Count Laurien stood in the corridor, blocking in front of Priscis, his face full of seriousness.
The magnificent cane was already gone. In its place was a slender blade, and at the top of the sword's hilt there was still a precious and shining gemstone embedded.
He raised the longsword and stood within the flames, cutting down every fire serpent that dared to approach.
"A misunderstanding?"
At the same time, Viktor stood with both hands in his pockets, looking toward the count.
"Count Laurien, this is your territory."
"In your own place, an undead appeared, and you're telling me this is a misunderstanding?"
As he spoke, Viktor raised his head and glanced at the red health bar floating above Count Laurien's head.
The moment the count appeared and split open the flames, he had already entered a combat state.
After entering combat, the opponent's health bar and level became clearly visible.
[Lv45]
That level was the standard strength of a powerful fourth-rank kingdom warrior.
Compared to most people, he was already very strong.
But…
Count Laurien's aura rose slightly. He flicked the gemstone rapier in his hand, and a fire serpent was swept away along with the blade, scattering sparks.
Then he took a few light breaths and turned his head to look at the "girl" leaning against the wall.
She still seemed frightened by the flames from earlier, hiding beside the wall and not daring to move.
"Priscis, you've caused trouble."
Laurien clearly knew that he was no match for Viktor.
The strength of this councilor was unfathomable.
So he chose to apologize first.
Laurien took the initiative to put away his sword, placing it back inside the cane.
Leaning on the cane just like that, he bowed deeply toward Viktor.
"I apologize for my daughter's rudeness."
This could no longer even be considered noble etiquette.
A count of the kingdom had bent his straight back before someone from another nation.
All just to make up for his daughter's mistake.
Viktor naturally did not continue to pursue the matter.
"For your sake, Count Laurien."
His aura gradually faded, and the red lines behind his windbreaker slowly disappeared.
The surrounding temperature finally dropped, giving Priscis the chance to raise her head.
She lifted her face, pale to the point of having almost no color, and looked at her father's back.
Finally, she struggled to 'stand' up.
The torn dress seemed unable to recover, unable to cover her hollow legs.
She lowered her head and bowed deeply toward Viktor.
Her voice carried a faint sob.
"I'm sorry… Mr. Viktor."
After saying that, she didn't stay even a moment longer. She quickly fled the scene along the corridor.
At the corner, Aurelian happened to witness her leaving.
The moment she saw the girl's empty lower body, she shivered all over.
Her face instantly turned even paler than Priscis had been earlier.
"Aurelian."
A reassuring voice sounded from the side, and Aurelian immediately came back to her senses.
Teacher Viktor's gaze had already turned toward her.
"Come here."
It was as if she had finally grabbed a lifeline. She hurriedly ran to Viktor's side.
"Teacher!"
Aurelian grabbed the corner of Viktor's windbreaker. After feeling that familiar and reassuring presence, she finally relaxed.
'This is really too strange! How could a ghost-like person like that even exist?'
As if noticing Aurelian's fear, Count Laurien also bowed toward her.
"I'm very sorry, Your Highness. My daughter must have frightened you."
"You should have noticed that she is not a living creature. She is merely a wandering soul, unable to leave this estate even half a step."
"But please rest assured, she has never done anything to harm anyone."
Hearing this, Aurelian blinked.
The fear in her heart faded a little.
Replacing it was curiosity, along with a bit of pity for that girl.
"Unable to leave this estate?"
'Why?'
She gradually thought about herself.
In the past, she had also never left the imperial palace.
But Aurelian stayed there because she was timid and didn't know how to interact with others.
She had never even understood the prosperity of the outside world.
If she hadn't met Teacher Viktor, she wouldn't have been able to imagine it.
That she would end up like she was now, even leaving the empire where she had lived for so long and coming to a foreign land.
But Count Laurien's daughter was not in the same situation as her.
Perhaps the girl wanted to go outside.
But she simply could not leave this place.
Thinking about it that way, she felt the other girl was a little pitiful.
Before she could think further, Viktor's voice sounded beside her ear.
"Aurelian, go back to the room and rest."
Aurelian froze.
"B-but…"
She had thought Viktor meant for her to go back to the room she had originally come from.
She had only just managed to find this place.
And if she had to walk back through the corridors again, it was quite far.
On top of that, Count Laurien's daughter might float out from somewhere at any moment.
The fear she had just suppressed surged back into her heart.
Aurelian quickly grabbed the corner of Viktor's clothes. Her voice was soft, carrying a faint hint of pleading.
"Don't… don't leave me…"
"I'm telling you to go rest in my room."
Viktor looked toward the slightly open door behind him and gestured to Aurelian.
Her words were cut off. She raised her head and met Viktor's gaze, cold yet carrying a trace of gentleness.
"Your teacher Gwen is still inside. Go rest with her."
'Teacher Gwen!'
She realized that Viktor wanted to send her away first. Clearly, Teacher Viktor wanted to talk with Count Laurien.
So Aurelian obediently nodded and slipped into the room behind her.
As she left, she couldn't help but turn back and look at Viktor one more time.
Click!
The door closed.
Count Laurien watched Aurelian leave before speaking.
"Her Highness the princess truly relies on you a lot, Councilor Clevanna."
"But that is not something she should have. She should become more independent."
Viktor spoke calmly, turning his gaze back to Count Laurien.
"And now, Count."
"I think we should have a talk."
———
After returning to Viktor's room, Aurelian finally felt a bit at ease.
Although the room wasn't as large as the one Count Laurien had originally prepared for her, the atmosphere here felt much warmer.
It was even warm to the point of feeling a little hot.
Aurelian didn't think much of it, because the room carried a very familiar scent.
Perhaps it was the mixed scent of Teacher Viktor and Teacher Gwen, which made her feel especially safe.
But for some reason, the thought of the two of them spending the night together made her feel a little uneasy.
The room was quiet, with only faint breathing continuing without pause.
Teacher Gwen must be asleep.
Aurelian couldn't help but sigh at how good the soundproofing of the room was.
Even though the noise outside had been so loud earlier, Teacher Gwen could still sleep so soundly.
She slowed her steps and slowly walked toward the bed.
With just one glance, she saw Teacher Gwen lying face down asleep.
Aurelian bent down slightly and began observing her.
Soft silver-white hair spread across the pillow, partially covering her face.
Even though this sleeping position looked uncomfortable, Teacher Gwen seemed to be sleeping very peacefully.
Hm? Something felt a little off.
Aurelian frowned. As a mage, she sensed the presence of magical fluctuations.
It seemed like someone had used magic in the room.
She looked around, and in the end her attention returned to Gwen.
"Hypnosis!?", Aurelian exclaimed, suddenly realizing that her voice had been a little too loud.
But clearly, she had sensed correctly.
Because Gwen didn't wake up.
Even after that loud exclamation, Teacher Gwen was still fast asleep.
This made Aurelian's mind race.
Obviously, a spell capable of easily hypnotizing a third-rank knight could only be cast by one mage here.
What exactly had happened that made Teacher Viktor use hypnosis?
In the blink of an eye, her gaze fell upon the blanket covering Gwen.
She blinked, took a deep breath, and reached out her hand, slowly lifting Gwen's blanket.
"Teacher, excuse my rudeness."
After saying that, the blanket was fully lifted, revealing Gwen wearing a bathrobe.
Not seeing what she had expected made Aurelian let out a sigh of relief.
But soon she noticed another unusual magical fluctuation.
Aurelian's gaze moved toward Gwen's back.
There was a clear mark there that only a mage could see.
Curious, Aurelian circulated a bit of magic and reached out, touching along that mark.
The next second...
Swish!
The mark that had originally been closed was cut open again due to the fluctuation of magic.
Revealing Gwen's snow-white back.
At that moment, Aurelian froze.
Her hand was still stretched out, her mind completely blank.
'Teacher Viktor...'
'What exactly have you done!!!'
———
"This is a specialty tea from our kingdom. Please try it."
Count Laurien sat on the sofa facing Viktor and extended a teacup toward him.
Viktor nodded. The teacup floated automatically to him.
He reached out, took the cup, and casually took a sip.
Then he set the cup down and said calmly, "Count, let's talk about the matter directly."
"You deliberately allowed your daughter to enter my room, and used bringing Aurelian as an excuse to come see me."
Viktor's deep gaze looked toward Laurien.
Along with the crow's eyes, it was as if he could see through everything.
"It should be about the lady who killed your daughter."