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.'

the Duke's mind at that

"Who are you?"

"His friend. "

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

It irritated him.

"Hm?"

of him raised his

behind him, and the duke cast a wary glance toward the entrance of the cave before turning his attention back to the hooded man and

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

masked man fell to the ground and heavily gasped

"You're really lucky."

words clearly understood what they meant. This was especially true

a glance into the distance and sighed in

the reinforcements arrived

happened had they arrived a

up toward the one that had appeared before the Duke. He seemed to be

him, she stopped

"Let's have a talk."

***

vegetation, three figures appeared. It was none other than

no sign of emotion on his face, and it appeared as though he was deep in

guards behind

under control by taking a few deep breaths. After that, he smiled as

know what to do,

two guards immediately understood what he meant. They

cave and kill them if you can. Leave their bodies exposed, and don't bother covering them up. Let the world understand what it means to ally with the wrong

eyes flickered with 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

head and looked at the two guards. A dangerous and oppressive aura

his head,

"Understood?"

saying a word and disappeared from the

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

his mouth, his voice sounded especially

the house of envy, all

***

head feels like a

it's floating, yet

can't really

years have numbed me

Sometimes, I hear voices.

I eat, when I walk, when I

on and

sure when was the last time that I slept

want to be

***

my tardiness; I had to deliver a

"No, have some tea."

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

it, I determined that

my attention away from the cup, I looked ahead to where the Duchess sat. In her hand was the

like to finally thank you for what happened

butler next to me removed the teapot from the table and

took a sip from it. My tongue was flooded with a wave of bitterness, and the sensation almost caused my face to change. But I didn't let it

set the

"It's nothing worth mentioning."

escorted to the Duchess's mansion. At that moment, everyone was standing behind me. For

Duchess sat her

nothing worth mentioning to you, but you still saved my life. I'd like

"Oh? In what way?"

my chin and pretended to fall in deep

a bit low

a glance in her direction from the

so I didn't waste any

but I didn't

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

didn't see it, as the hood still covered

do you

much can you

"Twenty Jor."

life only

"Fifty."

"One hundred."

I didn't take a sip. I was just

"Hmm."

furrowed for a moment. Eventually, she