“Oh… Oh wow…”
Benita’s jaw dropped as he stared at the massive outer walls of the castle before him.
Having spent his entire life in the imperial palace, Benita was no stranger to grandeur. However, even the most spectacular sights lose their charm when seen daily. In this context, the Daimon Count’s castle was enough to leave Benita wide-eyed with awe.
The jet-black walls, shrouded in an eternal shadow as though perpetually enveloped by darkness, contrasted starkly with the sharp, soaring spires that seemed to pierce the sky. It was an architectural masterpiece in the Gothic style, utterly different from the imperial palace.
As they entered the castle, the interior was even more intriguing. There weren’t any particularly eye-catching decorations, yet the atmosphere was striking.
The gray marble floor was subtly cracked, giving the impression that even this might have been intentional. The chandeliers hanging high above were jet-black, making one feel disoriented just by looking at them for too long.
In most noble houses, the stairway leading up from the main hall would be adorned with family portraits. Here, however, there was only a painting of the moon. A dark, faint moon, so indistinct that one had to look closely to realize it was even a moon.
It felt as though the entire design of the castle was deliberately crafted to evoke an eerie, unsettling vibe.
Half in awe, half in fear, Benita turned to his uncle, Ferda.
Ferda’s expression, however, was stiff.
As soon as they stepped into the castle, Ferda felt a peculiar energy. It wasn’t something he could easily explain, but it was far from pleasant. It felt suffocating.
“This place feels like a prison,”
Ferda muttered under his breath.
Hearing this, Calvin and Arthur, who had been walking ahead, turned around.
Arthur stared at Ferda for a moment before speaking.
“Even a luxurious bed feels like a prison to a guilty conscience.”
“……….”
A sharp retort. Ferda clicked his tongue in irritation and gestured at Benita with his eyes. Understanding the signal, Benita straightened his shoulders, attempting to suppress the fear creeping over him.
He remembered Ferda’s words from earlier.
– The Count’s family are border lords. They are not influenced by the imperial court. Thus, they are bound to be quite rude and arrogant.
– But Your Highness, remember this: you are the sole legitimate heir of the imperial family. As long as you keep that fact in mind, you will know how to handle their insolence.
Yes. He was a prince.
The one who held power second only to the emperor.
There was nothing to fear here. Nothing to be intimidated by. He had to carry himself with confidence.
“Lord Arthur, was it?”
Benita cleared his throat and adopted an air of maturity.
“We are here under the orders of Her Majesty the Empress. While we did not come expecting a grand welcome, we would appreciate it if you refrained from being disrespectful.”
Well, well.
One of Arthur’s eyebrows arched.
Should he push back forcefully, or let it slide for now? It didn’t take him long to decide.
“That was not my intention. My apologies.”
Arthur smiled faintly and then nudged Calvin with his elbow. Calvin, who had been frowning deeply, reluctantly spoke.
“The Count is away at the moment. He will return in a few days, so please make yourselves comfortable during your stay. Ahem!”
After stepping back from Benita and Ferda, Calvin muttered quietly to Arthur, just loud enough for him to hear.
“You handle this. I can’t stand their filth.”
“I don’t feel particularly dirty, though.”
“That’s just your perspective, being a filthy scoundrel. I’m the one suffering here. My nose hurts.”
As usual, such drama.
Arthur pushed Calvin aside and turned back to the group.
“This way, please. The chambers for His Highness and His Excellency are directly across from each other, making it convenient to communicate.”
Benita was thrilled by the idea of not being separated from Ferda, but Ferda had a different perspective.
One should consider why he had come all this way. The sole purpose of traveling to this distant northern region was to meet Shekina Daimon. Specifically, to pair Shekina with the prince. And yet, instead of being shown to the annex where the children were staying, they were being directed to the main building.
This had to be deliberate.
Ferda’s eyes narrowed.
“I’ve heard that your children are remarkable.”
If their intent was to confine them to the main building, then a straightforward approach might be the only solution.
“It would be an honor for you to meet His Highness, the Prince. How about it?”
Arthur’s gaze flickered subtly.
Ah… In his heart, he wanted to strike that arrogant head. How dare a lowly human lift their chin so confidently?
Sighing, Arthur suppressed his rising anger and forced a smile.
“Of course.”
He then looked behind Benita and Ferda.
“Perfect timing—they’ve just arrived.”
Arrived?
Benita and Ferda quickly turned their heads. They immediately noticed two children with striking red hair walking toward them. They looked almost identical—clearly twins.
“Oh, is this the prince?”
“Not quite what I expected…”
The twins approached, grinning mischievously.
“This should be fun.”
“Don’t tease him too much.”
“Please, you’ll be worse than me.”
Laughing to themselves, the twins waved at Benita, who stood frozen in shock.
“Hello, bookworm?”
Arthur observed Benita’s gaping expression and thought to himself:
The best way to deal with madness is with more madness.
***
The dimensional transport magic circle created by first Elder Nord was the most intricate one Shekina had ever seen.
As expected from the longest-living demon, his magical prowess was extraordinary.
Shekina, noticing how astonished Yuriel and Dehan were, chuckled quietly. However, sensing the presence of Lucart standing firmly beside her, she sighed deeply.
‘He followed me after all.’
She had repeatedly explained that the task wasn’t particularly dangerous, so Yuriel and Dehan would suffice. Yet, he had insisted on tagging along.
‘What on earth is he thinking?’
Casting a sidelong glance at Lucart, Shekina muttered under her breath.
“Um… L-Lady Shekina…”
At that moment, Yuriel spoke up.
“I-I have a question… M-May I ask?”
“Sure. What is it?”
“Well…”
Yuriel hesitated and then asked.
“You said we’d meet mermaids, but this isn’t the sea, is it?”
He glanced around.
This place was a small island in the middle of the sea—land.
Yuriel seemed to assume that mermaids lived only in the sea. Shekina shrugged.
“Mermaids are half-human, so they can breathe underwater, but they don’t live exclusively in the sea. If they stayed only in the sea, they’d eventually drown.”
“D-Drown… Oh…”
Leaving the flustered Yuriel behind, Shekina gazed at the far side of the island.
As she said, mermaids don’t live solely underwater. However, that doesn’t mean they can stay on land indefinitely either.
Mermaids must spend half their day in the sea and the other half on land.
This island, therefore, serves as their sleeping quarters.
“Well, here’s my plan.”
Shekina clapped her hands to gather everyone.
“First, Priest Yuriel, make it abundantly clear that you’re a priest. Show off how blessed you are and say you’re here to grant blessings. That should do. Once we’re welcomed, the Count and I will move forward.”
“Yes, yes…!”
Yuriel clenched his fists and nodded, determined to carry out his mission.
“What about me?”
At that moment, Dehan, who had been silent, raised his hand and spoke.
“What should I do?”
“You…”
Shekina was about to tell him to stay close to Yuriel and assist when signaled.
But Lucart spoke before she could.
“Stay by the priest’s side.”
Lucart positioned himself in front of Shekina, shielding her with his body, and spoke.
“Don’t even think about getting close to Shekina.”
What is this? What’s going on?
Shekina’s eyes widened as she alternated her gaze between Lucart and Dehan.
“I swore to be Shekina’s guardian.”
“I never gave you permission.”
“Do I need your permission for every little thing? What about Shekina’s wishes?”
“Shekina’s wishes are the same as mine.”
“That’s…!”
Dehan’s face twisted in frustration.
Before he could yell again, fortunately, Shekina stepped in.
“Why are you two fighting? Why?!”
Shekina tugged at Lucart’ sleeve, shouting.
“Boss, why do you keep picking fights everywhere? What’s wrong with you, seriously?!”
“……….”
It wasn’t picking a fight… Lucart seemed slightly dejected.
“Let’s go inside. Quickly!”
Shekina, sensing that staying here longer would only escalate the argument, hurried toward the inner part of the island.
And then…
“Why are they like that?”
She found the mermaids, utterly exhausted.
