Luphilmo was overseeing the transport of Kalspelliver, so they hadn’t executed the plan yet—but the Royal Guard was already fully prepared.

The personnel assigned to the operation had shed their conspicuous Royal Guard uniforms, donned black tactical gear, and concealed their faces with masks, completely hiding their identities.

Thus equipped, the Royal Guard and Ascan headed toward the first convoy transporting Kalspelliver, carrying the bracelet modified by Tanashia.

They saw the Imperial Royal Guard and the Manoko family walking forward, guarding a single box as if it were impregnable.

Wooooong—

Ascan tried summoning Kalspelliver using the modified bracelet, but no sound came from inside the box.

Ascan possessed hearing sharper than anyone else’s. He immediately realized the first convoy carried an empty box.

He gestured subtly for the Royal Guard to withdraw and murmured softly,

“Let’s go elsewhere.”

They promptly arrived at the location of the second convoy.

Just like with the first convoy, they tried using the modified bracelet again—but sensed no movement whatsoever from within the box.

It was just as Ascan signaled retreat with a nod and began stepping away,

that Bill approached him with a suspicious expression and asked,

“Brother, could it be that Lady Brellof’s bracelet is faulty?”

“That’s impossible.”

“How can you be so certain?”

“Because I’ve personally seen the magical engineering weapons crafted by Lady Brellof in the Arwen Empire.”

Back then, he’d been inwardly quite astonished—he hadn’t expected her laboratory to be equipped with weapons of such exceptional magical engineering.

“But….”

Bill tried to argue further, but Ascan cut him off without listening.

“Bill, consider this a warning—never again attempt to manipulate Lady Brellof.”

Initially, Bill had deliberately hinted he wished Tanashia to draw Luphilmo’s attention.

Even after Ascan tried to dissuade him, Bill had still explained to her their plan to steal Kalspelliver.

It was only because it was Bill that Ascan had tolerated this much.

Ascan fixed Bill with a chilling gaze and continued,

“She belongs to me. Even you had better be prepared if you touch her.”

Ascan was not one to speak idly. Bill realized that if this happened again, Ascan wouldn’t let it pass so quietly.

That only made him more resentful.

Bill stared at Ascan with an expression of disbelief and asked,

“Brother, are you really willing to ruin our grand cause over a mere woman?”

“I already told you—Kalspelliver can be stolen another time.”

“Your behavior like this feels so unfamiliar. If I hadn’t intervened, you wouldn’t even have that bracelet. Could it be… you’re in love with her?”

At the word “love,” Ascan found himself involuntarily smirking.

He didn’t know what love was. He’d never received it, never given it to anyone—he had no idea what such an emotion even felt like.

Whatever love was, as described merely in books, didn’t matter to him.

He wanted Tanashia. He wished for her not to be hurt. If anyone dared touch her, an uncontrollable rage would surge within him.

Once, as a child, under the pretext of testing his limits, he’d gone three days without even a sip of water or a bite of food.

His longing for Tanashia surpassed even that childhood hunger. That was all.

“Bill, are you asking me that question when you yourself don’t even know what love is?”

“…….”

Bill couldn’t answer Ascan’s question.

True to Ascan’s words, having grown up in the laboratory, neither of them understood the emotion called “love.”

They had no parents, no siblings, no friends. Only Ascan and Bill had survived this long—there’d never been leisure enough to feel love for anyone.

They hadn’t truly lived. They’d merely endured.

“Bill, if you’re curious about my feelings, I’ll tell you this: I want her. I won’t forgive anyone who touches her.”

That “anyone” included Bill.

Bill understood the meaning. He reluctantly nodded, his expression resigned.

“I understand what you mean.”

Ascan wordlessly gripped Bill’s shoulder. Though few words were exchanged, Bill sensed trust in that gesture. Their bond was that strong.

Thus, Ascan, Bill, and the Royal Guard arrived at the location of the final convoy.

As before, Ascan used the modified bracelet. Miraculously, a faint sound emanated from inside the box.

Clunk—

Instantly, Ascan’s golden eyes sparkled.

The real Kalspelliver was in the last convoy.

Ascan pointed toward the third convoy and signaled silently. The Royal Guard members, catching his meaning, hardened their expressions.

Now, only one task remained: swapping the real Kalspelliver with the replica.

Fortunately, Luphilmo was nowhere to be seen in the third convoy. Unfortunately, they were nearing their destination—with little time left.

Ascan and the Royal Guard hurried into the prepared underground tunnel.

Though they hadn’t known which of the three locations held the real Kalspelliver, they’d already calculated the route it would take during transport.

Their plan was to drill a hole from beneath the ground precisely as the box passed over, and perform the switch.

Soon, the convoy drew near the prepared spot. Ascan, timing it silently in his mind, murmured softly,

“Shall we begin?”

I followed Carlton to the Imperial Palace physician.

At first, I hesitated to show my wound to a palace-affiliated doctor, but Carlton—despite his rugged appearance—kindly reassured me.

“Though he’s a palace physician, he’s closely connected to the Royal Guard. He won’t disclose Lady’s injury. Feel at ease receiving treatment.”

“I see. Thank you.”

Thanks to Carlton, I relaxed and showed my wound to the physician.

The physician stared at me in shock, seeing the long needle embedded in my palm—installed within the ring and deliberately difficult to remove.

“Who did such a cruel thing to you?”

“Ha, haha.”

I laughed awkwardly. I couldn’t possibly admit I’d crafted such a ring myself.

The physician skillfully picked up tweezers and extracted the needle. After meticulously disinfecting and applying ointment to the wound, he said,

“Though the puncture wound appears small visually, it penetrated quite deeply. You must avoid overexertion and care for it properly for a while.”

“I will.”

Just in case, the physician prescribed oral medication and also provided gauze and ointment.

As I rose from my seat after finishing treatment,

the door burst open.

I turned my head instinctively—and saw Ascan standing there, clad in pristine white Royal Guard uniform, sweat beading on his forehead as if he’d rushed over.

Breathless, Ascan asked,

“Treatment done?”

Carlton, standing behind me, answered crisply,

“Just completed.”

Ascan nodded, glancing at the gauze covering my wound. Then he briefly addressed the physician,

“Good work.”

“Not at all, Commander.”

After exchanging brief greetings with the physician, Ascan approached me and offered his arm to support me.

“I’m fine….”

“Don’t throw around ‘I’m fine’ so casually.”

“No, really…!”

“Shall I carry you out?”

I’d injured my hand, not my leg—walking posed no problem.

But I simply closed my mouth. He clearly had no intention of listening to me anyway.

Though his overprotectiveness was palpable, I knew it stemmed from concern for me—and a faint smile escaped my lips.

Thus, we exited the physician’s chamber. Seeing only Carlton around, I couldn’t suppress my curiosity and whispered,

“How did it go?”

I deliberately avoided mentioning “Kalspelliver” in case someone overheard, but Ascan instantly understood what I was asking.

“We brought it. I told you I’d finish quickly and return.”

“Good. I thought you’d succeed, but I was still worried.”

At my admission of worry, Ascan’s eyes softened slightly at the corners.

“Don’t fret anymore. All that remains is getting it out of here.”

Though Ascan wasn’t physically carrying Kalspelliver at this moment, smuggling it out of the Imperial Palace was trivial once the theft itself had succeeded.

I smiled faintly and nodded.

Thus, leaning on Ascan’s support, we deliberately avoided the crowded banquet hall as we walked.

Gazing distantly at the nobles standing beneath the splendid chandeliers, today’s long, eventful day replayed in my mind like a panorama.

“So much happened today.”

From deliberately falling into a trap to stealing Kalspelliver—it felt like far too many events had occurred within a single day.

Unconsciously, I murmured while staring blankly at the banquet hall,

“It was my first time attending a Calua Empire party….”

Too many things had happened—I hadn’t had proper time to enjoy it. Not to mention, with the Manoko family’s traps targeting me, I couldn’t have relaxed even if I’d wanted to.

Ascan, apparently hearing me, asked softly,

“Do you regret it?”

“No, not regret—just something that came to mind.”

“Next time, I’ll prepare properly. So you can enjoy yourself without a single worry.”

His unexpected words made me smile involuntarily.

“Really? Even if it’s flattery, it sounds nice to hear.”

“I don’t make empty promises. So don’t get hurt again. Since meeting me, you’ve hardly had a day without injury.”

“Hmm.”

I scratched my nose lightly. Thinking back—from twisting my ankle while trying to take an arrow meant for Ascan—I did seem to get hurt, big or small, quite often.

As Ascan and I stepped outside the Imperial Palace, Zen, who’d been waiting outside, rushed over with a startled expression.

“Miss, are you injured?”

“Oh, a little. It’s nothing serious.”

As I waved my hands dismissively, pretending I was fine, Ascan frowned beside me.

Zen fixed her gaze on my gauze-wrapped wound and asked,

“How did you get hurt? You seem to have received treatment, but shouldn’t you consult a physician again?”

“It’s fine. I’m tired—let’s head back to the mansion.”

“…Understood.”

Zen nodded gravely.

Whether pre-arranged by Ascan or not, our carriage promptly arrived.

Zen mounted her horse as she had upon arrival, while Ascan carefully helped me into the carriage and told the coachman,

“Depart.”

“Yes, Count.”

Watching the Calua Imperial Palace recede through the carriage window, I felt unexpectedly light-hearted, as if I’d finished a day’s work.

Soon, I turned my gaze from the window and looked at Ascan, seated across from me.

I’d already noticed he was treating me more gently than usual.

Apparently, if I wanted to ask for something, now was the perfect moment.

“Ascan.”

“Speak.”

“If you’re grateful to me, promise me just one thing?”

Ascan looked puzzled. Then, as if curious what I’d say, he readily nodded.

With his permission granted, I seized the opportunity and boldly blurted out everything I’d secretly wished for:

“First, let me call you ‘Ascan.’ Second, protect me even without an imperial order. Third, no more kicking me out of the mansion. Fourth….”

As my demands flowed endlessly, Ascan laughed, looking utterly helpless.

“Didn’t you just say ‘one thing’?”

“Turns out I want quite a few things.”

“What could possibly be so many?”

“Well, since the mood’s right…?”

I intended to voice every request I’d ever wanted to make of Ascan. Judging by the current atmosphere, he likely wouldn’t refuse.

Still smiling, Ascan said in a gently amused tone,

“Fine, let’s hear them.”

“The fourth is the last. From now on, don’t kill innocent people.”

This was said under the assumption he’d “gone dark.” Since I couldn’t immediately ask him not to end the world, I figured I’d start with smaller, achievable requests.

Upon hearing the fourth condition, Ascan momentarily hesitated—but after staring blankly at me, he gave a slight nod.

“If I grant all your requests, what will you give me in return?”

“What? Aren’t you supposed to be grateful to me?”

“That’s separate. This is different. There’s always give for take.”

Tch. Given the mood, I thought he’d agree to anything—but果然, being the novel’s hidden villain, he wasn’t that careless.

“Go ahead. What do you want from me?”

“One thing is enough for me.”

Inwardly, I rejoiced.

My wishes numbered four; Ascan’s was one. Just by counting, I was clearly getting the better deal.

“Fine. No take-backs?”

Whether my inner thoughts showed on my face, Ascan chuckled softly. Then, slowly tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear—when it had slipped, I didn’t know—he murmured,

“Don’t get hurt again.”

His unexpected words left me wide-eyed.

For a moment, I couldn’t speak, just stared at him—yet I could feel my heart pounding rapidly.

“B-but isn’t that kind of hard to promise? Accidents can happen….”

“At the very least, don’t deliberately hurt yourself like this time. Above all, you must value yourself most. Promise me.”

No one liked getting hurt. Though I felt strangely moved, I had no reason to refuse—so I nodded.

“Alright.”

“If you get hurt again, I might truly become uncontrollable.”

Huh?

I didn’t understand what he meant, so I stared at him.

Somehow, a dark glint flickered across the abyss-like depths of his eyes.

“I become quite terrifying when I lose my rationality.”

Until now, I’d held hope that Ascan might differ from the novel—but now I understood it was highly likely he’d already “gone dark” as in the story.

If so, I knew without being told just how fearsome a villain he could be.

Whether my startled emotions showed on my face, Ascan looked at me and continued in a tender tone, as if soothing a child,

“Don’t be frightened. My rage won’t be directed at you—it’ll be others who bear it.”

Clearly, Ascan before me was smiling…

Yet I couldn’t help but feel deeply anxious about what lay ahead.