Ch.7Moth (1)

I sincerely agonized over this decision. If Serin was showing such vulgar behavior because she wanted to see my face, shouldn’t I willingly remove my mask?

But I quickly steadied my wavering resolve. It was fortunate I was wearing a mask; if my face had been bare, my apple-red complexion would have served as evidence of my lewdness. I didn’t want to disappoint Serin, who had just become my friend.

What kind of hellscape had the imperial palace become while Serin was reduced to this state?

‘Ugh… I’m truly sorry.’

Since that night, Serin had maintained a more modest demeanor than before. Every minute of her behavior seemed like a desperate attempt to make up for the harsh words I’d spoken, which made me feel increasingly guilty. At this point, telling her I preferred her more spirited self would hardly be convincing.

And so, this duo with hidden feelings entered the next village as dusk was falling.

Perhaps because it was closer to the capital, this village appeared much more prosperous than the ones we’d visited before. From the lighting preparations to the bustling conversations in the marketplace and specialty shops like dessert stores—it was quite different from what we’d seen previously.

“I’ve been to this village before,” Serin remarked casually while quietly taking in the surroundings.

“You seem familiar with it.”

“Yes, somewhat. See that large building on the slope across the road? That’s Baron Raden’s mansion. She’s one of the few women who inherited a title from the Empire.”

“I’ve heard she’s incredibly wealthy.”

“That’s right. She may only be a baron in title, but even most count families can’t compare to her wealth.”

Baron Raden was a familiar name to me. A few years ago, Rodrick had clicked his tongue when she terminated her contract with our mercenary group. Since contract matters weren’t my responsibility, I didn’t know what the baron looked like.

“Plus, she’s still unmarried, so many men are eyeing her.”

“Hmm.”

“Why? Are you interested?”

Serin asked with a hint of wariness. Perhaps she admired the baron?

“Not at all. I was just lost in thought.”

No matter how wealthy someone might be, they couldn’t maintain a private army in a region so close to the capital. That’s why Baron Raden had contracted with mercenary groups for security and protection.

In other words, the baron was still purchasing military power with money.

Though I shouldn’t be one to talk, having kidnapped Serin, most mercenaries tended to disregard proper etiquette.

It would be wise to remain cautious in Raden’s territory, just to be safe.

“Then I’ll believe you, Rian. The baron is still beautiful despite her age.”

“Why worry about someone we won’t even meet?”

“Hmm! Actually, depending on your preference, we might or might not have business with her…”

“My preference?”

“Yes. It might sound strange coming from ordinary me, but… surprisingly, I’m acquainted with the baron!”

It wasn’t strange at all, nor was it surprising. She’d been displaying her non-commoner status all day, so her brazenness was hardly shocking.

“So if you’re okay with it, we could stay at the baron’s place tonight!”

“I’ll follow your lead.”

“Great, you won’t regret it.”

To be fair, we’d been camping outdoors frequently, so she must have been longing for a proper bed. It made sense that her eyes were sparkling like the Milky Way in the night sky.

“Shall we go then?”

◇

Baron Raden’s mansion was much larger up close than it appeared from a distance. From afar, it had seemed like just another mansion, but standing before it now revealed its impressive scale.

In front of the grand entrance that displayed the baron’s prestige stood a muscular giant in neat attire, vigilantly guarding the surroundings. His appearance, seemingly forced into formal clothes for appearance’s sake, was typical of someone who worked as muscle.

“Excuse me. We’d like to see Baron Raden.”

“She’s not someone you can meet without proper cause.”

The man’s dismissive tone barely concealed his contempt. A woman of weaker disposition might have immediately retreated.

“I know the baron. She’ll recognize me when she sees me.”

“I said no.”

“Who are you to block the baron’s guests?”

“It’s my job to block people.”

“Ha…!”

As the mere gatekeeper narrowed his eyes arrogantly, Serin’s temper seemed to be fraying. I felt something off about the man’s overly confident attitude.

‘An employee refusing someone who might be the baron’s guest.’

This was problematic whether he was a household servant or hired from an outside organization. One person’s mistake could damage an entire organization.

That’s why Rodrick emphasized mental discipline so strongly among our members. After all, most of our people weren’t exactly upstanding citizens.

“Serin. I have a question.”

“Just a moment, Rian. This person keeps saying nonsensical—”

“Is the baron important to you?”

“What?”

Serin’s eyes widened at my sudden question. She seemed to ponder my words carefully before slowly nodding.

“…Yes. She’s important to me.”

“I understand.”

Sometimes it’s necessary to replace hired organizations. Having made this determination, I immediately released the dark mist I hadn’t used in a long time, letting it flow down to my feet.

Slither.

I had named this black mist “Pow” for convenience. Writhing at my feet, Pow crept stealthily like a snake stalking its prey, then suddenly bit into the man’s foot.

Crack!

The sound of breaking bone echoed. The giant immediately collapsed and screamed in pain.

“Ugh… argh, AAAHHH! My ankle!”

The situation reversed in an instant. The man who had been looking down at us with a stiff neck was now sitting on the cold ground, looking up at us. Serin asked me in a bewildered tone about the sudden change.

“What on earth just happened…?”

“Who knows? If you’re really unlucky, your ankle can twist just from standing or walking.”

“That may be true… but this seems too…”

I quickly suggested before she could analyze the situation clearly:

“We should inform the baron and recommend treatment.”

“Ah, of course we should. I don’t know exactly what happened, but he got what he deserved!”

She must have been secretly annoyed by the gatekeeper’s attitude, as a subtle delight lingered at the corners of her mouth.

‘She’s easy to read at times like this.’

Perhaps it was because she was disguised as an ordinary village girl with a headscarf, but her inner thoughts seemed just as ordinary.

“Ah, how refreshing.”

The wind blew.

She walked lightly across the grass as dusk fell. Unlike before, this time she walked ahead of me. Perhaps that’s why I found myself staring at her back, something I normally wouldn’t dare to do.

Her black hair flowed just past her shoulders, swaying gently. When the breeze parted her dark locks like a curtain, the pale skin of her nape shyly revealed itself. The lines of her legs, which had embarrassed me with their vulgar movements before, now traced an ideal curve up to her waist.

And when she turned around to check if I was following properly or worried I might lose my way, her beautiful eyes captured me. If I had to describe them, they were like aquamarine. As my mother once told me, her eyes were a vibrant blue full of life.

“Rian! You haven’t lost your mind, have you? It’s hard to tell with that mask.”

“I’m following properly.”

“I’m suspicious, but there’s no way to check. How nice it would be if you just took it off and cleared up this misunderstanding?”

“Not a chance.”

“I thought so. What was I hoping for?”

She chuckled.

It was a smile unlike that of a noble lady gathered among colorful flowers in a glass greenhouse. Instead, a mysterious power reminiscent of wildflowers blooming in a verdant field lingered at the corners of her crooked smile.

‘I might have lied to Serin, regrettably.’

I was so focused on her that the splendid scenery of the baron’s estate became blurry in my memory. I lost track of time as we walked, and suddenly found ourselves at the main building.

While I was reproaching myself, Serin boldly pushed open the main door.

“Oh my.”

An exclamation greeted us in front of a sculpture that was visibly expensive at first glance.

“I came down because of the commotion outside, and to think it would be the Emp—”

“Wait, Baron!”

“…nim?”

“Nim!”

The baron seemed to have immediately recognized Serin’s identity. Judging by how she hesitated after Serin used an honorific, it was certain.

As Serin forcefully maintained her concept, the baron, guessing there must be some circumstance, invited us inside.

“Well… please come in. So…”

The baron pondered over the proper address for a long time before finally saying with resignation:

“The young lady and the suspicious gentleman.”

A princess and a masked stranger—it must have been bewildering from the baron’s perspective. If the imperial court had publicly announced a search for Serin, she might have fainted in shock.

“I’m sorry for visiting without notice, Baron.”

“How dare I accept your apology… oh, I misspoke. It’s quite alright, young lady.”

The baron hastily poured out her reverence before naturally correcting herself. Honestly, I couldn’t shake the impression that Serin was being somewhat of a bully.

“Thank you. We didn’t have a suitable place to stay, so we ended up barging in.”

“You’re always welcome here, so please don’t worry. I’ll have bedrooms and water for bathing prepared right away.”

“Phew, I’m so fortunate to have you, Baron!”

“You flatter me.”

Beyond the baron’s shrugging shoulders, a man wearing the same uniform as the gatekeeper approached. Serin instinctively frowned, but the baron didn’t notice as she was looking in another direction.

And only I, trailing behind them, had the opportunity to properly observe the man who was glancing at the baron.

‘Just as I expected.’

I found the puzzle piece that fit perfectly with the gatekeeper’s brutish behavior.

In the man’s distorted eyes, as he passed by with a pretense of respectful greeting, greed that eroded any reverence for his master was crawling.