‘So it doesn’t really feel like going to a far region?’

It took longer to go from the imperial capital to Delvon than from the imperial capital to Kramer territory, which said it all.

Though it was a cheat-like ability, it had limitations.

Since it used the power of Guardian Spirits, they couldn’t move if the Guardian Spirits weren’t in good condition. Also, they couldn’t send anything larger than the warp gate’s size, and multiple or mass transportation at once was difficult.

For people, they could only move together while in contact with the Oathkeeper.

“Yes. Thank you for taking such careful care of everything, Royter.”

“It was my honor.”

“I’ll see you when we return to the imperial capital.”

“Yes, Madam. I hope you have a wonderful time at the main territory.”

Constantine and Saena took a carriage toward the imperial capital.

After a while, the carriage passed through the castle gates, and after traveling some more, they got out.

“…Wow.”

Though she didn’t know much since she rarely had reason to visit the imperial capital, they were entering an area she had never even heard of before.

Saena’s eyes naturally grew round.

‘So the warp gate was below the tower. How fascinating…’

Despite the urgent situation due to the demonic beast, she couldn’t help but let her gaze wander everywhere.

“Next time, we can take more time to look around.”

“Ah, yes. It’s just all so unfamiliar…”

The Duke spoke, seemingly noticing Saena looking around. Feeling slightly embarrassed, Saena hurried to follow him.

It was already amazing to enter the tower where she would normally never have access to, but instead of going up, they were heading down.

Though she had prejudiced thoughts that the tower’s underground would be somewhat eerie, the place they arrived at wasn’t like that at all. It was just a fairly large circular empty hall with several doors along its walls.

No, looking closely, they were more like door-shaped carvings rather than actual doors. Instead of doors with handles to open, they were just doorframes with elaborate relief carvings of grand patterns.

Each door had a slightly different shape, and Constantine approached the leftmost arched doorframe. He then stretched out his hand and released his power. Black energy streamed from behind his back and seeped into the center of the arch.

The part that had just been a wall moments ago turned black and began to ripple.

‘So this is the warp gate…’

When the black area fully filled the doorframe and took shape, Constantine first pushed in the luggage he had been carrying from the carriage. Then he extended his hand toward her.

“Take my hand.”

Saena reached out one hand to hold his, while holding Yolly tighter with her other arm.

“Kyu…”

Though he whined softly in discomfort, even he seemed to know this was a moment to stay still and didn’t struggle.

“Shall we go in first?”

Facing the rippling surface that looked like a pond’s surface at night with unknowable depth, her amazement gave way to slight anxiety.

Saena shook her head and moved closer to him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

“Kek!”

Yolly, suddenly squeezed between them, let out a yelp, but Constantine chuckled softly at Saena’s unexpected embrace.

“Shall we go together?”

“…Yes.”

“Alright.”

Constantine pressed his lips lightly to her forehead, then wrapped his arm around her waist and walked toward the door.

A cool sensation like sinking into water enveloped her entire body.

“……”

Her mind drifted for a moment.

“We’ve arrived.”

Suddenly she was in a different place.

It felt strange.

“Ah…”

Though her body had moved instantly, it felt like she had traveled a long distance. Perhaps a slightly weary sensation?

In any case, it was truly like a cheat ability.

Saena looked around in amazement. Though it gave off a similar feeling to the imperial tower’s underground, the layout was different.

While it was also a circular space, instead of multiple doors along the walls, there was a platform in the center with a single arch-shaped doorframe standing like a statue.

The black water-like surface had disappeared as he withdrew his power, leaving the doorframe empty. Finding it fascinating how she had emerged from there, Saena reached her hand through the doorframe but found only empty air.

“I’ll take you through again next time.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Let’s go.”

Constantine smiled as he watched her, finding her cute.

“Your Grace! You’ve arrived!”

As they came up to ground level and exited the building, two guards saluted sharply.

“Yes.”

Constantine handed the luggage he had carried from the gate to the guard.

“Take this to Castle Cream. Handle it carefully — it belongs to the Madam.”

“Yes sir!”

After handing over the luggage, Constantine summoned Morev. Morev, taking form large enough to carry people, looked at the Duke then turned to show his back.

“Saya, come here.”

Why suddenly Morev?

“Let’s ride.”

“…What? Now?”

“Yes.”

Saena approached hesitantly, caught off guard by the sudden opportunity to ride Morev.

“Morev. Hello. Sorry to trouble you for a bit.”

Saena whispered softly as she bowed her head toward Morev. Hearing her voice, Morev seemed to shiver slightly before pretending not to notice.

“…Doesn’t it seem like Morev dislikes it?”

Constantine chuckled and said.

“No. Even if he did, there’s no need to worry. I’m his master.”

“Still…”

Constantine grabbed her waist as if it were no issue at all and easily lifted her onto Morev’s back.

“Eep.”

“Just hold on tight.”

Constantine, who had already mounted behind her, pulled her close against himself and whispered in her ear.

“We’re departing.”

“…Ah!”

“Kya!”

Saena and Yolly both let out short screams as their bodies lurched from Morev’s sudden arrow-like launch.

The majestic castle gradually drew closer. Morev, carrying all three of them, had already passed through the castle gates.

“It’s the Lord and Lady!”

“Congratulations on your marriage!”

“Aah! The Lady has arrived!”

Somehow knowing of their arrival, territory residents packed the streets, throwing flower petals and shouting.

Saena was startled by the unexpected scene.

“Our Lord has finally married!”

“Hurrah!”

Could the Lord’s marriage really be such a joyous occasion? Feeling somewhat dazed, Saena felt she should say something.

“Thank you for welcoming me. I’ll greet you properly next time.”

“Hurrah!”

Leaving behind an atmosphere that seemed ready for an immediate festival, Morev headed straight for the inner castle.

“Welcome to Castle Cream, Madam!”

“Welcome!”

“Congratulations on your marriage, Your Grace!”

Not just outside, but inside the inner castle entrance as well, employees lined up in rows waiting to give their welcome greetings. Due to the castle’s size, there were so many employees that their lined-up formation felt almost overwhelming.

“Nadia.”

Constantine helped Saena down, recalled Morev, and called out to someone.

“Your Grace.”

Among the employees, the person standing at the very center of the porch stepped forward and deeply bowed to the Duke. She was a woman whose hair had just started showing traces of gray.

“This is the Duchess of Kramer. Treat her with utmost respect.”

“Madam, we sincerely welcome you to Castle Cream.”

Nadia bowed to Saena.

The mansion in Kramer territory was literally a castle. Being historic, it exuded an antique atmosphere.

“Saena. This is Nadia, the head butler who oversees Castle Cream.”

While Constantine could easily travel to and from the imperial capital through the warp gate, the actual distance between the imperial capital and Kramer territory was very far.

All four ducal territories were located near the borders, and the empire, true to its name, possessed an enormously vast territory.

As a result, the employees of the Kramer townhouse and main territory rarely crossed paths except in special cases, working independently. It was necessary to have a separate head butler for the main territory.

“Nice to meet you, Head Butler.”

“Please call me Nadia, Madam.”

A woman serving as head butler — it was rare and fascinating, and Saena found it impressive. Even her attire, while including a skirt, wasn’t a dress but rather a neat uniform design modified from a male tuxedo.

With her neatly pulled-up hair, tall stature, and controlled demeanor, she was an impressively stylish woman overall.

“Yes, Nadia. I’m Saena. I look forward to working with you.”

“Please speak comfortably, Madam.”

Saena maintained formal speech while repeating the explanation she had given to Royter.

“I need to leave urgently, so Nadia, I entrust my wife to you.”

“Yes, Your Grace. I will serve with utmost dedication.”

“Saena, I’ll be back.”

He seems to have to leave right away without even a moment’s rest. Will he be alright?

“Please be careful.”

“Don’t worry about such things. I’ll return as quickly as possible. Until then–”

“Don’t worry about me.”

He seemed concerned about leaving her in an unfamiliar place. Even in his hurry, Constantine’s words lingered.

“Just come back unharmed.”

“I understand.”

Smooch. He quickly pressed his lips to her temple before moving away. In the distance, the knights were already waiting.

‘Here… this state of tension is normal.’

Saena thought she had lived quite an intense life herself, but somehow she felt her experiences wouldn’t even compare here.

Perhaps it was because this was a place where life-and-death situations were common.

“Madam. This way, please.”

Nadia’s calm demeanor provided some comfort.

If it were a dangerous situation, wouldn’t there be at least some trace of anxiety on her face? But there was none at all.

While it could be professional composure managing her expression, most of the other employees had similar expressions.

Either it wasn’t as dangerous as expected, or they were used to it. Perhaps it was their faith in their lord who had been competently handling subjugation until now.

‘I shouldn’t worry unnecessarily either, I should observe the situation first.’

Worrying excessively wouldn’t help anyway.

Saena followed Nadia, thinking that she would try to find ways to help in other areas, even if her contribution might be small.