It had been a few days since Noxia’s wedding.

Ascan, staying at Marquis Brellof’s estate, woke up from his sleep. It was due to the pain he felt deep in his chest.

“…Cough.”

Even a light cough brought up blood mixed with his breath.

Ascan stared at his blood-stained palm, his expression darkening. He could feel his physical condition steadily worsening.

‘I need to tell Tanashia…’

He knew logically he should honestly reveal his current state, but it wasn’t as easy as he wished. He hated the thought of her happy face crumbling.

“Huh.”

With a low sigh, Ascan rose from the bed.

It was still pre-dawn, and outside remained pitch black. It was that silent hour when everyone slept—no presence stirred, no footsteps echoed.

He reached for the teapot on the table to soothe his parched throat, then set it back down. It was empty.

Normally, he would have summoned a maid to bring him water, but unwilling to wake anyone at this hour, he stepped out of the room himself.

Truthfully, Marquis Brellof’s estate felt familiar to him—he’d lived here as a slave during his childhood.

Creeeak—

On his way to the kitchen, Ascan noticed a single room with its light still on.

Since he happened to pass by it, he walked past without much thought—though it did seem odd. But then, by chance, his eyes met someone’s inside that room.

Startled, Ascan halted without realizing it.

He never expected to encounter this person at such a late hour—it was Orland.

“…”

“…”

A brief silence passed between them.

Truthfully, their relationship was profoundly awkward. Partly because of Ascan’s past as a slave—but mostly because Orland was Tanashia’s father.

Ascan spoke first.

“Hello.”

It was a greeting utterly devoid of warmth—inevitable, given his naturally distant personality.

“Yeah.”

Unfortunately, Orland was no more affectionate in nature. With a blunt expression, he continued, looking directly at Ascan.

“But why are you out at this hour?”

“I was going to get some water.”

“That direction leads to Tanashia’s room…”

Uncharacteristically, Orland trailed off his sentence—as if he found it difficult to properly phrase his question.

Ascan, too, felt flustered. He truly had intended to go to the kitchen, but now realized how it might appear through Orland’s eyes.

No father, no matter how understanding, would be pleased to see a man heading toward his unmarried daughter’s room in the dead of night.

Another uncomfortable silence settled between them.

Ascan decided to abandon his trip to the kitchen and return to his room. He had no desire to drink water if it meant enduring Orland’s suspicion.

But Orland spoke faster.

“Wait—come in for a moment? I was planning to summon you for a talk soon. Since we’ve met by chance, might as well have that conversation now.”

Ascan recalled Orland’s words when he first arrived at Marquis Brellof’s estate.

—I’ve heard about you from Tanashia. Rest here in my home for now. Once urgent matters settle, we’ll talk again.

He felt both curious and nervous about what Orland intended to say—he was, after all, Tanashia’s father.

To Ascan, Orland was the most difficult person in the world. There was no one he needed to impress more—and therefore, no one he had to tread more carefully around.

Ascan nodded and replied.

“Yes. Let’s do that.”

Since he was already awake, falling back asleep wouldn’t be easy anyway.

He strode firmly into the room where Orland sat, then quietly closed the half-open door behind him with a backward flick of his hand.

Up close, he noticed Orland held a bottle of whiskey. Apparently, he couldn’t sleep and had decided to pour himself a drink.

Orland gave the whiskey bottle a slight shake and asked,

“Care for a drink?”

“Yes. I’d be grateful if you pour me one.”

Ascan answered immediately. Truthfully, even if Orland had offered him a cup laced with poison, he might still have accepted it.

Because Orland was Tanashia’s father.

His status as a marquis or his wealth meant nothing. That single fact alone made Ascan the weaker party.

Glug glug—Orland poured whiskey into a glass with ice and handed it to Ascan.

“Drink up. It’s my favorite whiskey.”

“Thank you.”

Ascan accepted the glass and took a sip. He felt the hot liquor slide down his already dry throat.

It was stronger than he expected.

Orland, too, drank from his own glass. Somehow, the sight of him drinking whiskey in the middle of the night looked oddly familiar.

An idle thought crossed Ascan’s mind—perhaps Orland felt a sense of emptiness after Noxia’s wedding.

As if reading his thoughts, Orland spoke.

“After marrying off my daughter, my heart feels unsettled. I wish her nothing but happiness, yet I can’t help feeling regret that she’s left my side.”

“I see.”

Truthfully, Ascan didn’t understand that emotion. Having grown up in a laboratory, he’d never known family—or that kind of intimacy.

“You’ll understand someday, when you marry and have children of your own—the heart of a father sending his daughter off to someone else.”

“…”

For a moment, Ascan couldn’t speak.

Orland still had Tanashia, besides Noxia. He had no idea how Orland truly viewed him as her partner.

‘…He probably intends to oppose us.’

It was something he’d somewhat anticipated.

Orland was Marquis Brellof, a high-ranking nobleman—with wealth, power, and influence, lacking nothing.

That Noxia became Crown Princess of Arwen Empire without any controversy was proof enough.

Moreover, Tanashia wasn’t just any noble lady—she was a genius in magical engineering, renowned as the continent’s greatest arms merchant.

It wasn’t hard to imagine Orland might disapprove of Ascan as a match for his beautiful, spirited daughter.

Of course, it wasn’t that Ascan’s background was lacking. Adel Trading Company, Parusa Guild of the underworld, Snen—the greatest mercenary corps, and Teron—the infamous pirate fleet.

Owning even one of these would astonish anyone. Yet he led multiple organizations, each supreme in their field.

The problem… was Ascan’s past.

Raised as a human weapon experiment in Kalua Empire. Former slave of House Brellof. An orphan with no family.

Certainly, Ascan could be the ideal groom for someone else—but for Orland, who lacked nothing, he might never be enough.

Nobles, after all, valued honor above practicality. No matter how much Ascan possessed, his past as a slave remained a glaring flaw.

‘Tanashia would tell me not to care—but I still don’t want to face her family’s opposition…’

Tanashia would never let go of his hand, no matter who opposed them. Precisely because he knew her steadfast heart, he wished for harmony.

He hated the thought of Tanashia feeling even the slightest discomfort because of him. That was why Orland was the most difficult person in the world to him.

Orland spoke.

“I’ve heard you’re seeing Tanashia. Back when you were our household’s slave, I didn’t notice—but watching my daughter search for you all this time, I suspected something unusual was going on.”

“I see.”

“Honestly, you’re not someone who satisfies me. You probably know the reason, even without me spelling it out.”

“I believe I understand which aspects you mean.”

Ascan felt bitterness. From the conversation’s flow, it seemed Tanashia would have to defy her family’s opposition to be with him.

He would try to win Orland over—but it wouldn’t be easy.

Still…

He couldn’t back down.

They had circled each other for so long, finally coming together against all odds. Even if Orland opposed them, he had no intention of parting from Tanashia.

Then came Orland’s unexpected voice.

“I entrust Tanashia to you.”

“…What?”

Ascan stared at Orland in surprise. He’d expected the next words to be a command to break up with her—this was utterly unforeseen.

Orland chuckled softly and took another sip of whiskey. Then, in a quiet voice, he said,

“Even though you don’t satisfy me, I’m giving you permission—don’t forget that, and treat my daughter even better from now on.”

“Ah…”

Ascan was dumbfounded.

It seemed true that Orland didn’t find him satisfactory. But he never imagined Orland would grant permission without opposition.

“May I… ask why you permitted me to see Tanashia?”

To Ascan’s cautious question, Orland shrugged as if it were nothing.

“Tanashia takes after me. When I was young, I married Charles despite my family’s opposition. Back then, I swore—if I ever had children, I’d permit whoever they chose as their partner.”

Orland had fallen in love with and married Charles, the daughter of a nanny. To hold that wedding, he’d been ready to bear anything.

Tanashia and Noxia had inherited that stubborn streak. Orland knew long ago that opposing them would be useless.

“Actually, it’s not just you. Even His Highness the Crown Prince doesn’t satisfy me. Probably, no matter who they brought home, it’d be the same. My daughters are simply too precious to me.”

Ascan hadn’t known Orland also disapproved of Roel.

He’d assumed he’d be opposed due to his own flaws—but to Orland, no one could ever be worthy enough to match his beloved daughters.

Without realizing it, Ascan let out a low laugh.

“You really are Tanashia’s father.”

For the first time, he liked Orland—not just because he was Tanashia’s father, but as a person.

“Take that as a compliment.”

Orland finished the whiskey in his glass, set it down on the table, and glanced briefly at the still-dark outside before continuing.

“Well, it’s late—time for me to head back. I don’t know why you’re awake, but if you can sleep, try to rest some more.”

“Yes.”

With that, Orland left first—perhaps thinking it would be uncomfortable for Ascan if he lingered too long.

Ascan watched Orland’s retreating back silently, then finally spoke.

“If you ever have another sleepless night like tonight… I’d like to see you again.”

At those words, Orland—who had been walking ahead—paused. He turned slightly to look back at Ascan. Somehow, a satisfied glint flickered in his eyes.

“Fine. I’ll save some whiskey for you.”

“Next time, I’ll treat you with my favorite drink.”

“Haha, I’ll look forward to it.”

Orland laughed heartily, then resumed walking and left the room.

A faint smile also appeared on Ascan’s face. Soon after, he gulped down the remaining whiskey in his glass.

Unlike the first sip, the strong whiskey now tasted sweet.

“…Delicious.”

Only now did Ascan think he understood why Orland loved this whiskey. Perhaps he, too, would come to seek it out often.

Was it because Orland had granted him permission to be with Tanashia?

He felt that if he lay back in bed now, he could sleep peacefully.

Perhaps because he’d stayed here ten years ago, Marquis Brellof’s estate now felt as cozy and familiar as home to Ascan.

Maybe it was simply because he liked everyone in House Brellof.

Helsion sat on the throne, his expression deeply somber.

Since losing an arm to Ascan, his demeanor had changed greatly. He still carried an aura of charisma—but now it felt darker, sharper.

Lately, nothing had gone right for him. Carter, whom he’d sent to kill Tanashia, was dead. Arwen Empire and Lazent Empire had formed an alliance, putting him at a disadvantage.

Perhaps it was only natural that Helsion no longer smiled.

Into this heavy atmosphere, the chamberlain cautiously approached and handed him a letter that had just arrived.

“Your Majesty, a letter from the Captain of the Royal Guard.”

Helsion silently extended his hand. He unfolded the letter placed on his palm and began to read.

His dark expression gradually brightened. Finally, having finished reading, he let out a low laugh and spoke.

“At last—I’ll finally be able to repay my grudge.”

The contents of Bill’s letter, which Helsion was reading, read as follows:

[As expected, through the Brellof young lady’s mentor, we should be able to nullify the magical formulas engraved on the magic stones.

Once that happens, all magical engineering weapons created by the Brellof young lady will become useless.

Then, the Brellof young lady will be nothing.]

Crunch—Helsion crumpled the letter in his hand, his face radiant with joy. It was an impulsive act born of overwhelming delight.

“Chamberlain.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Immediately relay to Bill—if the plan proceeds as intended, eliminate the masterminds first.”

Masterminds—that referred directly to Tanashia and Ascan.

After all, one never left lingering threats behind. Until now, they’d somehow evaded death—but the moment their magical engineering weapons became useless, they were as good as dead.

Helsion intended to claim ownership of any remaining magical engineering weapons after eliminating Tanashia.

And if he couldn’t possess them—then no one else would be allowed to, either.

The chamberlain bowed his head and replied.

“I shall send the message immediately, Your Majesty.”