“Count… What about Sister Se-hee…?”

Wendy was waiting for me as I returned from the gate. I shook my head at her trembling, anxious eyes.

“She doesn’t seem to have come home. No contact either.”

It’s been two days since Park Se-hee disappeared. After returning from Paradise, all contact with her was lost. I went straight to her house through the gate, but she wasn’t there. It seemed like she hadn’t returned after going to work as usual. In other words, something had happened to her.

“Wh-what should we do? If something happened to Sister Se-hee…”

“Hmm… Could she have been kidnapped by someone?”

“K-kidnapped?!”

“It’s just a guess.”

Wendy turned pale at Helga’s speculation. Honestly, that possibility couldn’t be ruled out. The note Park Se-hee left said she was going to take control of the Milky Way system with Director Choi. The fact that there was still no news from her likely meant that her plan had been discovered by Chairman Park.

‘I was too naive…’

The opponent is Chairman Park, the one who made me and Sora this way. I should have taught Park Se-hee self-defense techniques or gone with her myself. I shouldn’t have sent her alone.

I might have let my guard down, thinking Chairman Park hadn’t made any moves so far. The complacency of thinking he wouldn’t do anything before the long-awaited service launch led to this accident. It’s entirely my fault.

As I made a serious face, the atmosphere naturally grew heavy.

“Whoever it is, they must be bold to think of harming the Count’s acquaintance… Count. Give me a week. I’ll take care of everything.”

“Helga, do you know who the culprit is?”

“Of course not.”

“Huh?”

“But if I stir things up for a week, something will come out, right?”

Wendy flinched at Helga’s evil expression. She must have guessed what Helga was thinking.

“Despite appearances, I’m quite confident in tracking down and interrogating criminals.”

“That’s too dangerous!”

“Danger is inevitable in everything.”

“But what if innocent people get involved…?”

“Touching the Count’s people is challenging the Count’s authority. To catch all those who dare to do so, some sacrifices must be made.”

“N-no!”

Truly a Helga-like solution. I had forgotten, but she doesn’t care about people’s safety or lives when it comes to my matters.

It’s something that should never be realized, but for a moment, I was tempted by her words, feeling the anger boiling inside me.

But the anger in my heart now was entirely directed at myself. Anger at my failure to protect Park Se-hee.

I wanted to send Helga or Aslan to flip Stella Corp. upside down. I actually have the overwhelming power to do so… but it was a foolish thought. There’s no guarantee Chairman Park is at the company, and even if we secure him, there’s no guarantee he’ll hand over Park Se-hee. Above all, my body, Jeong So-ra, and Park Se-hee are all hostages in Chairman Park’s hands. I can’t act recklessly.

I composed myself and called the woman silently sitting in the corner.

“Blanshe.”

“Yes, Count.”

“You stay beyond the gate. Keep an eye out for anyone intruding into her house. If they try to damage the gate, secure them.”

“I will obey your command.”

“Count!”

“We can’t act recklessly without knowing the culprit.”

In fact, I know who the culprit is, but I can’t explain it to others.

“But…!”

“Don’t act rashly, Helga. That land is beyond the reach of my and the Ruelberta Family’s power. If you act recklessly, it could escalate into a diplomatic issue. We might even have to go to war because of you.”

“Ugh…”

Helga eventually backed down. It’s fortunate that she listens to my words, even if she doesn’t listen to others.

“Keep this matter a secret from Bella. If she finds out, she might cause unnecessary worry.”

“Yes.”

“Okay…”

“Huh…”

Helga, Blanshe, and Wendy are those who follow my orders. But Bella is not someone who takes orders from me.

Especially someone as meddlesome as her, she would undoubtedly try to help me in any way. Matters related to Chairman Park are extremely dangerous, and I don’t want her involved. No, I don’t want anyone involved.

The problem with Chairman Park is my own. It has nothing to do with outsiders like them. Ultimately, it’s a problem I must solve.

“Everyone’s here.”

As they say, speak of the devil. The silver-haired princess, Bella, appeared in the workshop.

“What serious conversation were you having?”

“N-no, Miss… We weren’t being serious at all.”

“Y-yeah…”

“Hmm??”

“Ugh…”

Blanshe and Wendy were so obvious in their lies. Even Helga seemed pitiful this time, letting out a sigh. Before Bella could grow suspicious, I intervened.

“What brings you here?”

“What brings me? Lady Michaela sent me to call you.”

Now that I think about it, I had asked Michaela for something.

“Alright. I’ll go meet her now.”

I followed Bella straight to the mansion’s reception room.

As we walked down the long corridor, Bella spoke.

“So… what’s going on?”

“What’s going on…?”

Bella turned her head sharply to look at me.

“Did you think I wouldn’t notice? Spit it out. What are you hiding from me?”

As expected, she didn’t just let it go. Her instincts were sharp.

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t play dumb. Your expression has been off since earlier, right? You’re worried about something.”

I must have unknowingly shown my concern about Park Se-hee’s matter on my face. I thought I had kept my emotions in check, but Bella must have noticed my subtle agitation.

But I’m not foolish enough to admit that.

“No… I’m not worried about anything.”

“Liar. Look me in the eye and say that.”

I met her gaze. Her eyes were as beautiful as ever. Especially with her silver eyelashes, they were even more mystical.

“See? You are worried.”

“…I haven’t said anything yet.”

“I can tell without you saying anything.”

Bella’s hand caressed my cheek. Soon, a sweet voice flowed from her lips.

“I’ve watched you for so long. I already know what kind of man you are.”

“……”

“I’m ready to hear your worries. Aren’t we that close now?”

Bella’s fingertips carried a pleasant coolness. I felt like leaning on her to the point where…

I was seized by the desire to pour out all my worries, gloom, and distress to her. But I shook my head.

“…I’m really fine.”

“Then why does your face look so dark?”

“I’ve just been tired lately, that’s all. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

“Tristan…”

“Don’t worry.”

We arrived at the reception room. This time, I caressed Bella’s cheek. As my fingertips touched her ear, ticklish, the corners of her lips rose.

“Bella. You have nothing to worry about. No matter how tough things get, as long as you keep showing me that beautiful smile…”

“Ah, stop right there. Where did you learn such cringy lines?”

“I didn’t learn it from anywhere…”

“Enough. Don’t say such things to other women.”

Bella adjusted my tie and patted my shoulder.

“Well, if you say you’re fine, then that’s that. Now, go talk with Lady Michaela.”

“Aren’t you coming in with me?”

“Lady Michaela said she wanted to talk to you alone.”

Indeed. Michaela isn’t entirely clueless. She must know well that what we’re about to discuss shouldn’t reach Bella’s ears.

With Bella seeing me off, I entered the reception room. There, the golden-haired, blue-eyed girl, Michaela, was waiting.

“You’re late.”

“I came as fast as I could. So, did you tell ‘her’ my story?”

“Ah, you two can talk about that yourselves.”

“…?”

Michaela closed her eyes. Then, the ends of her golden hair began to turn pitch black.

In just about five seconds, her beautiful golden hair had completely turned into jet-black hair. When she opened her eyes again, they were no longer blue but glowing red.

I could guess who she was.

“Long time no see, my Tristan… or should I say, Trinity?”

“Lukaela…”

The ruler of Hell and Michaela’s older sister, Lukaela, had appeared before me. Borrowing her sister’s body.

“It’s quite something for you to ask me for a favor. I thought you’d handle everything on your own.”

“……”

“Just kidding. Even you must have things you can’t handle alone.”

Lukaela chuckled. Her smile, though similar to Michaela’s playful one, was different. Lukaela’s smile was like that of a mischievous child, giving off a sense of innocent cruelty.

“I heard the gist from my sister. You’re planning to wage war?”

“Yes.”

The reason I called Lukaela was simple. In this world, only she possesses the power to overwhelm the Valkyries guarding Paradise.

“Well.”

Lukaela smirked.

“To capture the angels of Heaven… it’s only natural that the demons of Hell should step forward.”

*

That early morning, Bella woke up shivering from the cold.

A cool sensation brushed over the bridge of her nose. It was probably early dawn. To replenish the lacking warmth, she reached out to the side. There, she expected to feel the face of the man she loved… but nothing was there.

“Tristan…?”

Blinking her eyes open, she found herself alone in bed. The clock showed a little past 4. Feeling the spot where Tristan had been lying, it was cold. No warmth remained. Tristan had not yet returned.

After talking with Michaela, he had gone out with her immediately. He left only a message saying he would be late, so not to wait.

Yet, Bella had waited all night for Tristan. She was worried about him. Despite his words telling her not to worry… she knew they were lies.

Even after the northern expedition, Tristan remained busy. He toured neighboring countries with the Emperor, met various people, and even inspected the Ruelberta Family’s territories. In between, he observed the training of the private soldier group, Aslan. Not only that, but he also used the gate to pioneer a new path to a connected world.

Over the past year, Tristan had achieved much. He regained his former self. He rose to the position of one of the Empire’s Seven Stars, earning recognition from the Emperor and nobles. He took office as the chairman of the university and even saved students in crisis. Yet, the perception of him as the notorious head of the Ruelberta Family remained unchanged, but the number of people siding with him had increased significantly. Not those forced to his side by wealth and power, but those charmed by his human qualities.

Those around him said Tristan had changed, but Bella knew that wasn’t true. Tristan had simply returned to his old self. The boy who, despite his arrogant and cold demeanor, had a kinder heart than anyone. The awkward man who rarely revealed his true feelings to others. That was Tristan.

That’s why Bella was curious about what worries Tristan was carrying now. Why he was so busy, grappling with some concern alone.

Lately, Bella even sensed impatience in Tristan’s demeanor. He always seemed rushed, with no time to spare.

“……”

Bella reached out and hugged Tristan’s pillow. A faint rose scent wafted up. Tristan’s scent. It was a smell that reassured her.

How long had she been like that? Bella sat up in bed. Though it was early, once awake, sleep didn’t come.

“Maybe I’ll go for a walk…”

Impulsively, Bella, dressed only in her outerwear, left the mansion. She walked through the vast Ruelberta estate, breathing in the early morning air. The estate was incomparably larger than the Izakhel Mansion. It was too vast to be called just a noble family’s mansion. No matter how much she walked, she couldn’t see the entire estate.

Bella looked around. The morning fog was thick, and she thought she might get lost. But Bella shook her head.

‘It’s fine. I’ve been walking in one direction.’

She could just retrace her steps. No matter how large the estate was, it was still just an estate. Getting lost was laughable… or so she thought.

“Where is this…?”

At some point, she found herself in the midst of dense fog. She couldn’t tell how far she was from the mansion.

Belatedly, Bella regretted.

‘If only Blanshe had come with me…’

Unfortunately, Blanshe was absent due to the Count’s errand. Ultimately, she had to find her way back alone.

Well, once the sun rises, the fog will lift…

Just as she reassured herself, it happened.

“Princess?”

“Helga?”

Emerging from the fog, it was none other than Helga who found Bella.

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m on night duty today.”

Helga shrugged. True to her words, she was lightly armed.

“Weren’t you supposed to go out with Tristan?”

“I was, but the Count said it wasn’t necessary. But why are you here, Princess?”

“I was…”

It would be embarrassing to say she got lost while out for a walk.

“Just… wanted some fresh air.”

“Ah… Is that so?”

“Why? Can’t I get some fresh air?”

“Of course not. I’m just worried that someone as noble as you is out walking alone at this hour. What if you get lost?”

“I’m not a child to get lost…”

“Hehe… Whatever you say.”

Helga giggled. She must have known. Bella frowned and waved her hand.

“…Just do your duty properly.”

“Sure. I was planning to…”

Beep-!

Suddenly, a sharp alarm sounded from within the fog.

“What, what’s that?”

“Ah, how annoying…”

“What is it?”

Helga scratched her head.

“It’s the entrance alarm. Probably just some wild animals…”

“Wild animals?”

“The estate is too vast, so wild animals live here. That’s why the security barrier often gets triggered… Annoying, but I have to go turn it off.”

“W-wait! Helga!”

Clicking her tongue, Helga headed towards the entrance where the alarm was sounding. Afraid of getting lost again, Bella followed her.

As the alarm grew closer.

“Huh?”

Helga narrowed her eyes as she looked towards the entrance.

“What’s wrong?”

“Seems like it’s not wild animals.”

“Huh?”

At the entrance, there were indeed figures of people, not animals.

“Whoever these bold ones are…”

Helga grabbed the two batons… nunchaku from her waist. As she swung them lightly, sparks flew from the nunchaku imbued with lightning magic.

“They tried to intrude into the Count’s mansion, so I should show them what’s what, right?”

“Wait… They might not be bad people.”

“People trying to sneak into the mansion at this hour aren’t bad?”

“……”

Now that she thought about it, that was true. Bella, struck dumb, had no choice but to let Helga do as she pleased.

Helga swung her nunchaku without hesitation towards the figures writhing at the entrance.

“Punishment for the foolish!”

“Ahhh!!”

“Kyaaak!!”

The lightning from the nunchaku struck the intruders. The sound of explosions and screams filled the air. Helga subdued multiple intruders with her bare hands.

“Let’s see your faces, thieves.”

“H-hic! W-we’re not thieves!”

“Huh?”

Bella, watching from a step away, tilted her head. Their appearance was far from that of thieves.

“Vagrants…?”

They were dressed in tattered clothes. More like beggars. But what made Bella curious was… their attire seemed different from this world.

“Wait… these people…”

The people, terrified by Helga’s attack, began to beg with their heads bowed.

“P-please spare us… Just our lives…!”

“Why should I spare you? You tried to intrude into someone else’s house.”

“We just…”

“W-we came because we heard we could get help here…!”

“Help?”

“Y-yes! Hey! You!”

A disheveled man shook the shoulder of a woman who had collapsed beside him.

“Didn’t you say there’s someone here who could help us…!”

“Nonsense…”

“Wait. Helga. That person…”

The woman who had fainted from Helga’s earlier lightning strike. Recognizing her face, Bella was shocked.

“…Sister Se-hee?”