“This level of effort is fine. Progress is slower than I expected, which is a problem.”

The two brothers were tracking the distributors of fake medicine. Rikeil collected and passed on information, while Ruyan led the knights in pursuit.

Despite their impressive teamwork and tracking speed, their opponents were escaping with equal desperation. Ruyan chewed his lip.

“My gut tells me to raid Count Trow’s estate a hundred times over, but these bastards aren’t leaving any trail.”

“What happened with the raid on the glassworks that made the fake medicine bottles?”

“When we stormed in last night, everyone was already dead.”

“Hmm…”

Rikeil let out a long groan.

“The people behind this are cruel and ruthless.”

“It looked like the glassworks people were trying to flee in the night. They must have been dealt with right before they could escape.”

Ruyan ruffled his blonde hair in frustration.

“No evidence left—no contracts, money, nothing… My men are getting discouraged.”

“Cough. They would have already removed anything incriminating. If only we’d discovered it a little earlier.”

“I was so angry that I had the whole workshop demolished.”

“COUGH!”

Rikeil coughed violently in surprise.

“W-what are you doing out there?”

“Don’t be so shocked, brother.”

Despite having admitted to demolishing the place, Ruyan responded calmly.

“After going through that trial recently, I realized there’s no point in trying to handle these things quietly.”

“…”

“I’m a Swordmaster anyway. Everything I do draws attention. It’s better to show everyone ‘I’m making a scene here’ and ‘someone has pissed me off’ so they understand ‘something serious is happening.'”

“Cough.”

Rikeil, who had been listening, quietly said:

“…Don’t hurt people.”

“Do you think I’m some kind of thug?”

“No, of course not.”

Rikeil hesitated for a moment.

“Are you sure about that?”

“Brother!”

***

The Piert merchant group’s research facility was also busy. Leah summoned Karai, who had remained in the capital since returning from the Southern Desert.

“Karai, I need you to protect this research facility more than me right now.”

“If that is your wish…”

Karai nodded with a gloomy expression at Leah’s words. Seeing his dejected look, Leah tried to console him.

“Take pride in this. You’re protecting the capital’s health with your magic barrier.”

“What? I’m protecting the capital’s health with my magic barrier?”

“That’s right.”

Leah explained.

“Where are we? This is our Piert family’s pharmaceutical research facility. There are many patients suffering from fake medicine, and doctors trying to save them.”

“Y-yes, that’s true.”

“For a while, many people will fall victim to fake medicine, and others will worsen their conditions by suffering alone because they don’t trust medicine. Our researchers are working to prevent this by studying and producing medicine.”

Leah patted Karai’s shoulder.

“Protecting these people means protecting the capital’s health, doesn’t it?”

A spark lit up in Karai’s eyes.

“To think you consider such things—you truly are amazing, my lady!”

Where did that come from now? Though she thought she’d gotten used to it, she was momentarily flustered. Karai continued:

“What nobleman would care about the illnesses of the poor and commoners? I’ve never seen it, at least. My lady, you are truly brave and broad-minded as well as merciful!”

“E-enough. Could you please quiet down?”

“No! I saw it when you rescued those children in the north! Everyone needs to know how wonderful and magnificent you are!”

“They will certainly see it if they have eyes.”

Helix joined in.

“…Helix, why are you like this too?”

“It’s just the truth.”

Helix pretended not to know what she meant. Leah looked around in confusion.

“Weren’t you talking with the herbalists over there earlier? When did you come over here?”

Of course, he had rushed over when he saw Leah patting Karai’s shoulder encouragingly. Even though he knew it was work-related, his fists had clenched unconsciously.

‘How soft and tender Leah’s hands are.’

With such pretty hands touching men’s shoulders so casually, what thoughts would these guys have?

“My lady!”

“Miss!”

“Lady Piert!”

Everyone calling Leah’s name and rushing to exchange even a word with her was extremely irritating.

But he made up a different excuse.

“I naturally came over when I saw you, Leah.”

“…That sounds suspicious.”

Leah narrowed her eyes but didn’t press further.

Afterward, Helix diligently followed her with his eyes at the research facility, in the slums, and at pharmacies. He had noticed that the way other men looked at Leah was similar to his own gaze.

“Chirp. Chirp-chirp.”

The hatchling that visited every night, perching on the terrace railing and crying, also played a part. The more he listened, the more vaguely he could sense what the hatchling was saying:

‘I like Leah. Pretty, kind, fun. Silver human, you think so too, right?’

Of course, he agreed with the content.

But even a newly hatched hatchling liking Leah… One night, Helix bluntly asked:

“Hatchling. Do you like Leah because she’s the Dragon’s Holy Maiden?”

“Chiiiirp.”

What a foolish question. Dragons have eyes too. Even if she’s the Dragon’s Holy Maiden, if they don’t like her, they don’t like her.

“I see… I understand.”

“Chirp. Chirp.”

Silver human. You’re slow-witted. If you like her, say you like her.

“…Go to sleep.”

***

And so Helix increasingly gazed at Leah with burning eyes.

He was completely unaware.

Unaware that there were many women hovering around him, trying to figure out how to start a conversation. And unaware that Leah was watching this from a distance.

‘Why has that woman been lurking around Helix for three days straight!’

Leah frowned as she recognized the woman who appeared whenever Helix went out to inspect pharmacies.

The woman even carried a small basket in her hand. Leah recognized the item with uncanny accuracy.

‘That’s a cookie set from Polly Bakery, the best pastry shop in the area!’

Leah had to admit it. This woman who had been “reporting for duty” around Helix for three days had good taste.

‘But I don’t like her using that good taste on Helix. I especially don’t like her giving cookie sets to Helix!’

But unaware of the sparks flying from Leah’s watching eyes, the woman smiled and held out the basket to Helix. Helix looked back and forth between the woman and the basket with a slightly surprised expression.

Leah suddenly felt sick to her stomach.

The first thing Leah had given Helix was also a bag with cookies. Recalling that memory, she unconsciously clenched her fist.

‘Don’t accept it!’

Despite Leah’s wish, Helix’s large hand took the cookie basket.

‘Hey!’

He actually accepted it. Leah was so angry that tears almost welled up.

‘I-I’m not upset. I’m not upset at all.’

She grumbled inwardly.

‘I don’t feel betrayed either. R-right. What’s the big deal about cookies? He can accept them. They’re just small snacks.’

She tried to think that way… but couldn’t understand why her head hurt and she felt drained. Giving up on her self-hypnosis, Leah sighed deeply.

“Is there a spare bed in the research facility? I want to go in and rest for a bit.”

“My lady, are you tired?”

“Lady Piert, are you feeling unwell? I’ll watch your post while you take a nap.”

Leah nodded at Janet’s words.

***

Imperial Prince Archaik read a report from the Kingdom of Peiren.

The lengthy report detailed Count Trow’s recent fake medicine scheme and the Piert Ducal Family’s threatening pursuit at an alarming speed.

“So Count Trow has been up to this…”

“What has he done, Your Highness?”

“Read it.”

The expressions of Viscount Paipers and the aide darkened after reading the report handed by the Imperial Prince.

“Isn’t he going too far?”

“You must remove this man, Your Highness. Opposition is growing within the Empire too. Especially the Second Imperial Princess and the religious order claiming that the annihilation of the Elm Marquis family was unjustified, demanding evidence of their treason…”

Archaik stroked his chin at the aide’s words. He asked in a low voice:

“The religious order has sided with them too?”

“The Order of Goddess Temira traditionally doesn’t reject dragons. They seem displeased that Your Highness was appointed Imperial Prince because you’re a dragon contractor.”

“They strut around as the Empire’s primary religion, yet they’re ridiculous.”

If they truly rejected dragons, they should first reject the imperial family that claims dragon bloodline.

They swallow the sweet part but pick on Archaik being a dragon contractor—clearly the Empress and the noble faction had spent money on this.

“But the order’s influence isn’t something to be taken lightly, Your Highness. For some reason, their leader, the High Priest, denounces you vehemently in every sermon…”

“What does he say about me?”

The aide hesitated to speak. When Archaik continued to pressure him with his gaze, he reluctantly opened his mouth.

“That Your Highness is a demon wearing the shell of imperial blood, and that you will lead the Empire to destruction…”

“…”

Rarely did Imperial Prince Archaik Oken’s face harden like stone. The aide quickly added:

“It’s just nonsense from a senile old High Priest, nothing worth your attention.”

“No. I should pay attention.”

A loose smile formed on the Imperial Prince’s lips.

“So I can show an example of what kind of revenge a demon takes.”

“Y-Your Highness.”

Imperial Prince Archaik waved his hand.

“I’m just saying. We need to deal with both sides.”

Viscount Paipers carefully interjected:

“You’re right. For the Empire’s political situation, it would be best to handle the matter of Count Trow on the frontier first…”

The smile on Archaik’s face disappeared.

“…Will this cause trouble for the Piert Ducal Family?”

“They must be struggling, I imagine?”

At the aide’s answer, Imperial Prince Archaik fell into thought.