Clay and Cerys were now back at the villa, the familiar stone walls rising before them like a quiet refuge after everything that had happened.
The air felt calmer here, as if the chaos of the dungeon and the outside world could not easily reach this place.
Yet even as Clay dismounted the horse, he did not feel relaxed. His shoulders were slightly stiff, and his eyes carried a tired weight that did not fade.
The old butler hurried forward the moment he saw them, his steps quick despite his age, his expression filled with worry and relief at the same time.
"Young master, where have you been? Do you know how worried we all were? The entire estate was in unrest when we could not find you, and your father even sent word twice asking about your whereabouts.
"The guards were sent out, the servants whispered among themselves, and even I, who has served this household for decades, could not remain calm. You disappeared without a word, and your condition when you returned before was already concerning, yet now you vanish again without notice. Young master, this is not like you at all."
He did not stop there. His voice continued, carrying years of care and responsibility.
"You did not even bring a proper escort, and the lands beyond the estate are not safe. There are bandits, rogue mana cultivators, and unknown dangers that even trained knights would hesitate to face alone.
"You are the pride of the Valmont family, and if something were to happen to you, it would not only bring grief to your father but also shake the foundation of our house.
"Please, young master, you must consider these things. Even if you wish to act freely, at least inform someone. At least allow us to ensure your safety."
Clay was taken aback.
"Didn't I ask you to not worry after I teleported?"
The old butler still had a worried look on his face. "But young master… it's still…"
Clay refused to listen and simply walked forward while pretending he was listening, his expression calm, almost empty, as if the words were flowing past him like a stream that he did not care to touch. He did not interrupt, nor did he respond immediately. It was not that he did not hear the butler. He simply did not have the energy to engage.
Behind him, Cerys followed quietly, her steps light, her posture respectful. Her eyes moved between Clay and the butler, observing everything without speaking.
Suddenly, the old butler lowered his voice slightly as if remembering something important.
"Young master, your father, Master sent a message through a pigeon earlier. He said that you must come and meet him as soon as possible. He mentioned that it is an important matter that cannot be delayed."
His tone seemed serious.
Clay stopped for a moment but did not turn around. "I am tired," he said plainly. "I need to rest. I will meet him when I wake up."
The butler blinked, clearly surprised.
In the past, the young master would have gone immediately, no matter how exhausted he was. He had always been eager to prove himself, eager to meet expectations, eager to be acknowledged. But now, that eagerness is gone, replaced by something else entirely.
As Clay resumed walking, the butler remained where he stood, watching his back. He could not help but feel a deep concern settle in his chest.
Ever since the betrothal to the girl with the Absolute Ice Body, something in the young master had changed. The brightness in his eyes had dimmed, replaced by a calm that felt too distant. And now, he even ignored a summons from his father.
"What will the master think of this?" the butler thought, his brows knitting together.
Clay reached the large doors of his room, the heavy wood standing tall before him. He paused, his hand resting on the handle, and then suddenly called out.
"Butler."
The old man immediately straightened. "Yes, young master."
Clay did not turn around as he spoke. "Give her a lot of resources."
The butler followed his gaze and looked at Cerys, his eyes widening slightly. "Resources? How much, young master?"
Before Clay could answer, Cerys stepped forward slightly and bowed her head.
"Young master, I would like to accept your kindness, but you have already given me too much. The inheritance alone is more than I could ever hope for. It is already more than enough for me."
The butler's expression changed again, this time filled with shock.
Inheritance? He gave her an inheritance? That fast?
His mind raced.
This girl had been an enemy not long ago, yet now she stood here as a maid, receiving treasures that even core members of the family might not easily obtain.
So why would the young master…
Clay gave him a side glance and knew what the old butler was thinking, so calmly, he spoke. "She pledged her allegiance to me using a mana oath and a blood oath."
The butler inhaled slightly. He was still cautious. "Such oaths were not something that could be taken lightly. They bound the person completely, leaving no room for betrayal. To accept someone under such conditions was not reckless. It was decisive…" Suddenly, he eyed Clay and asked, "young master, is her oath genuine? She's an assassin, remember?"
Clay understood him. Assassins can fake their oaths and only certain secret oats affect them, so to the bufler… His decision was reckless.
Suddenly, to assure him, Clay says, "I have my ways…"
The old butler paused. After a long seconds of silence, he spoke. "My apologies, young master."
Clay nodded. "Apology accepted."
Still, he could not help but ask, "Young master, if that is the case, how will she leave the side of her previous master without offering resources?"
Cerys answered before Clay could speak. "I will handle it myself. I will eliminate a few bandits and monsters along the way and gather resources. Then I will return and present them. That will be enough."
Clay looked at her for a moment, his gaze steady. "Always prioritize your safety, my maid," he said.
Cerys nodded. "I will for you, young master…"
Then Clay turned to the butler again and gave an order that unexpected. "Give my maid a mana communication device."
This time, the butler could not hide his shock. A mana communication device was not something ordinary. It was an item that allowed instant communication across long distances, something only high-ranking members or trusted individuals possessed. It required rare materials and careful crafting. Even within the Valmont family, not many had access to one.
"Young master… are you certain?" he asked, his voice slightly hesitant.
Clay did not explain. "Just do it."
The butler paused for a long second again and then bowed his head. "As you wish."
Cerys felt a warmth in her chest, though she kept her expression composed. "Young master, I will go now." She paused, then added softly, "Rest well."
Clay nodded. "Come back in three or four days."
He gave a side eye to the old butler and the old butler nodded.
Inside his mind, his thoughts continued. "That should be enough time. I need to organize everything in my head. The memories, the information, the events that are coming. The catastrophe will begin next week. I cannot afford to be unprepared."
Cerys heard all that and bowed. "I understand."
The next moment, her figure vanished, dissolving into the air without a sound.
The butler's eyes widened in disbelief. He had not sensed it at all. Not even a trace. As someone experienced in combat, this was something that should not happen. Yet it did.
"That girl… what kind of existence is she?"
Clay glanced at the empty space where she had stood. "I hope nothing happens to her," he muttered. He gave a side glance to the butler, "follow her."
Then he pushed the door open, stepped inside, and closed it with a loud sound that echoed down the hallway, leaving the butler standing there, stunned and silent.
…
Meanwhile, far from the estate, in a small town filled with merchants and travelers, the young man continued to follow Frazanna, his expression filled with irritation and determination.
He leaned slightly closer to her, trying to speak in a tone that sounded charming but only came off as forceful. "Come on, why are you ignoring me? I have been helping you, have I not? I stayed by your side, I watched your battles, and I even offered advice. Do you not think that deserves at least a little attention?"
Frazanna did not respond. Her eyes remained forward, her expression cold, as if his words did not exist.
Inside the young man's upper dantian, a voice echoed. "You are too impatient. Women like her are not won through force. You must guide her slowly. Build trust, create dependence, and then take control."
The young man frowned slightly but listened. "Then what should I do?"
The voice continued, calm and calculating. 'First, you must show value. Save her when she is in danger. Support her when she is weak. Make her believe that you are someone she cannot do without. Only then will she lower her guard. Once that happens, everything else will follow naturally."
The young man smirked faintly. I understand.
Then his expression darkened as he thought of earlier. "If not for that guy and his maid, I would have already made progress. That opportunity was perfect."
His eyes flickered with greed. "And that maid… I want her too."
The voice inside him chuckled softly. "Do not rush. One step at a time. You cannot grasp everything at once without losing it all."
The young man was about to respond when suddenly, the voice turned serious.
"Wait."
The young man froze. "What is it?"
"Something is coming."
The air around them grew heavy, and for a brief moment, even Frazanna's steps slowed.
The voice spoke again, low and tense.
"Something dangerous."