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.'

at

"Who are you?"

"His friend. "

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

It irritated him.

"Hm?"

about to say something, the 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

cast a wary glance toward the entrance of the cave before turning his

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

fell to the ground and

"You're really lucky."

but everyone who'd heard his words clearly understood what

cast a glance into the distance and sighed

reinforcements arrived on

happened had

hooded duo before walking up toward the one that had appeared

before him, she stopped and

"Let's have a talk."

***

enormous tract of land covered in vegetation, three figures appeared. It was none other than Duke Ukhan

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

harmless, but the guards behind him shuddered at

eventually brought himself back under control by taking a few deep breaths. After that, he smiled as he

what to

the two guards immediately understood what he meant. They quickly nodded

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

and his eyes flickered

report. I'll personally get rid of them myself. If there is a time to

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

his mouth, his

envy, all variables

***

head feels

floating, yet at

really

few years have numbed me

Sometimes, I hear voices.

eat, when I walk, when I

goes on and on and

last time that I

want to be

***

tardiness; I had to deliver a letter. You don't

"No, have some tea."

demon dressed in butler attire stood behind me as an emerald green substance

examining it, I determined that it was safe for

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

to finally thank you for what happened

me removed the teapot from the table and performed a

wave of bitterness, and the

set the tea cup

"It's nothing worth mentioning."

mansion. At that moment, everyone was standing behind me. For some strange reason,

sat

still saved my life. I'd like to express my

"Oh? In what way?"

and pretended to fall in deep

bit low on

direction from the

the start, so I

but

"Pretty straightforward, aren't you?"

"I indeed am."

see it, as the hood still covered

much do

much can

"Twenty Jor."

only worth

"Fifty."

"One hundred."

a sip. I was just pretending to. It tasted horrible,

"Hmm."

a moment. Eventually, she nodded