If we review the origins, there is a point of contact.

“Did Lupercus disease eventually lead to death?”

“It’s a southern epidemic disease where the whole body stiffens and dies.”

It seemed like he might know the reason that bothered him.

“Infinite power is not infinite. There is a proper order in life and death, and power that disrupts this order comes with limitations. Obtaining victims who fell into a state of emptiness is a similar context.”

The ancient documents described it that way.

“How were those sacrificed?”

“Their bodies were torn apart.”

“…”

“The ending is harsh. Do you want to hear it?”

“Tell me.”

“Monsters eat them. Yes, that’s eating.”

Even Roscullam repeated the section that was read and covered several times.

“Standing on the boundary between life and death… means reaching anywhere. Even at the moment of death, consciousness can awaken. Perhaps, even while being torn apart by monsters, she might have felt her dying appearance one by one.”

Benjamin pressed his temples firmly.

‘Did you know?’

Did you know or did you not?

“I wish I didn’t know, but it seems like I do.”

“Yes?”

“Examine her well. If she finds the bed uncomfortable, let her take care of a maid.”

Roscullam bowed her head.

“Shall I continue investigating?”

“It’s enough. This should be sufficient.”
Roscullam stayed in Pofuta not on the expedition front, but at the Marquis’s estate, to investigate the relevant details.

“The courtier is coming.”

Roscullam erased her presence and left.

“Your Majesty.”

The courtier’s voice came from afar.

“Marquis Bronthe has requested an audience.”

????????????

“What expression is that, understanding life?”

The courtier cleared the corridor leading to the audience room. When the door opened, Marquis Bronthe bowed his head.

“Is the Marquis’s wife okay?”

“Yes. There was a misunderstanding. She suffered from heart disease for a long time, so her weak heart made her unable to feel her pulse.”

“If there is a sick family member, worries must be deep. Why didn’t you stay by your wife’s side, and why did you come this far?”

Marquis Bronthe clenched his fist and pressed it against his right chest.

“My wife is unwell. The time she suffered from illness was too long. Now, even if it’s late, I should stay by her side, so I’m thinking of taking the vacation I’ve delayed.”

“A vacation can be arranged that way.”

Benjamin silently observed Marquis Bronthe.

“Stay by her side to send her off.”

Marquis Bronthe had been wandering around the expedition front for a long time, gaining weight.

Marquis Bronthe was one of the families that protected the empire by fighting directly on the expedition front, burying himself in the ground to fulfill his duty.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes?”

“Even if you’re as taciturn as you are, don’t you have emotions?”

Marquis Bronthe opened and closed his mouth.

“I didn’t know you would mention such a thing.”

Seymour Bronthe.

A family that protected the empire by fighting directly on the expedition front, becoming a bulwark and burying themselves, even in the imperial power struggle.

Marquis Bronthe was one of the families that remained firm in maintaining power even in the imperial power struggle.

“Do I seem that inhuman?”

Benjamin covered the documents and murmured.

“Is there nothing I can help with?”

“There is nothing.”

“Before the vacation, I heard you submitted a resignation.”

“I heard you refused.”

“Take a long vacation. If the expedition front is exhausting, you can submit your resignation before the vacation.”

Those staying on the expedition front can also finish their duties and stop.

“Just don’t talk about stopping with such a face.”

Now you feel guilty.

“If there is something I can help with, tell me.”

Marquis Bronthe replied after a moment of silence.

“Send eternal glory to the royal family.”

????????????

Shinalyong pressed her forehead.

‘Kwaaang!’

‘Kwang!’

It was a scream full of anger.

“Is it a tantrum?”

“Yes. Her Majesty the Empress has been like that since she woke up.”

In the bedroom, a white furball was expressing its grievances by pressing its front paws. Shallop urged and scolded it.

The front paws kicked the blanket away, and the wrath of the stuffed belly was expressed by wriggling while exposing the lower abdomen. The tantrum bit Shal’s finger.

‘Kwang!’

Shallop hugged the tantrum.

“It seems she was lonely by herself.”

“Cry like a child.”

Because she’s small, she might look more like a child.
“While trying to comfort her by my side, it seems like I made her cry even more.”

When the tantrum pushed Shal’s cheek away with its front paws, tears welled up in its eyes as it bit Shal’s fingers with bared teeth.

“I told her not to bite, emphasizing that it shouldn’t hurt even if she bites.”

Benjamin spoke quietly.

“She wasn’t an alone child who lived well?”

“Is it loneliness… crying sadly, it’s better to hold her in my arms today.”

Ran rested her chin on Shal’s shoulder. The little one, who had been looking at Benjamin with rough eyes, scratched its neck while growling.

“Don’t cry.”

Pat, pat.

“Aren’t you tired?”

“It’s okay even if I feel drowsy.”

When Ran scratched its chin, it growled and sniffled its nose. Tangled white fur was combed with a brush.

She cuddled the two on a sofa behind her. Leaning on the back of the sofa, she rested against it.

“You said you were tired, but you woke up early.”

Benjamin stroked Shal’s head. The curly hair was tousled.

How deep was the shade of red, and when wiped away, it looked as if crimson paint had been spilled on the arm.

“What’s that on the sofa?”

Benjamin had something in his hand.

Unfastening the cuff button, Benjamin put down the file on the table. The file tied with a ribbon was thick.

“May I hold your hand?”

Benjamin pinched Shal’s arm with his fingers.

“I’m not scaring you.”

“…….”

“I hope you’re not scared.”

Benjamin pulled Shal’s arm and hugged her. He pressed Shal’s neck against his shoulder.

“Do you have something on your mind?”

For some reason, he seemed gloomy.

“Because you seem to be in pain.”

Benjamin wrapped his arm around Shal’s neck, his fingertips pressing against the pulsing veins.

“Dark magic is said to stand in the intermediate zone between life and death.”

Shal’s neck stiffened. If you don’t answer, I won’t know.

He pressed his fingertips with force on the pulsing veins. The veins that popped up anxiously were warm.

“Their origin is said to be the pursuit of living souls beyond the human realm.”

Benjamin asked.

“Was there a time in your childhood when you were exposed to demons, a question that might have been a bit lacking.”

“……”

“Can I change the question?”

I know what kind of question will come. Delicate hands gripped his shoulders tightly.

“Have you ever suffered from Lupertic disease and been close to death?”

Or,

“Were you already dead in the past?”