Opportunities always begin in inconspicuous places. It might be early yet, but by continuing to collide and associate, eventually, the opportunity would come.

And, in the end, this time too, she would achieve what she wanted. Even if she couldn’t officially marry, a secret relationship could make many things possible.

Margaret’s eyes sparkled. Smiling, she no longer hunched her shoulders.

“We finally got hold of the tail.”

“Really? It was worth thoroughly investigating around that woman.”

“Count Naret is one of his collaborators, so it was much easier.”

Kalix, who had taken off the mask and the sword, sat down.

Chesher quickly moved to the opposite side and sat down.

“So, what happened?”

“This time, it seemed like the purpose was to confirm the prey’s location, just chasing up to the hiding place without any special actions.”
“In the near future, a passing hunter might find the body of Viscount Crayton in the mountains.”

“He won’t act immediately just because he got hold of the tail; it will take time.”

Officially, the party led by Viscount Piern has left the capital, but Calix has returned.

While Viscount Piern symbolized power, he also attracted attention. To move discreetly, it was necessary to temporarily put aside that name.

Though espionage wasn’t Viscount’s expertise, there weren’t many as perfect as Calix in handling such matters.

Chesher thought of Calix, who moved silently without a sound. The shoes with added weight made even a little walking feel exhausting.

Feeling lacking in various aspects compared to Calix, Chesher wanted to train, but there was no time, so he was making an effort in this way.

“Then, we might make the first move on our side. Have you traced the pursuer’s whereabouts, by any chance?”

“I did tail them, but they played tricks in the middle.”

“Tricks?”

“A frequently used method. Even though that person doesn’t move well, they plan and move everything when they do.”

“Planning everything? Is that possible?”

Chesher furrowed his brows.

“To deliberately place several informants in the middle to avoid pursuit and change the hiding place while trying to identify the real one.”

“Sly. No wonder she hasn’t been caught until now.”

“So that’s how she gained strength. Because her methods are unexpected.”

“…I can’t understand it.”

Wide shoulders slumped weakly. During the trial, thinking about the humiliation Liviana experienced still made his blood boil.

Swearing, Liviana Crayton was one of the few honorable people Chesher knew. No matter what she chose to do, he couldn’t tolerate her receiving such treatment.

“…Are you all right, sir?”

Yellow eyes peeked through the long-torn eye sockets.

Unlike Chesher’s wrath, Calix still wore an indifferent expression.

“What?”

“Lady, experiencing such a thing, weren’t you angry?”

“I know I’m not someone who can be listened to.”

“But, sir…”

“But being noble prevents it.”

Calix said firmly.

Chesher hesitated for a moment and then spoke again.

“What do you mean?”

“You think it’s better to die than live if life is so painful that death seems more comfortable.”

“What?”

“Choose.”

It was an unexpected question.

But the gaze staring intensely was so serious that he couldn’t retort.

After contemplating for a moment, Chesher looked around and opened his mouth again.

“I guess it would be better to die. If the situation is so painful that death seems better, then dying would be more comfortable.”

“I’d choose the opposite.”

The opposite? Does that mean it’s better to live even if it’s painful?
Wrinkles appeared on Chesher’s straight forehead.

It was an unexpected answer. Honestly, Chesher thought Calix would choose a different answer.

Perhaps because of that, Chesher unconsciously threw a question.

“May I ask for the reason?”

“Death is the end, but as long as you’re alive, opportunities come. That’s why.”

Calix silently stared at the knife on the table.

Although it was a well-crafted sword, the feeling of strangeness didn’t fade away since it was strapped to his waist. Thinking about it, it had been a long time since he used something other than the sword inherited from his father.

No one ordered him to. Since the day the family fell and he found the lost sword, he always used only that sword. The engraving on the handle, becoming ragged over time, was a symbol in itself.

Holding the sturdy sword brought back the nightmare of that day.

Of course, along with it, other memories resurfaced.

Even as time passed and the leather wrapped around the handle of the sword was replaced with new material, it couldn’t be completely worn out. No one knew, but inside the new leather handle, there was old leather.

On the day he inherited the sword from his father, Liviana was with him.

The worn leather was something they had chosen together.

Liviana seemed like that worn-out leather. Even though she knew she should let it go, she couldn’t. Even if she pretended otherwise, she eventually kept it hidden deep inside.

Defining feelings for her was difficult.

To be more honest, it was still the same now.

Even if the misunderstanding was cleared, it was the same. It had been too long to simply say it was pure love. As much as he loved, he also hated, missed, and again hated, and the emotions piled up twisted over time.

But on the day he first imagined killing Liviana, he realized.

Amidst all those emotions, one thing remained unchanged.

Calix’s lips twitched.

He was recalling the moment when he had threatened the old Liviana.

“At that time, I’ll be there.”

He knew. At that time, he had lied.

He couldn’t kill Liviana.