Shortly after, Benjamin listened to the results of the warehouse investigation he had ordered his guild members to conduct. As suspected, the magician who kidnapped Yurisien and the men Yurisien had knocked down were not mere criminals.

‘From foreign lands, specifically from the Heben Sect, they are a notorious human trafficking group…’

They were kidnapping people and actually making ‘payments’ to the Gypsies or the Heben Sect.

“What’s going on here?”

Yurisien, who had just come from a medical consultation just in case, asked Benjamin, who was waiting for him.

“I heard you were kidnapped.”

“So you came right away?”

With wide eyes, Yurisien suddenly broke into a smile as if asking if that was all.

“You’ve seen how I subdued the bandits while protecting Andersen.”

“I know you can protect yourself. But like I said—”

Benjamin took the document handed to him by a guild member and approached Yurisien.

“I specialize in protecting things more than you think.”

“What…?”

Yurisien, puzzled, took the document that was handed to him and read it. His eyes popped open for a moment.

“This is…!”

At the same time Yurisien was kidnapped, a fire broke out in the Windsor estate. All entrances and windows were magically sealed off.

“My father? The people inside?”

Benjamin had not come just to protect Yurisien. He had heard from Rapine that everyone in Windsor would die, and he came quickly to take action.

“Could it be, could it be…!”

Yurisien clung to Benjamin’s arm. His face had lost all color and seemed completely distraught. The worst scenarios filled his mind. No matter how positive he tried to be, it was difficult.

The report said that the magic sealing all the doors was too complicated to dispel, resulting in the total loss of the estate.

‘That means…’

He felt as though his mind was fading away into the distance.

His mind was filled with scenes of Erugen, Daisy, and the servants of Count Andersen, screaming and burning.

“Yurisien.”

Panicked, Yurisien didn’t even hear Benjamin’s voice. Now was not the time to act strong. His heart sank heavily.

‘I need to go back to the Windsor estate now…’

He tried to think as positively as possible.

‘Just in case.’

The Windsor estate was very old; Erugen might know about a secret passageway. They could be safely waiting nearby. Yurisien was thinking frantically.

“Yurisien!”

Benjamin gripped Yurisien’s arm tightly.

“Ugh!”

Jolted by the force, Yurisien snapped back to his senses. He was already running away, completely irrational.

“Calm down. This isn’t like you.”

Benjamin frowned as he spoke.

Something surged from within. My family, our house burned down. How could I possibly be calm? He wanted to retort. If it weren’t for Benjamin’s composed face staring back at him, he really would have.

“Why do you think I made you get a medical diagnosis first?”

“Ah…”

“Why do you think I told you that I specialize in protecting things?”

As Benjamin spoke, Yurisien’s pounding heart began to slow down. Though he still felt mentally lost, his body realized before his mind did. That the Windsors were safe, and that Benjamin had efficiently intervened.

“Trust me now.”

“…….”

“Finish reading the document.”

“……Yes.”
Yurisien answered in a tight voice, then went back to reading the documents. The report immediately after the burning of the Duke of Windsor’s mansion stated that, thanks to Benjamin’s warning, not only the evacuation of the people was possible, but also important items could be moved.

“The Duke said he will stay in his townhouse in the capital while the mansion is being rebuilt.”

“…….”

“He said you should come there with him.”

“Ha….”

After reading all the documents, Yurisien dropped his arms, his face drained of energy.

“I wish you had told me earlier. The documents contain shocking news, but don’t worry.”

I know unnecessary complaints won’t help. I know I should express gratitude, not complaints. Still, a sigh escaped.

Actually, even now, if Benjamin weren’t holding me up, I would have collapsed right then and there. My eyes would have filled with tears, and I would have sobbed uncontrollably. I was that startled, and also that relieved.

“Yes. My thinking was shortsighted.”

Understanding Yurisien’s feelings, Benjamin pulled him closer without saying anything. When Yurisien’s body went limp, Benjamin hugged him up, allowing him to lean on him.

Yurisien had no strength left to struggle and simply leaned on him. Only then did he realize how childishly he had been acting. Benjamin had absolutely nothing to apologize for.

“No, it’s me… I’m the foolish one. Thank you for helping me.”

“I do know.”

“Yes… Thank you, really thank you…”

Yurisien’s voice became quieter and quieter.

“Yurisien?”

Even as Benjamin called his name, Yurisien had fallen deeply asleep.