“It’s black tea.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Leon awkwardly took the teacup from Butler Squawk, murmuring his thanks. Maybe giving him a heads-up had helped—Leon was clearly trying hard to stay composed, not the least bit startled or impolite.
Oddly enough, it was the butler who seemed more on edge. At first, he’d recoiled in shock upon seeing Leon. Then, after Kalz whispered something to him, his expression turned icy. What the hell had Kalz told him?
“Then, I’ll be going.”
“Ah, Butler—there’s something I’d like to ask.”
Leon stopped him mid-exit and threw out a few questions. Butler Squawk nodded in response.
“Understood. I’ll make the arrangements.”
“Thank you.”
Leon didn’t take a sip. He just kept staring at his tea. Kalz, in contrast, took a slow, deliberate sip of his own, clearly putting on a show.
“You should drink it. The butler’s tea-making skills are first-class. Want me to switch cups with you if you’re that nervous?”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll drink it.”
“Heh. So delicate. You really do live up to the ‘young master’ name.”
‘Young master,’ fine—but delicate? As if. If I let this go on, they’d just spiral into another dumb power struggle.
Clap!
The sharp sound of my hands coming together made both of them look at me. No time to waste on childish games—I went straight to the point.
“Let’s write up a contract.”
“A contract?”
“We’re not getting anywhere like this. We need at least a basic level of trust to move forward.”
“But would a contract really solve that? Even if someone breaks the terms, it’s not like we can take it to court.”
In other words, the problem was enforceability. But I already had an answer for that.
“That’s why we’ll use a special kind of contract. The butler said there’s still one left. Kalz, mind if we use it?”
“Do whatever you want. Honestly, that sounds like the simpler option.”
“Perfect. Then let’s figure out the terms first.”
Here’s what we ended up with:
This contract is between Kalz Lion (hereafter referred to as Kalz) and Leon Swalter (hereafter referred to as Leon).
- Until the contract is nullified, Leon must not reveal anything about this mansion to outsiders. “Outsiders” refers to anyone unaware of the magic affecting Kalz and the mansion’s staff.
- Until the contract is nullified, Kalz must not lie to Leon.
- Until the contract is nullified, neither Kalz nor Leon may cause physical harm to the other.
- Any breach of the terms above will result in immediate magical punishment.
The contract is nullified only if both Kalz and Leon agree to destroy it at the same time.
“That’s everything. Any objections?”
“Why am I the only one who’s not allowed to lie?”
“Because Leon doesn’t trust you yet. You can’t expect him to keep secrets while you’re still free to feed him lies, can you?”
“Magical punishment? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It’s the enforcement mechanism you were worried about. To put it simply—if you break the rules, it’ll hurt like hell. Maybe even enough to make you wish you were dead.”
“Is that even possible?”
“It is—thanks to the one who just arrived.”
“I brought the contract. Should I write it out exactly as specified?”
“Yes, please.”
While Butler Squawk transcribed the terms, I took the time to explain what an Artifact Contract was. Leon looked fascinated.
“So these really exist. I never imagined I’d see one in person.”
“There should be a few in Swalter, too. Or did your family already sell them off?”
“And who the hell are you to talk like you know anything about my family?”
“Because I do know. I’m the one who gave the Swalter name to your family.”
“What? Are you seriously spouting nonsense now?”
“You really don’t know a thing, huh? Up until recently, your family was still sending me checks every year.”
Kalz went on to explain: a hundred years ago, this land was part of the Lion family estate—he had been the lord. (Wait, Kalz was a lord?!) After transforming into a beast, he split the territory and entrusted each part to loyal subordinates, giving them surnames that matched their new holdings. Swalter had been one of them. From then on, there was a secret agreement between Kalz and the regional lords to send him a share of the profits. That arrangement eventually dissolved when the caste system was abolished.
“Unreal. I always wondered how you managed to live without working… So that’s how you survived?”
“I would’ve been fine without it. Well, until you showed up. The way the grocery bills skyrocketed? Good thing I collected in advance.”
“Wow. Petty, much? Complaining about food expenses?”
Leon looked genuinely shaken by the revelation of his family’s origin.
“You’ve gotta be kidding me… All this time, the money my father worked so hard for was going to some freeloader who doesn’t even lift a finger?”
“Imagine choosing an ignorant little brat who doesn’t even know his family’s century-old history as the heir. What a shame. Swalter used to be a sharp family—sharp enough to serve under me.”
Kalz didn’t miss the chance to put extra emphasis on serve, and that broke Leon’s composure.
“No… I won’t believe a word of this until I hear it from my father.”
“Believe what you want. Facts don’t change.”
“Hold on—if everything you’re saying is true, then… you were human? And you’re over a hundred years old?!”
“And what would that change? Gonna start calling me ‘hyung-nim’ now?”
“I mean…”
A flicker of guilt crossed Leon’s face. He was clearly regretting everything he’d said up to this point. While he stumbled for words, Butler Squawk returned, fluttering in with the finished contract.
“The contract is ready. Please review and sign it.”
Just like last time, Kalz signed without hesitation, then shot Leon a smug look.
“What’s the holdup? Still scared?”
“I was just checking to make sure you didn’t rig anything… There. We’ve both signed, so the contract’s active, right? Then let’s test it.”
Without warning, Leon swung a punch straight at Kalz. But before it landed, his legs buckled beneath him.
“Urgh!”
His face twisted in agony, contorted in visible pain—he even started drooling. Alarmed, I rushed over and shook him.
“Hey! Are you okay?!”
“AAAAAAAHHHHH!”
“You should’ve just trusted me. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”
Kalz remained unfazed, calmly sipping the rest of his tea. Sure, Leon brought it on himself—but watching him writhe and scream on the floor was… brutal. I hadn’t expected it to be this intense. Maybe that’s why Kalz had voluntarily revealed the truth earlier—so I wouldn’t end up like that.
After about ten minutes, Leon finally spoke through labored breathing.
“Okay… yeah. It works.”
“You alright now?”
“Honestly? Not really. But I needed to confirm it for myself.”
Leon shook his head a few times, then forced himself to stand. Facing Kalz, he asked:
“Let me ask you straight. Are you really not involved in those deaths?”
“Well… what do you think?”
Kalz answered with a question of his own, and Leon’s face twisted in frustration. I couldn’t take it anymore—I smacked Kalz hard on the back.
“Ow! That actually hurt!”
“Stop stalling and answer the damn question. Don’t waste our time.”
“You’ve got the wrist strength of a twig, but somehow hit like a sledgehammer.”
Still grumbling, Kalz exhaled through his nose and finally answered.
“Fine. I didn’t kill anyone. I didn’t help anyone kill anyone. I have absolutely nothing to do with those deaths.”
“…No reaction. Guess that means you’re telling the truth.”
Leon let out a dry, bitter laugh. Then, without another word, he bowed his head.
“Sorry. I was out of line.”
