Clack.

Ascan, entering the study, immediately noticed someone had intruded into the room—and he also knew exactly who the intruder was.

Casually approaching the desk, Ascan spoke.

“Come out already.”

The moment those words left his lips, a human silhouette slowly emerged from the shadows.

It was Bill, appearing after a long absence, his hair a dull blue and his eyes a gloomy ash-gray.

“How does Brother always know it’s me? Others wouldn’t notice even if they died and came back to life.”

“Your breathing is different from everyone else’s.”

“Is that so?”

“It’s not just you. Most children raised in the laboratory didn’t make any sound when breathing. They were trained from childhood to conceal their presence.”

Until now, virtually no survivors from the laboratory remained alive.

Therefore, among those who might intrude into Ascan’s study, only Bill could possibly produce that particular breathing pattern.

Bill replied with a bitter expression.

“…I see.”

Ascan perched himself on the edge of the desk. While reading through papers filled with various pieces of information, he asked Bill,

“What brings you all the way here? Did something go wrong with your assigned task?”

“No, nothing’s wrong. I heard the exterior modification of Kalspelliver is almost complete, so I got curious and came.”

Ascan chuckled softly—a gentle smile rarely shown to anyone except Tanashia Brellof.

“I’ll show it to you first when it’s finished.”

The undying flame obtained through the human weapon experiments was essentially power exchanged by burning life itself.

Unlike others, Ascan hadn’t yet coughed up blood, but since his limit might someday arrive, he needed Kalspelliver.

Bill stared silently at Ascan, then cautiously began to speak.

“Brother.”

“Speak.”

“Are you really planning to resign from the position of Imperial Guard Captain? The Emperor keeps trying to retain you—you could pretend to be persuaded and stay.”

Thud. Ascan placed the paper he’d been reading onto the desk. He looked at Bill with a puzzled expression.

“Why suddenly bring this up?”

Ascan’s resignation from the Imperial Guard Captain position had been planned long ago.

Since his goal was to instigate war with other empires, he had separate preparations to make.

Even if he returned to duty someday, now was not the time.

As part of that plan, his final order as Imperial Guard Captain had been to bring Tanashia Brellof to the Kalua Empire.

Knowing from the start that Helsion wouldn’t willingly release her, Ascan had been working behind the scenes to facilitate his resignation.

“But…”

Uncharacteristically, Bill trailed off.

Ascan opened his mouth, clearly confused.

“If you have something to say, say it properly.”

“If Brother steps down even from the Imperial Guard Captain position… won’t you become too focused solely on Lady Brellof? You’re already deeply involved in matters concerning her.”

Some members of the Imperial Guard had recently been dispatched to capture mercenaries, as informed by Andro.

Although Kains, who had infiltrated the villa on the day Charles was murdered, was dead, they had acquired information about his accomplices and were in the process of capturing them.

Beyond that, as deputy captain of the Imperial Guard, Bill couldn’t possibly be unaware of everything Ascan had done for Tanashia Brellof.

Bill was afraid.

Afraid that Ascan might forget the vengeance owed to the laboratory children and become lost in Tanashia.

“Bill, surely you don’t think I’d forget the deaths of the others?”

“It’s not that…”

“It better not be. I promised them I’d exact revenge no matter what when they were dying. I would never break that promise.”

Ascan’s expression darkened. Anyone could see he was clearly displeased.

But Bill couldn’t deny that wasn’t what he meant.

Compared to their insignificant past, they now enjoyed far too much.

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Ascan—but he was genuinely anxious that Ascan might bury his hellish past and seek happiness alone.

Until now, the two of them had run toward the same goal, yet lately, Bill couldn’t shake the feeling they were drifting apart.

Everything had started changing since Tanashia appeared.

“…Sorry. I don’t mean to doubt you, but I just keep feeling uneasy.”

“What exactly makes you uneasy?”

“I’m afraid you’ll go far away. Lately, I keep dreaming that you’re leaving me and the other laboratory children behind.”

Ascan approached Bill with an incredulous chuckle. He ruffled Bill’s hair with his hand and said,

“Stop thinking nonsense. It’s true I like Tanashia, but that doesn’t mean I’ll forget you or the laboratory children.”

As if by magic, the shadow clouding Bill’s face vanished. He lifted his head, his expression noticeably brighter.

“Really?”

“Of course. Have you ever seen me say one thing and mean another?”

“No.”

Ascan always kept his word—whether good or bad—which was why his promises were trustworthy.

Ascan narrowed his eyes slightly and gave Bill a teasing side-glance.

“I thought you’d grown up, but seeing you today, apparently not.”

“Tch, what are you talking about? I became an adult ages ago.”

“Maybe you’re having those dreams because we’ve been living too isolated. How about meeting someone?”

Bill shook his head with a bitter smile.

He was different from Ascan. He no longer possessed the capacity to care for others like that.

Ever since witnessing the deaths of the laboratory children long ago, it felt as though all his emotions had dried up completely.

“I’m fine. Having you is enough.”

Ascan was the only person in the world who understood Bill’s pain—and vice versa.

Having endured the brutal laboratory life, they could only open their hearts to someone who shared those experiences and could speak of them.

Ascan sighed resignedly.

“You’ll regret it someday.”

“I’ll be fine.”

Only now could Bill smile naturally again. Hearing Ascan’s firm reassurance eased the anxiety he’d been carrying.

I requested a meeting with Helsion to reject his marriage proposal.

I’d already settled things firmly with Seruna not long ago. With this much time passed, I felt I’d shown sufficient courtesy regarding the Emperor’s proposal.

The moment Helsion heard my request, he immediately dispatched a messenger, inviting me to visit the Imperial Palace at any day or time I wished.

He likely guessed I intended to discuss the marriage proposal.

They say strike while the iron is hot—I declared I’d enter the palace tomorrow evening.

After securing the appointment with Helsion, I completely finished the final exterior modifications on Kalspelliver in my workshop.

I was confident no one seeing the sword now could possibly recognize it as Kalspelliver.

Eager to show it to Ascan as soon as possible, I placed the completely transformed Kalspelliver into a box and hurried back to the mansion.

The sun had clearly been high in the sky when I was still in the workshop, yet somehow, without my noticing, evening had fallen.

Just as I entered the mansion, I ran into the butler, Bishop.

“Where’s Ascan?”

“In Master’s room…”

“Thank you.”

“Ah, Miss!”

Bishop tried to say something more, but in my haste, I didn’t wait to hear him out and headed straight for Ascan’s room.

I marched up the stairs and flung open Ascan’s door.

“Ascan!”

I was just about to announce I’d finished Kalspelliver’s exterior modifications.

Instead, my eyes landed on Ascan in the middle of changing clothes. He stood shirtless, staring at me with a puzzled expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“Eek!”

I quickly turned around, clutching the box containing Kalspelliver.

Though it lasted only a brief moment, I’d clearly seen Ascan’s toned physique.

His upper body, tightly packed with lean muscle, was flawlessly sculpted without an ounce of excess fat—like a woman’s ideal brought to life.

Even the old scars remaining on his body weren’t flaws. Rather, they enhanced his masculine charm.

I shook my head vigorously, trying to dispel the lingering image of his body.

“S, sorry, I didn’t realize you were changing. So that’s what Bishop was trying to tell me.”

Unlike my flustered self, Ascan replied calmly.

“If they knew I’d gone to change, they might’ve warned you I was coming here.”

Could others possibly be aware of the current situation?

Strangely, not a single servant passed by Ascan’s room today, making me feel even more embarrassed.

I cleared my throat awkwardly to steady my voice.

“Ahem, I came because I wanted to show you something.”

“What is it?”

Thud thud. I heard footsteps approaching me as I stood with my back turned.

Glancing back unintentionally, I saw Ascan walking toward me wearing only a white shirt.

The problem? He hadn’t fully buttoned it, leaving his muscular abs visible through the gap.

His appearance was so sexy I nearly had a nosebleed—I immediately whipped my head back around.

Ascan asked, puzzled.

“What’s wrong?”

I almost pointed out his attire was too indecent, but bit my tongue.

He didn’t know why I’d come, so he’d hurried over wearing just a shirt. I felt silly for overreacting.

“N, nothing.”

Silently, still facing away, I extended the box containing Kalspelliver toward Ascan.

He continued to gaze at me with questioning eyes.

“What’s this?”

“Just look.”

Ascan effortlessly took the large box I’d carried with both hands using only one hand and opened it. I was once again reminded of the difference in our strength.

Upon seeing Kalspelliver inside, his eyes lit up.

“Is it finished?”

“Yep. I rushed over because I wanted to show you.”

I wanted to see Ascan’s delighted reaction to Kalspelliver—and since he needed the sword, I was eager to deliver it quickly.

Shhhh—

Ascan drew the sword. Originally, Kalspelliver had been entirely red, but now it was pitch black.

Its design, once flamboyant like a legendary blade, now exuded elegance and simplicity.

Kalspelliver’s sharp blade shimmered with an ethereal glow under the light.

Though I’d completely concealed all original magical inscriptions, I couldn’t hide the sword’s unique aura.

Ascan gazed at Kalspelliver with a satisfied expression.

“It’s good. Better than I expected.”

“Of course. Who do you think worked on it?”

At my confident remark, Ascan smiled his signature deep smile.

Whoosh whoosh—he swung Kalspelliver a few times through the air. Though simple movements, his exceptional swordsmanship made them look impressive.

Then, Ascan made a small cut on himself and let his blood drip onto Kalspelliver. The weapon began to hum softly.

Like all magical engineering weapons, it was undergoing the process of imprinting its owner.

Red light burst forth from Kalspelliver, flooding the entire room.

Like a mirage, flames rippled from the sword’s sharp tip, instantly engulfing the entire blade in crimson fire.

Ascan’s eyes sparkled as he watched.

“It’s slightly different from what I’d heard about Kalspelliver’s abilities.”

“Right. If no one’s supposed to recognize Kalspelliver, the flame’s behavior had to change too, didn’t it?”

I guarantee no one but me could’ve succeeded at this.

Though I’d perfectly altered its exterior, I’d also prepared for unforeseen contingencies—changing how the fire manifested compared to its original form.

Ascan looked at me with genuine admiration.

“Amazing. Honestly, I didn’t expect it to be this good.”

“Beyond imagination, right?”

“Yes, it’s the best.”

I’d asked playfully, but his serious reply surprised me.

Ascan, who rarely gave compliments, saying this felt more rewarding than praise from anyone else.

I’d expected he’d like the finished Kalspelliver, but not to this extent.

“Hearing such praise from you makes me feel all my hard work has been rewarded.”

“Will praise alone suffice? You’ve handled this perfectly—tell me what you want. I’d like to grant you anything.”

Ascan sounded sincere—he wasn’t the type to make empty promises.

“It was done for you, so accepting compensation would change its meaning. I enjoyed studying the magical inscriptions too. Seeing you happy is reward enough.”

Ascan frowned slightly and smiled. Under his affectionate gaze, I truly felt I’d received every possible reward.

“Who taught you to say such sweet things?”

“What, suddenly falling for me again?”

Ascan chuckled softly and sheathed Kalspelliver.

“Thank you. Bill will really like this.”

I knew Ascan and Bill’s past from the novel. I almost asked about Bill, but hesitated without realizing.

Distracted by Kalspelliver, I’d forgotten—his unbuttoned shirt was excessively provocative.

Once I became aware of it, my face grew hotter and hotter. I subtly turned my gaze away and pointed at Ascan’s shirt with my finger.

“H, how about buttoning up now?”

At my words, Ascan glanced down at his open shirt. Then, with a mischievous expression, he said,

“Will you button it for me?”

…What?

Startled, I unintentionally looked back at Ascan.

My words caught in my throat. Though I felt he was deliberately teasing me, I couldn’t stop my heart from pounding.

Seeing me stand there speechless, Ascan’s lips relaxed into a gentle curve.

“Go on.”

With that seductive remark, he lightly grasped the edges of his open shirt with his large hand.

By now, my face was so red it felt ready to burst.

This won’t do.

I’m going to cause an accident at this rate.

I quickly fled from Ascan’s room, bolting outside.

“You, you, can’t just say things like that casually!”

What if, instead of buttoning his shirt, I impulsively ripped it off?!

Suddenly, a memory from ten years ago with Ascan surfaced in my mind.

—I am yours, Miss. Feel free to undress and touch me however you like.

—I won’t do such things regardless of your consent…!

—I like it.

Ascan spoke then and now as if he were a completely different person—but to me, he seemed exactly the same.

I’d told him back then not to act like that unless deliberately trying to seduce someone, but apparently, he’d forgotten due to amnesia.

Somehow, I felt I could hear Ascan’s low chuckle echoing in my ears.