Thud.

Amidst the sound of rain, the heavy iron door closed with a resounding echo.

Clank.

Following that, a large padlock clicked shut.

A basement warehouse by the lakeside.

“Sir Zion, what should we do now?”

The man who tossed Lamein inside and locked the door asked with a muffled voice.

“Hmm.”

Zion, with tightly closed lips, made a slight sound and directed his gaze towards the lake.

“It seems Mort has begun. More rain will pour soon.”

The swollen water of the lake began to rise in the garden near the villa.

Staring at the locked warehouse door containing Lamein, Zion slowly opened his mouth.

“Poor, pitiful little brother of mine. Even if you hadn’t threatened me, you might have lived a little longer.”

The man, shaking his head, gave a sorrowful glance.

“Lamein, this is all for your family. So understand. Still, consider it an honor that I was with you until the last moment you die.”

A wicked laughter echoed through Zion’s twisted lips.

“Guard this place until the warehouse is completely filled with water. Never leave here until the very end. Understand?!”

A sharp gaze that allowed no room for mistakes flashed.

“Yes. I understand.”

Hearing a clear answer, Zion squinted his eyes with a slow, deliberate motion.

“My body is completely soaked because of that trash. I should have slapped him across the face.”

Zion muttered with a displeased expression.

“I need to go back and soak my body in warm water.”

Taking a deep breath, Zion pushed up his lips and left the spot.

Hi-i-ing! Hi-ing!!

“Ugh! Whoa whoa whoa!”

Suddenly stopping, the horse lifted its front hooves as if startled and neighed.

“Whoa whoa whoa! Calm down! Please!”

Cedric pulled the reins in different directions, barely calming the restless horse.

A heavy rain falling to the extent that the front was not visible.

A massive puddle, its end indiscernible, appeared in front of the standing horse.

“Darn it!”

Cedric spat out a rough voice and took a deep breath.

Raindrops fell incessantly over the slow-closed eyes.

Cedric gently bent his upper body and reached out.

And he gently stroked the completely wet head of the horse.

“Let’s make a deal.”

Has there ever been a time in his life when he was so desperate?

“There’s no one else to help me right now.”

Even if she never knew his heart.

“So please, just this once.”

Even if she didn’t smile at him.

…as long as he survives.

If he could see her face again.

Everything would be okay.

Cedric gently stroked the horse’s head once more and tightly grasped the reins.

“Hyah!”

In a world filled only with the cruel sound of rain hitting the ground.

The sound of the horse’s wet hooves echoed fiercely above.

“Reports say that Mort has started from the southern region. The party should end here today.”

Duke Roget shouted towards the nobles gathered in the central hall.

The hall began to stir for a moment.
“I appreciate your precious time for joining us, and I apologize for the sudden interruption of the party.”

The nobles who were sitting at the table began to rise one by one.

“More rain is expected soon, so please hurry back.”

As Duke Roget’s words ended, nobles hurriedly started leaving their seats.

Duke Haribo, who had just returned from a conversation with Lady Gemma in the reception room of the villa, raised his eyebrows.

Nobles coming out of the hall passed by him with urgent steps.

“Duke. Mort has started, and there is a lot of rain.”

Kaizen, approaching, reported with an urgent voice.

“Oh. So, everyone…”

“Yes. The water level in the lake is rising, and the garden is flooding. Please leave here quickly.”

“That seems necessary.”

Following Kaizen, Duke Haribo moved through the nobles, glancing around.

“Kaizen, did you happen to see Countess Roger on the way?”

“Ah. Since the rain started, I haven’t seen her after spotting her in the garden before it.”

“Is that so?”

The narrowed eyes sharply changed.

Let’s go outside.

Hi-i-ing! Hi-i-ing!

Mabu (servants) tried to calm down horses that didn’t listen properly to commands in the pouring rain.

“Is this why they say horses can run wild?”

“Since this place is dangerous, you should leave as soon as possible. Hurry and get on the carriage.”

Nobles boarding the carriage with worried expressions appeared.

Cedric, focusing on the chaotic scene in front of him, fixed his gaze on one place.

‘Sion Calypsis.’

Sion, getting on the carriage with a relaxed expression, appeared.

“Duke, the carriage is waiting over there. Let’s go.”

“Kaizen. Wait a moment.”

Turning his gaze away from Sion, Duke Haribo approached the villa’s steward, Raymond.

“Raymond, have you seen Countess Roger leaving this villa?”

“If it’s Countess Roger…”

Raymond hesitated, furrowing his brow as he searched his memory.

“I remember Lady Elina, who came with Count Roger, leaving early.”

“…”

“However, I’m not exactly sure if she was Countess Roger.”

“Did the person who left here have blonde hair?”

“No. She had blue hair.”

The one who left was Elina.

With a stern face, Duke Haribo stared at the lake.