It felt as if he might kill me if things went awry, maintaining a tense demeanor.

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about all of a sudden.”

Bill skillfully deflected. However, he didn’t know that I was someone who had read the original novel.

“We all noticed it, so tell me what you’re hiding.”
“Even if there is a secret, thinking that I would confide in Brellof Yeonga, of all people, is amusing.”

It was the expected response.

The reason I spoke these words to none other than Bill was clear.

“I want to help Count Artreas. You don’t have to explain what’s going on. Just tell me how I can help.”

Bill was loyal to Askan. In other words, if I could be of help to Askan, he would undoubtedly use me thoroughly, disregarding my safety.

Bill looked at me with sharp eyes, as if internally gauging whether I would be useful or not.

For some reason, I felt like I was in front of an interviewer; I even involuntarily coughed.

“Well, it’s awkward to say this, but I’m the continent’s top weapons master. There are so many people who want help from me.”

“I understand what you’re saying, but there may not be anything Yeonga can help with. If something comes up where help is needed, I’ll let you know.”

“It’s okay…,”

“Is it related to Viscount Manoko?”

My words seemed to be correct. Bill stopped his intended words and stared at me. Soon, as if someone had suddenly come to mind, Bill opened his mouth.

“Brellof Yeonga, I truly know nothing. But if I could divert Viscount Manoko’s attention elsewhere, that would be good.”

Although I suggested it first, Bill cleverly leaked only the necessary information without explaining anything.

I had no idea what would happen tonight, but I understood that diverting Ruphilm’s attention would be helpful to Askan.

I nodded with a satisfied expression.

“I understand what you mean.”

I wanted to ask more, but I knew Bill wouldn’t tell me anything.

Anyway, now that I knew how I could help Askan, I had achieved my goal.

“Then, I’ll be going now.”

Bill bid farewell as if he had nothing to lose. The feeling that you had to cut your losses permeated the air.

I nodded obediently and sent Bill away. Since I had obtained the information I wanted, there was no reason to keep him.

‘Divert Viscount Manoko’s attention elsewhere…’

It seemed impossible for trivial matters. So, Bill probably asked me for help, but now that I knew how I could help Askan, there was no reason to hold onto him.

‘…I guess there’s no choice.’
“I have no choice but to become the bait.

It was expected that Seluna and Ruphilmo would target me at the party today.

If I fall into the trap they’ve prepared and end up under hypnosis, naturally, Seluna and Ruphilmo’s attention would be focused on me.

From what I’ve felt so far, they have prepared quite a few traps for me.

Until now, I have managed to avoid the traps they set up, but now, the situation was such that I had to willingly fall into the trap myself.

‘Bill probably calculated this as well, right?’

The reason Bill, who had been refusing all along, let slip some information in the end was probably because he judged that I would be a suitable bait.

Step by step, I deliberately walked towards a place with no people.

Now, naturally falling into the trap was crucial.

The method I chose was to call a maid and go to the powder room.

As someone attending the Kallua Imperial Party for the first time, I had no idea about the location of the powder room within the vast banquet hall. So, it was natural to ask someone else for help.

If someone was targeting me, I couldn’t miss this opportunity.

That’s how I deliberately fell into the trap with meticulous calculation.

Bang!

Guided by the maid, as soon as I entered the dimly lit room, the door closed behind me.

I could instinctively tell.

‘This place is prepared for me.’

It wasn’t surprising since I had somewhat expected it. I was just curious about how they planned to hypnotize me.

Hypnosis often used an object as a medium.

Before attending the party, I found out that it was anything that induced concentration in a person.

‘Someone must be watching me somewhere….’

So far, no one was visible in the room.

Naturally, I touched the ring on my finger.

Since I was still sober, I had manipulated it to avoid the needle from piercing my palm.

That moment.

Dang!

The hour hand of the large grandfather clock in the center of the room moved by itself, and suddenly, it stopped at twelve, starting to ring.

I could feel cozy as soon as I heard the chime.

‘…What’s this?’

I felt something strange, but immediately, the next chime rang without a break.

Dang!

Suddenly, Askan’s words from the party came to mind.

‘If, by any chance, an unavoidable situation arises, remember this.’

‘What’s this?’

‘Don’t smell anything, and don’t listen to anything.’

Smell? Listen?

When I recalled those words, I instinctively realized something.

This chime was making my mind fuzzy.

I quickly covered my ears with my palms.

Purposely falling into the trap to divert Seluna and Ruphilmo’s attention was the plan, but I never intended to actually fall into hypnosis.

However, I couldn’t completely block out the loud chime.

Deang!

As the repeated chimes continued, all strength left my body.

Unknowingly, the hands covering my ears were lowering.
That’s when my mind started to blur.

“Ugh!”

The needle installed in the ring pierced my palm.

Because I needed to continue feeling the pain to avoid losing consciousness, I deliberately chose a long needle. Once it stabbed into my palm, it was not easy to pull it out.

Drip by drip, red blood flowed down my palm.

In that moment, tremendous pain struck, but as planned, I managed to keep my mind intact without falling into hypnosis.

Even though the continuously ringing chime was dangerous, I hadn’t lost my composure.

‘I don’t know where someone might be watching me, but should I pretend to be in pain to buy some time?’

Contemplating this, I bit my lips to endure the pain.

Kki-iing!

With a faint friction sound, the space that seemed like a full-length mirror suddenly opened like a door.

Revealing himself from there was Ruphilmo. Unfortunately, Seluna was not beside him.

‘If the empress were here, it might have been more helpful to Askan.’

Despite the tense situation, that was the first thought that crossed my mind.

Since the purpose of coming here was to help Askan, it was only natural.

When our eyes met, Ruphilmo blinked as if surprised.

“Brellope Youngae, your mental strength seems to be more formidable than I thought.”

Even if he pretended to lose consciousness, he couldn’t completely hide his focus.

In an instant, I had the thought, ‘Ah,’

He looked at me with a gaze that seemed somewhat surprising but was not at all bewildered. He casually took out a small perfume bottle from his pocket.

In a moment, Askan’s warning about not smelling anything came to mind.

Instinctively, thinking he might spray the perfume on my face, I quickly turned my head.

Chiiik!

As expected, Ruphilmo sprayed perfume toward me.

Although I didn’t directly smell the fragrance, I couldn’t completely avoid the lingering scent.

Like a lie, a ringing sound, piiiiii—, began to resonate in my ears.

When I quickly turned my head, it was the moment I brought my hand to the concealed magic engineering weapon.

Paaaang!

Suddenly, the window broke, and a dagger flew in.

For a moment, glass shards scattered in all directions. And like an arrow aimed at the target, the dagger hit the bell on the grandfather clock accurately.

Thanks to that, the incessant chime no longer rang.

‘Who…’

With a puzzled expression, as I was looking towards the broken window, a dark shadow that seemed to reflect something slowly revealed a human figure.

It was none other than Askan.