“This is the place.”
Following the guidance of the priest, Edmund examined the interior of the exhibition hall and stopped in front of a massive glass display.
With cold eyes, he stared at the window.
Inside the enormous glass case, tens of thousands of mana stones were displayed on a polished obsidian panel. Unlike normal mana stones that retained their natural power and vibrant colors, these were faded and dull black rocks.
They were purification stones.
Since ancient times, saintesses had been granted the power of “purification,” separate from divine energy. This ability allowed them to imprison and eradicate demonic creatures or extinct corrupted beings within mana stones.
However, purification required life force, so it was mainly used for experimental purposes.
The purification stones on display contained either preserved or eradicated creatures. According to the chronicles of saintesses, many undiscovered purification stones still existed in the world.
Growing up in the forest, Edmund speculated that the manifestation of monsters in the duchy might be related to these purification stones.
Perhaps the creatures had broken free from the stones on their own.
Otherwise, how could mere monsters breach the duchy’s defenses?
Today’s visit was to confirm that suspicion—to see if any signs of life remained within the purification stones.
Yet, as expected, he saw nothing.
Only a saintess with the power of “purification” could imprison, destroy, or even perceive life within these stones.
Edmund concluded that there was no need to look further.
As he turned away, the priest hurriedly followed, asking if he would not examine them any longer. But without even a glance, Edmund strode down the white marble corridor.
By the time he exited the temple, an ominous aura surrounded him, and Tale naturally followed behind.
Tale lowered his posture, slipping a communication device into his pocket.
“I bribed the investigator in charge of the case back then, but no purification stones were found at the scene.”
Edmund frowned in disappointment.
If they had been found, it would have been the perfect starting point to explore countless possibilities. The monster outbreak in the duchy was still considered an anomaly.
“What about suspicious movements from mana stone traders at the time?”
“Baron Montree has reviewed the duchy’s mana stone transactions over the past ten years but found nothing unusual. However, someone testified that a maid from the mana stone management department acted strangely on the day of the incident. Should we track her down?”
Edmund cast a sidelong glance at Tale and nodded.
“Find her. Find anything.”
Whether it was purification stones, someone resembling a sketch drawn from memory, or something beyond that.
Perhaps it was time to tighten the noose around a monster disguised as a human, hiding among the people.
Tale’s mouth fell open. “Anything?” That meant sleepless nights ahead for him—a daunting and exhausting order.
But his shock was short-lived. A sly smile crept onto his face.
He had seen that glint in his master’s eyes before—cold and predatory.
It felt like a storm was about to sweep through his peaceful routine.
Rail, who had only been in the capital, wouldn’t know, but Tale had chased that very back and that murderous intent through the forests countless times.
It was different from the desperate killing intent born from knights fighting for survival.
This was a deep, vengeful bloodlust directed at a distant enemy, not just the one in front of him. For the monsters impaled by his spear, it must have been a tragic fate.
Tale chuckled but then paused.
“Oh, right. We’re still searching for someone resembling the portrait, but…”
Tale hesitated, looking at his master with concern.
“How can we be sure they’re the monster from back then just by their appearance? That’s what worries me…”
There was no guarantee that the monster was still living as a human. Moreover, many monsters looked alike. Identifying one was nearly impossible.
Edmund twisted his lips into a cruel smirk.
“A useless concern.”
The moment they met, his body would remember. Every cell would recognize that monster.
That day would come—inevitably.
And when it did…
His teeth clenched audibly, a harsh sound escaping between them.
With an intense, murderous aura, Edmund’s gaze fixed straight ahead.
As if the monster he sought were standing right there—an invisible mirage flickering before his eyes.
“Ugh… What do I do, Lunox…?”
With an expressionless face, Lunox perched on the table where Verita had buried her tear-streaked face.
As Verita sobbed for a long time, Lunox, growing bored, placed a hand on the table and patted her back.
Then, a small stone pendant slipped from beneath his shirt, hanging from a brown leather cord.
Sensing the movement, Verita lifted her tear-streaked face and reached for the necklace.
“…What is this?”
Before her fingers could touch it, Lunox pulled away and tucked the necklace back into his shirt.
“Your problem is more important, isn’t it? Why are you crying this time?”
He smiled playfully as he asked.
His voice carried a hint of irritation, making Verita flinch and pull her hand back.
Her mind cleared instantly, and her tears stopped.
Lunox was generally kind and carefree, but at times, he would wear a chilling smile.
It was unsettling enough to make everyone hold their breath and break into a cold sweat.
At times like this, he would either leave abruptly or change the subject—like now. It was a clear warning not to pry further.
What was that necklace for him to react this way? She was curious, but at the moment, she needed comfort more than answers.
Feeling intimidated, Verita finally spoke.
“M-my sister sent Devon to prison… She’s taking the estate too…”
“Oh, really?”
“Viscountess Dien is in shock. She lies in bed all day, muttering about how she wants to kill my sister…”
The way she said it… it was terrifying.
Verita had visited today only to get her hair yanked.
Lunox blinked emotionlessly.
“Kill her?”
“Yes… She spoke as if my sister was hiding some secret… I wonder what it is?”
Verita blinked innocently up at him.
Lunox rolled his eyes lazily.
He didn’t care about secrets. The only words echoing in his mind were those filled with hatred and murderous intent.
A crooked smile spread across his lips.
He had been getting restless with boredom. If there was no entertainment, he could create some.
Lowering his gaze, he locked eyes with Verita. His red eyes glowed with amusement as he smiled languidly.
“Would Viscountess Dien really risk her life for this?”
“I-I don’t know…”
Verita shivered at the strange atmosphere.
Lunox gently wiped away her remaining tears.
He had often grown tired of her constant need for comfort, but her surroundings were always full of amusement.
“Did you know, Verita? Desperate wishes hold great power.”
“What?”
Lunox grinned and spoke smoothly.
“Introduce me to Viscountess Dien.”
“Why…?”
As Verita hesitated, Lunox’s eyes curved further in amusement.
Because this was about to get very interesting.
Edmund and Tale returned to the mansion after having a long work-related conversation.
Rail, who had been greeting the owner of the mansion, was shocked to see Tale following behind.
“Why are you here!”
“Pfft, don’t we look good together?”
As Tale quickly followed Edmund inside, Rail gritted his teeth and chased after them with Tale pestering him all the way.
The two of them bickered quietly behind Edmund for a while.
They arrived at the office.
Just then, Tale, who had been offended by Rail’s comment to get his unpleasant face out of sight, suddenly remembered something.
“Oh right, about the order you gave me.”
“Order?”
“You told me to look at the list of tourists who visited the areas Miss Lilien traveled to.”
Edmund, who had been rolling up his sleeves, shot him a sharp look.
The air felt like he should keep reporting, so Tale continued speaking.
“There’s a record showing that Count Buell visited one of the places on a business trip. Since it wasn’t for tourism, I had to dig a little.”
Tale was clearly hoping to be praised—How’s that? I did good, right?—but he flinched right away.
Edmund’s expression was blank, but the air around him was chilling.
Even though he had given the order to investigate the list, he hadn’t really believed it.
So the reason Etricia hired a killer was… jealousy?
Had she mistaken his sister for just another mistress and drunkenly ordered the hit, only to cancel it when she realized the truth?
It felt empty. And cold.
If he had known this earlier, his guard against Etricia would have passed like the wind.
But what was this uncomfortable feeling spreading inside him?
Regret over Etricia making the wrong choice?
Or anger at Devon, who started it all?
Either way, it was clear Devon needed to be punished appropriately.
Edmund’s sharp eyes immediately turned to Tale.
Tale flinched and opened his mouth first.
“I actually already sent some people to him when he filed the complaint. But when I heard the complaint was dropped, I pulled them back… Should we go ahead and kill him after all?”
“Kill?”
Edmund gave a cynical smile and unbuttoned the cuff on his other sleeve.
“Who said anything about killing him? If he dies, he won’t feel any pain.
Bribe the royal prison guards and have them give him a measured dose of poison every day—not enough to kill him, just enough.”
The poison would burn his insides every day, but not be lethal.
Like any emotional man, the guilt of his past would come back to haunt him like a slideshow of regret.
If he rotted in prison long enough, even that scoundrel might feel a bit sorry for his wife.
Suddenly, Edmund stopped rolling up his sleeve.
It wasn’t about making him pay for daring to covet his sister.
It was starting to feel like revenge on Etricia’s behalf.
Just as he frowned and was about to spit out that thought—
“Then what about Countess Buell, who tried to kill Miss Lilien—”
Crash—!
A sharp noise came from the direction of the door.
All three men turned their heads.
Standing at the door, eyes wide, was Lilien.
She had apparently been bringing in tea, but had dropped the tray at her feet.
Her eyes trembled.
“…What did you just say?”
