CHGD 17

Chapter 17

Lloigor, who had been watching the entire scene from inside the wardrobe, clicked his tongue, then giggled and muttered.

[You’re truly wicked, you know.]

The reasons for choosing Ickabel could be summed up simply.

First and foremost, his blind loyalty was key.

Loyalty was an element that made one feel honorable, yet at the same time, it was no different from an inescapable shackle. In the off chance that one failed to meet their master’s demands, the backlash brought with it an overwhelming wave of guilt.

If one were a subordinate with a firm and honest conviction, they would confess their mistakes and sins and calmly accept punishment—but such people were rare.

‘Ordinarily, they try to hide their faults or avoid them.’

In that sense, Ickabel’s panic was an entirely normal reaction.

Blind loyalty was only fitting for a flawless subordinate. The moment he encountered the variable called Lloigor, Ickabel became riddled with weaknesses.

Of course, the fact that he looked down on me—a mere human—just like Lloigor did, also played a part. Since he neither suspected nor guarded against my words, deceiving him was as easy as eating cold porridge.

When monsters came to possess human emotions, they also came to accept human flaws.

‘If the other party had been Mirdy… he would have told the Count the truth and apologized.’

That was precisely the outcome I had wanted to avoid most.

Because I still couldn’t predict what the Count would do if his identity was exposed. Would he try to manipulate my memories, or would he decide I was no longer needed and devour me?

Anyway, for these reasons, I had trapped Ickabel in my snare, and it was a perfect success.

It was a bit surprising that Ickabel had fallen for it without any resistance, but Lloigor explained why.

[That guy, he hasn’t been alive long. So he’s bound to be clumsy.]

It was morning, the day I was to meet Ickabel for the first time. I listened to Lloigor’s words while washing my face.

“He hasn’t been alive long? But he looks like an adult.”

[Don’t compare him to humans. Well, he’s probably lived longer than twenty years, so that’s not entirely wrong.]

“So… you mean he’s young and therefore short-sighted?”

[That’s part of it, but also his origin is inherently simple-minded.]

“Origin?”

The explanation was so abstract that I couldn’t understand it at all.

[He’s a replica. His origin was taken from the original and molded into human form.]

“I don’t get it.”

Lloigor paused to choose his words, then let out a sigh.

[Hastur created him… Never mind, just think of him as a child generation. His ‘parents’ are incredibly stupid, so he inherited that intelligence directly.]

I thought that was a bit harsh, but since he knew more about these unknown beings than I did, I let it slide.

Knock-knock-

Just then, a knock came at the door.

“Oh, that must be Ickabel.”

I dried my face with a towel and walked toward the door.

“Ickabel? Wait a moment. I’m not ready yet—”

“Deliana.”

But when I turned the doorknob, it wasn’t Ickabel who appeared—it was the Count.

Startled by his unexpected appearance, I opened my eyes wide and looked at him.

Looking more closely, I could see Ickabel fidgeting nervously behind him.

‘Surely, I haven’t been found out already?’

I shot him a quick glance, and Ickabel shook his head vigorously, as if to say no.

Then why were they both here?

“Good morning.”

“……Good morning, Your Excellency. But what brings you here so early?”

I tore my gaze away from Ickabel and faced the Count. He wore a somewhat stiff smile.

“I came with Ickabel since it’s his first day.”

“Ah, I see.”

Was this like a superior seeing off a subordinate on their first assignment? Though Ickabel’s expression didn’t look particularly good for that.

I was about to ask if that was all and if he could leave now, but the Count took the towel from my hand. Then, wiping the droplets from my chin, he spoke.

“Also, I wanted to make up for my mistake last time.”

“Your mistake?”

“You must have felt frustrated without a guard knight. Are you busy today?”

All I had on my schedule was eating and reading, so I was more than free.

When I nodded in affirmation, the Count continued with a somewhat nervous air.

“Then, would you like to go out with me?”

‘……Could he be embarrassed?’

His lines and demeanor were exactly like a date invitation. We were married, so I didn’t see why he’d be shy about it, but I had no reason to refuse, so I nodded once more.

“Alright. But didn’t you say you were busy?”

“For Deliana, I can make time anytime.”

That’s what he said, but I knew well that he worked even on weekends. It wasn’t a lie that he had made time for me.

“Then I’ll get ready. Where should I go?”

“I’ll wait in the dining hall. Let’s have breakfast and go out together.”

The Count’s complexion brightened instantly. He took the speechless Ickabel and headed toward the dining hall.

It was only after they had completely disappeared down the corridor that I closed the door.

‘Come to think of it, this is my first time going out with the Count.’

For some reason, an odd sense of unease crept over me.

I had dinner with the Count every evening without issue, but my memories of meeting him outside weren’t good. The breakfast by the lake, the nap in the garden—none had ended well.

Hoping that this time would pass without incident, I let out a sigh.

—

After a quiet and uneventful breakfast, the Count revealed an unexpected destination.

“The place we’re going is a city in my domain.”

“……Pardon?”

“You must have felt cooped up at the castle. A festival is being held in the city, so let’s go together.”

“Wait, a city…… There’s a populated city in the Akeim domain?”

This was information I’d never heard of. The Akeim Castle I knew was a ghost castle standing alone on wasteland. But a city… and even a festival?

At my question, the Count let out a hearty laugh.

“What are you saying, Deliana? This isn’t a borderland or an imperial demesne—of course there’s a city. How else would I collect taxes to maintain the castle?”

‘It’s such a commonsense answer that it’s actually annoying.’

I replied, “Of course,” but the corners of my mouth trembled, unable to hide my bewilderment.

Well, even if the Count’s true identity was a monster, as long as his name was on the noble registry, he was undeniably a lord with territory and subjects.

‘If so, are all the people living in the city monsters too?’

The thought alone was horrifying. It was already overwhelming to deal with them one by one, but an entire city of monsters…

I felt my stomach churn unpleasantly.

“Then let’s depart now. Since we’re attending incognito, please wear this cloak, Deliana.”

“Ah, yes.”

But having come this far, I couldn’t very well say I didn’t want to go. I put on the cloak the Count handed me and followed him outside.

Ickabel silently followed behind us.

However, contrary to my expectation of leaving through the castle gate, he led me to an alley behind the main castle.

“We’re not going toward the main gate.”

“The city is located ‘behind’ Akeim Castle.”

The word ‘behind’ somehow didn’t sound like an ordinary word.

‘The back of the castle should have been wasteland… No, let’s stop thinking about it.’

At this point, I could believe it even if there was another world beneath the castle.

“The entrance to the city is in a somewhat secluded spot. Don’t worry, it’s safer than the other entrances.”

“That sounds like you’re saying the other places are dangerous.”

“……We’re almost there.”

Pretending not to hear me, he moved toward a small tunnel at the end of the alley.

The tunnel’s path twisted and turned like an underground labyrinth. Relying on the torches hanging on the walls, we slowly advanced for about ten minutes, until finally, sunlight began to appear at the end.

When we emerged from the tunnel, I gaped in awe at the unimaginable sight before me.

“Good heavens…….”

It was a different world unlike any I had ever seen.