Chapter 36
The window shattered the moment she realized.
Crash!
“…!”
Men in black clothes quickly jumped into the room. Before Baeksan could do anything, they swiftly covered her mouth and bound her limbs.
‘The guys from earlier? No, different!’
These were professionals. The speed and technique of their restraints were anything but ordinary.
Her shawl was draped over a chair, as she’d been sleeping.
Baeksan desperately twisted her body to create an opening. She bit the hand covering her mouth.
“Kuk!”
“Help…!”
Though she managed to scream, the man covered her mouth again.
‘…!’
Just when she thought there was no way out.
A shadow appeared at the broken second-floor window, silhouetted against the night sky.
“Pardon me, but while patrolling I noticed a broken window…”
Brilliantly white hair contrasting with pitch-black eyes.
Exarch.
Everyone held their breath at once at his unexpectedly elegant and serene appearance.
“…”
Meanwhile, Exarch quietly surveyed the surroundings alone.
By the time the masked men regained their senses, he had already lowered his stance with his hand on his sword hilt.
“Close your eyes, Mine.”
Before his words finished, there was a slicing sound. The force binding Baeksan released.
Baeksan quickly crawled to a corner to catch her breath. As her breathing calmed, windows automatically appeared above the fighting masked men’s heads.
[Henzel]
Contractor from the information guild ‘Ulysses’. Has a weak point on his right flank when attacking.
[Delmar]
Contractor from the information guild ‘Ulysses’. Quick movements but lacks endurance.
How kind to even tell her their weaknesses.
There was no need to close her eyes. Perhaps because of the information windows, it felt like watching game characters die.
Exarch’s handling of the masked men, striking their weak points in single blows without Baeksan’s help, contributed to that impression.
Exarch took down all the masked men in less than a few minutes.
He turned after finishing. His breathing hadn’t even quickened.
Seeing that Baeksan hadn’t closed her eyes, he asked with slight surprise.
“Are you alright?”
“Are they dead?”
“All but one. Let me see your face, Mine.”
Exarch approached and sat before her. He reached out, but there was blood on his fingertips.
When he hesitated, Baeksan casually lifted her face.
Exarch examined her cheek uncertainly.
“There’s some bruising. It’ll last about two weeks.”
“…”
“Are you hurt anywhere else?”
“No, I’m fine…”
The second time was less shocking. Baeksan slightly averted her gaze.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Though Exarch accepted her thanks, his expression was complicated.
“Fortunately I was passing by. I should call the Security Force…”
“No. That’s not necessary.”
Baeksan’s eyes scanned the fallen masked men.
[Raigent]
Handles dark matters for the information guild ‘Ulysses’. Received orders from ‘Upper Management’ to kidnap you.
[Upper Management]
Though Ulysses Guild has cleared its dark past, they still selectively carry out night missions.
Baeksan clicked her tongue softly.
‘It went through several people. Too difficult to reach the client, I suppose.’
Still, she could roughly guess the purpose.
“What do you think, Exa?”
“…”
Exarch looked at the bodies while seated.
“They weren’t amateurs.”
“Right. Someone definitely paid good money for this.”
Exarch’s expression darkened.
“Mine. That’s very dangerous.”
“I know.”
Baeksan leaned against the wall.
‘Could someone have just cursed me?’
‘No way! This isn’t Lutie or Sorek.’
According to people, the autoimmune disease that brought down the Emperor this time wasn’t his chronic condition.
If the Emperor’s autoimmune disease was truly caused by a curse.
“I guess whoever cursed the Emperor isn’t happy with me.”
“…”
After saying it, she noticed Exarch’s extremely serious expression.
Baeksan added jokingly.
“Well, or maybe they just wanted my gold coins like the earlier guys?”
Exarch’s face hardened further.
“…This happened before?”
Feeling awkward, Baeksan just laughed.
“It was nothing. I managed to escape safely.”
“Mine, if something like that happened, you should have told…”
“The Security Force? They’re understaffed, aren’t they?”
“No, I mean me…”
Exarch stopped mid-sentence.
‘No, why would a mere appraiser tell the busy Grand Duke about being attacked?’
He seemed to think it was strange too.
“So, can you recommend a safe lodging? Preferably not too expensive.”
After a moment of silence, Exarch said.
“If that’s what you want, I know the safest place in the capital. It’s free too.”
“Where?”
Black eyes looked straight at Baeksan.
“Grand Duke Zahig’s residence.”
“…”
Baeksan asked again. Had she heard wrong?
“What?”
Exarch repeated slowly and clearly.
“Come to my mansion, Mine.”
* * *
“This is the central hall.”
Exarch said. Though his attitude was calm and kind as usual, his smile was somehow brighter than she’d ever seen. He even seemed excited.
“To the left are the banquet hall and reception room, and to the right are the library and long gallery. Feel free to use them.”
“Oh, okay…”
“Your room is on the second floor. It’s called the ‘Pearl Room’ – I hope you’ll like it.”
Baeksan managed to return a smile to the dimpling Grand Duke.
‘I feel like I’m defiling a world heritage site…’
It wasn’t just a feeling.
[Polotier’s “Allegory of the Goddess and Time”]
Oval ceiling painting. A faceless goddess loosely draped in pink cloth against a deep blue sky.
Minimum Gahasu auction price: 110,600 gold.
[Entier’s Sorek-style Pendulum Clock]
Porcelain pendulum clock in Sorek style. Decorated with partially gilded bronze and soft porcelain flowers.
Minimum Gahasu auction price: 9,300 gold.
[Rathe Carpet]
Imperial carpet woven in the Rathe region of Sorek.
Elaborately decorated with floral patterns, spiral arabesques, deer, lions, pheasants, and dragons.
Minimum bid price: 199,800 gold.
Why are they all so expensive…
Moreover, the system window, seeming to realize Baeksan’s main interest was money, showed unexpected information.
[Grand Duke Zahig Ridim Exarch Perato Schröder]
One blessed by the Goddess.
His annual pension as Grand Duke and total territory income is…
……
Wow.
Suddenly she felt very guilty about keeping the Grand Duke’s company.
“Um, Your Grace. I appreciate the tour, but…”
She finally managed to speak. It was like she’d just realized who the Grand Duke really was.
At that moment, Exarch showed a visibly dejected smile.
“Mine. I like it when you’re casual with me.”
“That…”
“Of course, if it’s too much to ask…”
He smiled wryly as he said this.
‘How can I use honorifics after seeing that.’
Baeksan cleared her throat and said.
“Alright, Exa. But really, isn’t someone like Grand Duke Zahig busy?”
Receiving the question, Exarch’s eyes widened before he smiled and extended his hand.
Baeksan reflexively took it.
She wondered what he was doing, but he was just helping her up the spiral staircase. A true nobleman indeed.
“These days are fine. Thanks to a certain physician who treated His Majesty.”
“Huh?”
“Since his condition improved, he seems to be in a good mood and doesn’t call for me.”
“He’s not terrorizing people around him?”
If that were the case, she’d regret saving him.
Perhaps because no one else was around, Exarch chuckled softly.
“Not really. He hasn’t recovered that much.”
“That’s good.”
“Haha.”
After laughing with his shoulders shaking, he cleared his throat.
“Mine, let me say again…”
“Be careful elsewhere. I know. I’m only like this in front of you.”
“I don’t think even that needs to be said carefully.”
“Huh?”
