The Ranger Corps party walked through a deserted alley.
“Ladies of the Ranger Corps, you cannot reach the nearest patrol station by this path. You’re going completely the wrong way.”
“Shut up. If I hear another word from you, I’ll cut out your tongue.”
Seeing the cold gleam of the dagger in Se La’s hand, Yan Wei Fu, wedged between the members, wisely shut his mouth.
Se La walked at the very front.
Even though her subordinates were already watching the man like hawks, she repeatedly turned back to check his every move.
Yan Wei Fu’s judgment was correct.
These members were not taking him to the Ranger Corps station at Central Plaza, but rather leading him through this alley to leave the Upper District.
After a long descent, the group turned into a noble residential area in the Lower District.
They finally stopped at a side gate of a mansion, and through this unlocked gate, entered the mansion’s attached garden.
“Get in.”
The members dispersed to keep watch around the mansion, while Se La alone escorted Yan Wei Fu into the building.
The interior furnishings were not elaborate—it had everything a typical noble household would have.
Beside the glowing fireplace, Nephtalia sat on a sofa, gazing at the green gem–embedded hairpin in her hand.
“…She still hasn’t come home.”
She looked up and happened to see Yan Wei Fu being led into the room by Se La.
“Good work. Keep watch outside.”
She glanced at Yan Wei Fu, then gave Se La a slight nod.
Se La hesitated for a moment… She clearly thought it was unwise to leave this unknown man alone with her mistress.
But after Nephtalia nodded to her again to indicate there was no need to worry, she had no choice but to exit the room and slide the door shut.
Nephtalia did not speak immediately.
She first placed the hairpin back on the table, then rose from the sofa.
She walked up to Yan Wei Fu and stared at his face with an unruffled gaze.
“I should have already warned you old hag’s dogs when she was heading this way—don’t get near her. Are you the kind of dog that can’t understand its master’s orders? Or is this the old hag’s directive?”
“Miss has sharp eyes. After Lady Iyue entered Fenglin City, the family head did instruct me to make contact with her.” Yan Wei Fu smiled.
“Then it seems my wording wasn’t clear enough.” The temperature of Nephtalia’s gaze suddenly dropped to freezing. “Go tell the old hag. If she sends dogs like you to sniff around Sister again, then everything she’s planning will be completely ruined before the Audience Ceremony.”
Yan Wei Fu finally opened his half-closed eyes a little. Although the young lady’s tone remained flat, her eyes revealed an uncompromising, reckless determination.
“Please calm down. Do you know what your words mean?”
“I am Mother’s daughter. The choices she would make, I will make as well.”
“I want you to know that I have no intention of harming Lady Iyue.”
“What you think is irrelevant to me. Aren’t you the old hag’s dog?”
Yan Wei Fu let out a soft sigh… and that sigh carried a hint of helplessness.
“I am indeed the family head’s subordinate. But my collaboration with Lady Iyue began over ten years ago… I presume you’ve learned of this through some channel?”
“What makes you think so?”
“If you judged that I was harmful to Lady Iyue… given your style, I should only have a head left.”
“You do know me well.” Nephtalia gave a cold laugh… This was the first time she had revealed such clear emotion in her words and expression.
“But I also know you well, Shadow Demon.”
“What are you talking about?”
In response to Yan Wei Fu’s feigned ignorance, Nephtalia picked up an object from the table behind her.
When that object approached Yan Wei Fu, it flashed a glaring red light.
“This is… a Demon Detector.” Yan Wei Fu said, narrowing his eyes.
“If you wanted to escape, my people probably couldn’t catch you. And yet you obediently followed them to my presence like this… Perhaps because you’re confident enough in your own strength? Why don’t you try it? See if your signature escape ability still works here?”
“Oh my, oh my, this is really…”
After sensing that the Shadow Demon’s exclusive movement spell “Shadow Shift” could not be activated, Yan Wei Fu’s heart tightened.
He then tried to activate other spells, but the result was still futile… Yet he maintained a calm exterior.
“What I want you to know is, no matter how confident you are… I have ten thousand ways to kill you. So I want you to go back this time and clearly convey my attitude to the old hag.”
“I will convey it.”
This young lady’s methods did send a chill down Yan Wei Fu’s spine.
When he stepped into this mansion’s grounds, he hadn’t detected anything amiss.
“Good. Now get out. I don’t want to see you near Sister again. If there’s a next time, I’ll bring your head to the old hag.”
“Regarding that, I beg to differ.”
“What did you say?” Nephtalia suddenly turned to look at him… Her emerald eyes exuded a terrifying coldness.
“I must go see Lady Iyue. Because I have an agreement with her to search for relics. You must have heard that our Demon race places great importance on promises.”
“I’m not in the mood to joke with you.”
“I’m not joking with you either, Miss. My collaboration with Lady Iyue to collect relics is not on the family head’s orders—the reason I followed your people here is to tell you that. And this time I am acting with her to obtain the relic that is in your possession.”
“Sister wants that thing?”
“Yes. I agreed with her to go to the Nelf Main House tomorrow to search for it. As to whether Lady Iyue intends to negotiate with you or simply steal it behind your back… I am not yet clear about her decision.”
“If you don’t believe me, you are welcome to witness it all tomorrow.”
His words made Nephtalia silent for a long time.
In her eyes, delight and harshness alternated… like a person constantly switching the masks on their face.
“I know you are worried about her… I also know you fear that she might obstruct your ongoing plan, your revolution.”
This addition, like a demon’s whisper, made Nephtalia’s expression change drastically.
When Nephtalia opened the door, Se La and the Ranger Corps members outside immediately went on full alert.
Nephtalia looked at her subordinates. “Don’t be tense. Let him go. And from now on, you no longer need to keep watching him.”
“…Yes.”
Se La was momentarily puzzled… but she quickly followed her mistress’s orders and instructed her subordinates to make way for Yan Wei Fu.
“Remember your promise.”
“Naturally.” Yan Wei Fu gave a deep bow to Nephtalia and the surrounding members, then strode out of the garden.
“Miss…”
“What did he and Sister discuss on the covered bridge?” Before Se La could speak, Nephtalia asked her first.
For a moment, Se La exchanged a glance with the Ranger Corps members behind her.
“The Instructor will enter the Nelf Main House with him.” Se La said. “They’re looking for a relic. That man said they’ll act tomorrow… and the Instructor didn’t object.”
“Is that all?”
“That’s all.”
“I see.” Nephtalia gazed at Se La. “Then hurry back to your respective stations… With the operation imminent, don’t let those people catch on.”
“Did you reach some kind of agreement with that man?”
“…That’s not your concern.”
“Apologies, I spoke out of turn.”
Then Se La led her team away.
Back inside, Nephtalia stood before the fireplace for a long time… until the last remaining embers completely died out.
At the same time, in the Nelf family mansion.
Milin lay on the bed in her room… She couldn’t fall asleep.
In her mind still lingered the figure of Iyue fleeing, and the complex expression on Nephtalia’s face.
‘I’m such an idiot…!’
The more she thought, the more restless she became.
She simply threw on an outer garment and got up, intending to go out for some air.
“Hello. Is this Miss Milin Klauschel’s room?” Her door was suddenly knocked at that moment.
It was a young man’s voice, and it didn’t sound like a servant.
“Yes. Who are you? What do you want?”
“I am Alvin Aethelshira. I would like to have a word with you.”
Milin in the room was taken aback.
‘Alvin? He’s Natalia’s fiancé… But at the dance party, I only saw him from a distance.’
‘What is he doing here at this hour?’
With this question in mind, Milin opened the door.
Standing at the door was indeed that Fairy Prince.
He was alone, not wearing his banquet finery, but changed into a more practical outfit for movement.
“Forgive me for disturbing you so late.” Alvin got straight to the point. “May I come in? There are some things I’d like to discuss with you.”
Milin invited him into the room, and they sat facing each other at the tea table.
“Your Highness, just say what you want to say directly. I’ll make tea for you.”
Seeing her use magic to summon water to rinse the teacups, Alvin was momentarily stunned.
But his gaze quickly stopped on the bracelet she wore on her wrist.
‘That pearl… it’s indeed the same as the one on that girl, on the Hero’s hand.’
“I want to tell you regarding Lady Lian’s whereabouts.” He began. “Currently, she is under house arrest by my Queen Sister.”