Leon’s eyes shook greatly as he checked the recorded video footage of the magic tool.

“…Yes, it seems to be Belissa.”

With a trembling voice, Leon held onto the magic tool tightly, as if imprinting his sister’s image into his retina. Leon, who was always composed, couldn’t hide his agitation this time.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes. I’m fine.”

Despite saying he was fine; Leon couldn’t hide his anxiety. I handed him a map indicating Belissa Kreundel’s location, obtained with Gretel’s assistance.

“It’s not too far from Somnia. They say it would take about 12 hours by horse.”

“The darkest place is under the candle, indeed.”

As he had guessed, Belissa’s location wasn’t too far from the capital. Of course, it would have been within Leon’s search range, but being this close made the situation even more frustrating. Leon, clutching the map urgently, rose from his seat.

“We should depart immediately after preparations.”

Leon seemed ready to rescue his sister at any moment. All I could do was wish for his safe return.

“I hope you get her back safely, Leon.”

“……Thank you very much, Elodie.”

“No need for thanks. Save them for when you return.”

It seemed like receiving thanks in advance was like a death flag. Leon politely stepped back and bid me farewell.

“Yes. I’ll be back soon.”

“Take care!”

I cheerfully waved goodbye, not wanting to make the atmosphere heavy.

It was meant to be a casual farewell, like wishing someone a safe return from a normal day out. But for some reason, Leon hesitated and looked at me intently.

“Elodie.”

“Yes, what is it?”

Was my cheerful greeting upsetting him? Surely Leon wouldn’t be so sensitive. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case as Leon asked me seriously.

“Before I go, could you grant me one favor?”

“Of course. If there’s anything I can do-“

Before I could finish my sentence, his wide arms enveloped me gently.

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“……!”

Startled, Leon let go of me abruptly. It was truly a simple embrace. Who knew a request could be in the form of a hug.

“I’ll be back.”

With a faint smile, Leon turned and left. I pressed my palms to my instantly flushed face.

“I guess that’s a dead flag, too…….”

***

Seeing no reason to waste time, Leon led his men to the coordinates on the map.

 Traveling at full speed, they arrived before the twelve hours Elodie had promised.

 While there were residential areas nearby, it seemed no one was living there.

No, it wasn’t the time to indulge in thoughts about the mansion’s condition.

A scout among Leon’s subordinates sent a signal. Nodding slightly, he promptly issued the order to enter.

“We’re going in.”

“Understood, sir.”

There was no hesitation for Leon Kreundel with the target right before his eyes. As they set foot on what outwardly appeared to be an old mansion, all they could see were research materials and individuals who looked like wizards.

“What, what’s this!”

“Just who do you think you are!”

“How dare you, who we are, ugh-!”

Thump! As Leon passed by, the wizards collapsed, unconscious. He instructed his followers as they followed.

“Ensure they’re securely tied up.”

There was still business to attend to with those who dared to kidnap his relative.

They needed to find out why Belissa was kidnapped, and if the mastermind was indeed Gabe Jenade. As their presence would serve as evidence against Gabe’s crimes and potentially become hostages, ensuring their safety was crucial. As they penetrated deeper into the interior, Leon was enveloped in a strange sense of familiarity.

’ This space feels familiar.’

The eerie sensation of feeling like he had been here before.

Perhaps it was because he had sought out Belissa here countless times through the power of Sloth, and it was only a matter of time before he would meet his long-sought sister. 

Anxiousness or anticipation, swirling emotions he couldn’t quite discern.

Eventually, Leon arrived at the last gate.

It was the door where Belissa, seen through the recorded magical device, had been held captive.

The door was adorned with numerous locks. At Leon’s command, his subordinates brought forth the elderly man among the subdued wizards who seemed to hold the highest position.

“Release it.”

“I-I am not the one who sealed it, I cannot release it! Only the one who cast the spell can undo it! That’s the truth! I swear!”

Though Leon aimed his sword, the wizard, his face turning pale, stubbornly failed to release the locking spell. Deciding the shallow threat was only a waste of time, Leon withdrew the sword he held against the man’s throat.

“Useless. Get rid of him.”

“Yes!”

As Leon stared at the magically sealed door, he activated his power. With a crash, he smashed the wall next to it with his transformed arm.

‘After all, doors are made differently.’

There was no need to enter through the sealed door. Realizing their master’s intent, Leon’s subordinates joined forces to demolish the wall. After breaking down wall after wall, Leon finally reached the place where Belissa was supposed to be. Stepping into the dusty room, he locked eyes with someone sitting on the bed.

“Who are you?”

Though much had changed since they were children, Leon could still recognize her. It was his sister, Belissa Kreundel, who used to smile a lot and cry often. Recognizing family wasn’t just limited to Leon.

“…Bro… ther?”

Belissa called out to him in a trembling voice, her eyes widening as if in disbelief. Leon approached her.

One step.

Two steps.

As he drew closer, their faces became clearer. Leon softly called out his sister’s name.

“Belissa.”

“Is it really you, Brother…?”

“I’m sorry for coming late.”

“Hic, Brother… Brother…!”

With tears streaming down her face, Belissa embraced Leon tightly.

She burst into tears and hugged Leon tightly.

Finally, he found his sister.

She was the sole remaining family and the reason for his existence. He had desperately wished to find her before his entire body was consumed by darkness as part of the contract.

He had thought he might never find her in his lifetime.

But Leon had managed to do it. Yet, the face that came to his mind in that moment was not Belissa’s face, but someone else’s.

“Take care!”

It was Elodie, waving cheerfully.

From the very beginning until the end, Elodie had done everything in her power to help him find his sister, despite their initial misunderstanding.

Without Elodie, he wouldn’t have been able to find Belissa. He owed her an immense debt of gratitude.

“I waited for you and Mom and Dad to come… But you didn’t, so I gave up…”

“I’m sorry, Belissa.”

“No, you came to find me like this.”

Leon hugged the sobbing Belissa tightly.

He would never lose his sister again. But before they could fully enjoy their reunion, danger struck. Leon’s subordinates rushed to him in urgency.

“Your Grace, the building is on fire. We need to evacuate quickly!”

Before the sentence could even finish, acrid smoke began to pour in from all directions. Whether deliberately fueled with oil or not, the flames were spreading rapidly, devouring the old building like a monstrous entity.

 Leon’s expression hardened as he watched the monstrous flames consume the old building in an instant. 

 ‘Fire…….’

The flames that took his parents and separated him from his sister were not a pleasant memory for Leon.

“Your Grace, it seems like the fire in the building was intentionally set.”

“The evidence of our research in this building will be destroyed.”

It was highly likely that Gabe was behind this. As they hurriedly evacuated the mansion, Leon worried about his sister, knowing she might be traumatized by the fire.

“Belissa, are you okay?”

 “What?”

Contrary to his racing heart, Belissa seemed unfazed by the flames surrounding them.

‘Maybe it’s for the best.’

He didn’t want to confuse his sister by bringing up something she might not have noticed.

“No, it’s nothing.”

As they escaped the mansion after rescuing Belissa, the old structure collapsed right behind them, erasing all evidence of whatever research was being conducted there.

Leon watched the scene unfold, reminiscent of the day he lost his parents and watched the mansion burn.

***

The next day, Leon sought me out at the Perdia Manor. Worried about whether he had successfully rescued his sister, I had trouble sleeping the night before.

As we sat facing each other, Leon apologized, looking more troubled than usual.

“I intended to contact you immediately using the communication magic tool, but it was too late last night. I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize, Leon. More importantly, did you manage to rescue your sister?”

“Yes, thanks to you.”

Leon didn’t seem to have slept well either after the rescue. His complexion was paler than usual.

“Is Belissa alright?”

“Yes, she’s safe. She’s just sleeping, so we haven’t had a chance to talk much yet. I plan to let her rest for a while.”

“That’s a relief.”

I genuinely felt relieved. I was glad that Belissa was safe, just as we had both hoped for when Leon set out to find her.

 “We are greatly indebted to you, Elodie.”

He was right. I had indeed provided significant assistance. He looked at me with a serious expression, devoid of any hint of amusement.

 “I wish to devote my life to Elodie, to the end of this insignificant existence.”

Suddenly the atmosphere became awkward. The phrase “devote my life to her” was open to interpretation. A lover, for example, but we weren’t in that kind of relationship. 

 “Well…….”

I was about to say something when I took a deep breath and asked him. 

 “It’s a thank you, right?”

 “…….”

“If it’s a thank you, I’ll gladly accept it. But please don’t dedicate your whole life. Now you have Belissa as well.”

A lifetime commitment was too heavy.

But I could accept a thank you. I didn’t know what the future held, so building a friendly relationship with Leon, one of the heads of the four noble families, might be helpful someday.

Looking at me with an inscrutable gaze, Leon reluctantly agreed.

“………Yes. It was a thank you.”

“I only helped you as we agreed in our deal. So, it’s not something to be called a great favor.”

“To me, it was more than just help.”

Without adding any further words, Leon redirected the conversation.

“The reason I sought you out today, Elodie, is to fulfill a promise.”

He placed something on the table in front of us.

It looked similar to the seal stone of Greed that hung around my neck, but its color was an ominous yellow.

 I recognized it instantly.

 The Sealstone of Sloth. It was the way to awaken my father, as the god Ishtar had told me. 

 “Sloth. I am canceling my contract with you.”

Keeeyng-.

A chilling vibration emanated from the seal, then abruptly ceased.

It seemed like the contract had been dissolved.

That meant I could use the power of sloth.