Ibi pointed out Cassel’s expressionless face with a cheerful smile. So, Cassel also gave a gentle smile in response.

“Don’t pretend to return it gracefully…”

“Where did you sharpen this, you pig?”

“Ugh…”

In lowered voices, they continued their skirmish, tripping over each other’s feet and stepping on each other’s soles.

But the nobles didn’t notice this fact at all.

As the night deepened, Ibi and Cassel left the banquet hall. After that, they headed to a room in the Montra Mansion.

In that room, servants were taking care of someone lying on the bed.

“How is he?”

“He’s doing well considering the injuries. He just woke up after sleeping well.”

In response to Cassel’s question, the servant stepped aside and answered. Then, the boy lying on the bed was revealed under the torchlight.
The boy, whose bandages were tightly wrapped, sat dazed but brightened up when he saw Cassel. It seemed like he knew that Cassel had saved him.

When the servants stepped back at Cassel’s gesture, Ibi muttered softly.

“I didn’t know you were going to take this kid.”

“…I’ll handle it, so don’t worry.”

“Quite something.”

Ibi chuckled at Cassel’s defiance.

The boy being treated at the Montra Mansion was none other than the child from the Night Clan, the little one who had been locked up and received an arrow ordeal.

On that day, the boy survived with significant injuries. So, Cassel brought him to Tienda.

From the first sight, he stood out, and, thanks to this child, who had saved him from the masked Night Clan, Ibi couldn’t just ignore him.

And apart from Cassel’s sympathy, Ibi had a separate matter with this boy.

“Hey, what’s your name?”

Ibi asked the boy, pushing Cassel aside. However, as Ibi approached, the boy’s eyes became sharp.

The boy openly showed wariness towards Ibi. It seemed like he thought Ibi was going to bother Cassel and treat him badly.

As the boy stared at Ibi with closed lips, Cassel intervened.

“Tell her your name.”

At Cassel’s words, the boy finally opened his mouth.

“Ente.”

So spoke the boy in a whisper, and his two eyes were a mysterious violet.

“Ha…”

Ibi sighed at Ente’s answer.

Last Sunday, in the chaotic arena, Ibi saw this boy’s face. And she immediately recognized that his face resembled that of the snake.

So she wondered if it could be true. It turned out his name was the same.

With the same face, the same name, and even the characteristic of being from the Night Clan. There’s no way this is a coincidence.

The only difference between the snake and this boy was their age group and hair color. Even this boy’s light brown hair was soft and curly, just like the snake’s.

“Ask who gave you that name.”

“Oh, just answer her question.”

Cassel poked the boy irritably, annoyed by Ibi’s nagging. Then the boy, after glancing around, muttered.

“My mom…”

The name given by his mom. Then it means it’s his original name.

Ibi, taking advantage of the situation, probed further.

“Have you ever met another Night Clan member in the arena? Not the masked one, but another person.”

Ente shook his head.

“Really? You’re sure? The masked Night Clan fought with you guys, so they didn’t approach you?”

Even though Ibi persistently questioned, the result was the same. However, Ibi was relentless.

“Do you know that two Night Clan members, except you, had contact? And did you just stay still knowing that? Really?”

“Ugh!”

Ente, who was pointing, suddenly covered his ears and whined. At the same time, something brushed past Ibi’s side.

Crash!

Simultaneously, the window behind Ibi shattered. And one of the ribbons decorating Ibi’s hair was cut off and fell in tatters.

‘…Did I just get attacked?’

In surprise, Ibi covered her ears and alternately glanced at the whining Ente and the broken window.

Ah, I thought she was a gentle one, but if you cross her, she attacks. Well, Ente wasn’t in his right mind either, I forgot!
Fearful, Ibi whispered to Cassel instead of asking directly.

“What?”

“Ask quickly.”

Although Cassel frowned at Ibi’s urgency, she shrugged his shoulders and grinned. Irritated by her impolite gesture, Cassel reluctantly spoke.

“Who is your god?”

“God…?”

Ente raised his head at Cassel’s voice.

Ibi whispered to Cassel again, and Cassel reluctantly asked, “What kind of god do you know?”

“…God is the one my mom prays to… a god.”

Ente’s answer was ambiguous, fitting for ordinary children of Biss. So Ibi quietly pondered the difference in Ente’s words.

I’ve come to kill you.

Because the god wishes it.

With a bad feeling lingering in her mind, Ibi bit her lip in silence.

Ibi became serious and returned to the tower alone.

Only then could Cassel be liberated from Ibi Ariarte’s manipulation.

“Ah, damn it…”

Cassel, now completely exhausted, collapsed onto the bed.

It was indeed a long day, filled with the cleanup, preparations for the party, and the elders’ nagging. The problem was that such days were expected to continue.