MBLIAH 25

“Woof-woof-woof…”

Where should I start and where should I end? Do I need to talk about the fact that those people were known as the Basilisk? The reason they attacked the hall? Or even that the hall was abandoned by Zeroth?

‘So much.’

Of course, since they didn’t reveal anything to me directly in that situation, it’s probably best to deny knowing anything.

‘But… anyway, Faren will find out.’

He’s my older brother. Do you think I don’t know about the Lycan Duke? In the future, I’ll need the hall, and if that’s the case, there’s no way Faren, the fool of a younger brother, wouldn’t investigate the man next to Ishel.

‘And I’ve read this novel for several years.’

How many heroines have pretended not to know anything and ended up suspected? Of course, I’m not a heroine.

But if I get questioned on how I knew, I have no excuse, so I’ve already decided to use the Basilisk member who is dead.

‘Let’s say I heard the Basilisk muttering like a will.’

Faren will believe even if I say I overheard it.

Before long, I arrived at the cozy study of the annex.

—Wickle, could you step out for a moment?

“…Is it that important?”

I nodded subtly, and Faren gave Wickle a glance.

Wickle closed the door without saying a word, and as soon as he left, I opened my lips.

-Older brother, I have something to tell you. Actually…

I told him everything about what happened yesterday — of course, I didn’t say it was based on the original story — and Faren’s face was filled with shock.

“So, yesterday that man was the leader of the Basilisk, and the current emperor’s…”

Unable to continue speaking, Faren rubbed his chin.

Well, considering how glorious Zeroth’ past was. Moreover, my words imply that the achievements of the crown prince I’ve built up so far are all lies.

-But, older brother, all of this is true. If you don’t believe me, you can do some investigation…

“No, I believe you. Why wouldn’t I believe what you say?”

Faren immediately shook his head.

“Somehow, I wondered where I felt that pheromone yesterday… It’s similar to the pheromone of the Emperor in his prime.”

“Huh?”

I tilted my head, and he smiled while patting my head.

“It’s something that happened when I was very young, before you were born.”

His blue eyes dreamy as he sank into a memory for a moment.

“When he just returned from the continental war, he visited our duke’s estate with my father, and everyone was overwhelmed by the pheromone he emitted at that time. But it’s different from him. It was quite threatening and dark…”

He trailed off and muttered to himself.

“Could it be related to the Black Lion?”

Ah, that’s a secret.

“Woof!”

When I hurriedly grabbed his sleeve, Faren grinned.

“Yeah, I know. You’re worried because that’s his Achilles’ heel, right?”

“…Woof.”

I nodded softly.

“I won’t tell anyone after seeing how you feel.”

Soon, Faren quietly called Wickle, who had been waiting outside the door. Then, he quickly scribbled something on a piece of paper, folded it neatly, and handed it to him.

Investigate as soon as possible.

“Yes.”

“Woof?”

What is that, older brother?

I looked at him carefully, then Faren turned his gaze toward me.

“Ishel, from now on, I’m going to see him, but there’s something you need to do.”

“Woof?”

“If that man really is an abandoned royal, and if he’s the one who directly put Zeroth in that seat, I think we shouldn’t let him go. Still, he’s someone we need to look into.”

Hearing that vague remark, I perked up my ears, and he smiled broadly.

“I think we should keep that man confined within this duke’s estate for now. No matter what it takes.”

That was somewhat reassuring.

After all, I also needed Faren for my humanization.

‘But…’

How do I keep him confined?

“Woof…?”

However, little Woof has no intention of giving up.

“Woof!”

Though I didn’t have a plan, I followed Faren to the Rose Room where Ban was staying.

As expected, Ban, with his incredible healing ability, was already up, dressed in the other clothes the maidens brought him.

However, his complexion was still pale. Perhaps that’s why the Lycan Duke, Farenhight, emitted a sharp aura toward him.

“Woo, Woof?”

What’s this? So terrifying. Is it an instinctive vigilance that appears with the strong?

But Faren either truly can’t feel that pheromone or is pretending not to, as he spoke to Ban with a relaxed attitude.

“Thank you for officially saving my younger sibling.”

“…”

“Ishel, you should greet him too.”

Are you okay?

“Woof?”

I subtly bowed my head and then lifted it again. The red gaze facing me was not as sharp as the one directed at Faren.

I could also feel that the sharp pheromone was gradually dispersing.

“…Thank you for your thanks. Since the princess also saved me.”

“Woof-woof?”

Wait, what’s that? ‘Princess’? Are you seriously calling me that in front of older brother?

When I squinted my eyes, Faren raised one eyebrow.

“But why aren’t you human? I clearly remember you being human yesterday.”

“…Woof.”

Exactly. Upon hearing Ban’s words, I immediately looked dejected and pawed at my front limbs.

-From yesterday, my humanization was just a temporary thing, probably because of you. I didn’t do it consciously or intentionally.

“…You said yesterday that I turned into a beast because of my pheromone.”

Now I believe it a little more, right?

“Woof-woof-woof.”

I nodded eagerly, and Ban sank into deep thought. Then, as if he remembered something, he snapped his fingers.

“I think I read about it somewhere. That a strong pheromone can forcibly calm weaker pheromones, transforming weak humans into beasts.”

But then Ban furrowed his brows, puzzled.

“But isn’t the Lycans’ pheromones also very strong?”

“Ishel grew up with us and is immune to Lycan pheromones, so it doesn’t affect him.”

However, upon hearing Faren’s explanation, he nodded as if convinced.

“Let’s introduce ourselves properly. What is your name?”

Suddenly, Ban’s mouth closed like a rock. He looked surprised that the Lycan Duke approached so warmly.

“Woof.”

Wow, he’s clearly showing his dislike openly.

“Are you uncomfortable somewhere?”

But Faren, as if ‘pretending not to know,’ kept smiling and continued to press for a name. Eventually, Ban sighed and answered slowly.

“Let’s just say Kaharje, Your Majesty.”

“Kaharje… Kaharje… I’ve heard that name a lot. Ah! You’re a noble from the southeast.”

“…You know about it? It’s an old, fallen noble family from a remote village at the edge of the empire.”

Ban narrowed his eyes, surprised.

“Oh, I happen to remember noble lineages quite well for some reason.”

“Now it’s a noble family that’s less respectable than commoners. Not worth worrying about.”

Kaharje? Suddenly, my eyes widened.

The noble title ‘Kaharje’ was a surname Ban used during his time as Zeroth’ assassin, when he wanted to rest for a moment.

He changed many castles, but that particular surname was his alone. Zeroth didn’t know.

It was like Ban’s only sanctuary—his personal refuge where he didn’t want anyone to disturb his rest.

‘So that clan wasn’t just made-up. It really existed…’

But how does Faren know about such a fallen noble family? Truly fascinating.

“No matter if they’re fallen nobles or not, the fact remains that you saved my younger sibling. Kaharje, I once again thank you for saving him. I will make sure your stay here is comfortable.”

“Stay here?”

Ban raised one brow slowly. An obvious sign of displeasure. But Faren kept a gentle smile and continued speaking.

“The doctor said it would be about three weeks of recovery. Lycan doesn’t abandon injured allies.”

“I have a place to go, so there’s no need to worry.”

After saying that, Ban suddenly stood up.

But Faren grinned, patted his shoulder, and as soon as he wavered, he drove his fist sharply into his waist.

“Woof?!”

No, I was about to punch him.

He stopped mid-swing, but unlike his kind smile, his actions were a bit sharp, making Ban let out a thin sound.

“You should recover enough to block this much, shouldn’t you?”

“…”

“Kaharje, Your Majesty, please stay at the Lycan Duke’s estate for now.”

Hey, hey. Why are you doing this? In this tense situation, I gnawed my front paws anxiously.

“Woof… Woof.”

But luckily, Ban made a wise decision. Instead of fighting against the Empire’s Silver Wolf, Faren, with his injured body, he chose to calmly recover.

“…But isn’t it polite to return my weapon, Lord Lycan?”

Yet, his obsession with his weapon never truly faded.

“Weapon?”

But Faren knew nothing about Ban’s weapon. When a puzzled expression flashed in his bright eyes, I quickly stepped in.

—Kaharje, Your Majesty, I have your weapon in my possession.

“Princess?”

-Um… but… I can’t give it to you right now. The sword broken into two pieces.

At my words, Ban’s eyes sharpened. It was like he would tear me apart if I didn’t give a proper reason!

“Woof-woof-woof…!”

I trembled and clung to his leg, then held out a small paw as I handed him a picture.

It was a photo taken by my magic mirror when I entrusted it to the blacksmith.

-This wasn’t me! You broke it during the fight!

“…Me?”

-Yep. Really. It seems you broke it because your strength is just too much.

Finally, Ban pursed his lips.

“Woof…?”

So, even if I don’t understand why others break things, I get why I do? Truly arrogant and selfish, that’s men for you.

Watching Ban silently, Faren suddenly picked me up.

“Woof?”

“It seems everything has been said, so I will take my leave now.”

“…Wait.”

Just as I was about to go out the door, Ban stood up.

“I’d like to have a little talk with the princess.”

~·~·* . *^.^* . *·~·~

Hey there, It’s Green Rose 😉

Since I human I might have make some mistakes while translating so please if you find them let me know here in the comments or in the Discord group so I can correct them and be careful in the future so they do not repeat.

Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

~~~Next Chapter~~~

Next chapter will be released on September, 1.

See you then!!