Sebastian’s steps were unusually light today as he left the shabby inn and headed to the horse rental.
“Hey, I’ll be borrowing this horse again today.”
“Ah, no can do. The boss said not to lend you any horses until you pay off your overdue tab.”

The clerk stopped Sebastian, who was trying to take the horse.
“Come on, how much could that small amount be? I’ll pay tonight, so just step aside.”
“No way. You said the same thing last time and didn’t bring the money. Do you know how much trouble I got into with the boss?”
“Do I look like someone who wouldn’t pay back?”
“Yes.”

The clerk answered firmly.
“Ha… Seriously. Fine, then…”

Sebastian pulled out a jewel from his inner pocket. It was a fake gem that the pawnshop had refused to exchange for money.
“Hold onto this as collateral. I’ll bring the money tonight.”

Sebastian handed the jewel to the clerk, whose eyes widened in surprise.
“Now can I go?”
“Yes. I’ll see you tonight. Or, better yet, not at all.”

‘How can someone be so thrilled over a fake jewel?’

Comparing the clerk’s satisfaction with the fake gem to his own vision of relaxing by the peaceful sea after receiving 300,000 litas today, Sebastian mounted the horse.
The old horse, seemingly weaker than usual, stumbled heavily before regaining its balance and slowly trudging forward.

“Who are you?”

A servant approached Sebastian, who was standing in front of the gates of the Leon estate.
“Sebastian.”

He answered without even glancing at the servant.
“Pardon?”
“I said, Sebastian. Now open the gate.”

Sebastian frowned, clearly annoyed.
“There’s no one by that name among the expected visitors today. Did you make an appointment?”

The servant blocked Sebastian, who was trying to force his way in.
“What? Hey, I came to see Espin. Don’t you know who I am?”

Sebastian looked at the servant with an incredulous expression.
“There are no more guests the lady has permitted to enter today.”
“Hah, unbelievable.”

Sebastian let out a hollow laugh as he stared at the servant blocking his way.
“Hey. Call the butler or someone in charge.”
“I can’t do that.”
“What? Do you even know who I am?”

Sebastian dismounted and shoved the servant’s shoulder.
“I don’t. If you tell me your name, I’ll inquire for you.”
“Hey, you insignificant nobody. What did you just say?”

With a menacing expression, he pushed the servant’s shoulder even harder.
“What is all this commotion?”

Hearing the noise, the butler stepped outside.
“Good timing, butler.”

Thinking he could finally enter the estate, Sebastian grabbed the reins of his horse.
“Open the gate already.”
“Who are you?”

The butler, who had seen Sebastian come and go from the estate countless times over the past month, asked as though meeting him for the first time.
“Butler, are you getting senile in your old age? It’s me, Sebastian.”
“This is the first time I’ve seen you.”
“Are you insane?”

“This is not a place where just anyone can come. Please leave at once.”

Sebastian was momentarily stunned. Had everyone in this household gone mad? How could they not recognize him?
Just yesterday, the moment he arrived at the entrance, the gate had opened, and he had walked straight in.

“Have you all lost your minds? Call Espin.”
“Do not utter the lady’s name so carelessly.”
“Ha, I’m losing it. Just call Espin already! I’ll have all of you fired.”

Sebastian shoved past the servant and butler, forcing his way into the house.
The servant moved to grab Sebastian by the back of his neck to stop him, but the butler stopped the servant with a look, signaling him to stay put.

“Espin! Espin!”

Pushing aside those trying to stop him, Sebastian desperately called out for Espin as he entered the mansion.
“Who are you?”

A maid cleaning the lobby blocked his path.
“Are you all crazy? Does no one here know who I am? I was here just yesterday, and now you don’t recognize me? Did you all take some strange drug together?”
“Hey, bring some people over here.”

Soon, maids and servants from all around the mansion gathered and grabbed Sebastian by the arms, trying to drag him out.
“Let go of me! Do you know who I am? Espin, where are you?”
“Please leave now. If you cause any more trouble, we’ll call the Royal Knights.”

The maid’s threat didn’t faze Sebastian at all.
Right now, the Royal Knights were the least of his worries. What truly terrified him was leaving without seeing Espin—or more accurately, leaving empty-handed.

‘Espin, as long as I see Espin, everything will be fine.’

No matter how insane the servants had become, all that mattered was that Espin recognized him.
Sebastian desperately called out for Espin.

Creak.

“What’s all this noise? It sounds like someone’s calling for me.”

The door to the drawing room slowly opened, and finally, the Espin he had been so desperately calling for appeared.

“My lady! It’s me, Sebastian. Let go of me. Espin, these people have all gone mad.”

Sebastian shook off the maids’ hands and ran toward Espin.
“Who…?”

Despite Sebastian’s desperate gaze, Espin looked at him with an innocent expression, as though meeting a stranger for the first time.

“Espin… Have you gone mad as well? It’s me, Sebastian!”

“Who is this person, butler?”

Espin asked the butler, who had just entered the mansion.
“I’m not sure. He’s been causing a commotion, insisting on meeting you. I’ll take care of it immediately.”

‘What is this…?’

Am I dreaming?

Sebastian couldn’t believe what was unfolding before his eyes.
‘This can’t be happening… I gave her every last bit of money I had….’

Flustered, he turned to look at the maids and servants. Surely, there had to be at least one person who had interacted with him before.
‘What’s going on…? They’re all unfamiliar faces.’

The maids he had grown accustomed to seeing over the past month were gone.
Everyone was looking at Sebastian as if he were a complete stranger and a troublesome intruder.

Sebastian felt like he was about to lose his mind.

“What’s taking so long?”

A man and a woman, who seemed to have been in the drawing room with Espin, opened the door and stepped out, curious about the commotion.

‘The… Royal Knights.’

Seeing Haren in his Royal Knights uniform, Sebastian instinctively shrank back.
‘No, I can’t back down now. If I leave here without the seal, I’ll lose the 300,000 litas….’

Sebastian had spent a staggering 50,000 litas to obtain Count Leon’s seal. Even if he considered the 10,000 litas he received from Espin, that still left him with 40,000 litas that would go to waste.

“Espin, are you upset with me about something? Why are you suddenly pretending not to know me…? We agreed to leave together….”

Hearing Sebastian’s trembling voice, Espin’s expression turned to one of shock, and her entire body began to tremble.

Then, the man in the Royal Knights uniform stepped in front of Sebastian.
“What’s your name?”

“I-I’m Sebastian….”

The man’s eyes glinted sharply at the mention of his name. And then—

“You… it’s you? You crazy bastard. Did you dare to covet our Espin? If you’re going to lose your mind, do it quietly. Should I rip you apart, you piece of trash?”

A fierce-looking woman hurled a stream of curses as she rushed toward Sebastian.

The knight naturally grabbed her arm to stop her and raised a hand to call for the butler.
“Butler, summon the Royal Knights immediately.”
“They’ve already been called.”
“And have this man bound at once.”

‘What is this?’

Before he could even resist, Sebastian found himself tightly restrained. He couldn’t make sense of anything—none of it added up.

Is everyone conspiring against me?

Refusing to let it end like this, Sebastian desperately called out to Espin again.
“Espin, what’s going on…? I gave you money just yesterday.”
“Money? You gave me money?”
“Yes… I gave you 40,000 litas yesterday, didn’t I…?”
“Why would you give me money?”
“Because you said you didn’t have any….”
“Hah.”

Before he even finished speaking, Espin let out a hollow laugh, clearly unable to believe what she was hearing.

“Excuse me. Do I look like someone who doesn’t have money?”

Sebastian, now slumped on the floor just like Jane had been yesterday, looked up at Espin.

Sebastian, dressed in shabby silk clothes, and Espin, adorned in a luxurious and extravagant dress.

Anyone could see who appeared to be the one lacking money—it was undoubtedly Sebastian.

“This delusional bastard! Where do you get off running your mouth? As if Espin would take money from you! You’re out of your damn mind!”

The fierce-looking woman yelled again, her arms now held by the maids.

‘Is this really all just my delusion?’

Sebastian began to doubt his own sanity. Had he truly gone mad?

As he stared at the floor, sinking into despair—

“The Royal Knights have arrived.”

The servant’s voice rang out, followed by the synchronized sound of sharp, measured footsteps.

The knights entered immediately, and at the forefront of the group was a man.

Seeing him, Haren called out in delight.
“Commander!”