsion and said.

Keira: “I couldn’t find a bucket of water, so I just took rainwater and drank it.”

Ella: “Oh my, is that so? Rainwater in the Demon Realm is the same as in the human world, so don’t worry. It’s
not poisonous.”

Keira: “That’s a relief.”

Ella: “Really, did you have any trouble sleeping?”

Keira: “I’m fine.”

Ella: “Then, I’m glad. I’ll see you then, so get some rest.”

Keira: “Thank you.”

Keira couldn’t tell if rainwater or cold sweat was running down her back.

Ella smiled kindly and went outside, hiding the blade behind her back. Keira desperately pretended not to see it.

Ella: “Sleep well.”

Click–. The door closed behind Keira, and she turned towards the window.

‘I wondered why that window was closed, and I couldn’t open it…’

It must have been to prevent them from escaping through the window. Keeping the doorway would prevent the
prey from escaping.

She picked up the sword by the wall, then the brown, dried stain came into her vision again.

Now that she knew what kind of people those villagers were, she realized why the stain seemed unusual–it must
have been dried-up blood marks.

Visitors before Keira probably died while sleeping.

‘It must have been their intention to kill and eat me while I was asleep.’

If Keira hadn’t woken up to the sound of rain, she might be boiling in the pot by now. She shivered at the
thought.

‘I have to leave this place quickly.’

With her coat on, she immediately went to the door and tried to push it open but thought Ella might still be
watching from outside.

‘There’s nothing wrong with being careful.’

She looked outside through the crack in the door.

She could only see the dim image of the village, but Ella was nowhere to be found.

Keira opened the door cautiously, feeling fortunate despite her misfortune.

Squeak–.

“?”

But something was weird. Something like a brown thread was blocking her view.
It swayed and flowed.
‘Human hair?’

As she slightly raised her gaze, she met Ella’s eyes, with her hanging upside down by the door.

“…!”

Keira couldn’t even scream.

Still hanging upside down, Ella opened her mouth with a smirk.

Ella: “Where are you going again, Kira?”

The corner of her mouth, which had been smiling at her bashfully, soon ripped long down to her ears.

Keira’s body reacted instinctively. Her fists flew straight away when she saw Ella’s bizarre face and gaze.

Smack–![1]

Without controlling her strength, Keira smacked her with all her mana. Smack–, then a sound similar to a water
bag bursting.

“Keeeeek!”

Ella was thrown onto the dirt floor. It was so surreal to watch her shift back to normal.

Ella: “Can’t you sleep?”

All of a sudden, Ella, whose neck shifted back to its original position, approached Keira with a grin.

Ella: “Then I’ll make you sleep!”

Shing–!

Keira reflexively blocked the knife that flew towards her neck. And she immediately struck back and cut off her
arm.

“Keeeeek!”

Ella clutched her severed arm and let out a long scream. It was loud enough to resound through the whole
village.

F*cking crazy. Keira rarely swore, but those words bubbled in her throat.

Burst–!

Burst–!

The people in the village–although it didn’t feel right to refer to them as ‘people’–appeared simultaneously,
opening the door.

It would be impossible to sneak away after this. Having judged that, Keira immediately drew her sword.
“Keeek!”
“Keek! Keek! Keek! Keek!”

The villagers made inhuman noises and approached Keira.

‘First, the one closest to me.’

Starting with Ella, Keira cut them in half.

‘It’s not a strong demon.’

If she were, she would have attacked her the first time they met without going through such a cumbersome
method.

She must have judged that she couldn’t defeat Keira in a head-to-head battle because she was about to attack
Keira while asleep.

‘Then there’s no need to be afraid.’

This might be easier to handle than the advanced demonic beasts she dealt with in the human world.

She slowly moved out of the village and fought the demons approaching her.

They were slow and had no special attacks, so it wasn’t hard to kill them.

However, there was another problem…

Keira: “Huff, huff.”

She held her breath as she leaned on her sword like a staff.

‘Am I almost done with this?’

Some of the faces she had seen before did not appear. Maybe they didn’t leave the house when they saw their
companions getting cut into pieces.

She didn’t want to kill the demons too afraid to attack her.

Not out of sympathy, of course, but of fear that it would be for nothing.

‘I have to get out of here first.’

As she turned around to leave, she felt an ominous energy behind her back.

Keira: “–!”

Crash–!

Then Keira flung herself to the side just as the tree a few steps away shattered.
[1] the author used ‘ 퍼 억 ,’ an onomatopoeia used when hitting something. I couldn’t think of anything
appropriate to use, so I used ‘smack’ for now.
Chapter 161
When Keira turned, she saw a villager’s head nailed to a tree. Its torso was far away on the dirt floor.

However, an elongated neck connected them. The head turned with a screech.

“Did you think I was dead? You thought I was dead, didn’t you?”

As the head spoke, the torso crawled with its arms and began approaching Keira at high speed.

“Keeeeeek!”

“Heeheehee[1].”

Several individuals at the same time.

“…”

The sight was so horrendous that Keira faltered.

She thought it would be better to fight a wild boar twenty times its original size.

‘Is Cosette like this, too?’

She couldn’t continue dealing with demons that didn’t die even if she cut them in two. There was a limit to her
stamina.

So, instead of fighting back, Keira ran towards the forest.

‘Everyone only has their upper or lower bodies left. I’m faster.’

However, the demonic forest wouldn’t let her go peacefully.

The woods was vastly different during the day and at night.

Swoosh–!

The trees, which looked normal when the sun was up, began to move at night.

Slam–!

A tree trunk moved and blocked her path.

While Keira was blocked, the demons after her came closer.

“Catch her! Catch her!”

“Keeek!”
She intended to hide by climbing a tall tree, but it was a complete misjudgment.

‘D*mn it.’

Keira did think the forest of the Demon Realm was too peaceful.

She ran, cutting down tree trunks blocking her path one by one.

‘How far do I have to run away?’

No, the entire forest was one genus, so she didn’t know if running away was the right decision.

As Keira turned around, she started seeing a faint light in front of her again. It was the cannibal villagers.

‘What should I do?’

The village was empty since they chased after her.

If she went back into the woods, she would be constantly chased away. So, wouldn’t it be better to hide and
wait for the sun to rise?

There was a limit to her movements in the dark forest.

‘There’s a saying that beneath the lamp is dark [2]…’

The village was enveloped in complete silence. It felt as if they all ran out to chase their prey.

Keira picked a hut with a back door, crept inside, and made sure no one was inside before she sat on the floor to
catch her breath.

Keira: “Haa.”

He said that the magic of space and time would never catch her.*

When Keira thought of Erez’s face as he spoke it so confidently, her anger rose again.

If that man had just teleported her properly, she wouldn’t have to suffer like this.

He even told her not to worry, that he’d find her right away if they got separated!

Even after half a day had passed, not even a single golden hair could be seen, let alone the man himself.

Keira gritted her teeth and leaned her back against the wall.

‘Now what?’

Now that she knew this forest was no longer safe, she had to get out of here as soon as the sun came up.
However, there was no guarantee that it would be safe outside the forest.

“…”

It was a complete mess. Did she come to the Demon Realm for nothing?

Just as she started regretting her decision…

Step–.

She started hearing footsteps on the dirt floor from afar.

Keira: “…!”

Keira immediately grabbed her sword from the floor.

It didn’t seem to be the demons who lived in the village. After all, she had cut them all in two.

If they came back, Keira would hear the sound of their upper body dragging to the floor, not the sound of
footsteps.

Step, step–.

To make matters worse, the footsteps were getting closer.

Keira covered her mouth with her mouth in fear that they would hear her breathing.

‘Just pass by. Just go.’

But despite her earnest prayer, the unidentified footsteps stopped in front of the hut where Keira hid.

She could see someone standing outside through the small gap under the door.

As if it knew exactly that she was here.

There’s a saying, ‘The one who strikes first wins [3].’

Keira stood up carefully so as not to make a sound.

Then, she pierced the mana-covered sword towards the door.

Bam–!

“Ahhhhh!”

She heard a scream outside the door. It was a familiar voice.

“…?”
“What the h*ll are you doing!”

It was the voice of the one who dropped her here.

Keira pulled her blade out of the door, then poked her head outside.

As if he had fallen for a moment, Erez was getting up, wiping the dirt off his clothes.

It was the real Erez.

He looked tidy, unlike Keira, who had been chased around.

When she saw him, her anger, which she had forgotten for a moment, came rushing back to her. Keira slammed
her sword to the ground and said.

Keira: “And you said you were confident in your space and time magic?”

Erez: “…I mentioned there was a possibility that we might get separated.”

Still, Erez’s conscience pricked him, so he avoided her gaze.

Erez: “I-isn’t it okay because I came to you, right?”

Keira: “You said you’d find me right away. You never said it would take this long!”

Erez: “That’s because you moved from where you first fell! Don’t you know the first rule when you’re in
distress? Stay where you are.”

How should I know that? Keira’s face wrinkled.

But Erez didn’t care and continued.

Erez: “I’m glad I was able to find you by making a fuss. The whole forest was in a commotion.”

Keira really wanted to hit him as he spoke softly. In fact, Keira’s fists were clenched tightly.

‘Let’s be patient…. You can’t come all the way here and fight your partner.’

Keira: “Keep your voice down. They still might be looking for me.”

Erez: “Ah, them? No need to worry. I met them on the way.”

Keira didn’t know if Erez persuaded them not to pursue her or if he used violence.

She didn’t care either way.

Erez: “Do you really come all the way here and follow the stranger? Weren’t you scared?”
Keira: “…I thought she was human. I thought she fell through the gate.”

Moreover, just before revealing their identity, they didn’t emit any ominous aura at all.

She really seemed like a normal human being.

Were all demons like this?

As if reading her mind, Erez answered.

Erez: “It’s because they’re weak. Wouldn’t it be difficult to be driven out to such a deep place? This forest is
where things caught in the gate often fall. It eats humans who fall into the Demon Realm by accident. They’d
attack ordinary people as soon as they find it, but if it’s too much to deal with, they would pretend to be human,
give them a place to sleep, then eat them.”

Whenever the gate was about to open, the general public would evacuate immediately and the knights who
could deal with demonic beasts were dispatched.

Many of those who fell here would probably be combat personnel.

It would be unreasonable to subdue a trained knight with their skills, so it seemed like they would drug them.

At the very least, while asleep, they would get eaten without realizing it.

When Keira imagined it, a chill ran down her back.

She really didn’t want to be here any longer.

She could still see Ella’s face, hanging upside down by the door and asking where she was going.

It was a memory she would never forget for the rest of her life.

At her urging, Erez flicked his finger, then a black hole appeared in the air.

Erez: “You can go in.”

“…”

No one could blame Keira for not jumping into the hole.

Her wary gaze turned to Erez.

Erez: “You can really trust me this time. We’re moving within the Demon Realm, so there’s no way I could
make a mistake.”

Keira: “…just let something like this happen again.”

She carefully tiptoed to the black hole.

She thought it was an empty space, but her toes touched something unexpectedly soft.

…The moment she thought of it, the hole sucked her in as if it was inhaling something.

‘Oh?’

She didn’t even have time to ask what was going on. Keira was sucked into the black hole in an instant.

And at the same time, her vision turned black.

[1]The author wrote ‘낄낄낄,’ which is similar to ‘ㅋㅋㅋ.’ Both are laughing sounds.
[2] ‘등잔 밑이 어둡다’ is a proverb that literally translates to the quote above. It means it’s easy to miss what’s
around you.
[3] ‘선빵 필승’ is another saying that the first attack wins.

*Not 100% sure about this translation

Chapter 162
Keira: “Ugh.”

This feeling was the same, even though it was the second time. It felt like her stomach was turned upside down.

Keira: “Blergh…”

After she fell to the floor and vomited for a long time, Keira was finally able to come to her senses.

She saw a large fortress wall when she looked up. It wasn’t much different from the castle of her hometown in
the capital.

…As she thought so, a crown lined up in front of the gate caught her eye.

There were winged demons, those with animal heads on their neck, four-legged creatures, ones with five tails
on their behind…

It again came to her that she wasn’t in the human world. Startled, Keira looked around.

Erez: “Oh, are you okay now?”

Erez came over and asked.

Keira: “This is…”

Erez: “It’s in front of the checkpoint. We can’t teleport into the castle.”

Keira’s eyes turned back to the group standing in line, seemingly waiting for the checkpoint.

About one out of five people looked just like a normal human being.

However, the demons in the forest immediately recognized that she was human. It must mean that she had
something that made it easy for them to realize she wasn’t one of them.

Keira: “Is it okay for me to be like this? No matter how you look at it, I’m different.”

Erez: “It’s okay if you go with me. They’ll think of you as my prey or servant.”

“…”

She didn’t know whether the idea was reassuring or not…

When she got up, brushing her clothes, Erez walked straight to the guard instead of standing in line at the
checkpoint.

What was visible under the guard’s helmet was a fleshless skeleton. Oh My God. Keira was startled and
speechless.

《You there! What are you doing without standing in line?!》

《They didn’t even stand in line in this scorching sun!》

《Does he want to get his head blown off!》

The voices of those in line grew louder.

It was Keira’s first time hearing the language, so she couldn’t really understand, but it was clear from the harsh
tone they weren’t happy.

Erez didn’t pay them mind, took something from his pocket, and showed it to the guard.

Then the Skeleton Soldier tapped his chin and answered.

《 Oh, what are you doing here? You’re like that, so I didn’t recognize you. Besides, why are you in that
figure?》

The skeleton didn’t seem to have vocal cords, and Keira couldn’t tell where its voice came from. So she gave up
trying to guess.

《If I returned to my original form, she would be scared.》

《Aha, you’re unexpectedly considerate to your servants.》

The skeleton soldier returned his nameplate and wrote something on the file. Then, he rang the bell and cleared
the way.

Erez: “It’s all over, so come over here.”

Keira: “What were you talking about? In the middle, they glanced at me.”

Erez: “I mentioned I have one companion, so I was asking them to let you in, too.”

He didn’t mention the talk about Keira being his servant.

Erez: “Now that I see it, it must be uncomfortable that you can’t speak our language. Wait, I’ll cast an
interpreter spell for you.”

Erez lightly tapped Keira’s forehead. As Keira was about to protest at the contact, she started hearing the voices
of the crowd.

“You, frozen over there! What are you doing without getting out of the way?”

“Hurry up, hurry up!”

She started understanding what they said.

Translation magic, huh? There were many strange things about the magic of demons, Keira thought as she
rubbed her forehead.

Erez: “This way.”

Keira: “Oh, right.”

She followed Erez as he walked. But there was one curious thing–there were walls, but no gates.
‘Do we have to walk long to reach it? Aren’t checkpoints usually in front of the gate?’

The answer came soon enough. When Keira turned around to see a bright light flashing from the side, several
guards stood guarding a place a little far from the checkpoint.

‘Why are they standing in front of nothing?’

Upon closer inspection, Keira spotted a magic circle in an unrecognizable language at their feet.

Whoever arrived before Keira stood over it. The next moment, yellow light flashed, and their body disappeared
like smoke.

So that’s why the gates didn’t exist. There was no need for one in the first place.

Keira’s head pounded at the culture shock. Erez pulled Keira, standing blankly, and made her stand on the
magic circle.

Erez: “It’s a short distance, so you won’t be dizzy this time.”

Again, yellow light flashed. Blinded by the light, Keira closed her eyes for a moment and opened them to see a
brick road.

Large buildings were lined up on either side of the boulevard. It looked like a bustling city center.

Erez: “This is it. You cannot use teleportation magic inside the castle, so we’ll have to walk a little.”

Keira walked with Erez and looked around. It was quite different from where she lived, but it was hard to take
her eyes off the wonderful architectural style.

When Erez talked about the demon realm, Keira imagined a rocky land with flowing lava everywhere, so she
couldn’t help but be surprised at the sight.

Erez seemingly read her thoughts and said.

Erez: “It’s only like this inside the castle. The outside is lawless, like the first time you fell. Outside of the
castle, there is no law. So, be careful not to go outside the castle by any chance.”

The forest came to Keira’s mind. So everything was like that outside the castle…

‘I’ll just have to settle the matter and go back.’

She had one more reason to return sooner. Fortunately, this wasn’t a lawless area…

‘Hold on.’

Keira: “If there are rules in the castle, does that mean there’s someone who will punish them for breaking the
law?”

Erez: “Of course.”

Keira: “Then he must be the ruler of this city. Since we didn’t come here to sightsee, he must have been the one
you wanted me to meet.”
Erez: “That’s right.”

He answered and pointed his finger in the distance, where a castle in the middle of the city stood. Even though
it was quite a long distance, Keira could see something standing tall at the top of the spire.

Erez: “It’s waiting for us over there.”

“…”

Hearing that, Keira gulped.

Keira: “What are we waiting for?”

Keira grumbled as she sat on the sofa.

Despite waiting for us, the ruler asked us to wait for a while because they had something to do.

Keira was dissatisfied, wanting to return as soon as possible, but she persevered when she was told they only
had to wait for half a day.

Erez rented an inn outside the inner city so that she could wait.

In the end, she wasn’t able to head home until the next evening.

By the time she left the inn, the sky was completely dark. The night of the demon realm was exceptionally dark,
most likely due to the lack of a moon.

Not even a few lights were lit on the way to the meeting place, so Keira almost tripped a few times.

After she nearly fell for the tenth time, she asked impatiently.

Keira: “How much further?”

Erez: “Almost there.”

The inner castle had a structure surrounded by a forest, with no wall separating the inside and outside of the
fortress.

‘It’s a very unique structure. There’s a forest in the castle…’

The trees in the garden had grown so densely that the castle’s lower floors were hardly visible. Only the pointed
spire was sticking its head up.

“Meow.”

It was then that Keira heard a cat cry. Keira, looking at the castle spire, quickly turned her head.

‘Where did that come from?’

She couldn’t see the cat because of how dark it was. She didn’t really care about it, so she quickly shrugged it
off.
Erez: “Here.”

“Meow.”

Then she heard the cat again. It was closer than before.

‘Where is it?’

If she could hear it so close, it must be nearby, but Keira couldn’t see anything. Erez gazed curiously at Keira as
she looked around.

-
Erez: “What are you looking for?”

Keira: “I’ve been hearing cat noises since a while ago…”

Erez: “It’s this one.”

She turned her gaze to where Erez was pointing and saw an armored creature under the lamppost.

It was the armor worn by the skeletons at the checkpoint.

“Meow.”

However, when they took off their helmet, it wasn’t a skeleton but a cat—one with fluffy orange fur.

The cat soldier came closer to Keira with the helmet on their side.

“Meow.”

Keira: “……What do they mean?”

Erez: “Just offer them your cheek.”

“…?”

As she did, the cat soldier kissed her on the cheek.

It was fortunate that it was a cat and not a skeleton. She couldn’t imagine a skull kissing her cheek.

“Meow.”

The cat soldier also kissed Erez on the cheek and wore their helmet again. He even waved his front paw to say
hello.

What just happened? Keira followed Erez into the woods, a little dazed.
Chapter 163
Keira: “Why did they kiss me on the cheek?”

Erez: “It’s some kind of magic. If you go into this forest without a kiss from the guards, you’ll never get out.
But, on the other hand, if you go in after a kiss, just walk a hundred steps in any direction to get out.”

Keira: “Oh.”

The more Keira heard it, the weirder the magic of demons was for her. As a human being, she couldn’t even
imagine how it worked.

As Erez said, she walked a hundred steps and was able to get out of the woods. Then, as she stood in front of
the building, the door automatically opened. That, too, was a kind of magic.

Creak–.

The inside was strangely quiet. Not a single rat cub, let alone a guard or servant, was there.

Erez: “Don’t be fooled. You might see a strange sight if you enter an unauthorized place.”

Keira: “A strange sight?”

Erez: “Well, for example, the girl in that picture would crawl out and attack you?”

“…”

He said so and laughed, his chuckle echoing through the empty hallway.

The picture Erez pointed to was a girl with straight black hair standing next to a well. The painting’s gloomy
colors made Keira shudder.

Erez chuckled happily for a moment, but when he noticed Keira’s wrinkled expression, he stopped.

Erez: “Um, wasn’t it funny? It was a devilish joke. I thought you were too nervous, so I did it to calm your
nerves.”

Keira: “… Don’t do it again.”

Erez: “O-okay.”

The two began to walk again.

The meeting place was a conference room located on the 3rd floor. While making their way there, Keira didn’t
come across a single shadow.

Erez: “Here.”

The large door opened with ease.

Just like the hallway, the conference room was very dark. Keira was starting to wonder if they did this to
preserve energy.
Dimly lit candles floated in the air. It was small enough to reveal only the faces of the attendees.

As a result, an optical illusion occurred, as if only the face was floating in the air.

Keira quickly looked around the room and counted.

‘One, two, three, four.’

There were six attendees, including Keira and Erez.

Then someone spoke.

“You’re a little late.”

Erez: “It’s only been a minute. Why are you suddenly so strict on coming early?”

Erez answered. Then he quickly found his place and walked away before gesturing at Keira to take a seat.

“But what’s with that look?”

Erez: “I use this body in the human world.”

“That must be inconvenient. You can change back here.”

Erez: “Then she might be scared.”

“Huh? Ah.”

The person talking to Erez turned to Keira.

The figure illuminated under the dim light… It was, to say the least, very peculiar. He had three eyes.

At this point, Keira had stopped being surprised. The rest of the attendees had unusual appearances, but their
descriptions flew over her head.

Anyway, the important thing was they were bantering with Erez. She wasn’t interested in their relationship but
being comfortable with him meant he was at least a demon of their class.

Even the table was round. It was a structure that made it impossible to know which was the top seat.

‘They said there are thirteen Great Demons.’

Counting Erez, there were five demons gathered here. There were probably a few others who weren’t interested
in this situation.

‘Then the rest will be those who want to conquer the human world.’

Keira pretended not to be disturbed by their bizarre appearance and took her seat. Then the discussion
immediately began.

“Everyone must have heard of the situation.”

“I heard she finally did it.”

“Well, it hasn’t been blown up yet. Did she break the barrier or call the army?”

“I don’t know about the former, but she’s probably preparing the latter.”

“…Hmm, I guess.”

Keira listened silently to their conversation.

Then, a fundamental question formed in her head.

‘Why did the division occur among the demons?’

If she knew the reason, she could negotiate with them and bring down Cosette.

Keira leaned over to Erez, who was sitting next to her. Then she asked in a whisper.

Keira: “Now that I think about it, I’m curious, why are there differences of opinion within the same kind?”

She lowered her voice, but it seemed the others heard her.

The demons talking to each other looked at her.

“Why don’t you know that?”

“She might be blind to the situation.”

“I’ve been wondering for a while, but why is this girl here?”

Erez: “Ragibach had an accident in the human world. We need local help to settle it quietly.”

“Aha.”

Keira: “But can you tell me?”

“…Hmmm.”

The demons exchanged glances.

Keira said.

Keira: “I have no one to talk to about this anyway… It’s the same here that you get embarrassed when you get a
question about how you found out.”*

“Well… Actually, it’s not really a big deal… It’s just a difference of opinion between us.”

That was a feud that had been going on for quite some time.

Hundreds of years ago, the first talk of withdrawal was in a dark conference hall, much like now.

A place where only candles floating in the air dimly illuminated their faces.
The only difference was that they were going back and forth.

Bang–!

Someone hit the table hard. The noise was so loud that it would not be strange if the table made of ivory broke.

“I ran so fast that I didn’t expect to see something like this. So what did you all do while sitting here huddled
together? Huh? These are the faces you don’t see often, so did you talk about it while playing and eating?”

“I didn’t know that you guys got along well enough to eat and play together for ten days. I found out something
interesting.”

“Sit down and talk.”

“You two, calm down.”

Eleven people gathered in the conference hall. If one had to separate them, one could divide them into three
categories.

Those who would jump up in anger.

Those who would deter them.

And those who just thought differently, hoping that the meeting would be over soon. Yurr was somewhere
between the second and the third group.

‘Oh, that part is really cracked.’

He didn’t want them to get angry, but he was also concerned about the cracked table.

The man sitting next to him opened his mouth.

“You knew the goddess might intervene, so why did you go ahead? You ignored the warning and entered the
capital, knowing what would happen?”

“Do you think I don’t know that story is just an excuse? Do I look that stupid? You didn’t want to participate
before you came here! You’re like a pig who doesn’t know shame.”

At that time, a woman in a fancy dress that did not match the situation on the battlefield spoke.

“Both of you, calm down. This is not the time for us to fight each other.”

“You shut up!”

“Oh my gosh.”

The demon felt it for a long time, but there was something about the other’s respectful words that grated on
their nerves. To the extent that they thought it was not unreasonable to shout at them to shut up.

Yurr watched his comrade’s quarrel, waiting for it to end quickly.

“Hey, Ragibach, I understand what you mean. But let’s talk a little…”
“There’s nothing to talk about! You didn’t want to fight because of the goddess’s intervention!”

“No, then if you charge and take damage, will you take responsibility?”

“It is an honor to die fighting on the battlefield.”

“What did you say? You crazy b*tch!”

Three demons insisted on going to battle, three who wanted to take care of the goddess’s power because it was
necessary to be careful, two who pretended to mediate, and three who didn’t care.

The quarrel, which was fierce from the beginning, got worse as time went on. Then, all of a sudden, it was
going back and forth between six demons. Well, this wasn’t unusual, though.

“Yeah, I didn’t want to fight, so I kept quiet! I didn’t want to come in the first place! What is the benefit of
conquering the human world, huh?”

“You won’t fight if you have nothing to gain? Are you a demon?”

“Why don’t you just stick your nose in the plate and die?”

“Haa…”

The demon, who had been refuting the opinion of the main instigator, sighed and sat back down on the chair.

His patience was too short to convince these war-hungry warriors. So he would just have to say it out loud.

“I’ll be frank. We’ve lived too long. I’m at an age that I’ve lost motivation. In addition, I have achieved a lot,
and I don’t want to follow my instinct even at the expense of a huge loss because I want to fight.”

“…Are you serious? The both of you?”

“Yes.”

“To be honest, I don’t have any more answers. Get out. Your long-lived life sooner or later.”

“Haa, it really doesn’t make sense…”

In the end, it felt as if a duel would take place. Ajai, who was watching, stood up and said.

“So let’s sort it out.”

At that moment, everyone stopped talking and turned to him.

“Doesn’t everyone agree that the goddess might intervene, so we should be prepared for it?”

“If you guys had continued to advance without wasting ten days…!”

“There may be something hidden inside the wall. From the commander’s point of view, isn’t it impossible to
fight a battle without recognizing it?”

“…”
It was a good excuse. If it had been true that they couldn’t move because they were being careful, they would
have made a plan ahead of time rather than wait for ten days.

“To die in battle is the greatest honor.”

“I know. But if you fall into the enemy’s trap and die without seeing a proper fight, can you call that honor?”

“…”

It was an irrefutable argument. The main instigators had no choice but to keep their mouths shut with
resentment.

“I respect everyone’s opinion.”

Yurr thought to himself, ‘What a load of crap.’

Chapter 164
“But we can’t scatter the lives of our warriors elsewhere, can we? We need to monitor the situation a little
more.”

“Are you monitoring the situation? It doesn’t seem like it. You look like you’re just killing time.”

“Then why don’t you look into the situation over there? What kind of power the goddess grants, how powerful
it is, and whether or not it can be a blow to us?”

“…”

“If you decide its okay to ignore it and go ahead, I will follow your advice.”

The longer the demons lived, the stronger they became. And the stronger the power, the longer the lifespan.

It was an endless cycle in which the strength increased as the lifespan increased, and the lifespan increased as
the strength increased.

It was different from human beings who lived only a fixed lifespan and then died.

That’s why the demons in charge didn’t change. She was fed up seeing the same faces for hundreds or
thousands of years.

Due to their long lifespan, everything had become dull, and they focused on protecting what they had built up.
Ragibach sincerely thought that the structure of human beings that changed with time would be better.

It would be nice if they were killed in this war. She longed for it.

To make that possible, she had to accept his offer. It wasn’t a disadvantage for her anyway.

“…Okay.”

Of course, there was also opposition from the other side.

“Wait! Then it will be decided by her subjective judgment! I’m against it!”

“I’m also against it. It’s dangerous from anyone’s perspective, but who knows if they’ll decide on their own that
it’s safe?”

“Ah, of course, those concerns are valid.”

Ajai continued.

“Then how about attaching the condition that the minimum amount of evidence is required?”

“Minimum evidence?”
However, wasn’t the ‘minimum evidence’ also subjective?

In any case, it was a good condition for this side.

“Okay, then let’s do it.”

“We’re against it!”

“It doesn’t sound like a bad decision, so why are you so opposed to it?”

After that, the castle went back and forth for a while, but the conclusion did not change. It was because Azai
gave the instigators power.

As the atmosphere in the conference room faded to a semi-forced tone, he said, clapping.

“So, does everyone agree? Instead, no one should be tampered with until it is concluded that there are no risks
or that it is acceptable. Do you understand what I mean? There is no need to give up your life.”

“Okay.”

“Oh, and one more thing.”

“One more? What is it?”

“If it is understood that the intervention of the goddess can cause fatal damage to us…”

He purposely paused for a moment.

“Let’s not discuss the invasion again. You could endanger your entire race.”

Keira: “Ah, so…”

Keira recalled the contents of a book she had just read–the record that there was no strange battle for a while
before the barrier was created and the demons withdrew.

‘He knew beforehand that the goddess might be intervening, so he sabotaged their plan.’

The puzzle seemed to fit piece by piece.

Keira: “Then, did you know that a barrier was created as a result of the investigation and left?”

Blocking movement to and from the base would not be a pain at all. He must have recognized the danger and
quickly withdrew. Keira thought so.

However…

“It’s not?”
The woman who had been sitting quietly until then answered. She was a woman with fins instead of ears.

Keira: “No?”

“In the end, they didn’t know how the goddess would intervene.”

“?”

The meeting ended and they started to leave one by one.

Those who looked bored were the first to get up.

The next group to go was the main instigators, including Ragibach.

Having obtained favorable conditions for their side, they no longer had any reason to dwell in the conference
room.

Ragibach was the fifth to leave the conference room, but before she could, a voice stopped her in her steps.

“Hey, why don’t you just face reality and live your life?”

She frowned and looked back. The voice sounded familiar.

It was Yurr.

Ragibach: “What are you talking about?”

-
Yurr: “That’s right. If you want to go to war, you have to offer reasonable benefits. It is our instinct to fight
endlessly, so let’s conquer the human world! Who would agree with you then? Ah, except for those who think
like you?”

When he finished speaking, Ragibach’s face became as cold as a field of ice.

Ragibach: “What?”

She looked as if she had been stabbed in the back by someone she trusted.

Ragibach: “…You think the same as them?”

Yurr: “If I had agreed with you, I would have helped out at the meeting. I’d just have a look… Ugh!”

Slam–!

A fist hit Yurr’s careless and chattering face.

It was a blow that peeled off the skin of his face and exposed his muscles. Of course, he soon recovered.
‘Look at this?’

Anyway, she didn’t like him.

But to punch him in the face so openly?

But just as Yurr was about to draw his weapon and those who remained in the conference room started
leaving…

“What are you doing?”

“If you want to fight, go out and fight. Just don’t destroy the building.”

“Right. Go out and do it. Go out.”

The demons around them said that, but Yurr had no desire to fight. He sighed as he stretched his arms.

Yurr: “Alright, alright.”

Ragibach: “Look who’s talking.”

Ragibach had a lot of work to do for the time being, but she had no intention of losing strength by fighting with
her fellow demon.

She went back to her camp and discussed things with her subordinates.

The relationship between the goddess and the world was like that between a fetus and a pregnant woman.

Just as a pregnant woman could sing a song to her fetus but could not hug and kiss her directly, there was a limit
to her influence on this world.

If the goddess were to defend her own creations, how would she help them?

Ragibach stayed up all night with her minions to think. She even planted spies inside the city walls. She even
professed that she would give a big reward to anyone who could bring a hint.

And after ten days, she finally found her answer.

Ragibach: “The power of the spirit?”

Apparently, a special bloodline was chosen to receive the power to control spirits…

‘The spirits and demons are definitely at odds.’

But, nevertheless, some things weren’t clear. No matter how excellent an individual’s forces were, the impact
on the world should be negligible.

Besides, why wouldn’t the goddess bless many people and choose only one bloodline instead?
‘…Is that the only thing you can do?’

She knew the intervention was limited, but she didn’t know to what extent. But her worries soon washed away.

‘You know what? At this stage, it’s been proven that it’s not very dangerous.’

She passed on what she had discovered to Ajai, and the information was soon delivered to all the Great
Demons.

Those who doubted them lost in the face of objective evidence.

Ajai also supported her argument.

Ajai: “Then that proves it’s not dangerous.”

As soon as the words fell, the expressions of those fools crumpled up in disappointment.

Ragibach took the lead, rearranged the lines, devised an advanced route, and devised a strategy.

And just before the invasion resumed, the barrier of the spirits began to form.

This time, it was her turn to frown.

“Isn’t that dangerous?”

“It cannot end with just giving the blessing of the spirit to an individual.”

“Isn’t there nothing more dangerous than being isolated from the enemy camp? I think we need to withdraw
quickly before the barrier is complete.”

They sounded sarcastic, but she never spared them a glance.

All she was looking at was Azai, who was smiling softly.

Ragibach: “You… You b*stard!”

He knew it from the start. This was what the goddess was aiming for.

Knowing that she had no choice but to withdraw anyway, Ajai created a situation in which he had no choice but
to give in so that Ragibach wouldn’t be able to talk about it later.

The fact that Ragibach was entrusted with the investigation and that she couldn’t pinpoint the core part due to
insufficient research was all part of the scheme.

‘Of course!’

The demon she’d been at odds with couldn’t have given her a chance.
She gritted her teeth.

But the tide was already against them. It was something she had agreed to from the start.

Ajai: “Then prepare to retreat.”

Ragibach: “Ajai!”

Then his expression hardened terribly.

Ajai: “I know what you want, but if everyone agrees on something, then we have to follow it. Besides, what
would have happened if I had only believed in your words and felt relieved? What if you didn’t notice the
barrier being created? Shouldn’t we all have suffered the consequences?”

“…”

Those who take responsibility for their failures had nothing to say.

Ragibach was certain he had calculated everything up to this point.

Ragibach: “This is what you had planned from the start.”

Ajai: “I don’t know what you’re talking about. If you want to fight more, convince those who agree with you to
stay.”

He left behind those words and turned around.

Chapter 165
“After that, we came to an agreement. I will never again devote my energy to something pretentious like
conquering the human world.”

Conqueror of the human world had a good ring to it, but Keira didn’t know there was no real benefit in
conquering a single race.

After all, the ancient history she had learned had frequent invasions.

Erez added when he noticed her puzzled look.

Erez: “It’s not like going to the human world is as easy as crossing a mountain. If that were the case, there
would have been more merits. However, we can only go there by crossing a dimension, and it would take a long
time to reach the place where humans active lived. So the costs far outweigh the benefits[1].”

Keira: “I see.”

Erez: “And wouldn’t it be possible to maintain an army only if there was a hostile race?”

“…”

It wasn’t part of the old story he told her, but Keira thought maybe that was the key.

Why would they eliminate beings beneficial to them just by living and breathing freely in another dimension far
away?

Moreover, there was no merit in bearing such a disadvantage.

They had a high, long-held vested interest. So there was no need to go ahead and lessen their benefits.

Keira: “I didn’t expect that, but I heard that there were often invasions before the barrier was formed…”

Keira: “Because that was when we were young.”

Keira: “Huh?”

“It’s strange to see them still running at that age and wanting to fight.”

“It’s great to be full of energy.”

“It’s fascinating to see it sometimes.”

“Will they be held accountable if a sacrifice is made?”

Some demons reacted to Erez’s words with sarcasm.

As Keira watched them, she thought that their relationship could be as bad as the one between her grandfather
and Count Weinberg.

The demons, gossiping with each other for a while, came to their senses.
“Ah, so that’s the important thing. It seems like they are plotting something in the human world, so it should be
stopped. It will be troublesome if she instigates the young people to break the barrier and start another war.”

“Ah… there was an agreement between us in the past, remember? Can’t we just stop her from breaking the
rules?”

Ajai: “Oh, there’s a problem with that too… don’t you think it’s strange how Ragibach got to the human
world?”

The group paused at Ajai’s words. He continued.

Ajai: “Apparently, she made a contract with a human. We don’t know their exact terms. However, the problem
is that even if we ask her why she’s in the human world and she says it’s because of the contract, we have
nothing to say.”

-
“Wait.”

Then the devil with three eyes spoke.

“So there’s no evidence of what exactly she’s planning? So how can you be sure she’s re-invading the human
world?”

“Yurr will explain.”

Then, their gaze turned to Erez. Keira looked at him curiously.

‘Why wouldn’t they be sure? We returned to the past. We wouldn’t have gone back in time if nothing had
happened. Did he not tell them yet?’

Erez answered.

Erez: “That girl will explain it to you.”

Keira: “Huh?”

At his words, the demons stared at her.

‘Why won’t you talk about going back in time?’

She soon realized that he didn’t want to reveal his abilities.

Keira: “That’s because… Cosette, I mean Ragibach, has tried to break the elemental stone multiple times.”

Keira added that she thought Cosette had been aiming for Keira’s elementalist position and that it’s for more
than just fulfilling a contract and trying to figure out the elemental stone’s location.

Keira: “The spirit stone is just a medium to prove the contract with the spirit. If she’s trying to find it, it means
she wants to destroy it and try to damage the barrier.”

“Hmm… That’s suspicious.”

Keira: “If revenge were her goal, she would have just stabbed and killed everything. Why would she sit there in
boredom?”

The demons gathered in the conference room nodded.

Because they’ve known each other for so long, they hated each other. But they also knew each other so well.

“By the way, that old woman went into the body of a young girl and acted all cutesy? I’d love to see that.”

“I want to record it and watch it whenever I’m depressed.”

“Is it the body that the contractor prepared?”

Erez: “Ah, that’s right.”

Erez suddenly spoke.

Erez: “Speaking of the contractor, we have yet to find out who Ragibach’s contractor is.”

“Isn’t it someone who practices black magic?”

Erez: “I thought so, too, but I couldn’t find a single black magician all over the country, and if they had signed a
contract with Ragibach, I wouldn’t have overlooked it…”

“What if they’re already dead?”

“Oh, that’s a possibility.”

As Keira listened to their conversation, she stiffened.

Already dead. And someone who’d ask for revenge on her grandfather.

Keira could only think of one person who fit the bill.

One of the demons noticed Keira’s expression and said.

“I think that girl has something on her mind.”

“But if they’re already dead, there’s no point in looking for them. Are you going to dig for evidence and grab
the bone?”

If Rowena really were Ragibach’s contractor, it would have been when she was pregnant when she first
summoned the demon to the human world.

While the demons argued, Keira spoke up.

Keira: “I have a question.”

“What is it?”

Keira: “If the spirit of a demon enters the body of a dead human… Can it do anything more than move and live?
For example, grow.”
As she spoke, she realized that the example was right there by her side.
The demons pointed it out right away.

“Of course. The point is to make the body look alive in the first place.”

“There is an example right next to you.”

“–!”

Yurr did say that when Erez had an accident when he was young, his soul escaped, so he took over the body.

But now, this Erez was an adult. Besides, seeing that he was friendly with the people in his family, Keira could
only think that he had been in contact with them for a long time.

Keira remembered again the possibility she thought of when Count Weinberg had brought a witness–that
Rowena Weinberg had twins.

Her grandfather said that a son was in Rowena’s stomach.

If she was pregnant with twins, what would happen to the daughter?

‘Perhaps the body the devil is using…’

What if the body Ragibach was using was her unborn half-sister? A chill ran down her spine at the thought.

Maybe that’s why she could control the spirits and why she looked just like Father.

But then.

“Well, it doesn’t matter who the contractor is.”

The demons interrupted her thoughts.

“I mean, there are circumstances in which she might want to destroy the spirit stone.”

Keira: “Yes.”

“Does that mean there is no concrete evidence to say that such a situation exists?”

Keira: “That…right.”

She had come to that conclusion because she thought Erez needed a reason to turn back time, but she didn’t
have any specific evidence.

The demons shared their thoughts.

“We can’t go to the human world. You have to come up with concrete evidence first. If you want to cooperate
with us that will give us a reason to move.”

“Without evidence, we cannot punish our own people for violating an agreement between us by your hunch.”
“If there’s concrete evidence…”

“Proof that Ragibach is about to wage war again with the human world.”

Keira paused for a moment and said.

Keira: “If you can punish them just because they broke the agreement… Isn’t it the surest way to really just let
the war start? You can stop them the moment they show actual movement.”

“Ah, that’s what it is. It’s a bit ambiguous.”

“We have agreed that the intervention of the goddess may cause fatal harm to the entire people, so it is
forbidden to act at risk…”

“If you broke the real barrier, it proves that she can break it, too. Then the condition that it could cause fatal
harm to the entire people becomes invalid.”

“…”

It was a little confusing, but after thinking for a while, she understood what they meant. Then, immediately, she
found it absurd.

‘This guy… No, aren’t you being too open about how these devils didn’t really have a heart for their kind from
the time they set the rules?’

If this were a meeting between human aristocrats, they would have pretended to be for the cause even if they
had their own self-interests.

She felt another sense of culture shock.

Keira: “Anyway, to summarize– Evidence of starting a war should be found, but it would really be too late after
the war has started.”

“Right.”

Keira: “Then…”

Keira pondered for a moment.

It would be impossible to obtain a confession from Ragibach herself. However, it was also unlikely to get
testimony from people around her.

Except for Count Weinberg, it is unlikely that others in the family would know her true identity. Searching the
mansion and finding physical evidence also failed, so all that was left was to find out.

Keira: “I’m going to have to move on my own and create evidence.”

“How? As I said, we can’t lend a hand, except for Yurr. It’s not that I don’t want to help, it’s that it’s
impossible.”

“Of course, the reason, as you know, is because of the barrier.”

“But what does it mean to move on your own and create evidence?”

Keira: “I meant it literally.”

All she had to do was make Ragibach move.

If only one condition could be met instead.

Keira: “If I could find evidence, how quickly would you respond?”

[1] 배 보 다 배 꼽 이 더 크 다 is an idiom that literally translates to “our belly button is bigger than your
stomach.” It means the unimportant parts of what you want cost more than the thing itself
Chapter 166
Keira spent one day in the forest village, another in the castle, and another preparing to teleport back. Including
the time she fainted, she spent four days in the Demon Realm.

She agreed that she would go on vacation for ten days, so she had plenty of time.

Erez asked.

Erez: “Are you going back right away?”

Keira: “Yeah, just in case a variable explodes.”

Besides, she wanted to get out of this dangerous place as quickly as possible.

Keira remembered the figure of a girl crawling out of the portrait on her way out last night.

She asked Erez why she crawled out even when she didn’t go to the place he told her not to, and Erez calmly
replied that the child would also get hungry, so she’d go out and eat something.

Keira couldn’t even imagine what they went out to eat. It definitely wouldn’t be the typical meal.

‘We really have to leave quickly, a place like this.’

So Keira urged Erez once more.

Erez: “Not right now. We need to move to another city.”

Keira: “Is there another city?”

Erez: “Did you completely forget the time I said there are thirteen Great Demons?”

Keira: “You could live in the same city.”

Then he answered in a very cynical tone.

Erez: “If that were the case, we would be in ashes by now from fighting each other.”

“…”

Erez: “Anyway, let’s go.”

He went outside the castle and performed a medium-range teleportation magic. Unfortunately, even though it
was the third time Keira had used teleportation magic over a short distance, she still hadn’t adapted.

She felt nauseous as soon they arrived in front of another city. She asked in a weary voice.

Keira: “…Why did we have to teleport to another city in the first place?”

Erez: “The space between dimensions does not open just because we can warp anywhere. There is a fixed
coordinate system.”
Keira: “Ah, okay…”

‘Is that why I was transported to the village at the bottom of the mountain?’

Keira slightly regretted cursing him for the unfortunate events.*

In any case, Erez drew the magic circle again in half a day. This time, it was fortunate he didn’t have to hide the
traces of black magic.

Keira, who stood on top of the magic circle, lost consciousness for a moment again and then opened her eyes.
Her whole body throbbed as if she had been thrown to the floor mid-air. After blinking her eyes a few times, her
vision quickly came back.

‘I thought it was shaking.’

She was in a carriage. Erez must have brought her there when she fainted since she wouldn’t have gotten inside
on her own feet.

She urged him to return quickly, but before she even woke up, it seemed he got her carriage and sent her back.

But Erez was nowhere to be seen. Instead, there was a letter on the chair opposite her.

「You didn’t wake up no matter how long I waited, so I just let you go. It’s not because it’s annoying to watch
over you but because you said you want to return as soon as possible.」

Keira crumpled up the letter and tucked it into her coat pocket. In this instance, should she say it was fortunate?

‘I don’t think there’s any need to move quickly because I’m coming back sooner than expected…’

Still, she didn’t want to waste her time.

The carriage continued to run, and Keira couldn’t tell when it was day or night. It was early in the morning
when she finally arrived at the place she had promised with Zeke.

She couldn’t go through the front door because of the guise that she was resting in the annex with Zeke. The
owners of the main building were unaware that Keira had left.

Fortunately, she could sneak through the back door because it was dawn.

Keira sneaked up to the second floor and woke Lira. At first, Lira could not come to her senses, but as soon as
she recognized Keira’s face, she opened her eyes.

Lira: “M-milady?”

Keira: “Shh.”

Lira: “Oh!”

Lira covered her mouth as if she had made a mistake, and after a while, she whispered.

Lira: “Did you just come back?”

Keira: “Yeah, did anything happen while I was away?”
Lira: “It would be better to ask the young master to be certain, but as far as I know, nothing special has
happened. There was no contact from the capital.”

Keira: “That’s good.”

As relief flooded her, she felt drowsy. She had to sleep first before talking to Zeke.

Keira went into the room where she was supposed to stay and took a nap. And the sun was bright in the
morning.

Lira: “Milady, it’s time to wake up.”

She thought she had only closed her eyes for a moment, but Zeke had already heard that she had returned and
was waiting for her to wake up.

Keira: “Tell him to come in.”

Lira: “Yes.”

She fell asleep the moment she took off her coat, so she didn’t even have the chance to change her clothes.

She wanted to take a bath and change her clothes, but now, her priority was to return to the capital. So Keira
instructed the maids to pack their bags.

By the time Zeke entered the bedroom, the maids were busily preparing to return.

Looking slightly surprised, Zeke said.

Zeke: “Did you return earlier than expected?”

Keira: “That’s right. I didn’t expect it either.”

Zeke: “Are we going back soon? No, I asked something useless.”

He stood by the doorway where he saw the maids obviously preparing to leave.

A dark night around Keira’s return to the capital.

The quiet Weinberg house was blanketed in darkness. The only room with the lights on was the attic. Some
guards carried torches around the garden, but that alone was not enough to illuminate the expansive space.

In such a state, it would be hard to detect it if a thief entered.

‘If it’s not easy to spot what’s coming in, the opposite is also true.’

Creak–.

The sound of the attic window opening echoed softly. However, the noise from the top floor did not reach the
lower floors.
Cosette cautiously walked through the window and stepped on the brick from the wall. The body she was using
now was so fragile that it would break if she fell from the fourth floor.

Deliberately wearing dark clothes so she wouldn’t stand out, she hurriedly climbed the dimly lit wall and hid in
the darkness.

It didn’t take long for Cosette to climb up and down the roof. It was a movement so agile that it was hard to
imagine that she was a young lady from a noble family.

Cosette: “Haa.”

She took a deep breath when her feet landed on the dirt floor.

How on earth did she end up climbing down the wall like a shoplifter in the middle of the night?

But she couldn’t be bothered to lament deeply. The sound of the guards’ footsteps drew near, and she hurried to
hide behind the bushes.

‘What the. Why are you walking around here now?’

She spent days figuring out shift times and patrol routes. Anyway, the reason for the sudden change…

“Haa, I’m going to die of sleepiness.”

“Stop complaining. Our shift at the guard station has been reduced, and the personnel has greatly increased.”

“Well, that’s true… Why did the number of people suddenly increase anyway?”

“I know, right? A few days ago, they suddenly told me to keep the security tighter.”

Cosette’s eyes narrowed as she overheard the guards’ chatter.

She wouldn’t have known that they had suddenly increased the number and that the patrol route had changed a
few days ago.

But why? Why did they suddenly increase the number of watchers?

The guards didn’t say way. Suddenly, their conversation stopped.

“Who’s there?”

Cosette’s pure white-silver hair easily stood out even in the dark. Without even thinking about it, Cosette got up
and ran.

Her thin slippers came off and there were scratches on her feet, but it wasn’t her body anyway, so there was no
reason to worry.

“O-oh?”

“T-there!”

The bewildered guards followed her as if they could never have imagined that Cosette would escape.
As she ran, Cosette thought.

‘Why?’

Why the sudden change?

‘There’s got to be a reason why they needed to be more vigilant and make sure I don’t move.’

Then a possibility flashed through her head.

‘Did they find out about my identity?’

When she thought of that, goosebumps crept down her back.

Cosette couldn’t get caught and get kicked out without getting anything. Nervously chewing her lips, she soon
convinced herself that there was no clear basis for her suspicion.

‘If you’re still leaving me alone, it means you haven’t found any evidence. There’s no point in being scared.’

Maybe there’s a problem there. Could it be that either Grand Duke Ludwig or Keira had left the capital?

If so, this was a unique opportunity to approach Johanna.

‘That woman, unlike Ludwig and Keira, is soft.’

She would give Cosette a chance to meet if Cosette begged to speak to her, and would make judgments after
hearing her explanations.

‘Whether they found out about my identity or there’s a problem with them, I need to meet her alone.’

As long as the situation was like this, she was taking her chance.

Threaten Johanna to reveal the location of the spirit stone, and get rid of it. And after throwing away this body,
she would return to the Demon Realm.

What happened after that was beyond her. She didn’t have any obligation to protect the Weinberg family
anyway.

‘For now, let’s escape without thinking about going behind the scenes.’

Shee had to get out of here and get to a place where she could contact Johanna. The only way to do that was to
cross the fence.

*Not 100% sure about the translations

Chapter 167
Cosette climbed the wall, whether the guards followed or not. Her pursuers from behind were somewhat
perplexed.

How dare she try to escape in such a bold and reckless way?

However, they could only be astonished by her subsequent movements.

“!”

It was like watching a cat climb a tree.

‘I heard that she was only an ordinary noble girl…?’

But they didn’t have time to worry about that. It didn’t matter when Cosette trained her body.

All that mattered was that he received orders from his superior to monitor Cosette Weinberg.

“If she tries to escape, stop her even if it hurts you.”

The guard hoped he wouldn’t be held responsible after receiving such an order. He grabbed the spear he was
holding upside down and threw it at Cosette.

“Ack!”

The spear struck Cosette’s leg, and she fell. As she climbed up to the middle of the wall, she fell down like a
leaf.

Seeing her fall from a high place and roll on the dirt floor looked very painful.

The guard who threw the spear came up to her and said.

“Excuse me, Miss Cosette. I had no choice but to do it.”

Cosette: “Ugh…”

Cosette lay face down and clasped her hands. After this much delay, other guards were bound to arrive soon.

And sure enough.

“What’s going on?”

“I heard a commotion.”

Footsteps rushed towards the backyard. Cosette lifted her head and looked straight ahead.

A man with a familiar face was walking in the front. Cosette remembered his name.

“Sir Joseph.”

“…”
Puzzled, he looked down at Cosette. He didn’t seem to have expected that she would attempt her escape so
boldly and recklessly.

‘I thought you’d rather pretend to be sick and beg me to leave to be treated…’

Joseph never expected that a woman who looked like she could not lift anything heavier than a spoon would
jump out of the attic and climb up the wall.

Joseph: “Lady Cosette, what are you doing? His Grace has ordered you to remain confined.”

Cosette: “…Seeing you here, something wrong must have happened with Keira. Am I right?”

Joseph: “Do not answer a question with a question.”

None of this will work for this man. Cosette anxiously looked around.

But just then.

“What’s happening?”

“Lord Vatore.”

She saw another man in uniform. He must be a captain since the epaulet was something only they could wear.

His voice definitely had more influence than Joseph, the deputy commander. Having concluded so, Cosette
begged Lord Vatore.

Cosette: “Lord Vatore! I feel wronged.”

Vatore: “L-lady Cosette?”

Cosette: “No one gave me a chance to refute the accusation!”

In fact, Cosette was the one who kept her mouth shut, saying she didn’t know anything.

As Joseph was about to point out that, Cosette continued.

Cosette: “Father doesn’t listen to me anymore! Keira, too. Please let me meet Lady Johanna, my great-aunt!”

Vatore: “That’s not for me to decide…”

Cosette: “Isn’t okay to just tell her? Huh? Can’t you just tell her I’d like to meet her?”

After hesitating for a moment, Vatore answered.

Vatore: “If that’s the case, I’ll tell the Grand Duke.”

Cosette: “No!”

She screamed.
Cosette: “He won’t believe anything I say right now! He would think I have some kind of plot in trying to meet
Lady Johanna.”

Vatore: “However…”

Cosette: “At least give me a chance to explain myself.”

Having said that, Cosette cried while lying on the dirt floor.

Cosette: “Waah, Waaaah.”

“…”

She sounded really pitiful. He couldn’t help but sympathize the feeble-looking woman, who was currently a
crying mess.

Just as his heart was about to be shaken, Vatore regained his composure.

Vatore: “But again, without the permission of the Grand Duke, we cannot do it. You have to think about my
situation.”

Cosette: “But Lady Johanna is an adult relative of Father’s. It’ll be okay if Johanna allows it. Just tell tell to
listen to my explanation! Yes? That’s not a difficult request!”

Vatore: “Umm…”

It wouldn’t be a big problem if he just passed the message.

Above all, seeing a slender lady lying face down, begging in a mess, stimulated his chivalry. In the end, Vatore
concluded with a sigh.

Vatore: “Okay, please stop. Anyone who sees me would think I was harassing an innocent lady.”

Cosette: “R-really?”

Joseph: “Lord Vatore!”

Joseph and Cosette both raised their voices at the same time.

Joseph: “What are you talking about? When this becomes known to the Grand Duke…”

Vatore: “We were commanded to watch Miss Cosette from going outside, not to stop her from speaking.”

Joseph: “However!”

Turning his head away from the angry Joseph, Vatore ordered the guards.

Vatore: “Come on, take Lady Cosette back to her room.”

“Yes!”

With that, Cosette left with the guards.

Joseph burst into anger as soon as she disappeared from view.

Joseph: “Can I ask what you’re thinking? Why are you accepting the sinner’s request?”

Vatore: “Don’t be mad. I have thoughts too.”

Joseph’s eyebrows rose in response.

Vatore: “I’ll tell Lady Johanna what she said, so why don’t you pass this on to His Grace?”

Joseph: “Yes?”

Vatore: “I promised to deliver a message to Lady Johanna without telling the Grand Duke, but I did give you
orders to remain quiet.”

“…”

Vatore: “So I’m not breaking my promise.”

He nodded his head as he said that.

Joseph couldn’t tell whether this man was faithful to his sense of chivalry or not.

Late the next afternoon, Keira passed through the gates of the capital. Her servants, whom she had contacted in
advance, greeted her.

Robert asked.

Robert: “You arrived earlier than expected. Did you not enjoy the trip?”

Keira: “Yeah, more than I thought.”

He didn’t know he would receive such an answer and slumped in disappointment.

Robert: “I understand. Next time, it might be best to go somewhere else. Maybe a tourist destination with many
spots to visit and see.”

Keira: “No, rather than that, I couldn’t rest properly because I had left an unfortunate situation in the capital.”

Robert: “Ah.”

Leaving the luggage with the employees, Keira went straight into the house.

‘Anyway, I’m back home, so I should tell Father.’

It was more of a report than a greeting. She went up to the second floor and headed towards Ludwig’s office. At
that moment, a servant passed the hallway before his office, looking as if she had just come out there.

“Oh, milady! Are you back?”

Keira: “What is His Grace doing right now?”

“Sir Joseph was talking to him. I do not know the details.”

It was not unusual for the two to be together. Keira nodded, knocked, and went inside.

Seeing Keira, Ludwig turned to her.

Ludwig: “You came earlier than you said.”

Keira: “So I did.”

Ludwig: “Are you here to tell me you’re back?”

Keira: “Yes.”

After a brief reply, she turned to Joseph.

Keira: “By the way, what is happening here?”

Joseph: “You have arrived on time. That’s right, I thought I might have to discuss it with Your Ladyship, too.”

Keira: “…?”

What’s going on? Keira’s expression was dyed with her curiosity.

It was Ludwig, not Joseph, who answered her doubts.

Ludwig: “Cosette was caught trying to escape the mansion.”

Joseph: “She must be out of her mind. Unless she leaves the capital and runs away forever, her position will
only be at a disadvantage…”

It would have been more believable if they had said Cosette was trying to write a letter to get in touch with
someone.

It was absurd to hear she had made a reckless move in this situation. Had she lost sight of her goal when she
was cornered?

Keira: “So what excuse did she make?”

Joseph: “She said she wanted to meet her great-aunt. She wanted to explain the unfair situation to her… seems
like an excuse.”

Keira chuckled.

Keira: “If there was anything unfair, she should have told you when you gave her a chance to explain.”

Joseph: “She said that the investigator from the Imperial Palace did not believe her, and she didn’t tell me
because the Grand Duke and I had no intention of protecting her.”

Well, she wasn’t wrong. In the first place, the Imperial family hated her, so no matter what she claimed, she
would be at a disadvantage.
It was also true that they had no intention of protecting her in the grand duchy.

Joseph said.

Joseph: “Do you think Lady Johanna will listen to her?”

Ludwig: “My aunt has always been weak-hearted.”

Joseph: “Still, she’s not a person who can’t distinguish between what’s right and wrong…”

It’s more like…

Keira: “It seems to me that her goal is to contact Great-Aunt.”

Chapter 168
Ludwig: “What do you mean?”

Keira: “I thought maybe her goal was to approach and harm Great-Aunt.”

Ludwig’s brow furrowed a little.

Ludwig: “Why do you think so?”

Keira: “She was caught trying to escape the mansion. If she really wanted to explain, she would have politely
asked Great-Aunt to meet her, not escape recklessly.”

Ludwig: “…Right.”

If her goal was to express the injustice she felt, she shouldn’t try to escape.

Breaking orders and escaping would only attract suspicion.

Keira: “Rather, it seems to me she no longer has any concern for resolving said injustice. She seems like she’s
planning to escape and never come back.”

Cosette’s goal as a lady was not to live comfortably for the rest of her life.

All she had to do was break the barrier somehow, kill the elementalist, and start a war again.

‘But you still don’t know the location of the spirit stone… Did you find out while I was out of the capital?’

It was then that Ludwig spoke.

Ludwig: “Then I’ll decide not to accept Cosette’s request.”

Keira: “No. Since this has happened, let’s just say that Great-Aunt will meet her out of pity.”

Keira thought maybe she could take advantage of this situation.

“Lady Cosette.”

It was midday when she heard a voice calling her from outside her door.

Since lunchtime was over, the visitor couldn’t be the maid who brought her meal. Above all, this voice wasn’t
one she often heard.

Cosette quickly ran to the door and grabbed the doorknob.

Just as expected. Standing outside the door wasn’t the maid serving her meal but a sturdy knight.

Cosette: “What’s going on?”

“Lady Johanna has called for you. She said she would like to talk for a while.”

As he said so, the knight handed Cosette a letter. In summary, the contents of the letter were as follows:
‘Let’s hear your excuse. However, we must not be found out so that my position would not become difficult.’

A sly smile crept onto Cosette’s lips.

Cosette: “Is the carriage ready?”

“Yes, Lady Johanna has prepared it for you.”

Cosette: “Please wait. I’m going to change clothes and go out.”

After closing the door, Cosette took out a modest outfit and robe from the drawer.

The dark robe was quite large. It wouldn’t show at all if one hid a weapon inside.

She fixed a heavy knife inside the robe. It wasn’t a powerful weapon but enough to cut off human arteries.

After she had finished preparing, she opened the door again.

Cosette: “I’m done. We can go now.”

“Come this way. Oh, and press down on your hat so that your face doesn’t show.”

Cosette: “Thank you for guiding me.”

Cosette, her silver hair hidden amid shabby robes, did not look like a noble young lady, even more so because
the skirt hem exposed under her robe was just as ragged.

She went to Johanna’s mansion in a carriage used by servants.

A barrier had been built around Johanna’s mansion, so if an uninvited guest entered without permission, she
would immediately recognize it.

‘If I went according to the original plan, I would have had to find Johanna’s location while evading the
pursuit… Maybe it’s fortunate that I got caught then.’

She might still be bitter at her bruises from falling to the ground, but it’s something to be happy about.

The shabby carriage passed through the barrier safely and reached the front gate.

Naturally, there was no such thing as a welcome greeting from the users like when she came before since she
was in a carriage disguised as one carrying food.

“This way.”

Cosette: “Ah, thank you.”

Cosette followed the knight and entered the mansion through the back door.

The back door was connected to the kitchen, but no one was there, probably because it was past lunchtime.

She soon arrived in front of Johanna’s room.

Knock, knock–.

“Lady Cosette has arrived.”

Johanna: “Come in.”

Upon entering, Cosette saw Johanna fiddling with knitting needles. Johanna put it down when she saw her and
said.

Johanna: “Sir Knight, you can go now.”

“Yes.”

The door closed, leaving only Johanna and Cosette in the room.

Johanna opened her mouth in an oddly dissatisfied tone.

Johanna: “Okay, why did you want to meet me?”

Now it was time to start acting. Her opponent had the ability to control spirits. With Cosette’s frail and fallen
body, she was bound to be attacked if she made a mistake.

Thud–!

Cosette fell to her knees and wept.

Cosette: “It’s unfair! Great-Aunt, it’s really unfair!”

Johanna: “Stop calling me that… Haa, that’s enough. Just say what you want to say.”

Cosette: “My uncle made everything up! I–I didn’t know! The investigation found no evidence that I was
involved.”

At those words, Johanna frowned slightly.

Johanna: “I don’t think there’s a ruling yet, is there?”

Cosette: “Isn’t the fact that they’ve left me alone so far proof that they haven’t found any evidence?”

“…”

Because it was a valid point, Johanna didn’t say anything.

Cosette continued to cry.

Cosette: “From now on… please believe what I say. Neither Father, Keira, nor the investigative team from the
Imperial family listened to me. The only one I can rely on is Great-Aunt. That’s why I was trying to forcefully
meet you.”

As she said so, she moved to Johanna little by little on her knees. Approaching cautiously, Cosette appeared to
be frightened.
She seemed frightened that Johanna wouldn’t listen to her and throw her out. Anyone who didn’t know the
situation would sympathize with her.

Soon, Cosette reached Johanna’s feet.

Johanna: “Now stop crying and talk.”

Cosette: “My uncle once told me this.”

Cosette sighed and continued. However, her voice was so small as she wept that it was difficult to hear what she
had said.

Johanna: “What did you say? Repeat it.”

Johanna leaned down to hear Cosette’s voice.

A heavy knife came out of Cosette’s robe, the pale blue blade aimed at Johanna’s neck.

“…!”

Cosette: “Shut up, Great-Aunt. If you scream, I will stab you.”

Johanna: “You, what is this…”

Cosette: “I’m serious that I might stab you. If it goes on like this, I’ll be cornered and executed.”

Johanna: “Do you think you’ll be okay even after this?”

Cosette: “That’s none of my business. The important thing is that if I stay still, I will be charged with all the
crimes.”

Old, frail, and not even in good health, Johanna could not defeat Cosette’s power. No, even considering the age
difference, Cosette was unexpectedly strong.

Would it be faster if she summoned the spirit, or would it be faster if Cosette stabbed her in the neck? There
was already a trickle of blood running down her throat. She couldn’t move hastily.

Lips trembling, Johanna said.

Johanna: “In the first place… I didn’t mean to adopt you! To say that you’re Ludwig’s daughter is an absurd
lie.”

Cosette: “We should check that from now on. Please take me to the spirit stone.”

Johanna’s face contorted even more when she mentioned the spirit stone.

Johanna: “You… that must be why you framed Keira for trying to approach the spirit stone in the past! Because
you want to do it yourself!”

Cosette: “That’s not for Great-Aunt to know. The important thing is that if I use the stone, I might become a
real elementalist.”
Johanna: “That is a nonsensical delusion! The stone doesn’t make a person who is not an elementalist become
one.”

Cosette: “Isn’t that something you don’t know unless you try it?”

Of course, Cosette knew that the stone didn’t have such a function. However, if she revealed her intention to
destroy it, Johanna wouldn’t guide her to it, even if it meant she’d die.

‘But if she thought I intended to use the spirit stone to awaken my abilities, she’d think it would be a waste to
lose her life and guide me to its location.’

The moment she found the spirit stone, she would stab Johanna and destroy it. Then, she would leave this body
and return to the Demon Realm to prepare for war.

The die had already been cast. There is no way to rectify the act of threatening Johanna with a knife.

Cosette: “If your life is precious, follow me. Wouldn’t it be a terrible disaster if Great-Aunt dies while Keira
hasn’t awakened her abilities yet?”

Johanna: “Y-you’re out of your mind!”

Cosette: “I trust you will cooperate.”

Cosette walked towards the door, the knife to Johanna’s neck, as she opened the door with her free hand.

“Your business is over… Ack!”

The knight waiting in front of the door gaped in disbelief.

Cosette: “Shh!”

Cosette said, raising her index finger to her lips.

Cosette: “Quiet. If you scream and make a fuss, Great-Aunt is dead. Quietly go ahead and walk to the carriage.”

“A-are you crazy! Do you think you’ll be okay even after doing this?!”

Up to the time Cosette came here, the polite attitude was all but gone. It wasn’t surprising.

Cosette: “I told you to be quiet. Go ahead and walk.”

“Y-you…!”

The knight ground his teeth and glanced at Johanna. Johanna nodded as if telling him to follow her instructions.

Then, as if he had no choice, he turned around and started going back the way he had come. Cosette followed in
his footsteps.
Chapter 169
They didn’t run into anyone on their way back. Johanna had blocked access from the servants in advance,
saying she would be in a difficult position if people found out Cosette had come here.

The three arrived by the carriage, unnoticed by anyone.

Cosette: “Grab the reins. You must drive the carriage.”

“…”

The knight only seethed in anger, but only after Johanna said, “Do what she tells you,” he got on the driver’s
seat.

Cosette and Johanna got into the carriage.

Cosette: “Come on, lead the way.”

Johanna: “…Get out of the castle.”

Cosette: “Aha.”

At that, Cosette let out a strange laugh. Since it was an important item, she figured it would be a trap to have it
in the capital. Not bad.

The carriage carrying the three of them made its way through the city walls with ease. Since the person driving
the carriage was a knight, he was able to get out without a single checkpoint.

The gate guard remembered thinking, ‘But why is the knight driving such a shabby carriage?’, but the carriage
had already left.

Johanna led the way to a small lake just off the wall. Because it was so small and the scenery wasn’t great, no
one stopped by.

Johanna said.

Johanna: “If you dive into the lake from this side, there is a canal. If you follow that waterway, you will find an
airy place. Pass through that path, and there is a place where the spirit stone is kept.”

Cosette: “Did you hear that? Take the lead, sir.”

“Ugh.”

The knight took off his cumbersome cloak and jumped into the water despite chewing his lips in anger.

Cosette and Johanna followed suit.

It was a calm lake, so swimming wasn’t too difficult. As Johanna dived in one direction, a waterway large
enough to pass three or four people began to appear.

The three went inside and swam. Just when they were out of breath, they could see the end of the waterway.
“Puha!”
“Cough, cough!”

How many people knew there’s a place like this on a lake that no one bothered to visit?

A blue, glowing spirit stone illuminated her eyes.

But it was too simple to be Beatrice’s. Besides, it wasn’t just one.

Perhaps it was because the spirit stones of other lower spirits were lit up and placed there.

There were three paths before them. Before Cosette could ask, Johanna spoke.

Johanna: “The far right road.”

And before Cosette could order it, the knight took the lead and walked. Cosette muttered to herself that it was
good that he’s quick.

After walking for a while, she found a dead end blocked by a large iron gate. There were no doorknobs or locks
in sight.

There must be another way to open that door.

Squeezing her blade tighter, Cosette said.

Cosette: “Open it, Great-Aunt. It looks like a door that only an elementalist can open.”

“…”

Johanna frowned in anger, but she had no choice but to place the palm of her hand over the door.

A cold blue energy enveloped the woman’s hand. It was a power that Cosette felt very uncomfortable with.

Johanna soon began to open the large iron door strangely and silently.

The space inside the Iron Gate was no different from the outside. There were small spirit stones scattered here
and there, illuminating the area.

And the one stored in the middle was a blue, shining spirit stone as big as a burlap bag.

Cosette: “Oh!”

It was what Cosette was looking for. She asked urgently.

Cosette: “Is that Beatrice’s spirit stone?”

Johanna: “What else would it be?”

It was a harsh and rude tone for someone with a blade on their neck. But it didn’t matter.

That would be Johanna’s will.

Cosette: “Thank you, Great-Aunt.”
Stab–, Cosette thrust the blade into Johanna’s neck without hesitation. The knight screamed behind them.

Cosette threw Johanna, bleeding and collapsing, to the floor and ran to the middle of the room.

Beatrice’s stone glowed splendidly. Cosette threw it to the floor with all her might.

Clink–!

The blue gem shattered so much that it was impossible to find its original form.

It was done!

A satisfied smile formed on Cosette’s lips. Now, if she could leave after confirming that Johanna’s life ended…

Cosette: “Huh?”

But what she saw when she turned around was an incredible sight.

The so-called knight was healing Johanna’s wounds with his divine power–one that felt infinitely sinister and
terrifying to her, a demon.

That was undoubtedly divine power.

‘Didn’t you say you were a knight? So why can you use divine power?’

Even the wounds from which her blood flowed had healed. Although she did not fully recover, it was certain
that first aid was provided.

‘What? What? Why is that man using divine power? Is his power refined enough to heal fatal wounds?’

The knight who stopped the blood abruptly got up and drew his sword.

“You have finally revealed your true colors!”

But his posture was clumsy. He looked like a scholar or a priest who had never held a sword.

‘Priest…?’

No way… Was being a knight a lie from the start?

Why did he lie? Since when did that person follow her?? Was it all a trap?

He’d been following Cosette from when they were at the Weinberg mansion… Then had she already fallen into
a trap since then?

All kinds of thoughts ran through her head. Cosette moved straight ahead without even having time to think
deeply. It was a trap, but for now, her top priority was to end Johanna’s life.

Cosette: “Aack!”

But as she rushed toward Johanna, she fell forward the next moment.
A stinging pain emanated from the back of her foot. A dagger that flew out of nowhere pierced her foot and hit
the floor.

Cosette: “Ugh.”

“That’s too bad.”

Then a familiar face walked out from behind what she thought was the altar. It was Keira.

Cosette’s expression contorted when she saw her.

Cosette: “You… didn’t leave the capital?”

Keira: “I just came back. So you also noticed that I left. How quick-witted. But didn’t you realize it a little
late?”

In fact, the night before her return, Cosette thought of the possibility that Keira would not be in the capital. If
she had realized a little earlier, Cosette might have been the one who was smiling now.

Cosette’s expression cracked when she began to grasp the situation slowly.

The priest who could heal was disguised as a knight and followed suit because Keira expected Cosette to harm
Johanna.

That said, the trap started when Johanna accepted Cosette’s request.

In addition, Keira’s appearance here as if she had been waiting proved that the current situation was a setup.

Cosette’s gaze shifted to the terribly shattered blue jewel.

Cosette: “It’s fake!”

Keira: “Of course. I knew you couldn’t tell the difference. Elemental art is a power that opposes demonic
power. No matter how old you are, there is no way you will be able to identify a fake.”

“…!”

Does she know who I am? Cosette’s eyes widened.

Cosette: “That guy… Yurr told you!”

Keira: “Come now, does that matter?”

Keira didn’t give Cosette a long time to be astonished. It’s really over now.

She drew her sword from her waist.

Keira: “If your body dies, you’ll be forced to return to the Demon Realm again, right?”

Knowing even that, Yurr must definitely have revealed her identity and secret.
‘You f*cking b*stard! I was relieved because I thought I wouldn’t be able to reveal my identity easily in the
middle of the human world!’
No matter how strong Cosette was, she couldn’t go against Keira, who had trained for a long time. Besides,
Cosette had no decent weapon other than a knife.

Clang–!

Even the weapon in her hand flew with a single strike. Her hand was left trembling.

Keira: “Now it’s really over.”

A thin blade pierced Cosette’s neck, red blood gushing out. Some even landed on Keira’s face.

Cosette: “Ugh, gk…!”

Keira pulled out the blade. She felt like a fountain when the blood spurted out.

Even if what was inside was a great demon, the body she was using was that of a fragile human.

Cosette’s body fell to the floor like a doll that had fallen off a string. Blood pooled on the dirt floor.

Her body convulsed, as if she hadn’t stopped breathing yet.

Keira looked down at her pitiful appearance and said.

Keira: “Shall we guess what you’re thinking now?”

Cosette: “Cough, gag…“

Keira: “Do you think you can just go back to the Demon Realm and dream of a comeback? After all, your goal
wasn’t to live happily as Cosette Parvis.”

Exactly. Cosette tried to sneer.

If Keira thought things would end like this, she would be mistaken. As long as Ragibach had a contract, she
could intervene in the human world as much as she wanted!

Keira: “Have you ever wondered why I left the capital? Why I left behind such a dire situation?”

She couldn’t comprehend properly because she was gradually losing consciousness.

Why did she? There would be no way she would have gone on vacation in that state…

That was then. As her consciousness faded, she could hear a giggle in her ear.

It was voices from the Demon Realm, where her soul had passed.

-Did you really get caught?

-Ragibach, do you admit that you were trying to break the treaty and start a war on your own terms?

-There will be a trial after a long time. It’s gonna be fun.

-How many years are you going to serve?
-Heehee. Serves you right.

“…!”

Maybe she left the capital to join hands with those guys? But how did she get to the Demon Realm?

Aah, she might have gotten Yurr’s cooperation! What a brave girl, crossing over to the Demon Realm!

If I come back to the human world, I will kill that girl first!

Cosette tried to shoot Kira until the last moment.

But it was impossible. Her whole body had lost its strength.
Chapter 170
Thud.

Cosette’s quivering hands drooped into the pool of blood, and her chest stopped rising and falling.

Keira placed a finger over her nose and didn’t feel her breath.

‘…She’s dead.’

Indeed, Cosette was dead. And only after she had revealed her true intentions.

Keira stood and turned back to see Ludwig standing there, looking bewildered.

Keira: “Your Grace.”

“…”

Keira: “Will it be a problem that I made an immediate decision on a criminal? The evidence was clear.”

Ludwig: “…No, no.”

Keira: “If I reveal that it was a conspiracy of demons, I would have to explain how I found out about it, so
instead, I’ll keep it simple.”

Keira continued bluntly.

Keira: “Cosette wanted to be the esteemed daughter of a Grand Duke, and the Weinberg family wanted to
remain in the political world. So they took the risk of scamming us. But as everyone knows, the result was a
disastrous failure, and Cosette ran away to save herself.”

“…”

Keira: “What do you think about my script?”

Ludwig: “Not bad.”

After a few years, they could end the case by placing a death row inmate who resembled Cosette on the
execution table.

Ludwig looked at Keira. She looked somewhat relieved yet exhausted.

Ludwig: “I’ll take care of Aunt and the cleaning up. You should rest now.”

Keira: “…Alright.”

Should I say it’s futile, or should I say it’s fortunate? It was a complicated feeling.

Keira escaped the secret place hidden in the lake.

It was officially announced that Cosette had suddenly disappeared from the capital one day. It was clear what it
meant that a person who was confined and ordered to reflect at home disappeared.
She fled.

People would think she ran away because she thought all her relatives were gone and her lies might be
discovered.

A chase order was issued, but the search party could not find Cosette’s whereabouts. Keira left the house to
express her condolences to those who would be scolded for failing to do so.

Keira was on her way to the mansion of the now-extinct Weinberg family.

The garden, which had not been maintained for a while, was overgrown with weeds and turned into ruins.

Since all of the family’s property was returned to the national treasury, the ornaments that adorned the garden
were gone.

Even the curtain on the window had been removed. As a result, the appearance inside the mansion would be
obvious without even having to go inside.

Keira muttered as she looked at the desolation.

Keira: “Is it over…”

“I guess you can see that.”

“!”

She looked back in surprise. She didn’t even notice anyone until they were behind her.

It was Erez. She asked.

Keira: “Why are you here?”

Erez: “That was what I wanted to ask.”

Keira: “Well, I came here to laugh at her failure.”

Erez: “She wouldn’t know whether you’re laughing at her or not.”

Keira: “Still, doesn’t it feel good?”

He’s also really bad-tempered. Keira swallowed the words she wanted to say.

Erez: “Why do you look so gloomy? It’s a happy ending for you.”

Keira: “It’s just that I have a lot of questions.”

Erez: “Like what?”

Keira: “At the end of the day, I want to know who the contractor was. And I’m also curious about who made the
contract with you and turned back the time.”

Erez: “The latter is obvious, isn’t it?”

Keira’s expression wrinkled slightly at those words.

Keira: “I don’t know?”

Erez: “Someone who survived to the end and could have been driven to the brink of destruction, who wouldn’t
hesitate to sign a contract with the devil to save the world, and who would leave the memories for you who died
unfairly. Who else would it be other than your father?”

Keira thought for a moment before answering.

Keira: “As you say, there is one more person who perfectly meets the criteria.”

Erez: “Hmm?”

Keira: “My little brother.”

Erez: “Eh?”

Keira: “Since he’s the Grand Duke’s direct descendant, he had a high probability of surviving to the very end,
and he must have a sense of duty to protect mankind.”

Keira said as she enumerated her brother’s qualifications.

Keira: “Besides, I’ve never been close to him in my past life. On the other hand, Zeke was quite fond of me. He
seems more likely than Father.”

Erez: “Uh…That’s true.”

For Keira, the question of who signed a contract with Erez was very important. Because…

Keira: “Nobody has a good end when they sign a contract with the devil.”

Erez: “How would you know? Maybe only bad stories were told.”

Keira: “I don’t think you would’ve done it for free, considering you’re similar to most demons. You’ll ask for
something in return. That’s what the contract is for.”

“…”

Erez had nothing to say to that.

If Zeke paid for it and would suffer because of it, she couldn’t just let it go.

Keira: “In the books I read, they always stake their souls on contracts. What does it mean to have your soul
stolen?”

Erez: “Oh, it’s hard to explain.”

He stared upward to think of an explanation that was easy to understand. However, he gave up a moment later
because he couldn’t think of a proper analogy.
Erez: “Once you are reborn, the cycle stops… and you will suffer forever without ever being reincarnated.”
Keira’s eyes widened. Would Zeke suffer from eternal suffering?

She nearly raged but soon realized there was no evidence that Zeke had a contract with the devil.

Erez: “Well, I’ll find out sooner or later who my contractor is anyway.”

Keira: “What are you talking about… ah.”

Keira nodded as she remembered what he had said earlier. Before leaving for the Demon Realm, he told her that
his memories would come back after the date of his contract.

However, if he had sat still and waited until the time came, Keira would have probably forgotten about it.*

So he didn’t really pay attention to it.

Certainly, if he could recall all his memories, he would be able to figure out who his contractors were.

Erez: “Oh, that’s right, I have something to tell you.”

“…?”

Erez: “As for Ragibach’s sentence, it’s only 200 years.”

He looked regretful that she only received 200 years. Although it wasn’t exactly a short period for someone like
Keira.

Keira: “Then she’ll be free after that?”

Erez: “Well, yes. If she’s still alive by then.”

Keira: “Demons live a very long time. She might be alive until then.”

What would happen if she decided to invade the human world once more? Keira gulped.

Understanding Keira’s concern, Erez blurted out.

Erez: “During the trial, the old hag revealed the contents of her contract. She was just trying to fulfill the
contract, so she was trying to claim she wasn’t guilty. Well, I don’t think it made a big impression on the
judges… “

He pulled out a small notebook from his pocket. Then he unfolded it and began to read it.

Erez: “The condition of the contract is to avenge the contractor in exchange for their soul. The contractor here is
Rowena Weinberg. Well, I don’t know who that is, but I think it’s a relative of Count Weinberg and his. That’s
enough motivation.”

Keira’s shoulders trembled at the familiar name. Erez looked at her and asked.

Erez: “Is that a name you know?”

Keira: “She was the Grand Duke’s first wife, the one before my mother.”
And her grandfather framed her, drove her out, and eventually killed her…
Her name left a bitter taste in Keira’s mouth. How did Rowena feel when she summoned the devil?

Keira: “I’ll tell you because I don’t have to hide it from you. This is the woman my grandfather killed.”

Erez: “Oh, so she’s Cosette Weinberg’s mother…?”

Keira: “Yes, that’s her.”

Erez: “Ah, I remember now.”

“Ah, I remember now.”

The words, “Isn’t it too late to think about it?” bubbled in Keira’s throat, but she held it in because she knew he
had no interest in humans in the first place.

Erez: “Sorry. I’m not good at remembering people’s names.”

The proof of his lack of interest was that he couldn’t recall simple names while remembering complex magic
formulas.

Erez: “Seeing that your grandfather killed her, she must have been framed for being infertile.”

Keira: “…Right. She was said to be pregnant at the time of discovery.”

Erez: “Aha, so that’s what happened.”

Erez clapped his hands as if he had pieced things together.

Erez: “The old hag made a statement.”

He showed Keira his notebook. It was complete gibberish, obviously written in demonic language, but Keira
miraculously recognized it.

It was probably the influence of magic he had used on her in the past.

“The plan was to avenge the contractor by manipulating the body of a dead Parvis child, but it didn’t work out
as expected. So, I had no choice but to change the plan and try to get ahold of the spirit stone?”

Erez: “The corpse of the dead child must have been the one conceived by that Rowena Weinberg woman. I
mean, your half-sister.”

Keira: “…That’s what I thought.”

Erez: “Huh? Did you guess?”

Keira: “You mentioned that the body you’re using now is that of a dead person. If you can do it, that means
other demons could, too. If she could use the elementalist’s abilities and looked like the Grand Duke… I
wondered if she used the body of my half-sister who was never born. I wasn’t sure.”

As expected, Keira thought it was good to tell them not to damage Cosette’s body she left behind.
Chapter 171
Cosette’s body was kept in the temple to purify against possible danger.

If Keira’s grandfather hadn’t killed Rowena, her half-sister would have been born.

But Keira wouldn’t have been born if her grandfather hadn’t driven Rowena out.

Maybe that’s why? When Keira thought of her, she always felt bitter and conflicted.

‘I’m going to give you a proper funeral, even just for the body.’

But she didn’t know if they’d think of this as atonement.

Keira: “So, was Cosette’s argument accepted?”

Erez: “If that were the case, the sentence would not have been 200 years. Come to think of it, this was the main
point, by the way.”

Main point? What was it? Keira tilted her head. The conversation has gone in a different direction.

She soon recalled that Erez had brought up Cosette’s sentence, saying he had something to tell her.

Erez: “Contracts are very scary. If you break the contract, you will be punished very severely.”

Keira: “Severe punishment?”

Erez: “They disappear on the spot. Nobody knows what happens after that. No one came back. It’s like there’s
no one coming back from the afterlife to tell the rest about their experiences.”

She knew what Erez was trying to say.

Keira: “So, she won’t be able to avenge her contractor since she’ll be locked up for 200 years, so she won’t be
able to fulfill the contract. Then she’ll pay for it?”

Erez: “Yeah, it’s good that you’re quick. You don’t have to worry about a catastrophe that will strike the human
world 200 years from now.”

Keira: “I’m glad.”

She had been worried about what to do if the demons protected their own kind, but it was a relief that she didn’t
have to worry about that.

‘Since one of the Great Demons has become like that, there will be no talk of invasion for a while.’

She sighed in relief.

Count Weinberg was dead and Cosette Weinberg was missing.

The whole incident would be recognized as a plot set up by the Weinberg family to drive out their political
enemy.
Ragibach, the one behind everything, was imprisoned in the Demon Realm for the time being. When her targets
died, naturally, there would be a breach of contract. It didn’t matter that she was willing to fulfill her end of the
bargain.

‘It’s really over…’

The question of Ragibach’s contractor was also resolved, and so was how Cosette manifested her abilities.

Now, the remaining question was who made a contract with the devil to turn back time? That was the problem.

If Erez’s contractor were her brother Zeke, she had an idea of what she would do.

But what if Ludwig, not Zeke, was the contractor?

What should she do then?

“You’ve been through a lot.”

After Cosette’s disappearance was officially announced, Keira received sympathetic glances wherever she went.

To be honest, it was a little burdensome. She wondered if she should leave the capital for a while.

Another noble lady spoke.

“When will that woman be caught? It wouldn’t be easy for her to escape on her own.”

“Don’t worry, Your Ladyship. She will be caught soon.”

Really? [1] Cosette’s arrest would never happen. Keira picked up the teacup to hide her awkward smile.

Fortunately, no one realized her change in expression, and the noble ladies continued their conversation.

“The more I think about it, the more ridiculous it is. Why did she do such a trick when the lie would be revealed
anyway? I really don’t understand.”

“Exactly.”

“For some reason, the Marquis of Edinburgh… Oh! I’m sorry, Your Ladyship. I just said something bad.”

Keira didn’t pay it any mind, and smiled.

It would be better if she left the capital for the time being. She couldn’t believe she felt stressed out at a meeting
she went to cool her head.

‘Come to think of it, when I first returned to the past, I thought I would like to shake off everything and go on a
trip one day.’

Wasn’t this the right time?

As she listened to the ladies’ chatter, she pondered where she should go.

She planned to cruise the continent for a long time. She didn’t want a short vacation.
When she’d come back… Well, what about after her abilities manifested?

It wasn’t unusual for Keira, a girl from a relatively recluse family, to travel far away.

She could go alone under the guise that she would hang around with people with escorts and guards to attend to
them.

Keira: “I’ll go on this trip alone.”

Robert: “Alone? ‘Alone’ means… You mean just yourself, milady? Without any attendants?”

Robert asked in disbelief.

Keira: “That’s right. Does ‘alone’ have any other meaning?”

Robert: “I-isn’t it too dangerous?”

Keira: “Don’t worry. As long as a group of knights doesn’t attack in droves, there will be no problem.”

Robert: “Um… there’s definitely that risk, but what if you camp out? I’m sorry to say this, but Your Ladyship’s
life is…”

Robert couldn’t finish what he said and trailed off. However, even if he didn’t continue, Keira knew what he
meant.

‘I can’t argue against it…’

After much deliberation, Keira came up with an answer.

Keira: “Then we can spend the money. I’ll hire someone who doesn’t know who I am.”

Most of the risks and inconveniences on a journey would disappear if one invested a lot of money. So Keira was
planning to spend a lot of money and travel all over the continent.

Barely convinced, Robert asked about her next plans.

Robert: “Then when will you be back? Since you said you’ll be gone for a while, do you mean two or three
months?”

He was shocked to hear that Her Ladyship was planning to leave alone, what was even more surprising was
what she said after.

Keira: “I don’t know. But wouldn’t it be better if it was more than a year? I really want to visit the whole
continent.”

Robert: “Pardon?”

He was dumbfounded.

Robert: “W-will His Grace allow you to leave the duchy for such a long time?”
Keira: “I don’t need His Grace’s permission. I’m an adult. There’s no reason why I can’t go where I want to
go.”
Robert: “M-milady?”

Robert flushed. After all, wasn’t it Keira who had asked Ludwig for permission to leave the capital not too long
ago?

She’s going on a trip for a year and said she didn’t need Ludwig’s permission!

As if reading Robert’s inner thoughts, Keira answered.

Keira: “Well, Cosette used to be here. I need my strength to fight against that woman. That’s why I tried to
maintain an amicable relationship whenever possible.”

Now that Cosette was kicked out and all her dangers were gone, there’s no reason to mind Ludwig.

Keira patted Robert on the shoulder, his mouth still agape from shock.

Keira: “I’ll make a separate list of the things I need. Take care of it.”

Robert: “W-will it really be alright?”

Keira: “Of course.”

Keira, who was about to go up to the room, stopped and said.

Keira: “Oh, right. Give Rose a month’s paid leave. If she wants to go on a trip, cover all the travel expenses.”

Robert: “Ah, yes. I understand.”

Robert wondered why she suddenly mentioned Rose, but he was convinced that she wanted to reward a maid
who had devoted herself to Her Ladyship for a long time.

She quickly chose her travel dates. A week later.

Upon hearing the news, the people in the duchy said, ‘Will she really go on a trip for over a year? She’ll be
right back.’

Of course, it would be a long time before they realize their misjudgment.

On the day of her departure, Keira waved to the people who came to see her.

Keira: “I’ll be off then.”

“Have a safe trip. And rest well.”

She kissed her brother’s cheek as a sign of her affection. Zeke gently hugged her in return.

Zeke: “You really won’t come back for over a year, will you?”

Keira: “I’ll write to you often.”

It meant she might take a long time. Zeke pulled away from Keira and clicked his tongue.

Zeke: “Have a safe trip.”

Keira: “Take care, too.”

Keira went straight into her carriage. She decided to stop by a nearby city and replace her coachman and
employees with those who didn’t know her.

She looked up at the blue sky through her window. The sky was clear, with not a cloud in sight–perfect for
going on a trip.

Her heart felt refreshed. A smile formed on the corner of her lips.

One year later.

In the meantime, Keira could stay at each local government office and travel in luxury if she wanted.

But instead, she chose to hide her identity and wander around modestly.

The first time she stayed at an inn for commoners, she was culture-shocked in a bad way… Now that time had
passed, she’d gotten used to it quite well.

The place she visited this time was a small town in the far west. Except for the lake, there wasn’t much to see.

‘One month… No, should I stay for three weeks?’

She pondered for a moment in front of the inn, then stepped inside. She tossed a coin to the waiter who greeted
her and said.

Keira: “I am a long-term guest. One month.”

“Welcome! Are you going to eat, too?”

Keira: “Just one meal a day.”

After receiving a month’s worth of food stamps, Keira went up to her room. It was incomparably shabby
compared to the bedrooms in the capital, but she had already gotten used to it.

Once she had unpacked her luggage, she returned to the first floor and briefly had her meal.

It was exhausting to travel for a long time in a carriage. Keira decided to see the city tomorrow and went to bed
early.

[1] The author wrote “글쎄?”, which is kind of complicated to translate directly here since people say it when
they’re not sure about something or hesitate to give information they’re not 100% sure about.
Chapter 172
She had a full day of exploring the city and its surroundings. However, an unexpected person was waiting in
front of her when she returned to her dorm around sunset.

Keira: “You…?”

“Ah, I’ve been waiting for a while.”

It was none other than Erez, waving his hand as he sat on the chair in front of her inn. Keira was surprised since
she didn’t know he would come.

Keira: “What happened? Maybe something went wrong with Cosette…”

Erez: “No, nothing like that. I have something to report, and I need your cooperation.”

He went straight to the point.

Erez: “Have your abilities manifested? Or at least to the extent that you can see the signs of it.”

Keira: “Not yet.”

Keira wondered why he asked her, but Erez said.

Erez: “I need to find out because they needed to know whether Ragibach intentionally tried to bring down an
elementalist. The sentence will change depending on if your abilities have manifested or not.”

Keira could understand why he had to come this far if that was the case.

‘By the way, the date I was executed has already passed.’

She was living in a time she had never lived before.

It was only then that she truly understood why Erez visited her. Before the execution date, there would have
been no need to confirm such an ability.

Keira: “Give me your contact information. I will contact you as soon as my abilities have manifested.”

Cosette’s sentence might be increased. There was no reason not to cooperate with them.

Erez took his notebook, scribbled down his address, tore the page, and handed it to her.

His penmanship was illegible and barely recognizable, but it was information about the lab’s location in the
tower.

Erez: “If you send it by your name, I’ll tell them to deliver it to me at any time.”

He said so and got up. He stretched out after waiting for quite a long time.

Keira: “Are you returning to the tower?”

Erez: “Yeah, I have an ongoing experiment. The results of the test should be out when I return.”
In which city was the tower? Keira thought for a moment, then remembered.

‘Right, it was in Lindia.’

A city of scholars and magicians.

It wasn’t a popular tourist destination because it was home to many educational institutions and research
facilities.

However, Keira wasn’t in a situation where she only chose famous tourist destinations.

After all, she had seen everything to see around here, so she figured it would be okay to follow him to Lindia.

Keira: “At this point, I must go to Lindia, too.”

Erez: “Hmm? Why?”

Keira: “I’ve seen everything worth seeing here anyway. We can move now.”

Erez: “Uh, I didn’t know you’d want to accompany me…”

Keira: “Aren’t you going to teleport anyway?”

Erez: “…So that’s why.”

Traveling in a carriage for a long time and teleporting in an instant were incomparable.

Erez: “I’m leaving right after dinner, so pack your bags in the meantime. If it’s too late, I’ll leave you alone and
go.”

Keira: “Okay.”

Keira went upstairs as she said that the ‘Morning Dew Set’ was the best meal here. She made her way to her
room.

It didn’t take her long to pack since she didn’t have a lot of luggage in the first place. Keira was on a luxurious
trip, buying things at each stop and throwing them away when she left rather than bringing everything she
needed.

Erez was rummaging through the stew by the time she packed her things and came down. It didn’t seem to suit
his taste. He asked, putting down the spoon.

Erez: “Are you done?”

Keira nodded.

Erez: “Great. Let’s go then.”

Keira thought he would use magic in a deserted alley, but unexpectedly, he took her through the gates.

It didn’t take long, but waiting in line to get through the checkpoint was tedious.
When asked why he had to go through something so troublesome, he replied.
Erez: “I came here in the guise of collecting experimental materials. Of course, my actions should be recorded.
The tower provides the guards.”

Keira: “So there must be a record of passing through the gates?”

Erez: “Yeah. Then I’m lying to get on the guard even though I haven’t come this far.”*

Surprisingly… it made sense.

Keira was so impressed that he came out as gay because he found marriage annoying, so she didn’t expect he
would follow the rules of the human world this much.

As soon as the two passed the castle gate, they headed to a secluded place to teleport.

The same light from before flashed as Erez drew a magic circle on the dirt floor. Since it was only a short
distance, Keira didn’t feel as nauseous as she did before.

Erez, looking at the distant castle with narrowed eyes, murmured.

Erez: “Ah, the gates are closed.”

Keira: “Then there’s no way to get in?”

It wouldn’t be impossible if Keira used her noble status.

Erez: “Since it’s like this, let’s just camp overnight. It would be strange to come and go too fast. I shouldn’t be
suspected of being able to teleport.”

Keira: “Okay then.”

It’s been a long time since Keira got used to camping.

The sky was already dark. Fortunately, they already ate dinner, so they weren’t hungry.

There was nothing to do, but it was strange to chat with Erez, so she should just sleep instead. She pulled out a
thick sleeping bag from her luggage.

Keira: “I’m sorry, but I only have one sleeping bag. I have another blanket, though. Do you want me to lend it
to you?”

Erez: “You must have forgotten that my specialty is dealing with time and space.”

He snapped his fingers, and basic camping gear popped out of the air. Keira couldn’t help but admit it was an
amazing ability.

Keira made a bonfire by raking up branches from the surrounding area. Then, she took some insect repellent
drug from her luggage and threw it into the fire.

Then a strange scent, nothing pungent, wafted in the air to keep bugs away. Growing up as a noble lady, Keira
hated insects with dozens of legs more than monsters and devils.
Keira: “Then I’ll go to bed now. I’ve been out all day today.”
Erez: “Okay, good night.”

She had quiet and pleasant, quite unlike the typical campsite, most likely thanks to Erez’s barrier. Keira fell
asleep shortly after that.

That night, Keira had a vivid dream of walking through a misty forest.

‘Why am I… in a place like this?’

She must have been wandering around Lindia, but how did she get here?

She shook her head, but nothing came to mind. Her mind was clouded like a fog.

‘Wasn’t Lindia surrounded by a meadow?’

There wasn’t a forest this dense. This area was just like the one she fell in when she went to the Demon Realm.

While she was at it, she looked closely around.

The trees in the forest were very long. And it was so thin that Keira wondered if it was possible to handle the
length. It looked as if a long spear had been stuck in the ground.

What was interesting was that it was not brown, as most tree trunks were. The leaves and tree trunks were all
dark navy.

‘Amazing…’

She didn’t think a tree like this existed in the real world.

As soon as she had that thought, enlightenment came like a lightning bolt. She was in a dream.

When she realized she was dreaming, the fear of being in an unfamiliar place washed away.

It was a dream anyway, so it would be the end of it once she woke up. Keira stepped toward the deep forest.

“?”

At some point, she started hearing the sound of calm waters. Was there a stream nearby? She walked toward it.

After walking for a while, a large, emerald-colored lake came into view.

When she looked closer, she couldn’t see the bottom even though it was almost transparent. She couldn’t get a
sense of how deep it was.

“It seems very deep.”

Even though it was a dream, Keira felt a little terrified, taking a step back without realizing it.

But it was that moment.

“…!”

A white hand came out of the lake and grabbed her ankle. Keira was dragged down without a chance to resist.

The heavy water pressure crushed her as she struggled to swim away. But the hand on her ankle only continued
to drag Keira under.

‘B-breath…’

She was at her limit. Just as her resentment grew from not waking up from her dream…

“…?”

Cold hands caressed her cheeks. Keira opened her eyes slightly and looked straight ahead.

Although she was deep underwater, she could see quite well. Floating before Keira was a translucent-looking
woman.

And the moment she kissed Keira, Keira woke up.

As soon as she opened her eyes, Keira felt that the world around her had changed.

To be precise, it was Keira who had changed. Besides her five senses, she developed new ones, so the things
she always encountered felt different.

‘It was like this….’

She looked around to see a lot of fog, like in her dream. The air that touched her face felt damp.

She felt something different, one she would usually dismiss as a bad feeling.

She reached out her hand in the air and gathered the water in a circle on the palm of her hand.

‘This is neither magic nor divine power.’

It was only then that Keira realized why so many scholars couldn’t figure out the identity of this power.

It was a power that humans couldn’t comprehend or imagine without a sudden awakening.

At the sound of Keira rustling, Erez, sleeping next to her, slowly opened his eyes.

Erez: “The sun hasn’t risen yet. What are you doing…?”

Keira: “Oh, sorry.”

It would be impossible to have a good night’s sleep if Keira mentioned that her abilities had manifested.

Instead of fully waking him up, Keira went back into her sleeping bag.

‘I’ll tell you once the sun has risen.’

It’s not like those manifested abilities would run away from her anyway.
Keira fell back to sleep, clutching her still wet hands. A gentle smile appeared on the corner of her lips as she
succumbed to sleep.
Chapter 173
Time continued to pass even after Keira’s abilities manifested.

Rather, should Keira say it felt like time passed faster than it used to?

She thought that time went by quickly because she was having fun on her journey.

In the past, she would have traveled along a set touristic course, but after manifesting her abilities, she was able
to roam the remote mountains.

It was great that once she was able to wash even where she had no lodging facilities.

Keira could eat lower-quality meals a little, but it was impossible to survive without washing for three days. It
was torture.

On that day, she entered the deep mountain valley and came down to the foot of the mountain a few days later.
Villagers who knew her even joked, saying, ‘I thought she was dead because she didn’t come down.’

When Keira was about to enter the inn where she was staying, a young employee handed her a letter.

“Are you a guest in room 210? I was told to give this to you.”

“?”

She informed the people around her that she would stay in the city for a while, but she never told them exactly
where she was.

When she looked at the envelope, it was addressed to ‘Miss Kira Perinet,’ a pseudonym she used on her travels.

‘Who is it?’

When she opened it and saw the letterhead, a familiar handwriting caught her eye–it was Ludwig’s.

“…”

What did her father write? At first, Keira was puzzled and read the letter, but then her expression hardened.

The employee standing next to her was a little startled.

“D-dear guest. If there’s any inconvenience…”

Keira: “No need to worry about it.”

She climbed back into the room, clutching the letter. Then she sat on the bed and reread her letter.

「I don’t know if you already know, but I have memories of the past…」

After a quick greeting, he asked whether she knew he had made a pact with the devil in the past.

The head of the Parvis family, the shield of humanity, made a pact with the devil.
If the letter had not been addressed to her specifically, she would have thought it was a terrifying joke, and
would have sneered at it before ignoring it.

‘His Grace remembered what happened before we returned to the past?’

Why? How? It was absurd.

Then Erez’s words came to mind. He mentioned that the magic caster would remember the past immediately
after the original point had passed.

Keira’s gaze went straight to the calendar.

She didn’t even know when Ludwig and Erez signed a contract to turn back time. But one thing was certain–her
execution date had passed.

Maybe Erez also regained his memory when Ludwig recalled the past.

‘That guy… no, that demon, he insisted that there was nothing wrong with his magic.’

Was there a defect in the crucial part?

Keira sighed and continued reading the letter.

「Before I pay the price to the devil, I want to ask you for forgiveness before something happens to me.」

「You don’t have to forgive me. But I hope you will come back home before the opportunity to ask you for
forgiveness disappears.」

The content continued for a while after that, but the message was the same.

It was about asking for understanding of his situation that he couldn’t leave the capital carelessly and asking her
to come back.

“…”

Keira sat quietly on the bed for a while, staring at the paper.

She had no intention of returning home after receiving a single letter from him asking her to come back.

However, it was also uncomfortable to ignore it as it was.

Above all, she needed to make sure that his memories had returned so they could handle the next step.

“…”

In the end, she roughly stuffed the letter into her bag and went downstairs.

The employee, who had handed the envelope to her, was the first to find her.

“Are you going somewhere? Or shall we prepare a meal?”

Keira: “When I first came, I said I was going to stay for a month.”
-
“Ah, yes. You did.”

Keira: “I think I’ll have to leave sooner than that. Oh, you can keep the change. Instead, prepare a meal early
tomorrow morning. And a carriage.”

“Of course.”

Anyway, she saw everything there was to see in this small city. After that, it seemed meaningless to stay any
longer.

After speaking with the employee, Keira headed back to her room. As she packed her belongings, the sky
suddenly became dark.

She unfolded the map on her desk. She didn’t want to sever her relationship with His Grace. She just needed
time to think. She had to leave right now because he knew her whereabouts.

It would be troublesome if he sent people to beg her to come back.

Keira looked at her map and thought.

‘Where else should I go next?’

She wanted to see the sea because she only went inland this year. Just in time, summer was here. It might be
nice to go to the port city to see the sea.

The next morning, as soon as Keira had finished eating, she quickly left the city.

And two days later, the servants of the Grand Duke came to her inn to find her.

Keira: “How the h*ll do you find me?”

Each time Ludwig’s letters came, she moved from city to city several times, and eventually, a bundle of letters
piled up next to her.

All of them were letters from Ludwig. The content was also very similar.

Wanting to ask for forgiveness. Asking her to come back home.

She kept the letter well and did not throw it away. It would be evidence that Erez’s magic was flawed.

Just then.

Knock, knock–.

“Dear guest, are you there?”

Keira stood up at the sound of a knock at the door.

‘I don’t think there’s a reason for the staff to come.’

She had always paid the rent and food, and had never caused a fuss or defiled the facility.

‘Dinner isn’t until later…’

Confused, she opened the door.

Then she saw an employee with a familiar face. But standing behind her were more familiar faces.

“!”

“You have visitors…”

Bang–!

Unknowingly, Keira slammed the door shut before the employee finished speaking.

‘Aren’t they… employees at the grand duchy?’

Soon after, she heard a knock again.

Knock, knock–.

“Milady, please open the door.”

“We didn’t come here to force you to return!”

Should she be relieved they didn’t address her as ‘Her Ladyship’ as if they were conscious of the eyes around
them?

‘Come to think of it, there’s no reason to shut the door in panic in the first place.’

Even if they tried to take her by force, things wouldn’t go smoothly.

She calmed her surprised heart and opened the door again.

Click–.

Keira: “I’m sorry about a while ago. I was a little surprised.”

“We are sorry for coming to visit you so suddenly. I’m sorry, but Your Gr… No, because of your father’s
orders…”

The servant inadvertently tried to say ‘Your Grace,’ but hastily changed his words.

The innkeeper looked at Keira as if she had no idea of her identity and was looking at ‘the poor rich girl who
ran away from home.’

Keira: “What did Father tell you?”

“He didn’t receive a reply for a long time, so he sent us thinking the letter might have been delivered
incorrectly.”

Keira: “I received them.”

-
“That means…”

Keira: “I still want to visit other places. Please tell Father that.”

“Yes…”

He turned around as if he had given up, but before leaving, he asked.

“Then, can you just let us know when you will be back?”

Keira: “Well. It won’t take long.”

“Yes, I understand. Then I’ll let him know.”

After Keira had dismissed the servants and the inn employee, she sat back on the bed.

She wasn’t lying when she said it wouldn’t take her long now.

‘It’s time to go back soon.’

It wasn’t because she missed home or was tired of traveling.

Keira looked down and created a small drop of water on her palm.

Drops of water as small as a fingernail took the shape of a little cat and grew to the size of a fist. It was magic.

‘I have to let them know my abilities have awakened…’

A transparent water-colored cat climbed over her head and stayed on her arm.

The cool feeling was quite pleasant, the sensation something she had never known in her previous life. After all,
she lost her life before her abilities could manifest.

Keira caressed the cat, no, the element, as she pondered.

Cosette and Count Weinberg were gone, but it wasn’t recognized that Keira was a true elementalist.

It was necessary to slowly show her ability in front of everyone and drive a nail into the coffin that she was the
Grand Duke’s daughter.

‘Let’s stop by the capital for a bit.’

She didn’t plan on staying long anyway. She also had to see Erez.

‘First, I’ll stop by the capital city to organize my work, and then I’ll head straight to the tower.’

Keira went downstairs and found the employee who had just knocked on the door, cleaning the dining room
table.

Keira: “Are you the one who just came to my room?”

“Yes? Ah yes. Is something the matter…?”

Keira: “The servants who came to see me, do you know where they’re staying?”

If Keira was returning anyway, she might as well return comfortably. She wanted to travel for the first time in a
long time without having to pack.

“I’m relieved Her Ladyship changed her mind.”

“I know, right?”

Just before passing through the gates, Keira lifted her head as the servants joked.

Keira: “What are you talking about?”

“If we had returned to the capital on our own, the Archduke might have been a little offended.”

“His Grace has been quite agitated lately. Should I say that he’s gotten sharper?”

Keira: “Huh.”

It was understandable since the head of the Parvis family signed a contract with the devil in the past.

Grand Duke Parvis was the devil’s contractor. It was absurd enough that most people wouldn’t take it seriously.

Even Keira was flustered. Wouldn’t he be terrified?

Keira leaned her head out the window and said.

Keira: “Before I go home, I want to meet Great-Aunt first.”

“Yes?? But if you want to see her, you have to let her know in advance…”

Keira: “It’ll be fine if I tell her I have something to show about the elementalist.”

After that, she put her head back inside the carriage.
Chapter 174
First of all, the awakening of her full power had to be recognized by Johanna, the current elementalist.

As she commanded, the carriage veered to the other side where Johanna’s mansion was located.

The gatekeeper, puzzled when he found the carriage, approached them.

“May I know who you are? This place is…”

Keira: “It’s me.”

“Lady Keira?”

His eyes widened at the sight of Keira sticking her head out the window.

“What happened all of a sudden? I wasn’t informed that you were coming… No, before that, when did you
return to the capital? I’ve been told you went on a long trip.”

Keira: “I just returned.”

“Have you seen the Grand Duke? Rumors are circulating secretly that His Grace is waiting for Your Ladyship
to return.”

Keira: “Still, I came here as soon as I passed through the gates. Tell Great-Aunt I have something to show her.
Then she will know.”

“…?”

He had no idea what Keira meant, but Keira stood by her statement.

After a while, she was given permission to enter the drawing room.

‘A lot has change when I wasn’t in the capital.’

The only thing worthwhile was that Johanna’s mansion had been under construction once due to an explosion
that had occurred before.

It looked like they had renovated the interior while constructing the collapsed building.

“Please come in.”

As she entered the door, she saw Johanna sitting on a chair with a blanket around her knees.

Johanna spoke first.

Johanna: “You just arrived?”

Keira: “Yes.”

Johanna: “Is my guess right that as soon as you arrived at the capital, you came to me instead of going home,
and you had something to show me, right?”
Keira: “Of course. I thought Great-Aunt would recognize it.”

Johanna: “Oh, my God, show me.”

Johanna asked in anticipation.

Keira placed her left hand on the table, and summoned a spirit on her palm.

Although it was a small form, Johanna, the elementalist, clearly recognized it.

Keira: “If I call on Beatrice, the whole area will become a sea of water.”

Johanna: “Have you talked to her?”

Keira: “Yes.”

Johanna: “Looking at this now, it’s ridiculous what Count Weinberg did in the past. Tsk.”

Johanna clicked her tongue in annoyance. It was an expression that could not be easily seen due to her gentle
demeanor.

Johanna: “In the end, it will be like this, so I don’t know what he was thinking when he did it. He ended up
committing s*icide, didn’t he?”

Keira: “He might have had something up his sleeve. Or he might have been possessed by the devil.”

Johanna: “A devil… You say terrible things. He must have really done that. Otherwise, there would be no way
he could have k*lled himself so vainly.”

At those words, a subtle smile crossed Keira’s face.

However, Johanna continued cheerily as if she had not noticed.

Johanna: “May I assume that the reason you returned to the capital was to reveal your abilities? Now that a new
elementalist has appeared, I can be at ease. I was worried about when I would collapse since I’m old.”

Keira: “Don’t worry, you’ll continue staying healthy in the future.”

Johanna: “How do you intend to inform people, by the way?”

Keira: “How did Great-Aunt do it?”

Johanna: “I made them see Beatrice in the rain.”

Keira: “Then I can do the same. It’s the time to hold the autumn memorial service.”

Unlike the private spring service, the autumn ritual was a nationwide festival.

One might think it’s not good to rain on the day of a big event like this, but it was different here.

The fact that it rained on dry land caused by the demons’ curse was nothing but a blessing.
Johanna: “Then you can hold the service instead of me. As expected, I feel comfortable with one more
elementalist.”

Johanna smiled and said as if she remembered.

Johanna: “Oh, come to think of it, you said you came straight here without stopping by your house?”

Keira: “That’s how it happened.”

Johanna: “I heard your father was looking for you.”

Keira: “Ah, that’s what I heard too.”

Johanna: “I don’t know what’s going on. Do you know why he’s been looking for you?”

Keira couldn’t exactly tell her the truth. She smiled awkwardly and replied.

Keira; “Well, wouldn’t it be because he wants me to do something?”

Johanna: “It didn’t seem like that…”

Keira: “I don’t think he was looking for me because he missed me.”

Keira laughed bitterly as she said her near-truth hypothesis.

In fact, the reason she came here in the first place was that she didn’t know how to treat Ludwig.

Ludwig sacrificed himself to turn back her time.

Whether it’s to save the world in crisis or for his dead daughter.

‘If only it were the former reason. If that were the case… you wouldn’t have chosen to make me keep my
memories.’

So she didn’t know how to deal with a father who had completely regained his memories of the past, and a
father who sacrificed himself for her.

Of course, the wounds she received didn’t disappear. But that didn’t change the fact that he had atonement in
his own way.

Johanna: “…ra? Keira?”

Keira: “Ah, yes!”

Keira was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t even hear Johanna calling her name.

She nodded and answered.

Keira: “I’m sorry. I was thinking about something else for a moment.”

Johanna: “It’s nothing. I was just trying to tell you to go back quickly because many people are looking for
you.”
Keira: “Anyway, I thought I should go home now.”

Johanna: “Good.”

A long time has passed since the last time she saw her family. It was about time.

Keira: “Then, I’ll go back.”

Johanna: “I’ll let you know about the memorial service schedule as soon as I hear the details.”

Keira: “Thank you.”

Keira said goodbye to Johanna and left the room. When she came out, she realized it really was time for her to
go home.

‘…What should I say when we meet?’

It would definitely be awkward and uncomfortable.

She didn’t want to forgive so easily. However, it was hard to turn a blind eye to his sacrifice to return her
memories and give her another chance in life.

‘Whether it’s this way or that, I still feel uncomfortable.’

As she returned home, her face was clouded with worry.

Keira: “I’m back.”

Zeke: “Noonim!”

“Did you enjoy your trip?”

Perhaps news came from Johanna’s mansion since some employees and Zeke were at the front door to meet her.

Keira gave Zeke and small hug and pulled away.

Zeke: “You’ll be in the capital for a while now, won’t you?”

Keira: “Hmm.”

Keira paused for a moment at that question.

She had a reason to meet Erez sooner or later. She needed to go to the City of Scholars, where the tower was, to
meet him.

Keira: “I don’t know. But I have work to do for the time being.”

Zeke: “Work?”

Keira: “I’ll be doing the autumn service instead of Great-Aunt. So I’ll have no choice but to stay here until the
harvest season is over.”
Zeke: “You’ll be doing it instead?”

Unlike the services held inside the temple in the spring, rain was required for the autumn memorial service.

Then Zeke realized something… She couldn’t take the role unless she was an elementalist.

Zeke: “Then, don’t tell me you’re back in the capital because…”

Keira: “It’s because my abilities have manifested. I thought it would be better to announce it sooner to prevent a
second Cosette from appearing.”

Zeke: “That’s a relief! Then you can summon the spirits now, right? I missed it!”

Keira: “You won’t be able to see them even if I summon them anyway.”

Zeke: “…Oh, that’s right.”

Because Zeke’s voice was so loud, the servants passing by glanced at them.

Everyone’s eyes sparkled as if they had guessed that Keira could summon spirits. A special ability was always
awe-inspiring.

‘It’s not a secret anyway, so it wouldn’t matter if the rumors spread first.’

Keira: “By the way, where is the Grand Duke?”

Zeke: “He hasn’t come back yet. Why?”

Keira: “No, it’s just that. I didn’t see him.”

Keira would appreciate it if he was out. She excused herself and told her brother she’d see him at dinner.

She had to take a bath and breathe before eating. After all, long carriage trips were always exhausting.

She stopped just as she was about to tell her maids to prepare her bath water. First, she wanted to test her new
abilities.

When Keira said she would wash her body but didn’t ask for bath water, a maid who thought it strange asked.

“I, milady. Didn’t you just say you’re going to take a bath?”

Keira: “I did. I couldn’t bathe during the carriage trip.”

The thought of taking a dip in the warm water after a long time made her feel cozy.

“Then shall we prepare bath water?”

Keira: “No.”

“…?”
The maid looked bewildered as if she had not heard Keira’s conversation with Zeke just before.
Keira walked into the bathroom alone, wearing nothing but a thin gown.

The bathroom, which Keira hadn’t used in a long time, gave off a chilly vibe even though it was still warm.

Keira: “Give me some water.”

As she said that, a flood of water fell from the air. Water splashed out of the bathtub as well.

She dipped her finger in the water to feel it was as cold as an ice field.

Keira: “It’s too cold. Warmer.”

The water, as cold as ice, soon became warm enough to steam.

‘It’s a really handy ability.’

It’s her ability, but she was still amazed. She sat in the bathtub and played tricks, making water droplets.

She didn’t have to worry about the bath water getting cold while playing since she could always heat it again.

It was a long time later that she eventually left her bathroom.

It was because the maid, who had temporarily taken care of her, came in anxiously.

As she came out of the bathroom, she looked out the dark window.

Keira: “Is it this late already like this?”

“I was worried that Your Ladyship might have fallen into the bath water, but you didn’t come out at all, so what
did you do with the bath water?”

Keira: “It’s an elemental art.”

“Pardon?”

Keira: “It’s called elemental art.”

“Wow! Congratulations. Shouldn’t we have a party?”

The maid made a fuss about holding a banquet, saying that this news should be widely known.

Keira dissuaded her from having to do so because she would soon reveal her abilities at the autumn memorial
service anyway. Then she left the room right away.

It was time for dinner. Zeke might be waiting for her.

But soon after her plans to get down to the dining room quickly began, she ran into trouble.

Keira: “Ah.”
At the same time, she just ran into Ludwig, who had returned to the mansion, on the stairs. He had just arrived
and had not yet taken off his coat.
Surprised, Ludwig spoke.

Ludwig: “You’re back.”

Keira: “Yes, you must be surprised at my sudden return. I’m sorry about that.”

Ludwig: “No, I was the one who wrote you to come back.”

Keira: “Have you heard from Great-Aunt Johanna?”

Ludwig: “I don’t know what’s going on, but I haven’t been contacted.”

Keira: “She must have thought I’d inform you myself.”

Ludwig: “What do you mean?”

Chapter 175
Keira: “I had a dream a while ago that Beatrice appeared. I knew right away–it was a revelation.”

Surprise crossed Ludwig’s face when he heard the word ‘revelation’.

Ludwig: “That’s…good.”

Keira: “I came back to the capital for a while to let people know about it. I decided to take Great-Aunt’s place
during the ritual this fall.”

Ludwig: “…For a while?”

Coming back ‘for a while’ meant she would leave again soon. It’s like coming back home after a few years and
leaving again.

Of course, she had to leave the capital again for other reasons, but Ludwig wasn’t aware of it.

That meant she didn’t want to stay home any longer. Ludwig’s face darkened as he misunderstood what she
meant.

But he knew very well that he didn’t deserve to stop Keira from leaving.

Ludwig: “… I’m sorry. I made a mistake I shouldn’t have made.”

Keira: “But you did a good job of fixing it. The human world has avoided destruction. That devil, the
representative of the faction against humans, has become like that, so we don’t have to worry about invasion for
the next thousand years.”

Ludwig: “I didn’t mean that…”

A mistake he shouldn’t have made.

He wasn’t talking about the world’s destruction but about unjustly taking a person’s life.

Ludwig: “I said it in the letter.”

“…”

Ludwig: “You don’t have to forgive me.”

“…”

Silence fell. Keira was looking somewhere other than Ludwig.

Keira: “I didn’t return to the capital because of your letter. I came back to let them know I had a revelation.”

“…”

Keira: “Anyway, Your Grace has rectified your mistakes, prevented the destruction of the world, saved my life,
and even the next elementalist is here… Well, isn’t that a happy ending?”
Everything worked out well. That’s it.

Keira: “I have to eat, so I’ll head off now. Zeke will be waiting.”

After leaving a brief greeting, she turned around. Ludwig didn’t stop her, nor did he say anything else.

As she walked down the hallway, Keira was lost in thought.

If he made excuses and rambled on about how much he had to pay to turn back time, Keira would never want to
see Ludwig’s face for the rest of her life.

Of course, just because he didn’t make excuses didn’t mean she’d suddenly get along with him.

Should she still be glad that her memory of her father didn’t remain the worst of the worst?

Or should she blame him for making her feelings complicated?

‘If he had made excuses, I wouldn’t have cared about how he suffered after I died…’

As with traditional memorial services held in the fall, preparations for the event often began after the harvest
season had passed.

As a result, Keira’s stay in the capital was longer than expected.

The fall service was held in the outer hall of the temple, filled with high priests, monks, and ordinary citizens
who came to watch.

When Keira was looking at them from the window on the third floor, one of the high priests came closer and
asked.

“Are you nervous?”

Keira nodded and answered.

Keira: “Yes, a little.”

“Since this is your first time, Miss Johanna asked us to understand even if you make a little mistake.”

Keira: “There will be no mistakes, though.”

“Hahaha.”

Based on the useless chatter, the priest seemed to be trying to relieve tension. He continued.

“It must be stressful and nerve-wracking for Your Ladyship to be in charge of the memorial service this year,
but we are very fortunate.”

Keira: “Don’t say that. Because I said I’d take Great-Aunt’s place myself.”

“Your Ladyship left the capital right away, so you may not have known about it, but after Count Weinberg’s
fall, the atmosphere in the capital was quite bad.”
Keira: “Aha.”

The reason was quite obvious.

Cosette became the hottest topic of conversation in the capital as soon as she made her debut.

People used to have heated discussions about which of the two would be the real daughter of the Grand Duke.

Meanwhile, Count Weinberg died, Cosette disappeared, and Keira left the capital on a trip.

Apparently, people were terrified that the next elementalist might not appear.

Since Keira left the duchy as soon as things were sorted out, she had only learned about it later.

“Actually, this is the first time that so many citizens have participated in an autumn festival. I can’t even see the
floor at how crowded it is.”

Keira: “Is that so?”

“Yes, there’s only usually half this crowd. Everyone wants to see the next elementalist’s existence with their
eyes.”

She did think there were a lot of people. So that’s why so many citizens participated in the service.

There were a lot of spectators, so Keira felt twice as nervous.

Keira: “If I make a mistake, I will be twice as embarrassed.”

Soon, it was time for the ceremony to begin.

Keira went down wearing the clothes that Johanna had passed on to her.

Woaaaaaaaah!

When she appeared, people cheered.

‘I thought I’d gotten used to being in the spotlight…’

It was a completely different feeling from receiving attention in a ball. She climbed up on the podium, much
more nervous than expected.

All she had to do was to call Beatrice and make it rain.

Nevertheless, she felt the majority of onlookers staring at her.

‘It feels like they might bore a hole through my face…’

Cold sweat ran down her back.

If only she could chat with the person next to her, she’d feel a little more relaxed, but she couldn’t do that
during the ceremony.
Keira deliberately fixed her eyes on the high priests coming out one by one and performing the ritual.

The process itself was no different from the private ceremony held in the spring–they recited prayers and
burned the freshly harvested grains and vegetables this year. After burning the written prayers, they bowed to
the statue, and it was over.

It wasn’t long before her turn came.

“Now it’s Your Ladyship’s turn.”

Keira: “Yes.”

Keira stood and walked toward the center of the altar where a blue flame burned prayers and food.

Her role today was to summon rain and put out this flame.

It was a fire that could not be extinguished with ordinary water. Only the liquid infused with the power of the
spirit could kill it.

‘Beatrice.’

As she muttered that in her mind, water droplets began to gather in front of her eyes.

The drops of water that had gathered soon became the figure of an adult woman.

It was the woman Keira met in her dream the day she received the revelation. Beatrice met Keira’s eyes and
smiled.

It’s something she only recently learned, but spirits couldn’t speak.

‘Let the rain fall.’

Beatrice smiled instead of answering.

And the sun slowly disappeared.

“Oh, oh!”

“Dark clouds are coming!”

As she looked up, all of a sudden, dark clouds filled the sky.

Keira found it just as fascinating. She’d like to be in the middle of the crowd, gasping in awe if she could.

Instead, she desperately tried to maintain a calm expression. It would destroy the atmosphere if she acted as
excited as the crowd.

Shwaaa–.

Not long after, heavy rain began to pour.

It was late in the fall season, so the temperature was quite low. People would shiver if they got rained on.
Nevertheless, they cheered as they got drenched.

Keira was relieved there didn’t seem to be any mistakes. She looked back and smiled.

There, Beatrice stared at her, her big eyes blinking.

‘Thank you.’

Then Beatrice smiled broadly and disappeared.

The fire used in the ritual had already been completely extinguished. Shortly after Beatrice disappeared, the rain
stopped and the sky cleared.

Glancing at the high priest, she asked.

Keira: “Are we done?”

“Yes. Fortunately, there were no accidents.”

At that moment, a sigh escaped Keira’s lips.

After the ceremony, Keira had nothing to do in the capital.

Instead, she had one thing to check after leaving the capital.

‘Obviously, if I said I was going on another trip, what would the people around me say…’

The wanderlust excuse wouldn’t always work. She groaned.

Keira’s worries were not in vain.

Zeke: “Are you going on another trip?”

Sure enough, when Zeke heard she was leaving again not long after returning, he had asked her the question.

Others, including Sir Arthur, looked a little flustered.

Keira smiled shyly and replied.

Keira: “I’m not just going to rest this time. I have business to do.”

“Where are you going?”

Keira: “Lindia.”

“If it’s Lindia…”

It was a small town located south of the capital and wasn’t a popular tourist destination. It wasn’t even a
prosperous enough city to visit.
Still, there was one reason why Zeke knew the name of the city– the magic tower, the second home of
magicians, existed there.

Zeke: “Are you going to visit the magic tower?”

She nodded.

Keira: “Yeah, I’ve got to meet someone.”

Then, Zeke’s expression wrinkled slightly. Keira was only acquainted with one magician.

Zeke: “…That blond guy?”

Keira: “If I’m thinking what you’re thinking, you’re right.”

Zeke: “There’s only one magician you’ve had enough exchanges with you’d meet. But why?”

Keira: “I have something to tell him.”

Then Arthur, who was grabbing a snack and eating, interjected.

Arthur: “Then why are you going all the way there? It’s a city with nothing to see. Just ask them to come up to
the capital.”

“That’s right. Would he insist on not coming when Your Ladyship called him?”

Keira felt a little perplexed at their words. Erez wasn’t the type to listen to what anyone had to say.

If anyone bothered him, he might return to the Demon Realm because it was annoying.

‘I mean, he still has a lot of work left.’

Keira: “Hmmm… He probably won’t come.”

“Such a cheeky b*stard.”

Keira: “Well, magicians don’t like being called when they’re in the middle of important research. So, I have to
go instead.”

“…”

Then, Zeke and the knights tilted their heads. They obviously couldn’t understand why Keira was visiting the
tower even though he wasn’t making it convenient for her.

But Keira didn’t say the reason until the end. She simply avoided their curious gazes with a gentle smile.

‘Sorry. I’d have to tell you a secret I could never tell to explain everything.’

For example, Erez’s identity.

Chapter 176
In the end, she didn’t even speak a word of it until the day she left the capital.

Zeke came to the gate to see her off, looking very uncomfortable.

And he noticed that his sister’s expression was not as bright as it was when she went on a trip.

Zeke: “…You don’t look happy to hear ‘Have a safe trip.'”

Keira: “Ah, I didn’t sleep well last night.”

She answered lightly, but it didn’t sound that way to others who heard her.

Everything had been sorted out, so what did Keira have to worry about all night long?

Did she run into another problem? Zeke turned serious.

Zeke: “Are you sure you’re going on your own?”

Keira: “Yes, this is something I have to do on my own.”

It was something she must consider and decide on her own so she wouldn’t regret it in the future.

Zeke: “…That means something is wrong. You said a few days ago that everything was alright. So you won’t
even tell me anymore?”

Keira: “Sorry. I would like to make my own decisions on this matter.”

“…”

Zeke was silent for a moment before speaking again.

Zeke: “It’s not dangerous, is it?”

Keira: “Of course not.”

Zeke: “Then that’s fine.”

Only then did a faint smile appear on his face.

Zeke: “Then I will support Noonim in whatever decision you make.”

“…”

Keira felt like choking up at his words.

Whatever decision she made… She might regret it one day.

When learning magic, telekinesis was the first skill taught.

If a person were talented enough to have a lab in the tower, levitating was a piece of cake.

Keira went up the stairs again, realizing why this uncomfortable structure had been maintained for nearly a
thousand years.

The walls were randomly scattered with doors leading to classrooms and labs.

Erez’s lab was one of them.

「Never come in.」

It was written in red letters in front of the door. The servant carefully knocked on the door.

“You have a guest.”

Burst–!

The door opened suddenly, and when Keira looked, no one was there to actually open it.

Since it was a regular occurrence, the servant didn’t even blink.

“They’re telling you to come in. Go ahead, Your Ladyship. I should get going now. Oh, when you go back, you
can go the way you came.”

After all, the only path was a long staircase. She wouldn’t get lost even without a guide.

After letting the servant go, she went inside.

The room was dark and smelled bad. It was probably from the medicine. This really further strengthened her
prejudice against magicians.

Then, a voice came from over the pile of books–it was the owner of this lab.

Erez: “What’s going on? It seems like we see each other often.”

Keira cleared away the books and stacks of paper and took a seat. Erez still had his eyes fixed on the book.

She coughed to catch his attention then said.

Keira: “I have one more question for you.”

Erez: “Answering a question with a question is not a good way to have a conversation, but if you have any
questions, ask.”

Keira: “Why are you doing this, staying away from your hometown? There is a risk of being identified, and
isn’t it uncomfortable in many ways?”

Erez: “All you have to do is shut up.”

Keira: “Now that I have no regrets, I might accuse you.”

Erez: “You won’t.”

He wasn’t worried at all. Well, Keira didn’t have a choice but to keep quiet about it anyway.

Keira: “…Anyway, even if there’s no risk, you must have a reason to live here, pretending to be human, right?
Even if I don’t accuse you, it would still be a little troublesome at home.”

He sighed deeply at her persistence and closed his book. And as if he had given up, he confessed.

Erez: “I don’t have a reason. It’s just that the environment here and the one in the Demon Realm are different.
The experimental results are also different; different spells can be cast even with the same formula. Rather, I
don’t think you came all the way here just to ask that.”

In fact, Keira’s question was spontaneous.

The level of magic that Keira saw in the Demon Realm was far beyond human understanding.

No matter how much Keira thought about it, it would be more beneficial to do research in the Demon Realm, so
it was strange that he was holding on here, enduring such a troublesome task.

But now, it was enough that she had heard the reason. So she finally went straight to the point.

Keira: “Do you remember the bet we made before?”

Erez: “Bet?”

Erez’s eyes narrowed as if he had no idea what she was talking about.

Erez: “I’m sorry, but can you elaborate more? I tend to bet a lot.”

Keira: “I told you before that Father was acting a little strange. And it raised the question of whether the
memories of the past remain partially.”

Erez: “Ah.”

He clapped his hands as if he had just remembered.

Erez: “And I said there was nothing wrong with my magic.”

Keira: “Right. You were very confident.”

Erez: “…Could it be.”

A dark cloud appeared on his face.

Keira: “You lost.”

Erez: “That’s a lie!”

Erez jumped up from his seat and screamed, the materials on his lap falling.

Erez: “You must be mistaken! It cannot be.”

Keira: “You dropped me in a strange place when you sent me to the Demon Realm. What confidence do you
have in your magic? Why do you think there won’t be any mistakes?”

Still looking adamant, he insisted.

Erez: “That wasn’t a mistake but an error. Do you think it’s easy to go through the barrier in the first place?”

‘He’ll never understand unless I show him the evidence.’

With that thought in mind, Keira pulled out a wad of paper from her handbag and placed it on his desk.

Erez: “This is…”

Keira: “Read it.”

Erez chewed his lips and picked it up.

Upon closer inspection, it was multiple ripped envelopes with letters inside, all sent by Ludwig Parvis to Keira
Parvis. The only difference was the address for each date.

Keira: “Those are letters I received from my father while traveling. You can check with your magic whether it’s
fake or not.”

Erez: “No, that’s absurd…”

Blood drained from his face as he scanned the contents of the letter.

It was the exact opposite of the satisfied smile on Keira’s face.

The letter’s contents were so valuable that it overshadowed Keira’s surprise when she first received it.

Erez: “That’s absurd!”

Keira: “Stop denying it. Can’t you see if it’s manipulated or not?”

Here’s a brief summary of the exhaustive letter:

My old memories came back. I’m not forcing you to forgive me, but give me a chance to ask for it.

To put it more simply, it was a request to return home. Perhaps he was worried that Keira might never return.

‘Zeke and other people are in the capital, so there’s no way that’s going to happen.’

Although it didn’t go exactly as she wished, the letter was useful in a different sense.

Keira: “As you can see from the date, Father remembered it right after you did. That is, on the day the contract
was signed in the past.”

Erez: “Ugh…”

Keira: “You said that only one person would get their memory back after the date they turned back time, right?
I don’t believe you’re going to change your words now.”
A bet she took as a joke would be quite beneficial.

She smiled faintly as she looked at Erez with his head bowed.

In any case, Keira got to make one of her wishes to him.

The person who should grant her wish… No, it’s difficult for demons to be so down like that.

After clearing her throat, she continued.

Keira: “Of course, I know you’re a great wizard.”

Erez: “Huh?”

Keira: “Is this the first time you went back in time in this world?”

Erez: “Uh… that’s right.”

Keira: “Then, unexpected things may happen. That’s what I think.”

Then Erez’s expression brightened a little.

Considering he was at least several hundred years old, Keira thought he was quite simple.

Keira: “But the truth remains. You have to pay for the bet.”

Erez: “…I was wondering why a hard woman like you would say something nice to hear.”

He sighed as if he had given up, and answered.

Erez: “So what do you want to do? If you’ve come this far, you’ve decided what to get from me.”

Keira: “I thought so, too.”

Erez: “What do you mean?”

Keira laughed bitterly.

Keira: “The part where you said I would have decided what to get.”

“?”

What was she talking about? Erez’s eyebrow raised in confusion.

Keira: “I thought and thought about it during the week I came from the capital to here.”
Erez: “And?”
Keira: “I came to the conclusion that I didn’t know how I felt yet.”
Erez seemed like he still didn’t understand, but he decided to wait a little longer for her.

He would live long enough for Keira to die anyway.

Chapter 177
Erez: “Then when you make up your mind, go ahead and tell me because the opportunity to make a wish
without any cost doesn’t come often. It wouldn’t be unusual to think about it for a long time.”

“…”

That’s true, but why does it sound so annoying? Keira’s expression slightly soured.

Keira: “Before that, there’s one thing I want to check.”

Erez: “What?”

Keira: “About contracts between demons and humans.”

Erez: “Uh huh.”

Keira: “Can you break a contract amid the progress?”

Erez: “Ah, of course. But it depends on how far the contract has progressed.”

Humans usually staked their souls in exchange for making contracts with demons, and they could break the
contract if there were a valid reason until the demon granted their wish. It’s like getting a refund for something
you haven’t used.

However, if the demon granted their wish, the human could only break the contract with three exceptions.

Keira: “Three exceptions?”

Erez: “First, if the demons lied at the time of signing the contract. In this case, the contract will be canceled, and
the party who lied will be at a disadvantage. And second.”

Erez lifted his second finger.

Erez: “If the demon who signed the contract dies, the person who will collect the soul is gone. In this case, the
soul again falls into the cycle of reincarnation.”

‘Cosette… No, it’s like Ragibach.’

At least, it was fortunate that Rowena Weinberg, who had been falsely framed and killed, would not suffer
forever.

Keira was genuinely relieved that her soul had been put back into the reincarnation cycle.

Keira: “You said three. What’s the last one?”

Erez: “The last is when the demon wants to cancel the contract. But this is rarely the case. It’s like a merchant
bringing you something and saying you don’t need to pay.”

Keira: “Then it’s a matter of will, which means there’s no obstruction in the rules.”

Erez: “That’s right. But why are you talking about this? Are you planning to learn demon-summoning skills?”
Erez’s expression turned slightly serious.

Erez: “I know it would be funny to hear this from me… but I know you, so I’ll tell you. Don’t do it. No matter
the problem, don’t ask for a demon’s help, and discuss it with the people around you instead.”

At that, Keira couldn’t help but snort at how ridiculous he sounded.

Keira: “You know that’s impossible.”

Erez: “Then? Why are you asking about contracts…”

Erez trailed off, suddenly reminded of why she came here.

Erez: “No way…”

Keira: “I haven’t decided yet.”

Erez: “Since when have you been a filial daughter?!”

His voice was so loud that it echoed in the lab. Keira had to plug her ears before answering.

Keira: “I said I haven’t decided yet.”

She has changed her mind more than a dozen times while coming here.

She told Zeke she’d be back soon, but it might take a little more time.

Even though she said she had not made up her mind yet, Erez showed no signs of calming down.

Erez: “Isn’t that too much? I turned back time, and you want me to do it for free?”

Keira: “Strictly speaking, it’s not free. You made a contract with someone because you needed it, too. If
someone heard it, they’d think you helped out because you pitied the human world that’s about to be
destroyed.”

“…”

That shut him up. He had nothing to refute.

Keira looked up at him and stood. She had checked everything she wanted.

Keira: “I plan to stay in this city for a while. In any case, with your pride, I don’t think you’ll do anything like
go back to the Demon Realm just because you don’t want to grant my wish.”

“…”

At his deepening frown, Erez must have thought of doing exactly that.

Before leaving the lab, Keira told Erez she hoped he wasn’t a person who didn’t keep his promise, just like
Ragibach.
Keira: “I’ll be off then. See you again soon.”

As she stepped out of the hallway, she saw magicians floating in the air and moving.

She felt relieved that her visit resolved her fear that the contract couldn’t be broken midway through.

Even the air inside the tower seemed to feel refreshing.

She stretched and slowly walked downstairs. After being crumpled in the carriage all week long, her body felt
tired.

‘I have to walk down this again. It’s dark, but…’

She had something to worry about anyway. That would take a pretty long time, too.

As Keira walked down the steps, she agonized over it over and over again. Every two or three steps, her
thoughts would fluctuate.

She returned home after two months. As Keira got off the carriage, she saw the employees coming to meet her.

“Welcome back.”

Keira: “I returned a little later than I said before. I’m sorry if I worried you.”

“Master Zeke tried to go to Lindia himself. He would have been there by now if you hadn’t sent the letter.”

Keira: “Where is Zeke right now? Is he outside?”

“He’s at the training hall.”

Keira headed to the training hall to announce her return.

As she entered the area, she spotted her brother sitting on a chair, wiping his sweat.

She strode closer.

Keira: “Zeke.”

Zeke: “Noonim?”

Zeke’s eyes and those of the knights standing around him widened.

They all looked dumbfounded. It must have been because Keira returned much later than expected.

Because of their reaction, Keira couldn’t help but smile a little shyly.

Keira: “I’m back, I was just a little late.”

Zeke: “I wouldn’t call that ‘a little.’ Had it not been for your letter, I would have gone to Lindia myself.”

“Is it because of that guy?”

Keira: “Hmm?”

Keira’s eyes widened at the sudden question.

Keira: “What do you mean by that?”

Zeke: “Did he keep you from coming back? Or did he hang on so you wouldn’t go?”

Goosebumps rose on the back of her neck at the image of Erez begging her not to go.

Keira: “Of course not. As I mentioned in the letter, I had something to worry about.”

Then Arthur, who was beside her, interrupted.

Arthur: “What kind of trouble are you worrying about to go to a distant place to do it? I don’t think you went to
the tower to become a magician.”

“Are you planning on going to the academy?”

Keira: “Who would go to school at my age?”

Keira had no desire to sit down with the little ones and listen to the class.

Keira: “I just had a serious decision to make.”

Zeke: “You said the same thing before you left, so it must be a big deal.”

Keira: “Um, perhaps?”

Zeke looked like he wouldn’t even dare guess what Keira had thought about for over two months.

The knights around them were the same.

An ominous thought flashed through Zeke’s mind.

‘…Could it be something like a wedding?’

Oddly enough, his older sister often met the Young Lord from the Shore family.

‘He looks like a lazy dog[1]…’

He wouldn’t fit in with the family. Anyway, Keira didn’t need to get married for the family to benefit from a
son-in-law.

But Zeke’s intuition was screaming. That person wouldn’t be a good husband at all.

Zeke: “So… have you made a decision?”

Keira: “Yes.”

Zeke: “Hmm… I respect whatever decision you make. I only wish for Noonim to be happy.”
Just not that scruffy one. Zeke spoke earnestly with that in mind.
The expression on his older sister’s face, who said she had made a decision, seemed quite refreshing. On the
other hand, Zeke was quite anxious because he didn’t know whether it was a good thing.

Keira: “Thank you, Zeke.”

Zeke: “For what?”

Keira: “For cheering on me to make a decision.”

Honestly, she still felt a little anxious on the way home.

Months, years, or even decades later, she might regret her decision. But for now, it was comforting to know that
someone was willing to support it.

She smiled.

Keira: “I just came to say hello, so I’ll head to my room now. I rode the carriage all week and I’m quite tired.”

Zeke: “Oh, go and get some rest.”

Keira: “See you later.”

Keira immediately left the training hall and walked to the main building.

Rose, who had returned from vacation while Keira was on her trip, accepted her coat.

Keira smiled at the woman she hadn’t seen in a long time and asked.

Keira: “Did you enjoy your vacation?”

Rose: “Yeah, if I could, I would like to stay a little longer. Oh, I’m not asking for more vacation!”

Rose later mentioned she wanted to save her salary and go to a southern resort.

When Keira was on her way to the main building, mindlessly listening to the maid’s chatter, she ran into
Ludwig, who was leaving the front door.

It was unreasonable to pretend that she didn’t see him. After all, she couldn’t go to her bedroom if she didn’t go
through the front door.

Besides, their eyes already met. If she openly avoided him there, the atmosphere would be quite spectacular.

“…”

“…”

An awkward silence fell within a ten-meter radius.

Even the butler who came to see Ludwig looked around nervously at the tense atmosphere.

In the end, it was Ludwig who spoke first.

Ludwig: “Did you enjoy your trip?”

Keira: “Yes, quite.”

Ludwig: “I figured as much since you stayed long, but I’m glad you did.”

Keira: “I plan to stay at home for the time being. At least until the weather warms up again.”

Ludwig’s eye’s widened.

After saying that, Keira took a small deep breath. And she continued immediately.

Keira: “I’m back[2].”

〈 Actually, I was the Real One 〉

Main Story End.

[1] Zeke described Erez as ‘ 뺀 질 뺀 질 한 ,’ or someone who’s just goofing around and not doing what he’s
supposed to do.
[2] Keira said ‘다녀왔습니다,’ which is pretty much the equivalent of ‘tadaima’ in Japanese. Koreans use the
phrase to tell people of the same household that they’ve returned/they’re home.
Side Story 1
Not long after Keira returned…

Exhausted from her long wanderings, she was lying on her soft bed that day as well.

One thing she learned while traveling was that a soft and comfortable bed like the one in her room was rare. She
felt her fatigue fading away just by lying on her bed.

‘Ah…This is heaven…’

Therefore, when she heard that Arthur had visited her, she knew disturbance was inevitable.

Keira, buried in the blanket, turned her head and answered.

Keira: “Sir Arthur? why?”

“I don’t know. But I’m sure it’s good news. He was grinning the whole time.”

Keira: “Hmm?”

Good news Arthur was about to deliver…? Keira had no idea what it was. She headed to the parlor after putting
on an overcoat.

And when she checked the face of the ironclad knight, who was sitting at the table and smiling, she immediately
noticed what was happening.

She sat in front of Arthur and said.

Keira: “Are we having a drinking party?”

Arthur: “…Wait a moment. I haven’t even said anything yet.”

Keira: “I can tell by the look on your face.”

Arthur: “Hey[1], what do you take me for?”

Keira: “So, am I wrong?”

“…”

At the silence, Arthur awkwardly smiled. As expected, Keira was right.

-
He loved to play and eat, but it’s also a skill that people didn’t seem to hate.

Arthur: “I guess you’ve learned to mind-read.”

Keira: “I just got to know Arthur better.”

Keira took a sip of the tea the maid had brought her and thought again. Why did he have to come in the morning
to talk about partying?

Keira: “Seeing that you came to see me, you must be planning to entice people with the excuse of celebrating
my return.”

Arthur: “Heeey[1], you know everything.”

Keira: “If you’re using my name to invite someone… I don’t think it’s His Grace or Sir Joseph, right?”

Arthur: “Your brother, the Young Lord.”

Finally, the main reason came out. Looking serious, Arthur leaned on the table and continued.

Arthur: “As Your Ladyship knows, it’s been a while since the Young Lord came of age.”

Keira: “Right.”

After all, Zeke had his coming-of-age ceremony on the day Cosette appeared. But, as Keira counted her
younger brother’s age, she realized something new.

Even when she recalled that name and the events of the day, she didn’t feel anything.

It seemed that the events were now past her.

Leaving behind the unfamiliar feeling, Keira asked Arthur.

Keira: “By the way, what does this have to do with Zeke getting older?”

Arthur: “He’s been an adult for several years, but he still doesn’t know how to drink and how much to drink.
All he drank was a few sips of wine at his party. Isn’t that a problem?”

Arthur looked completely serious. To put it more precisely, he was trying to set the tone by looking serious, but
Keira pointed out the error in his words.

Keira: “You should just admit that you want to watch an innocent kid get drunk and frolic around.”

Arthur: “No, that’s not…”

Just as he was about to deny her accusation, Arthur trailed off. He took a moment to gather his thoughts before
speaking again.

Arthur: “Oh, honestly, don’t you want to do something like that, Your Ladyship? I just want to tease upright
and exemplary kids.”

It seems that he changed his strategy on the spot. Unfortunately for Arthur, Keira couldn’t agree with his claim.
She timidly replied.

Keira: “No, not really…”

Arthur: “Ah, fine. Let’s say you don’t think that way. But you’re already an adult. If you don’t know how much
you can drink, it’s fine to make a mistake somewhere! If a child who has just become an adult makes a mistake,
everyone thinks it’s cute, but when they get older, they’re likely to get cursed at!”

“?”

That seemed like a bit of a stretch. Keira thought she had heard something similar a while back, but it seemed
like he’d been thinking about it for a long time.

Keira: “Uh… is that so?”

Arthur: “As an older sister, you must correct any mistakes your brother might make.”

Sensing Keira swaying, Arthur spurred on the temptation with well-phrased words.

Keira could almost see a fox tail wagging behind his back. Others would definitely call him a smooth talker[2].

He had a knack for making things appealing to the ears, even when it was something she was initially
uncomfortable with.

‘Thinking about it, it would be good for everyone to get together and relax.’

It’s been several days since Keira returned to the capital, but there were some faces she had yet to see.

Finally, Keira caved.

Keira: “Okay. Instead, don’t joke around too much.”

Arthur: “Of course. How could I do that to a noble young lord?”

Keira didn’t put much trust into those words. Arthur tried to get a definite answer quickly while the lady’s face
crumpled in discomfort.

Arthur: “Your Ladyship, how giving him a little nudge? After all, the Young Master listens to you.”

Keira: “Don’t worry.”

Thus, an alliance was suddenly formed.

Everyone unanimously agreed to skip the evening training and throw a party.

There was a dissenting vote from Joseph, but he reluctantly rescinded it when he heard it was to celebrate Lady
Keira’s return.
They held the party at their favorite bar. Initially, they had planned to set a table at the training hall, but the idea
was dismissed because Ludwig was in the mansion.

So, the party was in full swing two hours after it started. Some of them had long since passed out.

Keira fanned herself with her hands to shake off her drunkenness and looked around.

She then spotted her brother, talking to the people around him, his back straight.

Her gaze shook as she squinted at her one and only brother.

‘Why…why are you fine?’

The color of his face, eyes, and even how he spoke were all completely normal.

Even Reina, sitting beside him, looked tipsy.

Even though several knights had passed out in intoxication, Zeke’s complexion didn’t change.

‘No, how?’

They were full siblings, so how could only one of them be like that?

Keira mixed half a cup of water in her glass to avoid getting drunk, but she could tell she was about to get
drunk.

She concentrated on the sound of their conversation to get herself together.

“Wow…Milord, you have a fairly high alcohol tolerance. Where did you train?”

Zeke: “Train? Why would I regularly drink something so tasteless?”

“You hold up too well for that.”

Zeke: “Okay, I think it’s time to wrap it up? Many people are asleep.”

His words flustered Reina. They hadn’t achieved their original goal, and the party seemed over, so it was a
waste.

Reina wasn’t the only one worried when Zeke mentioned they should end it.

Feeling a prick in her side, Keira turned and spotted Arthur’s face seemingly asking for help.

-
Keira: “Why?”

Arthur: “He wants to end the party. Please do something!”

‘You said you’d help me nudge him a little!’ He whispered and placed a bottle of wine in her hand.

It was a very luxurious-looking bottle embossed with intricate patterns. This was probably the secret weapon
prepared for today.

Keira: “Don’t tell me this is some strange drug?”

Arthur: “… I’m not that thoughtless. It’s just a little stronger. If Your Ladyship recommends it, he won’t
refuse.”

She promised to help, so she’d have to do something.

Keira walked over to Zeke with a glass in each hand.

She stumbled, unable to walk a straight line, but somehow managed to reach him.

Zeke turned when he felt someone approaching. His face immediately turned serious at the sight.

Zeke: “Noonim… Your eyes are out of focus.”

Keira: “I’m fine, I’m fine.”

Zeke: “Your tongue seemed to have loosened, too…”

Keira: “Now, this.”

She held out the drink, ignoring her brother’s concerns about her.

Seeing as her vision’s gotten blurry, Keira felt that it wasn’t long until she was out.

Keira: “You should do it with me once.”

Zeke: “No, I’m worried about Noonim’s complexion now…”

Keira: “It’s fine. I can still hold on.”

Zeke reluctantly accepted the drink. Glasses clinked together, and brother and sister drank together.

The moment she took a sip, she almost had to hold back her swear words at Arthur.

She should have drunk half a glass of water for such a strong drink!

Now, Keira really was at her limit. Less than 10 minutes had passed since the alarm bells rang in her head, and
her vision went dark.

When she opened her eyes again, she saw a familiar ceiling. She was in her bedroom.

Fortunately, someone survived until the end, so it seemed they had taken care of her.
Keira: “Ugggh…”

Keira forced herself to get up, her upper body feeling like drenched cotton.

If someone had been watching her, she would have reminded them of zombies crawling out of graves.

Keira: “Hnngh…”

She continued to groan.

It felt like someone had put their hand in her head and shaken her brain.

If she had known it would turn out like this, she wouldn’t have gone along with Sir Arthur’s plan.

Keira nearly crawled across her bed to pull the rope.

Soon after, Rose appeared.

Rose: “You’re finally awake!”

Keira: “Now… ugh… What time is it now?”

Rose: “It’s just noon. The sun’s in the middle of the sky.”

Keira: “G-give me some medicine…”

Rose: “Wait a moment.”

As if she had expected it, Rose dragged a tray from the living room.

She dissolved the medicine in a glass of water and handed it to Keira, who took it and drank it in one gulp.

It would take some time for the medicine to take effect, but Keira’s stomach settled just by drinking cool water.

Perhaps because of her mood, even her headache seems to have calmed down a little.

Rose: “Are you all right?”

Keira: “Yes. Can I have another glass of water?”

She leaned back on the bed for a moment and tried to come to her senses.

After a while, she was well enough to think about the people she drank with last night.

Keira: “What about the others? I was already half drunk before I passed out.”

Rose: “Tell me about it. I was wondering why a pile of corpses was brought in.”
Rose quickly waved her hand.

Rose: “We had a bit of a hard time bringing the knights to bed last night.”

Keira: “Oh, Zeke, too?”

Rose: “No. I remember him walking on his own two feet.”

Oh my goodness. Keira silently admired him.

Everyone must have decided to get Zeke drunk, but to think that he endured it to the end. She didn’t know
whether to be amazed or feel bad.

Keira: “Aside from the fact that a lot of people were brought in, nothing special happened, right?”

Rose: “Yes, nothing except that His Excellency, the Grand Duke, found out.”

[1] Arthur said 에이 (ei) and 에이이 (eii), and I couldn’t really think of a proper translation for that because it’s
usually just a sound of disbelief or exasperation.

[2] Keira described him as 청산유수라는 (chongsanyusuraneun), which translates to ‘the clear stream water
that flows down a green mountain slope’.
Side Story 2
Keira: “…He saw it?”

That kind of thing?

Keira hadn’t seen it in person, but she could only imagine how devastating it must have been.

If Keira were him and she saw what he did, she wouldn’t have let it go…

She gulped.

Rose: “But it’ll be fine since he didn’t say anything.”

Keira: “Really? There’s no way that would happen.”

Rose: “Yes, would grown adults scold you for having a dinner party? It was also a party to celebrate milady’s
return.”

She was a bit puzzled, but she tried hard not to think too deeply.

Didn’t she come back after drinking quietly without bothering anyone?

Ludwig, too, would not impose sanctions on a simple dinner party. Not if there had been a big accident since
she blacked out.

Right, unless an accident happened.

‘What… Sir Arthur must have done a good job cleaning up the mess.’

He was always in charge of cleaning up because he had the strongest drinking capacity. He would have taken
responsibility and dealt with the drunkards well.

‘Rather than that, I’m more curious about whether Zeke got drunk or endured in the end.’

Keira would have to go back and ask later. Everyone should be awake by the afternoon.

Rose: “Then, what would you like to eat?”

Keira: “Just something simple like fruit and porridge. I’ll eat here.”

Rose: “Okay, shall I open the window for you? Fresh air might be good for you.”

Keira: “That would be great.”

Rose opened the window slightly, dragged the tray, and left the bedroom again.
She returned with breakfast and lunch as Keira was getting some much-needed fresh air. This time, she came
with Emily.

Emily: “Still, you came to your senses quickly, my lady. You all looked like corpses yesterday. What’s with
that? Are trained people quick to recover from a hangover? Even the knights are already walking around.”

As soon as Emily entered the room, she rambled on excitedly. It seemed that her talkative personality had not
changed.

Keira listened halfway through the chatter and chimed in at the right time.

Then, as she set her cutlery down on the table, she told a rather interesting story.

Emily: “Oh, I guess you didn’t hear the news because you just woke up.”

Keira: “What news?”

Emily: “There’s a statue of the Goddess in the central square, right?”

Keira: “Ah, that.”

The goddess statue in the central square was a specialty of the capital that had existed since its founding.

Plated with orichalcum, it was famous for being strong even after hundreds of years. It was also something
Keira had seen several times.

Keira: “What about it?”

Emily: “The third eye on the forehead is the blue eye that is said to see the future. The statue had a jewel for it,
you know? Someone stole it!”

Keira: “Oh, my.”

That’s probably a topaz the size of an adult fist… No, was it a sapphire? Anyway, the important thing was that
it was a national treasure.

And what’s more important than the jewel’s value was that the thief stole the national treasure in a place where
guards roamed around even in the middle of the night.

‘In other words, it’s a matter of the country’s honor.’

So, the Imperial family would try to find the culprit no matter what.

If it’s the central square, someone would have been watching no matter how late it was, so the perpetrator was
quite fearless.

Keira: “Only the innocent guards will be beaten by the superiors.”

Emily: “Who in the world stole it? It would be difficult to sell on the black market…”

Keira: “Perhaps the culprit is a collector who would stop at nothing to get every pretty piece of jewelry they
see.”

It was a little interesting, but that’s all.

Keira, who quickly lost interest in the topic, began eating brunch while expressing sympathy to the low-level
guards who would be reprimanded unjustly.

As the sun set toward the west, Keira finally left her bedroom.

By now, most of them should have come to their senses. With that thought in mind, Keira headed towards the
knights’ building…

‘Where did everyone go?’

For some reason, she didn’t run into any of them. The same thing happened when she walked around and called
for them.

She would occasionally pass by servants doing chores, and when she asked them about the knights’
whereabouts, they would say they had no idea.

‘There’s no way they’re still asleep…’

Above all, didn’t Emily mention that the knights were already walking around?

Plus, it was training time. So even if everyone else were feeling lazy, Joseph wouldn’t have tolerated it.

It’s definitely strange that even Joseph was nowhere in sight.

Keira wandered around the training grounds for a while before finally making her way to their lodgings.

It was the only place she had yet to look around.

‘Bingo.’

Unlike usual, the lounge window was meticulously covered with curtains. The curtains were normally drawn
since the knights thought the light would be good in the lounge.

In addition, she could see shadows moving behind the thin curtains.

‘What are all of you doing together?’

She kept her steps light as she cautiously entered the building.

Seeing as they had gathered quietly and didn’t include her, Keira thought they might be planning to prank her.
As she rested her ear on the lounge door, she heard someone talking. She couldn’t hear the details, but it was
clear several people were talking at the same time.

Keira cautiously placed her hand on the doorknob and swung the door open in a surprise attack.

Thud!

Keira: “What are you all doing?”

“Aaaaah!”

Thud! Crash! Crack!

As soon as Keira opened the door, she heard screams and furniture collapsing.

The knights gathered in one place were scattered all over the room.

It was a swift action, but unfortunately, the afterimage of the movement was all visible to her eyes.

“N-noonim? You should have told me you were coming… Hahaha.”

“Did you sleep well last night? Haha… Hahaha.”

“…”

The ornaments were broken and chairs were on the floor, yet the knights feigned nonchalance.

Keira slowly looked around the room without a word.

Rather than the broken ornaments and chairs, Keira was more saddened to see Joseph and her brother Zeke
among the group.

Zeke was wiping off the dust from the drawers–something he’d never done before– and Joseph was sitting on a
table, reading a book.

No, it was more accurate to say he was pretending to read. His efforts to avoid eye contact made her feel the
distance even more.

What caught her attention more than anything else was the book he was reading. It looked bulkier as if there’s
something under it.

Keira: “…Sir Joseph, what’s under that book?”

Joseph: “Y-yes? Oh, when did you come? I didn’t know you arrived because I was so focused on reading…”

Keira: “Don’t change the subject.”

Joseph: “W-what are you talking about…”

She strode across the room and approached him.

Joseph audibly gulped, and the tension was palpable.

Keira: “You’re hiding something down there.”

Joseph: “That’s… It’s just…”

Keira: “Give it to me.”

She pulled the book as hard as she could.

Joseph resisted a little but eventually let go when he realized it was futile.

When the book disappeared, Keira finally saw what was underneath. As she did, she heard someone start to
hiccup.

The hidden object was a blue gem the size of an adult’s fist.

It shone so brightly that it almost blinded her. Anyone could tell it wasn’t an ordinary object.

No way, this was…

“…”

“Y-Your Ladyship. I will explain everything.”

“…”

An unusual jewel and the knights desperately trying to hide it…

At that moment, Keira remembered the conversation she had had a while ago.

[“Oh, I guess you didn’t hear the news because you just woke up.”]

[“The third eye on the forehead is the blue eye that is said to see the future. The statue had a jewel for it, you
know? Someone stole it!”]

Keira, who instantly grasped the situation, shouted at the most likely culprit.

Keira: “Sir Arthuuuur!”

Side Story 3
Arthur: “It’s not me! It’s not!”

Arthur retorted as he found the accusation unjust.

Arthur: “Why is everyone looking for me first?”

Keira: “Oh… It’s really not you?”

Arthur: “Really! I didn’t even have time to go near the central plaza because I was busy attending to the people
who passed out yesterday!”

Keira: “Oh my, sorry.”

From what Keira heard, they looked for the jewel as soon as it went missing.

They’re usually good at that.

Keira patted Arthur’s drooping shoulder a few times to comfort him.

Then, all of a sudden, a question crossed her mind.

If Arthur didn’t do it… Who in the world could have caused such a major accident?

Keira immediately asked.

Keira: “Then, who’s the culprit?”

She looked around the crowd, but everyone avoided her gaze.

Keira: “Who is it? Why won’t you answer?”

Could it be that the culprit wasn’t here? Maybe someone left the gem here to accuse the Parvis family…

Just as that thought came to mind, someone from behind pulled the hem of Keira’s clothes. When she turned
around, she saw Zeke looking sullen.

Zeke: “… It’s actually me.”

Keira: “You? Really?”

Zeke: “Y-yeah…”

Keira: “Oh my gosh.”

Keira sighed. It hurt to see him so guilty that he couldn’t even make eye contact.
She was certain he didn’t steal it on purpose, and it must have been a mistake… How restless and nervous must
he have been?

Keira asked, her tone sad.

Keira: “Zeke, how did you get this?”

Arthur: “I… Your Ladyship, it seems that your attitude has changed a little from before.”

She ignored Arthur’s comment.

Keira: “Tell me honestly. Only then can we solve it.”

Zeke: “Well…”

Zeke hesitated and began to explain the situation.

Long story short, it happened after Keira passed out. The party continued after that, and Zeke said he went
outside to get some fresh air after feeling tipsy.

Zeke, who was quite reluctant to take a stroll at dawn for the first time, walked out and arrived at the central
square.

It was there that he found a blue light floating in the air. He said he found it so pretty that the only thing on his
mind was to take it.

Zeke: “And when I woke up in the morning… I had this in my pocket.”

“…”

It was a bit of an unconvincing explanation. However, Keira was speechless, so Reina went on to explain.

Reina: “So yesterday, the Young Master looked fine on the outside, but in fact, he was completely out of it.
There are people like that sometimes.”

Keira: “…So, to sum up, you made a drunken mistake?”

Zeke: “Yes.”

Keira groaned at the absurd situation, and Zeke’s shoulders bunched up even more. He was almost close to
tears.

The knights gathered and comforted the downcast boy.

“Milord, don’t worry too much about it.”

Zeke: “I’m sorry… I should have gotten myself together.”

“It’s the first time you’ve had so much to drink, so maybe that’s it.”

“It won’t be a problem as long as you clean up well.”

Arthur’s expression softened as he watched the scene.

Arthur: “Weren’t you all being too mean to me?”

His complaints were again ignored.

Leaving behind a bewildered Arthur, the people gathered in the lounge put their heads together and began to
devise a solution.

Reina: “Well then. What matters now is how to deal with this situation.”

Keira: “Reina’s right. If you have any good ideas, let me know.”

“Hmm…”

While everyone was moaning and thinking, Joseph was the first to speak.

He stepped forward as if he had something to say, and Keira gave him the floor.

Keira: “Right, Sir Joseph. You look like you have an idea.”

Joseph: “Things will only get worse if we hide the truth. It’s best to admit it now…”

It was his opinion that Zeke should surrender himself as a nobleman. However, before he could finish speaking,
others rejected it immediately.

“No. Rejected.”

“Think again, Sir Joseph.”

“I don’t think that’s right.”

Flustered, Joseph continued to express his opinion.

Joseph: “I don’t mean to make the young master take responsibility for everything. We all created this mess, so
we should all share the responsibility.”

“No, Sir Joseph. It’s more complex. It’s not a simple matter like turning yourself in, getting punished, and
finishing it neatly.”

Keira: “Right.”

Keira nodded in agreement with their objection.

Keira: “There’s another thing to consider. If this comes to light, our family will be completely disgraced.”

Joseph: “Certainly… that’s true.”

Keira: “It will definitely be humiliating. Gossip will die down someday, but…”

Her expression darkened even more.

Keira: “How could His Grace, the Grand Duke, come out knowing that the family’s name was sullied?”

“Haa…”

“Aaaah…”

“W-we’re all going to die.”

According to Emily, he even witnessed the group coming back drunk. He would have already disapproved of it,
but if he had found out that a significant accident had occurred…

-
Arthur: “Naturally, we’ll all be destroyed as a group, and the drinking party yesterday will be the last in this
family’s history.”

Arthur said confidently. No one could argue against his convincing prediction.

“Then, we’ll have to remove the option of surrendering. Anyone else has an idea?”

Reina: “Me.”

Reina raised her hand.

Reina: “Let’s just secretly return it to its original place and come back.”

“The news has already spread all over the capital. Is it even possible to secretly return it?”

Reina: “We can sneak in when no one’s around and throw it there, then come back. The Imperial family will
figure out how to put it back in. How will they know we did it?”

It was a very liberal remark considering her status as a knight.

Reina: “We didn’t do it on purpose. Can’t we just quietly return it, milady? The goddess will forgive us because
she knows it was a mistake.”

Keira: “Right, we didn’t really gouge out her eyes. It’s just a statue.”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

The others began to agree.

In any case, the jewel must be returned to its original position, but the option of turning oneself in was
impossible.

If so, there’s no other way but to sneak it in.

Keira: “Then raise your hand if you disagree with Dame Reina.”

“…”

“…”

Silence.

Unanimously, the future plan was decided.

Keira: “Okay. So, everyone agrees to secretly return the jewel, yes? Keep this to yourselves and take it to the
grave.”

“Yes.”

No one had complaints.

Fortunately, everyone was willing to cooperate, but now, the real problem was…

‘How do we get this back?’

Vigilance around the central plaza would be at its peak because of the sudden theft.

Would it be possible to pass through such heavy security and remain undiscovered?

That afternoon, Keira’s worries deepened.

The next day, Keira decided to visit the site to make a more detailed plan.

They would only stand out if they all went together, so only Zeke and Joseph accompanied her.

A statue with an empty third eye stood in the middle of the plaza.

Keira had to crane her neck as hard as she could to look at the place where the gem had been. Looking at it now,
the statue was quite tall.

‘No, how did you climb up there…?’

Keira wondered how her brother managed to come back without getting caught.

She hurriedly looked away, guilt stabbing her conscience when she stared at the hole in the goddess statue’s
forehead.
Looking around, she realized there were more soldiers than ordinary citizens.

Joseph whispered in her ear.

Joseph: “Looks like there are three times as many guards as usual.”

Keira: “Right.”

As expected, the security of the central square was much stricter than usual. Soldiers in uniform were scattered
here and there.

The number might be even higher if you include those in civilian clothes.

Flustered, Keira mumbled.

Keira: “…What if it looks like this at night?”

“If the Imperial family has an idea, they won’t cut the staff just because the sun has set.”

Keira: “Of course.”

The next day, the day after that, and the day after that, she checked the conditions around the plaza.

She observed for about a week, but the guards showed no sign of letting go.

‘It’s not supposed to be like this…’

She was starting to feel antsy as she wondered whether they should change their plan now.

Just then, something stood out to her. People gathered in one corner of the square.

A group of people dressed in white–priests, most likely–were there. Judging by their attire, it was clear that they
had come out of the temple.

‘Well, the statue was damaged, so they can’t just stay still over there.’

Her resolve strengthened. She could never get caught. Never!

Keira moved to greet them.

Keira: “It’s been a while, High Priest.”

“Ah, Lady Keira, is that you?”

The priests welcomed her with a smile.

They could never have imagined that the esteemed lady they welcomed was also an accomplice in this incident.
She struggled to ignore the pricks of her conscience.

Keira: “But what are you all doing here?”

“Haa, we must remain calm even though the goddess statue has been damaged. We came here to see if there
was anything we could do to help…but since we’re old, we can’t do much.”

Keira: “Oh my.”

Keira put on as pitiful an expression as she could.

Keira: “The investigation doesn’t seem to be going well.”

“Ah, that…”

The high priest hesitated for a moment before continuing.

The investigation was supposed to be confidential, but since he was talking to the next elementalist, he figured
it was fine.

“There seems yet to be a clue. Apparently, they searched the black market and found nothing that looked
similar. But, of course, it’s only been a week since the jewel was stolen, so we’ll have to wait a little longer.”

Keira: “Ah.”

Of course.

That’s because the goddess statue’s third eye was now tightly hidden in the deepest part of the grand duchy. So
there was no way it would appear on the black market.

Keira continued to feign innocence as she asked him a little more.

Keira: “Are there any eyewitnesses? It happened late at night, but there must have been people passing by since
it is in the central square.”

“Most of the lights were off during the early hours of the morning. That’s why passers-by said they couldn’t see
the culprit closely. But…”

But?

Keira’s heart dropped.

“They said the culprit was very slender and agile. They say it’s likely a woman.”

“…”

Fortunately, the investigation didn’t seem to be going well.

Side Story 4
Keira didn’t know whether to be happy or sad about the state of the country’s investigative powers. She timidly
replied.

Keira: “It’ll…work out.”

“I’m worried it will be lost forever. Haa, who would do such a thing…”

Keira felt a cold sweat running down her back as she stared at the pensive High Priest. The other two eyes of
the goddess statue seemed to be looking down at her.

‘Ha, I have to return it to its place as soon as possible.’

Keira: “By the way, there are so many guards in the square. Why are there so many people gathered here?”

If they increased the number of guards after it was stolen, it was no different than losing a cow then fixing the
barn. The High Priest answered the question she had been wondering about for several days.

“Although the third eye of the goddess is the most precious jewel, the first and second eyes are also valuable. So
shouldn’t we prevent further theft?”

Keira: “Aha.”

The biggest obstacle to returning the gem was the guards lined up in the central square. It would be a breeze if
they got rid of them.

‘The problem is how to get rid of the guards…’

Originally, she had intended to convince them to reduce the number of guards by saying it would be more
efficient to use this large number of people differently.

However, they were there to prevent further theft, so that’s not possible.

Keira: “There’s nothing we can do if it’s to prevent further theft, but it’s a shame. If they could be used
differently, the investigation might proceed faster…”

“Ha, I think so too, but is there any other way? It will be a national disgrace if the other jewels get stolen.”

Does that mean he agreed that it’s an inefficient method of investigation?

Keira: “Then why don’t we do this?”

“Yes?”

Keira: “The Grand Duke’s knights will guard this place, so the Imperial family and the temple’s forces can
focus on chasing the criminal and getting back the gem. We’ll help.”
“A-are you sure?”

The high priest’s face brightened.

“If that’s the case, it would have been nice to have made a request to the grand duchy earlier. You are always
willing to step out to aid the Empire and the temple.”

She felt Zeke and Joseph staring at her in awe. They were obviously wondering when she learned how to lie so
skillfully without blinking an eye.

Be polite and cooperate. Keira poked Joseph in the side with that thought in mind.

Fortunately, Joseph was quick to understand.

Joseph: “W-what Her Ladyship said… is right. The statue of the goddess has been damaged… We can’t just sit
still.”

Zeke: “Yes!”

Joseph sounded like he was reading an educational textbook, but the thrilled priest didn’t seem to notice at all.

Even Zeke expressed his willingness to cooperate.

The High Priest almost burst into tears, but he wiped at his eyes and asked.

“But will His Grace allow it?”

Keira: “There’s no need to worry. How deep is his faith?”

Of course, she didn’t really know the depth of her father’s piety. She wasn’t particularly interested.

“Haha, it seems I was worried for nothing.”

Joseph: “Of course. If we tell His Grace, ‘the goddess statue was damaged!’ He won’t turn a blind eye.”

Thus, all members of the Parvis Knights had to stand guard at the square.

They were in the basement of the Knights’ quarters. Then, in the late morning, the lights were unexpectedly
turned on.

Keira: “Then, let’s start the briefing.”

All the knights were sitting huddled in the narrow basement. Keira, who was in the front, tapped the board and
said.

Keira: “Capital guards and the Parvis knights will guard the central square until the case gets resolved. That
means the number of guards is half and half.”
Reina: “I have a question.”

Keira: “What is it, Dame Reina?”

Reina: “Can’t we just tell them to leave the central square to us?”

Keira: “They might get suspicious. If the gem suddenly returned as soon as our knights held the post, people
would suspect us.”

Aha. The mystery was solved, and Reina returned to her seat.

Shortly thereafter, Keira’s briefing resumed.

Keira: “For now, we will divide our people into Groups A, B, and C.”

She drew three large circles on the board.

To sum up the operation:

First, for a few days, the knights will stand guard with the capital guards. Second, look at the appropriate time
and set the day for the decisive battle (?). And third, enact the two-way operation.

“A two-way operation?”

Keira: “Right. Groups B and C will wait in the central square, while group A will make a fuss in the capital. A
small explosion in a deserted place will draw attention. Then Group B will have to lead the majority of the
capital’s guards. If Group C and a small number of capital guards are guarding the central square…”

Keira drew another small circle on the board.

Keira: “Zeke will return the jewel near the statue. Then the capital guards will try to chase Zeke, right? Group
C’s job is to let them go while pretending to chase Zeke. Aren’t they quicker than the capital guards?”

“Woah!”

The exclamations burst out at the pretty plausible strategy. If the operation could proceed as it is, the situation
would be safely resolved.

Keira took out a file folder and continued.

Keira: “I have the list of people who will stand guard with us, but most of them are regular soldiers.”

“There would be no reason to deploy anyone higher than knights since we’ll be there.”

“Yeah, so it shouldn’t be that hard to get rid of them.”

If they got the gem back, the scandal would be out of the public’s interest over time. Although there would be
criticism for not catching a thief properly…
She sympathized with the guards, but there was no other option. It was impossible to turn an innocent person
into a criminal.

‘I’m sorry. It’s not like Zeke really did it on purpose.’

While expressing her apologies in her heart, Keira continued.

Keira: “Well, then, about making a fuss in the capital for phase one. Does anybody have any good ideas on how
to draw attention specifically?”

“Ah, I do. As I said before, using explosives would be a little dangerous, so I thought of another method. How
about using an artifact that mimics the sound of an explosion…?”

“The distribution of people in each group seems to be…”

As the day dawned, the outline of the operation became more and more clear.

At the central square in the heart of the capital, people in uniforms quite different from the guards wandered
around with their swords.

Passers-by stared at the knights they rarely saw, and Arthur muttered in dismay.

Arthur: “Wow, I never thought the day would come when I would stand guard at the square… It’s very new.”

“Be quiet, Arthur. After all, you can’t say you’re not to blame for this situation.”

“Why me? I didn’t do anything!”

“Are you going to say it wasn’t you who let the Young Master drink so much that day?”

Arthur: “I didn’t expect something like that to happen when he went out to get some fresh air! No, how did he
even get to that height while being so drunk…!”

Keira: “Both of you, be quiet. We stole… No, do we need to advertise that we brought it by mistake?”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

The two immediately shut up at Keira’s low criticism. She almost said in the middle of the square that they stole
the gem.

‘It’s the end of today’s anxiety.’

Keira looked up at the goddess statue with the empty forehead and sighed inwardly.

The sky above the statue was turning a dark color.

The moment of decisive battle (?) was right in front of her.

In fact, as soon as they stood guard in the square, she wanted to return it immediately, but if the jewel returned
as the Parvis knights helped, there’s a risk of arousing public suspicion. Because of that, they had to wait for a
few days.

However, wandering around the square as she’s plagued with guilt would end today. She would really sleep
with her legs stretched out tomorrow night.

Keira: “Zeke is preparing well, right?”

“Yes, I heard from Sir Alex earlier. He’s waiting nearby. As soon as he hears the explosion, he will move
instantly.”

“Tell them to burn the clothes he wore to the square immediately.”

“Yes, they also took care of the ignition artifact.”

It wasn’t unusual to be nervous because she was afraid that things might go wrong.

If discovered, Zeke would suffer the most.

When Joseph saw how uneasy she looked, he softly spoke.

Joseph: “Don’t be so nervous.”

Keira: “…is it obvious?”

Joseph: “Yes, quite. We’ve rehearsed several times outside the castle, so there should be no problem.”

Keira: “Hmm, I guess… ”

Among the capital guards present, there was no one capable enough to keep up with the knights’ speed.

So, it would be safe to say there’s little chance of failure, but since her younger brother’s safety was at stake,
she couldn’t help but feel nervous.

‘Sir Joseph is right. It’s nothing to worry about.’

She couldn’t think of a scenario of why things would go wrong. Unless there were unexpected variables, of
course.

…But, as always in life, things don’t go as planned.

Time passed, and it was the time when the crescent moon rose.
Arthur, who had been yawning, began to stare into the dark alley. And then, shortly after, his eyes widened and
he panicked.
Arthur: “G-Grand Duke?!”
Side Story 5
What? His Grace, the Grand Duke?

Quicker than the wind, everyone turned in one direction.

In the dark alley, they could see the hair slowly revealing itself.

Eventually, when his features were revealed under the lights of the central square, they could no longer deny the
reality.

The one person who shouldn’t know about this incident has appeared. On the day of the final battle, too.

Ludwig: “… it’s like you didn’t expect to see me.”

Ludwig looked around at the stunned crowd and muttered. He thought they’d be surprised if he suddenly
showed up, but… Wasn’t this too much?

They looked like they had seen a ghost rather than their master. In particular, Ludwig never thought that even
Joseph, the Vice Captain, would make such an expression.

He started to wonder if he shouldn’t be here.

‘No, why…’

‘Why now!’

‘You should have warned us at least!’

‘Why’d he suddenly pop out?!’

Leaving the shocked knights behind, Keira was the first to come to her senses. Time was running out, so they
needed to get rid of that ‘variable’ quickly.

Keira: “W-what are you…doing here?”

Ludwig: “I heard that you’ve been helping the guards for several days. It’s kind of weird the vassals are helping
all night long, while I, the head of the household, have nothing to do with it.”

Keira: “That’s…”

He’s right. What he said was right.

She had nothing to refute. But, due to his personality, he’d be uncomfortable leaving it to his subordinates and
sleeping at home.

Still, Keira had to think hard to rectify the situation somehow.

Let’s go back and think about it.

Keira: “Such a thing… it’s not necessary for His Grace the Grand Duke do it himself.”

Joseph: “That’s right. Rather, I am worried that the family’s prestige will fade.”

Fortunately, Joseph chimed in with a plausible reason–the family’s status. It was a perfect cause to convince
Ludwig.

To that, Ludwig calmly replied.

Ludwig: “Don’t worry about that. I just came here to give some encouragement. Robert.”

“?”

Robert? Everyone turned to the sudden appearance of the butler.

Ludwig’s sudden appearance was so shocking that they didn’t even notice it, but he wasn’t the only one who
had appeared.

Several servants, including butler Robert, were grouped together a few steps away.

Why are these people…? Puzzled, Keira asked.

Keira: “Why is everyone here…”

Ludwig: “It’s early in the morning and it’s cold. You should wear a jacket.”

The head of the household handed over the coat. Soon after, the servants also gave the knights coats.

Warm drinks were given to ordinary soldiers who weren’t members of the family.

It really did seem like he came here to cheer up the guards and knights posted. That was fortunate.

‘All I have to do is send him back quickly.’

Keira quickly put on the outerwear her father gave her.

She did it to send them back as quickly as possible. Everyone seemed to have thought the same thing because
they wore their coats immediately.

Keira: “Then I will be grateful. Thank you for your concern.”

So hurry up. Please, please go soon.

But even though the business was over, Ludwig didn’t think to move. Instead, he just lingered in front of her as
if he had something to say.
Unsatisfied, she carefully opened her mouth. If it wasn’t feasible to send them back quickly, she might have to
sacrifice herself and leave with them.

Keira: “Do you have anything else to say to me? Shall we move?”

Ludwig: “Just… I’m just trying to say that it’s admirable to step up to something like this.”

Keira: “Ah…”

Keira said nothing.

That was because the gem that was the root of all trouble… was with the grand ducal family. To be precise,
Zeke should be holding it by now.

Keira: “Thank you.”

At that time, she saw Arthur standing behind Ludwig, communicating with her through his eyes.

‘W-what are we going to do now?’

‘I don’t know either! He’s not leaving. What should I do?’

‘In a little while, group A will move!’

It would be nice if there were a way to get in touch with Group A, but that wasn’t possible in the current
situation.

If Keira used the communicator, he might ask who she was contacting, and if she tried to go and let them know
herself, he would ask her why she’s leaving.

‘I’ll pretend to be sick. I’ll collapse on the spot and go to the doctor…’

Bang! Blast!

But at that moment, Keira shut her eyes tightly at the sound of an explosion coming from afar.

“W-what happened?”

“It sounded like explosives.”

“I heard it from the east gate.”

Soldiers who did not know the truth began to stir.

Just in time, people from afar started screaming. Anyone could understand that something has happened.

As Ludwig’s gaze turned to the east, Arthur mouthed.

‘You decide what to do! Are we following the plan?’
‘Just push through!’

‘Really?’

‘Then what else should I do now!’

Now, it was all or nothing [1].

Arthur: “Your…Your Ladyship, shouldn’t we check what’s going on?”

With a pale face, he recited the lines he had prepared. The only fortunate thing was that his complexion looked
like it was from the shock of hearing the explosion.

Arthur spoke as he had planned, and before long, Joseph also recited his lines.

Joseph: “It looks like. There was an explosion. At the east gate.”

‘Sir Joseph, your acting is so awkward!’

His several days of practice had vanished, perhaps because he was taken aback by the unexpected situation.

But fortunately, nobody paid attention to his acting, thanks to the tense situation.

Arthur: “I’ll go!”

The first to move was Arthur, who was in charge of leading the guards to leave. Following his instructions, the
capital’s guards chased after the knights who were moving around.

Arthur had succeeded in sending most of the guards along with him. The problem was…

‘All I have to do is get rid of this person.’

Keira: “Your Grace! Please leave for now. It could be a terrorist attack.”

Keira exclaimed, feigning panic.

Of course, Keira didn’t think that would happen, but that’s not what’s important now. She had to send him to
another place immediately.

Keira: “We’ll take care of this. There should be no problem since Sir Joseph and I are here.”

Robert: “Just as Her Ladyship said, let’s move. It could be dangerous to stay here.”

“…”

Even though the butler recommended that they hide together, Ludwig was unmoved.
He stared at the place where they heard the explosion, narrowed his eyes, and then clicked his tongue as if he
realized something.

Keira’s heart sank as she watched the change in expression.

No.

Ludwig: “Stay where you are! It could be a double operation!”

Damn it! He just had to be smart!

Keira: “W-well, first, you should run away for now…”

Ludwig: “No, as I expected, they’ll be here soon.”

Ludwig handed the cumbersome coat to the butler and approached the remaining guards. Then, he pulled out
the sword attached to one’s waist and said.

Ludwig: “I’ll borrow this for a while.”

“Y-yes!”

Ah… Keira’s mind went blank. No matter what she said, he didn’t seem to want to leave.

Judging by the expression on his face, he was probably thinking of catching the jewel thief right there.

After a while, a silhouette moved between the building roofs, his movements swift and agile. Ludwig, who
didn’t miss the scene, smirked.

Ludwig: “I knew it.”

“…”

She didn’t even have time to groan. The motto of this operation was originally ‘quick battle, quick conclusion’.

They needed to return the jewel to its original spot immediately before people discovered that the explosion was
fake.

Zeke immediately descended from the rooftop according to their plan. The shadow quickly approached the
plaza fountain.

Keira wasn’t sure, but she thought her eyes met Zeke’s. The shadow paused for a moment, as if he had realized
their father was beside his sister.

Ludwig: “That’s him.”

Slim figure, medium height–it was as stated by eyewitnesses on the day of the incident. Ludwig laughed
fiercely and ran straight to the fountain.
For a moment, Zeke was taken aback by his father’s unexpected appearance, but it was already too late. In the
first place, they weren’t too far from the fountain.

‘No!’

At this rate, they would be caught.

Keira hurriedly shouted.

Keira: “Oh! There’s one more over there!”

“?!”

She shouted, pointing in the opposite direction, and Ludwig paused to look back at her. In such a tense
situation, her acting came out naturally.

Keira: “Looks like they’ve gone down that alley!”

Ludwig: “Give up the other one. First, catch that guy.”

Making a bold decision, he stared straight ahead again. As time passed, the shadow near the fountain quickly
disappeared through the alleys of the residential area.

Ludwig: “Tsk!”

Ludwig clicked his tongue and immediately followed him. He was a pretty nimble guy.

With that level of skill, he could be active in the sun, so it made Ludwig wonder why he became a thief instead.

‘I’ll just have to interrogate him after catching him.’

He raised his voice at the sound of the footsteps of his daughter and knights behind him.

Ludwig: “Keira, wait in the square! I’ll go after him!”

Keira: “I left Sir Joseph behind, so it will be alright!”

Ludwig: “There’s a possibility that he’s an unexpectedly powerful person, so you could be in danger!”

Keira: “That’s not the problem right now…!”

Because he’s my brother and your son!

[1] 이판사판 (ipansapan) when you’re driven into a corner and can’t do anything else; Hongik Story has an
informative article on the origin of the word
Side Story 6
Translator’s Note: Surprise! I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to finish the last chapter. Enjoy 💕

Shouldn’t she at least stop him if he rushed to execute him?

Keira desperately followed after him. If left alone, a real catastrophe could happen.

‘He’s fast.’

Ludwig followed the criminal ahead of him and gritted his teeth.

The shadow stepped on a cart and climbed up onto the wall. He immediately reached the top of the building
after running away. He seemed skilled as he used his light and agile body.

The prestige of the Grand Duke’s family would not stand properly until such a thief was caught.

Ludwig: “I’ll go ahead.”

Keira: “Yes? W-wait!”

Jump!

Ludwig stepped on the window frames of the building to climb up to the roof.

Plans didn’t always work the way people wanted to.

Zeke thought that the essence of planning was to overcome all unexpected variables.

But that should be good enough.

‘Why!! Why!!! Why did Father come out of nowhere?’

Wasn’t this too much?

The one person who should never find out about this was closely following him.

The Grand Duke didn’t even shout ‘Stop!,’ or ‘Surrender now!’ the way others did when running after a
criminal.

He just chased after Zeke at tremendous speed with a glint in his eyes.

‘That’s why it’s even scarier!’

He would have been less scared than he was now if his father had just said something as he chased him. Zeke
felt genuinely threatened with my life.

‘Hurry! A little faster!’

He was almost out of breath. And as he jumped between buildings, his legs trembled.
At this rate, he’d be caught soon. He tried to think of the best strategy even as he ran, feeling threatened for his
life.

‘If I compete with speed, I will 100% lose.’

If he, a growing boy, and his father, who must have reached the peak of his skills, confronted each other head-
on, the outcome would be obvious.

Zeke immediately gave up his strategy of running on top of buildings and went down. After stepping down the
store sign, he hid among the busy alleyways of the business district.

Over the past few days, he had looked at the maps of the capital city over and over again until he got sick of it.
Now, the complicated maze-like alleyways appeared clearly before his eyes.

As he hid in one of the many forks in a narrow alleyway, he was certain of his victory.

‘I’ve escaped…!’

Tak!

Zeke: “Urk?!”

Something caught in his shin, and his body floated in the air.

‘What the?’

Why was he floating in the air? The moment he tried to tilt his head, Zeke was able to touch the ground again.
Well, to be more precise, he was thrown back to the ground.

Hwaaaak!

After rolling and tumbling for a while, he finally stopped after hitting a wall. It felt like the whole world was
spinning.

Zeke: “Krgh… Ugh…”

It was like someone was banging on his skull with a hammer. He grabbed his throbbing forehead as he
struggled to stand. He could feel the skin underneath his torn gloves as he touched his head.

Zeke: “Heuk!”

He was wearing a mask, but he could feel skin. While rolling on the floor, his mask must have flown off.

Zeke frantically looked around for something to cover his face but gave up immediately. He’d better get out of
here sooner than find the missing mask…

“…Zicchardt?”

But then, a voice like that of a grim reaper came.

“…”
His whole body froze.

-
He slowly turned his motionless head to look behind him. He gulped.

“…”

“…”

Oh.

Oh my god.

The light from outside the alley only dimly leaked in, but it wasn’t hard to see the person’s features.

Standing tall at the end of the alleyway was his father, staring at him in disbelief.

Goosebumps ran down his spine.

Goddess, please help me even though I’m a disrespectful servant who damaged your statue…

The moment he thought he’d rather faint, he heard the sound of guards moving outside.

Ppiiiiiik!

“This way! He went this way!”

“He went down!”

The situation was becoming more and more catastrophic.

By the day after tomorrow at the latest, there’d be a special report saying that the culprit who stole the jewel
from the statue of the goddess was the heir of the Grand Duke Parvis.

Splash.

Ludwig walked towards him, stepping on a puddle. It was hard to see his expression because he had entered the
dark alley.

His father, who had narrowed the distance in an instant, grabbed Zeke by the collar.

I’m really gonna die! Zeke unknowingly closed his eyes tightly.

Ludwig: “I’ll listen to your explanation later.”

Zeke: “Yes?”

Thud!

Ludwig pushed Zeke away as if hiding him behind a pile of boxes.

Are you thinking of crushing me?! As Zeke trembled with fear, he heard a conversation from outside.
“Your Grace! The culprit is here…!”

Ludwig: “This is a dead end! Search the other way!”

…Huh?

“The other way! The other way!”

The guards, who believed the Grand Duke’s words, rushed to the other side like an ebbing tide. Zeke could only
blink as he heard the guards’ fading footsteps.

‘Did you just cover for me?’

No, why?

‘Goddess statue jewel thief = son’

It didn’t take him long to come to that conclusion.

While Zeke pondered hard to assess the situation, the pile of boxes that shielded him was moved aside.

Naturally, it was Ludwig who pushed the boxes aside and took out Zeke.

As soon as he took out his son, he opened his mouth.

Ludwig: “Are you hurt anywhere?”

Zeke: “Yes?”

Zeke knew he sounded like a fool for only answering ‘yes?’, but he couldn’t help it. Ludwig looked like a real
father when he looked around the boy’s body to see if he had any injuries.

What was this really about? The incident didn’t turn out well because his mind had turned blank.

Ludwig continued to ask the puzzled Zeke.

Ludwig: “Do you have any broken limbs, ankles or wrists?”

Zeke: “N-no… I don’t think I do.”

Ludwig: “Which part of your body doesn’t move?”

Zeke: “That, too… I don’t think there’s anything like that.”

Ludwig: “Then go back home. Before anyone else notices. The guards have gone to the other side, so you won’t
run into them.”

“…”

Ludwig: “Hurry.”

Zeke: “Ah… Y-yes!”

Standing there in a daze, Zeke only moved after Ludwig urged him.

His scratched skin stung a little when he was pushed to the floor, but it wasn’t enough to immobilize him.

Stepping on the boxes, he climbed onto the wall at the dead end. Since he had memorized the map, he knew
clearly which shortcuts to return to the mansion.

“…”

Before stepping down the wall, Zeke reflexively looked back.

His father was still standing there, looking in his direction.

He looked worried, Zeke thought.

The jewel of the statue was returned safely. Apparently, the well-preserved gem was thrown under the statue in
a sack.

‘I’m glad he still managed to return the gem.’

Keira was worried that Zeke might have forgotten the core of the operation when he faced Father, but she
seemed to have worried for nothing.

Scratching his head, Arthur said.

Arthur: “What… It’s good that it seems to have worked out, right?”

Keira: “Hmm, it ended well anyway…”

In fact, the culprit returned the gem on his own, but for some reason, the people from the capital believed that
the knights of the ducal family had recovered it.

It seemed that everyone believed that because it was more convincing than the idea that the culprit returned
what he stole of his own volition.

Arthur: “We took the gem, but our reputation only improved.”

Keira: “No. That’s not what’s strange to me.”

Arthur: “Then?”

Keira: “Didn’t His Grace catch us? I didn’t think he’d cover for us.”

Arthur: “…You’re right.”

Arthur didn’t understand either.

Still confused, Keira sat on a garden bench, waiting for Zeke to come out.

It’s been about thirty minutes since Zeke was called to their father’s office, so she decided to wait for him.

Not long after, Keira spotted him trudging out in a daze.

Keira and Arthur approached the boy and began to interrogate him.

Arthur: “What did you say? Was he angry?”

Keira: “What happened? What did you say?”

Zeke was at a loss on where to start, but soon enough, he answered slowly, still looking out of it.

Zeke: “I just… explained that I was drunk and made a mistake. I also explained that I really had no intention of
stealing it, so I tried to put it back in its original place.”

“And?”

Zeke: “Then he just… told me to be careful next time. He told me not to drink more than what I can take.”

I’ll never drink more than two drinks again, Zeke added, gritting his teeth.

Keira: “Is that all?”

Arthur: “Is that really the end of it?”

Zeke: “Yeah.”

Arthur: “In the future, no more team dinners or… did he call for everyone to gather or something like that?”

Zeke: “No, he didn’t say anything like that.”

Arthur murmured incredulously.

Arthur: “Did something really good happen recently…?”

“I don’t know.”

Silence.

Arthur, who tried to figure out what his boss was thinking, gave up with a sigh.

Arthur: “As long as we didn’t get in trouble, that’s fine. Right, Your Ladyship?”

Keira: “Uh… I’m glad it worked out.”

Arthur: “Anyway, to thank us for helping them find the gem, the temple sent a bunch of presents. Would you
like to go see it?”

Keira: “Okay. Do you want to come, Zeke?”

Zeke: “Yeah.”

Before long, the three of them moved toward the knights’ quarters.It was a warm afternoon.

〈 Side Story End 〉