* * *
Maybe they’re still preparing, or perhaps they’re drawing it now.
‘If they’d been drawing it, I should’ve noticed…’
Unless their mana was so high, even this fortress’s mages couldn’t detect it.
‘This won’t be easy.’
Thinking I could uncover it alone was naive.
A sigh escaped me.
Of course, it wouldn’t be simple.
Even in the novel, wasn’t it described how everyone was caught off guard, not suspecting a thing?
Maybe it wasn’t us being careless, but the enemy being far too thorough.
“Did you investigate the guild?”
“They’ll do anything for the right price. Their headquarters are supposedly beneath the capital, but no one’s ever found it. There are plenty of rumors about how to contact them, though. But even if you follow those rumors to the letter, it doesn’t guarantee success.”
“…?”
I lifted my head and looked at him.
Something about Klen’s tone bothered me.
“…You tried it, didn’t you?”
“As an experiment.”
“And couldn’t summon them?”
“Seems they noticed the trap.”
He chuckled coldly, his voice low.
He no longer seemed to have any intention of hiding his true self from me.
Aside from the most dangerous secrets, we’ve already laid nearly everything bare to each other.
‘I was even planning to run away once the Sacred Oath was fulfilled…’
After finishing his meal, Klen rested his chin on his hand and stared at me.
Klen’s never been one to care about noble pride or reputation.
If he had, he wouldn’t have played the fool so convincingly.
Chasing after someone who’s gone into hiding is an endless string of annoying work.
Above all, Klen hates hassle.
That’s why I was sure he’d never bother pursuing me if I disappeared one day.
Besides, if I ran, all the disgrace would fall solely on me.
But…
‘Maybe this life isn’t so bad after all?’
His vision for the future aligned with mine.
The path may be rough, but the destination promised comfort.
Standing by his side might not be so terrible.
“Then, I’ll borrow Levatein for a bit.”
Our eyes met, unwavering.
Klen spoke softly, taking another sip of wine.
This time, he didn’t feel like a villain.
Every movement of his simply drew my eyes in, effortlessly captivating me.
After causing such a stir that one time, the Levatein had been quietly stored away—until it ended up in Klen’s hands.
Two days after he borrowed my sword, Count Valuncio summoned me, just as he’d warned.
Thanks to the servants bustling about since morning, I was dressed more extravagantly than usual today.
It was the same design, but they made me try on different colors over and over.
The final choice was a deep, rich shade of red embroidered with amber-colored thread.
On top of that, my justaucorps was adorned with the Valuncio family crest embroidered over the chest.
I looked like I was practically screaming “I belong to House Valuncio” with my entire body.
It almost felt like I was attending some grand event.
“I mean… Is this a grand event for me?”
I didn’t exactly want this, but I couldn’t deny—it was a grand event for my sake.
Klen had already left ahead of me, so I followed a knight’s escort.
The destination wasn’t far—just the audience chamber of the castle.
But along the way, the curious stares I received dragged on endlessly.
I paused at the entrance, where Fabian—Klen’s older brother—stood waiting for me as if he’d come out to greet me on purpose.
“You’ve heard the details from Klen, haven’t you?”
“Yes. I’ve been briefed, more or less.”
He nodded lightly.
But contrary to my expectation that he’d just let me pass, he launched into the investigation’s results, one after another.
Maybe he didn’t fully trust his brother’s handling of the situation, or maybe he just wanted to avoid even the smallest misunderstanding.
Either way, I had to stand there blankly, hearing the same information Klen had already told me, all over again.
Most of it matched.
But it wasn’t identical—the version Fabian shared was shorter and more lacking in detail.
“Hmm…”
It’s not like Fabian has a worse memory or lower comprehension than Klen…
Maybe he just doesn’t think I need to know everything.
He knows I’ve been cleared, that the matter’s resolved—maybe that’s all that matters to him?
The rest is their business, not mine?
Especially regarding the investigation into other spells—Fabian didn’t say a word.
Was that something Klen personally requested?
“In the end, the only person I can rely on here… is Klen.”
The difference was clear.
Klen had shared everything with me.
He’d told me to rely on him alone—and he’d meant it.
After hearing all of Fabian’s explanations, I nodded.
There was no need for some theatrical reaction, pretending I was hearing this for the first time or feigning indifference.
At times like these, an ambiguous, hard-to-read response works best.
I can’t risk disrupting Klen’s performance with an unnecessary slip-up.
“This is just a formal ceremony, so there’s no need to be nervous,” Fabian added.
“Thank you.”
At least I offered genuine thanks for his attempt to ease my nerves.
I walked past him, stepping forward.
“Adrian Valuncio has arrived!”
The voice of the guard stationed at the audience chamber entrance rang out loud and clear.
I slowly made my way inside.
Both sides of the room were lined with retainers, already waiting for me.
I spotted some familiar faces from the hunting tournament, like Willow or the knight who had approached me kindly, as well as many I didn’t recognize at all.
At the end of the marble pathway sat the Count and Countess, perched on lavish, plush chairs.
Fabian, who’d left after me, stood closest to them, and across from him was Klen.
Ornate columns wrapped in intricate carvings stood tall, flanked by assembled retainers.
Walking down the aisle between grand banners unfurling to either side—it felt like I was participating in a coronation or something equally ridiculous.
“Haa…”
I frowned, uneasy with the atmosphere.
My eyes landed on Klen’s lips curling into a faint smile.
He was definitely laughing at me for finding this uncomfortable.
At last, the end of the path came into sight.
Count Valuncio rose from his seat and approached with leisurely steps, stopping a few paces ahead, the low stairs separating us.
His calm gaze settled on me from above.
I knelt on one knee, and he looked down at me in silence before finally speaking.
“As you are all aware, the investigation has concluded.
Adrian Valuncio has been cleared of all involvement in the recent incidents, and the true culprit has been apprehended.
The capture of the gargoyle was, without doubt, a commendable feat by him and Klen.”
His declaration was more decisive—and more solemn—than I’d expected.
Despite thinking this ceremony was no big deal, tension prickled at my fingertips.
“I hereby reaffirm Adrian Valuncio as the victor of this year’s hunting tournament.”
At last, the cloud of suspicion and false accusations weighing down on me seemed to lift.
Not completely erased, perhaps, but now it would be difficult for anyone to voice their complaints openly.
At the Count’s signal, a knight stepped forward holding a sword—my sword, Levatein, the one Klen had asked to borrow.
The blade was raised high above my head, then slowly lowered right in front of my eyes, like it was descending from the heavens.
“He is, beyond any doubt, the rightful owner of Levatein.”
There were no cheers, no applause.
This wasn’t that kind of celebration.
This was about restoring my honor.
About formally recognizing this sword as mine—a theatrical farce, in a way.
I accepted it quietly with both hands and stood.
Slowly, I turned to face the gathered retainers.
Their eyes were fixed on me.
I met their gazes unflinchingly, as if to show I had nothing to hide, and drew the sword.
Clang—
* * *
