Count Laurien stood in the hallway, blocking Pricis's path with a grave expression on his face.

His luxurious cane had vanished, replaced by a slender blade with precious, glittering gems still embedded in its hilt.

Standing amidst the flames, he raised his sword, cutting down every fire serpent that dared approach.

"A misunderstanding?"

Meanwhile, Viktor stood with his hands in his pockets, his gaze fixed on the Count.

"Count Laurien, this is your territory."

"A wandering soul appears in your domain, and you tell me it's just a misunderstanding?"

As he spoke, Viktor glanced up at the red health bar floating above Count Laurien's head.

The moment he appeared and sliced through the flames, the Count had entered combat mode.

Once in combat, his health bar and level became clearly visible.

Level 45

This level represented a standard powerful fourth-tier kingdom warrior.

Compared to others, he was indeed strong.

However...

Count Laurien's aura rose slightly as he swung his gem-encrusted rapier, sending the fire serpents flying with his blade, leaving trails of sparks in their wake.

Then, catching his breath, he turned to look at the "young lady" leaning against the wall.

She seemed terrified by the recent flames, cowering against the wall, afraid to move.

"Pricis, you've caused trouble."

Laurien knew clearly that he was no match for Viktor.

This council member's strength was unfathomable.

So, he chose to apologize proactively.

Laurien deliberately sheathed his sword back into the cane.

Leaning on his cane, he bowed deeply to Viktor.

"I apologize for my daughter's rudeness."

This went beyond mere noble etiquette.

A kingdom's count bending his proud back to someone from another country.

All to make amends for his daughter's mistake.

Naturally, Viktor chose not to pursue the matter further.

"For your sake, Count Laurien."

His aura gradually dissipated, the red stripes behind his windbreaker slowly fading.

The surrounding temperature finally dropped, giving Pricis a chance to raise her head.

She lifted her face, pale almost to the point of bloodlessness, watching her father's back.

Finally, she struggled to 'stand up'.

Her tattered formal dress, seemingly beyond repair, failed to hide her empty lower body.

She lowered her head and bowed deeply to Viktor.

Her voice carried a hint of tears.

"I'm sorry... Mr. Viktor."

After speaking, she didn't linger for a moment, quickly fleeing the scene through the surrounding corridors.

At the corner, Aurelianne happened to witness her departure.

Upon seeing her empty lower body, she shuddered violently.

Her face instantly turned even paler than Pricis's had been moments ago.

"Aurelianne."

A reassuring voice rang out nearby, snapping Aurelianne back to her senses.

Teacher Viktor's gaze had already turned toward her.

"Come here."

Like someone who had finally grabbed a lifeline, she hurriedly ran to Viktor's side.

"Teacher!"

Aurelianne clutched the hem of Viktor's windbreaker, only relaxing after feeling that familiar, comforting presence.

It was truly too eerie! How could such a ghost-like being exist?

Sensing Aurelianne's fear, Count Laurien bowed to her as well.

"I apologize, Your Highness. My daughter must have frightened you."

"As you may have noticed, she is not a living being, but merely a wandering soul, unable to leave this mansion."

"But please rest assured, she has never harmed anyone."

Hearing these words, Aurelianne blinked.

The fear in her heart diminished somewhat.

In its place came curiosity, and a touch of pity for that girl.

"Unable to leave this mansion?"

Why?

She began to think of herself.

She too had never left the palace before.

But Aurelianne's case was due to timidity, not knowing how to interact with others.

She had never understood the prosperity of the outside world.

If she hadn't met Teacher Viktor, she could hardly imagine.

That she would be like this now, even leaving the empire where she had lived for so long, coming to a foreign land.

But Count Laurien's daughter's situation was different from hers.

Perhaps she wanted to go out.

But she couldn't leave this place.

Thinking of this, she felt somewhat sorry for her.

But before she could think too much, Viktor's voice sounded beside her ear.

"Aurelianne, go back to the room and rest."

Aurelianne froze:

"But... but..."

She had thought Teacher Viktor wanted her to return to the room she came from.

She had just managed to find her way here.

The thought of going back through those long corridors seemed too far.

Plus, Count Laurien's daughter might float out from anywhere.

The fear that had just subsided rose again in Aurelianne's heart.

She quickly grabbed Viktor's coat hem, her voice soft and slightly pleading.

"Don't... don't leave me..."

"I meant go back to my room to rest."

Viktor gestured toward the slightly open door behind him as he spoke to Aurelianne.

Aurelianne's voice trailed off as she looked up to meet Viktor's gaze, cold yet carrying a hint of gentleness.

"Your Teacher Gwen is still inside. Go rest with her."

Teacher Gwen!

She realized Viktor wanted to send her away first - clearly, Teacher Viktor wanted to speak with Count Laurien alone.

So Aurelianne nodded obediently and slipped through the door behind them.

As she left, she couldn't help but look back at Viktor one last time.

Click.

The door closed.

Count Laurien watched Aurelianne leave before speaking.

"The princess truly relies on you deeply, Councilor Kravina."

"But this isn't the disposition she should have. She should be more independent."

Viktor said calmly, turning his gaze back to Count Laurien.

"And now, Count."

"I believe we need to talk."

...

Back in Viktor's room, Aurelianne finally felt somewhat at ease.

Though the size couldn't compare to the room Count Laurien had initially prepared for her.

But the atmosphere here was warmer than there.

It was even warm to the point of feeling hot.

Aurelianne didn't pay much attention to it, only because there was a very familiar scent here.

Perhaps it was the mixed scent of Teacher Viktor and Teacher Gwen that made her feel especially secure.

But for some reason, thinking about the two of them spending the night together made her somewhat uneasy.

The room was quiet, with only soft breathing continuing steadily.

Teacher Gwen must be asleep.

Aurelianne couldn't help but marvel at how good the room's soundproofing was.

Even with all that noise outside earlier, Teacher Gwen could sleep so soundly.

She softened her footsteps, slowly walking toward the bed.

One glance showed her Teacher Gwen sleeping face down.

Aurelianne couldn't help but bend down to look more closely.

The smooth silver hair was spread out, partially covering her face.

Though the sleeping position seemed uncomfortable, Teacher Gwen appeared to be sleeping peacefully.

Hmm? Something seemed off.

Aurelianne frowned. As a mage, she sensed magical energy fluctuations.

It seemed someone had cast a spell in the room.

She looked left and right, finally returning her attention to Gwen.

"Sleep magic!?"

Aurelianne exclaimed, suddenly realizing her voice was too loud.

But clearly, her instinct was right.

Because Gwen didn't wake up.

Even with her loud voice just now, Teacher Gwen continued sleeping deeply.

This sent Aurelianne's mind racing.

Obviously, only one mage here could so easily put a third-tier knight under a sleep spell.

What could have happened to make Teacher Viktor use sleep magic?

In an instant, her gaze was drawn to the blanket covering Gwen.

She blinked, took a deep breath, and reached out to slowly pull back Teacher Gwen's blanket.

"Excuse me, Teacher."

After speaking, she pulled the blanket back completely, revealing Gwen's yukata.

Not seeing what she expected to see made Aurelianne sigh in relief.

But soon, she noticed some unusual magical fluctuations.

Aurelianne's gaze moved to Gwen's back.

There was a clear trace that only a mage could see.

Curious, Aurelianne channeled some magical power and reached out to touch along that trace.

The next second.

Whoosh—

The previously closed trace, disturbed by the magical energy, split open again.

Revealing Gwen's pure white back.

At this moment, Aurelianne froze.

She maintained her reaching position, her mind blank.

Teacher Viktor.

What exactly have you done?!!!

...

"This is our kingdom's specialty tea. Please try some."

Count Laurien sat on the sofa, facing Viktor as he extended a teacup toward him.

Viktor nodded, and the teacup floated automatically to him.

He reached out, took the cup, and took a simple sip.

Then, he set down the teacup and said flatly:

"Count, let's discuss business directly."

"You deliberately sent your daughter into my room and used bringing Aurelianne as an excuse to find me."

Viktor's deep gaze fixed on Laurien.

Along with the crow's eyes, seeming to see through everything.

"It must be about the lady who killed your daughter, isn't it?" 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

/BZDXG - Unlock a HUGE stash of advance chapters now!

Dive deeper into the story ahead of everyone else!