“It seems more than just passing the responsibility; he’s trying to attach even a life.”

“Since the situation became usable, I’m just using it.”

“But it’s probably not enough to make your brother move.”

“So, I plan to set a trap.”

“If that’s the case, I’ll naturally help. Tell me. What do you need? If I can make you feel brotherly love for me again, I’d gladly give you a kiss or two.”

Luzen opened his arms wide, showing a facial expression that seemed like he might really give a kiss. It was an exaggerated gesture.

Calix, taking a step back for preparation for any unexpected situation, then spoke.

“The prey is not him.”

“If it’s not your brother?”

Luzen tilted his head, smiling, but Calix turned his head without answering.

The sky visible outside the window was unusually azure.

“What about Duke Pieren?”
“I’m sorry. There’s still no news.”

“Anyway, our Duke Nari is truly busy. I have to call him ten times just to get him to respond once.”

Luzen smiled broadly, holding a teacup. Today, the taste of tea seemed even more special, probably because Bake, sitting with a gloomy expression, didn’t look well.

“Are you getting some sleep?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Just worried. If the lord’s weight loss is too noticeable, someone might pass by thinking he’s a stranger.”

“Exaggeration is severe.”

Bake forced his lips to pull up.

Luzen, looking at Bake’s tea that didn’t diminish at all, leisurely nodded his head.

“Even if others don’t know, my eyes can’t be deceived. Is it common for two guys called in by the Empire to be running around here and there at the same time?”

“…….”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to deceive me. Weren’t we holding hands once?”

“…….”

“I’m willing to lend a hand anytime for my people.”

With a willing heart, Luzen, with a personable smile, was now displaying a seemingly friendly smile. However, Bake’s guarded expression didn’t seem to loosen at all.

Luzen, though knowing Bake’s inner thoughts, pretended not to notice and lowered his eyelids. Then, in a very confidential voice, he whispered.

“Or, I could share some information.”

Something like valuable information that someone had obtained.

Luzen’s last words were so faint that they were almost inaudible, but to someone eager, they would have struck a chord.

Even if he didn’t want to admit it, it was a well-known fact that Calix was skilled. Unlike himself, who hadn’t achieved any results, Calix might have found some clues.

Thinking like that, his upper body subtly leaned forward. Bake nervously wiped his sweaty hands.

Bake Creighton’s lordship was truly excellent. Therefore, he believed that he would be able to find Revianna quickly. Most of the problems were already solved as long as there was money.

But the trust didn’t last long enough. The time spent anxiously waiting, just sitting and watching, made Bake, who had once been proud of Creighton, look helpless.

As such times repeated, Bake naturally found himself glancing at the man who had something other than money.

“In fact, Calix borrowed some troops from me a few days ago.”

“…….”

“Of course, it was a fair trade. Thanks to that, I was able to get something good in my hands.”

Luzen lightly tapped the table. Bake’s gaze naturally shifted to the box on the table.

Actually, the large box, elegantly decorated with a ribbon, had caught his eye since he first entered the room.

“You can open it if you want.”

Luzen waved his hand as if generously offering.

Bake, unable to completely let go of his suspicions, grabbed the ribbon on the box. If it was meticulously wrapped, it might not be an ordinary item.

“…….”
“How about it? Surprised, aren’t you?”

“…Are you saying that Duke Piren brought this?”

“He said it could be used in a good place, so he gave it to me.”

Luzen laughed.

Of course, Bake couldn’t bring himself to laugh. The record that had been tearing at his head for a while didn’t make any sense to him, especially being here.

As much as the emperor’s intention to show him this item.

“If you let this into the lord’s ears, naturally, you’ll be suspected, won’t you?”

“…”

“To be honest, I debated for a long time whether to show this to you. In fact, it would be beneficial for me if I just kept silent.”

“…”

“You would have to ponder for a long time about who stole this item, and you might even start doubting the lord. Then, your relationship with the lord could be strained.”

Looking at Bake as if he knew everything, Luzen stared intently.

Bake could only tremble his lips without saying anything.

“But why didn’t I do that? Does the lord know?”

“…”

“Because I like the lord.”

“…”

“More precisely, the lord’s property.”

In such times, it was necessary to show a bit of one’s inner thoughts. Luzen didn’t hide his greed as he placed his hand on the record. The smooth texture of the leather was quite satisfying.

“If the lord knows that you have other intentions, he will probably start organizing, right?”

“…”

“Breaking, dividing Creighton into pieces, and then grabbing my share firmly. Especially, he won’t tolerate traitors, so very thoroughly.”

“…”

“Well, I betrayed him so severely once. Thanks to that, he excessively doubts and guards against everything.”

Maybe you’ve already stepped onto the same board.

Luzen laughed jokingly.

But even this time, Bake couldn’t laugh, no, he couldn’t.

Thanks to that, Luzen’s smile became even more intense.

“Anyway, if it’s an irreversible path, wouldn’t it be better to move quickly?”

Bake didn’t answer, but Luzen didn’t care and picked up the record. Then, after showing it to Bake once, he threw it into the fireplace.

The flames momentarily paused at the unexpected appearance of an intruder but soon flared up again.

“Aren’t you curious? Why Calix borrowed troops from me and what he can do with them.”

“…”

“Again, I’m saying this for my people. Calix doesn’t seem to know that fact, though.”

“…I cannot coexist with Duke Piren.”

“Of course, I know it well. But because of that, I hope you understand. The choice is not just yours to make.”

Subtly saying, but I like the lord.

Luzen winked with one eye. Bake hesitated for a while but eventually slowly moved his head.