“The joke you shared was quite interesting,” remarked Jayel, though her forced smile betrayed her lack of amusement. It was clear that she was rather upset, a reaction that relieved Ruel, who had been concerned she might not react at all.

    “I’m pleased that you enjoyed the joke,” Ruel responded with an unaffected smile, seemingly oblivious to Jayel’s tension as she gripped her dress tightly while releasing a deep sigh.

    “Lord Setiria.”

    “Please, go on.”

    “Could we meet separately later, not here?”

    “Yes. I will seek you out later.”

    “Thank you.” Jayel’s reply was brief as she turned her gaze straight ahead.

    “Lord Setiria...?” Treitol expressed surprise, looking at Ruel before breaking into a wide smile.

    “I never expected to run into you here. What a pleasant surprise,” Treitol greeted Ruel warmly, while Jayel, who had accompanied Ruel, appeared indifferent.

    ‘Is this all an act, or are their feelings genuine?’

    According to the information gathered, it was true that Treitol and Jayel did not have a good relationship. However, in the case of this incident, all information could not be trusted. It was uncertain who truly held power.

    Adea glanced at Ruel but chose not to speak.

    ‘The feeling is growing stronger.’

    Ruel felt a strong sense of resistance to the dense atmosphere. But he had to smile as he greeted the assembled royals with a respectful bow.

    “It is an honor to meet the little suns of the Kran Kingdom. My name is Ruel Setiria.”

    “I caught a glimpse of you earlier, but meeting you like this is even more delightful,” Adea said, rising to offer his hand in an obvious invitation for a handshake. Ruel reciprocated with a broad smile, contemplating how to shake hands with them anyway.

    “Yes, Your Highness, it’s a pleasure to meet you as well,” Ruel responded, shaking hands with the other royals present, including Treitol. Only three people felt the same way.

    Treitol, Jayel, and the King of Kran. If his intuition could distinguish the Great Mans, it meant that one of these three was indeed the Great Man.

    ***

    —This body had such a wonderful time! The food was delicious!

    Leo patted his satisfied belly.

    —Ruel, Ruel, did you see this body’ nimble movements? This body wasn’t caught at all!

    “Yes,” Ruel replied wearily.

    Just responding to the questions asked by the six royals was exhausting enough, and the thought that one of them might be the Great Man made it even harder to watch his back. It felt far from an ordinary social gathering. ?

    “During this welcoming event, there were no signs of surveillance or attacks on you, Ruel-nim,” Cassion mentioned while tidying up Ruel’s discarded attire.

    “I feel invincible at the moment,” Ruel chuckled.

    When Ganien casually touched the clothes, Cassion swiftly smacked his hand away. Ruel sharply turned his head at the noise.

    Nonchalantly, Cassion asked, “Did you notice anything noteworthy? I couldn’t discern anyone appearing suspicious right now. Everyone seemed rather enigmatic.”

    “You’re so petty.” Ganien muttered, but Cassion didn’t seem inclined to listen.

    “Still, I’ve narrowed it down. To three people, excluding one.”

    The three referred to Treitol, Jayel, and the King of Kran, while the one was Adea.

    “Didn’t Prince Adea sign a magical contract, and as you know, magical contracts are absolute.”

    “I know. It’s just... somewhat unsettling,” Ruel inhaled Breath and petted Leo.

    “Hikars.”

    “Yes, Ruel-nim, did you call for me?” Hikars appeared from the floor.

    Unlike an assassin who could blend into the shadows of a crowd, a warlock could only conceal themselves within their own shadow.

    He had heard there was another space within the shadows. Normally, one couldn’t move within the shadow, but if a Devotee of Darkness was nearby, the passageways would expand, allowing one to move around within a certain range.

    Not just Hikars, but other warlocks were also searching for hidden death within the Kingdom of Kran.

    “Sorry to interrupt your investigation, but I have something I’d like to ask.”

    “Feel free to ask anything, Ruel-nim. There’s no need for apologies.”

    “What was your impression of the King of Kran?”

    “There was a lingering scent of death around him.”

    “Anything else?” When the desired response didn’t follow, Ruel probed further.

    “The scent was slightly stronger, but I didn’t detect anything else.”

    ‘Nothing else?’

    That seemed strange. Leo had said there was no scent coming from the king. Knowing that he wasn’t just making a casual remark, Ruel shifted the conversation.

    “You mentioned before that a heretic could control corpses, right?”

    “Yes, that’s correct.”

    “To what extent can this control go?”

    “It is possible to make a corpse move similarly to a living person.”

    “Anything beyond that? Like talking or expressing emotions like a real person?”

    Hikars looked hesitant as he sensed the direction of Ruel’s questions. He knew what Ruel was hoping for but couldn’t bring himself to say it.

    How could he lie to a Devotee of Darkness?

    “...I get it. Thus, it’s not achievable?” Ruel quickly deduced the meaning from Hikars’s distressed look, asking, “But if that were possible?”

    “If, if such a thing occurred, this place would already be a land of the dead!”

    Hikars exclaimed in shock, involuntarily raising his voice.

    Immediately, he hurried to lower his head.

    “I apologize. I got a little carried away and raised my voice.”

    “What’s wrong? Do you have something on your mind?” Cassion asked.

    Ruel’s repeated questioning usually occurred when he didn’t get the results he wanted.

    “Hmm.”

    It wasn’t just his imagination.

    ‘Hmm.’

    Ruel looked at Leo, who seemed on the verge of tears.

    —This body wants to eat the powder. Please let this body eat it.

    ‘Well, he’s too adorable to resist.’

    Ruel released his grip, and Leo eagerly moved to sit in front of Hikars.

    “Ruel-nim.”

    Cassion called Ruel while putting the bag containing the powder into his pocket.

    “Speak.”

    “I will summon Fran.”

    “Alright.”

    “And there’s something I need to inform you about.”

    “What is it?”

    “Adea Kran is indeed a Devotee of the Darkness.”

    Ruel looked directly at Hikars.

    “Yes. That person is a Devotee of the Darkness. However, we prioritize your commands, Ruel-nim, as per our agreement.”

    ‘Was Treitol’s claim that they were targeting Adea’s body true?’ Ruel frowned.

    It seemed that when Adea came to his room, he would need to have a conversation about this topic.

    Adea would definitely come to accept the deal.

    “What about the heretics?” Ruel asked, turning to Cassion.

    “Don’t worry. Although it’s not an official request, the assassination will be handled efficiently.”

    Cassion smiled slightly ominous.

    “Anyway, Ruel, are you saying that the people who came out of the gates of the Tonisk Empire were dead?”

    At Ganien’s question, Ruel smirked.

    “Most likely.”

    “They played us, didn’t they?” Ganien exhaled heavily, scratching his chin in contemplation.

    “Does that mean there are corpses inside the Tonisk Empire?”

    “Given the circumstances, wouldn’t that be the case? How’s the unsealing process going?”

    “We’re still working on it discreetly. There’s progress being made, and I’ll let you know when we have concrete results. And Ruel.”

    “Yeah?”

    “Thank you.”

    Some warlocks, including those from Cyronian, had moved towards the Cyronian capital. Even if they had driven away the Red Ash, it was too early to relax. More warlocks were to be dispatched to Leponia. Just as death had loomed over the Kran Kingdom, other nations might not be any different.

    “No need for thanks; it just adds to the debt.”

    Ruel chuckled softly.

    Knock, knock.

    After a cautious knock, Aris entered.

    “Ruel-nim, His Highness Adea Kran and Medeas Tehel have arrived.”

    Aris seemed slightly anxious, likely having overheard Ruel’s conversation with Adea during the welcome party.

    ‘I guess it was really urgent.’

    Ruel stood up and said, “Tell them to come in.”

    “Understood.” Aris retreated after responding.

    As Ruel looked at his neatly arranged clothes, Cassion let out a big sigh.

    Since the prince was coming, they needed to maintain proper etiquette.

    “I’ll wait outside when the prince arrives,” Ganien chuckled, addressing Ruel.

    “Yes, Cassion, you should wait outside too.”

    “Tea?” Cassion inquired.

    “Hmm. I don’t think so.”

    It didn’t seem like the conversation would be very long.

    After speaking with them, he needed to take care of some matters, so he was a bit busy at the moment.

    He hadn’t mentioned it to Cassion yet, but he couldn’t help but smile at how much he might oppose it.

    —Are you enjoying yourself? Leo asked.

    “A bit. I am enjoying it.”

    —This body is happy when Ruel is happy!

    As Ruel put on his clothes, he smiled along.

    Hikars faded into his shadow, and with the cane from Cassion in hand, Ruel approached the door.

    “Cassion, if their surveillance resumes, regardless of the excuse, come inside,” Ruel instructed.

    “Understood.”

    Listening to Cassion’s response, Ruel inhaled Breath.

    The door opened, and Ruel bowed his head toward Adea, who was entering.

    “Your Highness, you have arrived. I’ve been waiting for you.”