If there had been no side effects at all, he might have been assassinated around the time his abilities first bloomed.

‘If they learn there’s a simple way to heal those side effects…’

The thought alone evoked unpleasant feelings. They would certainly try to eliminate that ‘method.’ That’s why he had no choice but to hide the truth even from Aria Bertin, who could be considered directly involved. The more people who knew, the greater the possibility of the secret leaking out.

“I think I understand the situation well enough now…”

The Emperor’s words brought Theodore back from his contemplation.

“Duke Baniche, what is it that you want?”

Theodore glared at Marquis Carbodin. Could he have anticipated this situation when he first plotted his scheme?

When Elodie awakened her power, the Marquis must have thought the Baniche ducal family was finished, but it was quite the opposite. The secret surrounding Elodie’s birth was well known to the Emperor as well. Whatever card Marquis Carbodin tried to play was essentially a non-existent hand from the start.

“…I want him completely barred from approaching my daughter.”

“Hmm.”

The Emperor stroked his beard with a thoughtful expression.

“What does the Marquis think about this?”

Marquis Carbodin spoke with a face as if he had swallowed poison.

“It is a generous measure.”

“Then that’s fortunate.”

The Emperor burst into laughter.

“Since you two have agreed, I just need to enforce it. Well then, Marquis Carbodin… from today on, you’ll simply be George.”

Though it was entirely predictable, George Carbodin’s face turned pale.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make arrangements for your sister to inherit the title of Marquis, so you’ll still be taken care of.”

“Your Majesty, if that happens, the Carbodin family will target my daughter again. What guarantee is there that this man won’t scheme with his sister’s help?”

“That’s too harsh!”

Despite George Carbodin’s protest, the Emperor sided with Theodore.

“The Duke has a point. Here’s what we’ll do. George, you will now become a dependent of the imperial palace. We’ll ensure you have no discomfort, so you can stay at ease.”

“You are wise, Your Majesty.”

George Carbodin openly gritted his teeth, but Theodore didn’t even glance at him.

“George, what do you think? Are you still dissatisfied? If you wish, I could arrange accommodations elsewhere than the imperial palace…”

“No. I am grateful for your generous treatment, Your Majesty.”

George Carbodin answered quickly. It wasn’t difficult to guess that the ‘other accommodation’ the Emperor mentioned meant prison.

‘How generous. Too generous.’

In truth, this outcome left Theodore somewhat unsatisfied, but he decided to be content with it. At any rate, neither George Carbodin nor his sister would be able to come anywhere near Elodie from now on. However, there was still one more matter to settle between him and the former Marquis.

“George.”

“…Yes.”

George Carbodin was quick to assess the situation. Enough to know that having lost his title and become a commoner, he needed to bow deeply to Theodore.

“What did you do to the Daily Empire?”

“That newspaper?”

George frowned.

“I never touched it.”

“You’re lying.”

Theodore stated flatly.

“If not you, then who deliberately spread malicious articles about my person?”

“Investigate it yourself. It wasn’t me, Your Grace.”

Theodore’s eyes narrowed. George Carbodin didn’t seem to be lying. He wouldn’t be unaware of the consequences if he denied it now, only for the truth to be revealed later. He fell into thought for a moment. ‘Who could it be?’

In fact, there wasn’t even a need to uncover the culprit. The Daily Empire was already in the process of being shut down. But someone had deliberately tried to spread rumors about Aria Bertin.

‘I must find out who.’

The Emperor cleared his throat.

“I think it’s right to release George from his bonds now.”

“…I shall do as you command.”

He concentrated briefly to release the bonds he had placed on George Carbodin’s hands.

“Th-thank you.”

George Carbodin bowed his head in gratitude, but Theodore Baniche showed no reaction. Completely ignoring George Carbodin, who was now freely flexing his hands, he addressed the Emperor.

“I shall return to my territory.”

“Leaving already?”

The Emperor asked with disappointment.

“I thought you might stay a few more days…”

“I am inadequate, and there is much work piled up in the duchy. Please permit me to return.”

“Permission granted.”

The Emperor nodded.

“But come visit again when your territory is stable. Next time, bring that adorable daughter of yours too.”

Theodore Baniche politely agreed, though inwardly he had no such intention. Bringing Elodie to the capital?

That would be like throwing a lamb into a den of wolves. He mounted his horse, waiting at the stable near the garden.

‘It would be better not to use black magic.’

Although he had just released it, he felt that the backlash would soon come due to the considerable black magic he had used to maintain George Carbodin’s bonds. Even if it meant arriving a few days later, it would be better to travel by horseback without using magic.

***

Three days and nights. That was how long Theodore Baniche had been riding. He hadn’t rested at all except to change his tired horse for a fresh one when stopping at villages along the way. And at the end of that three-day journey, the person he encountered was…

“Sir Shaylo.”

His blood ran cold. Once his right-hand man, but he had harbored resentment and betrayed him after being demoted to a common knight. Shaylo Etranger was standing in the middle of the forest path, blocking the way.

“…It’s been a while, Your Grace.”

Theodore observed his opponent carefully. Shaylo looked haggard, perhaps due to his long life as a fugitive, but Theodore felt no sympathy whatsoever.

“Step aside.”

Theodore commanded.

“If you quietly disappear, I won’t punish you for old times’ sake.”

“Punish me? For what crime?”

Shaylo asked loudly.

“For thinking of the Baniche ducal family?”

“For betraying me.”

“Did you hear that? He says the crime is betraying him personally!”

Laughter erupted from all directions. By rough estimation, it sounded like more than a dozen people. Theodore only then realized he had fallen into a trap.

‘…How careless of me.’

Though he blamed himself, it was already too late. Normally, no matter how many opponents there were, it wouldn’t be a problem, but right now, he was barely suppressing the side effects of black magic. If he were to use black magic now, the backlash would be unimaginable.

Theodore tried to spur his horse, but an arrow flying from the trees pierced the horse’s neck with precision. Theodore immediately jumped off the instantly dying horse as it collapsed sideways, drawing his sword.

“Surrender, Your Grace.”

Shaylo spoke in an openly delighted voice.

“Your condition is obvious. If you use even a bit of black magic, you’ll be half-dead.”

“…I don’t need black magic.”

Theodore tightened his grip on his sword.

“This is enough for the likes of you.”

As if in response to his words, three arrows flew in succession. The next moment, three arrows, split exactly in half, lay at Theodore’s feet.

“Your skill remains impressive.”

Shaylo genuinely admired.

“But do you really think you can escape from here? We don’t want to hurt Your Grace either, so please surrender now.”

“…What do you want?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Money.”

Huh. Theodore inwardly sneered. So that was it after all. He couldn’t believe he had once kept such a person by his side.

“Open the ducal family’s secret vault for us. We’ll release Your Grace as soon as we take out the treasures.”

“Your dreams are grand. You won’t be able to move even a quarter of it.”

“That amount would be enough for us to live comfortably for the rest of our lives.”

That was enough wordplay. Theodore swung his sword without any warning. But Shaylo Etranger knew him too well to fall to the first strike. Clang!

Shaylo gripped his sword tightly, breathing heavily.

“Your skill… remains impressive.”

“And yours has deteriorated.”

Theodore replied lightly as he adjusted his grip on the sword. At that moment, with a small sound of wind, a stinging pain crossed his cheek. Though it seemed like a trivial wound, Theodore froze in place. Shaylo confirmed his suspicion.

“It’s poison. Only we have the antidote, so…”