“…….”

Aedis didn’t answer. He didn’t feel the need to.

However, his expression was already silently answering the old being’s curiosity.

The old being felt sorry for him.

“I wonder if you can afford the girl a death more painful than you can imagine.”

At those words his face, which seemed bored, contorted at once like he would crush the sky with his fingertips.

“It’s not going to happen, so there’s no reason to think about it.”

“I didn’t mean to offend you. I was just curious.”

The old being always had a gentle voice.

“Did you crawl from the grave just out of curiosity?”

“Of all things, the girl had you in mind, so I couldn’t help but look at it.”

“What did you dislike about me?”

“I’m sure you didn’t disappoint. I’m just worried that it’s going to break so easily.”

“You mean, her?”

“Everything except the girl.”

“…….”

As the old being raised his head, the single piece of cloth wrapped around his body lifted, revealing an unnaturally long hand.

It was bizarre, but it was banal compared to the power that made the quarry a living hell.

If anyone saw this place, they would treat Aedis as a monster, let alone the old being.

In the darkness that fell like a downpour and engulfed the ground, Aedis began to move like the king of hell.

The quarry was so badly damaged that its original purpose was unrecognizable, and the only thing that could stop his feet was the existence in front of him.

But even that would not be allowed anymore.

He foretold Maevia’s death, so there was no reason to keep the least moral for him.

“I will not deny it.”

His eyes shone like a light source.

“Surely then, there will be nothing left in the sky or on this earth.”

Finally, he lost his patience.

At the same time, the restraints holding his ankles were broken.

* * *

The man stared at me sipping the hot water.

“How are you now? Does it still hurt?”

“Yes.”

I spoke with a mean look, but that didn’t mean I Iet my guard down.

Even if he looked as if he had a screw missing, that man had too many abilities. It’s a good thing Shaula didn’t rush in.

“Sister-in-law, I think I’m going to die of curiosity.”

I scolded the man with a light tone.

“You don’t look like much because I’ve been brainwashed, and you only show how to appeal to my emotions.”

“I can’t waste an opportunity that can only be used once. Of course, it would be interesting to see Sister-in-law stabbing his body.”

Although the man was friendly, he uttered cruel words casually.

I didn’t react, and the man looked a little furious.

“Oh, my name is Kadan Tine.”

“…….”

What is with this sudden self-introduction?

As I pondered how likely that the man’s last name, Tine, was Aedis’ original last name, his voice kept droning.

“Sister-in-law, did you call my younger brother by name? I can’t even call him that.”

I forcibly pulled the corners of my lips together and smiled.

“Unlike you, Aedis is strong enough to break the taboo.”

The man who gave me his name turned the subject around without looking at my reaction for long, perhaps because of his extraordinary pride in his power.

“My young brother cannot be stronger than me.”

“Why are you so confident?”

“Didn’t I tell you? It is purely because of me that my younger brother can live eternal life. It is the product of my devotion and coincidence. So that’s why I like coincidence.”

“…… Hmm.”

“But my brother doesn’t appreciate me at all. It’s impossible to kill me anyway, so I’d hope he would ease his anger.”

“…… Ummmm.”

“You know that? The beasts I transplanted into my younger brother weren’t even that strong. So he has to be weak.”

It sounded like I might develop an allergy to nonsense. There was a limit to listening with one ear and passing it through the other.

“Hng, I don’t agree. My husband is the most handsome man in the world.”

I deliberately pretended to cover my ears. Kadan smirked at the childish behavior like a sulky child.

“Don’t be offended. It’s been a long time since I have met a good person who listens to me, and I’m glad I got to be honest. But these days, not all nobles are like Sister-in-law.”

Yes, keep your guard down.

I put down the cup after drinking all the hot water.

It was nice to have a warm stomach, but I’m hungry……. Did Sarah bring something to eat?

I miss the food I ate at Cyclamen Castle, but Kadan, who moved to my side, suddenly pushed his face forward.

“Don’t worry, Sister-in-law. Even if Sister-in-law is a fool, I will not be prejudiced.”

What did you say…….

Kadan folded his eyes beautifully and tapped into the air. Then, a huge spider came into the room, tearing the space apart.

“Uh…….”

I was so startled that a scream stuck in my throat.

The spider staggered, unable to stand properly, and turned into a man with light-pigmented hair and jeweled eyes.

It was Eleonora.

His arms were about to fall from his body. His condition seemed more serious than my poisoned state, but Kadan gave orders without regard to it.

“Child, can you treat my Sister-in-law? I hurt her, but I don’t know how to heal her.”

“…….”

Eleonora looked at me, his eyes filled with complex emotions. There was even a deep sense of betrayal in the eyes that looked like they were studded with real gems.

…… I think he’s misunderstanding something?

Eleonora immediately bowed his head, and Kadan cheerfully chimed in.

“Sister-in-law, are you ready to confess your reason for coming here? Or would you like me to go fishing? Would you like to fill your stomach?”

I wrinkled the bridge of my nose.

“Do you know how to fish?”

“Sure. I also tried ice fishing.”

I suddenly remembered Aedis, who showed interest when Procyon talked about fishing.

“I’ll be back~ It’s been a while since I’ve socialized, so it’s fun~”

As soon as Kadan left talking nonsense, Eleonora opened his mouth.

“Master.”

“Don’t ask me anything yet. How about treating your wounds first?”

“…… I will be able to recover by myself with this much.”

Eleonora waited silently, a shadow cast on his face.

I watched Kadan leave until he became a dot and disappeared, and then I checked the luggage that Sarah had brought.

The bloody dress must have been thrown in by Shaula. There was also a cloak and fur hat, fur gloves, fur boots, and an extra dress.

The decorations were kept to a minimum, so it was focused on things that did not feel uncomfortable even when worn for a long time.

Even my favorite snacks were packed tightly.

Since Shaula possessed unusual physical strength, it seemed that Sarah had put in as much as she wanted.

I put the cookie in my mouth.

When I squeezed it into Eleonora’s hand, the sigh returned.

“Can I talk now?”

I made eye contact with him only after I pulled out the jewelry box that had been buried in the clothes pile.

“Mister Eleonora.”

“…….”

He made a grim expression, but he didn’t answer.

You are misunderstanding, right?

“You can tell from the scar on my shoulder, but I’m not on the same side as him.”

“But…….”

“But, what?”

As I glared at him, Eleonora took a step back.

“For now, I will trust you.”

“Thank you.”

Eleonora’s eyes fluttered. As soon as he had made up his mind, Eleonora said bitterly.

“I have something to tell you. It’s about the taboo.”

“Keep talking.”

“Have you heard his name?”

“Yes.”

“Did you hear it ‘properly’?”

I nodded my head slightly.

“…… If Current Master has the qualifications, Current Master will be able to lift the taboo. However, it is impossible to unlock only one, so please think carefully before making a decision.”

I stopped thinking about whether to open the jewelry box or not.

I can lift the taboo? Me? But then…….

I was horrified even though I only pictured in my head the image of Kadan entering Cyclamen Castle proudly. Aside from me and Aedis, Regen was in danger.

I asked without raising an impression.

“But how am I qualified? Do I need to drink more blood?”

“The blood of the Former Master is not a potion. Taking a lot doesn’t make you stronger.”

Of course I thought so.

Eleonora twitched.

“What were the main effects of drinking blood?”

“My physical abilities have improved.”

“It’s a very simple and unparalleled effect. Former Master had great abilities in his lifetime, but only…….”

“I’ll listen to it later. Just the point.”

“…… If you break the restrictions placed on the blood by Former Master and earn your qualifications, it will be easy to defeat him. But you will never be able to return. You will become something that is neither a demon nor a human nor a spirit. Just like Former Master did.”

Without realizing it, I wiggled my hands.

How would Aedis react if my skin turned strange and tentacles sprouted?

…… There’s a high probability that he’ll still say it’s cute. He is a husband who loves his wife very much.

“First, let’s hear it. How do I break the restrictions?”

“Why don’t you just die once?”

“…… what?”

Eleonora shrugged his shoulders.

“Humans do not awaken like beasts, do they? Even if you mimic it, you have to do it in a similar way.”

Excuse me?

“Come to think of it, the stronger the beasts are born with this ability, the greater the pain when awakening. I think it would be better to die after struggling with the terrible pain.”

“…….”

He’s just saying it’s not his business.

I lost my words, and Eleonora added a reminder

“Oh, of course, if you fail, it will be goodbye forever.”