“Where do you think you’re going with me, you crisis-insensitive Northern Grand Duke!”
I gripped his hand tightly and spoke.
“Your Highness, I ask this purely out of concern… but you haven’t forgotten who the lord of this land is, have you?”
Kyle, standing with his back to Nox, responded nonchalantly.
“Who was it that advised me that the North should be able to stand even without me?”
“…….”
When he puts it like that, I have nothing to say.
In the original story, after Kyle’s death, the Blake territory quickly fell into decline.
Of course, after I possessed this body, fate had changed, and Kyle had survived longer than originally planned. But that didn’t mean he could live for a thousand years—or forever.
One day, Kyle would die, and even after the lord was gone, life here would continue.
At some point, I, too, had grown attached to this place, and I found myself hoping that its people would continue to survive, no matter what.
Even without Kyle, the North must endure.
That was the challenge given to the people of this harsh land. And Kyle was actually handling this enormous issue quite well.
“I’ve been restructuring the estate’s system and placing the right people in the right positions. If I leave, the external defenses may weaken somewhat, but…”
He added seriously,
“A month should be fine.”
While we were having this rather serious discussion, Nox, despite being ignored, had no qualms about watching us with amusement. His half-lidded eyes flickered with a blue gleam.
“Because you love him, you’ll follow him anywhere, huh…”
“…….”
“Strange, but well… better than a mortician, I suppose. Fine.”
What mortician? Stop spouting nonsense.
I pulled Kyle toward the table, making sure to raise the corners of my lips as much as possible to mask my tension.
“Then, shall we begin negotiations in earnest?”
***
There was a lot of talking and arguing, but in the end, we reached an agreement.
The time frame was one month. Kyle and I would assist Nox with his research at the Tower of Frost, where he resided.
During that time, the Northern Magic Corps agreed not to attack either of us or the estate. In exchange, I consented to actively cooperate with Nox’s research.
And Kyle… was essentially a hostage to ensure that I wouldn’t leave the tower without Nox’s permission. I didn’t like that arrangement one bit, but Kyle refused to back down, leaving me no other choice.
He could die. The North could become vulnerable. I tried every possible argument, but he wouldn’t budge an inch.
“A blood contract, then.”
A blood contract—one of the oldest forms of magic, and the most binding promise in this world.
Following Kyle’s proposal, we signed the magical contract. If either party broke the promise, the severity of the curse would range from mild consequences to death. Yet, Nox didn’t so much as blink as he drew a blade across his forearm, letting his blood drip onto the parchment.
Next was Kyle. And finally, it was my turn.
“First, Nox guarantees Shu’s safety at all costs. Additionally, he will cure the symptoms of frost poisoning immediately upon our arrival at the tower.”
As soon as the contract was presented, Kyle had written that as the very first clause. It contained nothing about his own safety—only about mine, stated clearly and without hesitation.
At that moment, he looked as if he were preparing for his own death.
A few drops of my blood fell onto his words, and the contract glowed with light. Kyle, upon confirming it, quickly pulled a handkerchief from his coat and pressed it against the back of my hand to stop the bleeding.
Meanwhile, Nox watched the shimmering, multi-colored contract with an intrigued expression.
The thin parchment first shimmered with a cool blue light, then flickered into a hue resembling Kyle’s red eyes. After absorbing my blood, it glowed pale blue once again—surprisingly, it was almost the same color as when it had just absorbed Nox’s blood.
“Fascinating.”
Nox, gazing at the brilliantly gleaming blue light, murmured in admiration. His tone carried a mix of curiosity and astonishment.
“Kid, you don’t live in the land of extremes, and you’ve never experienced death. So how is it that you can wield a power similar to ours? No… yours is even purer than what we possess.”
I have experienced death, actually. But I have no intention of telling him that.
I let Nox ramble on as he pleased. Sure, go ahead. You’re free to misinterpret things however you want. You’re also free to monologue all you like.
Clutching his pale cheek with one hand, Nox spoke almost bashfully, as if entranced.
“You are the one we have been seeking—”
“Excuse me. Hold it right there. Could you not shove that creepy face of yours at me?”
What a fucking pervert. I don’t care what kind of bizarre life you’ve been living for the past who knows how many years—just don’t drag me into that twisted thought process of yours.
Move the fuck away!
Kyle’s watching! And judging by his expression, he looks about ready to kill you!
After that, Kyle summoned James, who had been waiting outside, and handed him the contract. He briefly informed him that he would be leaving the North for a while. He also mentioned that before our departure, there were many preparations to be made—meaning Nox would be staying in the castle for about five days.
James’s expression was truly a sight to behold. He turned red as if he’d been slapped across the face with a piece of rotten ham, then immediately went pale, looking as if he was drowning in sheer panic.
Watching that whirlwind of emotions… Honestly, I almost felt bad for him.
“I shall obey Your Grace’s orders.”
Before James left, I quickly pulled up the system and checked his status.
[James Russell. Estimated time remaining until death: ? days.]
Come to think of it, James was also living longer than he had in the original story. Realizing that made me feel oddly proud. He had unknowingly survived a life-threatening moment, after all.
[Kyle Jane Meinhardt. Estimated time remaining until death: 35 days.]
Kyle’s death timer had increased from 0 days to 35 days.
So Nox had intended to kill Kyle and disappear if these negotiations had failed.
…What a relief.
I had put out another imminent fire.
Just as I exhaled in relief, Nox suddenly draped an arm around my shoulders.
“See? Life’s worth living long enough to see things unfold. Don’t you agree?”
“Not sure I’d want to live that long.”
“Cold-hearted, aren’t you? Still, since we’ll be spending a whole month together, aren’t you going to give me a tour of the castle?”
I was dumbfounded.
What kind of bastard is this?
“You don’t actually think you’re a welcome guest in this castle, do you?”
Nox smirked confidently.
“Some hospitality this is. Says a lot about the lord’s capabilities.”
“You—!”
A vein bulged on my forehead.
This fucking bastard, this is how you want to play it?!
As annoying as he was, he was technically a guest. And since I held no official title, treating him rudely would only give people an excuse to find fault with me.
I didn’t care about being criticized. But I did care about being a stain on Kyle’s reputation.
This is such bullshit.
“Fine, then…”
It’s not like my tongue will fall off just because I add some extra politeness to my words. Though, that doesn’t make it any less infuriating.
Grinding my teeth, I was about to start giving him a tour of the castle when—
“I’ll do it.”
Kyle, exuding a murderous aura, stepped between Nox and me, pushing him aside.
“Leave the innocent one alone and come with me, magician. I’ll take you on a brief tour before showing you to your quarters.”
That damn phantom bastard grinned. A smug, punchable smile.
“Your lover seems to have quite the possessive streak, kid.”
Ignoring him, I walked right past.
“No, he’s just a crazy… No, never mind. Ahem. Anyway, I think it’s a perfectly normal reaction to want to separate someone precious from a dangerous opponent. So, how about you stop poking your nose into other people’s love lives?”
As Nox took the lead, exiting the conference room, Kyle wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer as he whispered in concern.
“Shu. Are you really going to be alright?”
His voice, deep and gentle, was filled with nothing but worry for my safety.
Despite his cold, imposing expression, he always seemed completely at a loss when it came to me. Honestly… it was kind of touching.
To reassure him, I gave him my best smile.
“Actually, this is a good thing. You know what they say—seeing is believing.”
“Hm?”
“Ah.”
Wait. Why didn’t that automatically translate? It’s not that difficult of an idiom…
[<(=.=)>zzZ]
…That’s just blatant neglect of duty!
“Shu?”
“A-Ah, no, it’s nothing… Anyway, rather than just waiting in the North, worrying endlessly, it’s better to find out the truth firsthand. And I’ll explain more later, but…”
Glancing at Nox cautiously, I quickly whispered,
“If we investigate him, we might find a way to counter the Magic Corps. According to him, the power I have is similar to theirs.”
Kyle clasped his hands together and stared down at me intently.
I hadn’t even mentioned anything about Miracle values or Deviation values, yet he seemed to see right through me.
“If this plan involves sacrificing you, I won’t allow it.”
“…….”
It’s not a sacrifice, but… it is something only I can do.
I considered arguing but stopped myself. To Kyle, those two things probably felt the same.
“It’s nothing like that right now. We’ll find a way to do this differently.”
I spoke soothingly and flashed another reassuring smile.
“We might even learn what the Northern Magic Corps and Lorenz are working together for. I’m sure Lorenz is helping with that damn research—oh crap, he’s looking over here. Let’s talk later in the room!”
The moment Nox glanced in our direction, I casually turned my head away.
Then, I gave Kyle’s hand a small shake, and he quickly adjusted his expression.
Even though his brows were still knitted in displeasure, he didn’t let go of my hand.
