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“Hmm? Yes, I’m fine. It’s just… I’m bothered by the guard who came to the house, not the captain.”
“Why?”
“He didn’t really… seem like a Cartel member. He was so violent….”
“What? Violent? The Barrier Tower guards, of all people?”
Liliana explained the situation from the beginning. As he listened, Valor’s expression grew increasingly stern.
“Goodness, even if he hasn’t been in the Cartel for long, to act like that.”
“That’s why I’m a little scared.”
“Lily, I’ll make sure to come by the house often for a while. The Barrier Tower might try to visit you a few more times.”
“Thank you, Valor.”
“And why don’t you tell your grandfather? He’s an elder, so he’ll be able to help you.”
Liliana shook her head.
“I’d rather not tell the Elder. I don’t want to make a big deal out of this for no reason. I don’t want to be a burden, either.”
Besides, if things escalated, she might have to prove that she was a Dos. At the very least, she would have to prove she wasn’t a Cero, whose mark would appear on their body. But since she was a Cero and not a Dos, such a thing was impossible.
If it were discovered in front of everyone that she was a Cero… the future would be horrific.
“If that’s what you want, I won’t tell him.”
“Yes, I’m sure they’ll leave me alone once they watch me for a few days and realize I’m just an ordinary person. If that doesn’t happen, though….”
Liliana didn’t finish her sentence.
“Hmm? If that doesn’t happen?”
“No, it’s nothing. It’s really nothing.”
She couldn’t bring herself to be honest with Valor. She couldn’t bear to say that if they didn’t leave and kept digging deeper, she might have to leave this place.
“What is it? What do you mean it’s nothing?”
At Valor’s persistent questioning, Liliana gave an awkward smile.
“I meant that if it doesn’t work out, I’ll ask the Elder for help.”
“Right. You should. But I truly hope nothing happens.”
“Yes. Me too.”
She felt the same way as Valor. She hoped that, without any trouble, this peace would last just a little longer.
* * *
Kaban left his house early in the morning. Even though he had been ordered to stay confined at home, he figured it didn’t matter as long as Dert didn’t find out.
He wore achromatic clothing and a brown hooded robe. He pulled the hood over his head to hide his identity as much as possible.
And to avoid being seen by others, he moved earlier than the time they usually greeted the morning.
The place Kaban headed to was Liliana’s house. He chose to watch silently rather than meeting her abruptly and asking questions.
‘It would be a big problem if I ran into the Captain or other Barrier Tower guards here, though….’
It was obvious that after yesterday’s events, the Barrier Tower would have taken measures. Since Dert was also suspicious of Liliana, surveillance might already be in place.
When Kaban neared Liliana’s house, he hid in a nearby alleyway and observed the surroundings.
There was no sign of Dert moving yet. The faces of the Barrier Tower guards were nowhere to be seen.
‘Has the Captain not told the other guards yet? If so, that’s good for me.’
Kaban laughed out loud, then quickly clamped his mouth shut. He rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a potion bottle he had prepared in advance.
It was a magic potion he had bought at a magic shop before joining the Cartel, one that allowed the user to blend into their surroundings.
The effect lasted about half a day, and it had the drawback of being slightly noticeable to someone with keen observation skills.
‘Still, there shouldn’t be many people who can detect this magic.’
Kaban nodded, thinking his plan was perfect. After checking that no one was around, he approached Liliana’s house.
He took his position in a tree on the hill behind Liliana’s house. From the tree, the inside of her house and the yard were fairly visible. There was a limit to what he could see through the windows, but it was satisfactory.
Kaban checked his surroundings once more and drank the potion. His appearance naturally blended with the colors of his environment.
Where he had been standing, there was no person to be seen—only trees, grass, and plants remained.
‘This is perfect.’
Kaban smiled with satisfaction as he saw that not only his arms and legs but his entire body had matched the color of his surroundings.
Just then, there was a change inside the house. Liliana had woken up. As soon as she woke, she stretched her arms out wide.
Kaban gnashed his teeth for a moment as he watched her. Then, the moment Liliana opened the window, he swallowed hard without realizing it.
Her black hair and golden eyes caught the sunlight, creating the illusion that her face was glowing.
‘Come to think of it, she’s the prettiest woman in the Cartel.’
Kaban gulped.
‘First, I’ll confirm if she’s a Dos, then I’ll approach her naturally.’
He continued to observe Liliana with lecherous eyes.
* * *
“Lily! I’m here!”
Liliana, who was preparing breakfast, opened the door immediately at the sound of Valor’s voice to welcome him.
“Valor! You’re here early?”
“I was going to come earlier, but my grandfather asked me for a favor, so I’m late. Sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m just grateful you came. It’s reassuring to have you by my side.”
“Why are you saying such embarrassing things?”
Valor’s cheeks flushed at Liliana’s praise. He stared intently at Liliana as she returned to the kitchen. Then, he carefully opened his mouth.
“Um, Liliana.”
“Hmm? Yes?”
“It’s just that….”
Valor scratched the back of his neck, unable to continue easily.
“What is it? Why are you hesitating?”
“No, it’s nothing. It’s really nothing.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, really.”
Liliana glanced at Valor and headed back to the kitchen. Left alone, Valor placed a hand over his chest.
His heart was pounding violently.
‘At this rate, when will I ever be able to tell her?’
Just as a bitter smile formed on Valor’s lips, something approached him. It was the gray ball of fur, Momo.
“Momo, what should I do?”
He looked at Momo with a face full of worry. Momo, who had approached his side, looked back at Valor.
‘That bastard….’
Lajes had noticed what Valor was about to do just a moment ago. He had been ready to bite him the moment he tried to make a move on Liliana. Fortunately, it hadn’t come to that.
‘I don’t like it. Not him, and not that other guy either.’
Lajes’s gaze, which had been glaring at Valor, shifted outside the window. He was looking straight at the tree where Kaban was hiding.
Upon waking up, he felt the same gloomy energy he had sensed yesterday radiating from that spot. In fact, the energy was even thicker than it had been yesterday.
‘That guy seems even more malicious than Valor… what is his goal?’
Lajes moved past Valor toward the window. He had been planning to deal with the person who harassed Liliana yesterday when the time was right.
But to think he would show up on his own doorstep this morning. He wanted to take care of him right then and there without a trace, but there was something that bothered him.
The Dos from the Barrier Tower didn’t seem to have fully grasped Liliana’s identity yet. In other words, Cero wasn’t their target.
If so, the target was probably….
‘Me.’
He had revealed his power significantly a few times near the Cartel. When he transformed into a puppy to protect himself in the winter, when he went to Moren Forest to save Liliana, and when he momentarily released his power at a guy who tried to touch him in the village.
Besides that, he had occasionally used a small amount of power to cast magic for Liliana. Even if small magic was out of the question, the Barrier Tower might have detected the larger spells.
‘The Cartel is neutral, so they are clearly monitoring the strong power felt near the village to prevent outside invasion.’
And since all that power had been used near Liliana’s house, it was only natural that they would come looking for her.
‘I was too careless. …To think she’s going through this because of me.’
A strange feeling welled up in a corner of his heart. It was the sensation of something pressing down on his chest. It felt as if he had done something terrible to Liliana.
‘Is this what guilt feels like?’
His mood soured due to an emotion he had rarely experienced. He decided to find a way to ensure Liliana wouldn’t suffer any more because of him.
‘First, dealing with that guy is the priority….’
The guard he saw yesterday didn’t seem like he would harm Liliana immediately.
The one he was most worried about right now was the Dos observing Liliana from a distance.
‘Revealing my power to deal with him right now wouldn’t be good for Liliana….’
He knew well why Liliana had hidden her identity last night. So, he didn’t want to make things even more difficult for her because of his power.
‘Should I take Liliana to the Eberhardt family instead of dealing with those guys?’
Lajes pondered. It was still too early to reveal his identity to her. He hadn’t even figured out how to explain it to her yet.
But it might be better to protect her as soon as possible rather than letting her situation worsen because of him.
So, he planned to send a letter to the Eberhardt family today.
However, before going to the Eberhardt family with Liliana, it was first necessary to grasp the current situation of his family.
* * *
Just as the dark energy was lifting from the sky, Kaban arrived near Liliana’s house.
He stood in the same spot as yesterday and consumed the potion. Just as Kaban blended into nature, a spirited voice rang out.
“Lily, I’m here!”
Kaban’s face crumpled on its own.
‘That bastard Valor comes and goes as if it’s his own house.’
As a result of observing Liliana for a day yesterday, she seemed very close to Valor, the Elder’s grandson.
Not only that, but Valor seemed to be protecting Liliana. It wasn’t enough that he stuck to her from morning until night, but he also occasionally went out to scout the surroundings.
Judging by his actions, he seemed to know about Liliana and the Barrier Tower’s business. So, it was difficult to approach Liliana when he was around.
‘What do I do….’
He had time since he was confined until tomorrow. However, after observing her for a day, he couldn’t tell what she was hiding just by watching.
‘I do need an opportunity to get a little closer.’
Kaban stroked his chin, deep in thought. Just as he was beginning to lose himself in his musings, Liliana’s voice rang out.
“Valor, wait a moment!”
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