Although Kail didn’t know, most creatures that have lived for many years are spiritual beings. There exists a rule that the meat of these spiritual beings is full of energy and unnecessarily delicious.
Thus, while enjoying this world-class delicacy he had never tasted even once in his past life or current life, the lord suddenly raised his voice in the banquet hall to grab everyone’s attention.
“Everyone, pay attention!”
Amidst the lord’s voice, even Kail, who had his face buried in his food bowl, perked up his ears as the lord called both Kail and Yuri forward.
They say you don’t bother even a dog while it’s eating… Grumbling, Kail put down his plate and walked towards the lord.
“These two individuals are heroes who saved our territory. Heroes from Diaros Academy!”
“Wow, they’re still academy students and yet…”
“I heard they froze the sea or something?”
“The guy also split the sea, but since it was witnessed by soldiers, its credibility isn’t that high…”
As rumors about the two buzzed around, the lord coughed a few times before signaling a servant.
Upon receiving the signal, the servant brought forth a gold-plated box. The lord took the box and extended it towards the two.
“Normally, all byproducts from monsters within the territory belong to the lord… But we can’t do that to those who saved our land. This is the Sea Deity’s Core.”
“…Core?”
“Yes, the most valuable item among what spiritual beings possess.”
Kail cautiously opened the box after receiving it. Inside was a small bead-like object, about the size of two or three finger joints.
Sensing the divine aura emanating from the bead, Kail instinctively realized that consuming it would increase his Aura. In other words, this was a precious item. Not something a lord could easily part with.
Realizing this fact, others began clapping in celebration, envy, and admiration of the lord’s generosity.
“As expected of Lord!”
“To give away something like that…”
“If sold, it could cover several months’ worth of the territory’s budget-.”
Hearing the applause, Kail hardened his expression.
‘What the hell, these bastards.’
Aren’t they taking credit for something I caught?
Wrestling with whether to confront them or not, Kail just smirked. He decided next time he’d just gulp it down quietly and pretend nothing happened.
***
The day after receiving thanks from the lord, Kail went on vacation with Yuri. Every day they swam in the sea, basking under the sun.
After several days, Kail grew tired of swimming. So did Yuri.
Activities like surfing the waves, diving deep into the ocean without gear, or tanning their skin out of boredom lost charm after only a few days.
“Shall we go back now?”
“Yeah.”
Thinking they’d enjoyed enough, Kail suggested returning, and Yuri immediately nodded in agreement.
Once the decision was made, Kail quickly packed their belongings at the inn and arranged for a carriage. The carriage they came with had been stolen when someone fled during the tidal wave.
No one could blame them for running for their lives. Kail thought he’d beat the thief half to death if he ever met him, but for now, he rented a new carriage.
“Are you leaving?”
When the carriage reached the gate, the soldiers guarding it hesitantly asked. Upon seeing Kail nod, the soldiers, having received prior notice, stopped them.
“The lord said to inform him when the heroes leave…”
“So?”
“Huh?”
“You’re stopping me because of what the lord said, right?”
Kail showed slight irritation towards the soldier blocking his way. Sensing Kail’s foul mood, the soldier hesitated and stepped back.
Though Kail was indeed the hero who saved the territory, he was also the monstrous man who split the sea and froze the tidal wave. Incurring his wrath was quite frightening.
“But why would the lord order you to stop me?”
“W-well…”
“Maybe he wanted to make a good impression. To bid farewell as I leave. But would stopping me for a farewell make me happy?”
“N-no, probably not.”
“So, should you let me go for the lord, or stop me like this?”
“We’ll open the gates immediately!”
Hearing Kail’s words, the soldier quickly opened the gate and cleared the path for the carriage. Though this soldier might later be scolded for failing to stop Kail, that was none of his concern.
If such scolding were to happen, it would reflect poorly on the lord’s character—blaming others for things beyond their control, a low-class noble.
The carriage departed Emerald Realm and started traveling along the main road.
“Where to?”
In response to the coachman’s question, Kail carefully spoke from inside the carriage.
“To Mayer Realm.”
It was time to return home.
***
Surprisingly, upon hearing the Duke’s message, the Viscount did nothing. After some thought, the news of Kail kidnapping the Duke’s daughter seemed too absurd.
The Duke wasn’t treating this seriously; the evidence being his uncharacteristic display of anger and murderous intent.
‘It felt like he was putting on a show for someone…’
A show meant to appease and calm his rage. Though the murderous intent and anger seemed real, the Viscount, who had once stood on the battlefield with the Duke, knew well what the Duke looked like when truly enraged.
When angry, the Duke, true to his title as Grand Duke of the North, showed no emotion. Like an icy glacier, only cold rationality remained.
He wielded reason mercilessly, like a machine devoid of emotions—not showing them.
‘If he truly took this seriously, instead of telling me, he would’ve sent his army directly.’
Rumors praised the Duke’s Northern Defense Army as an elite force seasoned through numerous battles. Without needing to instruct the Viscount, he could have personally led the troops to chase Kail.
But the Duke didn’t do that, and he didn’t even expect any action from the Viscount. In fact, didn’t he cut off communication the moment the Viscount mentioned taking action?
Knock knock.
“My Lord, may I come in?”
“…Yes, enter.”
At that moment, the family butler knocked cautiously on the office door. After receiving permission, the butler entered awkwardly scratching his cheek.
“Um… My Lord. Young Master Kail has returned.”
“What? Kail has… Kail has arrived?”
Surprised by the news of Kail’s return, despite hearing he had kidnapped the Duke’s daughter, the Viscount brightened and rose from his seat.
Heading straight to the entrance of the mansion, he saw Kail getting out of the carriage. Spotting the Viscount from afar, Kail waved happily.
“Kail!”
“Father, I’m back.”
“—Father, it’s been a while.”
Running towards Kail, the Viscount noticed Yuri stepping out of the carriage behind him and muttered in disbelief. Kidnapped? What kidnapper travels around amicably with their hostage?
Moreover, there wasn’t a trace of gloom on Yuri’s face. Proof she hadn’t been kidnapped but had willingly left.
Nodding to himself, the Viscount welcomed them.
“Good, welcome back. Let’s go inside.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Kail, you too. Let’s go in.”
“Father, let’s eat what I caught. I—”
“Tell me inside.”
Chuckling at Kail’s endless tales, the Viscount listened attentively once seated.
“Hmm… Where should I start? From when I went to the Duke’s territory?”
“That sounds good. Tell us why Miss Yuri is here too.”
“It’s nothing special. I revealed myself as a Master when I went to the Duke’s territory.”
“Oh, you revealed yourself as a Master… Revealed that?”
“Yes, and—”
Kail revealed himself as a Master in the Duke’s territory and resolved the engagement with Yuri.
During the process, he decided to travel with her and defeated the Sea Deity in Emerald Realm, bringing back its meat.
‘…This reckless fool.’
Hearing of his son’s antics during the brief visit to the Duke’s territory, the Viscount fell into a deeper panic than when he heard about the supposed kidnapping.
There was only one solution to prevent his son from causing more trouble.
“…Kail, just get married quickly and have kids. I’ll raise them.”
“—Father.”
Hearing the Viscount, Yuri called out with sparkling eyes. Meeting her gaze, the Viscount stiffened like a frog facing a snake.
“When shall we hold the wedding?”
Those were the eyes of a hunter eyeing its prey.
