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“Naban Bacchus.”

“I am Quadrach Ceres. This is my daughter, Lily Ceres. Go ahead and greet her.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Naban gave a brief nod toward Lily.

To anyone watching, it was closer to a disrespectful attitude than a proper greeting.

Instantly, the face of the knight standing behind turned red with fury.

Had they not been in Quadrach’s presence, he would have shouted at Naban right away.

However,

“Ahem.”

Lily didn’t get angry. Instead, she looked Naban up and down, as if evaluating him.

“……?”

Naban tilted his head, wondering why she was acting like that.

It was the first time he had encountered such a reaction.

“For a bastard, you’re fairly decent-looking. Or maybe it’s because you’re a bastard? I was worried about how much of a pervert you’d be, considering you’re nine years older than me, but for now, I’ll give you a passing grade.”

The knight clenched his fists tightly.

‘How dare this lowly merchant…!’

Only someone from the Bacchus family had the right to look down on Naban for his birth.

No one else had the right to speak ill of him.

Moreover, this could be considered an insult to the marriage, so the knight was about to protest against Lily’s rude attitude, but—

“Pahahah!”

Naban’s sudden burst of laughter cut off the knight before he could say anything.

Both the knight and Quadrach turned their gazes toward Naban.

Lily asked with a curious expression.

“What’s so funny?”

“Well, at least I don’t have to worry about being labeled a pervert by my future bride.”

“……You’re not angry?”

“Angry? Why would I be angry?”

“You just got called a bastard.”

“Well, it’s true, isn’t it?”

Naban let out a light scoff.

To Lily, Naban’s reaction only became more intriguing.

“Do you have no pride?”

“Aren’t I someone being sold off? If I act out of pride and the marriage falls through, the whole family would be turned upside down. So, think whatever you want.”

“You know your place, I see.”

“Knowing your place is how you survive another day.”

It was a meaningful statement.

A smile slowly spread across Lily’s lips, while the Bacchus knight, on the other hand, now trembled with fury.

‘These damn bastards!’

To him, the daughter of a merchant family and a bastard from his own house making light of the situation together was utterly disgraceful.

It seemed as if the two had conspired to thoroughly mock him.

However, the knight understood his and his family’s position all too well.

If this marriage fell through, the Bacchus name would be utterly ruined.

So, he had to endure it somehow.

‘This humiliation… I’ll repay it someday…!’

Once the family was restored, no one would be able to stop him from crushing the Ceres family.

Clap!

Quadrach clapped his hands loudly to break the tension.

“Luckily, it seems the first impressions between the two soon-to-be spouses aren’t too bad, don’t you think? There’s nothing sadder than spending your life with someone you dislike. Hahaha.”

The knight felt a cold chill run down his spine at Quadrach’s meaningful words.

‘Could it be… does he know that Naban’s life is on a time limit?’

But he couldn’t bring himself to speak rashly.

Regardless of his thoughts, Quadrach turned to his daughter and spoke.

“Lily, there are many guests outside who’ve come from all over the North to celebrate your engagement. We owe them our gratitude.”

“Yes, they are truly generous people.”

“Before we start the formal ceremony with such distinguished guests, is there anything you’d like to say to your future husband, Naban? May I call you my son-in-law?”

“Yes, please feel free.”

“If there’s anything you wish to say to my daughter, now would be the time.”

“I don’t have much to say for now. I’ll think about it slowly. After all, the wedding won’t be for another five years, will it?”

Five years.

The number of years Naban had left as well.

That, too, held its own meaning.

Lily looked at Naban, who was steeped in cynicism, and asked,

“Will you love me?”

Naban stifled a laugh internally.

It was amusing to see a girl, only fifteen years old, heavily made up and pretending to act so fatally serious.

“Well, I’ll try. But for now, it seems difficult. It’s not easy to have affection for someone so young.”

“So, you’re saying it’s possible in the future?”

“For now, maybe.”

“Then I’d like proof of that affection. Is that possible?”

“Proof? In what way?”

Naban found his fiancée, who was more cynical and calculating than her age suggested, quite intriguing.

It wasn’t easy to find someone who was more cynical than himself.

At that moment, Lily gripped her right arm tightly with her left hand, a pained expression crossing her face.

“Bring me the head of the man who made my arm… made my right arm like this.”

“The head, you say.”

Naban stroked his chin with his hand.

He had heard about it too.

A major incident that had taken place a few months ago at the Gathering of the Hidden Dragons.

It had caused quite a stir in the northern regions.

And he also knew well that the main culprit had made a significant impact at the recent Blossoming Ceremony.

‘Didn’t Torkel mention being interested in that person too?’

Naban recalled the genius who belonged to the same Blossoming Ceremony class as him and chuckled to himself.

“Daughter.”

“…That’s not something to let slide easily.”

This time, even Quadrach, who hadn’t expected such words, looked surprised, and the knight’s face visibly hardened with tension.

However, Lily showed no signs of retracting the venomous glint in her eyes.

“That person, I’ve heard, is the most promising genius in Ragnar right now. Even many of the Nine Dragons are paying attention to him. My life is already short enough—are you asking me to make it even shorter?”

“As if I would.”

“Or is this a desperate ploy to cut off my family’s neck? Something like that?”

“I wouldn’t allow your in-laws to disappear even before the marriage happens. I promise you, that won’t happen.”

“So, you must have something you’re counting on.”

Lily responded with a smile instead of words.

Naban pretended to ponder for a moment before nodding his head.

“Very well. I’ll prove it. Since my future wife wishes for it, I’ll make sure to bring it along as part of the dowry.”

“Good.”

A twisted smile spread across Lily’s lips.

It was at that very moment—

“Master of the trade company! There’s an emergency!”

Bang!

Suddenly, the door burst open, and the chief butler came rushing in, his face full of urgency.

“How dare you act so recklessly with guests present!”

“S-Sir, it’s…!”

The butler hastily explained the situation outside, and for a moment, Quadrach’s expression turned stony.

On the other hand, Lily’s smile grew even wider.

“Well now! It seems we’re about to witness my future husband’s love in action?”

* * *

Quadrach, Lily, Naban, and the others quickly stepped outside the building.

Quadrach’s face had become tense.

‘The Dragon’s banner…!’

Flying in the wind was the banner of Ragnar—a flag that every Northerner instinctively bowed their heads to.

Standing beneath it was Theo and his entourage, their eyes filled with arrogance.

They looked as if they were an occupying force, radiating overbearing pride.

Surrounding them were the soldiers and mercenaries of the trade company’s main headquarters, as well as the swordsmen of the Bacchus family. However, their cautious demeanor was evident.

More than a hundred men were being overwhelmed by just four.

Naban observed the standoff with growing interest, while Lily’s expression hardened upon recognizing an unforgettable face among the four uninvited guests.

Suppressing the uncomfortable feeling churning inside him, Quadrach spoke in a measured tone.

“What brings the great House of Ragnar… to such a humble place? Ah, if you’ve come to celebrate the joyous occasion between our trade company and the Bacchus family, I’d be happy to lead you to a more suitable location.”

“Humble place, you say? Indeed, we don’t normally have any reason to visit such a place,” Kleve sneered, causing Quadrach and the trade company servants’ faces to harden.

Unbothered, Kleve pulled something from his coat.

“I’ll be brief. Evidence was found linking your Ceres Trading Company to a group that attempted an assassination against the Ragnar family. As such, you’re now under suspicion of treason, and we’ll be investigating this matter thoroughly. Cooperate.”

“…!”

“…!”

“…!”

The faces of the servants turned pale, and even the Bacchus family swordsmen stiffened.

Treason!

Ragnar was, for all intents and purposes, the ruler of the North. No one could survive going against them.

Naturally, everyone turned to look at Quadrach and Lily, fear creeping into their thoughts.

‘It can’t be…!’

Quadrach realized that the Season of the Snake had already slipped out of his control and into Ragnar’s hands without his knowledge. He clenched his teeth.

Lily’s eyes also trembled.

‘So this is why they boasted that even if Theo Ragnar’s neck were cut, nothing would happen in Ragnar? What an amusing place, my future in-laws are.’

Though the father and daughter quickly regained their composure, Naban didn’t miss that fleeting moment. He quickly pieced together the situation.

It seemed that the Ceres Trading Company and Ed Troyban had been secretly plotting something behind the scenes, only to get caught by Ragnar.

“If you understand, step aside.”

Kleve’s sharp gaze sliced through the air as he took a step forward. The trade company’s soldiers hesitated, retreating a couple of steps.

However,

“…Do not move.”

At Quadrach’s low command, their retreat came to a halt.

Kleve narrowed his eyes.

“So, you refuse to cooperate with the investigation?”

“I deeply regret this situation. But no matter how powerful the great house may be, it is tyrannical to press a vassal without proper evidence. Bring forth your proof first.”

“Is the circumstantial evidence of your involvement not enough?”

“Such scraps of paper can easily be fabricated. It seems like we’ve fallen victim to a plot designed to frame us.”

“So, you’re claiming that the Ceres Trading Company is innocent?”

“Innocent, of course. Where else would you find vassals as loyal as us? We will conduct a thorough investigation ourselves and report the findings to the great house.”

Quadrach crossed his arms behind his back and smirked coldly.

“Still, since you’ve come all this way, I won’t let you leave empty-handed. Let’s make sure you’re properly received. What are you all waiting for? Escort our guests.”

A few soldiers stepped forward and bowed with precision. Unlike the other, less competent soldiers, these seemed well-trained.

But Theo didn’t miss the reddish gleam in their eyes.

‘Blood Qi.’

It was the same kind of Bloodlight he had seen from the Blood Priests.

Their presence was so well-concealed that if Theo hadn’t faced the Nameless Sovereign directly, he might not have noticed it at all.

「Kleve, these are Blood Priests.」

Kleve’s eyes immediately darkened.

「Evidence?」

「Their aura feels exactly like the one I encountered during the Season of the Snake.」

「Any chance you’re wrong?」

「None.」

A firm response.

The priests and followers of the Sacred Demon Church were known to be excellent at hiding their presence, blending seamlessly into everyday life.

Kleve briefly wondered how Theo had detected them, but he didn’t doubt him. He had faith that Theo would always find a way.

「Then let’s strike immediately.」

After all, the fact that they had dared to obstruct the path of a flag-bearing enforcer was already enough reason for the Ceres Trading Company to be punished. If they uncovered that Blood Priests were involved, the matter would be settled entirely.

Kleve transmitted his intent to the other three members via sound transmission, and—

Click!

Swishhh!

In an instant, she unsheathed her sword, sending a flash of light toward the Blood Priest’s head.

It was swordsmanship at a speed only those who had reached the level of an advanced swordsman could perceive, imbued with aura, resembling the vicious fangs of a dragon.

“…!”

The Blood Priest hurriedly tried to channel his magic to defend himself, but at that very moment—

Thud!

A sword suddenly dropped from the sky in front of Kleve.

Chaaang!

Kleve’s blade, infused with sword energy, was knocked off course.

She quickly regained her balance and glared at the unexpected intruder.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“What else?”

The intruder, wearing an intrigued smile on his lips, replied casually.

“Saving my in-laws.”

It was Naban.