‘Does he want to make me one of his people?’

Aspeiran originally had a strong desire for talent.

In particular, he liked the type of talent who thinks and acts on their own and never gives up in any situation.

Certainly, that woman seemed to fit this talent profile.

‘Plus, she seems to be quite clever, and has boldness too. She’s also quite eloquent…’

But is it right to hold back someone who needs to return to their homeland because of one’s own greed?

Aspeiran rubbed his brow. Even as he pondered, the woman’s eyes that sparkled like stars flickered before him.

In the end, Aspeiran, unlike himself, suspended his decision.

“I’ll decide that after asking the witness’s opinion. I also made a promise to give a reward.”

“Understood.”

As the discussion concluded, Kiara brought up the next agenda item.

Far from being able to meet the woman, let alone think deeply about her, Aspeiran was scheduled to be very busy again today.

Just as Aspeiran was about to check a new document, the quiet office outside suddenly became noisy.

The gazes of the three people simultaneously turned towards the door.

“Wait, just a moment!”

“I’m telling you, there’s no time for this!”

“But first, to the lord… Hey! I said wait!”

“Get out of the way!!”

Before anyone could ask what was happening, the office door swung wide open and two people wearing white researcher gowns tumbled in.

Behind them, servants and aides could be seen, not knowing what to do. A vein throbbed at Aspeiran’s temple as he realized the reason for the commotion.

“…That’s enough, withdraw.”

Aspeiran commanded in a low voice. Seeing his visibly displeased appearance, the two servants bowed and quickly closed the door and disappeared.

During this entire process, the two intruders who caused the commotion were sprawled on the office floor, panting. It seems they had spent all their energy in the scuffle.

Aspeiran spoke, not hiding his expression of disdain.

“Have you forgotten all manners towards your lord from being cooped up in your den? Should I personally give you researchers etiquette lessons?”

Aspeiran quickly finished the document he was checking. After clearing away the papers, he stared intently at the man lying on the floor and asked.

“Hmm? Prom.”

The man called Prom hurriedly got up. However, he didn’t stand up completely, instead kneeling like a criminal.

The woman who entered with him, Titira, also knelt down and trembled with her head bowed.

Aspeiran raised his right eyebrow.

“What are you doing? Were you worried I might be bored and came to put on a show? Your loyalty is truly admirable.”

“L-Lord!”

Unable to continue speaking, Prom gulped. Then he slammed his head hard on the floor.

“I’m sorry! We made a mistake!”

“I can see that from you crawling around here so uncharacteristically. So what is it? Did you blow up the lab again?”

Prom and Titira were researchers at the Beltraum Research Institute, established by Aspeiran after his ascension.

It wasn’t unusual for the researchers, who only cared about their own research and did as they pleased, to cause accidents. So Aspeiran asked casually, but.

“Well… O-One moonlight wolf cub has escaped.”

What came back was a report he never expected.

Aspeiran furrowed his brow. A moonlight wolf cub escaped?

The moonlight wolf cub was a baby monster captured a few months ago and being cared for at the research institute. Even if young, a monster is still a monster. If it were to rampage, there might be casualties.

Aspeiran sighed and rubbed his forehead. Then he asked straightforwardly.

“Are you crazy?”

“N-No.”

“Have you lost your mind?”

“No!”

“Then it seems you just wanted to live only up to this point.”

At those ominously uttered words, Titira’s body began to tremble so much it was hard to believe how it was possible.

At that moment, Kiara, who had been quietly assessing the situation, stepped forward. It was always the job of the lord’s closest aide and chief advisor to calm down the enraged lord.

“Don’t worry, my lord. We put on a magic control device, so it can only exert the strength of a large dog at most. There shouldn’t be any major problems.”

“W-Well.”

However, Kiara’s attempt was thwarted by the additional information Prom laid out.

“According to Titira, there was a slight crack in the control device. So we don’t know when it might break…”

Crack.

The desk Aspeiran was leaning on cracked and cleanly split in two.

The items placed on the desk crashed to the floor, breaking and shattering. Aspeiran’s blue eyes glowed intensely over the debris in front of him.

Everyone in the room except Aspeiran gulped simultaneously.

Their lord was a wise ruler and hero who saved the kingdom, but objectively speaking, he wasn’t exactly known for having a gentle temperament.

But until now, he had never smashed things while cursing; he would beat up the wrongdoer if needed.

His principle was ‘Just punish the one who did wrong, there’s no need to trouble innocent people unnecessarily.’

Thanks to this, they could understand. That their lord was now extremely angry.

To make matters worse, the two researchers saw their future in the broken desk.

A future where their heads, which were neatly attached, would bid farewell to their bodies forever.

…To live, they must beg for their lives.

Titira jumped up from her seat and immediately slammed her forehead on the floor.

Thud, the floor trembled from the impact that the soft carpet couldn’t fully absorb.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! It’s all my fault! Although I told the director that the control device would soon break! Even though the director ignored it! Anyway, it’s all my fault!”

“Titira! What are you making me out to be if you say that?”

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry, Director! I’m sorry for telling the truth!”

Aspeiran closed his eyes, leaving the two researchers in panic. Seeing their idiotic appearance, even his will to be angry disappeared.

When he opened his eyes again, Aspeiran was wrapped in his usual indifference.

“We need to capture it as soon as possible, so I’ll go personally. Prom, how long has it been since it escaped?”

“B-Based on the circumstances, it hasn’t been more than two hours.”

“It shouldn’t have gone far then. It’s a clever creature, so it’s probably still wandering around the research institute, moving cautiously. Kiara, Canis.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Yes!”

“Contact the knights and tell them to stand by around the research institute. Have everyone go indoors as a precaution. And.”

Aspeiran’s cold eyes turned to the two researchers.

“Prepare those bastards’ necks.”

“M-My lord!”

The researchers’ desperate pleas clung to his ankles. However, Aspeiran left the office quickly without even glancing at them.

I’m bored.

“27, 28, 29…”

How long has it been since Aspeiran left? Three days? Four days?

“32, 33, 34…”

If it were Yulisis, he would have wiped out those criminals in no time… Shouldn’t it be about time to send some news?

“37, 38, 39.”

Wait, maybe.

“Did he completely forget about me?!”

Instead of counting the last 40, I flopped face-down on the floor with a shout. Maybe because it’s the first time doing push-ups with this body, my pectoral muscles were screaming.

“Huff. I should stand up to rest.”

I hurriedly got up, squirming. Then I stretched lightly to loosen my muscles.

Currently, I was in the middle of light bodyweight exercises. My body had fully recovered now, and I was getting antsy just lying in the room all the time.

‘Hmm. A fine choice befitting the eldest daughter of the Jin family. Mom and Dad would be proud.’

As I was vigorously loosening up my body, feeling good, I attempted a handstand on a whim. Handstands were one of my specialties that I used to show off whenever my mom and my younger sister Yeondu were feeling down.

“…Oh! I can do it!”

My legs stretched towards the sky without much difficulty. My body doesn’t even wobble. At this point, I couldn’t help but be impressed.

“This body’s physical abilities are pretty good!”

Good stamina and good strength. If I train steadily from now on, it seems like I could reach a level similar to my past life, where I didn’t lose to most adult men.

“When mind and body are healthy, you’re already halfway there with anything.”

I smiled contentedly.

Alright. Now, let’s think about which aspects to appeal to As to get a job…

“I’m coming in.”

As I was maintaining the handstand position, thinking about various things I could do, suddenly the door flung open.

My eyes, upside down, meet the eyes of Rumel, who was struggling to carry a tray full of food with both hands.

“…”

“…”

I quietly lowered my legs and stood upright. An awkward silence fills the room.

‘It’s… suffocating…’

As we were just awkwardly eyeing each other, the angelic Rumel put the tray down on the table and spoke first.

“…Um, it must be quite boring just staying in the room, right?”

‘Sob, such a kind doctor-like person.’

Look at that kindness, trying somehow to understand the patient’s strange behavior. What if you just opened the door and the patient was randomly doing a handstand? If it were me, I would have thought they were possessed.

I roughly tidied my messy hair and answered sheepishly.

“Um, I guess so. Hahaha.”

“Hahaha.”

We sat down at the table, laughing awkwardly together. A delicious smell wafts from the prepared food.

Since I entered this hospital room, Rumel has been trying to have meals with me whenever possible, considering that I’m alone. It’s really kind of him. Thanks to this, I was able to become quite close with Rumel.

‘He really is a good person.’

I nodded and munched on buttered bread.

Delicious.

It was then. As I was eagerly spooning beef soup, Rumel made an interesting suggestion.

“If you’re bored, how about taking a light walk nearby?”

“A walk?”

I asked, brightening up. Rumel smiled gently.

“You’ve recovered a lot of strength now, and it’s good to get some light exercise.”

“Is it okay to go out without getting permission from the lord?”

“Of course. You’re not confined here. Um, but don’t go too far. It’s very cold outside the building.”

According to Rumel, the capital Veloi is located in the northernmost part of Roakin, so it’s very cold, and temperature control magic for heating has been cast on all palaces and buildings.

Thanks to this, even in extreme cold, daily life is possible indoors without difficulty.

‘No wonder, it’s warm here even though there’s no boiler or ondol.’

“There’s a long corridor behind Cronen Palace here, and it’s within the influence of the temperature control magic. It’s perfect for a walk. How about going there after the meal is over?”

“Sounds good! It seems like it would be fun.”

It’s been about four days since I came to Roakin. Finally, I can see the outside!

I was so eager that I moved my spoon quickly. The mushroom soup tasted even more savory today.

At this moment, not even imagining what I would experience on my first walk shortly, I was just purely happy.