“This is the first time something like this has happened…….”

“A few layers of magical barriers are set up, so there’s no way he could get out.”

Nelia knew the identity of the suspicious individuals in robes. They appeared to be magicians, judging by their casting of spells.

Furthermore, the mansion was so noisy yet the outside was completely quiet. It seemed like a spell had been cast on the mansion itself to prevent any sound from leaking out.

Nelia looked inside the warehouse.

Layton had said he saw Duke Hart being led inside, his arms bound in chains.

That meant the person causing the loud noises inside the warehouse was Duke Hart.

This was definitely… not a sound a human should make.

“As you may have heard… when a lunar eclipse occurs, the Duke is confined to that building.”

Ton, who had just arrived, explained the situation.

Nelia’s mouth opened slightly at the unbelievable news.

‘Really there…?’

However, she quickly composed her expression.

To understand the situation more clearly, she had to get more information from Ton.

“So… things are not going as planned?”

Recalling the magicians’ recent conversation, Nelia asked.

Ton nodded his head.

“Our family has been serving the Hart family for a long time, but this is the first time anything like this has happened. To think he would lose his senses and act so wildly….”

Hearing these unsettling words, Nelia’s expression darkened. Loud noises continued to come from the warehouse.

Nelia looked anxiously at the building.

“Shouldn’t we go in and check what’s going on?”

“That’s not possible.”

Ton cut her off resolutely.

“There’s no one who can calm him down, and there was a strict order from the Duke not to enter.”

Although Nelia always admired Ton’s competence, it was difficult to accept his words this time.

How could they not check what was going on inside, considering the chaos?

“If anyone goes in and gets injured, it would only make things worse for the Duke.”

Ton concluded and briefly closed his eyes.

From his restrained demeanor, it was evident he believed this was the best course of action.

Nelia had no choice but to step back, unable to break through Ton’s unwavering stance.

She had been observing Ton while pretending to understand what was going on, but she was still entirely clueless about the situation inside.

“Thank you for your concern, but you should leave now. If the Duke knew you were here…”

Crash—!

As Ton was speaking, a loud noise of something breaking sounded.

Nelia turned her gaze towards the noise.

Sure enough, it was the warehouse. Small cracks were appearing on one of its walls.

“Da, damn it.”

The magician looked at the warehouse and bent his body.

Ton hurriedly approached the magician.

“What is happening here!”

“It appears one of the binding spells has… been released.”

Although the magician’s face was hidden by his robe, his voice betrayed his shock and embarrassment.

“What should we do then! If he gets out…”

“We’ve cast protective barriers on the mansion as well, so even if he escapes the warehouse, he won’t easily get out.”

“Still… we need another way…”

Boom—!

Another loud noise echoed.

The magician straightened up and looked around.

“First, it would be best to evacuate everyone in the mansion.”

Ton seemed unhappy with the magician’s suggestion but eventually nodded.

“I will evacuate the people in the mansion. In return, please strengthen the mansion’s barrier. If the Duke gets out of the warehouse and leaves the mansion, it will be a disaster.”

Ton’s expression was extremely dark. Then, as if snapping back to reality, he looked at Nelia.

“Nelia, you heard the conversation? You should evacuate quickly. It looks like the Duke will escape from the warehouse soon.”

“……Alright.”

Just what was happening to the Duke that necessitated an evacuation?

As Ton left to evacuate the others, Nelia stood for a moment, staring at the warehouse.
Between the collapsing walls at that time, something silver flickered. Upon closer inspection, it looked like the eyes of a massive beast.

Sharp as shards of glass, elongated pupils could be seen between the silver irises.

Nelia couldn’t move for a moment.

Just making eye contact felt like becoming a mouse before a predator.

When her senses somewhat returned, Nelia began to question the brief glimpse of the entity she had seen.

The eyes alone were as big as a human head, so the body must be enormous.

It was difficult to think that vile creature was Duke Hart, but the briefly seen silver irises were too similar.

‘…Is that really… the Duke?’

I know the Duke is cursed to transform into a snake, but that creature hardly seemed like a snake.

Looking at its enormous size and fierce energy, it might be close to the monsters people talk about in this world.

Snapping out of her daze, Nelia suddenly realized almost everyone had evacuated.

“Nelia, you’re still here… we have to leave now…”

Thud[Dash]!

At that moment, the warehouse wall finally broke.