After Raul, now a swift hunting dog, disappeared to meet Calliphe, Lynen finally released some tension and slumped down on a suitable rock. The ground around him was littered with the remains of slaughtered magical beasts, but he paid no mind to it.

‘I’m a bit tired.’

It was more mental fatigue than physical, along with his mana. He had tried to avoid using his aura to prevent mana deficiency attacks, but as daylight progressed, he grew increasingly anxious and ended up using his aura continuously. As an unintended result, he seemed to have cleared out all the magical beasts in the area.

He thought about his territory that he had left in Deputy Heron’s care, and Count Yvonne’s report. He recalled the unexpected news the Count had shared after the emergency meeting.

* * *

“My lord, you’ll need to return to the north soon.”

“Why?”

“Do you remember ordering an investigation of the dungeon in your territory?”

“Of course. I told you to look for traces of those who had been frequenting the dungeon.”

It was an order issued after discovering traces of the Special Monster Unit in the imperial palace dungeon. The reason they could move around undetected was due to the portal ability that connected dungeons.

‘Considering the numerous incidents of people transforming into magical beasts in the north…’

The probability was very high that they had also used northern dungeons. Originally, dungeons were monster gates created by the black mage Lumen and his followers.

However, as Lumen died, they gradually lost their function and became a kind of relic site. Like the imperial palace dungeon, even if monsters appeared, they were only low-level ones that weren’t worth any money.

Naturally, people stopped visiting them, with only minimal management for emergencies. Many lords abandoned even that due to cost issues.

‘But those Special Monster Unit bastards restored and used the dungeons’ portal functions.’

If they could track the routes used through the dungeons and discover their final destination, they might learn the purpose behind collecting magical beast cores. This was why Lynen had ordered the northern lords to investigate the dungeons under their management.

Count Yvonne continued his report.

“While investigating the dungeon under our territory’s management, we discovered that some dungeons that had ceased functioning have begun to reactivate.”

“…Reactivate?”

“Monsters are reappearing in dungeons that were previously empty.”

Lynen frowned deeply.

‘They must be using Lumen’s heart.’

He was already convinced that Young Marquis Caiman possessed another fragment of Lumen’s heart.

The evidence was overwhelming: summoning powerful familiar spirits, causing magical beast attacks in various places, secretly using dungeons as portals, and now the reactivation of dungeons. All these would have been impossible without Lumen’s heart.

Furthermore, it would be in the possession of Henrik, the Special Monster Unit captain and Caiman’s close associate. Without someone directly manipulating the heart fragment, such changes wouldn’t have occurred.

“Are they trying to interfere with our investigation?”

“Yes. The traces have already been muddled by the monsters, making it difficult to investigate inside the dungeons.”

Lynen swallowed a sigh. They had lost a definitive way to track their targets.

“Moreover, occasionally powerful monsters emerge from the dungeons.”

“Is it a burden even for you, Count?”

The Count laughed softly, like an old man amused by a child’s question.

“Heh heh. To think the person who once sought my guidance now asks such things. How times change.”

“……”

Lynen’s ears turned slightly red.

“You needn’t worry about our defenses. However, it would be better if you personally verified the site. Your eyes might catch what this old body has missed.”

“…I understand. But not right away.”

“Yes. We’ll wait.”

* * *

Lynen had already been thinking he should visit his territory soon. Despite Heron’s assistance, there were limits to managing territory affairs from a distance. He also wanted to recheck the place where his nephew Noel had disappeared.

‘But not now.’

He couldn’t leave Calliphe alone. For someone who took such good care of Noah, she was terrible at looking after herself. Left to her own devices, there was no telling what outrageous thing she might do.

‘At least after House Offensa’s grand council is completely finished.’

They would likely reconvene the grand council before year’s end, probably setting a date after the Harvest Festival. Then Lynen could visit the north with peace of mind.

After spacing out briefly, he pulled out his communication stone from his pocket.

‘I should make that call I missed this morning.’

She would certainly be angry first. Without any particular expectations, Lynen activated the communication stone.

* * *

Calliphe had been camped in front of the communication stone since her match ended. She’d been there so long that she’d even exchanged names with the communication manager who was always stationed there.

“Are you sure there really wasn’t any call during my match…?”

“I’m afraid so, dear. Ferica’s father must be extremely busy.”

Calliphe’s worry deepened.

‘Has something really happened? I can’t even go check myself.’

She was growing anxious as all sorts of negative scenarios crossed her mind.

“You said your mother isn’t around?”

“Yes.”

“So you’re especially close to your father? Does he often call you princess?”

“Ahem! Y-yes…?”

“My, how lovely.”

The manager’s eyes sparkled. Having dealt with many difficult parents, she couldn’t help but feel delighted when encountering a polite and harmonious family.

“He expresses his affection often? You must miss your father terribly to wait this long.”

“W-what? No, that’s not it. It’s just that he said he’d contact me but hasn’t…”

Calliphe’s face grew increasingly red as she awkwardly made excuses.

Just then—

Beep beep beep.

“A call!”

At Calliphe’s exclamation, the manager skillfully operated the communication stone.

“Ferica, it’s for you. Finally, your father is calling.”

With a wink, the manager closed the curtain for privacy.

Calliphe hurriedly spoke into the communication stone.

“Ly… Dad? Why did you call so late? Are you okay? Did something happen?”

—…

“Why aren’t you saying anything? What happened? Are you hurt? How badly? Is it serious?”

—…

“Too serious to even speak? Wait, if your condition is that severe, you should go to a saint instead of making calls! Go quickly! And what was Raul doing? Useless mutt.”

Then a small laugh mixed with breathing sounds came from the communication stone.

Calliphe’s eyebrows shot up.

“You’re laughing? You find this funny?”

—…No.

A slightly muffled, deep voice. Somehow, joy could be felt in his mumbling.

—Ahem. I’m fine. I’m not hurt.

“You’re fine? Really?”

—Yes. And Raul ran away because he missed you.

“Huh?”

—If he comes to the imperial palace, please send him back.

‘So Raul is bringing the item.’

He was speaking indirectly because the manager could hear their conversation.

Calliphe’s anxiety finally subsided somewhat, and the anger she had momentarily forgotten began to creep back.

“But why did you call so late? You said you’d call this morning,” she asked flatly.

—Were you waiting?

His voice carried the sense of smiling eyes.

Suddenly, Calliphe felt incredibly embarrassed to admit she had been waiting.

“N-no, not at all! I was obviously eating and taking naps and stuff!”

—That’s a relief.

“……”

His voice was lower than usual but infused with relief. Her intention to scold him curled up and retreated like a snail.

‘Ugh, let’s just end this call quickly.’

Conscious of the manager behind the curtain, Calliphe played the role of an affectionate daughter.

“But I do miss you a little. I need to go practice now, so bye, Dad!”

—…

There was no answer.

“What? Did he hang up already?”

How cold, she grumbled inwardly as she moved to end the communication.

Just then, Lynen’s whisper came through the communication stone she thought had disconnected.

—I miss you too, princess.