While heading to meet Orland, I couldn’t stop thinking about Ascan, and as expected, he stopped walking first and spoke in a low voice.

“Miss, I just remembered something I need to do, so I’ll head back first.”

“What’s the matter?”

“I heard the horse pulling the carriage didn’t seem well, so I thought I’d check on it.”

It was a reasonable excuse to anyone’s ears, but for some reason, I felt Ascan’s words might not be true.

It could just be my imagination, but that was the feeling I had.

Perhaps because I knew someone as sharp as him could come up with any excuse to leave, I felt that way.

“Ascan.”

“Yes.”

“When you’re done with your task… come straight to my room. Let’s have a meal together.”

“Understood.”

Ascan’s expression was as blank as usual, but to my eyes, he seemed a little different somehow.

I watched him bow his head and walk off in another direction for a moment.

Barnen, who was beside me, asked with a puzzled look.

“What’s wrong? Is something bothering you?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

I shook my head and headed with Barnen toward where Orland was.

I was curious about what conversation Ascan and Dekain had, but since he clearly didn’t want to talk about it, it was hard to pry.

‘Still, I’ll try asking him later when I get the chance.’

With that thought in mind, I stepped toward my destination.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Ascan, now far from Tanashia, let out a rough breath he’d been holding back.

It felt like his emotions were bursting like fireworks. His blood boiled hot throughout his body. His heart had been pounding ever since Dekain’s earlier words.

—There’s a saying not to look at a tree you can’t climb. I’m warning you, don’t covet what isn’t yours.

His true feelings had been exposed.

Dekain’s narrowed red eyes pierced through the emotions Ascan had hidden deep in his heart.

He didn’t want Tanashia to be with another man.

He didn’t want Tanashia to look at someone else.

He didn’t want Tanashia to smile at another person.

Tanashia…

‘…If only she were mine…’

It was a thought he couldn’t finish.

Dekain had seen through those dark emotions at a glance and warned him.

Don’t even dream of it, he said. She’s not a woman you can have.

Ascan wanted to crush Dekain’s face with his strength, but he was more aware than anyone of the gap in status between himself and Tanashia.

It felt like someone had bluntly pointed out a truth he’d been trying to ignore.

Ascan was a lowly slave, and Tanashia was a noble lady.

There was no future, no hope for their relationship.

Even if, by some stroke of luck, they shared mutual feelings, their bond could never be blessed.

He didn’t want to drag Tanashia down to his level. Nor could he become someone as noble as her.

Yet, his greed kept growing…

It was an emotion he couldn’t stop.

Ascan rushed to a faucet, turned on the cold water, and dunked his head under it.

Like a fool, he couldn’t respond to Dekain’s words.

He couldn’t even explain anything to Tanashia, who was curious about their conversation.

What could he possibly say?

That Dekain had seen through the feelings he’d been hiding?

If he pulled Tanashia into his arms and confessed his true feelings, what expression would she make?

Their relationship would probably shatter to pieces.

He knew better than anyone that he wasn’t in his right mind and that it would be best to stop here if he could.

If only the cold water could cool his burning emotions even a little…

That’s when it happened.

An unexpected female voice spoke.

“Is your name Ascan?”

Ascan pulled his head out from under the water. He brushed back his wet hair with one hand and looked up.

Soaked, his striking appearance stood out even more.

Ascan knew the woman in front of him well.

Reiana Nain Krisha.

Not only had she assaulted him at the Brellof estate, but they’d crossed paths several times before.

Reiana wasn’t alone now. Beside her were Shasha, Ryuren, and Kayuna, whom he’d seen at the dining hall recently.

Seeing her accompanied by burly men, he could tell at once that something was off.

“What’s the matter?”

“What’s the matter? Ha, when a noble calls, you should come running like a dog wagging its tail, not asking impudent questions!”

Before Ascan could respond, one of the burly men swung a club, striking the back of his head.

Thud—!

The dull sound was accompanied by a blow strong enough to buckle his knees.

Something warm trickled from the back of his head. He didn’t need to touch it to know it was blood.

The dark emotions Ascan had been suppressing surged from the depths.

He was already struggling to stay calm and had distanced himself from Tanashia, but facing this situation made him feel like he was losing control.

In a low, gritted voice, Ascan said.

“Let’s… stop this for today.”

“Pfft! Did you hear that? A slave dares to speak with that mouth. Hey, teach him a lesson until he comes to his senses.”

“Yes, Miss!”

A merciless beating began.

Grinding his teeth, Ascan curled up tightly. His fists, pressed against the ground, were clenched so hard they turned white.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐

I already had something to discuss with Orland and Barnen.

Since we were gathered, I brought up what Dekain had told me about the Igteon Merchant Group wanting to support me.

“What do you think about getting support for magical engineering research from the Igteon Merchant Group?”

“What? Really? They made you such an offer?”

Barnen said with an excited face.

Orland, on the other hand, asked with a puzzled look.

“Why would the Igteon Merchant Group suddenly make such a proposal to you?”

“I asked too, and it seems the Rajent Empire is quite interested in magical engineering weapons lately.”

According to Dekain, it was to counter the Kalua Empire, but since I promised to keep it a secret, I couldn’t say it outright.

Listening to me, Barnen spoke as if something occurred to him.

“Oh, now that I think about it, the Rajent Empire recently offered to support me too. They asked me to come to their country to research.”

Orland, hearing this, seemed to catch onto something and muttered slowly while stroking his chin.

“Because of the Kalua Empire, perhaps.”

Hearing him, I thought of Dekain and said to myself.

‘I didn’t say anything. Father figured it out on his own.’

Being a high-ranking noble of the Arwen Empire, Orland clearly had access to a lot of information.

Barnen looked at me with a big smile and said.

“I’m all for it. No matter how much the Brellof family supports you, the more funding, the better for research.”

As expected, Barnen and I were on the same page. It was true that more research funds allowed for more experiments, which was tempting.

Unlike us, Orland spoke cautiously.

“A merchant group wouldn’t make such an offer without expecting something in return. Did they say what they want from you?”

“They weren’t after the K01 I made this time. They hinted at wanting to distribute the weapons I’ll create in the future while supporting me.”

“Ha, as if they know what weapons you’ll make next.”

Orland was incredulous, but Barnen laughed heartily, delighted.

“Marquis, they see Tanashia’s potential. Unless their eyes are just for show, it’s only natural they’d want to invest now to build a connection. It was the same for me.”

Magical engineering was niche, but since it produced weapons used in critical national matters, recognized geniuses often received support from many sources.

Barnen had struggled financially before making a name for himself in magical engineering, but once his genius was recognized, he never lacked research funds.

Orland thought for a moment with a serious face before speaking.

“The Brellof family can support you fully, but if this isn’t just a hobby, you’ll need to choose a distributor eventually. Otherwise, you’ll keep getting bothered from all sides like now. The Igteon Merchant Group… isn’t a bad choice.”

“Do you think highly of the Igteon Merchant Group, Father?”

“They represent the Rajent Empire, so they’re trustworthy. They’re unlikely to go back on their word, but the key is to review the contract carefully.”

“The contract?”

“How much funding they’ll provide, how exactly they’ll distribute your weapons, and various details need to be checked thoroughly. If that’s done well, you won’t lose out.”

I nodded, taking Orland’s words to heart.

Distributing magical engineering weapons started with appointing a broker to negotiate the best terms.

For example, if I chose the Igteon Merchant Group as the distributor, they’d sell my weapons to the individuals or nations I wanted, taking a commission while overseeing the process.

Thus, distributors were chosen for their wide networks and trustworthiness. Their affiliation with any empire wasn’t a big issue.

My weapons wouldn’t necessarily go to the Rajent Empire through the Igteon Merchant Group, but precise contract terms needed to be set in advance.

Orland seemed to have all this in mind. He was truly reliable.

“So, if the contract is satisfactory, you’re in favor of accepting support from the Igteon Merchant Group?”

“Yes.”

“And Master…”

Before I could finish, Barnen was already nodding, so I didn’t need to ask further.

“Alright. Since Master agrees too, let’s review the contract together when we get it from the Igteon Merchant Group.”

“Once a distributor is set, you might see big money. Want to try managing it yourself this time?”

“What? Me, directly?”

“Yes, I think you could handle it well.”

At Orland’s words, I thought for a moment before nodding enthusiastically.

I could entrust the money to Orland to grow, but managing it myself would be good experience.

So, Orland, Barnen, and I chatted about various things before leaving the room.

There was still time before dinner, but Ascan’s stiff expression from earlier kept nagging at me like a thorn in my throat.

Remembering he said he’d check on the horse, I went to the stables, but Ascan was nowhere to be seen.

‘Strange. Did he already go back to the room?’

I was walking, puzzled, when Celineje, a noble lady from the Rajent Empire I’d seen at the dining hall recently, approached with a happy face.

“Lady Brellof, fancy meeting you here.”

“Indeed, where are you headed?”

“Oh, by the way, you have an incredibly handsome attendant, don’t you?”

I immediately knew who she meant. Ascan was the only attendant I brought to the academic festival, and his looks were worthy of such praise.

But why was she suddenly talking about Ascan?

“Did he perhaps make some big mistake? If so, please don’t scold him too harshly.”

“What do you mean?”

“Other ladies said they saw him being dragged toward the warehouse, bleeding…”

“Tell me exactly. Where did they see him?”

The more I heard from Celineje, the more I sensed something was wrong.

Noticing my serious expression, Celineje pointed toward the academic festival’s storage warehouse with a flustered look.

“I only heard it, but they said over there…”

Without waiting for her to finish, I ran toward the place she pointed to.

It felt ominous. At first, I just thought Ascan was acting strange, but I never expected something like this.

Who dared to orchestrate this, and what was going on? I had no idea, but one thing was clear.

‘Right now, I’m the only one who can save Ascan.’

Running until I was out of breath, I thankfully spotted Ascan at the location.

The problem was he wasn’t alone. Standing beside him were Reiana, Shasha, Ryuren, and Kayuna.

Seeing Reiana, I instantly knew she was behind this.

‘I clearly warned her I wouldn’t let it slide a second time…!’

Feeling rage boil up, I walked toward them.

Whoosh—

I saw the wind gathering in Reiana’s hand.

Seeing that, a chilling thought struck me.

In this empty space, if she used her ability, there was only one target.

‘Ascan…!’

I quickened my pace, which had slowed upon spotting him. My mind had no room for thought.

Reiana was about to attack Ascan with her ability.

That single thought filled my head.

As the wind Reiana summoned surged toward Ascan…

“Stop, stop it!”

I shouted, instinctively wrapping my arms around Ascan’s body.

It was a reflexive action, perhaps driven by the responsibility that I was the only one who could save him.

“Ugh!”

The wind Reiana unleashed tore into my body.

My arms, legs, and shoulders felt as if slashed by a knife.

The intense pain made my body buckle. Blood sprayed everywhere, and I felt it trickling down my body.

In that moment, my eyes met Ascan’s in midair.

His golden eyes widened at the sight of me. Then, his narrowed pupils radiated an indescribable fury.

“…As…can.”

As I softly called his name…

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

Flames appeared in the air. Four flames, like will-o’-the-wisps, began burning in the empty space.

It was the first time I witnessed Ascan’s ability, which I’d only read about in The Beloved Saintess novel.