No words came out. This ancestor has no countermeasure. The man removed the glass case surrounding the ring.

“Now, put on the ring.”

“No. The order has changed. You go in first. I’ll do it after that.”

Diana was thorough in this regard. Roderick hasn’t returned yet, and she had no obligation to do as told.

“…….”

It wasn’t easy. Diana didn’t intend to back down once she said something. After a moment of silence, the man said.

“You really don’t lose a single round.”

He muttered lowly, saying that this personality is different from Angela’s. The man closed his eyes and placed his hand on the ring.
Diana and Noel both moved their eyes along the black shadow rippling through Roderick’s body.

The black shadow instantly, as if being sucked in through Roderick’s hand, entered the ring.

“Roderick?”

A silence spread so still that even breathing couldn’t be heard. Beneath long eyelashes dark enough to cast a shadow, blue eyes were revealed.

“…….”

The silent azure eyes were cold to the point of giving chills.

Except for those patrolling, everyone was asleep.

“Your Excellency.”

Nathan, who had been scolded by Diana for not even greeting the duke, stood in the duke’s secret study. Leading a unit of knights, he saluted with a serious expression, carrying the burden on his back.

His usual nonchalant demeanor was nowhere to be seen. It was an unusually serious expression not usually visible.

Nathan lowered his gaze and observed Duke Schwarz, who was comfortably seated on the single sofa.

“Devir Beatus.”

Nathan handed a letter from his brother to the duke. The duke tapped the letter on the armrest of the sofa with a crisp sound.

“The whereabouts of Devir Beatus were untraceable. Do you know anything about it?”

“It’s classified information, and I cannot disclose it.”

Nathan stated firmly, but even he didn’t know the whereabouts of Devir. If we go to the capital, we’ll find out.

Even if it wasn’t Diana’s request, it was worth checking. It felt like something was amiss.
Roderick had claimed to have severed ties with Devir Beatus long ago, but it was a lie. It was necessary for appearances on the surface to move forward with what they had planned.

He wanted to confront his brother. Diana, that crazy guy, claims she’s in a safe place. Is that Schwarz?

Although it was a situation where he had to come to Schwarz on an errand for Devir Beatus, he didn’t like it. It didn’t seem entirely coincidental.

“I don’t know what your brothers are up to, but I don’t understand why they’re involving us.”

Though the duke had confirmed the contents of the letter, he casually expressed that he didn’t know what was going on.

“Don’t forget that I contributed to suppressing the demons.”

The duke squinted slightly and looked at Nathan. The deep blue eyes, seasoned with experience, carried additional weight.

“That brother of yours, and that brother’s brother.”

Quite cheeky.

It was an old story. When Roderick was absent, Nathan, who used to roam the north, once exterminated the demons that had invaded the village.

Was he going to exploit that? Nathan had already received a reward back then.

“…….”

Nathan raised his head brazenly without answering, standing with an unruffled posture.

The duke lowered his gaze again to the letter. The duke began weighing the pros and cons. What was beneficial and what was detrimental. The decision didn’t take long.
“Sure. Our Northern Army will remain silent in front of the emperor. We won’t participate in central matters and won’t take any side. Also, make sure to prioritize the protection of Diana Beatus.”

“Thank you.”

“But does that child also know about this?”

“I don’t know. I don’t want to know.”

“Too overprotective.”

It wouldn’t be strange if Diana led the army into action.

That’s how confident she was. Yes, Diana liked it enough for them to trust her with the North.

Nathan felt disgusted at the faint smile that crossed her face.

“It’s not happening!”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Diana will never be sent here in marriage!”

Where did that serious attitude go? The heavy atmosphere surrounding Nathan disappeared.

“Well, we’ll see about that.”

Nathan grinned triumphantly. It was a threatening stance. However, as if facing a little puppy, the duke remained calm.

“I’ll go.”

Defeated in the mental battle with the duke.

“Please take care of Diana.”

Nathan sighed, nodded slightly, and turned away, fully prepared to leave.

“Nathan.”

The duke called out to Nathan as he turned away. Nathan was already armed and ready to depart.

“Yes, speak.”

“If you meet Devir Beatus, convey my regards.”

The expression on Nathan’s face as he listened to the duke’s words in silence was ironic. The angrier he got, the more his smile deepened involuntarily.

“Nothing is as certain as a marriage alliance.”
Nathan’s expression as he silently listened to the duke’s words was absurd. The more angered he became, the deeper his smile grew involuntarily.

“There’s nothing as certain as a marriage alliance.”

Bang! Nathan closed the door without uttering a word and left.

If Diana had been there, he would have heard something about being impolite. Nathan emphasized his accent as if spitting out a vulgar curse.

“Such a Schvar!tz!”

Marriage alliance, freezing to death. Never, absolutely not. Nathan muttered curses, echoing through the empty corridor as he walked away.

“Hey, Roderick.”

His expression was so cold, as if he had returned to the first time they met. The gaze that seemed to see something worthless was filled with coldness.

“You’ve returned, right?”

Rolling the ring in his hand, Roderick threw it to Noel. Noel easily caught the ring in her small hand.

Facing Noel’s red eyes, he was as cold and indifferent as not being able to read his thoughts.

“I’ll entrust it to you.”

“Wait a moment, Roderick!”

However, Roderick, grabbing Diana’s wrist, left Viggo with a warm hand like never before.

Noel looked at the ring and saw the black shadow floating in the air. Uncharacteristically, she chuckled.

“You’re probably angry at me. Who would like it if you just take over someone’s body as you please?”