The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

After Laria and Count and Countess Rohan departed for the capital.

Zenox, left behind in the North, spent his days busily.

Though many events had transpired over the past few days, the most significant was undoubtedly the Rubenta Krassium incident.

Until recently, Zenox’s reputation had been quite unfavorable.

Rumors circulated that he had falsely accused his loyal uncle, stripping him of the proxy position.

However, Rubenta’s jailbreak completely reversed public opinion.

With so many eyewitnesses, the rumors could no longer be buried.

Rubenta had even killed the elder who had attempted to aid him.

Amidst rampant speculation, Zenox swiftly issued a statement.

He declared that the former proxy Rubenta had sacrificed the region’s people to satiate his personal greed and employed sorcerers versed in forbidden magic to orchestrate his escape.

Though some controversy arose, the clear evidence promptly turned the masses against Rubenta.

Those most shaken by this incident were elders of the Krassium Grand Duchy.

Initially in denial, they fell silent upon witnessing the slain elder’s corpse – a fate they had narrowly averted.

Of course, this didn’t mean the elders immediately rallied behind Zenox.

Yet their arrogance had been sufficiently tempered, a small consolation.

Many tasks still lay ahead.

Additionally, Zenox had uncovered a crucial fact during this ordeal:

[‘Power of Words’ is an ancient ability possessed by the Black Wolf clan, allowing them to sway the minds of wolf beastmen through speech.]

Rubenta had mastered ‘Power of Words,’ the lost ancient power of the wolf clan, to manipulate others linguistically.

Not only Merdic but even the elders had fallen under his Power of Words’s sway.

How had he acquired this ability, thought extinct for ages?

It seemed too abrupt to be a mere genetic resurgence.

“It would be best for the wolf beastmen to avoid contact with Rubenta Krassium as much as possible.”

At Zenox’s words, Marcel nodded in solemn agreement.

If even the staunchly loyal Merdic had succumbed, Power of Words was an ability that couldn’t be underestimated.

‘Perhaps it doesn’t work as effectively on direct Krassium lineage.’

Zenox had been Rubenta’s most frequent contact among the family.

Had Power of Words functioned properly, there would have been no need to enlist Marquis Hashir’s aid with brainwashing.

“With some time until your next engagement, may I suggest you rest for a while?”

Marcel’s proposal was met with a shake of Zenox’s head.

Though he had not slept for days, his mind remained clear thanks to his prolonged exposure to Laria.

He began listing his forthcoming tasks.

First was tracking down the fugitive Rubenta, but more urgently, a new proxy needed to be appointed.

As a family lacking direct descendants, the Krassium line was spread thin.

Ideally, Zenox wished to simply recruit someone from a branch family and install them.

‘For now, I will entrust it to Marcel temporarily…’

As an owl clan member, Marcel would be immune to Rubenta’s Power of Words and less susceptible to the elders’ influence.

However, leaving him in that position long-term would undoubtedly provoke strong backlash.

‘I can’t maintain a proxy indefinitely.’

The time was approaching for Zenox to return to the North himself.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Zenox recalled the impending duel.

-During the duel, please buy me just one flower.

Laria had requested a solitary flower, having no need for money or gems.

Without even considering which type, Zenox had stated:

“A sunflower will do.”

“…A sunflower, you say?”

Usually able to fulfill even unreasonable requests with ease, Marcel had visibly faltered.

However capable an aide, procuring a sunflower in the northern region was akin to plucking a star from the sky.

Sunflowers didn’t grow there, even in high summer.

‘It seems I’ll have to acquire it from the capital.’

Rather than bringing one from the nearby areas, that would be the wiser option.

As Zenox discussed work matters while strolling the corridors with Marcel, an armed knight came running from afar.

“We’ve received a report of a Rubenta Krassium sighting.”

Zenox immediately set out from the Grand Duchy with his knights in pursuit.

Though they gave chase based on the reported sighting, the more they pursued, the more it felt like a deliberate trail of breadcrumbs.

After an entire night’s hunt, Zenox eventually greeted the morning dawn empty-handed.

It was already the day of the duel.

Zenox hurriedly returned to the Grand Duchy.

With so much time lost, a sense of urgency gripped him.

Pouring the elixir Laria had provided onto the floor, he experienced the same peculiar sensation as when teleporting.

When he opened his eyes, instead of the northern Grand Duchy, he found himself at the Rohan estate.

“Hah!”

A servant carrying laundry dropped her basket in shock.

Zenox’s abrupt appearance sent the Rohan estate into an uproar.

Conveniently, the Rohan family members were all absent at the time.

“I’ll be borrowing one of your horses.”

Rather than explaining the circumstances, Zenox simply requisitioned a horse.

From the servants’ perspective, it was outright theft.

While hurrying toward the Sorcery Office, he stopped by a florist to purchase a bundle of sunflowers.

“For a lover, perhaps?”

The florist’s remark gave Zenox momentary pause.

Seemingly quite the chatterbox, the florist prattled on incessantly.

“Roses are more popular as lover’s flowers, so your choice is quite unique, good sir.”

He had selected sunflowers due to the shared memory with Laria.

They had been the flowers Whitie had brought on his parents’ memorial day. And that incident had prompted Zenox to sincerely accept Whitie into his life.

Did Laria know?

That her affection had deeply comforted him?

“Did you know the sunflower’s symbolic meaning is waiting or admiration?”

As the florist made to add that it was hence unpopular for lovers, Zenox gave a faint smile.

“For me, it’s the perfect flower.”

The florist, who had been regarding Zenox with a dazed expression, suddenly flushed crimson.

“Ah, I’ve added a ribbon.”

Paying the merchant, Zenox immediately turned to depart.

Once mounted, he cradled the sunflowers to his chest, ensuring they remained uncrumpled.

After a lengthy ride, Zenox arrived at the Sorcery Office to find the duel already in progress.

As he attempted to enter the tower, a sorcerer in robes barred his path.

“Entry is prohibited during the duel.”

Zenox’s eyes narrowed.

The invitation had stated free entry, yet the rules had changed on the day itself.

“I received no such notification.”

“Safety regulations have been revised. I must ask you to leave.”

Letting out a contemplative hum, Zenox surveyed the tower with an appraising gaze.

It resembled the manner in which one might assess materials before commencing a task.

“I’d rather see the tower sustain some damage than disappoint my lover.”

Damage the tower?

What an absurd bluff…

The sorcerer, who had initially scoffed, suddenly sensed an overwhelming pressure and flinched.

Scrutinizing Zenox more closely, a sense of familiarity dawned.

Black hair, golden eyes, an uncommon physique…

“Ah… Grand Duke Krassium?”

Without confirming or denying, Zenox stroked the hilt of the sword at his waist as he spoke.

“Would you prefer to witness the tower’s destruction or simply grant me entry?”

His gilded eyes bored into the sorcerer, who seemed on the verge of fainting.

“Your choice.”

The trembling sorcerer promptly stepped aside.

Without needing to draw his blade, Zenox entered the tower unimpeded.

The cavernous dueling arena was so densely packed, not a single seat remained.

As Zenox sought an opening to slip through, someone recognized him.

The instant they identified him as ‘Grand Duke Krassium,’ that entire section rapidly cleared.

Thanks to this, Zenox secured a prime viewing spot overlooking the stage.

Though he had heard Sienna would be dueling, Laria and Marquis Hashir were the ones engaged in combat.

Zenox swiftly grasped the situation.

Laria’s true objective was to use the duel as a pretext to publicly subdue Marquis Hashir before the assembled audience.

And Laria was utterly dominating the Marquis.

‘He must have cast a sound suppression spell?’

Though their exchanges were clearly audible, no voices reached him.

As Zenox observed in silence, his fingers twitched.

The Marquis’s demeanor seemed amiss.

Though others may not have noticed, having experienced forbidden magic firsthand, Zenox could sense the Marquis’s intent to employ it.

Resisting the urge to intervene immediately, he kept his eyes trained on Laria.

Eventually, flames erupted across the dueling stage.

From that point onward, Laria’s condition rapidly deteriorated.

Though the Marquis had collapsed, the inferno raged unabated.

With Laria’s abilities, she should have easily suppressed the flames, yet she stood paralyzed.

Unable to watch any longer, Zenox leapt to his feet.

“This can’t continue!”

The duel had clearly concluded.

Yet when he attempted to enter the stage, the officials barred his path, citing the prohibition against interference.

“Laria!”

Anguished cries echoed from the Rohan family on the opposite side.

Count Rohan tried dispelling the barrier, but it remained utterly unscathed.

Only then did the sorcerers grasp the severity of the situation and converge to dismantle the barrier.

Dozens assailed it simultaneously, yet it held firm.

Laria’s extraordinary prowess had become a double-edged sword.

Without hesitation, Zenox drew his sword.

He paid no heed to the eyes watching his every move.

Claaang-!

Focusing his sword’s energy, he struck – the first reaction from the barrier.

Confirming the fracture, Zenox concentrated his strikes on that single point. Unleashing impacts capable of cleaving boulders, even mountains, blow after relentless blow…

Finally, the barrier shattered, and…

“Laria!”

At last, Zenox embraced Laria in his arms.