Once I escaped from the surveillance magic, I was finally free.

Meeting the people I wanted to see, going to the places I desired, and doing the things I wished—my health recovered much faster than when I was confined to the room all day.

During the time spent locked in the room, what bothered me the most was undoubtedly the people of the Madeleine Pa.

“Number 5!”

I boldly knocked on the door five times.

As the leader who had been impaled on a spear while lying down, I shouted to restore my dignity.

“If you don’t come out within 3 seconds, I’ll teach you simultaneous equations! Commence!”

Even Marianne Viscountess learned it, so there was nothing Number 5 couldn’t do.

The effect was immediate.

Sounds of rummaging from inside were followed by the door creaking open.

“Lord Ant?”

Number 5 looked at me with eyes widened in disbelief.

“Well, it’s me.”

Feeling embarrassed for no reason, I clenched my fist.

“Lord Ant! Are you okay?”

Number 5 examined me all over.

“Considering the injuries back then! Have you recovered now?”

I waved my hand back and forth.

“Don’t make a fuss over such a small thing. I have always been tough, you know.”

I raised my arm and showed off my biceps like Eliza often did. However, realizing there was no difference with or without strength, I quickly lowered my arm.

But it seemed too late, as Number 5’s mouth twisted oddly.

“Well, how have you been?”

“I’m fine, receiving excessively good treatment. The brothers are worried… ”

Number 5’s expression instantly darkened.

“I heard that you asked for one thing when you were released from the Duke’s estate. What did you wish for?”

I glanced at Number 5. Naturally, it must have been the release of Madeleine Pa…?

“A house in the capital area.”

As soon as he grabbed my collar, Number 5 hurriedly raised his hand.

“I’m kidding, just kidding! Of course, I asked for the release of the brothers.”

I slowly released Number 5’s collar and patted his shoulder.

“Well done.”

“Anyway, I was getting ready to greet you today after receiving the news of the release.”

The feeling of liberation from the burden that had been pressing on my chest was immense.

Now, I could genuinely smile in front of Number 5. However, when Number 5’s mouth began to twitch disrespectfully, I quickly erased the smile and solemnly raised my chin.

“I’m leaving too.”

“Your body can’t be completely recovered yet…”

When Number 5 protested, he shut his mouth as soon as I glared at him.

“Of course, you should go, Lord Ant. I will do my best to assist you.”

When Number 5 politely nodded, I nodded satisfactorily.

By now, I must have surely regained my dignity as the leader.

Number 5 glanced at Lord Ant sitting across the carriage.

Lord Ant, looking out the window, had an expectant expression that couldn’t be hidden.

Number 5 tilted his head. However, no matter from which angle he observed Lord Ant, he couldn’t deny it.
Certainly, something was different.

Lord Ant, whom I met again, exuded a completely different atmosphere from before.

Of course, the pretentiousness of using mathematics for intimidation and reassuring the people around was the same as before.

While he always seemed inexplicably tense as if being chased by something in the past, now that tension seemed to have disappeared as if it were a lie.

Instead, it was a comfortable face that I hadn’t seen before.

Number 5 suddenly realized.

Even if Lord Ant had attached himself to the Madeleine Pa all this time, they didn’t fill Lord Ant’s actual family position or serve as a home-like sanctuary for him.

And now that he had returned as the Duke, Lord Ant had finally come back to his rightful place.

It was difficult to imagine a Madeleine Pa without Lord Ant, but Number 5 decided to mentally prepare for it. Perhaps, when all this is over, the day might come for Lord Ant to leave them as well.

“Is there something on my face?”

Only now did Number 5 realize that Lord Ant was glaring at him fiercely. It seemed he felt uncomfortable because he stared at her so intently without politeness.

“Oh, no.”

Number 5 quickly lowered his gaze.

“I was just thinking how fortunate it is that Lord Ant has returned.”

“Of course.”

Fortunately, Lord Ant seemed satisfied with his explanation.

“Where is the strong leader like me? Isn’t that right?”

Lord Ant snapped his fingers, but when the sound wasn’t as sharp as he wanted, he lowered his hand.

Number 5 bit his lips to suppress a laugh and nodded vigorously.

“Yes, yes. Of course.”

Reyna, busy maintaining the dignity as the leader, did not notice the person with a hood clinging to the back of the carriage, trying to swallow her laughter.

“He seems quite impressive.”

Kilian smiled thinly, glancing at the carriage.

“There’s still plenty of time before they come out.”

The head of security tapped his ears with a troubled face.

“Don’t the prisoners usually get released at sunset?”

I still gazed at the sun high in the sky. It wasn’t even lunchtime yet. To wait until sunset, I had to kill a few hours.