Magical beasts are entities that deserve to be exterminated, completely worthless to society. This was especially true in the southern regions, where they caused human casualties every year.

Therefore, calling someone “beast-like” was a tremendous insult.

Naturally, I, the recipient of that insult, was displeased, but…

“…What did you just mutter?”

Richard was emanating such murderous intent that everyone nearby felt crushed by the pressure.

With his teeth clenched so tightly that his tendons protruded, he glared at Erik with fierce eyes.

“Duke… you should consider yourself fortunate that weapons are not permitted at the Holy Week banquet.”

His deeply sunken voice was no mere bluff.

With his fist tightly clenched, he looked ready to kill Erik even without removing his gloves, so I quietly grabbed his arm.

Fortunately, he then lowered his arm.

Erik, who had seemed somewhat surprised, looked once at me standing close to Richard, then once at Richard himself, before speaking in a cold voice.

“…Indeed. Advice is only effective for those willing to accept it.”

With those final words, he turned his back and left the banquet hall.

Richard, who had been watching his retreating figure with an expressionless gaze, met my eyes when I gripped his arm more firmly, and consciously relaxed his rigid expression.

“…I should never have left your side, even for a moment.”

At his self-reproachful voice, I shook my head.

“I’m fine. I was just a little upset, but not hurt.”

When I smiled cleanly, clearly intending to prove my words true, Richard let out a faint sigh.

“You must be tired anyway, let’s go back now.”

“…But you’re the host, is it alright for you to leave?”

“I’ve fulfilled my duties sufficiently. Even if I hadn’t, you are my highest priority.”

After declaring this firmly, he escorted me to the carriage.

***

Inside the carriage returning to the Rabius mansion.

Richard expressed his apologies to me again.

“Callia, I’m sorry you had to hear such harsh words. It was my oversight for not properly managing the banquet guests.”

He blamed himself for allowing someone who shouldn’t have been there to attend, but I felt he had no reason to do so.

“You said that Aquilus hosting is just a nominal tradition, and you don’t determine the guest list, right?”

“Still, I could have known in advance if I had tried.”

Hmm. At this rate, he’ll continue blaming himself even after we get back.

I decided to change my strategy to prevent an innocent person from feeling sorry.

“Well, no matter how much I behaved like a ruffian in Rainfeld, even Erik Schwerin went too far with his words.”

“Even the incidents in Rainfeld… weren’t your fault, were they?”

Richard, who knew about my possession, said this, but I responded with a grin.

“That may be true, but he kept being annoying, so I was about to show him what a real villainess is like. Thanks to Richard’s timely arrival, I managed to hold onto my sanity.”

When I added that Richard’s calm handling of the situation was impressive, he remained silent for a moment before running his hand over his face.

“…I nearly threw punches like a common thug while talking to that man. I’m glad I restrained myself.”

At his small murmur, I patted his arm gently and smiled slightly, indicating he had done well to hold back.

“It feels quite nice to have someone get angry on my behalf.”

“Perhaps I should challenge that man to a duel after all….”

“No, no. That’s enough.”

If Duke Schwerin and Admiral Aquilus fought, only Friedrich in the imperial palace would be clapping with delight.

Hmm, I can’t bear to see that happen, if only because it would be so distasteful.

“I’d rather Richard spend time dating me than wasting it on that man.”

After surprising him with a light kiss on the cheek, Richard closed his eyes tightly before opening them again.

“I simply… cannot win against you.”

Heh. A handsome man getting angry for my sake is nice, but a handsome man being embarrassed is even better.

As I contentedly enjoyed looking at his face, Richard’s ears turned even redder.

After helplessly enduring my teasing, Richard made a suggestion to me as we approached the Rabius mansion.

“…Callia. If it’s alright with you, I’d like to invite you to the Aquilus ducal residence next time.”

“…The residence, not the villa?”

“If it’s burdensome, you can decline.”

“Oh, no. It’s not burdensome, just sudden.”

In truth, it was extremely burdensome!

But that didn’t mean I disliked the idea.

“Feel free to refuse, think about it and give me your answer later.”

“Yes. I will.”

How dare he spring this on me at the end like this.

Perhaps Richard, after the incident with Erik today and meeting many people before that…

It might simply be a suggestion born from wanting to spend some quiet time together next time, but…

‘What should I wear?’

My heart was pounding loudly.

***

The afternoon of the day after attending the Holy Week banquet.

I visited the Sea God Temple.

“Saint…!”

“Don’t get up. I’m just here to visit a sick person. And I told you not to call me that.”

My purpose was to check on Baden’s condition.

Even though the root cause was a curse set by that lunatic called Kaiman or whatever.

Still, he collapsed while using his abilities on the threatening letter I delivered, so I felt responsible.

Moreover, Baden’s complexion was still pale, making me more concerned that Richard might have downplayed the situation to prevent me from worrying.

As I looked at him with a serious expression, Baden misunderstood something and said dejectedly.

“I only have one talent, and even that couldn’t be of help… I’m sorry…”

I still vividly remembered how unpleasantly he had treated me when we first met, but seeing him make such statements with his haggard appearance made me feel somewhat sympathetic.

“It’s not your fault, so there’s nothing to apologize for. The crazy one is whoever placed that nasty curse on the letter.”

“Kaiman is an extremely dangerous individual. This time, I really wanted to be of help to you, Saint, My Lady…”

Baden stammered with tears welling up in his eyes and a contorted face, looking on the verge of crying.

‘I came to visit a sick person, not to console someone crying.’

I hastily responded, alarmed.

“Come on, what are you saying? You’ve been helping Richard all this time because of my request.”

“B-but, sob…”

A crying handsome man is nice, but… crying Baden. Well.

Feeling cold sweat forming on my back, I hurriedly attempted to change the subject.

“Um, the Sea God Festival is coming up soon, right? Marcello mentioned that ‘Baden is really looking forward to the Sea God Festival.’ Don’t you need to get better soon to see it?”

But this time, I must have touched on something wrong again, as Baden finally began shedding tears.

With a feeling of wanting to hold my forehead, I silently handed him one of the handkerchiefs piled on the bedside table, and he covered his face while murmuring.

“I apologize… I’ve shown an unseemly display before you, Saint, My Lady.”

“No, well… anyone can be like that when they’re sick.”

I awkwardly responded, appreciating that he was at least trying to correct his form of address.

“……”

“…Ahem.”

After an extremely awkward moment passed.

Baden, who seemed to have composed himself somewhat, spoke in a nasal voice.

“…I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright.”

I calmly replied and was about to say goodbye, telling him to recover well, but Baden was quicker to speak in a cautious tone.

“By chance, do you know about Lord Hartuga, M-My Lady?”

‘Hartuga.’ Hmm. It was a name I remembered hearing.

So probably—

“A divine beast who, unlike ordinary divine beasts, can understand human language… isn’t it?”

Come to think of it, Mono was like that, too.

‘I wonder how Mono’s doing.’

Just as I was about to ask Baden about Mono’s well-being, I noticed his inexplicably tense expression.

Hmm. Judging by his serious demeanor, it seems I’ll need to finish this topic before asking.

“…Ah. Is that why you were looking forward to the Sea God Festival? To see Lord Hartuga?”

“That’s right. He is… ‘the Divine Beast of Wisdom.’ A being capable of providing clear answers to all existing questions.”

…Able to answer all questions in the world?

‘Alua was also a divine beast of purification, but I don’t think he was at that level.’

Thinking it was quite an overpowered ability, I was clicking my tongue when Baden suddenly jumped up from the bed and, before I could stop him, got down on the floor and knelt.

“Saint…!”

“No, wait, what are you doing?”

And then, as I floundered in surprise, he practically banged his head on the floor in front of my feet and exclaimed.

“I would like to make one request of you regarding Lord Hartuga…!”