The cold face was expressionless, but the bright blue eyes held only rage.

The fist clenched tight in the black leather glove was directed at the knight who couldn’t finish his last words.

When everyone was frozen and unable to say a word, one by one they came to their senses.

But no one could open their mouth. Especially the knights who had spoken out of turn were trembling and sitting in their seats.

It was one-sided. So one-sided that it rendered the opponent powerless, he was merciless.

He used only his fists, not his sword. They narrowly escaped with their lives for now, but his cruel, bloodstained appearance was just like the Black Reaper on the battlefield.

The infamous sight that makes all opposing enemies taste deep despair.

One, two. The mouths that had spewed filthy words were busted, noses broken, and teeth fell out one after another. Not only that. If the face was completely pulverized, the body was next.

A knight who was next in line shouted, pale with fright, to the elite knights whose role was to stop his madness.

“Why, why aren’t you stopping him!”

The subordinates who were silently watching Rodrick spat on the ground. Tsk. Ptooey.

“That bastard. Have some conscience.”

“Why should we?”

“Brazen fellow. Isn’t it fortunate that your tongue hasn’t been cut off?”

No one sympathized with them. They just watched. The knight, pale with extreme fear, attempted to flee.

“S-spare me… Ugh!”

But escape was not permitted. He could not escape from his beastly senses.

Strangely, he was not gripped by madness. Even seeing blood, he did not crave or desire it. His head was clearer than ever before. So he felt it even more acutely.

The terrible unpleasantness that engulfed his entire body.

It was even more unpleasant because it happened in his territory. The curse of seduction that resided between them made him more and more ruthless, but no one knew.

In the swaying curse of seduction, his fists, filled with his anger, did not stop.

“Whew-”

Nathan, who was far away from them, whistled and admired Rodrick’s appearance.

“He’s still not dead~ the Black Reaper.”

“Aren’t you going to step in?”

When Nathan, who was expected to rush in first and draw his sword, remained still, Felice asked as if it was unexpected.

“Why should I? If I step in, those things will die right away.”

How dare they mention someone’s younger sibling? He was holding back in his own way.

They were also someone else’s family, and if he shed real blood in the castle where Diana was, he felt like he would be scolded.

Since it’s inside the castle, he leaves it to Rodrick for now. The moment they step out of the castle, it’s his turn.

“He’s dislocating every single joint right now. I can’t put in that much effort.”

He couldn’t go that far. Diana was influencing that guy that much, huh. Nathan clicked his tongue at the bitter taste. Still, he can’t allow it. You bastard.

“That guy is crazy too, you know? Who would do such a bothersome thing. I’d just end it with one strike of the sword.”

Felice nodded as if in complete agreement. Although he was his elder brother, he was scary enough to make his legs tremble.

Anyone could see that he was not gripped by madness, but was in his right mind. That’s why his subordinates remained still as well.

It wasn’t a dangerous situation. Rather, if Rodrick hadn’t arrived at the right time, they would have stepped in.

“Wow, I’ve never seen the commander that angry before.”

“Shut up. The captain can probably hear everything right now. At times like this, you need to shut your mouth and stay still.”

“But those bastards deserve to be beaten.”

Only Rodrick, Nathan, Felice, and his direct subordinates properly heard what the 2nd Knights said. The rest were just puzzled about what was going on.

How much time had passed? Not even groans distorted by pain could be heard. The men were just lying there like corpses, covered in blood.

Taking off his blood-soaked gloves, he spoke quietly.

“Everyone gather.”

Gather! Everyone gathered in the training ground, chanting in unison. His head tilted crookedly as he changed into new gloves. His thick neck muscles stood out. His gaze went to Felice first.

“Felice Schwartz.”

Felice answered at attention like a tightly disciplined new recruit.

“Yes!”

“You’re not managing the castle properly.”

“I apologize.”

Respect automatically spilled out. Felice bit the inside of his mouth, reflecting on his mistake.

He was too late to act so that it wouldn’t reach Rodrick’s ears. He didn’t know there were people causing discord not only among the servants but also the knights.

“I’ll deal with you later.”

Rodrick’s words, as he looked down at Felice who had come close and bowed his head, chillingly ran down the back of his neck.

“…!”

Startled, Felice lifted his head and looked at Rodrick. He had already passed Felice and had his back turned.

Felice looked at his elder brother’s back and made a sad face.

‘Oh no. Being told we’ll deal with it later is so scary…! Heung!’

If it weren’t for the knights, he felt like he would have grabbed Rodrick’s pant leg and wailed. It would have been better to be beaten and pummeled right here.

Rodrick’s next gaze went to the commander of the 2nd Knights. Rodrick said nothing, no rebuke.

The 2nd Knight Commander sweated profusely at the silent gaze. He too had heard what his subordinates said. He couldn’t dare rebel and pounce while protesting that Rodrick had touched his men.

Who in all directions could dare go against Rodrick, who stood at the pinnacle of the battlefield?

“Any complaints?”

He asked, reading that momentary expression. The startled 2nd Knight Commander replied.

“No. I apologize.”

“For what?”

“I failed to properly manage my subordinates.”

“Then there should be no complaints.”

“Pardon?”

At the puzzled question, his next gaze was directed at Nathan, who was distanced from the lined up knights.

What are you looking at? Nathan had his arms crossed with a very displeased expression. Rodrick’s next words were very simple.

“Nathan. I leave it to you.”

Huh. Nathan, who was preparing to at least curse at him, awkwardly uncrossed his arms. Understanding his meaning, Nathan grinned.

“Is that okay?”

Rodrick briefly stopped as he passed by the grinning face.

“Only kill half.”

“Hmm, it’s difficult but I’ll try.”

It was an unusual occurrence. He entrusted what was his to someone else in his own territory, an outsider at that.

Constrained coldness made people’s hearts more chilled than explosive madness.

Leaving the swaggering Nathan behind, he left the training ground.

Daren followed after him. Watching the back of his silently walking lord, Daren swallowed his grievances.

He never imagined there would be a scandal with Diana. He didn’t know until the 2nd Knights blabbed about it. Surely you don’t believe it?

“Daren.”

“Yes.”

Daren answered, very tense.

“Find out the source of that trashy rumor.”

“Understood.”

“Regardless of the facts.”

Daren’s steps stopped at the slowly spoken words. He turned around and looked at Daren.

“If I had really gone mad with bloodlust, I would have killed you first.”

It wasn’t an empty threat. Daren could instinctively tell. With a shudder, Daren gulped.

His face seemed to say that he wanted to beat Daren to death just for being tied to Diana.

“…I apologize.”

Thud. Thud. Footsteps that sounded like they were suppressing something echoed through the corridor.

Crash-! As if representing his mood, lightning struck the darkened sky.

Darkness settled where the flash of light disappeared.

Still engulfed in an unpleasant sensation, he appeared to maintain his reason on the outside. But his body was being exploited by the curse without his knowledge.

His body was unconsciously heading in one direction. The place he arrived at as if drawn was in front of the vault.

The door opened as if waiting for him, even though he didn’t insert a key.

Crash-! The air seemed to tear with a burst as it flashed. Soon, raindrops began to fall one by one on the glass greenhouse, and a downpour began.

The sound of rain seemed to devour all the sounds in the world.

“You refused all the tea parties I invited you to, so why did you call me?”

It was Diana who had refused the tea party inviting the young ladies of the northern social circles.

I thought she would at least give them a round of humiliation. Tsk. At Irene’s irritated words, Diana, who was sitting across from her, lifted the teacup with an elegant demeanor.

“Are you ignoring me again?”

Diana, who was savoring the tea, put the teacup down with a clink.

“Irene Viscount’s Daughter.”

What. Why is she suddenly calling my name? Irene frowned, then stiffened her face at the following words.

“You know my status, right?”

“What, how rude! Why the informal speech.”

“Ah, my apologies.”

Although she said it was a mistake, Diana didn’t look apologetic at all. The corners of Irene’s mouth trembled.

“Hey now.”

“Not ‘hey now.’ Beatus Duke’s Daughter.”

The weight of that name was bound to be felt more by those of lower status. However, Irene looked at Diana defiantly rather than bowing her head.

Yes, that means you know.

A smile curled up as if finding it ridiculous, and Irene seemed to flare up. A relaxed voice flowed out between the smoothly risen lips.

“What are you relying on to act this way? Viscount’s Daughter.”

You have no power, so why are you acting up like this?

“Isn’t it because the Duke’s Daughter can’t use her family’s power that you’re hiding your name and using Knight Commander Rodrick as your backing?”

Isn’t it because you have no power that you’re just selling your body?

“…”

Even though she must have understood what Irene meant, Diana showed no reaction.

Ha, it’s the truth so you have nothing to say.

Irene became smug. So she didn’t see that Diana was rolling a silver fork in her hand.

It was a habitual action.

In the Beatus household, any tool held in the hand became an assassination tool. One must never let their guard down even for a moment. One had to live in constant tension.

Even if the mind was thinking of something else, the body had to diligently counter the opponent’s attacks, so she rolled the tool.

Even Nathan was wary when she was lost in her subconscious.

Rolling the fork in her hand, the pink eyes diligently followed the red energy surrounding Irene. Having trained in reading mana, she could tell for certain.

‘The curse’s medium doesn’t seem to be on her body. It’s terrible.’

It was to the point of giving off a foul odor from Irene, who had felt nothing before. If left like that, wouldn’t it be absorbed by Rodrick? Then on the day she absorbs his curse again, the same pain would repeat.

Absolutely not. As she told Nathan, her own body was the most precious to her.

Should I threaten her? No, judging by that stubborn attitude, she likely wouldn’t reveal the identity of the medium. I’ll have to warn her, send her back, and then search the room.

“Irene Viscount’s Daughter.”

“Speak, Beatus Duke’s Daughter.”

Irene held her head high and stiff. It was because acting as if she had already become the Duchess was ingrained in her.

To Diana, that sight was only ridiculous. How fearless.

“What you’re doing. Do you think the Duke is unaware? You held the tea party without permission or approval, right?”

“Seeing as he’s condoned it so far, don’t you think he’s already given permission?”

Is that really permission? The Duke seemed to be neglecting Irene’s conduct, accumulating justifications to drive her out one by one. To detonate it all at once.

“Just because the servants all follow you, do you think this castle has become yours?”

“Ha, what. Are you jealous?”

The more she spoke, the more the red energy surrounding Irene fueled Irene’s emotions.

“Don’t tell me you called me here to lecture me? Do you think you’re somebody here?!”

Like pouring oil on a fire, the red mana incited Irene. Her pulse quickened as if excited, and words poured out unrestrained. And in the end, she made the mistake of saying something she shouldn’t have.

“You seem to be under the delusion that you’ve already become the wife of that blood-crazed beast…!”

Bang! Irene froze at what happened in an instant.

Fingers placed on the table. Right in front of it, the fork Diana had been rolling in her hand was stuck. The fork that narrowly missed stood upright, stuck in the wooden table.

Irene clutched her pounding heart, looked at the threatening fork once, and raised her gaze to look at Diana. She was smiling.

“Watch your mouth. Young lady.”

But her eyes weren’t smiling.

“You shouldn’t talk about someone else’s man like that. Right?”