“It’s a rare research subject we’ve acquired after a long time, so it’ll take a while.”
“Just be careful with the management.”
“Of course.”
“What about external security?”
“We’ve set up a disruption field around the perimeter. Security is operating on 24-hour shifts, and we’ll be scanning with equipment as well.”
The explanation sounded plausible, but something didn’t sit right. It was Rohan’s reaction when Delroz showed up.
‘That wasn’t part of the intel. Should I at least say hello since I’m here?’
The tone was as if he already knew Delroz hadn’t joined the mission this time. It carried certainty.
He hadn’t been aware of the presence of Baiheron and the other deployed Espers in hiding, yet he had accurately gauged Delroz’s absence.
To keep the operation strictly confidential, instead of using Espers stationed at the Center, they had employed Espers from the same dispatch team as Baiheron. That meant the leak had come from inside the Center.
After the last intrusion, every person who handled sensitive data within the Center had their private communications and outing records scrutinized. Even Banteon’s files—despite him being the victim—were reviewed without exception, but no suspicious individuals had been found. Which meant a mole capable of obtaining such information was still hiding within the Center.
“There’s no way to completely rule out human involvement, is there?”
“To be honest, this is a first for us… As you know, relying solely on devices is inefficient. Is there something troubling you?”
The kingdom’s science and technology had always developed through the power of Espers, not through conventional advancement. Force and defense were all managed by Espers. The areas where technology flourished were in medicine, measurement, and statistical analysis—fields that supported Esper ability. Creating security facilities suitable for something this critical in such a short time was impossible.
“Rohan made a comment that implied he knew Delroz wasn’t part of this operation.”
“Hm…”
The Center Director stroked his beard with a grave expression.
“Even after such a thorough investigation…”
“I’d prefer minimal human interference if possible.”
“I understand exactly what you mean.”
Banteon extended a hand toward the nodding Center Director.
“If any expenses are required, I’ll provide support. Don’t hold back—just make sure everything is airtight.”
“There’s no need to even say it. As always, we’re grateful for House Esrante’s assistance.”
Money couldn’t solve everything, but it could shorten the time it took to get results. He offered a polite smile in response to the thanks and glanced toward Rohan. With his abilities, even with a disruption field in place, there was no guarantee he wasn’t listening. But for whatever reason, Rohan hadn’t reacted at all.
“Handle him with caution. He’s no easy opponent.”
“Don’t worry. He’s a rare and valuable research subject, after all.”
The Center Director’s eyes gleamed, his usual crescent-moon smile narrowing. The way he focused more on Rohan’s rarity than his danger was a little concerning, but that was no longer Banteon’s responsibility. Now that Rohan was secured within the Center, if the Director didn’t want to be held accountable, he’d do everything in his power to keep him locked down.
Leaving behind the Center Director, whose gaze remained fixed on Rohan, and the others nearby, Banteon stepped outside alone. Even though he’d just seen for himself that Rohan had been captured, he felt an inexplicable heaviness around his ankles.
The higher he climbed, the less humid it became. The ground turned dry, and firm stone slabs emerged underfoot. After ascending for a while, bright sunlight streamed in through a window, making him squint.
***
To ensure security, the area around the building containing the prison was off-limits to unauthorized personnel. From the end of a silent hallway where no one else was present, a voice slowly drew near.
“So what should I call you?”
“……”
“If you don’t answer, I’ll just decide myself. Let’s see… How about brother-in-law?”
“……”
“After all that flirting, don’t you think you owe me at least one word?”
That lively, borderline cheeky voice was unmistakably Baiheron’s. Banteon stopped walking. Though he couldn’t yet see their shadows, the content of the conversation made it clear that the person with Baiheron was the one he least wanted to face right now.
He paused, then slipped into a hallway opposite their path. As he instinctively hid himself, he couldn’t help but question why he was even doing so.
“When do we start training? I was thinking maybe we could—oh?”
Even though he’d hidden quickly, it was impossible for two Espers at that range not to notice Banteon’s presence. Sure enough, Baiheron quickly picked up on his location and briskly approached the corner, peeking his head around.
His expression had been neutral at first, but upon seeing Banteon, he broke into a wide, cheerful grin.
“Hyung! Just got back from the prison, huh?”
His tone was warm and welcoming, but unlike him, Delroz—standing just across—remained rooted in place without saying a word. His shadow, faintly cast on the floor, was utterly still, like a statue.
“I was actually planning to visit you. Did you sleep well? You just came from seeing him, right? I bet he’s a total wreck. How was he?”
“You were supposed to lay low at the Center.”
“I did that just fine during training, didn’t I? By now, anyone who knows me knows what I’m like.”
Baiheron had always been unusual, even as a child. Before he left for his education at the Center, the family had asked him to at least try to be more restrained for the sake of the family’s image. He’d pretended to listen back then. But the moment he became an adult and was dispatched externally, he’d behaved like a wild horse freed from its reins.
“Honestly, it’s not like our family’s some noble house that’ll crumble just because I act out a little, right?”
“I used to think that way too… but I’m trying to change.”
At this rate, the ominous future of their ancestors’ carefully upheld legacy—nurtured over hundreds of years—being shattered in an instant loomed over Baiheron’s head like a dark cloud.
“But let’s be real, it’s not like I need to try. Hyung’s already boosting the family name all on his own, right?”
“…Yeah.”
“See? Told you.”
Delroz, who had remained quiet until now, gave a nod to Baiheron’s nonsense. It wasn’t easy to tell what exactly he was agreeing with, but Banteon noticed something unusual—Delroz’s voice was lower, more subdued than usual.
Had his voice sounded like this since meeting Rohan yesterday?
It wasn’t just the voice. At first, Banteon had assumed it was the harsh sunlight casting a different light on him, but seeing Delroz again at the Center after so long, he looked more worn out than before. He seemed slightly thinner, and his usually neat hair was now disheveled.
Was it the battle that took place late at night? As Banteon examined the unfamiliar sight carefully, Delroz’s brow twitched. His eyes, sharp and unyielding, locked onto Banteon’s. Baiheron, glancing between the two, took a step back.
“Well, I’ll leave you two alone! Oh, right. Don’t forget, brother-in-law. We have to spar sometime soon.”
“……”
Before Banteon could even react to the absurd title, Baiheron darted away down the hallway. The wide corridor fell into an awkward silence with just the two of them left behind. Even the sound of wind brushing past the window seemed loud in the tense stillness. Breathing itself required caution.
“So that was your brother.”
Delroz’s quiet murmur carried deep guilt. He had misunderstood Baiheron and had hidden the fact that Banteon had contacted him. But they had returned to a strictly contractual relationship—nothing more would come of it. It wasn’t something that should matter anymore.
Banteon turned away from the bitter tone and brought up what needed to be said.
“Thanks for yesterday.”
Had Delroz not shown up in that moment of crisis, it wouldn’t be Rohan who was locked up now—it would have been Banteon.
From the moment Rohan made contact, Banteon’s first instinct had been to seek Delroz’s help. But instead, he’d convinced himself he could handle it alone, avoiding Delroz out of misplaced pride and lingering awkwardness. That decision had nearly cost him everything. It was Delroz who saved him from that mistake.
But instead of responding to the awkwardly delivered gratitude, Delroz’s frown deepened, as if something about the words rubbed him the wrong way.
Was he going to scold him for going alone into danger? Maybe he’d get angry for using himself as bait to lure Rohan out? Delroz had always voiced his displeasure whenever Banteon placed himself in harm’s way. Banteon braced himself, expecting to be reprimanded.
But what he heard was something entirely different.
“…I’m sorry.”
The unfamiliar words slipped from Delroz’s lips, catching Banteon off guard.
Sorry? For what?
He couldn’t make sense of the apology, and his eyes widened.
“For acting on my own.”
“Ah…”
That night. The one where they agreed to return to being nothing more than business partners. Banteon had insisted they not interfere in each other’s matters beyond what was asked. Now, hearing Delroz refer back to that unexpected agreement, Banteon looked at him again. Delroz’s furrowed gaze deepened as he turned away.
Was it stubbornness? Or inflexibility? Even in a situation where he could easily take credit and demand something in return, Delroz had backed down first.
Banteon had always thought of Delroz as someone who lived on his own terms, untethered and unbothered by rules or ties. But this unexpected glimpse of a different side left him speechless, his eyes fixed on Delroz’s profile.
At a loss for words in this unfamiliar experience, Banteon bit his lip, hesitating before finally speaking.
“It was an exceptional situation. If you hadn’t been there, things could’ve gone badly, so… for that part…”
The words came out with difficulty—and stalled again. What should he say next? It’s okay this time? I won’t blame you? But in a situation where it was clearly Banteon’s mistake and Delroz had stepped in to help, would it be right to speak as though he were granting forgiveness?
Still uncertain, Banteon managed to force out a single line.
