The Author's POV

Duke Ukhan licked his lips as he grasped the hooded figure by the throat. Raising his hand, he reached out for the hood and lowered it.

When he did so, something unexpected caught his attention.

"Interesting..."

His voice bordered on amusement and annoyance.

Presented in front of him was what seemed to be a male wearing a white mask. It covered his entire face, only exposing his blonde hair.

The Duke opened his mouth and made sure his voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.

"I wonder what gave you the confidence to attack a noble in front of everyone?"

While everyone present was a 'noble', the term could also signify a purer bloodline as compared to the others, with the seven houses placing more emphasis on them.

At this very moment, Duke Ukhan was using this pretext to find trouble with the person who had just saved Priscilla.

Had it not been for him...

"Tsk."

He clicked his tongue and grasped more tightly.

"Ukh."

"What are you doing?"

Priscilla was unable to maintain her silence at this very moment. She did not know the hooded figure, but he had indeed saved her life moments earlier. She was not the type to repay a debt with ungratefulness.

"Let him go."

She took a step forward. This time, her words were not empty threats, and she was truly determined to take action. While she may not have died, he had indeed saved her a lot of trouble. If she did not save him, she'd look like someone who didn't care about those on her side.

Duke Ukhan looked at her.

"What's this? I'm sure he hit you. Why are you defending him? Does your pride only amount to this much?"

"It does."

She smiled, and her eyes turned hazy.

"I'm from the Sloth clan. What do I need pride for?"

"Hah."

The Duke lightly laughed at her words.

"You set a very bad example, Duchess..."

As he tightened his hold on the individual wearing the mask, ruthlessness began to spread across his eyes at that very instant. He was prepared to break his neck.

Priscilla's face quickly changed when she noticed this, and her figure blurred.

"Don't you dare!"

"Sorry, bu―"

Grip

The Duke was about to clench his fist when he was suddenly grabbed by the wrist by an unseen hand.

"Let's settle this peacefully."

A calm voice sounded not long after.

"Uh?"

At that very instant, the entire vibe shifted, and everyone's attention turned to the one responsible for all of this.

It was another hooded figure.

"Insolent!"

A loud shout echoed within the perimeter of the cave.

Almost immediately after that, the guards that were standing behind the Duke moved. Within a split second, they stood behind the masked figure with their weapons drawn and ready to attack at any moment.

"Wait."

They were stopped before they could take action.

Looking at the hooded figure, Duke Ukhan's eyes glossed over their body.

'How did he get near me without me noticing? Furthermore, my guards too... He only looks to be a Marquis ranked individual.'

thoughts crossed the Duke's mind at

"Who are you?"

"His friend. "

tone of voice was just as composed as it had been before. Despite the fact that his face was

It irritated him.

"Hm?"

guards in front of him began to twitch, and the Duke in front of him raised his head. Staring into the distance, all trace of expression vanished from his face, and he

of the cave before

"Haaugh...haaa...haaa..."

man fell to the ground and heavily

"You're really lucky."

further, but everyone who'd heard his words clearly understood what they meant. This was especially true for Priscilla, who had a

cast a glance into the distance and

reinforcements

dare guess what would've happened

the one that had

she stopped

"Let's have a talk."

***

covered in vegetation, three figures appeared. It was none other than Duke Ukhan himself, accompanied

the plush grass. There was no sign of emotion on his face, and

but the guards behind

a few deep breaths. After that, he smiled as he faced his two

know what to do,

question, but the two guards immediately understood what

Leave their bodies exposed, and don't bother covering them up. Let the world

paused, and his eyes flickered with a

deal with, send me a report. I'll personally get rid of them myself. If there is a time to act, it's now. Especially since the Patriarchs are away dealing with the World Decree

and looked at the two guards. A dangerous and oppressive aura erupted from

his head, he

"Understood?"

a word

before shifting to the distance. In the

his

all variables need to

***

feels like

it's floating, yet at the

really

years have numbed

Sometimes, I hear voices.

when I eat, when

on and on and

last

want to be

***

I had to deliver a letter. You don't mind, do

"No, have some tea."

in butler attire stood behind me as an emerald green substance poured into a teacup that was

determined that it was

away from the cup, I looked ahead to where the Duchess sat. In her hand was the same cup of tea, and she took a small

finally thank you for what

to me removed the teapot from

cup of tea and took a sip from it. My tongue was flooded with a wave

set the tea

"It's nothing worth mentioning."

events of the cave, my group was graciously escorted to the Duchess's mansion. At that

Duchess sat her

but you still saved my life. I'd like

"Oh? In what way?"

caressed my chin and pretended to fall

bit low

in her direction from the corner of

from the start, so I didn't waste any time and

bit shameless, but I

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

She probably didn't see it, as the hood still covered my

much do you

can you

"Twenty Jor."

only worth

"Fifty."

"One hundred."

raised the cup and brought it to my lips. I didn't take a sip. I was just pretending to. It

"Hmm."

brows furrowed for a moment. Eventually,