A horseless carriage that runs without horses, and arrows can’t even leave a mark on the outer walls?

It sounded like an excuse for the missed opportunity, but it would be quickly revealed as a lie if they called a few more people to investigate.

Seeing that his subordinate was not that foolish, Lord Gart Marquis stepped back and headed towards Kuran Duke’s mansion.

“Monsters riding a horseless carriage?”

“Yes. According to the captain’s opinion, they might not be monsters.”

Kuran Duke, who was looking at the now vibrant garden, glared at Lord Gart Marquis with a terrifying gaze.

More than half of his garden was now filled with flowers of various colors.

“Are you daring to speak of others handling monsters, not just me?”

“N-No, that’s not it. It’s just that they are said not to be human… Or perhaps, has something changed among the monsters you created?”

With a snort, the Duke turned his gaze back to the garden.
“It can’t be true. If they can kill high-level monsters, they must be created by pouring my blood. Such things diminish my life. But do you think there can be so many of such tremendous things? Even if that’s the case, do you think I don’t know about them?”

In response to Kuran Duke’s anger, Lord Gart Marquis hastily apologized, “No, Your Grace. I’ve just been thinking about various strange things.”

“It’s not monsters. There’s something. Something I can’t comprehend.”

While Kuran Duke was muttering in a low voice, Valder entered through the curtain connected to the corridor leading to the inner part of the mansion.

“Is there a problem?”

Kuran Duke frowned and turned to his nephew.

“Looks like I haven’t seen you in a while.”

Valder’s face showed no change from before. It seemed the rumors about him going mad because of Ruelra Rominin were just rumors.

“I didn’t see even a trace of you in the royal city for a while. What were you up to?”

“I was busy with guild management. Moreover, I’ve been investigating various things because it seems like my mother-in-law is trying to cause trouble.”

Kuran Duke’s eyebrows twitched.

“Didn’t you say you weren’t interested in the throne? Or are you worried that your father is concerned? Or could it be that you’re afraid the position where you could sit might be in the wrong place?”

“It’s because of my father. As I mentioned before, isn’t the throne something I can’t desire to have? Kuran belongs to my stepfather.”

At Valder’s words, Kuran Duke burst into laughter.

He looked at his nephew with a satisfied expression.

“I’m glad you know. All members of Kuran should only take what I give.”

“As long as Your Grace doesn’t interfere with the guild, I intend to lead a peaceful life as an obedient dog.”

“A dog, huh? Don’t you know that managing the entire guild is an incredibly powerful position? Let it be your practical role as a king. However, don’t forget that your queen should be me and Maria.”

“I’ll keep it in mind. Considering that the queen seems to be quite active these days, do I really need to step up?”

“Gart will handle it soon, so don’t worry.”

“Understood. Actually, whether my crazy father lives or dies doesn’t matter, but I can’t overlook the fact that the queen is causing disturbances.”

“Why? Because she’s the woman who killed your mother?”

Valder chuckled at Kuran Duke’s words.

“At my age, would you expect me to use such methods? Don’t assume and just ask. What do you know?”

“All right. What do you know?”

“How could someone at my age use such methods? Instead of avoiding it, just ask. What do you know?”

“Fine. What do you know?”

“I know that the person who killed my mother is my stepfather. And the one who killed Lady Rominin is also my stepfather.”

Kuran Duke’s smile deepened.

“You knew and yet kept it well.”

Valder shrugged his shoulders.
“It wasn’t that sad. It’s like my heart turned into stone, and I couldn’t feel any emotions. It seems like I experienced too much at that time.”

“It could be because you gained strength.”

“Is it because I became the king’s son from the son of a common noble? It’s possible.”

At his nephew’s words, Kuran Duke’s smile grew even wider.

It was at that time that he infused his own magical power into him. As it was a period of turmoil, trying to accept the changes, he probably couldn’t feel any particular emotions even at his mother’s death.

It’s when the human heart is gone.

Of course, he regained his humanity by wearing the ring and suppressing that power, but still, he remained a monster.

Monsters know attachment, but they don’t understand love, and they can feel discomfort but not joy.

Even if his mother died, the monster didn’t feel sad at all.

Valder, one of his greatest weapons, would be treated with care as long as he didn’t rebel, as he was an essential tool for protecting himself.