“Actually, I’m under a curse right now.”

At Ibi’s words, the count’s brow furrowed again.

So Ibi laughed unknowingly. Thinking that frowning must be this person’s habit.

Ibi, with a gently smiling face, said to the half-doubting count.

“It’s a curse that makes me answer honestly to questions asked. Quite strange, isn’t it?”

Ibi asked playfully, but the count gave no reply.

He seemed to be doubting whether this was truth or jest.

But Ibi ignored the count’s confusion and continued.

“I was under the curse when I first met you, Count. That’s why I blurted out that you were rude. Honestly, you did seem rude, not even accepting my greeting.”

Ibi spoke cutely, as if confessing a small mistake.

So Sion had to ponder more on the truth of those words.

A curse, he knew nothing of this. The astrologer hadn’t told him.

But there were too many things that made sense to simply dismiss it as a lie.

Until now, the most familiar sight of Ibi to Sion was her giving strange answers to questions and then hurriedly covering her mouth.

“When you came to our house the next day, and when we met again at the tower, I said too many strange things, didn’t I? That was all because of the curse.”

Ibi Ariate’s strange words.

He couldn’t recall them all individually.

Instead, two scenes clearly came to Sion’s mind.

Ibi Ariate constantly interrupting conversations.

And Ibi Ariate suddenly reaching out to cover her own mouth.

Recalling that, Sion finally sensed something unusual and looked at Ibi.

Then Ibi continued with an even sweeter smile.

“Of course, I can’t blame it all on the curse. It’s all my true feelings after all. So whenever words slipped out because of the curse, I was really troubled. It was difficult to explain since it was my true feelings, and I thought it would be too dangerous if others knew about this curse.”

At this continued confession, Sion understood the seriousness of this curse.

Everyone has true feelings they can’t express out loud.

A curse that mercilessly exposes those true feelings whenever questioned.

Even if it’s due to a curse, since it’s one’s true feelings, no explanation or defense is possible.

As his thoughts reached this point, Sion realized that Ibi had been constantly struggling to cover up her verbal slips caused by the curse.

At the banquet, she tried to cover it up by saying she was drunk, and after revealing true feelings that should have been hidden, she tried to explain and make excuses in every way possible.

Sion felt the scattered pieces in his mind gradually falling into place.

The Ibi Ariate he had seen and experienced so far was certainly not normal.

Meanwhile, she occasionally showed normal behavior which was very confusing, but if she was under such a curse, everything was explained.

In the end, Sion accepted Ibi’s words. At the same time, a new question arose.

‘Why is she revealing this to me?’

The existence of this curse is a fatal weakness for Ibi Ariate.

Depending on how it’s used, one could extract everything from light true feelings to secret emotions and shameful past.

Ibi must know this too, so Sion couldn’t quite understand why Ibi was revealing the curse.

Is she explaining to avoid misunderstandings? Or is she revealing the situation to ask for help?

Sion Laurel thought very much like Sion Laurel.

And at Ibi’s next words, his deeply rooted arrogance became even more firm.

“If I receive punishment at the tower, this curse will also be discovered.”

So it was the latter.

Sion jumped to conclusions at Ibi’s words. But it was truly an absurd misunderstanding.

Ibi thought she didn’t care much what kind of misunderstanding a person like Sion Laurel had. She also had not the slightest intention of asking this bastard for help.

“Then there will be no need to prove it, right?”

Prove?

An unexpected word came out.

So when Sion looked at her questioningly, Ibi spoke as if teaching a child.

“You said so yourself, Count. That even if I revealed anything, no one would believe me, and I wouldn’t be able to prove it.”

This was what Sion had said yesterday morning.

―If you still have thoughts of blackmailing me, you’d better reconsider.

―It’s unfortunate, but even if you reveal what you saw, neither Bis nor Tienda will believe you, and you won’t be able to prove it.

Ibi reminded him of those words and smiled brightly.

“But now everyone will believe what I say. Because this is that kind of curse.”

Ibi’s voice was kind.

So Sion understood the meaning of those words somewhat slowly.

The count’s arrogant face, always on edge, became a little innocent.

He seemed quite flustered.

Thanks to that, Ibi became very pleased, but she feigned innocence and asked back.

“Do you understand what I’m talking about?”

So Sion was engulfed by a strange feeling.

Everything felt unfamiliar.

The sight of Ibi Ariate smiling leisurely,

The sense of crisis that suddenly came upon him,

And himself in this situation.

So when Sion froze like a fool, Ibi kindly added for the confused count.

“That’s right, this is a threat.”

The Tardes Hall, headquarters of the Watchers, is located in eastern Bis, adjacent to the border.

Nevertheless, news from Tienda was delivered daily with only a day’s delay.

This was because a messenger, cooperating with the Daughter of Tardes, diligently delivered both Tienda’s news and border surveillance reports in both directions.

So Moren Arco, the vice commander of the border, quickly heard the news that Ibi Ariate’s disciplinary hearing would be held at the tower.

‘While staying in the Brick viscounty in southeastern Bis, sang without the tower’s permission and borrowed Manyana’s blessing, violating the tower’s regulations.’

Moren clicked his tongue as he read the reason for Ibi Ariate’s disciplinary action.

It was the new moon. She purified the poison spreading in the village due to a curse, right?

It’s admirable, but breaking regulations is breaking regulations.

Moreover, it’s very troublesome to save just one place like this.

If similar damage occurs elsewhere on the returning new moon, the commoners of Bis will naturally recall this incident and resent it. Asking why they weren’t saved.

‘Being of commoner origin, her vision is narrow.’

Since a saint only needs to be pretty anyway, Moren didn’t particularly oppose a saint of commoner origin.

But this incident made him think it really wouldn’t work, and so he thought it was rather fortunate.

This incident will increase the number of nobles who judge Ibi Ariate as lacking the qualities of a saint.

Then our commander-in-chief’s dog-like declaration will be considered the right judgment in the end.

Moren nodded with satisfaction at the situation that had fallen into place. At the same time, he was conflicted.

‘Should I report this?’

To His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief who is still at the border.

But it’s not easy to find him either.

But if I pass it over without reporting, he’ll probably ask why I didn’t do it properly.

Even if I find him with difficulty and report, he’ll probably look at me as if asking why I’m reporting such a thing.

It was when Moren was racking his brains because of his demanding superior.

“His Excellency is returning!”

A subordinate urgently delivered the news. Surprised, he looked out the window, and indeed, in the distance, the Commander-in-Chief returning with his daughter could be seen.

Moren ran helter-skelter to the entrance of the hall. Then he saluted the Commander-in-Chief who had returned earlier than expected.

“I’m going to Tienda.”

The Commander-in-Chief said while mounted on his daughter’s back.

Moren, who had been checking if he was injured, raised his head in surprise.

But the Commander-in-Chief’s nonsensical words were not yet over.

“Bring the fragment.”

“The fragment, you say…?”

Moren unknowingly asked back.

At that foolish response, the Commander-in-Chief’s eyes grew fierce, and Moren hurriedly bowed his head.

“I’ll bring it right away.”

.

.

.

Heavy footsteps, unsuited to the Manyana Tower, crossed the tower’s main hall.

So all the tower’s servants were terrified.

This was because nearly thirty Watchers suddenly rushed into the tower.

Moreover, the one leading them was Count Sion Laurel.

Their mere appearance violated the peace of the Manyana Tower, and the servants watching their progress soon sighed while holding their breath.

Led by Count Laurel, the Watchers headed to the hall where Ibi Ariate’s disciplinary hearing was scheduled.

As the hall’s doors opened, the nobles seated at the judgment seats rose in surprise.

The hall was empty in the center with tiers built around it. Judgment seats were placed on the tiers, where seated nobles looked down on those standing in the center.

Sion turned his eyes to look for Ibi. Fortunately, Ibi had not yet ascended to the interrogation stand and was waiting at the far end to be called.

As Sion quietly gritted his teeth looking at Ibi, a gentle voice was heard from above.

“What is this situation, Count?”

The owner of the voice was none other than Rohika Sedro.

“Appearing with such a terrifying face, it feels like a clear threat, you know.”

Wearing solemn ceremonial robes and seated in the highest seat, Tower Master Rohika was still breathtakingly gorgeous.

To this radiant great noble, Vice Commander Moren said.

“We request the suspension of Ibi Ariate’s disciplinary action.”

“My, are you ordering me now?”

Rohika said as if curious.

At that sprightly tone, Moren stepped back with a start, so Sion spoke again.

“Please suspend the disciplinary action.”

“Why?”

Rohika asked playfully while resting her chin on her hand. Then, waving her hand, she changed her words.

“No, I should ask how. This is an internal matter of the tower and my authority, so how can the count speak of suspension? Isn’t this overstepping? Did you get permission from your brother? Or are you thinking of using force to suppress?”

Rohika said this while laughing gaily.

So the nobles belonging to the tower once again resented this insane Tower Master.

As the nobles watched the confrontation between the two great nobles, unable to sit or stand, Sion spoke in a low voice.

“I will hand over the fragment of Amanecere.”

At those words, Rohika’s eyes, which had been full of cruel mockery, widened.

One of the Watchers came forward with a velvet-covered box.

Rohika wiggled her index finger as if to say open it, and the Watcher immediately opened the box to reveal the golden fragment inside.

That piece, which looked like part of armor, was a scale fragment that fell when the count repelled Amanecere at the border.

“My, this changes things a bit…”

Rohika’s eyes curved prettily as she saw that precious fragment.

Fortunately, Rohika was not one to make unnecessary pretenses.

Frankly greedy Rohika gestured again.

At that, a tower noble received the box and presented it to Rohika, who smiled at the count and said.

“But Count, have you thought enough about the aftermath?”

At Rohika’s coy gaze, Sion lowered his eyes. It was to hide that he was gritting his teeth.

“Of course, I’m sure you’ll handle it well. That’s good, Ibi. You can go home now. The count will escort you.”

Rohika said mischievously on purpose, and hearing those words, the servants guided Ibi to Sion.

As Ibi approached, Sion’s gaze grew colder. But Ibi pretended not to see and kept her head down, feigning ignorance.

Sion reluctantly turned around with Ibi.

And Moren and the other Watchers followed behind, keeping as much distance as possible to avoid the Commander-in-Chief’s murderous aura.

Thus walking side by side with Sion, Ibi whispered in a small voice.

“You came at a good time.”

Sion’s gaze became even more vicious, but Ibi no longer avoided his eyes.

Like someone who had succeeded in blackmail, she just looked back at him cutely.