Yulid walked ahead without saying a word.

Following behind him, Calliphe checked the progress of her quest.

‘This was the quest to escape from the rebel base, right?’

[Condition: Yulid’s trust level 60 or higher, or escape by your own means]

[Current Yulid’s trust level: 20]

Her trust level had increased by 15 points, likely because she had helped him instead of running away.

Upon reaching the room, Yulid immediately stripped off his upper garment.

A lean but densely muscled torso, more slender than Lynen’s, suddenly appeared before Calliphe’s eyes.

Gasp. Calliphe was startled.

‘How can someone have so many scars?’

Various scars, both large and small, covered his chest and back completely. Among them were several large ones that must have been life-threatening.

Unlike Lynen’s scars from battling monsters, Yulid’s scars appeared to be mostly inflicted by humans.

Since Yulid was the one who survived, those who gave him these scars must have all died by his hand.

‘No wonder he seems so indifferent about k*lling people.’

While she stared blankly, Yulid threw his bloodied shirt at her with an indifferent expression.

“What a lewd woman. What are you staring at?”

Calliphe frowned as the blood-stained clothes hit her face.

“What’s wrong with looking? Does it wear out?”

“You’re quite cheeky. I must have treated you too nicely.”

Feeling his murderous intent immediately spreading, Calliphe quickly lowered her gaze.

Unable to completely hide her displeasure toward the person who had initiated the impromptu strip show, her eyes remained sulky. Yulid snickered in disbelief.

“Who did you take after to be so fearless?”

“……”

After putting on new clothes, he sat on the sofa and crossed his legs arrogantly. Calliphe also sat across from him.

“Nicker said you have the ability to neutralize black magic,” Yulid said, staring intently at Calliphe.

“But what you showed just now was different from what I heard?”

“…It might look different, but it’s actually the same.”

“How is it different?”

“To be precise, I have the ability to shock corrupted mana.”

From the moment she decided to approach Yulid, Calliphe had planned to reveal this information.

She intended to gain his trust by disclosing this ability and exploiting his weakness.

‘I thought everything was ruined… but unexpectedly, I’ve gotten another chance.’

Sure enough, Yulid’s eyes showed great interest.

“You shock corrupted mana? I see. So that’s how you destroyed black magic by striking it.”

“Yes.”

“Then you knew I had corrupted mana?”

Despite his casual tone, deep suspicion lurked underneath. Calliphe gave her prepared answer.

“I thought it highly likely. You had seizures when you were near the monster core.”

“And based on that suspicion alone, you used your ability?”

“I figured if the digestive medicine didn’t work, it would confirm the corrupted mana.”

“You speak well.”

“It’s true. I was so surprised when I realized you suffered from Henrik’s insects just like me.”

Yulid narrowed his eyes.

“Then why don’t you use that ability on yourself?”

“It doesn’t work on me.”

“……”

Can he believe this? Yulid stared at her intently.

‘Should I t*rture her?’

He considered it briefly but decided against it.

This child had been suspicious from the beginning anyway.

Beyond extracting information from Henrik, she likely had other hidden intentions.

But everyone had hidden motives of some kind.

Yulid was surrounded by such people, and adding one more young girl wouldn’t change anything.

Especially if that girl proved extremely useful to him.

“Then you probably anticipate what I’m about to say.”

“…You want me to use my ability on you, right?”

“Yes.”

Yulid raised one corner of his mouth. He opened his hand, proposing a deal.

“But one-sided relationships are fragile. So I’ll offer you something beneficial too.”

“Beneficial…?”

“I’ll make you the Marquis Offensa.”

“……!”

That’s more dramatic than she expected! Surprised by his words, Calliphe asked:

“But aren’t you working with Young Marquis Caiman? Henrik is helping you too.”

“That’s precisely why I need your cooperation. You’ll treat me but keep it secret. They’ll think they still have leverage over me and fulfill their conditions.”

“So you plan to backstab them after getting what you want?”

“‘Backstab’ sounds harsh. We never discussed what happens after our business relationship ends.”

It was certainly a tempting offer.

‘If the most influential black market organization in the Empire becomes my backing… no one would dare touch me.’

However, this was a double-edged sword.

It was too much power to gain simply for removing some insects.

Sure enough, Yulid mentioned the hidden condition.

“If you become Marquis Offensa, you’ll need to help the Black Hand operate smoothly. I’d like you to share some of your family’s magical techniques with us.”

“Planning to make illegal magical tools?”

“Is that all? Think about how much more we can do once we’re beyond the law’s reach.”

Yulid smiled slyly. He flipped a gold coin enticingly.

“Everything you’ve only imagined will become reality. If a prestigious magic family and the black market watch each other’s backs, who could touch us?”

“How exactly will you make me a Marquis?”

“I’ll eliminate everyone who stands in your way.”

He meant removing all political opponents.

Including Young Marquis Caiman.

‘This is the most appealing part.’

Surely Yulid could succeed. He could probably handle Henrik too.

“That would create a lot of complications for both of us.”

“Indeed. I wouldn’t have made this offer if you were stupid.”

“I’m curious about something. Why are you making this proposal? For power?”

Yulid chuckled. He caught the gold coin he had been flipping.

“Money.”

“Money… you say?”

“Yes, money. I want wealth and prosperity that would astonish even the Emperor.”

“Don’t you have enough money already?”

Of course, that would be after he fully established himself as the Black Hand’s leader. Calliphe swallowed the rest of her words.

Without answering, Yulid rolled the gold coin between his fingers.

Enough money. That was something Yulid himself wanted to know.

How much would be enough for his wife and daughter to accept him if he suddenly appeared?

His wife might understand, but to his daughter, he would be virtually a stranger. He didn’t want to appear shameful or burdensome to her.

So what did he need?

‘Money, of course.’

He had never met anyone who disliked money.

Besides, with money, he could buy his daughter anything she wanted. And as the Black Hand’s leader, he could instantly resolve any difficulties she faced.

This was why Yulid had been willing to use any means necessary.

“The more money, the better. That should be true for an heir who wants to become the family head, right?”

Yulid extended his hand for a handshake.

“So let’s watch each other’s backs, Lady Calliphe Offensa.”

Not a temporary secretary, but treating her as a direct Offensa family member.

It was an unspoken pressure to answer as someone who would inherit the family. Recognizing this, Calliphe’s gaze turned cold.

“…There would certainly be many benefits. Quickly eliminating political opponents too.”

“Of course—”

“However.”

Slap. Calliphe lightly knocked away Yulid’s hand.

“I refuse.”

“……”

Yulid’s golden eyes sank coldly. Murderous intent flowed from him.