By Zephyria 
Isaac only stopped walking once he had come within a couple of steps of the Prince, and only then did he realize that the Prince had been staring intently at him.
The Prince was observing Isaac’s face with a strange look in his eyes. He slowly scanned the curve of his eyes, the slant of his lips, and the slight lift of his cheeks, as if he were seeing such a face for the first time.
“……, ……?”
The smile slowly faded from Isaac’s face. Instead, he tilted his head in curiosity and looked at the Prince.
“You’re faster than I thought,” the Prince murmured, sounding surprised. His tone suggested that he hadn’t expected to see Isaac here. However, judging by the remnants of chicken bones and vegetable scraps discarded to the side, it seemed the Prince had already rested here for quite some time. Isaac had only managed to catch up after the Prince had finished eating and had enough time to relax.
“Yes…… though it’ll probably be hard to catch up again.”
Isaac sighed, realizing that if they parted ways here, he wouldn’t see him again until they reached Hailen. Still, seeing his face like this along the way made him feel much better. Noticing his horse wouldn’t lift its head from the stream, likely quite thirsty, Isaac perched himself by a small puddle and dipped his feet in the cold water while looking back at the Prince.
“It looks like you’re sending that hawk on an errand. There was something tied to its ankle.”
Isaac asked casually, but the Prince only stared at him piercingly without answering. Well, wherever he was sending it. What place could a bird of prey that travels thousands of ri in a day not reach? Besides, why would he say anything to a witch he couldn’t trust? Just as Isaac was about to turn his head away, unconcerned,
“The border,” the Prince answered shortly.
Isaac stared at him blankly. The border was that barren and desolate land where the Prince had been until last year. Though the Prince had killed the strongest and worst of the monsters, large and small magical beasts and raids by barbarians still occurred incessantly, leaving the land guarded by rough and ferocious soldiers.
Isaac was about to ask why he was sending it there, but he swallowed the words. He felt that such a thing was not for him to ask. Isaac simply gave a slight nod, and the Prince merely arched an eyebrow faintly upon seeing him. Yes, his intuition is useful, the Prince seemed to mutter with his lips.
“Are you feeling alright?”
Isaac changed the subject entirely, asking about something that had been weighing on his mind. The Dark Moon was approaching. As it had been yesterday, the Prince hadn’t looked in a very good mood when they departed from Byeokyeong Palace this morning. Worried that his condition might be poor for such a long ride, Isaac asked with concern, but the Prince actually wore a look of slight absurdity.
“I don’t think that’s a question for you to be asking.”
“Huh? ……Ah.”
Following the Prince’s gaze to the reflection in the puddle, Isaac discovered a young man with a hollow and sallow complexion and slowly rubbed his face. He hadn’t eaten properly since the day before yesterday, and on top of that, he had spent the entire day riding hard since dawn, so his complexion certainly looked like that of a sick person.
“I just didn’t have much of an appetite, so I didn’t eat much…… I’m fine.”
“Starving yourself when you should be building up your strength?”
“Yes, it stings just to put something in my mouth.”
The implied meaning—it’s because the Prince mangled my tongue—must have come across. The Prince remained silent, simply staring at Isaac. Of course, he showed no sign of apology whatsoever, but after clicking his tongue once, he stopped pressing further.
Though he felt a secret sense of satisfaction, Isaac had no intention of blaming him and let out a small chuckle. He quickly erased the smile, however, as the Prince’s gaze, staring intently at the corners of his mouth as if asking why he was laughing, felt prickly.
“Come to think of it, in Hailen,”
Isaac started talking about anything just to quickly change the subject, then paused. The Prince’s decision to go to Hailen had been very sudden, and the departure equally abrupt. Amidst that minor chaos, the most distinct atmosphere was one of relief. Relief that the Prince, who had been the source of an indefinable fear, was disappearing. Isaac suddenly felt a bitter sensation and quietly swallowed.
“……I heard that witches lived in Hailen.”
These were stories like local folklore passed down from old times. While the roads in Hailen are now well-maintained and easy to travel, it used to be surrounded by high mountains and wide rivers, making contact with the outside world difficult and preserving its lush nature. Perhaps because of this, fairy tales and oral legends about fairies and monsters were more prevalent there than elsewhere.
More recently, it was said that Hailen was a region with many beautiful women, and jokes circulated that outside men who entered were bewitched by the women of Hailen, and that witches lived there.
“The women of Hailen must be that charming. One of my colleagues once stopped by Hailen while traveling years ago, and he often talks at drinking parties about how he still can’t forget the woman he shared a brief romance with there. So we all said we should go to Hailen together for a trip once we got leave…….”
Isaac stopped mid-sentence. The Prince was looking at him with a subtle expression. His face was expressionless, yet somehow it seemed like he was mocking him, or found it strange, or was curious.
“Even a virgin seems to have an interest in women. Interested in women, yet a virgin…….”
The Prince murmured two sentences that were similar yet subtly different. And Isaac was deeply wounded by the second sentence.
“It’s not like there’s something wrong with me……. ……Why did you suddenly think of going to Hailen, Lord Kaieon……?”
No. This was a topic where he would gain nothing by speaking. Isaac quickly changed the subject again. He didn’t know why that expressionless face looked so mischievously satisfied.
“There are many documents regarding witches left in Hailen. There might be some materials that couldn’t be found in the capital,” the Prince said.
Isaac nodded, convinced, and the Prince added casually, “Furthermore, it will be better for the atmosphere within the palace to settle more quickly if I am away for a while.”
Isaac fell silent.
The Prince knew it too. The atmosphere of the palace, frozen in fear because of him. There was no way a man so brilliant and sharp wouldn’t know.
Nevertheless, seeing the Prince appear indifferent and unconcerned by that fact, Isaac quietly dropped his gaze.
“That expression.”
Suddenly, the Prince spoke, and Isaac looked up in confusion. The Prince was watching him. It was that same gaze, as if examining him in detail. As if he were looking at something unsettling that he couldn’t understand.
“Yes?”
As Isaac asked back, bewilderedly rubbing his face, the Prince fell into a silence that lasted quite a while, as if lost in thought. At the end of it,
“Nothing.”
The Prince waved his hand lightly and said no more. It felt as though he hadn’t yet found a clear answer. A wrinkle briefly crossed his expressionless brow, like someone facing a riddle without a clue.
“I wonder where that witch is now.”
Isaac suddenly thought of those who had caused this situation. Neither the witch nor the mage had been found since. It was more unsettling that time was passing without any incident. Or rather, to be precise, he was anxious because he felt that ‘without any incident’ was unlikely.
“Until recently, they must have been near Ulfine,” the Prince said calmly.
Isaac’s expression darkened.
Secret news had reached the Mage Guild last night. A shriveled, dried-up mummy-like corpse had been found in the Ulfine region to the west of the capital. In the hunter’s cabin at the foot of the suburban mountain where the body was found, several types of highly toxic herbs and bloodstains that looked as if a drawing had been made on the floor and then erased were also discovered.
Anyone with knowledge of magic could immediately deduce that forbidden black magic had taken place. And those with deeper knowledge would know that this was impossible for an average mage.
Only after hearing that did Isaac think he understood why the mage—who had already surrendered both body and soul to the witch, even on a day when the witch’s consciousness was shallow—could have been so vividly active over the past fifteen days.
Even after making a contract to surrender everything to the witch, it seemed the mage wanted to maintain his fading consciousness for as long as possible. Even if it meant sucking the life essence out of humans using forbidden secret arts.
He had ceased to be a human in any sense of the word.
“If that were the case, he shouldn’t have made the contract in the first place…….”
Isaac muttered bitterly to himself and then stopped. No. Please let that not be it. Isaac prayed that his guess was wrong. That the mage wasn’t continuing to devour people somewhere.
Isaac unconsciously clenched his teeth. He didn’t even notice the taste of blood seeping from his crushed tongue.
Just then.
“When will that wretched pronunciation finally become clear?”
Suddenly, a hand gripped Isaac’s chin. Above the rough hand that forced his clenched mouth open, the Prince’s blue eyes appeared.
“It can become clear right now.”
If I endure the pain and pronounce each word slowly, he wanted to say, but the way his pronunciation leaked slightly was because the Prince’s hand was gripping his chin and not letting go.
The Prince was peering into the open mouth. After seeing the crushed tongue, he released the chin with a look of slight irritation.
“Do not step forward needlessly ever again.”
“……. I will try to do so as much as possible.”
The nuance of but I might not was likely noticed by the Prince. The Prince stared intently, but Isaac pretended not to notice and subtly averted his gaze. Oh boy, am I going to get struck by lightning again? Despite his anxiety, fortunately, the Prince said nothing more. Instead, he looked up at the sun beginning to tilt overhead and stood up, appearing ready to depart.
Isaac stood up following him. Looking back, the horse had apparently quenched its thirst to its satisfaction and was lifting its head from the stream, licking its lips.
“Now, come here. Let’s get going.”
As Isaac gripped the horse’s reins and led it away from the stream, the Prince, who was just about to mount his own horse, glanced at him.
“Didn’t you stop to rest?”
“Yes, I thought so…… but aren’t you leaving now?”
“You won’t be able to keep up anyway, there’s no need to get up.”
The Prince spoke indifferently and leaped onto his horse. Isaac scratched his head for a moment before he too climbed up and sat on his horse. Holding the reins, the Prince glanced at Isaac, who was insisting on accompanying him.
“The distance will widen again soon, but it’s nice to go together for a little while.”
“Why.”
“Because I want to be with you.”
Because he had tried so hard to speak with clear, distinct pronunciation, his tongue throbbed, and he had frowned, blurting out the answer unconsciously. And the very next moment after answering, he froze with an uh.
After answering, he felt as if a heavy stone had suddenly dropped into his chest. It felt as though something he hadn’t even realized himself had accidentally slipped out.
Huh? ……Huh?
Isaac, who stood frozen for a moment just blinking, rubbed his face in embarrassment. When he looked up, the Prince was looking at him expressionlessly, but as if he were seeing something truly strange.
“No, there’s no particular meaning.”
Isaac spoke hurriedly as if making an excuse, but he couldn’t think of anything to add immediately. On the other hand, he became even more flustered, fearing the Prince might think he was blatantly flattering him.
“I really didn’t mean anything else, it’s just the literal meaning…….”
Isaac grew more and more flustered. He felt that the Prince’s gaze should have drifted away by now, but the Prince continued to watch him in silence. It was as if he were waiting to see what else would come out.
“……. I’m sorry. Please go on ahead.”
Isaac muttered, rubbing his face to hide his awkwardness. The Prince looked at Isaac for a moment longer but then turned his gaze away without a word.
The Prince lightly tapped the horse with the reins and spurred it forward, and the horse carrying its master shot out like an arrow. Watching the back of the horse quickly recede beyond his vision, easily crossing the bumpy paths of the stream and the thickets blocking the way, Isaac finally relaxed his tense shoulders only after they had drifted far enough that the sound of hooves was no longer audible.
“He really just left…….”
A feeling of relief and a feeling of regret crossed his mind simultaneously. Along with that, Isaac quietly tapped his chest. It had been thumping loudly for a while now.
Standing there blankly for a moment with his hand on his chest, Isaac slowly shook his head and let out a sigh. This won’t do. If he thought about it any more, he felt he might realize something he didn’t want to acknowledge. Then he felt he would become very scared and sad.
“Let’s go, let’s go.”
Isaac patted the horse a couple of times and gave its belly a light kick. The horse let out a short sound and bolted forward. While swaying lightly on the saddle, Isaac looked up at the sun passing overhead.
It seemed he was about halfway to Hailen. At this rate, he would arrive by evening. The Prince would arrive much sooner. Normally, it takes a full day to get there, but he must have ridden incredibly fast.
Soon, he left the forest path and entered the road stretching through the wide plains. And then,
“……, ah.”
In the distance, he could see the whitish rump of a horse. And the swaying horsehair.
Isaac’s heart suddenly raced. He spurred his horse further to increase the speed. Even after riding hard for a long time, the distance did not decrease, but it did not increase either. The Prince was riding ahead of him, maintaining that distance.
Although from Isaac’s perspective, he had to ride as if his life depended on it just to maintain the gap, the Prince must have been traveling leisurely and slowly in his own way.
Somehow, that made him happy—the fact that the Prince remained in his sight even though the distance didn’t close made Isaac feel warm, and he smiled. Though there was no way the laughter could have been heard, the Prince glanced back briefly. But that was all; he neither waited nor sped up, continuing to ride as he was, and Isaac followed behind him.
He had heard rumors from royals and nobles who had stayed at the Star Palace in Hailen that the Chamberlain in charge of managing it was extremely competent. And indeed, those words were true.
The Prince’s decision to go to Hailen had been made during a dinner banquet. And the Prince arrived in Hailen less than a full day after that. As soon as the dinner ended, a courier had ridden through the night to Hailen to deliver the message that ‘the Prince is coming,’ and only a few hours later, the person himself had arrived. There had likely never been an instance where a royal traveled to another region with such lightning speed.
From the perspective of the Hailen Star Palace, they had been spending their time leisurely without any prior notice, only to be hit by a bolt from the blue as they welcomed their master. The busyness of reorganizing and decorating in just a few hours must have been indescribable. Generally, preparations for receiving a distinguished guest are made with at least a week’s notice, but since they had to prepare in half a day, it was obvious how frantically the Chamberlain of the Star Palace must have moved.
“And yet, everything is so flawlessly prepared. The rumors that the Chamberlain of Hailen is very competent were certainly not empty words,” Isaac muttered, sipping his meat stew.
The Prince had arrived in Hailen before sunset. If one departed from the capital in the morning, they would normally ride for a full day and arrive around the following morning. Nevertheless, the Prince reached Hailen while the sun was still up, and immediately afterward, Isaac arrived, looking as if he were about to collapse from exhaustion. The other attendants, though they had ridden hard, lagged far behind and reached Hailen only in the middle of the night.
In Hailen, they were greatly surprised and flustered to receive the Prince much sooner than expected, but the competent Chamberlain of the Star Palace, as rumored, showed no such sign and welcomed them calmly, and there was nothing lacking in the preparations. Even the room for the direct guard, right next to the Prince’s bedroom, was decorated without a single speck of dust, and basic clothing and necessary items were provided for a mere guard who had come with almost no luggage. The preparations for the Prince, therefore, were beyond reproach.
“Even the items prepared here in advance for my guard duty are of better quality than the ones I usually use… Hmm, very good, very good indeed.”
He had heard that some areas, such as the rooms for the other servants, had not yet been properly organized, but considering the priorities were kept and everything was set up so as not to be criticized by superiors, it was quite impressive.
Isaac murmured as he slowly brushed his hand over the guard uniform provided in the wardrobe. Being new, it was far cleaner and looked much sharper than Isaac’s worn-out clothes. The one brought this morning—after the one he tried on last night didn’t fit—was a perfect fit this time. Other items, such as pajamas, toiletries, and personal effects, were also superior to what Isaac originally owned.
Everything was absolutely wonderful.
Furthermore, Hailen was a lovely place. Everyone who had visited Hailen spoke in unison about how wonderful it was, and indeed, they had not lied.
Unlike the capital, where a cold wind had already begun to blow morning and night, Hailen was warm year-round, and the daily temperature fluctuation was not significant. From morning till evening, the weather was just right—neither too cold nor too hot.
Moreover, although he had only arrived yesterday and had not yet encountered everyone, the people Isaac had met so far were all kind and gentle. It was said that the people of Hailen had temperaments as warm as their weather, and that proved true. Of course, since rumors regarding Prince Kaieon had reached as far as Hailen, there were occasional glances observing the Prince with tension and anxiety. However, since they had only heard the stories and had not experienced them firsthand, their gazes were closer to reverence than fear, which allowed Isaac to breathe a sigh of relief.
Surrounded by forests and lakes with stunning natural scenery, Hailen was less developed, leading some in the capital to call it a rural backwater; however, it was also a place cherished and loved by royalty who wished to stay quietly amidst nature. It suited Isaac’s temperament much better than the always bustling and complicated capital.
Yes, everything about Hailen was wonderful.
Nevertheless, if he had to—absolutely, stubbornly, forcibly—pick one thing to complain about,
“Is the stew to your liking?”
Before he knew it, a young servant had approached Isaac, asking with a wide smile on his face. In one hand, he held a tray with a glass on it; the greenish liquid, which looked healthy but tasted like it would be terrible, was clearly vegetable juice. Isaac stared at the glass with bleak eyes while chewing his stew.
“Yes, it’s very delicious… It’s my first time eating a stew this rich and greasy.”
It’s also my first time eating meat stew as a snack less than two or three hours after breakfast; and a bowl of stew as large as a washbasin, I’m going to gain so much weight, Isaac muttered to himself, wondering where on earth he was supposed to cram the vegetable juice the servant brought, given that he only had one stomach.
As he took the glass and set it aside to drink later, the servant spoke solemnly, his smiling face remaining unchanged.
“I was told to make sure you finish it all.”
“…”
“I heard rumors that Lord Kaieon was a terrifying person, but in reality, he seems to be very kind. I am truly moved that he looks after his subordinates down to such trivial details. To even provide snacks, saying you must build up your physical strength.”
No, was it ‘vitality’? Anyway, Isaac could only offer a vague smile as he listened to the servant’s additions.
Since arriving in Hailen, Isaac had been receiving exceptionally special consideration. It was the kind of consideration that made him feel like a digestive disorder would strike long before his vitality ever improved.
When Isaac arrived at sunset yesterday, the Prince was just about to enter the Star Palace, received by the Chamberlain and all the staff working there with polite greetings.
In the midst of that, Isaac, arriving while kicking up clouds of dust, practically slid off his horse, exhausted to the point of being ragged. While people looked at Isaac with curiosity, Isaac gave a faint, sigh-like smile upon seeing the Prince looking at him indifferently. Having chased after him all this way, he felt a sense of relief upon finally facing him. The Prince’s brow twitched very slightly before settling.
‘Excuse me, but…’
At that moment, the Chamberlain stepped forward and questioned Isaac, and only then did Isaac look around at the people and straighten his posture.
‘It is a pleasure to meet you. I have been appointed as Lord Kaieon’s guard. My name is Isaac.’
‘I see. It is a pleasure to meet you. You have worked hard to get here. Welcome to Hailen. But where are the others…?’
‘Ah, they will probably be a bit late. Tonight or perhaps tomorrow….’
While the Chamberlain and Isaac exchanged greetings, the Prince, who had been watching Isaac in silence, turned away. The Chamberlain quickly returned to the Prince’s side. Guided by the Chamberlain into the Star Palace, the Prince gave a light jerk of his chin toward Isaac.
‘Give him something to eat first. He cannot chew hard foods properly, so give him something soft.’
Isaac must have looked incredibly gaunt and exhausted. While Isaac was deeply surprised and moved, wondering why that man was being so delicately considerate, the Chamberlain nodded without a word. As soon as Isaac was guided to his room, he was served a full table of piping hot potage, soft white bread, well-cooked steamed fish, and even wine. That was the end of his memories for that day; once the hot, delicious food entered his exhausted body, sleep came crashing down. He fell asleep feeling incredibly full and satisfied, and woke up the next morning feeling refreshed, but…
“Lunch is also being specially prepared with nutrient-rich and soft foods. Also, please let us know whenever there is something you wish to eat.”
“…”
Gulp. Forcing another mouthful of the stew—half of which still remained in the giant bowl—Isaac rubbed his stomach. Just the mention of lunch made his insides ache.
It started the moment he opened his eyes in the morning to find a lavish spread of food piled high on a three-tier tray. When a bewildered Isaac asked, ‘Do I eat breakfast here with the others?’, the servant replied with a casual smile, ‘No, these are for the guard. Lord Kaieon ordered them.’ At that moment, Isaac had a suspicious and ominous feeling, and it turned out that wasn’t even breakfast. It was food intended to ‘lightly fill an empty stomach’ before washing up and preparing for the day’s work. After that, he had to force himself to eat the properly served breakfast in the dining hall until he was so full he could barely breathe. Even when he tried to leave some, the servant insisted, saying, ‘The Prince ordered that you eat it all…’, so he couldn’t even leave a scrap.
Even a pig being fattened wouldn’t eat this much. No, more importantly, this isn’t how one builds vitality…
Whether the servant knew Isaac was forcing the food into his mouth like eating mustard with tears or not, he smiled warmly and praised the Prince.
“They say our Prince is a hero of the age, and to think he looks after his subordinates so well; you are lucky to have such a good superior. Our Lord is also a kind master who is generous to his subordinates, but he doesn’t look after them in such meticulous detail.”
“Ah, he does seem to have a generous and benevolent impression.”
“Yes, he is a good person. He is a bit greedy, but he doesn’t treat his subordinates harshly.”
At the mention of being a bit greedy, the servant lowered his voice and glanced up at the window. The reception room window was not far, but it wasn’t close enough for normal conversation to be heard.
Currently, the Lord of the region had visited the Star Palace with his daughter to pay his respects to the Prince. It was not uncommon for a Lord to bring his family when a high-ranking official visited the territory, but by bringing his daughter dressed up exquisitely, he was very blatantly promoting her. It was obvious to anyone that he had the position of the Prince’s consort in mind, yet the Lord remained bold and unashamed.
Indeed, while the Lord of Hailen’s rank was not high, his lineage was pure. Although she might be slightly lacking as a candidate for the Prince’s consort, it wasn’t entirely out of the question. Furthermore, if the Prince liked her, who would dare oppose him even if he brought a girl from some remote mountain village? The King and Queen Consort would surely let him do as he pleased without a word.
The reason the Prince had not married until now was not because there were no people eyeing the position of the Prince’s consort.
He was the Prince who would become the next King. There was no way marriage talks hadn’t arisen among the officials. As soon as the Prince returned from the border, greedy officials immediately sought him out and subtly brought up the topic of marriage.
‘Do as you wish.’
The Prince, rumored to have a cold and terrifying disposition, showed some signs of annoyance but responded unexpectedly coolly. The officials beamed, mentally counting their daughters, nieces, and granddaughters.
‘Then, what kind of person would satisfy you?’
While the officials asked, the Prince looked out the window with a bored expression and suddenly glanced at a young boy standing by the window. The boy, who had been standing quietly, quickly approached when their eyes met. ‘Suck,’ the Prince commanded in one word, and without hesitation, the boy knelt at his feet, lowered the Prince’s trousers, and buried his head between his thighs.
Although the main parts were hidden by the table, and everyone in the palace already knew of the Prince’s nature, the officials could only shut their mouths and clear their throats at the scene unfolding before them. The Prince looked at the officials indifferently, seemingly unconcerned with what was happening below.
‘It doesn’t matter what woman it is. To me, it is only a difference in who will do this in the future. However, she should be sturdy, if she wants to last even a little longer. Wouldn’t it be tedious to bring in a new consort every few months?’
Silence instantly fell over the room. ‘So, who were the candidates?’ the Prince asked again, but the officials could not answer, their faces turning grim. Not only would they need a body capable of enduring the magnificent Prince, as rumors suggested, but it was obvious they would lose all face and dignity if they had to perform that role. No matter how much a noble maiden craved the position of the Prince’s consort or the future Queen, there was no way she would agree to sit in that position while enduring such things.
‘That… women tend to weaken easily when their bodies are exhausted, so perhaps it would be best to keep the consort’s role to preserving the succession, and have someone else, as you do now, to look after Lord Kaieon’s well-being….’
‘Why should I take a woman as a consort who cannot perform her role?’
‘….’
The officials became as mute as if they had eaten honey. The Prince, staring at them, spoke.
‘Nevertheless, if someone worthy of being a consort catches my eye, I will consider marriage then.’
With that, the conversation about the Prince’s marriage ended. Since then, someone would occasionally mention, as if talking to the clouds, ‘The Prince should also welcome a consort,’ but no one stepped forward to take the position. It was only natural; what woman in the world would volunteer to strip her lower half without hesitation whenever the man desired, regardless of whether others were present or not?
And yet—despite the fact that such rumors must have spread in a town where news travels fast—seeing that he brought his daughter, the Lord of Hailen must be very greedy indeed. The daughter must also be quite bold.
“Indeed, your daughter is a beauty. She is also the type of look Lord Kaieon prefers.”
As Isaac murmured, recalling the daughter of dazzling beauty who had entered the reception room following the Lord, the servant looked pleased and asked, “Is that so?”
“I heard there are many beauties in Hailen, and it seems to be true. The Lord’s wife is a beauty, and the daughter is a beauty too.”
“Haha, oh please. How can a place like this compare to the capital? Naturally, there are more sophisticated beauties in the capital. But well, I’ve traveled a bit in my youth, and it seems the women of our Hailen are on average lovelier than those in most regions.”
The servant’s face was so full of pride that Isaac couldn’t think of anything to deny. However, he didn’t really intend to deny it. Perhaps because the land was fertile and the air was clear, the people were generally healthy and gentle; in reality, if one looked closely, there were many who weren’t strictly beauties but appeared so at a glance.
The Lord’s wife, the daughter, and even the maid who followed the daughter were like that. If one analyzed their features one by one, they were ambiguous as beauties, yet for some reason, they drew the eye and felt like beauties.
“The young lady who followed the Lord’s daughter was also pretty. Not just her face, but she has a certain atmospheric beauty.”
When Isaac said, “I suppose there are many people like that in Hailen,” the servant nodded and looked at Isaac subtly, then suddenly lowered his voice.
“Well, it’s a matter of personal preference, so I shouldn’t say anything, but since you look gentle, I’m telling you for your reference: it would be better not to give your heart too seriously to Ellie. There are four men I know of who are dating Ellie.”
Unless you just intend to play lightly, the servant whispered, leaving Isaac speechless for a moment. Four at once—she was a lady of great capability.
Just then, a maid poked her head out from a wooden door on the other side of the Star Palace and called the servant. The servant started to move toward her but stopped and looked back at Isaac. Then, with that same beaming smile, he looked back and forth between Isaac and the vegetable juice Isaac had set aside.
Under the silent pressure, Isaac forced the vegetable juice down his throat. The servant, with a face full of smiles, took the empty glass and disappeared after saying, “Lunch will be ready in about an hour.” At those words, Isaac felt as if everything in his stomach was about to come back up; he groaned and pressed a hand to his mouth.
What should I do. There’s exactly one sip of stew left, but I absolutely cannot eat it. I couldn’t eat it if they beat me to death.
Isaac looked at the bowl in his hand with eyes full of agony, then stealthily looked around. Then, he slowly dug a hole in the grass behind his backside, poured the stew in, and covered it back up with soil.
「Why is he burying the stew halfway through eating it?」
「Is he saving it to eat later?」
「Tsk tsk, how much can a bit of stew be that he’s saving it. Our Manbang is so poor, what a pity.」
「Still, he’s frugal, so he’ll probably marry well.」
「Sigh, we should get our Manbang married before he gets any older.」
“…Once I get rid of these three freeloaders, maybe the possibility of getting married will increase?”
「Hmph—what’s the point of marriage? It’s the grave of life.」
「Exactly, exactly. Just try getting married; your free days will all go down the drain. Why do that?」
“…”
Isaac turned a bleak gaze toward the voices coming from behind his backside. Although he had no memory of bringing them from the capital, the presence of three cats lurking in the grass of Hailen was no longer surprising. He suddenly found himself longing for that silver cage he had returned to the temple.
“You rascals, what did you steal and eat for your lips to be so greasy… You’ll be in big trouble if you’re caught stealing food in the palace, you brats.”
Isaac clicked his tongue as he looked at the three, who were licking their lips with satisfaction, having eaten something from somewhere. In Byeokyeong Palace, people had turned a blind eye because they were cats Isaac raised, but not here. If these brats get beaten with a fire poker because they’re thought to be stray cats that snuck into the palace…
「We didn’t steal it? They gave it to us to eat?」
“What? Why?”
「Why?」
「Because we’re pretty.」
「Because we’re lovely.」
「Because we’re beautiful.」
Who the hell is blind… Isaac looked at the three with suspicious eyes, and the three looked back at Isaac with equally suspicious eyes.
「But watching since this morning, why is that handsome guy feeding him so diligently?」
“It must be because I’m pretty, lovely, and beautiful.”
「…Is Manbang sick somewhere…?」
The three whispered with expressions of genuine concern and then touched Isaac’s forehead with the tips of their tails. They quickly dodged before he could flick the tail away with his finger; they were indeed no ordinary monsters.
“If I eat well and build up physical strength, will my vitality improve?”
As Isaac asked, leaning on his hand with a slouch, the cats shook their heads, saying, 「Probably not? It probably doesn’t matter?」
“Please, tell that to our Prince, I beg you.”
「I could do it, but only if he can actually understand us.」
「The kid has a decent face, but he just doesn’t get it. Tsk tsk, a handsome face is useless if you’re dim-witted.」
I should consider it a blessing that I don’t understand you. If I did, your heads would be rolling for blasphemy right now… Isaac clicked his tongue.
“Why did you follow me all the way here? Shouldn’t you be in the capital?”
「We didn’t follow you! We were just thinking about taking a trip down memory lane to Hailen after a long time.」
「Exactly. We came where we intended to come, and you’re the ones who followed us.」
These creatures, who had spent the entire night watching Isaac with wide, curious eyes as he hurriedly prepared for his sudden departure to Hailen, were surprisingly stubborn. When Isaac let out a scoff of disbelief, they seemed stung, widening their eyes to emphasize, 「It’s true!」
「Hailen has great water, great air, and great energy, making it the perfect place for a retreat.」
「It’s a wonderful place where life force practically wafts through the air.」
「Indeed, indeed. A place like this is great for humans, fairies, and monsters alike. That’s why many of our comrades have lived in Hailen since long ago.」
「Back when there were many witches, we stayed here for quite a while too. Ah, how I miss my fleeting youth.」
Sure, ramble all you want. Isaac watched them with his chin resting on his hand before abruptly asking, “When did you live here?”
「Hmm?」
「It hasn’t been that long… maybe about three hundred years?」
Only three hundred years? Wasn’t it longer? Isaac stared with vacant eyes as the creatures huddled together, chattering away.
Just how old are these things… But he decided not to ask. He didn’t feel like using honorifics.
“Witches lived here that long ago?”
At Isaac’s question, the three creatures looked at him with wide eyes, as if he were talking nonsense.
「Witches stayed here long before humans ever set foot. It was a place surrounded by mountains and lakes, where only beasts and spirits came and went.」
「Especially the lake on the night of the Dark Moon; it was a wonderful place where even the Great Old Witches would often visit to absorb essence.」
「Hailen was one of the few places in the human world brimming with essence. Then, as humans entered with swords and spears and began to settle, most of them left for beyond the mountains.」
「Hailen is probably the only place where witches and spirits still remain in significant numbers, even with humans settled here.」
「Though it’s incomparably murkier than before.」
「Though it’s incomparably cloudier than before.」
The voices of the chattering creatures faded. Watching their ears droop, Isaac felt a pang of heartache.
A longing for the past. A lost sanctuary that would never return. While he felt sorry for them as they yearned for things that now only existed in memory, Isaac also felt a sense of regret. How wonderful must it have been? He wished he could have seen it.
「Well, still, it’s quite decent. Indeed.」
Then, one of them perked its ears up again and spoke.
「Of course. It’s a land where you can gain life force just by breathing.」
「They say it’s not what it used to be, but places with this much life force are rare.」
The cats, rolling around and chattering as if they had never dropped their ears, seemed to have an exceptionally glossy sheen to their fur after saying that. They were brimming with vitality.
It was a stark contrast to Isaac, who was panting under the weight of a full stomach. I wish I could absorb life force from the air too. Why can’t I do that… As Isaac muttered gloomily, the cats held their noses high in pride.
「That’s something low-class witches can’t do. You have to be at our level to suck out the energy dissolved in the air.」
Hateful. They were hateful creatures to begin with, but now—feeling like he was about to burst from fullness, yet knowing it did absolutely nothing to increase his energy—they were exceptionally irritating. If it’s that easy to get energy, just share some with me!
Isaac’s gaze must have become incredibly dark and fierce. The creatures, who had been acting smug, stole a glance at him and slowly scooted back on their hindquarters. Then, they purred out what they considered to be advice:
「Manbang, if you’re reaaaally that lacking in energy, why don’t you try getting some from humans?」
「The humans here probably have richer life force and better taste than elsewhere.」
「There’s no easier way to replenish energy than by sucking the life force out of humans.」
“… …How do you do that?”
This is why one shouldn’t be too desperate.
Though Isaac knew that witches could take life force from humans, he had never given it any serious thought. However, since his body, mind, and even his stomach had become severely depleted recently, he found himself subtly tempted. Wouldn’t just a little bit be okay? If it’s just a tiny bit of energy that doesn’t harm their health, it wouldn’t be that bad of a deed.
「You don’t even know that? How could you not know?」
「You just put your hand on them and suuuuck. Hand on, suuuuck.」
「It’s easier than breathing. Just like this, suuuuck.」
One of the cats extended its front paw and placed it on the back of Isaac’s hand. The moment it said 「suuuuck,」 a strange sensation flowed, as if the blood were being sucked out of his hand. Startled, Isaac jerked his hand away, and the cat retracted its paw and licked itself.
「That’s how you do it. Easy, right?」
“…Huh? How?”
「What do you mean how? You just put your hand on them and suck. Try it.」
The cat arrogantly pressed its flank against him as if offering a special demonstration. Isaac hesitated, then placed his hand on the cat’s side. The other two chimed in from the side, 「Yes, just like that, suuuuck,」 「suuuuck.」
“… Suuuuck.”
Isaac muttered and concentrated his mind on his palm. However, there was no particular sensation. Not knowing if it had worked or not, he just blinked and stared, prompting the cat to look at him quizzically.
「What are you doing? I told you to just suuuuck!」
“… …Suuuuck.”
「…」
He tried muttering it once more, but again there was no feeling, and the cat’s eyes narrowed into slits. Then, the three of them huddled together and whispered among themselves.
「What should we do? He can’t even eat it when it’s given to him.」
「I knew the kid was a bit airheaded, but how can he not even suck life force? This easy thing?」
「Why can’t he just suuuuck? How much easier do we have to explain it?」
Facing the three creatures who were chattering in a bewildered tone, as if they had told him something as simple as ‘just swallow it,’ Isaac also became depressed. He thought he could do it if he just tried, but apparently not.
「Should we ask a dream demon? They might be able to teach him. They’re specialists in sucking life force from humans.」
「Yeah, they’d probably be able to tell him.」
「Dream demons are common in Hailen, so it won’t be hard. I saw one wandering around earlier.」
Behind the three creatures discussing the matter, Isaac nodded. Yes, I’ll learn it regardless.
“Until I catch that witch, I’m sorry, but a way to supplement my energy by taking just a little bit from others…”
As Isaac muttered, the cats rolled their eyes and looked at him.
「Huh? You wanted energy just to see where Alikisa is?」
「Then a little bit won’t cut it. To see her, you’d have to suck the life force of about three or four people completely dry.」
“… What happens to the person if you suck it all out like that?”
「They die.」
It was a very clean and concise answer, and Isaac fell silent.
“Couldn’t I just take a tiny bit from many different people and collect it?”
「Sucking life force doesn’t last that long.」
「To take only enough that it wouldn’t affect the humans, you’d have to eat from dozens of people to see Alikisa, but by the time you’re eating, the previous person’s share would already be digested.」
“… Then…”
「It’s just simpler to suck three or four people dry in one go.」
“…”
No. That was not the way. No matter what, he didn’t want to abandon his humanity to that extent yet.
“No… I don’t think I need to talk to the dream demon.”
Isaac waved his hand, rubbing his forehead, feeling as though he had returned to square one as he stroked his heavy stomach. He thought he’d take advantage of the benefit of being born half-witch, but it was a bust.
Isaac sighed. He had finally gained the eyes to see where that witch was, but at this rate, it was useless.
I wonder where they are now. That witch. And that mage. What if they intend to stay hidden until the Great Dark Moon passes? What if they continue to harm people?
Isaac let out a groan. His heart grew heavy instantly, but no sharp solution came to mind.
Regardless, he would have to try again on the Dark Moon. Though he wasn’t entirely confident, it was when his body was in the best condition, so he might be able to see a few seconds more than other times. If worst came to worst, he’d just have to be prepared to pass out for a few days again. There wasn’t much time left. He had to try every possible attempt.
Isaac patted his full belly. He felt as if the food wasn’t digesting and was just sloshing around inside. I should go for a run around here later. Or rather, they said it’s almost lunch time; can’t I just hide somewhere until then… It was just as Isaac glanced up at the window of the reception room.
The Prince, who was just approaching the window, came into view. Their eyes met exactly.
“…”
Isaac froze, feeling as if he had been caught red-handed while trying to commit a crime. Come to think of it, he had only thought about skipping one lunch; what was so wrong with that… Even as he thought this, his shoulders instinctively hunched.
The Prince, looking down at Isaac, slowly beckoned with a finger. Isaac rose without delay and moved. The Lord must be leaving now. The Lord, who had filled the reception room with his daughter, his wife, and a swarm of attendants, had been accompanied by Isaac, who was tagged along under the guise of a guard. Since it was currently a break, Isaac had slipped away.
As he hurried up to the reception room, sure enough, the attendants were pouring out. As he slipped in between them, the Prince, standing by the window, cast a glance at Isaac. Feeling self-conscious, Isaac lowered his head and stood by the wall. Just then, the Lord walked out, blocking the Prince’s view, and warmly wrapped an arm around his daughter’s shoulder as he offered his greetings.
“Then, I shall have all the requested documents moved for you by tomorrow. Not only the documents in the library, but I shall also provide those in my private collection, so please take your time reviewing them. My family may not seem it, but we have a very deep history, and among the ancient documents passed down through generations, there are many that are not in the library. If it is documents regarding myths or legends, there is likely no region with a richer tradition than our Hailen.”
The Lord gave a firm instruction to the elderly attendant standing behind him, “Understood? See to it that not a single detail is overlooked,” before turning back to the Prince.
“I sincerely hope that you have a peaceful and pleasant time during your stay in Hailen. You must be exhausted after your long journey, so I shall take my leave now so that you may rest comfortably, and I will come to pay my respects from time to time. Since such a noble person has arrived, it is only right that not only I, but my household members as well, come to offer their greetings.”
The Lord laughed, “Hahaha,” and patted his daughter’s shoulder, and the daughter also smiled softly and bowed.
Looking at her again, she’s a beauty, or maybe she’s not. Isaac looked at the Lord’s daughter, who didn’t seem particularly pretty upon close inspection but gave off an overall impression of a glamorous beauty, and suddenly felt a gaze and turned his eyes behind her.
The maid standing behind the Lord’s daughter was looking at Isaac. It was the young lady called Ellie. When their eyes met, she blinked and gave a bright, beaming smile that was cute and lively. To think a lady who smiles so lovably is dating four men at once, I simply can’t believe… I can. With that eye-smile, anyone would just let it slide… Isaac reflexively smiled back, thinking to himself.
It was then. The Lord’s daughter glanced at Isaac, and shortly after, the Lord also glanced at Isaac. Bewildered as to why these people were suddenly looking his way, Isaac blinked and turned his gaze, only to find the Prince looking at him.
With a completely expressionless face, staring intently without once breaking eye contact.
“…”
Did I do something wrong? As Isaac blinked in embarrassment, the Lord and the others seemed to be thinking the same thing. They didn’t know exactly what, but seeing him stared at like that, they figured the fellow must have committed some crime without realizing it.
The Lord glanced at Isaac with a suspicious look, then, deciding it was time to go, bowed deeply to the Prince once more.
“Then, I shall take my leave. Please be comfortable…”
Even so, the Prince still didn’t give the Lord a single glance. He only shifted his gaze from Isaac to briefly brush over the daughter and the maid.
Eventually, the Lord’s party left the reception room, and the bustling room quickly became quiet. Only the clinking sounds of the Star Palace attendants clearing away empty teacups and plates remained. And in the midst of it, Isaac was blinking his eyes very slowly without moving a single finger.
The Prince is watching. He’s staring intently, and Isaac doesn’t know what he’s thinking. But for some reason, he felt that the gaze wasn’t exactly kind… It’s probably just an illusion. There’s no reason for it.
Yes, that must be it. His gaze just happened to be directed my way. Isaac concluded so in his heart. Nevertheless, the uneasy feeling didn’t completely vanish, so he tentatively opened his mouth to say something.
“It’s my first time in Hailen, but it seems like a wonderful place, just as the rumors said. The air is clear, the weather is great, and the people are kind.”
The Prince stared at Isaac for a moment and then nodded.
“I’ll have to see for myself, but it seems there are quite a few documents I haven’t seen yet.”
“Is that so?”
He followed the topic readily, and his tone was ordinary. As expected, there was nothing to worry about. Just as Isaac was breathing a sigh of relief,
“It’s a quite decent place, except for the fact that they serve stew so tasteless you’d want to bury it in the ground halfway through eating.”
“…”
When did he see that? I’m sure he wasn’t by the window earlier.
Isaac had been averting his eyes from the gaze that was staring intently at him, but suddenly, he thought that if things continued like this, he would either die of a gastrointestinal disorder or burst from overeating. Taking a leap of faith, he raised his head.
“Lord Kaieon, you see, they say that energy doesn’t improve just by eating a lot.”
“Do you think that energy is maintained by skipping meals and not eating properly because you claim your mouth is tired, despite looking like you haven’t had a single grain of porridge?”
An unexpected rebuttal came back. Though the words were tossed out indifferently, they came from someone who seemed like he wouldn’t care whether anyone starved or not. Because it was so unexpected, Isaac blinked, wondering what he had just heard.
“Uh… but, if I keep going like this, various adult diseases like obesity and arteriosclerosis will inevitably follow, and instead, my health, stamina, and energy will drop. My blood will become cloudy, and the taste of my blood will deteriorate too.”
Isaac spoke whatever came to mind in the heat of the moment, and when he mentioned the taste of blood, he saw the Prince’s eyebrow twitch slightly and knew this was it.
“Therefore, I believe it would be generally better to maintain a desirable diet with balanced nutrition and eat normal amounts—”
The word “would be” did not follow. Before he could finish his sentence, the Prince beckoned with a finger. Why is this person so scary when he calls me close… Isaac approached slowly, one step at a time, and the Prince’s finger stopped only when Isaac had reached his side, with no more distance left to move.
Along with a searing pain, he felt the sensation of his wrist being bitten. The Prince, gripping Isaac’s flinching hand, drank the blood. The way he swallowed the blood, as if licking it slowly, looked exactly like someone enjoying a delicacy. Not eating because of hunger, but eating solely to enjoy the taste.
Compared to the sensation of blood being violently sucked from the nape of the neck, it was a much more bearable feeling, but the sensation of blood leaking slowly yet steadily from the wrist was equally unfamiliar. It felt as if the very bottom of his life was being subtly tickled. As if something beneath it was being warmly stimulated,
“――.”
Suddenly, the Prince looked up and met Isaac’s eyes. The moment his gaze locked with those deep blue pupils, Isaac’s heart plummeted, as if he had been caught harboring a wicked thought, though he didn’t know why. Isaac flinched and instinctively withdrew his wrist as if shaking it off; the Prince seemed to frown for a fleeting moment, but he let go obediently. Even then, he did not take his eyes off Isaac.
“Rich and delicious.”
The Prince spoke as he slowly licked the blood from his lips.
“A clean taste wasn’t bad, but a rich taste is also fine.”
“……Does the taste of blood differ?”
Since the taste of milk changes depending on what grass a cow eats, it wouldn’t be strange if the taste of blood changed depending on the food consumed. Indeed, there are things like green tea-fed pigs or wine-fed cows… As Isaac thought this, he felt a strange sense of bitterness.
Lifting his bleeding wrist to examine it, he thought, ‘It’s not that deep of a wound, so it’ll stop bleeding soon even if I don’t treat it.’ Just then, the Prince asked, “Where are the cats?”
“They’re probably playing somewhere.”
“Call them and tell them to lick it.”
“They aren’t the type to come just because they’re called.”
Isaac replied nonchalantly and tentatively licked his own wrist, wondering, Is my blood really that delicious? But the blood tasted only of iron, and the wound on his wrist merely stung. Wondering what on earth the taste was that made the Prince enjoy it, Isaac smacked his lips, and the Prince rose from the sofa. Picking up a half-empty bottle of wine from the table, he walked to the window. The moment he tapped the bottle with his fingernail, before the ringing sound of the glass could even echo twice, three cats had appeared by the window as if by magic. They looked up with sparkling eyes, appearing ready to cause a scene if they weren’t given the wine.
Looking down at the cats with indifference, the Prince glanced back at Isaac. The cats immediately lunged at Isaac, who had been licking his own wrist.
「Oh my, our Manbang is hurt!」
「Come here, you must heal quickly.」
「Indeed, how could we let even a single drop of such precious blood go to waste?」
The cats swarmed his wrist with such fierce licking that Isaac felt as if his entire wrist was being bitten off. However, before a few seconds had passed, the wound vanished completely. The cats flew back toward the wine bottle, and the Prince poured the wine into an empty dish. Lap, lap, lap, lap—the cats buried their noses in the dish with excitement.
“……Thank you.”
Isaac muttered, feeling as though he had received some help, but the Prince sat in the chair by the window without a word. However, gratitude was one thing, and things that needed to be said were another.
“Um, about the eating,”
“Your pronunciation has become quite clear. Does it still hurt a lot when you eat?”
“……It throbs, but it’s bearable.”
Isaac, who had just opened his mouth to speak, paused briefly at the Prince’s sudden question before answering. It felt incredibly foreign and strange for him to ask such a thing. The Prince met Isaac’s gaze—which was staring at him with curiosity—with an expressionless face and spoke.
“I will tell them to adjust the portions. However, you must not skip meals.”
He had been granted a reprieve.
Isaac brightened and bowed deeply. “Thank you.”
If he had eaten lunch as well, his stomach would have surely torn apart. While feeling relieved, Isaac vowed that he would never even pretend to skip a meal in front of this man again. ……But he wondered why someone who wouldn’t normally care about a mere guard’s meals would suddenly do so. As Isaac bowed deeply, he spotted a small cloth pouch that had fallen beneath the sofa.
“……? This is…….”
Wondering if the Prince had dropped something, he picked it up and found it was a sachet. The sweet fragrance wafting from it was the same scent that had lingered when the Lord’s daughter passed by earlier.
“It seems the Lord’s daughter dropped this.”
Isaac answered the Prince, who was asking with his eyes what it was. Upon hearing this, the Prince turned his gaze toward the window, seemingly uninterested.
Seeing that the sachet, which is usually tied to a waist cord, was intact and not torn, it was likely left there on purpose. It was a common occurrence to leave something behind as an excuse to visit again.
“She was a lovely lady. She seemed to have a kind nature as well,” Isaac murmured, smelling the sachet. Then, feeling the Prince’s gaze flicker toward him, he looked up. The Prince held out his hand expressionlessly. Isaac looked at the empty hand in confusion for a moment, then approached and handed over the sachet.
“Is she your type?”
The Prince asked in a casual tone, lightly tossing and catching the sachet.
“Pardon? Well, if I had to say, I’m drawn to more glamorous and striking appearances. For example—”
Stopping at “for example,” Isaac left his mouth open. A person with a glamorous and striking appearance immediately came to mind, but…… it would be better not to mention them. Isaac forced his gaze away from the person right in front of him.
“I mean…… I also like the modest, kind-looking atmospheric beauties.”
If they’re beautiful in my eyes, they’re beautiful; why distinguish? As Isaac mumbled, the Prince threw the sachet out the window. Isaac let out a short “Ah” as he watched the sachet fly far away and disappear from sight, and then the Prince spoke.
“Do not aspire to things beyond your station, you mere witch.”
“……, ……Yes.”
Isaac gave a short answer. The indifferent voice seemed to weigh down on his shoulders with an unusual coldness. As Isaac stood there, feeling a bit gloomy, the Prince closed his eyes while sitting on the sofa. His face was expressionless as usual, but for some reason, he didn’t seem to be in a good mood.
Isaac quietly lowered his gaze to the Prince’s face, noticing a faint, barely-there wrinkle between his brows. His complexion wasn’t great because the Dark Moon was approaching. As the Dark Moon drew near, the Prince became as desolate as a sharpened blade.
Still, he had improved compared to before. That was what the people who had served him for a long time at Byeokyeong Palace whispered in amazement—that lately, even near the Dark Moon, he did not emit a suffocating, terrifying aura as he once had. That period coincided with when the Prince began drinking Isaac’s blood.
Yes, it’s a relief. Isaac sighed, thinking so. Of course, he became pained, frightened, and depressed every Dark Moon, but on the other hand, it was a comfort to know that by sacrificing his own body, he had saved many from fear. Moreover.
“…….”
He was a man who had lived his entire life on the battlefield. Not only in the borderlands, but before going there, and after returning to the capital. If he could moisten his parched throat with a single sip amidst that battlefield, then Isaac would gladly give it.
It was actually for the best that he had left the capital to rest in Hailen for a while. Furthermore, Isaac didn’t dislike the fact that he had left Byeokyeong Palace to stay in Hailen.
He didn’t particularly enjoy the way people looked at him with apprehension just for working at Byeokyeong Palace, and the memory of that day’s tragedy remained vivid, weighing heavily on a corner of his heart as he continued to work there. Every time he walked the corridors of Byeokyeong Palace, every time he entered or left a room, every time he encountered someone, he had to recall memories of familiar people who were now dead. He felt a sense of relief that he could be away from that place, at least until his memories faded even slightly.
Isaac perched himself on a large stone decorative pedestal and looked at the Prince. The Prince sat by the window with his eyes closed as if taking a nap, his hair fluttering softly in the breeze. It looked like fine gold threads rustling. ……It would be so nice if he could stroke it just once.
「Hey, Arthur, Arthur. You’ll get your wrist cut off if you keep that up.」
「Can’t you see he’s in a bad mood and radiating murderous intent?」
Having finished licking the wine, the cats were perched atop the sofa’s backrest, licking their front paws. He had told them not to read people’s faces, but they didn’t listen to a word he said…….
“Can you guys actually see that?”
「Can’t you?」
「Sigh, what to do with our Manbang. He can’t even suck life force, so he can’t see the energy……. How is he going to survive in this harsh world? It’s like leaving a child by the river.」
「This is why we have to look after him.」
Isaac was tired of arguing with their delighted chattering. “Enough,” Isaac clicked his tongue and asked.
“Why is Lord Kaieon in a bad mood?”
「How should we know? He was happy drinking blood just a moment ago, then suddenly his mood flipped.」
「But his mood has been swinging a lot lately. I wonder if something’s going on?」
I wonder if he’s frustrated because Manbang acts so clueless? That sounds plausible, that sounds right—the cats continued their cheerful chatter among themselves. I was a fool to ask these guys, Isaac glared at them with white eyes and turned away. Right then, his eyes locked with the Prince’s.
The man who had been closing his eyes as if napping until just a moment ago was looking at Isaac, his head still leaning against the sofa.
“I’m sorry. It must be noisy……. You guys, go outside now.”
「What, we healed his wound and now he’s trying to kick us out?」
「Ungrateful!」
“You brats, did you come to heal the wound, or did you come for the wine?”
「Either way, we healed it! We healed it!」
「Did you give the wine! That handsome boy gave it!」
Isaac thought about grabbing them by the scruffs of their necks and throwing them out the window, but there was no way they would be caught by him today. They were infuriatingly popping their heads out from behind the sofa where the Prince sat, meowing.
But right then, the Prince, who had been looking down at the cats as if they were a nuisance, seemed to lean forward. His hand, which had appeared to move slowly and languidly, had suddenly gripped the scruff of one cat.
“…….”
「…….」
Not only Isaac but the cat also blinked blankly, as if possessed by a ghost. A moment later, it twisted its body and meowed loudly, but as soon as the Prince lifted it to his face and peered at it, it immediately fell silent. Then, it slowly turned its head to look at Isaac and whimpered as if asking for help; it was a voice so pitiful that it tugged at the heart, even though Isaac knew well how monstrous they could be.
“Since you brought them all the way here, you must cherish them quite a bit.”
“No…… it’s not that I brought them…….”
Since they were the type to wander around like ghosts even if tied to a doorknob with a leash…… Isaac approached the Prince, bowed politely, and held out his hand. After staring at Isaac for a moment, the Prince obediently dropped the cat onto his palm. Isaac sighed, patting the creature as it immediately burrowed into his arms and began to meow.
“That’s why I really coveted that silver birdcage. I wondered if you might be willing to rent it out…….”
The moment he spoke, the creature in his arms suddenly hissed and bristled its fur, as if it had never cried so pitifully. You fickle brat. Just as Isaac lightly tapped the bridge of its nose with his fingernail, the Prince, who had been watching them, murmured indifferently.
“I believe there were chains for binding monsters in the warehouse.”
“Pardon? In the warehouse? Such a rare and fine item?”
“Hmm. I think it was in the warehouse in the inner basement of the main palace.”
Isaac fell silent before the Prince, who spoke casually as if he would just tell someone to bring it next time. A thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
“Is that by any chance…… the warehouse where mysterious and precious treasures are piled up like mountains……?”
“Treasures? I’m not sure. There are some peculiar things, though.”
“The one where the King has placed guards like an iron wall in the deepest part of the inner palace……? The treasure warehouse where one might barely obtain a single treasure only after achieving a great feat?”
“He did set up triple guards. I believe he occasionally bestows items from within when he has a reason to give a great reward to his officials.”
The Prince, who spoke as if he were talking about a shed full of straw, suddenly looked at Isaac. Isaac was staring intently at the Prince, his eyes wide and motionless.
“I heard the King cherishes the treasures in there very much…… is it alright to just take things out? What if His Majesty finds out later and becomes greatly enraged…….”
“He told me to take whatever I need, whenever I want.”
Isaac lost his words again and stared intently at the Prince.
His heart began to thumping. Not only had he suddenly received news of the treasure warehouse, which he had momentarily forgotten, but there was a path leading to the treasure warehouse so close by. A path leading to the treasure warehouse——.
“You seem quite interested. It’s the first time I’ve seen you show such interest in something.”
Then, the Prince murmured softly. His blue eyes narrowed slightly. In that instant, Isaac flinched as if he had been splashed with cold water. It felt as though his instinct had sounded a warning alarm. That he must not reveal himself rashly.
“Come to think of it, you said you wanted to receive a reward for achieving a feat. Is there something you want from that warehouse?”
The Prince asked. While asking nonchalantly, his gaze carefully observed Isaac. A chill ran down Isaac’s spine from tension. For some reason, he felt a conviction that he must never mention the flint jar. The path to the treasure warehouse was indeed a path, but one wrong move and it would be a path to the afterlife.
“Rather than something specific I want, I’ve just always wanted to see it at least once since I heard there are so many mysterious treasures.”
Isaac answered hesitantly. The Prince gazed at Isaac. Those deep blue eyes felt as if they were seeing right through him, but Isaac forced himself to look back calmly. His heart pounded with a different feeling than before, but he suppressed it.
After some time had passed, the Prince, whose thoughts were unknown, finally spoke.
“If you produce a useful result, I don’t mind letting you in.”
“――.”
“I might even give you a few of the items in there.”
Suddenly, Isaac’s ears perked up.
It’s a path to the afterlife. One wrong move and it’s the afterlife. It’s an incredibly dangerous path.
Nevertheless, it was practically the only realistic way Isaac could enter the treasure warehouse.
The flint jar.
The beginning of everything, and the thing that would end everything. The only way he could get his hands on it.
“I will do my best.”
Isaac bowed politely. The Prince gazed at him intently but said nothing. He simply remained lost in thought for a while. Finally,
“If you want to become useful, start by building up your energy,” the Prince said.
“You aren’t completely useless, but you aren’t particularly useful either, not yet. The only thing that is somewhat useful is…….”
The Prince held out his hand. Isaac, who had been listening intently to the criteria for being ‘useful,’ obediently placed his hand upon it. Pulling Isaac’s hand toward him, the Prince pressed his lips to the back of his hand. In the moment the sensation of lips and breath touched his skin, Isaac flinched instinctively. The Prince paused for a moment as if smelling him, and then bit the back of his hand. A sharp sting, and a small scratch appeared, enough for a drop of blood to slowly form. Without licking or sucking, the Prince simply inhaled the scent.
That short, quiet silence.
The tense air, filled with an unknown anxiety, broke when the Prince, who had remained still for a while, licked that drop of blood.
“The taste is useful. Yes, quite.”
“……That’s a relief.”
Isaac murmured like a sigh, and seeing the Prince glance up, he continued.
“Since you’re drinking it anyway, it’s better for it to be delicious than tasteless. I’m glad you find it delicious. ……Half of that is a lie, but the other half is sincere.”
Isaac added gloomily. Looking at Isaac, whose shoulders slumped, the Prince let out a short breath at some point. That breath, similar to a laugh, was likely closer to a look of absurdity—and although the Prince’s expression wasn’t exactly a smiling one—Isaac suddenly felt his heart loosen.
He felt that, whatever, it didn’t matter.
Yes, in any case, this would be of considerable help to this man, and that was enough. He was happy. More than half sincere.