---

Anniversary Day.

The main character of the festival, Inamark, made a declaration.

“There are demons lurking in the capital!”

Lustful succubi who had infiltrated the city were plotting a wicked scheme to shake the kingdom in alliance with monsters, but it was thwarted by loyal citizens and whistleblowers.

Furthermore, the proclamation that this was related to the great disturbances occurring throughout the kingdom spread throughout the city.

Naturally, many were worried about Inamark’s actions. Alfred was already concerned.

Despite the claim that the issue had been resolved, the news overshadowing the joyous anniversary was likely to spread chaos.

“No, hiding the truth would cause bigger problems. We need to act before the loose-lipped lowly ones spread rumors!”

Inamark persuaded the dukes, arguing that most people wouldn’t be interested in the current news.

His prediction proved accurate.

“Demons, eh? A fairy tale is happening?”

“Succubi? I’ve never heard of them.”

“Anyway… so it’s been resolved?”

“Have such incidents occurred in other regions?”

To ordinary citizens, demons were nothing more than stories told by priests and fairy tales narrated by grandmothers at bedtime.

Of course, the kingdom did face actual harm.

But did that impact the people living in Bendleig?

Sure, merchants and nobles traveling between regions might have suffered.

However, ordinary citizens, who rarely, if ever, visited other cities, remained unaffected.

Ironically, it was largely due to the relatively poor information and means of transport that Karem had grumbled about.

Whether it be demons or monsters, what mattered to the people right now was something else entirely.

A dreary age with a stark lack of entertainment.

In such a situation, a long-prepared anniversary festival.

“Hey! Stop reading that and hurry over there!”

“Just a second. I’m almost done reading—”

“The king is throwing bread and silver coins!”

“Wait, I’m calling my wife and kids, and my parents!”

“A circus troupe from Servianus has come!”

“The dukes are throwing bread! They’re going to toss it, so catch it!”

What had occurred or may have occurred didn’t matter at all.

The bread and circus before their eyes were far more important.

Some high-ranking nobles who were aware of the truth looked bewildered.

Is it really just going to be brushed aside like this?

Even though Inamark, their king and the one responsible, had said it was fine, those who knew too much felt a certain shock.

And there were more people who knew hidden truths, more than just what Catherine and Marta had manipulated.

Like Karem.

Karem somewhat understood the feelings of a genius womanizing billionaire philanthropist suffering from PTSD in a superhero movie.

He scratched his head in front of the lodge, his face contorting each time he overheard a fragmented conversation from servants and nobles.

Did the Duke of Iceland’s loyal subjects share that same devotion?

Catherine had simply tossed the ball away because she didn’t want to deal with it.

Had the threat that could shake the capital truly vanished?

Even if he knew what lay beneath the depths of the catacombs, could it really be so?

Indeed, it was as they said—the curse of knowledge. It was the perfect phrase to describe the chaos in Karem’s mind right now.

Karem tried to focus on something else.

“Right, I wonder when she’ll come out.”

The person Karem was waiting for was Catherine. She had said she was preparing her outfit with Mary, but even skipping breakfast, she was still locked in the lodge.

Of course, it was the anniversary today. Still, as much as she was supposed to pay attention to her outfit, wasn’t this a bit extreme?

Suddenly—

“Thank you for waiting.”

As soon as the door opened, Karem detached his back from the wall of the corridor and saw Catherine stepping out in front of Mary.

“Oh.”

And immediately, he averted his gaze.

“Hmm? What an unexpected reaction.”

“Um, Miss Catherine. Your outfit looks really good on you—”

“What, is there something you dislike about it?”

“No, um…ahem. I mean—”

Which part should he point out?

Certainly, Catherine’s outfit itself suited her remarkably well.

The white off-shoulder dress, adorned with intricate golden vine patterns, revealed a steep cut from her shoulders to chest beneath a translucent gown meant to ward off the chilly air.

Additionally, her hair, meticulously maintained and resembling spun gold, had the same grandeur as usual yet adorned the space in a way that caught the eye.

“For now, it fits closely to the latest trend,”

Well, if it’s the latest trend, he had no choice but to accept it.

Hearing that, the attire he caught glimpses of through the corridor windows did bear some similarity to the people’s outfits outside.

Nevertheless, since it was Catherine, the stimulation was just too intense.

With skin and appearance like that, her makeup seemed like it had barely been applied, lending it an almost airy quality.

Catherine, avoiding eye contact, tilted her head when she noticed Karem’s wandering gaze, then approached him with a smile, reminiscent of a curious cat discovering something amusing.

“So, why are you stepping back?”

“No, uh, pardon me—”

“Hmm?”

“Give me some time to adapt—”

“No way. You can’t be shy.”

Before he could step back a few more paces, he was blocked by the wall of the corridor. Catherine immediately grasped his arm, crossed it, and began pulling him along.

“By the way, your outfit isn’t half bad either. You should dress up a bit more often.”

“Ahem. But you’re also in a dress and robe, Miss Catherine.”

“Of course. This sort of outfit gets in the way of my research. Yet you—you’re always in similar clothes.”

“That’s Mary’s fault.”

It was a perfectly valid reason from Karem’s view.

It wasn’t unreasonable, as all he wore had been prepared by Mary.

But then suddenly, an arrow struck back as Mary pointed at herself with wide eyes of disbelief.

“Are you blaming me for this?”

“I’m just rotating the clothes you prepared!”

“Then you should get a tailor together with the contractor—”

“I give up! I was wrong.”

The nightmares of past days came to mind.

Regardless of anything else, he could not deal with tailors.

He would much rather prefer a department store.

*

*

*

Karem was led by Catherine, accompanied by Mary, to where they would mingle and chat, eventually reaching the garden.

The people quietly strolling through the garden before the royal event glimmered with anticipation. Everyone currently in the royal castle had indirectly or directly encountered the truth manipulated by Catherine.

Though the credit had been offered to the royal family, the facts and abilities behind it could not be denied. Yet they could not approach the entourage.

Someone had acted first.

Of course, typically, there would be a rush to approach regardless of who acted first.

“Your Majesty.”

“My loyal subject of my dearest friend is here!”

If that person is the king, then it’s a different story.

The multitude of gazes fixated on gold shifted to disappointment.

“Truly, your beauty surpasses the whispers. A perfect pair with the cook beside you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. But what about the Queen?”

“Ahh, my wife is currently absent on official business. More importantly, come this way. I have quite a few words for you.”

The “you” spoken of was effectively referring to one person.

As Inamark escorted them deeper into the Winchester Garden, the sounds of nobles playing with fire were audible, but upon stepping inside—

“Maryanne, no, Marta.”

“I am merely a hindrance to the Duke’s path.”

“Race? Do you think a sailor would concern themselves with such trivial matters? You said you betrayed them, so—”

“But—”

“My lower half considers you a woman. Therefore, you are a woman!”

“Oh—”

Wait a minute, Marta? Duke? Mischief with demons?

…As Inamark led them further inside, it seemed they were alone apart from their entourage.

Having smoothly erased the previously shocking moment from his mind, Inamark cleared his throat.

“I will only converse with the involved parties.”

Only after his guards had created some distance did Inamark begin speaking.

“First, I must commend your service once more.”

“That is only natural. However, I cannot help but feel troubled for causing inconvenience for Your Majesty and the Duke.”

“Ahh, you needn’t worry about that. They’ll be happy they didn’t have to schedule any action.”

“Is that so?”

“Indeed.”

“By the way, may I ask what happened to the surviving demon?”

He referred to Lucia, the corpse found at the Cathedral who wouldn’t have been surprising to find dead at any time.

“On the day of capture, she died while being transported to prison for interrogation. Wasn’t it a dragon’s magic scroll?”

Inamark, who was unaware that it was direct magic executed by the dragon lord, clicked his tongue, sounding disappointed.

“Such a pity, but one can’t deny the likelihood. However, what you should be more concerned about now is the reward for your dedication.”

“Reward? Has the situation been resolved?”

“The instigator has died, and the whistleblower is cooperating.”

Inamark twirled his beard, reminiscent of a lion’s mane.

“However, Atanitas. I’m pondering what I could grant you.”

The Yeats family was the royal family of the Kingdom of Seophone, but paradoxically, among all the royal families, they had a relatively shorter history.

However, whether it’s money, magic tools, land, or artifacts, compared to other duke families, the royal family had little to boast but military might.

Royal treasures passed down through generations? Inamark thought there were very few artifacts or magic tools comparable to Catherine’s staff.

So, Inamark decided to think simply.

“I will grant you one of your desires, as far as my abilities allow.”

In other words, presenting a blank check.

This was also a form of trust.

If Catherine were to hear this, she’d rebel internally, but Inamark sensed that she and he shared similar traits.

Especially regarding not wanting to create annoying situations.

Inamark instinctively picked up on that fact.

Moreover, there was one additional reason.

It was a belief that a great wizard of sage level and Alfred’s aide would not demand something bizarre and troublesome for a reward.

“That… Your Majesty. I appreciate it, but it’s beyond expectation—”

“Not at all. What do you think this place is?”

Bendleig was the capital. Although it wasn’t a fully centralized structure, it was the heart of a nation. The very existence of a king, suppressing the indiscriminate competition among nobles.

If such a city were to fall, chaos would erupt across the entire country in an instant.

Yet Inamark understood how absurd this proposal might appear to the recipient.

So, before returning, he should take his time—

“Then, may I request a reward?”

He hadn’t anticipated this.

Momentarily taken aback, Inamark nodded willingly.

“Quick to judge, I see. Go ahead, speak.”

“Then, I request rice.”

An unexpected request, a name he had never heard before.

Inamark, unable to mask his surprise, blinked in confusion as Catherine explained what rice was, where one could procure it, and how difficult it was to obtain.

“It’s a crop of Servianus. Just that? Hmm… understood.”

Momentarily flabbergasted, Inamark pondered Catherine’s additional explanation until he eventually excused himself, citing prior engagements.

“But… rice as a reward?”

“Do you have any complaints?”

Complaints? Was that even a question? Naturally, there would be no complaints. Though it may not be the most straightforward variety, it was rice nonetheless.

Karem, who retained every memory and experience of a rice-cultivating tribe from his past life, would have no reason to refuse.

The only interaction left for Karem was to offer deep gratitude for Catherine’s grace.

Still, doubts remained.

Why rice of all things?

“Well, simply put, it’s your gift.”

“…A gift?”

“Indeed. Each time you create something and express joy, haven’t you mentioned wanting rice in return?”

“That… may have been the case.”

“Well… it’ll take some time, though.”

Catherine, awkwardly avoiding his gaze, elongated her speech while repeatedly tapping the staff in her hand.

To be honest, should it be said that she was moved?

Yes, Karem was indeed touched.

“How on earth…”

He was so overwhelmed that he couldn’t find the words.

When he first heard of rice’s existence, and knowing that it was nearly impossible to obtain outside even for high nobility, he felt how disappointed he had been.

But now, was the king truly offering a blank check, sacrificing even that to provide an opportunity?

“…Are you serious about the rice?”

“Well then, just remain here for a moment.”

Catherine handed the staff to Mary, gesturing excitedly as she briefly examined her trembling hands.

“What? Oh!?”

She then lunged forward and grabbed Karem by the collar, pulling him in.

“Have a good time.”

Karem found himself at a loss for words at Mary’s mocking voice as she turned her back.

At that moment, the sensation at his lips—the soft yet firmer touch resembled a pudding for the first time in his life, smoother than a moist cake.

Only then did Karem finally meet eyes with Catherine’s trembling lavender gaze, resembling the light hue of pale blonde strands.

The one who had made the sudden lunge at him, now hidden by a blush he could not quite see, seemed to feel both embarrassed and shy about her actions.

Her fair skin, which none could hide even with make-up, began glowing a faint red, and the glimmer in her eyes, filled with confusion rather than her usual composure, fluctuated.

But soon, she appeared to steady her emotions, twinkling with a blend of seriousness and amusement at the edges of her gaze.

The lips that had touched Karem’s felt soft and cool, but something warm like a sunny day’s sheet seemed to seep inside.

Catherine reached out with her slender hand, which hadn’t grasped him, and wrapped it around Karem’s neck.

Karem hesitated for a moment but then cautiously wrapped his arms around the slender waist of his cherished companion.

“Ugh—”

A small sound slipped out. He felt anxious, wondering if something was amiss, but Catherine’s hand that had grasped his collar tightened gently around his waist.

Since the moment she had initially pulled him in, Catherine hadn’t exerted any force; she simply shifted her hands and arms.

He could have pushed her away at any moment, yet Karem felt no desire to resist.

On the contrary, he wanted to extend this moment a little longer.

To continue what was merely a touch of lips just a moment ago, he embraced her shoulders tightly with both arms.

Karem, momentarily overcome with desire, gently caught Catherine’s upper lip between his. Her reaction was palpable.

She flinched noticeably, clearly feeling it.

Catherine, in what seemed like retaliation, slipped her tongue into his mouth.

And in a moment they never expected to reach, the two amateur lovers proceeded with careful exploration.

The moisture felt on their lips and tongues was a pleasantly soft contrast of warmth and coolness, a tactile sensation that was both rough and smooth.

The mismatched breathes, once chaotic, gradually synchronized like passing a ball back and forth.

How much time had passed?

Catherine withdrew her arms, shifted her shoulders gently, prompting Karem to also release his embrace and look down at her.

A long silver line had stretched and then finally snapped.

“…Ha. Ahem. So—”

“…”

“-how about another gift?”

Catherine’s skin, exposed beneath the steep cut of the off-shoulder dress, flushed lightly with the flush of melt.

To be honest, Karem felt a thrill of anticipation.

However, he hesitated to open his mouth.

The sensation left on his lips and the warm yet cold impression lingered vividly in his mind.

But the moment he began speaking, every bit of it felt ready to vanish with the wind.

“Then, should we try a little more?”

Catherine seemed to understand his thoughts, giggling softly as warmth radiated from her body, and without a second thought, she once again reached toward Karem’s collar.

Grabbing and pulling him down once more.

 

---