That evening, after finishing my meal, I took a deep breath.

“Right. This isn’t something I can avoid any longer.”

Lerrhagen was absolutely essential to me, which meant I needed to humble myself before him unconditionally.

“After all, he’s a Dragon Lord. No one would mock me for yielding to him,” I reasoned to myself. Though this thought provided little comfort—it felt somewhat like a hollow victory.

Nevertheless, I finally used the summoning magic. When the familiar white light flickered briefly, I spoke: “Please come to my room. There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

After saying these words, I waited quietly for Lerrhagen with a slightly pounding heart. Some time later, he appeared, looking far more relaxed than I had expected. Contrary to my assumption that he would regard me coldly—even if not with the same intensity as before—Lerrhagen seemed completely normal.

His indifferent gaze showed no signs of displeasure, making me feel almost unjustified for having been so concerned about his reaction.

Wait, when did I ever worry about his reaction?

While I was pondering this, Lerrhagen calmly asked, “What is it?”

“About when I was kidnapped the other day…”

“…”

“I mean, when I willingly followed those people—I’m sorry for breaking my promise. I didn’t consider it a sacrifice, but it’s true that I deliberately put myself in danger.”

After speaking, I glanced at Lerrhagen’s face. Surely this wasn’t too submissive?

As I considered this, Lerrhagen stared at me intently. Finding myself unexpectedly caught in silence, I pressed my lips together. After what felt like an eternity, Lerrhagen sighed lightly and spoke.

“You must have a favor to ask.”

“…”

“What is it?”

Having been hit right on the mark, I gritted my teeth. How could someone who appeared so disinterested in worldly affairs be so perceptive?

While I was thinking, Lerrhagen continued, “Knowing your nature, you wouldn’t genuinely think you did anything wrong.”

That was unexpected. His words suggested he knew what choices I would make and what I valued, which gave me mixed feelings. Lerrhagen glanced at me, and in response to the question in his pale eyes, I exhaled a long “hmm.”

No helping it.

“You’re right. I actually contacted you because I have a favor to ask.”

“What is it?”

Lerrhagen didn’t seem to mind my lack of remorse. Should I be relieved? Since I genuinely needed something from him, I asked, “Is there any way to identify someone who’s using black magic?”

“No.”

“…Isn’t that answer a bit too quick?”

“It’s the truth. If that were possible, dealing with demon folk wouldn’t be so difficult.”

Fair point. If it were that easy, neither Lerrhagen nor I would be so concerned about this matter. Though Lerrhagen didn’t appear particularly concerned, I figured he would have told me long ago if there were a simple way to identify black magic users.

However, I wasn’t ready to give up yet. Looking at Lerrhagen, who was leaning against the windowsill with his arms crossed and eyes closed, I continued, “Then, could you notice if someone around me was using black magic?”

“You have your ring, don’t you?”

“But this ring only detects black magic directed at me. Though it seems to malfunction occasionally, as I noticed before. Anyway, what I want is different.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you narrow down the range, could you detect when someone within that range uses black magic?”

“First of all, do you really think the person who turned you into this would so easily use black magic near you?”

“They would if we create a situation where they have no choice. I have a feeling you could manage something like that.”

“You make it sound like you’re planning an indiscriminate attack.”

“To be precise, let’s call it a hunt.”

A hunt.

At this ironic choice of words, Lerrhagen slowly opened his eyes. His cold, pale gaze fixed directly on me. In response, I curled the corners of my lips into a triumphant smile. Seeing my expression, which clearly revealed I was plotting something, Lerrhagen’s brow twitched slightly.

“A hunt?”

“I’m going to hold a hunting competition.”

“That doesn’t seem to be what you actually mean.”

“To be precise, they’ll be hunting animals, and I’ll be hunting them.”

“They?”

“Nobles of Marquis rank and above.”

Lerrhagen seemed puzzled by my words. Lowering my voice slightly, I continued, “That day, when I was taken to their hideout, they said something like, ‘Your Excellency is merciful and will kill you without pain.’ And right there, magical beasts were discovered.”

“…”

“The magical beasts recently found outside—they were modified, weren’t they?”

“How did you know?”

“The magical beasts where I was imprisoned were also modified. You understand what this means? Perhaps all the recent incidents are connected.”

“Even so, the person who released the magical beasts isn’t necessarily the same one who turned you into this.”

“Still, with black magic involved, the priority is to catch and punish them. Black magic differs from ordinary magic. Those who practice it, being outnumbered, will seek help from each other. In other words, if we catch one and press hard enough, everything will come to light.”

“…So you plan to catch a black magic user among the nobles of Marquis rank and above?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think they’ll agree to this hunt? At this point?”

“The Duke Kelliard family, the Duke Elvierts family—almost all the major houses that form the backbone of the imperial family are currently in the capital. Of course, the Duke Shart family should also be here to complete the picture, but they’ve been keeping their heads down since I eliminated the concubine.”

“Why?”

“Because Lady Shart is a cousin of Madam Madriel, who was once my father’s concubine. They’ve been cautious ever since. They’re a family that will come when called, even if reluctantly.”

“What do you plan to do by gathering them all?”

“I’ve been thinking. It doesn’t make sense to just stay in the palace waiting for whatever information Sever brings, and I’m not comfortable relying solely on Ilian’s intuition.”

“So?”

“So I’ll take matters into my own hands. Until now, I had no pretext to gather the nobles, and I was concerned that suddenly making contact with them might seem suspicious. But now that both Duke Elvierts and Duke Kelliard are in the capital…”

“…”

“I’ll hold a hunting competition as a welcome gesture. I’ll tell them it’s a chance to gather after a long time and enjoy themselves.”

“Enjoy themselves.”

“Of course, they won’t see it as enjoyment but rather as my attempt to use this opportunity to keep them in check. But as long as they don’t realize my true intentions, that’s fine, isn’t it?”

To be honest, hosting a banquet would attract more people. However, unlike the hunts I occasionally participated in, a banquet would seem too abrupt. The nobles knew how much I disliked such gatherings. Moreover, useless individuals could also attend banquets. This hunt needed to specifically target nobles of Marquis rank and above.

By framing it as an event for Duke Elvierts and Duke Kelliard, I could naturally include them. I would have Rigan strategically leak information to Duke Delmen’s family. With Delmen and Elvierts attending, it would be strange for Shart not to participate, so they would naturally gather. 

With three ducal families and a grand duke present, the marquis families below them wouldn’t remain idle. By casually mentioning that anyone interested in the hunt was welcome, the marquis families would naturally join.

“Of course, I’ll limit the number of participants. Only the head of each family and their heir will be allowed to attend. As for the prize, I’ll use one of the jewels you gave me before.”

“I didn’t give them to you for that purpose.”

“They’re mine now, so it’s fine.”

“…”

“And once the hunting competition begins, after spending some time, please create a situation where they have no choice but to use black magic. Then I’ll figure out the rest somehow.”

“A situation where they must use black magic.”

“That shouldn’t be difficult for you, right?”

Of course, even if it were difficult, I would push for it. And Lerrhagen surely knew this aspect of my personality.

However, instead of casually agreeing as I had expected, Lerrhagen’s expression was not particularly pleased. As the silence stretched longer than anticipated, I raised an eyebrow and asked, “Is it not possible?”

“What about you?”

“Pardon? Me?”

“Where will you be?”

“In the forest, of course.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

His sudden refusal caught me by surprise. Why was he suddenly saying no? When I looked at him questioningly, he dismissed the idea outright.

“It’s dangerous.”

“What’s dangerous? I’m not the one facing danger.”

“If one of them truly is the person who turned you into this, do you really think you’ll be safe?”

“…No. But this situation is completely different from the kidnapping. This time, it’s my territory, I’ve set the trap, and everything will unfold under my control.”

Isn’t that obvious? A hunt must always account for the moment when prey and predator might switch roles. It was certain that just as I was trying to catch them, they would be targeting me.

Even so, this was an excellent opportunity. When comparing risks and benefits, if the benefits outweighed the risks, shouldn’t one naturally choose the beneficial option?

However, it seemed I was the only one who thought this way. Lerrhagen stared at me, clearly considering the matter already settled.