I had firmly believed that coexistence between magical creatures and humans was possible. Yet I couldn’t readily answer Iris’s question. Despite knowing that centuries of conflict between species wouldn’t easily disappear, I had foolishly dreamed an idealistic dream.

Reality wasn’t kind to anyone. I felt like someone who had lived in a utopia and was seeing beyond the wall for the first time. Perhaps I had created a well, named it “utopia,” and imprisoned myself within it all this time.

Thoughts kept racing through my mind all night, preventing me from sleeping. No matter how much I tossed and turned, sleep wouldn’t come, so I decided to take a leisurely walk along the forest path. I finished getting ready and stepped outside, only to encounter a familiar face entering the lodging.

“Oh…? Professor.”

He radiated coldness, having apparently wandered around the chilly seaside since early dawn.

“I was about to wake you. Perfect timing.”

“What’s going on?”

“I’ve prepared a carriage for somewhere we need to go. Can you leave immediately?”

“R-right now? Just a moment…!”

Fortunately, I had woken up early. I hurried back to the room and carefully grabbed my belongings without waking Iris. I quickly took my motion sickness medicine and boarded the carriage with Asrein. The moment the door closed with a thud, the carriage departed.

Today, we were supposed to examine Oceanos Coast habitats in groups and then share brief reports. Perhaps he disliked moving with crowds and wanted to go ahead… However, before asking about our destination, there was something I absolutely needed to tell Asrein.

“Um, I heard from Winter.”

“Hmm?”

“About why storms keep hitting Oceanos Sea.”

I feared Asrein’s reaction to the truth. His anger would likely surge beyond measure. While I was tense, unsure how to explain, surprisingly, he broke the silence first.

“Because they tried to build a temple on Potamoi Island, isn’t it?”

I quickly raised my head at this unexpected turn.

“Professor, you already knew?”

“I heard from the sanctuary director yesterday. That’s why I arranged to meet the lord to learn the details. Fortunately, he also wanted to meet me.”

“When are you going? Please take me with you.”

“Now.”

“…What?”

Asrein calmly gazed out the window.

“We’re going there now.”

I followed his gaze outside. The carriage wasn’t heading toward the coastal area where our field study would take place but was traveling through the city center. Our destination was the Pergamon Manor, home of the ruler of this port city.

I carefully asked Asrein, who looked more tired than yesterday:

“What did the sanctuary director say?”

“…That it was a necessary evil.”

“Ha, that’s absurd. How could someone who’s supported the sanctuary all this time try to suppress magical creatures using outdated methods?”

“The interests are complexly intertwined, so I decided to hear their side first.”

Contrary to my expectation that he would be furious, Asrein remained calm. No, can I really call this smooth, rounded emotion “calmness”? It looked more like resignation. His eyes, gazing into the distance, clearly revealed his exhaustion.

I once comforted Asrein by saying “the world is changing.” I told him more people were studying magical creatures and many sanctuaries were making efforts. But seeing him now, I realized how insensitive my consolation had been.

Disillusioned with this world, Asrein had long abandoned hope. Having experienced countless similar incidents, he had gradually grown numb, like a rock mercilessly eroded by waves. In the heavy silence that filled the carriage, I couldn’t utter a word.

Shortly after, the carriage stopped, and I followed Asrein out. Standing in front of the enormous manor was a young man who appeared to be in his early twenties. Upon seeing Asrein, he greeted him respectfully.

“Welcome, Count Asrein… Or should I call you Professor?”

“Call me whatever you prefer. And you are?”

“I’m Bezef, the eldest son of House Pergamon. My father is quite unwell today, so I’ve come in his place.”

No wonder he looked young—he wasn’t the count but his son. Asrein nodded readily and said:

“Pleased to meet you, Lord Bezef. As long as you know the details, it doesn’t matter who I speak with.”

“I appreciate your understanding.”

Despite Asrein’s rather direct words, Bezef remained composed and led us into the manor. The spacious residence was filled with elaborate decorations, yet somehow exuded a gloomy atmosphere. Perhaps because the lord of Pergamon was in poor health? Throughout our visit, it felt like walking under overcast skies.

When we entered the reception room at the end of the corridor, a skilled servant served us tea. I lifted the cup and inhaled slightly, detecting the fragrant scent of herbs.

“This is herbal tea grown locally. It should warm your cold bodies.”

As Bezef said, it was a warm tea that washed away the harsh sea breeze. Asrein sipped his tea and asked the customary greeting:

“How is Count Pergamon’s condition?”

“He hasn’t been sleeping well lately. Fortunately, today he finally fell asleep after three days, thanks to medicine from the physician. He’s been skipping meals, saying he has no appetite… People around him say it’s just the natural course of aging, but I believe it’s guilt over recent events.”

“Guilt… is it.”

The fingers caressing the maple-leaf engraved teacup suddenly stopped. Asrein’s twisted lips and furrowed brow clearly revealed his emotions. Noticing his evident displeasure, Bezef contemplated briefly before speaking:

“Since you’re a busy person, I’ll be direct. My father did order the construction of a temple on Potamoi Island. However… it was an unavoidable choice.”

Bezef swallowed hard and glanced out the window.

“By now, ships should be constantly coming and going in the harbor. But ominous rumors about Oceanos have spread, and fewer people are entering Pergamon port. As you know, this city shares its fate with the harbor. Even citizens who don’t work on ships make their living by serving tourists or sailors who briefly stop here. But… at this rate, ships might stop coming altogether.”

His composed expression gradually distorted, revealing his true feelings.

“Moreover, the amount of jewels thrown into the sea each year to appease Oceanos’s anger is substantial. His Majesty is personally visiting for next year’s founding anniversary, and if he sees this… No, if His Majesty’s ship gets caught in Oceanos’s mischief…”

Bezef paused with trembling breath and squeezed his eyes shut.

“Not just the city, but House Pergamon itself would be in danger.”

Bezef’s hands on his thighs trembled slightly. His anxiety was palpable. Asrein, who had been quietly listening, calmly spoke:

“I understand how you feel. But don’t you think the wrong choice has only provoked more anger?”

“…I know. My father deeply regrets his mistake. He’s refusing even basic treatment, saying it’s divine punishment.”

Bezef frowned regretfully, then continued in a pleading tone:

“However, Professor. My father… no, Count Pergamon has continuously supported the sanctuary. If you’ve seen Tethys Sanctuary, you must know how much effort he’s made all these years.”

A sharp gaze was directed at Asrein, but he remained silent. Sensing the critical moment, Bezef leaned forward and pleaded:

“So just this once… please help us this one time.”

“What exactly do you want me to do?”

“I’ve heard that Oceanos is a powerful magical creature capable of willful communication with humans.”

“That’s correct.”

“Please tell him for us. We won’t touch his territory again, so please ask him to withdraw his anger…”

The eldest son, Bezef, willingly bowed his head, feeling the family fortunes declining with his bedridden father and the deserted harbor. He seemed to believe Asrein could dispel the dark clouds hanging over the great mansion. Quietly putting down his teacup, Asrein interlaced his fingers and murmured:

“This will be the last time.”

“…Professor…!”

“However, I will only deliver the message. Whether to forgive or not is Oceanos’s decision.”

“Even so, thank you…”

Bezef wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and sighed with relief. At least this time the offender acknowledged his mistake and sought forgiveness, but how many absurd incidents must have occurred before? I swallowed bitter emotions watching Asrein, who didn’t outwardly show his anger.

Asrein was the one who broke the long silence.

“If it’s alright, I’d like to see Count Pergamon briefly.”

“…My father? Why…?”

“The physician might have misdiagnosed. I’d like to check his condition myself.”

Bezef, noticing Asrein’s goodwill, quickly rose from his seat.

“Ah, I’ll show you the way.”

Following Bezef up the stairs, we arrived at Count Pergamon’s room. Asrein entered with a servant, while I waited outside with Bezef.

“Your mansion is truly elegant.”

“Thank you. I apologize for not getting a proper introduction in the commotion.”

“Oh, I’m the professor’s student. I’m just a commoner, so please feel free to be casual…”

“Not at all. You’ve come to help Pergamon, so you’re an important guest.”

Bezef said with a faint smile. Though I appreciated the courteous treatment, I regretfully found this mansion too desolate. Despite being inhabited, it lacked any warm comfort. While looking around the mansion where only footsteps echoed, I noticed a flower that seemed out of place.

“…That flower…”

“Isn’t the purple color beautiful? It’s from a bouquet we received as a gift. My mother liked it, so we put it on display.”

The purple flower with petals curling outward—it was a Dehid. I hadn’t seen this flower since discovering the scent pouch during the Bivrint Forest incident. It wasn’t typically used for window decoration. As I approached for a closer look, Bezef kindly explained:

“It came with an invitation to a banquet.”

“…A banquet?”

“Yes. They’re gathering lords who have suffered from magical creatures to devise effective countermeasures. My father was considering attending… But that’s no longer necessary. Since the renowned Professor Asrein has agreed to help Pergamon, there’s no need to make the long journey.”

Bezef nodded with a much more stable expression than in the reception room. In contrast, my complexion darkened with the ominous feeling emanating from the purple flower.

“Who sent it?”

“If I remember correctly, it was Baron Klaus, who manages a small city in the southeast.”

As soon as he finished speaking, my hand caressing the petals tensed. Snap—the petal tip was roughly torn off by my fingernail. Baron Klaus… I never expected to hear that name here.

Unable to ignore the suspicious banquet, I asked Bezef:

“Could I possibly receive that invitation instead?”

“…The invitation sent to Pergamon?”

“Yes. I think our professor would be very interested in it.”

Bezef frowned with confusion and tilted his head. It was an understandable reaction—I had abruptly asked for someone else’s banquet invitation. But I couldn’t let this opportunity pass. It might be a clue to catch the tail of the snake that had been slipping away.

“…Is that too much to ask?”

“Not at all. Since he’s generously agreed to help us, this is nothing. Please wait here a moment.”

Fortunately, Bezef turned away without further suspicion. While standing quietly in place, I happened to look out the window beyond the Dehid flower. Once again, the blue sky embraced Oceanos Sea. But I could faintly see something.

“Ah, Lord Bezef.”

Dark clouds gathering beyond the horizon.

“What is it?”

“You should avoid going out today if possible.”

“The weather seems nice for once… why?”

Bezef stopped and turned his gaze toward the window. Looking at the dark blue sea alongside him, I said quietly:

“A storm is coming soon.”