After another moment of contemplation, Raizen opened a drawer and pulled out a thick document.
When he flipped it open, a detailed illustration of a ritual site came into view.
At the center of the blood-stained altar lay a shattered mana core, and scattered around it were dismembered carcasses of beasts, tossed about with no care.
Because the demonic energy had warped the very magic of the space, photo spheres didn’t work properly, and the scene had to be drawn by hand.
Even the artist, while sketching, had vomited repeatedly—but Raizen gazed at the image without reaction.
‘Handling a mana core is an extremely delicate task.’
That’s why the altar effectively served as its vessel.
Based on what they’d learned so far, the dark mages would’ve had to build their altars near monster habitats to make their plans work.
That was why the searches had been focused on those areas.
Raizen tapped the document with his finger—tap, tap.
‘Two places.’
And even those were nearly fully searched by now.
There was always the chance of the unexpected, but at this point, the absence of additional altars was a given.
“….”
Then why this nagging feeling?
The thought that he was missing something just wouldn’t go away, even though he was doing everything he could.
‘Am I just being paranoid?’
Raizen finally came to a difficult conclusion and let out a long sigh through his nose.
“Keep a close watch on the Duke Luavis household. Report even the smallest movements immediately.”
“Yes, understood, young master.”
Raizen returned the file to the drawer and closed his tired eyes.
He hadn’t slept properly in days, and his condition was a mess.
Not that the lack of sleep itself was the problem—his nerves were frayed from the countless things weighing on his mind.
And all those problems seemed to lead back to one person.
‘Sei.’
Just thinking of him made Raizen’s head throb.
He pressed a hand to his forehead and told his aide to leave for now.
Once the aide bowed and exited, Raizen finally allowed himself a real breath.
“Haa…”
Even so, he didn’t feel any lighter.
Everything was going according to plan, yet it felt like something was suffocating his chest.
And whenever he tried to figure out why, Sei’s face was the only thing that came to mind.
Thoughts flooded in at once…
Why had divine power suddenly become useless?
When did Sei realize it?
And despite saying he still liked him, why had he smiled so sadly?
He felt like he was on the brink of understanding, yet never quite grasping it.
Trying to forget didn’t help.
The moment he let his guard down, the thoughts circled back, again and again, tormenting him.
It was as if they were whispering:
‘Think it through. Again.’
But about what, exactly?
Raizen felt like he was facing a question with no answer.
His headache hadn’t eased at all.
With no choice, he took some medicine and slumped into his chair.
After sitting with his eyes closed for a while, a small laugh escaped him.
He suddenly found himself a little ridiculous.
‘I didn’t think I’d greet today feeling like this.’
Was it because it wasn’t the engagement ceremony?
After today’s banquet, he’d need to start preparing for the engagement right away.
Even if it was a simple one—just exchanging rings, at the very least…
“…Ha.”
Thinking of rings made him think of the bracelet.
The expression on Sei’s face when Raizen had fastened the newly charged bracelet on his wrist—the closeness of their faces, the soft breath brushing against him…
Raizen rubbed his face dry with his hands and muttered under his breath like he was chewing on the words.
‘I gave you what you wanted.’
He knew Sei wanted to hear that he liked him.
So he’d said it—firm in his belief that the words would bind Sei to his side forever.
“….”
But even after that, Sei’s behavior hadn’t changed.
And yet Raizen could feel it—something significant had shifted.
Sometimes he wanted to grab Sei and demand what was wrong—but it remained only a thought, never action.
‘…It’s fine.’
Sei was still here.
asn’t that enough?
And in the future, his place would still be by Raizen’s side.
Raizen told himself this, again and again.
“….”
Was that really enough?
The banquet, a celebration of a successful subjugation, was scheduled to begin early in the afternoon.
As the start time approached, the hall began to fill with guests.
As always, most of them were here not so much to offer congratulations as to pursue their own agendas.
“Oh my, the Duchess seems to have gone to great lengths. These kinds of ornaments must’ve been hard to source in the western territories…”
Though held in the same venue as Raizen’s coming-of-age ceremony, the hall had been transformed into an entirely different space.
While the previous event had emphasized the Pantheon Dukedom’s elegance and authority, today’s atmosphere was brighter and more lively.
Some central nobles—who always made it a point to subtly belittle the “provincial” Pantheon family—were doing their best to hide their surprise.
Of course, there were others who read something else in the changed decor.
“It really seems like there’ll be an engagement announcement for the young Duke Pantheon today.”
“The rumors must’ve been true.”
Speculation ran wild—who would be the next Duchess? Some were even placing bets on their own shortlisted candidates.
“But you never know, right? It could be someone totally unexpected.”
“Come to think of it, no one’s actually seen the young Duke with anyone specific, have they?”
“Still, it’s the Pantheon family. No way they’d tie themselves to just anyone.”
Unaware of what was truly about to happen, they continued exchanging guesses and gossip.
At that moment, Sean, having finished getting ready, was looking at his reflection in the mirror.
Though he was almost of age, his face still carried a youthful softness.
Staring into his deep blue eyes, he forced a smile—but it came out awkward and stiff.
‘I shouldn’t be like this.’
This wasn’t just any appearance.
He would be stepping out as not Shane Pantheon, but Sean Krevet, Raizen’s betrothed.
He didn’t have to be perfect, but he couldn’t appear lacking either.
He tried to muster some energy with those thoughts—but it drained away just as quickly.
He knew exactly why.
And it was something beyond his power to fix.
Knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door, cautiously. Mila, who had been waiting quietly nearby, moved to open it.
The one who entered was none other than the former Marquis Kreveta.
Surprised by the unexpected visit, Sean sprang to his feet.
“No need to get up. Please, stay seated.”
His attire was much simpler than usual, as if to show that he had come avoiding others’ eyes.
At the Marquis’s words, Sean, who had risen halfway, slowly sat back down.
The former Marquis approached him with a faint smile tugging at his lips—one that held joy, sorrow, and regret all at once.
“You look very handsome today.”
“…Thank you.”
Sean could only squeeze out a reply to his grandfather’s words.
He tried to smile, lifting the corners of his mouth as if to show he was fine.
But he wasn’t sure if he looked like someone who was truly happy.
And that uncertainty quickly became reality.
The Marquis’s slightly parted lips closed.
His eyes, fixed on his grandson, sank heavily.
He turned to Mila and politely asked if she could give them a moment.
Mila nodded and quietly stepped out.
Now only Sean and the former Marquis remained in the room.
The Marquis bent his knees and sat, meeting Sean’s gaze.
In the tremble of the old man’s eyes—so different from their usual steadiness—he knew his suspicions were right.
“Sei.”
“…”
“I suddenly find myself wondering what’s really going through your heart. Even the smallest thing—anything—is fine.”
That gentle voice, as if trying to soothe him, made the wall Sean had built around himself come crashing down.
