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.'

crossed the Duke's mind at that moment. Opening

"Who are you?"

"His friend. "

it had been before. Despite the fact that his face was hidden, the

It irritated him.

"Hm?"

twitch, and the Duke in front of him raised his head. Staring into the distance, all trace

wary glance toward the entrance of the cave before turning his attention back to the hooded man and snatching his hand

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

sounding thump, the masked man fell to the ground

"You're really lucky."

clearly understood what they meant. This was especially true for Priscilla, who had a deep understanding

cast a glance into the distance

reinforcements arrived on

dare guess what would've happened had they arrived a tad bit

toward the one that had appeared

before him, she

"Let's have a talk."

***

an enormous tract of land covered in vegetation, three figures appeared. It was none other than Duke Ukhan himself, accompanied by two of

touched down on the plush grass. There was no sign of emotion on his face, and it appeared as though he was deep

the guards behind him shuddered at the

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

know what to do,

was a simple question, but the two guards immediately understood what

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

his eyes flickered with a

there is a time to act, it's now. Especially since the Patriarchs are away dealing with

two guards. A dangerous and oppressive aura erupted

his head,

"Understood?"

without saying a word and

the spot where the two guards vanished before shifting to the distance. In the direction of the

mouth, his voice sounded especially

the house of envy, all variables need to

***

head feels like a

it's floating, yet

really explain

past few years have

Sometimes, I hear voices.

when I eat, when I

goes on and on and

the last time that I slept

to be

***

I had to deliver a letter. You don't

"No, have some tea."

butler attire stood behind me as an emerald green substance poured into a

it, I determined that it was

I looked ahead to where the Duchess sat. In her hand was the same cup of

thank you for what

The butler next to me removed the teapot from the table and performed a single bow

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

set the

"It's nothing worth mentioning."

of the cave, my group was graciously escorted to the Duchess's mansion. At that moment, everyone was standing behind me.

sat her teacup

you, but you still saved my life. I'd like to express my gratitude

"Oh? In what way?"

and pretended to fall

a bit low

glance in her direction from the corner of

was the primary objective right from the start, so I didn't waste any time and simply told

but I

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

She probably didn't see it, as

do you

can you

"Twenty Jor."

life only worth that

"Fifty."

"One hundred."

sip. I was just pretending to. It tasted horrible, but I had to look

"Hmm."

for a moment.