“Research, you say.”

For the first time, Eustace seemed interested.

“Do you know what research the Emperor is currently working on?”

The rat froze at his question. While he was aware the Emperor was engrossed in some strange research, he didn’t know the specifics.

“Seems you don’t.”

When he didn’t respond immediately, Eustace’s expression turned sour, as if disappointed.

“It’s… no, that’s not it! It’s just that it’s so highly classified… uh, so…”

‘Think! Think of something, anything!’

The rat pushed his mind to its limit, desperately squeezing out an idea.

“I don’t know the exact nature of the research, but I believe… it involves forbidden magic. Last year, the Emperor summoned a sorcerer from the eastern continent’s steppe tribes!”

“A sorcerer?”

Grand Duke Eustace frowned at the unexpected statement.

“Yes! He requested that someone ‘who has inherited ancient sorcery’ be discreetly brought to him. After an extensive search, I managed to find one.”

This is it! Seeing the duke react, the rat quickly continued.

“Someone who has inherited ancient sorcery…”

Black magic, no doubt. Eustace sank into thought, recalling the unease he’d felt from the Emperor. In the East, “ancient sorcery” was often a synonym for forbidden magic—black magic.

Though black magic had long since been eradicated in the western continent, it was a different story in the East. While governments officially outlawed the practice, they couldn’t exert control over the nomadic tribes that roamed the steppes. Priests of the steppe and desert tribes still wielded forbidden magic.

“The priests wouldn’t have given one up easily.”

“I struck a deal with the tribe’s chief, offering them several years’ worth of food. Conveniently, one sorcerer was about to retire after passing his title to a successor.”

“And what became of that sorcerer?”

“He entered the Empire disguised as a merchant to avoid suspicion… but once he was brought to the palace, his whereabouts became unknown.”

The rat hesitated, gauging Eustace’s reaction.

“I see.”

Eustace muttered, as though he already knew what had likely happened. The Emperor would have eliminated the sorcerer after extracting what he wanted, ensuring no loose ends that could threaten him later.

“You brought him here last year?”

“Y-Yes, Your Grace.”

“Tch.”

Last year was around the same time the Emperor began immersing himself in his research. Eustace clicked his tongue in irritation.

“Anything else?”

“Um… a few months ago, the Emperor commissioned Dhan, a 6th-circle mage from the Kingdom of Barque, to create a magical artifact. It was a device meant to temporarily suppress magic.”

“He requested such a thing?”

Eustace’s eyes narrowed sharply. Though he was aware of Dhan’s dealings with the Emperor, he hadn’t known what had been commissioned.

Magical artifacts varied in quality depending on the mage’s circle. For the Emperor to specifically seek a foreign 6th-circle mage to create a magic-suppressing artifact clearly indicated that he had Eustace in mind.

“Well… how does that sound? Isn’t this enough…?”

The rat grinned nervously, eyes darting as he awaited a response.

After a moment of thought, Eustace made his decision.

“Fine. You’re more useful than I thought. I’ll spare you—for now.”

“…! Truly?”

Relief flooded the rat’s face at the words.

“However, there’s something you’ll need to do.”

“Anything! I’ll do anything!”

The rat’s enthusiasm burst forth. If his body weren’t bound, he would have fallen to his knees before Eustace in gratitude. He would even lick the duke’s boots if that was what it took to survive.

“You have no loyalty to the royal family, do you?”

Eustace smirked, intrigued by how easily the rat had pledged himself to him.

“I’ve only ever been loyal to my survival.”

The rat grinned shamelessly. To him, his life was the most important thing. Forced into the palace as a recruit, he had groveled like a dog to survive. Genuine loyalty had never entered the equation.

And now, it wasn’t the Emperor who held his life in their hands—it was Grand Duke Eustace. Switching masters to stay alive was no issue at all.

“What’s your name?”

“M-Mau, Your Grace.”

“Mau. And your family name?”

“I don’t have one.”

“I see.”

Eustace repeated the name, then slowly rose from his seat.

“A dog that betrays once can betray again.”

Mau swallowed hard as Eustace approached, his gaze unwavering.

“I dislike betrayal… so I’ll have to install a safeguard.”

Eustace reached out toward Mau. As the duke’s cold hand rested on his shoulder, Mau nervously looked up at him, his face tense with fear.

“It might hurt a little.”

Before the words had even finished leaving his mouth, a light emanating from Eustace’s fingertips flowed into Mau’s body.

“W-What the… Ugh! Aaaaagh!”

The power coursing through Mau wreaked havoc inside him. He screamed in agony as the magic twisted his limbs and wracked his body with pain.

“Huff… Huff… What is this… ugh, cough!”

Breathing heavily, Mau looked up at Grand Duke Eustace, trembling. He could feel the magic that had rampaged through his body coiling around his heart, settling firmly in place.

“If you betray me or Lady Lila, your heart will explode the instant you do.”

Eustace’s tone was calm, but the words were chilling. He lifted his hand from Mau’s shoulder, and with a snap of his fingers, the force restraining Mau’s body vanished.

“Wherever you go and whatever you do, I’ll know through my magic. Don’t even think about trying anything foolish.”

“Hi-ic!”

Mau hiccupped in terror. Somehow, he felt like he’d fallen into the hands of someone even more ruthless than the Emperor.

“Will anyone in the royal court notice your disappearance?”

“No, they won’t. I use a communication stone to keep in touch, and since I move my hiding spots frequently, they don’t come looking for me.”

“Now that you mention it, I recall finding a communication stone when we searched your body earlier.”

Eustace rubbed his chin, organizing his thoughts. He turned back to Mau.

“It’s late. We’ll discuss the details tomorrow.”

“T-Tomorrow…?”

“Hans.”

Instead of answering Mau, Eustace called for Hans. The man, who had been waiting in the hallway, entered the room at his master’s summons.

“You called for me, my lord?”

“Mau here is now one of us. Prepare a room where he can rest.”

“Understood.”

What on earth is happening? Mau was baffled as he listened to their exchange. Unconcerned, Hans gave him a kind smile.

“Let me show you to your room. Please, follow me.”

“O-Okay…”

Mau responded awkwardly, sneaking a glance at Eustace. He felt like he’d escaped death for now, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d fallen into an even worse trap.

Still, it was too late for regrets. As he felt the magic pulsing in his chest, Mau gulped nervously.

“Well then… I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Mau bowed deeply to Eustace and hurried out of the room as if fleeing. The longer he stayed near Eustace, the more certain he felt that he wouldn’t live long.

“I-I’m sorry… hic…”

Don’t cry.

“I… couldn’t keep my promise… sob…”

It’s not your fault.

“Just wait… sniff… I’ll save you from here. I swear I will.”

Okay. I’ll wait.

“Lady Lila… hic… I’ll… I’ll protect you…”

It’s fine. So stop crying… Berre…

“…?!”

Twitch. A small figure shuddered violently under the covers. Her tightly shut eyes snapped open, and Lila gasped sharply as she woke.

“Berre…?”

The faint whisper slipped through her lips before she realized what she was saying. Gripping the blanket tightly, Lila trembled like someone who had just woken from a terrible nightmare.

“A dream?”

Was it another dream? Lila lay there, catching her breath. Ever since she had begun staying in the Grand Duke’s manor, she had been dreaming almost every night.

Lila’s dreams always followed a similar pattern. The people who appeared in them were her mother and two unidentified boys. In those dreams, the boys were always joyful, their faces brimming with happiness. Lila had been just as happy, too.

But tonight was different. For the first time, one of the boys—who usually smiled so brightly—was crying, his face filled with sorrow.

That wasn’t all. Normally, the memories of her dreams faded like a mirage upon waking. But tonight, it lingered in her mind, unbearably vivid.

“Haa…”

Lila let out a long sigh, trying to calm herself. Her heart pounded as if she’d been paralyzed by a nightmare. Her pillow was damp—perhaps from sweat, but it could have been tears she unconsciously shed from the sorrowful dream that ached in her chest.

Rubbing her eyes with her sleeve, Lila closed her weary eyes with a tired expression. She took several deep breaths, but her heart remained restless. With her eyes still shut, she blankly recalled the dream she had just experienced.

“I’m so sorry… sniff… I’m really, really sorry.”

In the dream, the boy kept apologizing to her, tears streaming sorrowfully down his face.

“Don’t cry.”