Ch.3232. You see, I like patient men.

“I’ve conducted various experiments on monsters, but this is my first time with a human. You know how it is. The first time is always thrilling.”

“Mmph!! Mmmmph!!”

“Still, I’m fortunate in a way. I’ve always wanted to try this but never dared. As you know, I’m in a position where I must hide my ‘instincts’…”

“Mmmmph!!”

“But I never expected Father to suggest it first. Did he say something like ‘If you don’t handle it yourself, you might develop trauma’? Anyway, thanks to him, I now have the opportunity to experiment on a human.”

“Mmph mmph mmph!!!!!”

In a deep basement somewhere in the Familia estate.

Various torture devices filled the room.

A man bound to a chair was covered in blood and wailing, but with his mouth gagged by a white cloth, he seemed to struggle to scream properly.

“Ah… I forgot that with your mouth covered, we can’t have a conversation. Just a moment.”

Srrrrk-!

As the blood-soaked cloth stuffed in his mouth was removed, the man lifted his head, tears streaming down his face.

“P-please, I’m sorry. I truly didn’t know you were Lady Seri.”

“Even if you say that, it doesn’t undo what you’ve done. Isn’t that right? Mr. Serial Killer!?”

The man bound to the chair was Graus.

He was a shameless serial killer who had murdered five women in the Familia territory.

Baron Rene had been racking his brain over this issue, and the villagers lived in fear because of this one man.

But then.

Graus happened to spot Seri Familia while walking down the street.

Her black eyes of unfathomable depth and purple hair were enough to catch his attention.

It was purely impulsive.

However, blinded by desire, he overlooked one thing: the subordinates hiding in unseen places, silently protecting her.

And so, Graus was captured, and Baron Rene was furious after hearing what had happened.

How would a father feel after nearly losing his daughter to a serial killer?

Of course, he was even more upset because he didn’t know about Seri Familia’s hidden power.

-Seri Familia, deal with this serial killer yourself.

-F-Father… how could I…

-Even though you weren’t harmed, the trauma of being attacked will never fade. You need to overcome it yourself.

And that’s how.

Graus ended up in Seri Familia’s hands.

Baron Rene couldn’t have known.

That it was like throwing a mouse to a cat.

“Aaaaargh!! It hurts, please, stop!!”

“You refused when your victims desperately begged you too, didn’t you? Is it that difficult to accept?”

This time, Seri Familia gripped a dagger and struck Graus’s right thigh.

Another scream rose from the basement.

Her face was already stained with bright red blood.

“Gyaaaah!!”

Graus screamed and looked at Seri Familia.

He looked again in disbelief, but he wasn’t mistaken.

She was definitely smiling.

“…You demonic bitch.”

Seri Familia covered her mouth, startled, then spoke.

“I thought you were the demon here?”

“You intended to kill me from the start.”

“Me? I’m not a serial killer who murders innocent people like you… Have you lost your mind from blood loss?”

He kept sensing a familiar scent from her, and it wasn’t his imagination.

A subtle sensation that only those of the same kind could recognize.

Graus gritted his teeth and continued.

“If you release me now, I’ll bring you people to sacrifice. Then you can hide here forever and commit murders in secret. How about it? I think we’d make a good pair.”

In response, Seri Familia stabbed his left thigh with the dagger and twisted it forcefully.

“Gyaaaaargh!!”

Seri Familia stared at Graus with a chilling smile.

“If you can’t even endure this much pain… I don’t think we’re compatible after all. I prefer men with patience.”

“Huh, huk…”

“Are you listening? The person I like… doesn’t even notice when they’re wounded. You don’t believe me, do you?”

“It, it hurts… stop it!!”

“He didn’t scream even once when his arm was injured, unlike you. Do you know how impressive that was?”

“Who the hell is that bastard?!”

“…Selden Alphonse.”

“Who is he?!”

Seri Familia, with bloodshot eyes, pulled the dagger from his left thigh and held it to Graus’s ear.

“Oh my, that was supposed to be a secret, but I accidentally revealed it. I have no choice but to cut off your ears now.”

“Y-you’re insane!!”

“Still, humans are definitely better than monsters. At least we can have conversations like this.”

Shhhrrrrk-!

Shhhrrrrk-!

Seri Familia cut off both of Graus’s ears without hesitation.

By now, his voice was so hoarse that he could barely scream.

Graus also knew now.

No matter what he said or did, he wouldn’t survive this hellish basement.

“Just kill me…”

“There you go again. You never granted your victims’ requests, so why do you keep making unreasonable demands of me… You’re quite selfish, aren’t you?”

“Please…”

“Let me tell you a secret before you die. Actually, I already knew you were targeting me. That’s why I deliberately went to a secluded place.”

Graus’s body and mind were so broken that he couldn’t even respond anymore.

His consciousness was fading.

Yet, in his eyes, Seri Familia was still smiling.

Still speaking words he could no longer comprehend.

“I’m bored… As expected, only Lord Selden can entertain me.”

*

“W-we have a problem.”

Pedericks burst into the study without knocking early in the morning.

This behavior had become so familiar that I responded with an indifferent expression.

“What is it?”

“It seems Baron Byron knows that young master went to Cheonsonji.”

“Is that so?”

“‘Is that so?’ you say…? At this rate, your exile might really be extended!!”

The monster wave that would come after the coming-of-age ceremony.

If I successfully defend against it, I’ll hand over Rio and Luna to Serion Lycus who would arrive late.

What would this territory become then?

A very safe village that had already experienced a rare monster wave.

In other words, even if Baron Byron ordered me to spend my life in exile here, I should bow and say “Thank you.”

“If that happens, I’ll just settle down here.”

“A-are you giving up on being the heir?”

“When have I ever coveted the position of heir?”

Pedericks opened and closed his mouth before correcting his posture.

“Well, I don’t mind if you keep secrets from me too, but you should be more cautious at times like this. One wrong move and the good image you’ve built up could crumble in an instant.”

“Fine, I got it. I’ll handle it myself.”

After showing clear signs that I didn’t want to hear his nagging, Pedericks finally cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Ahem! Also, Riden has just arrived.”

“Really? He must be tired from traveling so far.”

He seemed to have arrived later than expected, but since the Poison Lady hadn’t arrived yet, there wasn’t really a problem.

I nodded with a satisfied expression.

“What’s Riden doing now?”

“He said he wanted to wash up first before meeting you, as he’s in quite a disheveled state.”

“Did he have anything to give me specifically?”

At my words, Pedericks’s eyes flashed as he pulled out an elegant cloth from his pocket.

Inside was neatly arranged Cheoneoncho.

I stroked my chin and continued.

“Hmm, this is definitely Cheoneoncho.”

“Ch-Cheoneoncho? Isn’t that a poisonous herb!? Surely… just because I nagged a little…”

“Please stop talking nonsense and leave, will you?”

“…What exactly are you planning? I don’t think your visit to Cheonsonji was for the pleasure district after all.”

“You’re just now figuring that out?”

“I did find it strange that you went all the way to Cheonsonji when there are pleasure districts nearby.”

I stared at the Cheoneoncho placed on the desk and spoke again.

“I’m not sure if what I’m doing is right, but I think I need to save Riden at least.”

“…Pardon?”

Just as Pedericks made a puzzled expression, there was a knock on the study door.

“Come in.”

I naturally expected it to be Riden who had finished showering, but the one who entered was none other than Rio Sergan.

I tilted my head at this unexpected visit.

“Oh, Rio. What is it?”

“You have visitors.”

“Visitors?”

“Two women and one man. They said to tell you they’ve brought potatoes from Eden Valley…”

“Where are they now?”

“I’ve shown them to the reception room.”

At Rio’s words, I rose as if I had been waiting for this.

Then I naturally put on the coat hanging on the rack and spoke.

“Let’s go.”