Chapter 22

22

"……What did you just say?"

Sharent Clowen, who had been dealing with overdue work early in the morning, frowned.

Sharent Clowen, who did not hide his sharp demeanor, clicked his tongue lowly.

One of the Simula Knights, who had come to report, bowed at the sight of Sharent Clowen's clearly displeased expression.

He slowly put down the pen he was holding and stiffened his lips.

When he nodded slightly, as if to speak, one of the Simula Knights, Gada, finally opened his mouth.

"A few moments ago, Baron Sullivan came to visit. I have placed him in the third reception room for now."

The third reception room is where worthless humans are dealt with.

A place where garbage can be disposed of and dirtied as much as one pleases.

Nothing in the interior or the decorations inside has been cared for.

No one would decorate a trash can.

"……It seems Baron Sullivan has gone completely mad, hasn't he?"

Sharent Clowen said, not hiding his displeasure. His voice was soft, but the content of his words was cold.

He detested and found most abhorrent those who were rude and lacked dignity.

Especially if the person was utterly insignificant.

"What's the reason?"

"Baron Sullivan's wife died last night."

At this unexpected report, Sharent Clowen raised one eyebrow.

His lips then curved into a bright, round smile, as if his mood, which had sunk to the bottom, had suddenly lifted.

"I haven't sent anyone yet. How did it happen?"

With his eyes curved attractively, Sharent Clowen, rarely in a pleasant mood, asked and lifted his heavy buttocks from his seat.

"It is said that the body was found charred black in an empty room."

"Was there a fire?"

"No, that's the strange part. It is said that there were no signs of burning anywhere except on the body. Therefore, the baron is currently suspecting the young duke."

He listened to the report with a look of amusement.

Given that he had been thoroughly searched the day before, Baron Sullivan's suspicion was justified. However, unfortunately, Sharent Clowen had not been involved in this matter at all.

He preferred to slowly strangle his enemies to death rather than tear them apart in one go.

Thus, he did not waste his efforts on someone who was quietly locked in his room.

"Only the person was burned, but there was no fire?"

"Yes, there were no signs of forced entry, so it doesn't seem like arson…."

"Black magic."

Sharent Clowen, with his smooth lips, answered decisively.

Raoul, a knight of the Simula Knights who was following behind, furrowed his brow.

"Do you mean it was the work of a magician?"

"More likely a curse, a type of black magic. Sometimes, fools who lack magical power or failed to become proper magicians use it."

Baron Sullivan's wife must have offended someone somewhere.

Sharent Clowen dismissed the thought lightly.

While using black magic can bring bad luck to the caster, it was not his concern.

Sharent Clowen's eyebrows furrowed, and he stopped walking as he headed to the third reception room.

A familiar maid, who was looking around the mansion with a troubled expression, came into view.

"Ah…."

Bera, who had been looking down, perhaps because she couldn't find what she was looking for, stopped her quick steps when she saw the shadow in front of her.

"I am seeing the young duke."

Her face was flushed, and her breathing was rapid, as if she had been wandering around for a while.

Sharent Clowen, who had been staring at her pale face, narrowed his eyes.

"Is something the matter?"

In response to the low question, Bera, who was catching her breath, stiffened her back and bowed.

She clenched and unclenched her fists, looking troubled.

The cold atmosphere made her skin shiver.

"I was looking for the young lady because she wasn't visible."

Bera, who had been hesitating, finally answered Sharent Clowen's question cautiously.

Her interlocked fingertips were white, showing her tension.

Sharent Clowen rolled his eyes and looked at the carpet.

"I will find her soon, so please…."

Sharent Clowen, who had warned that he would not tolerate the child wandering around again, said this.

Bera, with her damp palms, bowed deeply.

"Have you checked the garden to the east?"

"…Yes, I'm sorry. I was told not to enter, but I heard the young lady often goes there. However, I didn't touch anything and came out immediately."

"Was she not there either?"

"Ah, no."

Sharent Clowen, who did not blame her for entering his garden, asked again softly.

"Sharent, what are you doing so early in the morning?"

"Father."

At Deshar Clowen's voice, Sharent Clowen smiled and turned to bow.

Deshar Clowen nodded in satisfaction at his quick yet graceful bow.

"The child…."

"Kai Shan?"

"It seems Valian's daughter has disappeared."

At Sharent Clowen's gentle voice, Deshar Clowen struck the floor hard with the cane he was holding.

Clack!

The cane, wrapped in well-finished metal, hit the marble floor forcefully.

Deshar Clowen, whose anger was evident, shrugged his shoulders lightly.

"Where again!"

"Who knows?"

"Where does that little mouse run around like a rat! What did you do?"

Deshar Clowen raised his voice and pointed at Bera.

Bera hurriedly bowed.

"I'm sorry."

If Sharent Clowen was a calm lake, Deshar Clowen was a burning fire.

With a hot-tempered personality, he never held back his anger, even in front of the emperor.

One of his few strengths was that he never added to his angry outbursts later.

"Raoul, though cunning, she is still a child and couldn't have gone far. Find her and report to me."

"Yes, young duke."

"Father, Baron Sullivan's wife has died, and Baron Sullivan has come to visit."

Sharent Clowen explained briefly, and Deshar Clowen frowned.

"The Simula didn't move, did they?"

"Though not certain, it seems she was a victim of black magic due to someone's grudge. I plan to send him away quietly, so please hear the report."

"You're putting in a lot of effort to protect your daughter and your father. Move quickly."

Tsk, Deshar Clowen clicked his tongue, nodded, and gestured to Raoul.

Raoul bowed and quickly retreated, disappearing down the corridor.

"Your name is Bera, right?"

"Yes, young duke."

"Are you keeping the doors secured?"

His soft voice felt like a judgment.

Though he used respectful language, his tone was not equal.

Even with the use of formal language, his arrogance and condescension were evident, showing the ease of a top predator.

"As far as I remember, I have never left a door unlocked."

Bera answered, trembling slightly.

Sharent Clowen observed Bera carefully.

Fortunately, he saw no lies in her.

He nodded and smiled calmly.

"Bera."

Though the call was sweet, Bera's hair stood on end.

No matter how she thought about it, she felt like a rabbit in front of a predator.

"Please attend to my father first. I will report to him first."

"Yes, young duke."

"Father, I will be back."

"Go ahead."

Deshar Clowen glanced at Bera with a displeased look, then clicked his tongue and turned away.

Sharent Clowen, after nodding at Deshar Clowen's back, also headed to the third reception room.

* * *

"You demon!"

Crack!

A sound of flesh hitting flesh came from somewhere.

Judging by the sound, it seemed to be a slap, but why does my head feel so dizzy? It feels like someone has massaged my brain.

My body feels heavy, like it's soaked in water.

My fingers won't move, and my eyes feel glued shut.

A familiar and dear voice struck my ears.

But, Master, thanks to you, I have risen to a position you could never reach.

I built a nation for magicians who were treated as monsters, despised and mistreated.

"You will not die peacefully, and even in death, you will not rest easily! You are a terrifying creature. Taking you in was my greatest mistake."

Life was a constant struggle, and I had to perform menial tasks to survive. If even struggling to survive is not allowed, then I will become a demon.

"…Ah."

A faint voice came from behind the muffled ears, unclear as if shouting from behind a curtain.

"Shelina!"

With a loud voice, I suddenly opened my eyes.