Following the sound of the unlocking mechanism, the creaking noise of the bolt echoed loudly through the corridor. However, as the iron door swallowed the man, the sound was also engulfed.

A man was crouching in the pitch-black darkness. There was a bed, a table, and chairs, but the man obstinately sat on the stone floor.
The man with his face buried in his knees did not lift his head even though another man entered and stood in front of him. It was truly a figure soaked in despair and remorse.

“Lift your head.”

“……!”

Suddenly, the situation changed.

Adrian raised his head abruptly. His innocent sky-blue eyes widened, and a smile full of joy spread across his face.

“Your Grace!”

He kneeled.

“I am honored to have you visit in person. Your Grace…”

Overwhelmed with emotion, he couldn’t continue speaking. Amidst the tears streaming down his cheeks, he couldn’t take his eyes off the Duke.

It was frustrating not to see anything in the pitch-black darkness. One would expect strength just from looking at the confident face and profound red eyes. However, he had to be satisfied with the Duke’s benevolent voice.

“You worthless wretch. If you were going to do it, you should have done it properly.”

But contrary to expectations, the Duke’s voice was far from benevolent.

“You… Your Grace?”

Adrian was bewildered by the Duke’s unexpected harsh criticism. He even had the thought that he might be conversing with someone else. He wanted to believe that.

“I made a mistake keeping someone like you by my side.”

However, it was undoubtedly the Duke’s voice. Adrian pleaded for forgiveness with a trembling voice.

In any case, it was true that I made a mistake. The actions I took to tarnish the Emperor’s reputation ended up giving him strength.

“I’m… I’m sorry. I didn’t know it would end up like this. I thought that tent would be completely empty…”

“No need for excuses.”

Swoosh—.

With a cold metallic sound, a sharp flash of light flickered in the darkness.

Adrian stood up abruptly, unintentionally taking a step backward. As his eyes gradually adapted to the darkness, he could see the Duke’s movements. They were much more agile and fierce than during their practice sessions.

“Ugh… Ugh!”

If he had dodged a little later, his throat would have been slit.

Before the silvery afterimage completely disappeared, another diagonal slash was drawn. Due to the slash cutting from bottom to top, he had to lean backward. The blade narrowly passed by his nose, creating a chilling breeze.

Having avoided just twice, Adrian struggled as if his breath would escape. There was no strength left to dodge the third attack.

“Y-Your Grace, why on earth are you doing this?”

Leaning against the wall, he stretched out his arms pitifully.

“What have I done wrong…”

“What have you done wrong?”

The Duke’s lips inside the robe formed a curve. In the darkness, it was the only thing visible.

“Supporting me is what you’ve done wrong.”

“……”

“Dare you support me, and it’s a sin worthy of death!”

This time, the sword approached not as a line but in a pointed form.

It felt like a star falling from the night sky, descending towards his eyes with intense speed.

“Aahhh!”

Unable to even close his eyes, he watched the star stop right in front of his eyes.

If he didn’t breathe properly, it felt like a hole would pierce through his iris.
Adrian stiffened like a part of the stone wall. Even so, the Duke’s voice resonated clearly.

“If you leave from here, don’t even think about coming to find me.”

“…….”

“Don’t ever say that I am your lord anywhere else.”

Adrian wanted to nod, but the sword was too close for him to do so.

“If my name is ever heard in connection with you again.”

“…….”

“At that time, know that your eyes will be gouged out while you’re alive.”

After delivering a stern warning, the Duke sheathed his sword.

Adrian, who stood as if sticking his head to the stone wall, finally breathed out and nodded his head. Now he could nod as much as he wanted.

“Worthless wretch.”

The Duke spat out another curse and turned away.

Now Adrian’s eyes had fully adapted to the darkness, and he could clearly see the man’s gray-robed hem spreading out in the air as it sank.

In the past, he would have shown respect for even a single hem of that robe. But not anymore.

The emotion he felt was only fear, not a fear mixed with reverence… just pure terror.

Filled with a determination to run away far because of fear, there was only a sense of fear.

The opponent was not human. Adrian finally regained his senses.

The Duke, who climbed up to the ground by stepping on stone steps, handed the key to the prison guard.

A purse of gold coins was also handed over.

“I… you don’t have to give me this.”

“Take it. It’s the price for keeping a secret.”

The prison guard hesitated for a moment, then put the purse in his pocket. Then, he bowed his head as if touching the ground, entered the prison, and securely locked the door.

The Duke took strides.

Stepping on an arch bridge that you couldn’t step on unless you died, he also observed a stream below for a moment.

And then he took another step and finally reached the semicircular entrance.

Right before stepping out of the entrance, the Duke suddenly turned around and lifted his robe.

Then, black hair as dark as the night sky was revealed, and the iris of his bright and graceful eyes was… golden.

The man in the robe was not the Duke but Hersis!

Hersis smiled with a smile of repentance and looked at the prison.

“This is my punishment. Adrian Esmond, serving a wrong lord.”

After that, he briefly looked around to confirm that no one was there. He cleared his throat with a ‘ahem’ and repeated the curse he had said a while ago.

“Worthless wretch.”

It certainly seemed like he was imitating his uncle. Even when Adrian heard it, it was true, so it wasn’t that awkward.

“What a waste of time.”

For the first time, Hersis, who had strived to resemble his uncle from one to ten when he was a child, felt less foolish.

He turned around with a satisfied face.

The sound of a pleasant laughter echoed through the night air.