A strange feeling had washed over him. Despite being yelled at and scolded, it didn't feel bad; it felt as though he had returned to an almost forgotten childhood.

"Did you two have a fight or something? You guys are being so loud."

Perhaps having heard Enon's incessant complaints, the drinkers finally leaned in. Mick, flushed from alcohol, nonchalantly draped an arm over Enon and Yuder, linking arms with both.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing at all."

Upon Yuder's denial, Mick chuckled as if he didn't care, the scent of alcohol heavy on his breath. Kanna, arriving a bit late, also looked flushed as she scrutinized Yuder.

"Really, you didn't fight? I thought Yuder got scolded by the pharmacist."

Though she tried to make her eyes sharp, this was probably the most effortless facial expression Kanna had ever displayed. It seemed pretty clear that she had drunk more than her usual amount.

"Ah, Kanna. You wanted to see the monster, right? Here it is."

Before Yuder could answer, Mick lightly tapped the cage that contained the monster, immediately drawing everyone's attention. Yuder and Enon exchanged a silent signal that seemed to say their conversation should end here.

"We're done with our research, so we were thinking of naming the creature. But we haven't come up with any good ideas yet."

"Can you just name a monster like that?"

"Of course. If you're the first to discover a new monster, anyone can name it. Since the Cavalry, the Duke, and the Western Mage Union didn't give it a name, it's left to us, isn't it?"

"I see. I didn't know that."

"It's understandable. So many new monsters appear every year that it's pointless to get caught up in names. Still, if you want to make it easier for everyone involved, it's better if those who discover the monster name it themselves."

Hellem interjected.

"Would you two mind helping us think of a name while you're here?"

"Hmm..."

Kanna frowned as she looked down at the monster.

Naming it wouldn't be a pleasant task, given that she remembered the havoc this monster had wreaked in the Great Sarain Forest.

"For reference, I suggested the name 'Penpen,' which Grandma thought was too tame."

"Penpen?"

"It's what they call a doll made of bundled straw in the northern regions. Don't you think it looks a bit like it?"

It didn't look like it at all. Kanna seemed to share Yuder's opinion, avoiding eye contact.

"That's nonsense. You can't give a monster such a cutesy name."

"There's no legal rule against it. Anyway, no one's going to call it by that name and it'll be forgotten soon, so why not just go with something arbitrary?"

Mick argued vigorously against Hellem's rebuke. Yuder felt a sense of unfamiliarity in one part of what he had said.

'It will be forgotten soon... is that so? This time it will be.'

In his previous life, Pethuamet had inflicted enormous damage upon the empire, so they had named it after a demon in the legends to serve as a long-standing point of reference.

He could have suggested naming this monster 'Pethuamet' again, but Yuder decided against it. This time, it felt far better to go with an insignificant name, just like Mick had suggested.

"What do you think, Yuder?"

"I think Mr. Mick's opinion is reasonable."

"…Really?"

Kanna wore an expression that seemed to doubt Yuder's taste.

"See? The assistant knows what's up."

Mick laughed heartily, looking satisfied. Hellem sighed and suggested they think about it a little more.

Yuder found himself gazing at a small monster, its tail tinged with a shade of purple. He felt threatened as people crowded around them. Suddenly, he remembered once again the research objectives of the first Duke Tain.

‘To find out where the monsters come from…’

Sacred texts imbued with the words of God explain the existence of monsters as a curse from the Black Moon. Though the power of the Black Moon had been overpowered and hidden from the world by those who demonstrated the strength of the Sun God, the cursed blood was said to still remain. When given an opportunity, it would seep into the world, manifesting as monsters.

Whether one was devout or not, the origin of monsters was generally accepted. Ask anyone other than Yuder, and they would give no more explanation.

But what if the first Duke Tain thought otherwise?

‘It's as if questioning whether God really exists,’ Yuder mused.

Though his thoughts might differ if he spoke with Enon, it seemed best to reserve that conversation for another time.

While Yuder was lost in thought, the topic of conversation among the group changed once again. Hellem took a sip from her glass of liquor as she listened to Kanna talk about the poor relations between the Cavalry and the Imperial Knights. In particular, Kiolle from the House of Diarca had even challenged Yuder to a duel.

"The youngest of the House of Diarca? He’s grown that old already?"

"Wow, Grandma Hellem, do you also know that knight?"

"Know him? Let’s just say he left an impression because he was so audacious."

"Why?"

Yuder had been disinterested until Kiolle’s name came up, but now it was a different story.

"When Kiolle was born, the Duke of Diarca directly asked the Empress to name his son. And the name the Empress bestowed used far too many letters that were intentionally similar to those of the Second Prince Kishiar at the time, which created a big uproar."

Yuder hadn't expected the conversation to suddenly involve Kishiar. As Yuder turned his head, Kanna cautiously asked, "Was that such a big deal?"

"A big deal indeed. No noble would dare to name their child so closely to that of a prince or princess destined to lead the nation. Historically unprecedented, it cast doubt on their intentions… it was a move that made many uncomfortable."

Hellem seemed to hold some certainty about this, despite cutting her sentence short.

"The characters in the Emperor’s and lord Kishiar’s, contain sounds that were chosen intentionally by the previous Emperor to emulate a hero he admired, adhering to the royal naming conventions. However, the Duke of Diarca, knowing this, subtly crossed the line right from the time he named his first child."

Finally, by the time he named Kiolle, the similarity between Kishiar and Kiolle’s names became a topic of gossip and exploded in the public eye.

It might sound like a small, old dispute over the names of children, but there seemed to be a deeper story beneath it. However, Hellem didn't elaborate any further. She simply stared at the little liquor left in her glass and let out a deep sigh.

"Enough of these uninteresting old tales. Drinking makes it all the less enjoyable."

She drained her remaining drink and suggested it was time to truly rest. Mick, who had drunk the most yet still wanted more, was disappointed, but Yuder had no complaints.

"I apologize for coming so late. I should be on my way now."

"You're welcome anytime. But before you go, Yuder, would you call me Grandma just once?"

Although he agreed, Yuder found it a little difficult.

"I apologize. Please consider me as being respectful to the degree of calling you 'Madam Hellem.'"

"I've thought this since I first met you; you're quite stubborn. Now I see why my Lord wanted to keep you by his side."

"..."

Yuder was silent, not knowing how to respond, and Hellem quietly smiled.

"However, I think it would be better if Kanna stays here for the night."

Yuder turned his head and found Kanna, who had become extremely drowsy in her seat. Seeing her nodding off, it was clear that walking back together was out of the question.

"That seems best."

"She can sleep in my room; I'll send her home tomorrow."

"Thank you."

As Hellem took care of Kanna, Mick and Enon bid Yuder farewell.

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