Gunter's unit returned to Strange Castle accompanied by five carriages.
Guardian Knight Commander Beth and his subordinates opened the castle gate to greet him.
"Greetings, Lord Gunter!"
Beth's voice echoed through the castle, and in unison, the knights lined up from the gate to the mansion responded.
"Greetings, Lord Gunter!"
They gave Gunter the same reception they would for Lois, the head of the house.
Unlike when Hysteria, the second, and Valentine, the third, visited, not just the knights but everyone in the castle came out to greet him.
"Where is Verdin?"
Beth, still saluting, answered.
"He's in the training ground."
"At this hour?"
"Yes, lately he's been training in swordsmanship until late evening."
"I heard you've been his sparring partner."
"That's correct."
"Has Dean's level already reached that of a formal knight?"
It was a difficult question to answer. Verdin's skills undoubtedly surpassed those of lower-ranking knights. He could even wield a real sword against a 7-star knight like himself.
But since Verdin hadn't graduated from the academy yet, calling him a 'knight' was premature, and Beth hesitated to respond.
"Never mind, I'll confirm it myself."
"…I apologize."
Gunter took a few steps toward the castle, then turned back to acknowledge Beth's salute.
Only then did Beth lower his hand from his eyebrow and bow his head.
"No need to apologize. I'll meet Dean and then head straight to the underground prison. Inform the soldiers to avoid any confusion."
"I will do so."
"Keep it quiet and keep as few eyes on me as possible."
"Yes, Lord Gunter."
Finished with their conversation, Gunter strode purposefully into the castle.
As he crossed the garden, filled with beautiful flowers, the knights following him spread out in a defensive circle, weapons at the ready, as if to openly display that someone might be targeting Gunter.
Tap tap tap.
An elderly butler with white hair and wearing spectacles came running, beaming widely.
"Welcome back, Lord Gunter."
Gunter, too, softened his stern expression and smiled, happy to see him.
"How have you been?"
"Well, thanks to you, my lord."
"Thank you for saying so."
The butler counted the knights following Gunter and scratched the back of his head.
"I heard the news of your arrival too late, so the meal preparations are rushed. You may have to wait a little."
"Take your time. I have some matters to attend to first."
"Matters to attend to? Here in the castle?"
"Yes."
"Ah… Will the head of the house be coming as well?"
"No, I'm here alone today. It's nothing serious, so don't worry too much. Just prepare the meal before it gets dark. I plan to leave once my business is done."
"Ah, yes! I will do my best to have it ready quickly."
The butler stepped aside after their conversation.
Gunter gave a signal to the other knights to wait.
Creeeak—
The mansion's door opened.
Gunter, with his golden cape billowing, walked inside.
At this moment, even the two knights guarding him, Giselle and Gerno, could not foresee the enormous impact of the letter sent by the youngest son of Strange.
* * *
"You must have been through a lot."
Gunter stroked my head with his large, calloused hand.
At this moment, he looked genuinely concerned for me. Of course, I knew all his actions were pretentious.
I responded, looking him straight in the eye with a blank expression.
"Thank you for coming such a long way because of me. I appreciate your concern."
"No need for thanks. It's only natural to come if my youngest brother is in danger."
"As expected, you never abandon brotherly loyalty."
"Brotherly loyalty?"
"Yes, Brother Hysteria left the assassin in the castle and departed, saying he didn't care if I lived or died. He claimed he brought the culprit only because he wanted to, not for my sake."
Gunter tilted his head.
"Did Hysteria say that?"
"Yes."
"He told me he brought the assassin for your sake."
"If that's true, I appreciate it. But if it were true, he should have finished the job properly before leaving."
"Is that so? Our second brother is indeed unpredictable."
"Indeed. He is truly… an odd fellow."
"How about some tea? Emma, could you prepare it?"
Emma, who had been looking tense, raised her hand.
"Yes, yes, right away!"
But Gunter waved his finger at her, stopping her.
"No need for tea. I'm leaving soon."
"Already?"
"I have no time. I need to interrogate the assassin and then leave for the east immediately."
"Is it because of Glaser? I read in the newspaper that he's been doing some crazy things lately."
"Well, clashes with Glaser are indeed a problem, but that's not the main issue right now."
"Is there something bigger?"
Perhaps there was no question more transparent than this.
A few days ago, rumors of a conflict in Glaser's territory spread across the continent like wildfire. How could I pretend not to know about it? It would be clear to anyone that I was feigning ignorance.
"I had a fight with Hysteria."
"With Brother Hysteria?"
"Yes, there was some misunderstanding while capturing the assassin now in the underground prison. We had a brief altercation, so I can't be away for too long."
I slowly scanned Gunter from head to toe. His entire body was covered in armor, making it difficult to assess his injuries, but from his stance and the way he moved, I could tell there was an issue with his right leg.
'Hysteria returned unscathed.'
So why was Gunter the only one injured?
Of course, it wasn't something I could ask directly.
As I remained silent, Gunter stood up and continued.
"Then, I'll begin the interrogation now."
* * *
Gunter headed to the underground prison.
True to my expectations, he acted within the predictable range.
Moreover, by stationing his steadfast knights, Giselle and Gerno, outside the castle, he created an excellent opportunity for a confrontation with Hysteria.
Siegfried, who had been watching everything with me, asked.
"Shouldn't you contact that madman? If he goes to the underground prison now, he'll run into Gunter."
I smiled and looked out the window.
"There's no need. Brother Hysteria is already in the underground prison."
"…What? What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said. Brother Hysteria is currently in the underground prison. He's been waiting there to confront Gunter."
"Since when?"
"Since he arrived at the castle three days ago."
"What?! I saw him leave the castle with my own eyes."
"That was a puppet controlled by Brother Hysteria."
"A puppet?"
"Yes, it's the ability of the back spirit contracted with Brother Hysteria."
"Ah… So that clown's ability allowed him to create a puppet identical to Hysteria and make it leave the castle?"
The back spirit currently with Hysteria was once a child of the Strange family, exiled due to a lack of talent in swordsmanship, who later became a puppeteer.
In the past, only Hysteria knew about his abilities, making it impossible to understand his powers.
'But not anymore.'
Now, I know everything about him.
"Yes, that's correct."
Siegfried clapped his hands.
"Wow! That guy is really clever."
"Master, please prepare yourself. We'll have to fight soon."
"What? We're fighting too?"
"We have to keep our promise. No one can enter the underground until either Gunter or Hysteria is dead."
"Ah… But is there anyone in this castle who would dare challenge you? Given the head of the house behind you, no one would dare oppose you."
"There are two who would do anything to protect Gunter."
"Two? Ah, the ones Hysteria mentioned as his right and left hands."
"That's right."
Gunter's right and left hands, Giselle and Gerno.
They prioritize Gunter's life over their own.
Both of them are skilled enough to wield their weapons against not only me but also the other brothers.
"I'll take care of the one called the right hand."
I turned my gaze to Rox, who was lurking in the corner of the room.
"The one called the left hand will be handled by him. Well, his role is just to buy time."
And at the end of this fight.
'Only I will be the victor.'
* * *
Descending the circular staircase to the underground of Strange Castle, Gunter reached the end of the path lined with eerie rooms along the gray walls.
This place would have been pitch dark without the torches.
Gunter and the jailer walked alone along the path, conversing.
"Where is the assassin who targeted Verdin?"
"In the very last cell."
"The last cell? Isn't that reserved for A-rank or higher prisoners? Why would an assassin be placed there?"
"…I'm not sure. A few days ago, Lord Hysteria ordered him to be put there."
"Hysteria?"
"Yes, he said to put him in the largest cell so you could see him comfortably."
"..."
Thunk.
Gunter stopped walking.
He slowly inspected the inside of the prison and gripped the handle of his sword.
The jailer smirked at him and threw the keys tied to his waist onto the ground.
Thunk.
"What are you waiting for? Aren't you going to-"
Whoosh!
Gunter swung his large sword.
Slash!
In one swift motion, the jailer's torso was separated from his lower body and fell to the ground.
At that moment, all the doors of the underground prison opened simultaneously as he died.
Clang, clang, clang, clang!
Then, a clownish back spirit appeared out of nowhere and waved its hands, causing the prisoners to start pouring out.
Thud, thud, thud, thud.
"HYSTERIA!!!"
Gunter roared.
Hysteria, now visible among the prisoners, wore a sly smile.
"What's the matter, Gunter? Hahaha!"