The butler exited the study at his master’s command. Kalz turned to Leon.
“What about you? Are you just going to walk away?”
“No. I’m staying.”
“You sure about that? Your father’s going to show up.”
His words were clear—was Leon really ready to go against his own father? Leon bit his lip.
“If you’re not fully committed, you’d better step back now. I don’t need an unreliable ally inside the walls.”
“…No. I can’t pretend nothing’s wrong when I know exactly who’s to blame. I’m staying. I’ll help with whatever this plan is.”
“Alright. Let’s do that.”
Just then, the door burst open again. Almond reappeared, looking far more frantic than before. This time, Marianne was with him.
“Master, something terrible’s happened!”
“Bell—Bell’s been taken! Waaah!”
Marianne cried out, then broke down sobbing. Kalz rushed to her, wrapping his arms around her as he asked urgently,
“Taken? What do you mean?”
“Hic… Two men in the village asked Bell for his name, and then—hic—they just grabbed him and took him!”
“They knew who he was and still took him?”
“Yes! Bell tried to stop me from interfering. He called my name, then suddenly clutched his chest in pain and collapsed—hic! And then they dragged him off!”
The secret pact must’ve triggered. It must’ve hurt so much it knocked him out. Kalz pictured Briel writhing in agony on the cold stone path, and his chest tightened like it was being crushed. The fear that Briel might still be in danger made it hard to even breathe.
“Those men said they were acting on the lord’s orders. I heard it loud and clear!”
“My father took Bell…?”
Leon’s face turned ghostly pale. But Kalz didn’t have time to console him.
“Do you know anywhere your father might keep someone locked up?”
“No. I never imagined he’d do something like this.”
“Then we don’t have a choice. We’ll search the entire village.”
Kalz grabbed his cloak, ready to storm out—but Almond blocked his path.
“You’re going after Briel?”
“Of course I am.”
“You can’t.”
Kalz’s brow twitched. Almond kept his voice steady, trying to reason with him.
“The intruders will be here any minute. You know we can’t carry out the plan without you, Master.”
“Move.”
“There’s no guarantee you’ll even find him. What if they’ve hidden him somewhere no one can reach? Or worse—what if it’s a trap set for you? If they catch you too, then it’s over. Everything’s over.”
“I said move.”
“So you’re really going to abandon us? Is that what you truly want, Master?”
“And you want me to abandon Briel? Is that what you truly want, Almond?”
Neither man gave an inch. And yet, they understood each other perfectly. Everyone caught in this struggle—their lives meant everything to both Kalz and Almond.
The silence shattered at last—by a third voice.
“I’ll go.”
Leon raised his hand.
“I’ll bring Bell back. If my father’s heading to the castle with his men, their defenses will be weaker. As long as I can find him, it won’t be that hard to get him out. So you stay here and protect the castle like you planned. That’s what Bell would want.”
Kalz didn’t say a word. Leon was right. The Briel he knew would never want anyone to risk everything for his sake. He cared too much about the people around him.
And so, Kalz had no choice but to accept Leon’s offer. He knew it was the right call. But it didn’t make it any easier. Not when the person he loved was in danger—and he couldn’t be the one to save him.
Kalz clenched his fists so tightly that blood threatened to break through the skin. Seeing this, Butler Squawk was the first to lower his head.
“I’m sorry, Master. I overstepped. I’ll follow your lead.”
“…No. I lost my cool too.”
“Even so, please understand this—more than anyone, I want Briel to come back safe.”
Of course he knew. His butler was that kind of person. Instead of answering, Kalz turned his eyes to Leon.
“Take Grill. He’ll get you there much faster than going on foot.”
“But what about Grill’s role in the plan?”
“He’s only taking you to the base of the mountain. He’ll be back quickly. If anything happens before then, I’ll cover for him.”
“Understood.”
“Take Gold with you too. He should be able to track Bell by scent. Butler Squawk, let Marianne rest for a bit—and inform the others.”
“Yes, Master.”
Almond helped the exhausted Marianne out of the room, leaving Kalz and Leon alone.
“What are you waiting for? Shouldn’t you be rushing to find Bell?”
“There’s something I want to say first. I know time’s running out, but if I don’t say it now, I might never get the chance.”
“Say it, then.”
Leon swallowed, choosing his words.
“First… I’m sorry. For everything my father’s done. I want to apologize.”
“What for? You weren’t the one who did it. If you’re just going to spout pointless crap, get going.”
“You remember our deal, right? It still stands.”
“Yeah. And?”
“Then I’ll ask this straight. Do you… like Bell?”
“……”
Kalz opened his mouth.
His answer was short and without a trace of hesitation.
“Yeah.”
“Thought so. Don’t worry—I’ll bring him back. No matter what.”
“You better.”
“Then I’m off. Stay safe until I return.”
Leon turned to go, but Kalz’s voice stopped him.
“I’m counting on you, Leon.”
Leon.
It was the first time Kalz had ever said his name out loud. Leon’s lips tugged into a smile. Who knew hearing his name could feel this good?
He didn’t look back. Instead, he simply made a silent vow to live up to the trust placed in him.
Fueled by determination, Leon exited the mansion—only to come to an abrupt stop. Standing in front of the gate was a massive black bear. On two legs.
“Are you Leon?”
“Y-Yes…”
“I’m Grill. I’ve been briefed. Please, get on.”
Grill… was a bear? Leon had been sure he was a horse. Naturally.
Sure, bears were fast, but Leon had never ridden one before. While he stood frozen, trying to figure out what to do, Grill’s expression seemed to darken. (Though truthfully, Grill didn’t feel anything—he just looked that way to Leon.)
“We don’t have time to waste.”
“Right. It’s just… I’m not exactly sure how to ride a bear.”
“Think of it like a piggyback. You’ll also need to hold onto Gold.”
Leon scooped up Gold and clung to Grill’s back. Before he could even adjust his awkward posture, Grill took off.
Leon had no choice but to tighten his grip around the bear’s neck and trust in his arm strength.
“Woof woof!”
Gold barked beside him with vigor, and Leon had a single, ridiculous thought:
Bear fur… is way softer than I expected.
Just like that, Leon had discovered yet another strange, new world.
