“I’m sorry. Um… Marquess.”

“I don’t like that title.”

“Marquess.”

Lancaster Marquess, who awkwardly smiled at Eric and glanced at him, turned his head back and began walking straight away.

‘Oh, this is difficult.’

Actually, Eric didn’t like using personal titles when working. However, because of the threat of the Deputy and Kive, he was scolded for his ‘cuteness,’ which he had done his best for.

Eric had never tried to act cute or flattering to anyone.

There was no need for it, and he didn’t need such things.

‘There’s still time.’

Marquess Lancaster had just returned. It would be possible to get closer gradually over time.

It would have been nice if he had pleasant words to convey to Alicia from the beginning.

But recalling Alicia, Eric hesitated.

His warm, small body, which had been nestled in his arms, immediately came to mind.

‘No, there’s not much time. Not much at all.’

Even yesterday, he had tried not to send Alicia away, and he didn’t want to send her away every time.

“Why is that? Is there a problem?”

Hesitatingly.

Suddenly hearing Marquess Lancaster’s words, Eric was perplexed and denied.

“It’s nothing. Rather, it would be better to hurry. If you want to return to the capital before it gets dark.”

As Eric, who felt an inexplicable sense of guilt when he saw Marquess Lancaster, quickly walked ahead of him, Marquess Lancaster, who looked puzzled, asked Kive.

“Why is he like that?”

When the Marquess asked in confusion, Kive shrugged.

After investigating all the places, including the Plaza, Opera House, and Imperial Museum, the sun was about to set.

Inside the Imperial Museum, where remnants were still scattered, Marquess Lancaster mumbled.

As soon as they finished investigating this place, Marquess Lancaster, who blocked Eric’s access using his subordinates and had prohibited entry, commented, “It seems that we’ve been exposed here as well.”

Eric, who couldn’t approach, was observing from behind. This was Eric’s first time examining the inside since it collapsed after being blocked by the magician.

“It seems so.”

“Where
“Was the soul sealed here?”

“It seemed so.”

“So that’s why they prevented access from this side.”

“Huh?”

Recalling the encounter with the wizards, Eric mumbled, catching the interest of Marquess Lancaster.

“Have you met them before?”

“Ah, yes. There were two of them, and the subordinate wizard waited at the entrance, blocking the way. The leading wizard seemed to come this way, but it was difficult to follow inside due to the attacks.”

“I see. Two of them.”

Lancaster Marquess, lost in thought, nodded approvingly.

“Have you seen the faces of the wizards? Any distinctive features?”

“The leading wizard, it seems, wore a red ring.”

“A red ring?”

“Yes. Alicia mentioned it too.”

“Alicia met that person too?”

As soon as he heard that, Marquess Lancaster rose abruptly from his seat.

“Fortunately, nothing happened. Alicia even managed to inflict injuries on the wizard.”

“What?”

“As a precaution and for training in case I’m not around.”

“What does that mean? Is there a reason you should be around?”

Caught off guard by Marquess Lancaster’s sharp gaze, Eric’s words momentarily faltered.

But since it was information that couldn’t be hidden from the Archmage, Eric spoke up again.

“I was once kidnapped by a wizard, and I’ve encountered monsters a few times.”

“What?”

At the moment Marquess Lancaster’s expression turned grim, Eric’s face stiffened with self-blame and guilt.

“No need for that.”

“Yes?”

Although not in a warm tone, unexpectedly, the words that flowed from Marquess Lancaster were somewhat kind.

“It’s not your fault, so there’s no need to blame yourself for what couldn’t be helped.”

“Ah, thank you.”

“That’s not to say you’ll hear words like that.”

With a gruff voice again, Marquess Lancaster turned away, and as he did, Eric added.

“And it seems the wizard is targeting Alicia.”

“…Is that so?”

After briefly glancing at Eric, Marquess Lancaster, with an indifferent expression, turned his head again, puzzled.

‘What is it? Like .’

Feeling uneasy, Eric, who had been staring at him, watched as Marquess Lancaster, pretending not to know, looked around once more.

“Let’s call it a day today. There’s nothing more we can find out.”

“Yes. Is it over now? We’ve been moving since dawn today.”

Agreeing with the welcome voice of Marquess Lancaster, Kive, who seemed to have remembered something, suddenly asked.

“Do you know that the Commander has returned?”

“I know, of course.”

“Well. I suppose so.”

“Who is the Commander of the Zero Knights?”

When Eric asked with curiosity, Marquess Lancaster closed his mouth, and Kive watched the Marquess’s reaction.

He knew it, but still, he had to find out who was being represented.

Eric was more than curious about the identity of the Zero Knights. It went beyond mere curiosity to suspicion, like, for example, having excellent skills but being a criminal, making it difficult to speak.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have the authority to say.”

“Even as the Archmage?”

Lancaster Marquess shrugged, giving a sly smile.

It seemed mischievous, and Eric raised one eyebrow in surprise.

“Someday, you’ll know. It seems you like her.”

“?”

“Well, see you later.”

“Are you going home? Let’s go together.”

“Why would you come to my house?”