“Enemy invasion?”

In response to Valder’s question, Kurán Duke pointed to the garden.

“The higher-level monsters I shared the rings with are created from my blood and magical power. What do you think that means?”

Without avoiding Valder’s gaze, he responded nonchalantly.

“How am I supposed to know that?”

“It’s said that every time higher-level monsters die, my magical power decreases.”

“Well, that’s fortunate. Don’t tell me you expect me to be sad about it?”

Initially, when Valder first heard this story, it seemed like something that would be unbearable, but the shock didn’t last long, as if his heart had turned into stone.

He realized that the abnormal flow of thinking was all because he was a monster, but he felt no sadness. There was only anger towards Kurán Duke and discomfort about being turned into a monster without his consent.

“Valder, as fellow monsters, why do you think your father ended up like that?”

Now that Valder, who had found it strange, asked in a cold voice.

“Why?”

“Your father didn’t listen to me and took off the ring I gave him. He put it back on quickly, but he couldn’t return to his original state.”

Valder, with astonished eyes, looked down at the ring he was contemplating removing.

“Taking off this ring turns you into a lunatic?”

“Not a lunatic, but a monster. Of course, even before taking off the ring, I was a monster. But at that time, I could act and think like a human. However, if you take off the ring, you truly become a creature without a self.”

Valder glanced at the ring on Viscount Gart’s hand.

His expression distorted as he observed the black ring on his hand.

“Viscount’s ring is black too? What’s the difference?”

Kurán Duke gestured for Viscount Gart to leave for a moment and then spoke.

“Who said that Viscount Gart is like you?”

“He’s not?”

“That’s right. He’s a monster, but a bit different.”

“What’s different about him?”

“Viscount Gart becomes a monster only when he dies. Therefore, if a threat comes to me, he has to sacrifice his life to transform into a monster. I only shared my magical power with him and didn’t give him blood.”

“So, in the end, you turned perfectly healthy people into monsters just to suit your whims.”

“Yeah. But now, what will you do about it? If I die, all of you will disappear from this land. So, everyone must unite to protect me.”

Valder stared down at the ring without responding. Seeing him like that, Kurán Duke added reassuringly.

“If I remain unharmed, there won’t be much change in your life. You can enjoy the highest power in the kingdom as the one who controls all the guilds or marry a beautiful woman and have children.”

“Even if I have children, they’ll be monsters.”

“Monsters with human consciousness are born. How wonderful would that be? A powerful creature that can live forever without dying and is not swayed by useless emotions. That is truly a perfect life form.”
“Wouldn’t it be fair to say it’s not that bad? Anyway, it’s useless to argue about what has already happened, as you said.”

“Yeah, yeah, you just need to protect me. Then you can continue to live the same life as now.”

Valder shrugged as if he understood and pointed to the garden.

“Just one more thing to ask. According to you, there’s no manager in the returned monster border area, right? But why haven’t we heard anything about lower-level monsters coming down to the village?”

“I resurrected the monsters and turned them into managers.”

Valder expressed annoyance at Duke Kurán’s words.

“You said earlier that you were attacked by enemies. That the color of the flowers returned, and the magical power on that side decreased. Why is the story changing now?”

“Have you decided to ignore the relationship between an uncle and his nephew?”

“Where is my uncle to the monsters?”

“No matter what, even though I’m your uncle, it seems you’re not pleased about that.”

Though he was smiling, Duke Kurán’s eyes were cold with anger.

“Don’t worry; I’ll use respectful terms regularly in public. So, what’s your answer?”

“Monsters can be revived as long as they have the will. However, they can’t return to the state when I first shared my blood. They retain the same strength and abilities, but they won’t act to protect the kingdom or me.”

“So, even the remaining self is gone?”

“Yes. Once you remove the magical power, they become no different from lower-level monsters wandering without a self. Even if changes occur in the country, those creatures will continue to linger in their positions.”

“So, you’re telling me all this because I’m the only one left to protect you. Currently, only I, my father, and Maria remain to protect you. Among them, I’m the only one who can understand this dreadful situation.”

As Valder laughed as if he understood now, cries and commotion from the direction of the castle became impossible to ignore.

Soon, along with the sound of trumpets, shouts announcing the castle’s transformation spread.

“Intruders! Intruders have appeared! All knights and guards, assume defensive positions and protect the lord!”