Novosibir’s central plaza was as dull as its uninspired name.
The few residents scattered around wore gloomy expressions as they helplessly shoveled the ever-piling snow.
Most of the shops encircling the round plaza stood empty, adding to the already bleak atmosphere.
It was the kind of scenery that could kill your appetite—but Victor, seated across from me, cheerfully spooned up bland porridge.
“Aren’t you eating?”
“I’ll eat slowly.”
I had expected someone colder, sharper… but in reality, he resembled a guy slurping soup at a street diner.
Just from this sight, no one would believe he was Geller’s right-hand man and head of the Three Blades.
“The other two didn’t come?”
I wasn’t just asking whether he’d brought subordinates.
The Three Blades—literally “Three Swords”—was divided into three factions:
Taito (Short Blade), responsible for combat;
Jangdo (Long Blade), for public and administrative affairs;
and Bisu (Dagger), for covert operations.
Victor, who seemed to lead the Three Blades, was in charge of Bisu.
Though he was treated as the de facto leader thanks to his seniority and Geller’s trust, he had no authority over the other two factions.
If only Bisu had moved, that meant the operation was covert.
“Our juniors are all so busy, you know. Only people like me, stuck in dead-end posts, get to travel,” Victor answered slyly, chewing bits of porridge.
Sending only Victor meant the First Duke didn’t want to move overtly.
“So what brings you all the way out here alone?”
“I should be the one complaining. His Grace sent me here because you, Count, decided to vacation in the middle of nowhere. Next time, please choose somewhere more ordinary.”
“I’ll consider it.”
So they were more concerned about me than even the Chartra faction that had invaded the capital?
Given Valheit’s past achievements, it wasn’t entirely irrational.
“But surely His Grace wouldn’t send the Three Blades just because of me.”
“What about Chancellor Hendrick?”
The question came sharp and direct.
Victor tilted his head while scooping out one of the rare solids in his bowl.
“Hendrick? I heard rumors that the demons kidnapped him recently.”
“And who believes some poverty-stricken demons had the smarts to touch a Chancellor? Then lo and behold—Count Valheit just happens to be nearby. Suspicious, isn’t it?”
That gave me a clearer idea of why Johann Geller had sent Victor.
“His Grace must be quite concerned.”
“What Duke wouldn’t worry when Valheit is in motion?”
“Is that a threat?”
It meant: We’ve already secured the other Dukes. Don’t overplay your hand.
I wasn’t surprised. In the original story, they’d gathered the other Dukes and used Blaiher as a puppet. No doubt they were planning the same now.
“How could I dare? I’m merely stating facts.”
“Then allow me to point out a fact of my own. The agreement between His Grace and me was only this: ‘Cooperate in ousting the Emperor and installing a new one.’”
“So you’re saying not to interfere?”
“Exactly. Just as I don’t meddle in His Grace’s affairs, I expect the same courtesy.”
Victor’s lips twitched slightly.
The dazed look in his eyes vanished as he stared daggers at me.
My hand reached discreetly toward the cane leaning against my chair.
I had always intended to sever ties with Johann Geller eventually. The time just came sooner than planned.
“…Fine. I’ll relay the message. Back to Hendrick, then?”
Victor backed off a step.
Something felt off. Hadn’t we said everything already?
From what I knew, Victor wasn’t the type to waste time.
“If the Chancellor’s whereabouts are that important, why didn’t you go looking for him yourself?”
“A tricky question… let’s just say there were more important matters at hand.”
“Then why are you asking unimportant questions now?”
Victor merely smiled.
And then I realized.
He was stalling, too—to tie me down. To keep the most dangerous piece in place.
“Did you really come just to talk?”
“What’s more precious than Count Valheit’s time? You’re not one to waste it.”
He had the arrogant confidence that his subordinates could handle everything if I was kept busy.
But I felt the same way.
“No need for false modesty. Mr. Victor, your time is just as valuable as mine.”
Victor blinked at that, then shoved the rest of his porridge into his mouth with a cluck of his tongue.
“Seems we had similar thoughts, Count.”
“With both of us stuck here, the outcome will depend on whose subordinates are more competent.”
“…You sound confident.”
His once-assured expression wavered slightly. I smiled faintly.
He’d taken the bait.
“This isn’t about confidence. It’s about preparation. You’re either ready or you’re not.”
Once suspicion takes hold, it doesn’t let go.
Victor frowned slightly, calculating all the possibilities.
Time to drive the wedge in deeper.
“Loyalty… it’s a fickle thing. It changes hands for the right price.”
“And even if you knew what would happen, some outcomes just can’t be changed.”
“That’s only the excuse of someone who wasn’t properly prepared.”
He bit down—hook, line, and sinker.
You could see him struggling to decide who to assist first.
Now it was a battle of patience. The winner would be the one whose faith held out longer.
Not that I was comfortable either.
If the Three Blades were trailing them, even with Joseph, it wouldn’t be easy to handle.
And if Til encountered her old friend… that would be no easy fight either.
For now, I just had to trust them and hold the line.
A gamble Count Valheit would never take.
But I wasn’t Count Valheit.
***
“You confirmed it?”
“Yes! We searched the location multiple times as ordered—nothing was found!”
Joseph Chartra rubbed his temple, eyeing the young soldier to see if he was lying.
But the enthusiastic soldier seemed genuinely sincere.
“I see. Sorry to bother you when you’re busy.”
“Not at all, sir! After all the favors from the Fourth Duke, this is the least we can do!”
“Reassuring words.”
And he meant it.
As long as they remained inside the unit, they didn’t have to worry about outside threats.
Though the Imperial Army’s reputation had dulled over time, it was still unmatched on the Black Continent.
Sneaking into a fortified army camp undetected was nearly impossible.
The problem was—they couldn’t stay here much longer.
His father still hoped to persuade the Emperor, but that was a futile dream.
Before the upcoming celebratory banquet, Blaiher and Hendrick needed to be positioned near the capital.
If Valheit’s prediction was right, the Emperor would make his move at that banquet.
To strike before the Imperial Guard could establish a defense, they had to wait nearby.
Still, something bothered him.
Someone is watching us.
Since the day before, someone had been observing the perimeter.
It wasn’t just a hunch—they found traces of the “Eye of the Tower,” a spell commonly used for surveillance.
We need to move fast, or we’ll miss our window.
Delays weren’t an option.
Even Hendrick was starting to voice louder complaints.
After some hesitation, Joseph made his decision and headed for the central tent.
“We’re moving out.”
“Finally!”
Hendrick lit up at the announcement, but Blaiher remained cautious.
“So no solid proof, then.”
“Could be Joseph was just imagining things. Sitting here won’t solve anything either.”
“…Fair point.”
Blaiher nodded reluctantly.
They’d considered waiting for Valheit to regroup—but they couldn’t afford to wait endlessly.
“Let’s leave with a decoy. That way they won’t know who’s who.”
“Whatever works. Just hurry up already.”
Hendrick waved them off irritably.
Joseph exhaled quietly and scanned the surroundings again.
A creeping sense of unease returned.
“Don’t worry. We can handle most problems on our own—unless it’s the Three Blades.”
Blaiher forced optimism into his voice.
His desperate tone made Joseph chuckle involuntarily.
“Yeah. Anything’s fine—as long as it’s not them.”
***
As the Imperial unit’s gates opened, the shadows of bare trees wavered.
Like a snake, a shadow slithered through the snow before slowly taking human form.
“Bait deployed.”
“The ones heading southeast are the real targets.”
A second figure answered from beneath a pine.
Then, with a ripple, two more shadows appeared.
They murmured as they watched three horses disappear into the distance.
“We strike tonight.”
“Even if they’re on another Duke’s territory?”
“That’s what the Bisu are for, isn’t it?”
“Capture everyone alive. No injuries.”
The figures nodded and melted back into the shadows.
A long, winding trail marked where the snake had passed over the snow.
***
At the tail end of the long column of Demon refugees, Til glared in the direction of Novosibir.
The Three Blades.
A place she could have once belonged to.
Where her former comrades had sought refuge.
Where the friend she betrayed still resided.
Even someone like Til, who lived far from sentiment, occasionally recalled those old memories.
Memories before she left her family and joined the Eight Council—bitter, but also comforting.
When Til chose a different path, only one person had tried to stop her until the end.
Of course, she had firmly turned him down.
Her memories were cut short when someone appeared in the distance.
He’s here.
Til’s hand closed around the hatchet on her belt.
A human walked quietly behind the refugee line, pacing slowly as if in meditation.
Til took a deep breath.
She always figured they’d meet again someday.
But not like this.
She moved through the column toward the figure.
As they came face to face, Til and the man trailing her finally met.
“It’s been a while, Til.”
“……”
Til didn’t respond. She simply gripped her hatchet tighter. The man smiled and drew his longsword with both hands.
Til suddenly closed the distance and swung the hatchet toward his neck.
Clang!
He raised his guard just in time and blocked her strike.
“You’re still as fierce as ever.”
“Grew a longer tongue after crawling under Geller, huh, Hugo?”
Til slashed at him again, ferocious as ever.
Hugo blocked every attack with calm but swift movements.
“Your fighting style hasn’t changed at all.”
“Came to reminisce?”
“No. I’m working. Though I’ve got a personal errand too.”
Hugo pointed his blade at her.
The gleaming sword showed not a hint of hesitation.
“This time, I’ll hear why you sided with Valheit.”
A question full of old memories—and sharp offense.
That’s why she hadn’t answered back then.
And she wouldn’t answer now.
“If you beat me, I might answer one question.”