In the East, two swords clashed violently.
It was a life-or-death battle between the eldest and the second sons of the continent's most prestigious swordsmanship family, the Stranges.
Rumor had it that the eldest son emerged victorious, but I knew the true winner.
"This is the assassin who targeted your neck."
Hysteria had found the culprit of the incident.
The culprit had the same face and physique as the one I remembered.
"Are you alright? I heard you fought Gunter."
"Oh? How did you know?"
"The news came through the Empire's newspaper this morning. They called it a duel between future Sword Masters."
"Those guys… their information network is impressive. Who would have thought last night's fight would be in the papers by morning?"
He held his forehead with an incredulous expression.
A low, sinister laugh escaped him, mixed with murderous intent, as if he wouldn't let the informant go unpunished.
"I kept my promise."
"Yes, thank you."
"Now it's your turn."
I smiled and examined the bound assassin.
"Of course."
"Then tell me what you're going to do about the two pieces of trash next to Gunter. I couldn't finish the fight because of them."
"..."
"So, I'd like you to handle them quickly."
"I'll take care of it within the week."
"Good. But you can't take on both of them alone, can you?"
"No, that's why I'll do it with someone else."
"With someone else?"
I turned my gaze to Roks, who was crouching in the corner. Hysteria looked at him quizzically and asked me.
"With him?"
"Yes."
"…Are you kidding me?"
"No, despite his appearance, he's no ordinary person—"
If Hysteria had a typical mindset, he might have asked about Roks. But as expected, he created an unforeseen situation.
Before I could finish my answer, he dashed towards Roks.
Swish—!
He thrust his sword at Roks' solar plexus.
Shing, clang!
The sound of metal echoed loudly.
"…What's this guy?"
The blade only tore Roks' clothes but couldn't penetrate his skin.
Instead, Hysteria's hand, which had delivered the thrust, trembled uncontrollably from the shock.
Though it's uncertain what would have happened if he had enveloped his sword in aura, based on the result, Roks' combat ability was undeniable.
With a grimace, Roks reached out and grabbed Hysteria's sword blade with both hands.
"What about you?"
I quickly stepped between them, pushing Roks back by striking his throat.
Thud.
"Ugh!"
I pushed Hysteria's sword back into its scabbard.
Snap!
"Brother, this man is necessary for our plan."
"Our plan?"
"Yes, he's a blacksmith from the Ogre Fortress. He's enraged because Gunter killed his mother in a recent battle."
"Gunter?"
"Yes."
Roks prepared to charge at Hysteria, seething with anger.
I held him back and continued.
"As you saw, he's quite capable."
"Interesting. He's not human, is he?"
"No."
Hysteria looked at Roks with fascination.
He gripped and released his sword hilt repeatedly, clearly suppressing the urge to strike.
I took a step closer to him and spoke.
"I'll make the arrangements as soon as possible."
"…Okay, fine. But after killing Gunter, I want to fight him too."
"We'll discuss that later."
* * *
Three days had passed since Hysteria left. I kept recalling the meaningful words he said before leaving my room.
-You have an amazing companion.
I didn't know what he meant, but his gaze had been fixed on Brunhilde.
The blue-furred cat that was now licking its paws by the window.
'Did that clown tell him?'
No, that clown couldn't have figured out Brunhilde's identity.
"Hey!"
Roks suddenly shoved his face in front of mine, shouting. He grabbed my collar with a face full of complaints and bared his teeth like an angry beast.
Grrrr—
"I've done everything you asked. But what are you doing?"
"Calm down."
"Calm down? How can you be calm? You said if we didn't hurry, my mother might die!"
"..."
"Then why are you just sitting here? Do something! Or tell me where that Gunter is!"
I pressed my finger to Roks' solar plexus and whispered softly.
"Burn."
Boom!
Roks flew back from the impact and rolled on the ground. I approached his writhing body and spoke gently.
"Gunter will be coming to the castle tonight. Then we will rescue your mother."
"Ugh… What?"
"We'll find your mother soon. I've already sent a letter to Gunter, asking him to come to the Strange castle."
"…"
I mentioned that the key assassin in this case was imprisoned in the castle's underground dungeon.
'He won't be able to refuse.'
This matter could even bring Father into action.
If the assassin accused Gunter of being behind the attack, this wouldn't end easily.
Using outsiders in a family feud is a grave offense that could lead to expulsion from the family.
"Isn't that guy on bad terms with you? Will he come just because you called?"
"He has no choice but to come. So, what you need to do now is to unlock your mana."
"Mana?"
"Yes."
Brunhilde jumped onto my shoulder and scrutinized Roks from head to toe. She then curled her lips and whispered in my ear.
"Were you referring to this guy?"
"Yes, please. Just unlock his mana for me. I'll handle the rest."
Hmm—
Brunhilde looked at Roks with a lazy eye.
"It's not difficult, but I'm too hungry to use my strength—"
"Knowing you, I've prepared something."
I pulled out the finest tuna from a box prepared by Nurse Emma. She had been clamoring for some delicious fish since yesterday, so I had instructed the nurse to procure it.
At the sight of the tuna, Brunhilde immediately approached the fish, sniffing it eagerly.
"Oh, this tuna is from North Kasshishi! Excellent!"
Sssshhh.
Intense mana emanated from behind me. Turning around, I saw blue liquid flowing out from Roks' body, spreading on the ground.
Crunch.
Brunhilde quickly grabbed the tuna and moved to the window.
I let out a helpless laugh as I watched her.
Ha—
'Brunhilde really is a cat, after all.'
No wonder Siegfried said she wasn't a "wizard" but rather called her a "witch."
A cat disguised as a human, trying to become a god with the power of a demon.
-Haam.
Siegfried, who had been dozing on my head, mumbled.
"Hmmm, today Emma's panties are red lace, yum yum."
'He's up to his usual antics.'
Roks asked me with a confused look.
"What… what is this?"
"Mana."
"Mana?"
"Yes, it's a necessary ability for traveling with me."
"Th-thank you."
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Someone knocked on the door.
It seemed a guardian knight had rushed over after sensing the mana.
"Young master, are you alright?"
I seated the bewildered Roks in a chair and bound his hands before opening the door.
"Just stay like this for a moment."
Creeeak—
"What's all the commotion?"
Guardian Knight Commander Beth asked with a stern expression.
"Excuse me, young master, but may I come in? We sensed intense mana nearby…."
"Mana? If it's mana, that guy over there is using it."
"?!"
Beth looked at Roks, who was bound and seated in the chair. The knights who had come to my room knew who he was, so they weren't too surprised.
They only wondered why he was here.
"Isn't he the boy who came looking for his mother recently?"
"Yes, I'm interrogating him right now."
"For what reason?"
"To find out who's behind the assassin."
"Behind the assassin?"
"Yes, you've heard about the assassin in the underground prison, right? The Eastern assassin that Hysteria brought in."
"Yes."
"It seems this guy is related to that assassin. I'm interrogating him personally."
"You could have left that to us…."
I shook my head firmly.
"I noticed one of the guardian knights was monitoring me recently."
"Th-that's—"
"I know it's not your fault, Beth. So I'll handle this matter myself."
"...."
"Valentine will be here soon to punish the assassin anyway. It's only until then."
"…Understood."
Beth bowed respectfully, as if to make a point to the knights beside him.
* * *
A letter sent from Strange Castle arrived at Gunter's camp.
"Verdin sent me a letter?"
Gunter, sitting in a large chair and receiving treatment, tilted his head. His youngest brother, who had only exchanged formal greetings with him, had sent a letter.
What on earth could this be about?
"Yes, Master Verdin insisted it be delivered personally."
The knight who brought the letter bowed deeply, looking nervous.
Gunter took the letter indifferently, read it, and soon crumpled it and tossed it into the fire.
Fwoosh—!
"Damn it!"
The knight who brought the letter stepped back in fear. Gunter drew his sword and stabbed him.
Thunk!
The aura-coated blade pierced through the knight's armor. The knight died without even being able to scream.
"Gerno! Giselle!"
Gerno, a huge man with a horned helmet, and Giselle, a tall, skeletal figure, entered the tent.
"You called for us!"
"You called for us!"
"Form a mobile unit immediately. We need to return to Strange Castle at once."
Giselle asked cautiously.
"To Strange Castle, sir?"
"Yes, Hysteria has handed over the assassin to the castle. If we leave it, Valentine will uncover everything."
"Ha!"
Gerno slammed his opposite palm with his fist and spoke in a rough voice.
"That crazy bastard! So, he's finally decided to end this with us?"
"If Verdin hadn't sent the letter, we'd be in real trouble."
"Verdin? The youngest master?"
"Yes, he says he wants me to interrogate the assassin Hysteria captured. He claims there's no one trustworthy in the castle."
"I see… It seems the youngest master has chosen his side."
Grinning, Gunter smiled at those words.
"Though he's destined to die anyway."