Fazel looked at the party venue. Many nobles came to see him, who would live as Duke Zieten from now on. Among them were Esran, Suran, and Trean.

Fazel walked out among the nobles gathered to celebrate Duke Zieten’s coming-of-age ceremony. With his cool gaze, he looked cold.

With short hair and golden eyes, he overwhelmed the crowd. He seemed to resemble the eyes of Aegis, the previous Duke. Everyone bowed and greeted him when Fazel approached. No one looked down on the Duke who’d just become a Sword Master for being of illegitimate birth.

The ability he showed was more outstanding than anyone else’s. The valedictorian title he displayed when he held the Asnel surname and the administrative ability he showed after becoming Duke weren’t at a level typical for his age.

Of course, Esran’s help played a part, but even considering that, it was tremendous. Naturally, people paid attention to the Duke with a promising future.

The chandelier sparkled. Noble ladies greeted him with their faces hidden behind fans. Young ladies also bowed their heads to Fazel.

Louelle Asnel’s former fiancé. Fazel was no longer anyone’s man now. So occasionally women approached him. But Fazel didn’t even dance, only refused.

Esran watched Fazel’s behavior.

“Doesn’t it seem like he’s acting this way because of Louelle?”

Esran nodded.

“It seems so.”

It had already been nearly a year since Louelle and he parted. Fazel still longed only for Louelle.

At first, one could say it was understandable since they’d parted in unfortunate circumstances, but time had passed now. Yet Fazel’s heart remained the same. He knew of Louelle’s efforts to break the curse and acted as she wanted.

“Duke Zieten.”

Garen walked toward him.

“Commander-in-Chief.”

Fazel bowed his head toward him. Garen put his arm around his shoulders.

“What’s with formalities between fellow Dukes?”

“Still, aren’t you my senior?”

“That’s true.”

Garen seemed very pleased that Fazel hadn’t danced with other women. Since he still corresponded with Louelle, Garen had planned to subtly scold him if he sought other women! 

When Fazel didn’t do so, Garen became excited and whispered to him.

“Let’s have a drink together after the party.”

“Understood.”

“Together” meant Louelle’s three godfathers, Suran, Esran, Trean, and Loctaron. Because winter was approaching, the windows were closed. But Fazel felt a chill.

Without realizing it, he sought warmth.

‘Louelle.’

It was a coming-of-age ceremony where he particularly missed her embrace.

* * *

After the coming-of-age ceremony ended, Esran and the others followed Ollos. Loctaron beside them hadn’t removed his warm coat.

“Aren’t you hot?”

Loctaron shook his head.

“The castle is full of cold energy.”

“Cold energy?”

Esran expressed doubt. Because the castle was full of warm heat.

“It’s cold energy only those with magical power can feel. Long-accumulated resentment is embedded here.”

Loctaron clicked his tongue while looking around the castle.

“I don’t know how many people there were for this much cold energy to be felt.”

Loctaron shook his head.

“His Grace the Duke probably feels the cold energy even more.”

Even when heating the room, it’s only cold. Suran recalled what Aegis had said.

He’d said his body was cold no matter how much warm tea he drank. Could Fazel be the same?

His letters only said he was doing well. Ollos opened the door to the largest reception room.

Inside was a splendid lighting fixture. Yellow flames burned brightly in the lamps. The chandelier sparkled and famous paintings hung on the walls.

“Splendid.”

Seeing the interior more splendid than any room in the Count’s house, Esran realized the prestige of the Zieten ducal family. And felt the weight on Fazel who led that ducal family.

“He’s just a son who’s barely reached adulthood.”

Suran felt sorry for Fazel’s fate. But it couldn’t be helped.

They each took seats and waited for Fazel to enter. After a while, Fazel opened the door and entered.

“I’m glad everyone seems well.”

Fazel sat in a chair. Butler Ollos brought tea and sweets and set them down.

After he left, Fazel spoke to Esran.

“Is Louelle doing well?”

When he sought Louelle first, Esran smiled and pulled out a small picture from his br*ast.

“Louelle told me to give you this.”

Fazel received the picture. It was a picture of Louelle holding Fazel’s younger sibling Ellie.

Fazel’s eyes widened at her portrait. Below was written in Louelle’s handwriting.

[Our Future]

It meant she dreamed of a future where they’d have children someday and live happily. Fazel felt like crying. He’d been expressionless in the ducal house, but couldn’t manage that now.

Because emotions came out naturally when it involved Louelle. When Fazel looked like he’d cry any moment, Suran quickly pulled out a handkerchief.

After lightly wiping his tears with it, Fazel looked at Garen.

“I heard monsters suddenly increased sharply.”

“Right.”

“It could be said it’s time for the Zieten ducal family to step forward.”

Solestin continued Garen’s words to Fazel. The reason the Zieten ducal family could have overwhelming power was because they were born with abilities beyond human through generations.

They used this power to exterminate monsters. There was a small land between the area where humans lived and the area where other races lived, and monsters existed there.

If monsters only stayed in that land, nothing happened. But occasionally monsters intoxicated by human blood entered human lands, which was the problem.

This happened periodically, and recently damage from monsters was reported throughout the Empire. So except for warps frequently used by people, warnings were issued throughout the Empire to avoid roads through forests as much as possible.

The reason the three godfathers attended this coming-of-age ceremony was to inform Fazel of this fact.

“Louelle also hopes you’ll participate in monster subjugation. Though I don’t know the reason.”

Fazel smiled slightly. Though he didn’t know what hope she held to arrange things this way, Fazel intended to do as she wished.

Because this was all he could do.

“Originally the Zieten ducal family also participates in monster subjugation but doesn’t come to the forefront. They appear in critical times.”

Garen recalled the method Aegis used.

“I’ll come to the forefront.”

Because Louelle wanted that. Besides, if they didn’t deal with monsters quickly, monsters might appear in Asnel territory too.

Even if there was a magical barrier preventing monsters from entering Asnel territory, who knew what would happen if strong monsters appeared.

“Anyway, I’m counting on you.”

Garen extended his hand to Fazel. Fazel grasped his hand.

After tea time ended, Esran and Fazel remained alone. Fazel looked at Louelle’s portrait and asked Esran.

“How is Louelle?”

“She said she learned the secret of the Zieten ducal family and is busily preparing something.”

“I see.”

It seemed she hadn’t told even Esran what it was.

“Oh, and she said to be careful since you’re going monster hunting for the first time. She said even Sword Masters can get hurt.”

Fazel smiled. Besides her, no one would worry about him like this when he was a Sword Master.

“Anything to pass on to Louelle?”

Fazel pulled out a letter. He’d cherished it all along wanting to give it to Esran today.

“When I write letters, I write words I want to hurt her with. So it’s hard to write with emotion.”

At first, the curse toward her was weak. But it seemed to grow stronger as time passed.

“I see.”

“I kept it close because it might be my last letter.”

The Zieten ducal family’s curse activated at age 25. From then, one sought women. But another curse was also placed on Fazel.

Aegis made him his successor to survive. Yet he suddenly took his own life.

Could this be related to the current curse? What on earth had happened to the Zieten ducal family?

And what did Louelle know to prepare like this? Fazel was curious but also trusted Louelle and waited quietly.

* * *

Monsters appeared in the human world every 10 years. This monster subjugation also happened after 10 years.

Fazel fastened his sword at his waist. He wore armor and packed Louelle’s portrait in his bag.

“Have a safe trip.”

Ollos, who saved his life when he was illegitimate. Without him, he would already be dead.

“I’ll be back.”

“The previous Duke went monster hunting a few times. After returning, he suffered from cold energy.”

Ollos was a butler who’d served Aegis since his youth. He smiled with an eyepatch over one eye.

They said Nertian stabbed one eye while Ollos tried to save the illegitimate child. They said Aegis stopped him from killing Ollos.

“Is that so?”

“It will be very cold. Because for generations, Dukes sought women after monster hunting ended.”

They said only a woman’s body temperature soothed that chill. Fazel thought of Louelle.

If he held her in his arms, this cold would disappear. But if Louelle was by his side, he’d want to hurt her.

“I don’t need women. I must endure, mustn’t I?”

Fazel spoke with a smile. What he feared more than being cold was Louelle getting hurt and giving up on him.

They were recruiting mercenaries to go monster hunting in the capital. Since it was work led by Garen, Fazel had to leave for the capital too.

Fazel mounted his horse and left with the knights. Watching that sight, Ollos smiled quietly.

“This generation’s Duke is different.”

Probably because he didn’t live in the ducal house.

“I hope he becomes happy…”

Aegis always suffered from cold. He felt fear at his power growing stronger day by day, and to survive, he embraced women even before the curse activated to create a successor as quickly as possible.

Yet even he ultimately took his own life. He hoped Fazel alone wouldn’t live an unhappy life.

* * *

The monster subjugation force moved. Mages from all over the country detected monster energy, and when a location was discovered, they headed there.

Since they were searching throughout the Empire, it took some time. Mages moved quickly and found monsters throughout the Empire.

“But it’s strange.”

Garen looked at the sky. They’d easily subdued monsters with large-scale personnel. Fazel asked.

“What’s strange?”

When Fazel noticed and wiped monster blood on his face, Garen gave him his attention.

“Should I say there are too many monsters?”

“Too many?”

“Originally there were at most 3-4 regions where monsters appeared. But now it’s already over 6.”

There was one more thing that bothered him. Garen pulled out a map from his br*ast.

“Try drawing lines connecting the regions where monsters appeared.”

Looking at the map, Fazel’s expression hardened.

“You know what’s in the center, right?”

“Yes.”

The center was where the first Duke Zieten made his name known by defeating the demon dragon in the past. They said the first Duke Zieten received the Dragon Lord’s blessing and gained his current magical power.

“Originally monsters did appear centered around there. But this time the monsters are seriously numerous.”

Garen made an ominous expression.

“And it’s already been 100 years since the demon dragon was sealed.”

100 years ago, the demon dragon’s seal was precarious. Then the Duke Zieten personally stepped forward and sealed the demon dragon again with the family’s power.

“There’s no talk of the seal weakening every 100 years, you see.”

“Then we should go to where it’s sealed.”

“Seems so. We just received news that monsters were discovered near here anyway.”

Garen smiled brightly.

“So I’m counting on you, Duke Zieten.”

Garen extended his hand to Fazel. The monster subjugation force headed to where the demon dragon was sealed.

Monsters were rampaging there. Fazel covered his sword with sword energy and cut down monsters in one stroke.

The monsters’ blue blood splattered. Fazel trembled at the cold energy felt throughout his body.

“Fazel, are you alright?”

Fazel nodded.

“I’m fine.”

After monster hunting ended, he gradually felt cold energy. His whole body was chilled and cold. Though his hands were fine and the temperature was high, he felt cold.

What Ollos said was right. Sometimes he lost sleep from the cold. 

But since it got somewhat better with time, he endured monster hunting, but the cold energy grew stronger as they approached the demon dragon’s seal.

Now he felt cold energy immediately upon cutting monsters. Monster blood had a higher temperature than human blood. Though other mercenaries and knights said it was hot, Fazel felt cold.

“Fazel, rest for a bit.”

Because Fazel felt too much cold energy, Garen ordered. Normally Fazel would say he could do it, but now it was too much. Fazel nodded and stood behind Garen holding only his sword.

Garen cut down charging monsters while slowly climbing the mountain. Kaisiel also felt doubt about the monsters and said to check the demon dragon’s seal once.

So Garen’s unit was heading to the demon dragon’s seal.

* * *

I thoroughly collected newsletters about Fazel who left for monster hunting. Whenever even a little news appeared, I cut out the newsletter and saved it.

I even found out they were going to check the demon dragon’s seal. It was proceeding identically to the original story’s flow.

‘Now fate is about to begin.’

I recalled the documents the Emperor showed me a few months ago. The contents of the documents containing the Zieten ducal family’s secret were truly astonishing.

Seeing that, I understood at once the curse placed on the Zieten ducal family. Though I hadn’t yet found a clue to solve it.

Though I didn’t know how fate would guide me, I intended to utilize everything I knew to the maximum.

It was winter when Fazel left for monster hunting. But now it was already spring.

Fazel said the curse worsened so writing letters was difficult. Though my heart ached too, I no longer sent letters.

Was he looking well at the portrait I sent? I hoped it remained preciously in his arms.

I smiled bitterly. I graduated from the Academy as valedictorian, and what remained was waiting here for fate to approach.

Several days passed. I learned through the newspaper of the investigation team’s report that the demon dragon’s seal seemed about to break soon.

‘Finally the time has come.’

It was time for the female protagonist to be active.