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“D-Duke?”  

“Eek!”  

“My goodness…”  

Early in the morning, Whitney returned home in a carriage after leaving the mansion without an escort, claiming he had urgent business.  

As he arrived, Sasha—who had been sweeping the yard with the other maids—widened her eyes in shock.  

“Good morning, Sasha.”  

Beside him stood an unfamiliar girl.  

“W-Who is she…?”  

Sasha hesitated, trying to ask cautiously.  

But then, her words trailed off.  

It wasn’t because she recalled Whitney’s chilling advice to suppress her curiosity.  

It was because the girl standing beside him was in such a pitiful state that Sasha could hardly bear to look at her.  

Her pale face suggested she hadn’t eaten for days.  

Bruises and wounds were scattered across her body.  

And most strikingly, her empty eyes had lost all light.  

She looked eerily similar to the version of Sasha that sometimes appeared in her nightmares—the one locked in the basement of the mansion after making a grave mistake.  

“A-Ah… Yes, I can see that she’s in quite a state.”  

“Y-Yes, she is…”  

“So, could you help me out a little?”  

Help with what, exactly?  

Was he asking her to fetch torture tools?  

A flood of gruesome thoughts momentarily flashed through Sasha’s mind, making her squeeze her eyes shut.  

Fortunately, Whitney’s request was nothing of the sort.  

“First, help her wash up and treat her wounds.” 

“……”

“There are plenty of empty rooms in the servants’ quarters, so she can use one of those.”  

“A-Ah…”  

“And make sure she eats something as well.”  

“……”

“She has a lot of work ahead of her, after all.”  

It was a much more reasonable request than Sasha had feared.  

Still, she couldn’t shake the ominous feeling in her chest.  

Where exactly had her master picked up this near-dead girl?  

And what kind of work was he expecting from someone in such a dire state?  

“…I’ll do my best!”  

Of course, Sasha had just received a private lecture in the carriage under the guise of a personal conversation.  

So, she swallowed all her questions and forced the brightest smile she could muster.  

“Oh, and one more thing…”  

Whitney’s next words made that smile falter.  

“When you wash her, don’t touch her shoulders.”  

“…What?”  

“She’s a little sensitive there.”  

The girl visibly flinched at his words.  

However, the reaction of the other maids standing beside Sasha was even more dramatic.  

“See? I told you—there’s no way this is a casual relationship.”  

“Shh! Do you have a death wish?”  

But even they didn’t react as strongly as Sasha did.  

Unlike them, she had the unfortunate knowledge—thanks to her troubled upbringing—that slave brands were usually imprinted on the shoulder.  

‘Forget it. Forget it. Forget it…’  

Now pale as a ghost, Sasha muttered those words repeatedly in her mind as she took custody of the dazed and vacant-eyed Runiel.  

*****  

‘She should be somewhat recovered by now, right?’  

A week had passed since Runiel arrived at the mansion.  

When I first took her from the slave market, her condition was far worse than I had anticipated.  

I had been genuinely worried.  

But after a week of Sasha and the maids tending to her with great care, she should have regained at least some of her health.  

However, my real concern was not her physical health.  

It was her mental state.  

Alfred had been sulking, saying he was too ashamed to face the Count, but after calming him down and receiving a report, I found out something unsettling.  

Runiel’s expression had not changed at all since the day I first saw her in prison.  

Well, considering her past and the humiliations she had suffered, it was understandable.  

Even I was struggling just to avoid becoming a fallen noble.  

But she had already lost her noble status.  

She had been branded as a slave.  

Under such circumstances, no amount of luxury or kindness would be enough to heal her spirit.  

‘But it’s not like there’s no solution at all.’  

Unfortunately , I couldn’t immediately remove the slave brand on her shoulder.  

Not only did removing it require a high-level magician, but the brand also contained traces of dark magic.  

That meant I would need either a cardinal from the Holy Kingdom or a white mage as powerful as my father.  

The former would likely get me tried for heresy, while the latter would never cooperate with my family, who were essentially their rivals.  

So, until my father returned, it was impossible.  

Of course, if I could do it myself, that would be ideal.  

But after that nerve-wracking incident at Lady Meredia’s tea party, I knew better than to attempt it until my research was complete.  

Given the circumstances, there was only one option left.  

‘I just need to solve the root problem instead.’  

If I could restore the one thing that defined her very existence—something that would render the slave brand meaningless—then she would no longer be bound by it.  

Of course, if that were so easy, she wouldn’t have ended up in this situation.  

Nor would she have earned the nickname ‘The Emperor’s Hound.’  

But I knew the truth.  

I knew why she, once hailed as a sword prodigy, had been unable to wield a sword again.  

And I also knew how the Emperor had solved that problem for her.  

Now, it was time to show her that solution.

“Sasha, are you there?”  

“Yes!”  

Since I needed to call Runiel, I stood up and called for Sasha, and her immediate response echoed down the hallway.  

She’s been working way too hard lately—I hope she doesn’t end up getting sick.  

“Could you bring Miss Runiel here?”  

“Ru-Ru, Runiel is actually right here next to me.”  

I was about to say something about her overworking herself, but then Sasha peeked her head out from the door and answered with a confused expression.  

Had she already carried out my request before I even said it?  

That seemed a bit excessive, even for someone as enthusiastic about work as Sasha.  

“Y-You said that once she got better, she should start working as a maid…”  

“Aha.”  

For a moment, I was puzzled, but Sasha’s words made everything clear.  

I wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret forever, but for now, it was best to conceal the fact that Runiel had become my sword.  

If word got out that I was the one who had helped her wield a sword again, it could cause unnecessary complications, given my current lack of power and influence.  

For now, I intended to keep up the appearance that I had kindly taken in a homeless girl as a maid.  

Apparently, the command I had given to support that deception was already being carried out.  

In any case, it seemed that her body had fully recovered.  

That meant I could proceed with my plan without hesitation.  

“Are you adjusting to your work?”  

“…Yes.”  

After sorting out my thoughts, I approached Runiel, who was sweeping the hallway in a maid’s uniform, and asked.  

Her lifeless response came back immediately.  

“You should try to sound a bit more lively…!”  

Sasha, watching nervously from the side, poked her in the ribs and murmured something, but Runiel only lowered her head and kept her vacant expression.  

“I’m sure Sasha is taking good care of you, but if anything is too difficult, let me know.”  

Feeling sorry for her, I stepped forward slightly.  

At the same time, I thought about whether I could somehow weaken the slave mark on her shoulder and patted her gently.  

“Ugh.”  

But as if my white magic and the slave mark had reacted to each other, Runiel winced in pain, her expression twisting.  

Startled, I quickly withdrew my hand.  

“Well, anyway, that’s not the main issue right now…”  

For some reason, I felt like I had done something unnecessary.  

I should just get to the point—  

“Huh? What’s wrong?”  

Just as I was about to speak with an awkward expression, Runiel suddenly swayed unsteadily.  

“Are you okay?”  

“…I apologize. I’m fine now.”  

Fortunately, Sasha was right there to catch her, so nothing serious happened.  

But she still looked pale.  

This didn’t seem to be a lingering effect from her time in the slave market.  

It was probably ‘that’ problem.  

If so, talking to her now would be too much.  

“I’m glad to hear that, but for now, just get some rest.”  

“Thank you…”  

“When you’re feeling better, come to my office quietly, even if it’s late at night.”  

So, as a sign of consideration, I leaned in and whispered softly.  

“I have something important to discuss with you.”  

Runiel, who had been staring at me blankly, suddenly lowered her head in silence.  

“……Understood.”  

Seeing how drained she looked, I was about to tell her that we could talk tomorrow instead.  

But before I could, her subdued voice came first.  

It pained me to feel like I was pressuring her.  

But for her sake, I had to move quickly.  

“Sasha, could you help—?”  

“Eek! I didn’t hear anything!”  

“…What? Never mind, just help her to her room.”  

“Y-Yes!”  

Watching Runiel lean on Sasha’s shoulder as she walked away, I let out a quiet chuckle and turned around.  

“Well, today will be the last time she wears that expression.”  

“I didn’t hear anything. I didn’t hear anything. I didn’t hear anything…”  

Lately, I kept hearing strange mutterings.  

Was it just my imagination?  

*****  

That night, in the Lingard estate, shrouded in darkness—  

Most of the household was already asleep, leaving only one person quietly walking down the corridor.  

That person was Runiel Mistilane.  

Over the past week, thanks to Whitney’s care, her body had significantly improved.  

But her steps, leading her toward the office on the top floor, felt unbearably heavy.  

“…Ugh.”  

She continued walking, but the maid uniform she was wearing—something she had never worn in her life—felt suffocatingly tight.  

Of course, kind-hearted Sasha had made sure it wasn’t uncomfortable.  

It wasn’t the fabric that was constricting her.  

To Runiel, the uniform itself was a suffocating symbol of her new reality.  

But this was just the beginning.  

If what was coming next was worse, the discomfort of this outfit would be nothing in comparison.  

The boy who exuded an aura of pure dread hadn’t spent a fortune to buy her just to make her do chores.  

There were nobles who took pleasure in forcing fallen aristocrats to serve them.  

But Runiel had no such delusions.  

She didn’t entertain the faintest hope that she had been purchased for something so trivial.  

No matter what happened, her life was already in ruins.  

This was merely the moment when her fate would be decided.  

So, before she was completely broken, she could only hope that her past as a knight would make her valuable enough to be sent to some dangerous battlefield instead.  

That was the most hopeful outcome she could imagine.  

“Come in.”  

When she finally reached the office, a familiar, gentle voice called from inside.  

Creak…  

The same bone-chilling presence she had felt when she first met him in the prison now filled the room.  

But there was no other choice.  

Runiel clenched her teeth and pulled the door open.  

“I’ve been waiting for you.”  

At the desk, Whitney sat with his chin resting on his hand.  

“You didn’t push yourself too hard to come here, did you?”  

“…No.”  

“Haha… That’s a relief.”  

As their eyes met, Whitney’s already narrow eyes curved into an even thinner smile.  

Seeing it, Runiel’s body involuntarily trembled.  

The way the moonlight from the window illuminated his smile—it was powerful enough to make even someone like her, who had survived life-and-death battles, flinch.  

“Well then… shall we get to the main topic?”  

Even as the tension built, she remained still.  

But the moment Whitney finally got to the point, she clenched her eyes shut.  

“There’s only one thing I want from you.”  

She braced herself.  

No matter what he did to her, she wouldn’t show the reaction he wanted.  

No matter how much he humiliated her, she wouldn’t let him see any satisfaction in it.  

“Pick up a sword again.”  

And just like that, her resolve shattered instantly.  

“And become—”  

“Impossible.”  

She had thought she no longer had the strength to react.  

But before she knew it, her empty eyes were blazing with fury.  

“If I could still wield a sword, I wouldn’t be standing here in front of you like this.”  

No matter how broken a dragon’s horns and scales were, they always had a fatal weak spot.  

For Runiel, that weak spot was the sword.  

“You can do whatever you want with me. Enjoy yourself.”  

Clenching her teeth, she spat out the anger she had been bottling up.  

“But if you mock me by bringing up the sword again, I swear I will—”  

“What if I told you I know how to make you wield a sword again?”  

Whitney’s expression hadn’t changed at all.  

His calm words left Runiel momentarily speechless.  

“What?”  

“To be more precise…”  

And in the next moment, she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.  

“What if I told you that I know how to restore your completely burned-out mana circuits?”  

Her body trembled—far worse than before.  

“Would you be willing to give everything for that?”  

But this time, it wasn’t out of despair.  

Nor was it from Whitney’s ominous presence.  

“…If that’s true.”  

It was because, in her endless abyss of hopelessness, she had caught a glimpse of a faint light.  

“I’d give you my soul.”  

“Ah, no need for that. But anyway…”  

For that chance, she would do anything.  

“Then we have a deal.”  

Even if it meant selling her soul to the devil himself.

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The morning after I had nearly become a cold corpse in the Embergreen Duchy, I found myself walking through the worst slums of the imperial capital, wearing only a robe and without a single escort.  

‘This is terrifying.’  

Honestly, I didn’t want to come to such a dangerous place alone.  

However, the location I was heading to was not somewhere a noble like me could visit openly. It was not a place where I could bring the righteous knights of the Count’s household.  

At the same time, I couldn’t possibly bring my personal maid, Sasha, or Alfred, who was nearing retirement, into such a dangerous place.  

So, in the end, this was the best I could do.  

If I ended up getting into trouble with some thugs, it would be a major headache.  

‘No, I can’t afford to be scared over something like this.’  

After all, I am a white mage.  

Although my confidence has been slightly shaken since the last incident, I can still handle simple combat.  

If some fools approach me, thinking I’m just a helpless boy, I only need to show a glimpse of my white magic to make them flee in fear.  

I don’t have much real combat experience, and ever since regaining my past memories, I’ve found fighting people to be unpleasant. So, if things go smoothly, that would be ideal.  

—Step, step…

As I was lost in thought while walking, I suddenly heard footsteps behind me.  

Wondering if it was just my imagination, I changed my path slightly.  

However, the footsteps continued to follow me. It was clear that these people had ill intentions.  

‘So, I guess I really am getting into trouble, huh?’  

I felt a momentary tension in my body, but I had already prepared myself for this.  

Now that things had come to this, I might as well use this as an opportunity to gain some real combat experience.  

“Hm.”  

“Tsk.”  

I calmly turned my head, channeling white magic throughout my body.  

But the moment they saw me, the thugs suddenly stopped in their tracks and frowned.  

After scratching their heads for a moment, they simply walked past me as if nothing had happened.  

“…We’re out of luck today.”  

“If you’re one of us, at least show your mark properly.”  

“Seriously, kids these days…”  

For some reason, not only did the ones who had spoken to me mutter complaints as they walked away, but even others who had been watching me from the streets began disappearing into dark alleys.  

‘So, they weren’t just ordinary thugs…?’  

I had assumed this place was just a den of low-life criminals and had let my guard down.  

But to think that most of them were skilled enough to detect even the faint traces of my white magic… If they hadn’t been so cautious, I might have been the one in danger.  

‘Next time, I definitely need to bring a reliable escort.’  

Of course, the very reason I came to this dangerous place today was to secure one.  

Because the overpowered early-game character I absolutely needed was being held in the heart of the slave market.  

‘I just hope the emperor hasn’t made a move first.’  

Yes, the character I was after was someone who, in most scenarios, became the emperor’s right-hand and a loyal bodyguard.  

In the game, she was known as the ‘Emperor’s Hound,’ and among players, she was infamous as the ‘Newbie Slayer’ due to her absurdly high combat stats.  

Not only was she a powerhouse in battle, but her ability to assess situations was also exceptional.  

This was why Meredia had to face off against her numerous times while trying to overthrow the emperor.  

‘But soon, she’ll become my loyal escort instead.’  

That was the plan, at least.  

In the game, no one had figured out how to recruit her for a long time.  

Her backstory was filled with betrayal and deception, making her utterly loyal to the emperor—the only person who had extended a hand to her when she was about to become a plaything for corrupt nobles.  

However, hardcore players who experimented with different builds for speedruns eventually found a way to recruit her.  

‘And, of course, I was the first to discover it.’  

The method was simple—storm into the lawless district early in the game and outbid the emperor at the slave market.  

Of course, this meant enraging the emperor, which was an incredibly risky move.  

But since it allowed players to recruit what was essentially a mid-boss-tier character early on, it became a popular meme strategy in the community.  

However, things were different now.  

This was long before the game’s prologue even began.  

If I timed things right, I could recruit the overpowered character without drawing the emperor’s wrath.  

And even if I did get caught, the emperor currently saw me as a counterbalance to Meredia.  

Given his personality, he might just let it slide.  

Still, I was moving cautiously to avoid being noticed.  

Regardless, this was an opportunity too good to pass up—the benefits far outweighed the risks.  

‘So, I need to focus now.’  

I was nearing the entrance of the slave market I remembered.  

This place was several times more dangerous than where I had just been.  

Letting my guard down for even a second could be fatal.  

‘Just do what I did in the game. Stick to the plan.’  

*****  

The dark underbelly of the imperial capital, Lutein’s slums—an entirely different world from the empire known as the “land where the sun never sets.”  

“Are you there?”  

‘…A customer?’  

At the entrance to the most secretive part of the slums, Liam, the market’s gatekeeper, was dozing off when he was startled awake by an unexpected voice.  

“Moon’s shadow?”  

“Three silver coins.”  

‘Hmm, so it really is a customer.’  

Hearing the correct response, Liam rubbed his eyes, scratched his head, and straightened his posture.  

‘Wait, what?’  

His eyes widened in shock.  

‘We’re not supposed to be accepting general customers yet.’  

In truth, the slave market had only opened the day before.  

And even then, they were only allowing the most prestigious of clients—people personally connected to the business.  

Since Liam recognized everyone who had entered so far, there had been no need to use the passcode.  

‘Did I even pass the code to headquarters yet?’  

Moreover, the password the customer had just given was something Liam had made up himself.  

He had spent a great deal of effort crafting a meaningful and elegant phrase, but he hadn’t even sent it to headquarters yet.  

In other words, no one else was supposed to know it.  

“Why are you hesitating?”

Of course, if Whitney himself had heard it, he would have realized his mistake, but since he obviously had no mind-reading abilities, he simply tilted his head with a composed expression and asked a question.  

“Is there a problem?”  

By that point, cold sweat was already forming on Liam’s forehead.  

‘This guy… He’s one of us.’  

Having spent years in this underworld, Liam had experienced all sorts of things.  

He was skilled enough to gauge people at a glance and deduce general information about them.  

And the young man standing in front of him with a chilling smile was not someone who could be defined merely as a ‘VIP.’  

Judging by his aura and his near-telepathic insight just moments ago, he was far closer to Liam’s own kind—one who existed within the deepest shadows.  

However, if he were truly part of the same faction, there would be no reason for him to visit the slave market in this manner.  

And if he were merely acting as an individual, he would have even less reason to come.  

Those who lived in the shadows had no need for living servants or entertainment.  

Which meant he was undoubtedly working under someone and moving with a purpose.  

But who could possibly have the power to move such a figure in secret while also possessing knowledge of the slave market without any interaction with Liam?  

‘Could those absurd rumors actually be true?’  

Liam could think of only one being in the empire who could pull off something like this.  

The Emperor.  

The ruler of the empire, the man who held the most absolute power in recorded history.  

Rumors had been circulating recently, whispering that the so-called ‘Shadow of the Emperor’ had begun stirring up the underworld.  

‘If that’s the case… could this guy be…?’  

Even Liam had dismissed those rumors as baseless gossip, but seeing the unsettling presence of the young man before him made him reconsider.  

After all, while Liam’s organization had ties to various powerful nobles and a vast network across the empire, openly conducting illicit business in the heart of the capital was an entirely different matter.  

But if all of this was actually happening under the hand of the empire’s most exalted figure…  

‘No, I need to stop thinking about this.’  

Liam’s quick-thinking mind had already drawn its conclusion, but he immediately shook his head vigorously, erasing his own deductions.  

He had seen too many people disappear without a trace after foolishly prying into matters beyond their station.  

“Please, come inside.”  

And so, he simply did his job as a middleman, putting on a friendly smile as he opened the door behind him wide.  

‘Wow, just doing what I did in the game actually worked?’  

Of course, Whitney himself had no idea about any of this.  

He simply assumed that his calm demeanor had been effective and walked inside confidently.  

“Yes, I’m certain.”  

Surprisingly, this time, his assumption was not entirely mistaken.  

“…Whitney Lingard. It’s him, Your Majesty.”  

From within the dark alley beyond, a figure hidden within the shadows was whispering into an unseen communication device, reporting everything they had just witnessed.  

*****  

Meanwhile, at that very moment—  

In the cold, damp underground prison of the slave market.  

“Hey, Number 167.”  

The voice calling out from the front made the only remaining girl in the now-empty prison slowly lift her head.  

The noble guests had already taken their pick, leaving the place deserted.  

“Here’s your meal, brat.”  

A bowl containing something worse than dog food was thrown in front of her with a careless toss.  

As she briefly glanced at it and looked away, a mocking voice echoed through the underground chamber.  

“Don’t act so high and mighty.”  

“You still think you’re a noble?”  

For a brief moment, a flicker of fire lit up in the girl’s empty eyes.  

But the moment the warden’s hand moved toward the whip at his waist, the fire was immediately extinguished.  

“They classified you as premium stock, and yet you turned out to be defective trash, just wasting food.”  

Feeling encouraged by her lack of reaction, the warden continued taunting her with a sneering tone.  

“You should be grateful. If you had been labeled as low-tier merchandise, you’d have been defiled long ago.”  

“Who knows? With that pretty face of yours, maybe one of the filthy rich pigs among the common customers will take a liking to you.”  

“If you play your cards right and become some fat noble’s mistress, maybe you’ll get a second chance at life.”  

When the girl gave no further reaction, the warden clicked his tongue in irritation and raised his whip high.  

“But seriously, are you even listening to—hmm?”  

As the black mark on his hand briefly flared up, he smacked his lips in annoyance and lowered his whip.  

“Tch. What an unlucky wench.”  

And then, silence.  

‘How did it come to this…?’  

Staring blankly at the cold stone floor, the girl’s eyes began to well up with tears.  

‘I just wanted to hold a sword again…’  

She had dedicated her entire life to the sword.  

And yet now, she was about to be sold off as some noble’s plaything, just as the warden had said.  

‘Why…?’  

She had long since abandoned hope.  

Just yesterday, nobles who once stood at the same level as her had walked by, scrutinizing her with disdainful eyes.  

Not one of them had even attempted to bid on her.  

Instead, they had merely muttered words of pity and walked past, as if mocking her foolishness.  

In that moment, everything she had lived for—her noble pride, her devotion to the sword—had been completely denied.  

“Hic… ugh….”  

Her trembling hands clenched together, but she no longer had the strength to hold them tightly.  

The tears dripping from her eyes soaked into the cold stone floor.  

She wished she could just end it all right now.  

But the slave brand carved into her shoulder would not even allow her that final dignity.  

‘Just once… before I die…’  

Her body, deprived of food for days, was already reaching its limit.  

But even if she were to collapse, they would just force-feed her slop to keep her alive.  

Resistance was meaningless.  

‘Will I ever get to hold a sword again…?’  

As she sank further into the abyss of despair, her vision blurred.  

She made no effort to steady it.  

And at that very moment…

“Runiel Mistilane.”  

A voice she had never heard before—one that sent an inexplicable chill down her spine—resonated within the prison.  

“I’ll take this one.”  

Realizing that the voice had called her name, the girl mustered the last of her strength and weakly lifted her head.  

“You’re exactly to my liking.”  

She then saw a young man around her age, wearing a chilling smile—a smile so unsettling that, had she been in full health, she might have instinctively drawn her sword.  

‘At least he’s not a fat noble…?’  

The thought crossed her mind before she felt a wave of disgust toward herself.  

She quietly closed her eyes.  

“I look forward to working with you, Miss Runiel.”  

‘No… maybe the fat noble would have been better.’  

And with that final, somewhat hurtful thought—one that Whitney surely would have found offensive—her consciousness faded away.  

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– Clatter, clatter…  

A carriage that had just escaped from the tumultuous and perilous tea party left the duke’s residence.  

Due to Whitney’s order to leave the estate as quickly as possible, the carriage was moving at an unusually high speed compared to normal.  

‘No way… he didn’t poison the princess and flee, did he?’  

However, Sasha, Whitney’s dedicated maid, who was sitting nervously in the carriage and observing her master’s every move, had no way of knowing the reason for their haste. Thus, her mind couldn’t help but jump to a chilling conclusion.  

‘No, no way.’  

But then, what were those loud noises coming from the duke’s residence earlier? And what about that mysterious object hastily carried out, covered in cloth?  

Even from a distance—where she had been blocked by the estate’s security—Sasha could tell that something unusual had happened.  

“U-um… Young Master.”  

“Yes?”  

Mustering her courage, Sasha decided to ask her master, who was exuding an even darker aura than usual today.  

“Did something… happen at the tea party earlier?”  

“Oh dear…”  

She immediately regretted her reckless question.  

“…You saw that, didn’t you?”  

“Hic!”  

Whitney had turned his gaze away from the window and was now staring directly at Sasha. His murmuring tone sent a chill down the maid’s spine.  

“This is a bit troublesome…”  

“I-I was just…”  

“You do realize that knowing too much can put your life in danger, right?”  

Curiosity killed the cat. This was the most emphasized rule that Sasha’s predecessors—Whitney’s thirty-seventh personal maids—had drilled into her about survival in this household.  

“I-I’m sorry! I was being presumptuous!”  

“Huh?”  

“I swear! I won’t tell anyone about what happened today! Even if someone were to rip out my eyes and tongue, I would never—!”  

Realizing she had broken this cardinal rule, Sasha desperately began to plead, but Whitney remained indifferent.  

“There’s really no need to react so dramatically.”  

Even as Sasha repented swiftly, Whitney merely narrowed his eyes further and scratched his head.  

“Someone like you will be forgotten in time anyway.”  

His casual tone, as if erasing a mere maid from existence was no big deal, made Sasha’s knees buckle.  

“I-I still have a mother and younger siblings to support…”  

“…So be careful next time.”  

Faced with what felt like a death sentence, Sasha teared up and began her final plea. Fortunately, Whitney seemed inclined to grant her one more chance.  

“And if anything like this happens again, just pretend you didn’t see it and forget about it.”  

“…Ah.”  

“That would be best for you.”  

The tension drained from Sasha’s body in an instant. But before she could even process her relief, she stiffened her posture like a knight and raised her voice.  

“…Yes, sir!”  

“Aha. See? No need to be so tense.”  

She hadn’t taken this job for its exceptionally high salary alone, but it was too late for regrets now.  

*****  

‘I guess I’ll have to handle things alone from now on whenever this happens…’  

I had almost dragged an innocent maid into a gruesome mess.  

Thankfully, Sasha was so unremarkable that she had gone unnoticed. If she had stood out even a little, merely lingering near the front gates could have put her on Meredia’s radar.  

Since I had decided to side with her, there were bound to be more incidents like this in the future. I need to come up with countermeasures to ensure that innocent bystanders wouldn’t get caught up in them.  

‘Honestly, this wasn’t supposed to escalate like this.’  

If only that informant hadn’t died at the tea party, I wouldn’t have to worry about all this.  

My presence had already caused a deviation from the original storyline, so this kind of unforeseen development was inevitable.  

Still, even considering that, the dark mage’s behavior before his death remains a mystery.  

If he was going to beg for his life, shouldn’t he have pleaded with the one who cursed him? Why had he turned to Whitney instead?  

Was he just trying to drag someone down with him since he was going to die anyway?  

‘Or could it be… that my mediocre white magic has some hidden potential?’  

I knew almost everything about the original game. But strangely, I had very little information about my current self—Whitney Lingard.  

Especially this bizarre white magic I wielded. I had no clue what it truly was.  

The fact that it functioned in direct contrast to its usual traits, the way even the slightest interaction had caused a small amount of dark magic to spiral out of control—it was all too unusual.  

Perhaps it was time to set aside a day for thorough research.  

– Screeeech…  

“Young Master, we’ve arrived.”  

Lost in thought, I barely noticed as the carriage slowed down and a familiar scene unfolded before my eyes.  

“I-I’ll get the door!”  

“Oh, you really don’t have to—”  

“Please step this way!”  

As he was about to step out, Sasha, brimming with nervous energy, hurriedly opened the door and bowed deeply.  

I couldn’t help but wonder if such formalities were necessary, but after a moment’s thought, I realized this was her way of expressing loyalty, and an involuntary smile crept onto my lips.  

Apparently, she had a large family to support at such a young age. Given that this job paid several times more than others, it was natural that she’d want to leave a good impression.  

Not that it was necessary—I intended to take good care of her regardless.  

Still, working hard wasn’t a bad thing. As long as she didn’t push herself too much, there was no reason to stop her.

“Huh…”

As Sasha bent forward energetically, her expression suddenly changed when she lifted her head.  

Wondering what had caused this reaction, I followed her gaze forward—and immediately understood.  

“Brother.”  

“Ah, my dear Cecil.”  

My beloved little sister, Cecil, had come to greet me after a long time.  

The top student at the Imperial Academy. The youngest Silver-ranked knight apprentice. And although she had no talent for white magic, unlike me—the defective one—she was a widely recognized, capable magician.  

Because she was so talented, she was often summoned here and there, leaving little opportunity for us to interact. But to me, she was still a proud and cherished sibling.  

“Ah, what the hell did you do to Father?”  

“Huh?”  

Just as I was about to greet her warmly, she suddenly interrupted me, her voice trembling with urgency.  

Why was she suddenly asking about our father’s whereabouts?  

“What are you talking about, Cecil? Father is on a trip, isn’t he?”  

“…A trip? Who goes on a trip for over a year?”  

Ah, so that’s what this was about. She was worried about our father, who had been absent from the estate for so long. My little sister really had a kind heart.  

“I’ve heard the rumors. So tell me yourself—where is Father?”  

‘Hmm… What should I do?’  

Unfortunately, our father’s current whereabouts were classified information.  

He was carrying out a top-secret mission under the Emperor’s command. If not for a brief mention in the original game, I wouldn’t have known about it even after regaining my past life’s memories.  

Since his location was a state secret, I couldn’t just reveal it.  

But as her older brother, I had an obligation to reassure my worried sister.  

“Haha, Cecil…”  

“W-what?”  

After organizing my thoughts, I gently placed my hands on my anxious-looking sister’s shoulders and spoke in the warmest tone possible.  

“Father is in a good place right now.”  

“…What?”  

“So there’s no need to worry. By the time you graduate from the Academy, everything will be settled.”  

By the time I was married off as the duchy’s son-in-law, Father would have completed his mission and returned. Naturally, my capable sister would take over as the rightful heir.  

“I’ll handle all the complicated family affairs in Father’s stead.”  

“Ugh…”  

“So you just focus on your studies. Understand?”  

She was already busy being called here and there, so as her older brother, I couldn’t let her be burdened with family matters as well. Until she could fully take control of the estate, I would prepare the groundwork for her.  

“…Am I a good brother?”  

I leaned in slightly and flashed a playful smile, putting all my sincerity into my words.  

“……”  

For a moment, she simply stared at me, dazed.  

Then, as if finally understanding my intentions, she clenched her fists and lowered her head, pressing her lips together tightly.  

“…Should I forget about this too?”  

“Huh?”  

As I gently stroked my admirable sister’s head, Sasha, who had been watching nervously from the side, suddenly whispered in a tiny voice.  

“Oh dear, Young Master…”  

Just as I was pondering the reason behind her question, a familiar voice rang out from the distance.  

“Didn’t I tell you countless times? Please stop making ominous statements with that expression.”  

It was Alfred, the head butler of the estate—and my only conversational partner. He walked over with a heavy sigh.  

“People might get the wrong idea.”  

“About what?”  

“…Never mind.”  

*****  

“Hmm.”  

I wanted to spend more time talking to my sister, but Alfred dragged me into the estate’s office, where I was immediately buried under a mountain of documents.  

Only when night fell did I finally finish my share of paperwork for the day. As I looked outside to clear my mind, I murmured absentmindedly.  

“The moonlight is particularly bright tonight…”  

“Ahem.”  

Just then, Alfred, who had been assisting me with my work, cleared his throat.  

“Please refrain from making such statements with that expression for no reason.”  

“Why?”  

“That… It’s nothing. If I explained, it might be considered blasphemy.”  

Alfred was competent, but he had a habit of saying incomprehensible things sometimes.  

Then again, he had been like this since my childhood, so I had long since given up questioning it.  

“Anyway, Young Master, since we’ve finished for the day, there’s something important I need to discuss with you.”  

“What is it?”  

Now that I thought about it, Alfred had been working in this estate for a long time.  

By my past life’s standards, he should have retired long ago.  

“I’m retiring this year.”  

“Ah.”  

“Technically, within a few months, once everything is settled.”  

I had been thinking it to myself, but Alfred spoke as if he were making it a reality.  

With the estate already in a precarious situation, what would I do if Alfred left as well?  

“It’s no use trying to stop me. I’ve already reached an agreement with the Count.”  

“Really?”  

“I’ve been serving for forty years now. It’s time for me to rest.”  

My first instinct was to grab onto him and beg him to stay.  

But seeing Alfred’s hair, now completely white, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.  

“I plan to build a house on a high hill with a good view and live out my days farming. So…”  

“You’ve worked hard all this time, Alfred.”  

Swallowing my regret, I chose to let him go with dignity.  

“Now, take a well-deserved rest.”  

“Gasp.”  

It was meant as a simple farewell, yet Alfred flinched.  

“…So you’re finally showing your true colors?”  

“What?”  

“Ahem… Never mind. Forget I said anything.”  

Oh dear.  

Even someone as competent as Alfred couldn’t escape the ravages of time.  

Seeing my once-impeccable butler wavering like this, I knew I couldn’t bring myself to stop him, even as a mere formality.  

“Anyway, even though I’ll be retiring soon, there’s still some business to take care of first. Regarding the confidential orders the Count gave me…”  

“Wait, Father gave you orders? This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

As I listened to Alfred’s report—one that I would soon miss—I couldn’t help but tilt my head at this unfamiliar news.  

“My apologies. I assumed you would already know something about it, Young Master.”  

“So, what is this about?”  

“It’s about your engagement.”  

My engagement? Wasn’t that something my father had been openly pushing forward with the family’s fate on the line? There shouldn’t be a reason to handle it secretly through Alfred.  

“According to the gathered information, it seems the key to normalizing your white magic lies within the Embergreen Duchy.”  

“Really?”  

“Yes. In fact, it seems that the reason the Count suddenly accelerated your engagement with the Lady before his disappearance was related to this matter.”  

For a moment, I worried that Alfred’s mind was starting to waver, but thankfully, his words made sense.  

After all, my father—one of the few remaining white mages in the Empire—had readily accepted the Emperor’s dangerous proposal. He had done so not just for our family’s revival but also to secure the authority needed to push forward my engagement with the Duchess’s family.  

But I never imagined there was a reason beyond the family’s future—one that was actually for my sake.  

That was… touching.  

“Honestly, half of the misconceptions people have about you come from that eerie aura that sends shivers down their spines just by being near you. So, if that could be fixed, perhaps you could even live a normal life—”  

“I’m not sure I understand, but now I’m curious—what’s the other half of the reason?”  

“…Hmm. That’s a difficult question.”  

Just as I was feeling a rare moment of warmth toward my father, Alfred’s nonsense snapped me right out of it.  

I let out a deep sigh, seriously debating whether I should summon a physician for him.  

Noticing my reaction, Alfred, who had been hesitating, suddenly grew serious and continued speaking.  

“And this… is just an old man’s personal concern, but there’s something I want to say to you.”  

“Go ahead. Say whatever you want.”  

“Once I leave your side, Young Master… I fear there will be no one left who truly understands you.”  

I told him to speak freely, but I wasn’t expecting such a bleak statement.  

“I’ve been by your side since the day you were born, so I know for a fact that you have a kind heart.”  

“Is that so?”  

“Indeed. You’re probably the only noble in the Empire who consistently speaks respectfully to mere servants like me.”  

That almost felt like an insult, but the sentiment behind his words was touching.  

“Haha. Hearing that makes me tear up a little.”  

“Though I must admit… I still get suspicious whenever I see that shady expression of yours.”  

“…What?”  

“Anyway, my point is that it will take a very long time for others to recognize your sincerity.”  

There might have been something strange mixed into his words, but I couldn’t deny he had a point.  

Even within the estate, the servants were oddly wary of me.  

Still, I had been practicing my smile lately. If I showed them a brighter side, wouldn’t that improve things?  

“That’s why you can’t just sit and wait for others to understand you. You must take the initiative to win their trust.”  

“Mm…”  

Alfred’s stern voice pierced through my complacency.  

“Do you understand? No matter what, you must gather loyal subordinates—people who will not only serve you but also truly understand you.”  

So, in other words, I needed to actively build my own allies.  

Truth be told, I had already been thinking the same thing since regaining my past life’s memories.  

In ‘Blacktail Fantasy 3’, the protagonist’s abilities were important, but the composition of their party was just as crucial.  

I wasn’t in the protagonist’s position, but since I had aligned myself with Meredia, my difficulty level was at least as high—if not higher.  

That meant my first priority was securing a bodyguard.  

If I wanted to survive the countless dangerous incidents ahead, I needed a reliable and skilled knight to protect me.  

“I’ve already prepared a list of candidates. I’ve categorized them based on their specialties, so you can choose someone suitable—”  

“No need for that.”  

As I recalled my past life’s knowledge and considered my options, I suddenly smirked and interrupted Alfred.  

“I already know the perfect candidate.”  

“Is that so? But if that’s the case, there’s no way they wouldn’t be on my list—”  

I trusted Alfred’s judgment, of course.  

But unlike him, I had insider knowledge.  

I knew about ‘the’ broken character who had become a sensation in the game’s community when they were first discovered—  

A ridiculously overpowered recruitable unit available right from the early game.  

“Tomorrow, I need to visit the slave market.”  

“Oh… So in the end, this old man was merely a pawn in your entertainment.”  

And I was the first person in the world to discover them.

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“It’s dangerous, so please stay about ten steps away.”

‘What’s going on here, why is it like this?’

After about five minutes of desperate attempts, this was my reaction upon witnessing the black flames starting to rise in my hand.

“Let me say it again, you could die, you know?”

‘Someone help me, damn it.’

My original plan was to subtly reveal the traces of dark magic left in the teacup to give Meredia a hint.

In fact, it was a plan that most people wouldn’t even dare to attempt due to the dangers of dark magic, but I had something to rely on.

Do you know why the Lingard family, with all its internal and external problems, has managed to maintain its appearance until now?

It’s precisely because of their hereditary aptitude for ‘white magic.’

Of course, the problem is that for some reason, it’s now on the brink of extinction.

Still, since it’s one of the few skills I possess, I’ve trained enough to use it in situations like this.

That’s why, trusting in my past results, I intended to let a tiny amount of white magic flow into the teacup, revealing its traces only to Meredia—so what on earth is happening now?

At this rate, Meredia might mistake me for a dark mage.

If that happens, I’m finished.

Because, surprisingly, the beings Meredia despises most in the world are dark mages.

Even in the game, every dark mage who approached Meredia during her notorious phase ended up dead at her hands, whether directly or indirectly.

And it wasn’t just dark mages—anyone associated with dark magic met the same fate.

Even the emperor, the very sun of the current empire, couldn’t escape Meredia’s mad obsession and was ultimately eliminated.

‘The emperor was quite an extraordinary figure, too.’

Can you believe that even the emperor, ranked first in overall stats in the game and the most likely final boss after Meredia, is eliminated in most routes simply because of his association with dark magic?

And here I am, boldly putting on a dark magic fire show right in front of such a person.

“So, is that the ‘interesting thing’ you were talking about?”

And as expected, the patience of Meredia, the dark mage slayer, seems to be running thin.

‘How am I supposed to react to that?’

Watching her drop the formal speech, slightly trembling her right hand as she emits a murderous aura, makes it hard for me to breathe.

‘It was supposed to be a small, simple curse, enough to fit in a teacup. Why is this happening?’

So, if I don’t want to be killed on the spot, I need to do something about this curse, which for some reason is going berserk the moment it reacts with my white magic.

The typical solution in such situations would, of course, be to inject a large amount of white magic to neutralize the dark magic. But unfortunately, that’s not an option.

Because, frankly, it’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but my white magic isn’t exactly impressive.

Normal white magic emits a bright and warm aura. However, the white magic I was born with somehow radiates a dark and cold wavelength.

The elders of my family say that, in a way, it feels even more unsettling than dark magic. Honestly, that might be an exaggeration, but it’s clear that my white magic is far from ordinary.

Fortunately, up until now, there’s never been an issue with the fundamental effectiveness of my white magic, so I’ve reluctantly continued to practice.

But to think something like this would happen in my first real-life application.

If I had known, I would’ve tried experimenting with actual dark magic at least once. Then again, that’s taboo.

Anyway, since things have come to this, there’s only one solution left.

Excluding white magic, one of the most effective ways to remove a curse caused by dark magic is to eliminate the very caster of that dark magic.

However, even in the original game, the identity of the accomplice who betrayed Meredia and helped poison me was never revealed.

So, in this case, the most efficient method would be to eliminate the medium—the teacup.

Honestly, I’d love to just throw the teacup to the floor before my hand gets any worse.

But if the dark magic spreads everywhere, it would be a disaster, so the best option is to break it while it’s protected by my white magic in my hand.

In theory, there’s no problem.

Of course, my white magic tends to deviate slightly from theory, but I have no other choice right now.

“My lady.”

Yes, let’s put out this immediate fire first and calmly explain the situation.

Actually, someone interfered with this incident and cursed the teacup, and you almost unintentionally killed me.

“Rats are best dealt with as soon as they’re seen.”

Just as I was tightening my grip, about to start with a meaningful introduction for that explanation—

“Actually, this teacup…”

“Urgh!!”

A sudden choking scream came from among the servants murmuring about ten steps away, just as I had instructed.

Thud…

Before I could even process the situation, a young attendant, his whole body turning pale, clutched his chest and collapsed to the floor.

“S-save me…”

Trembling all over as if in agony, he desperately crawled towards me, reaching out with all his strength.

Wait a minute. What is happening now?

“Help me…”

“Huh?”

Getting engaged sure is tough, seriously.

*****

“Rats are best dealt with as soon as they’re seen.”

By the time Whitney uttered those cryptic words, Meredia’s patience had already hit rock bottom.

‘Should I just kill him?’

However, upon witnessing what happened next, she had no choice but to set that thought aside.

“Please… this isn’t what you promised…”

The attendant, desperately crawling towards Whitney, had bloodshot eyes and black smoke rising from his mouth.

According to Meredia’s extensive knowledge, these were typical signs of mana circuit reflux, commonly used as a penalty in silencing curses.

“Save me…”

Perhaps understanding this well, the attendant forced his now-stiffening limbs to move forward, his fading voice pleading for help.

“Me? Save you?”

Watching this scene as calmly as Meredia, Whitney tilted his head slightly, his expression genuinely curious.

“Why?”

And that was the end.

“Ugh…”

As soon as Whitney’s indifferent words left his lips, the attendant let out a final breathy sound and collapsed completely, never lifting his head again.

“H-he’s dead…”

Gasp…

While they had always been prepared for a moment like this to come while serving their master, witnessing an actual death left the subordinates’ faces pale.

“Why are you asking this to me in the first place?”

In the now chilling atmosphere, only Whitney’s muttered words of frustration echoed as he brushed off the crumbled teacup from his palm.

“Ha.”

It was at that moment that the corners of Meredia’s mouth slightly curled up.

‘I wondered what kind of nerve it took to pull off something like this, but it seems there was some thought behind it.’

Up until just now, the situation had been nothing short of a checkmate for Meredia.

She had no idea how it was possible, but one thing was clear—Whitney knew the full scope of the incident in advance.

Whitney went even further, setting a trap for Meredia in return.

A bold trap that turned a minor mishap—where her fiancé collapsed from ingesting a sleeping drug during a tea party—into a major incident framed as an assassination attempt using dark magic.

If it had been the former, even if discovered, it could’ve been easily covered up using the Duke’s power. But the moment dark magic is involved, things get complicated.

Anyone associated with dark magic is executed without exception, even if they have royal blood. In fact, depending on the severity, even the Emperor, the greatest figure in the empire, could be dethroned.

Of course, if it doesn’t get exposed, there’s no problem. But the issue is that Whitney had already orchestrated everything in advance.

Even if she killed him here to silence him, the informants he had likely prepared would send letters to the Imperial Court or the Holy Kingdom within a day.

If that happens, no matter how powerful the Embergreen Duchy is, Meredia’s life would be on the line in a heresy trial in the Holy Kingdom.

If they couldn’t prove Whitney’s scheme in court—clearly planned with meticulous detail—it would be over. And even if they somehow did, the backlash would be immense.

Considering that the Holy Kingdom already held a grudge against the Embergreen Duchy, even Meredia felt a chill down her spine.

‘But now, the likelihood of that happening is slim.’

Instead of accusing the Duchy, Whitney had chosen to eliminate both the dark mage, who was clearly in cahoots, and the only piece of evidence with his own hands.

Judging from that servant’s reaction, Whitney’s cold and ruthless actions were likely not part of any prior agreement.

In other words, Whitney never intended to accuse the Duchy from the start.

So what was the real purpose behind all of this?

As Meredia pondered rapidly, she soon formed a hypothesis.

“The situation is a mess, but I still need to say what must be said.”

Could it be that everything Whitney had done so far was merely to prove how much he could get away with against the Duchess? A rather terrifying hypothesis.

“As I mentioned before, I am a white mage. Thanks to that, I was able to detect the dark magic on the teacup, and that’s why I did all this—to show you.”

And that frightening hypothesis quickly began to turn into reality as Whitney, who had been staring at the lifeless servant with a frown, calmly turned to Meredia and continued speaking.

“I don’t know why the servant suddenly had a seizure and collapsed, but I can offer the most plausible theory.”

She still had no idea how he managed to plant a spy—especially a dark mage—among the carefully selected servants of the Duchy.

“There was a third party manipulating everything behind the scenes.”

“A third party, huh.”

“Since things weren’t going as planned, they probably got rid of their pawn quickly.”

But that didn’t matter to Meredia anymore.

What mattered now was that Whitney, having proven his abilities through this series of events, was proposing a deal to her.

“Therefore, neither I nor you are at fault.”

“……”

“Do you understand?”

It was only then that Meredia understood Whitney’s true goal.

His sudden talk about a third party, after having just displayed such a chilling demeanor, was an overt signal to quietly bury what had happened today—an explicit sign of goodwill.

And the “friendship” he sought through such extreme measures surely required something only Meredia herself could provide.

“…I see.”

If Whitney had been a dark mage himself or had shown even a shred of mercy to the dark mage earlier, Meredia would never have accepted his proposal.

But in Meredia’s eyes, despite some suspicious aspects, Whitney had clearly wielded white magic.

Moreover, even though working with a dark mage—even for the sake of proving his competence—was questionable, he had ruthlessly killed that same mage right in front of her.

If it were an ordinary person, they’d never associate with him again, but for Meredia, that was actually a point in his favor.

“Let’s just say that’s what happened today.”

“Thank you for understanding. Then, I suppose it’s time…”

“Well then, why don’t you tell me what you really want?”

Since she had already dropped the pretense, Meredia asked Whitney directly.

“What I want… you say?”

“I understand what you’re implying. So now it’s time to hear your true objective. Surely you didn’t really come here just to get engaged to me.”

“That’s exactly it, though.”

Whitney tilted his head and scratched it awkwardly, but to Meredia, who had already seen through him, it was nothing more than a facade.

“Even with that expression, it’s not convincing at all. Just tell me what you want.”

“Well, if you insist…”

With a faint note of irritation in her voice, Meredia’s sharp words prompted Whitney to stare at her silently for a moment before finally reaching into his coat.

“All you need to do is sign here.”

As he spoke, he pulled out an envelope containing documents, wearing a chilling smile that made Meredia’s hand hesitate slightly as she reached for it.

“That’s the only thing I want.”

Handing her the envelope calmly, Whitney added in a soft voice, his face now openly displaying a sinister grin with no trace of pretense.

“So, you’ve finally shown your true colors.”

“Pardon?”

“Annoying as it is, I’ll let it slide this time.”

And that was the same for Meredia, who had flinched slightly at Whitney’s smile.

It was the first time in her life that she had encountered someone of the same ilk—or perhaps even more dangerous.

For her, this was one of the few new and intense stimuli in her life, so she decided to generously overlook the rudeness he had committed in the name of proving his abilities.

“Well… anyway, you can take your time to think it over and give me your answer.”

“Alright. I’ll read it carefully and give you a reply soon. Escort Sir Whitney out.”

“You could review it here, you know.”

“There are always eyes and ears around, after all.”

“Well then…”

Once they found common ground, their conversation began to flow smoothly, like water over polished stones.

“Oh, next time we sit down together, I’ll serve you proper tea.”

“Huh?”

“Since we’re in the same boat now. There probably won’t be any poison.”

“Ahahaha.”

“Huhuhu.”

As their chilling laughter overlapped in the garden where someone had died just moments ago, the servants, struggling to carry the limp body of the fallen attendant, wore even more dismal expressions.

It was the inadvertent birth of the empire’s most dreadful duo.

‘Whitney Lingard… might turn out to be quite a useful card.’

‘What the hell? Is she planning to poison me again if things go south?’

Though their thoughts couldn’t have been more different.

*****

Regardless, Meredia, unusually in good spirits and even cracking jokes, had sent Whitney off with ease.

“…What the hell.”

But several minutes later, alone in her room—the breeding ground of all her sinister schemes—she locked the door and checked the contents of the envelope.

Her expression reverted to the same look she had when Whitney had stood back up after coughing up blood.

[Marriage Proposal]

“…What does he really want?”

What Whitney had left for her was none other than a marriage proposal.

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