* * *

“It seemed like no one cared about a creature that would soon freeze to death if left alone, so I brought it to my room, and here we are.”

For a moment, I was distracted by the cute appearance of the creature with its large, blinking eyes.

But then I quickly grasped the sentence I had just heard and tilted my head in confusion.

“When it was a child?”

Don’t squirrels usually live for about 3-4 years?

If that’s the case, it doesn’t seem like the Duke picked it up when he was young.

As I furrowed my brow at the explanation that didn’t match my understanding, Hernan responded brightly.

“Yes. This little one is twelve years old now.”

“…?”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

“Didn’t you know? I heard that squirrels raised in captivity can live up to 15 years. Without predators, plenty of food, and the whole mansion as its playground, it’s no wonder it’s still healthy even at an age equivalent to seventy in human years.”

It was then that I realized why I had struggled so much trying to catch that squirrel the first day we met, even losing my dignity as a primate.

Twelve years old—wouldn’t that be the equivalent of a fifth or sixth grader?

I felt like I had been deceived by its cute appearance, despite it being older than many children.

“The Duke is the first person I’ve seen who keeps a squirrel as a pet.”

Most people only see squirrels briefly in the wild, so I shrugged as I answered, and Hernan smiled faintly.

Suddenly, an image flashed through my mind of a young, delicate Hernan holding a frail baby squirrel in both hands.

What a strange guy.

For a Duke, adjusting so much to the whims of a mere viscount, keeping a peculiar dragon in the garden, and raising a squirrel since childhood—all of it was so different from the rumors I had heard about him.

Of course, the rumors had been deliberately spread by him to get rid of bothersome matchmakers seeking the Duke’s power.

But still, he wasn’t supposed to be this much of a goofball. I couldn’t erase my confusion as I looked up at Hernan, then suddenly pushed him out.

“Enough, leave. I’ll have a servant take care of the empty dishes.”

Strangely, the more I looked at that shiny face, the harder it was to tear my eyes away, as if I were entranced.

I felt that way even the first time I saw him after we both became adults. It was true that his face was so extraordinarily beautiful that it was hard to believe he was human.

But no matter how much I liked pretty, shiny things, I was still an adult.

If I had lost my head and indulged in luxury just because something was beautiful, Nirvana would have gone bankrupt long ago due to a debauched heir.

Even though I was like a crow attracted to shiny things, I was still a practical crow. I cleared my throat and composed myself.

“Hurry up.”

Even after Hernan left the office, Hawthorn continued to look at me with worried eyes.

I deliberately avoided his gaze and took a large bite of the cake I had cut earlier.

The cake was, of course, delicious.

The outside was crispy, and the inside was soft like chiffon cake, likely because it had meringue or the batter had been whipped finely.

The cream and lemon syrup filling between the layers added a nice touch.

Though it was different from the classic lemon cake served at Ever Paradise, I had to admit it was delicious.

“…Hmph.”

With a light snort, I pushed the empty plate aside and, feeling recharged, returned to the matter that had been troubling me just moments ago.

*

How many hours had I spent thinking?

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t find a location as good as Haptis, which I had already marked in my mind.

The other candidates were either too expensive to transport building materials to, too difficult to find construction workers for, had no selling points other than the hot springs, or were too inconvenient for tourists to reach.

“Hmm…”

If this were Korea, I’d just bulldoze it over with cement and call it an urban exorcism. The dead are dead, and the living must go on living.

It’s a small world for the living; what right do the dead have to claim prime spots and linger in this world?

I wasn’t exactly sure what a banshee was, but it seemed like some kind of ghost. Just as I was stuck without a conclusion, a familiar voice echoed in my head.

[Hmm, is that place so important that you can’t let it go?]

It was the ancient dragon who had disappeared in a huff.

Suddenly, there he was, occupying a corner of my scattered documents. I sighed softly at the sight of the petite dragon.

“Is it really? It’s not that this place is perfect, but the other locations all have major flaws.”

Well… Even though he was an ancient being full of wisdom, it’s hard to discuss business matters with him.

But since he asked, I might as well answer.

The ancient dragon circled around me before making an unexpected proposal.

[Shall I resolve it for you personally?]

“What?”

I tilted my head, unsure of what he was saying.

[Well, if you earnestly request it, I might help you out.]

He puffed up his chest and breathed out a little frost, as if there was no doubt he had ulterior motives. In that brief moment, I sensed something ominous and replied,

“No, it’s okay.”

[Hmph, stubborn as always.]

“It’s not stubbornness.”

Whether this being was a grandmother or grandfather, there was no way they would offer favors to a human who wasn’t even their descendant without expecting something in return.

I could already imagine him demanding some absurd favor, like having my descendant’s descendant’s descendant’s distant descendant marry his grandchild or something.

It was better to find another way.

How many more hours did I spend thinking?

It wasn’t until Hawthorn approached, concerned, and suggested I get some rest that I thought again.

“……”

No matter how much I thought about it, the other locations would cost too much to cover their flaws. Maybe I should just hear what he has to say. I sighed as I flipped through a book compiling the geography and history of Velon, just before turning off the light to sleep.

“Excuse me, Ryuudene.”

It’s not like this ancient dragon was a Siri or Bixby that would appear just because I called out.

But since there was no other way, I called out his name into the empty air.

Poof.

Like a mood light, the petite dragon glowing in pure white appeared at my bedside.

[So, have you made up your mind?]

Oh, geez, that scared me. I calmed my pounding heart and answered,

“Did you really appear just because I called?”

It wasn’t a voice-activated speaker, so how long had he been watching me?

The thought sent a shiver down my spine. The dragon seemed to read my mind, raising his voice in irritation.

[You impudent creature! You call me, then get startled! Do you think I care about insects like those pine caterpillars? Speak your business!]

If we were in a temple, I’d probably be getting whacked with a staff right now.

Since I wanted to get straight to the point, I asked bluntly.

“What exactly do you mean by helping me?”

The dragon fluttered his wings proudly and replied,

[It’s simple. Banshees don’t like places full of bright energy. If I imbue the area where you plan to build with my energy, they’ll move somewhere else on their own.]

Ah, I see… It’s kind of like burning a field to get rid of pests.

Something seems off, but the basic principle feels similar.

“Then, what do you gain by helping me, Ryuudene?”

Now that I understood the principle, it was time to confirm the price.

I’d been getting swindled ever since I arrived in Velon, and I wasn’t about to get roped into another unfair deal.

I waited tensely for the dragon to speak.

*

After the final site was decided, it took less than a week to set a departure date.

The survey team consisted of me, Hernan, and a single knight for protection in case of unexpected situations, just the three of us.

Is it really okay to move with such a small group for this inspection before the Grand Duke’s grand ceremony?

It might seem questionable, but there was a reason behind it.

“If the inspection includes aspects of local livelihood, it is better to visit without revealing our identities.”

If I were to announce that I am the Grand Duke and show up, the lord of the domain would undoubtedly start preparations from the day the news arrived.

Announcing it in advance is essentially giving them time to prepare and wait for my arrival.

One might think it would be better to show up unannounced, but even that would not allow me to truly see how the local residents live.

There are limits to where the Grand Duke and his noble guests can go.

Why would I go to the lord’s castle just to enjoy a banquet and socialize?

Therefore, it was decided to visit discreetly with minimal escort, without any announcement or notification, and to keep our identities hidden.

Revealing our status would increase the risk of assassination…

For someone like me, who has lived a life without such intrigue, it was a shockingly different world.

Was this discreet and secretive approach truly the best option? There were concerns.

“Um… you are the Grand Duke, right? There must be duties you need to attend to, so is it really acceptable to leave the castle without any official announcement?”

Seeing my confusion, Hernan smiled and pointed to the garden behind the study.

* * *