ENGDB 31

Chapter 31

After proudly announcing his visit, Evan headed toward the Grand Duke’s castle, still disguised as a low-ranking guild worker named James.

“Stop there. I’ve never seen you before…”

The young man carrying a large bag, with brown hair and glasses, had such an ordinary and forgettable appearance that no one would remember him.

But the knights guarding the main gate looked at Evan sharply from head to toe.

“State your identity and purpose.”

“Ah, knights, you’ve worked hard. I’m James from the Arakne Guild. I came to meet a client.”

“Oh, from Arakne. We received word from the aide. You may enter.”

The knights relaxed slightly at Evan’s polite attitude.

They found it strange that no guide was assigned, but when they checked the spider tattoo on his hand—it matched perfectly.

The spider tattoo, unique to Arakne guild members, acted like an identification mark.

It wasn’t an ordinary tattoo—it was a magic tool.

Normally invisible, but it could appear whenever needed.

“Then, please continue your good work, knights.”

Evan smiled kindly and bowed before walking inside.

His steps were confident, as if he already knew the place.

The Grand Duke’s castle had long been abandoned, so little was known about it.

But Evan was the master of the Empire’s best intelligence guild.

He knew everything—even trivial details about noble families.

So finding his way inside the castle was easier than eating stew.

Passing by half-maintained gardens and buildings under repair, he nodded.

Everything matched the information he already had.

Without guidance, he moved straight toward where the Grand Duke would be.

“At this time, the Grand Duke should be in his office…”

Evan quickly took a shortcut, avoiding the servants.

While moving quickly, something suddenly caught his eye.

“What is that…?”

A large, fierce-looking bird and a big hunting dog seemed to be threatening a woman.

Startled, Evan rushed toward them.

But as he got closer, he slowed down.

The scene was… completely different.

“Hey, Grey. If you keep doing that, Dagu might hurt you. Why are you picking fights with someone bigger than you?”

Instead of threatening her, the animals were acting cute.

The bird gently sat on her shoulder, rubbing its head affectionately.

The dog lay flat, whining softly while wagging its tail wildly.

“…What the…”

Evan let out a confused laugh.

Then—

he saw her face.

He stopped walking.

Her skin was clear like glass, her platinum blonde hair shining under the sunlight.

Her smile felt warm and bright—

like she didn’t belong to this world.

Evan stared at her, completely captivated, and slowly walked closer.

At that moment, the woman also turned to look at him.

Their eyes met—

and Evan felt a shock run through his entire body.

“Have I really been enchanted…? I’ve seen many beauties, but never felt this way.”

He frowned slightly and touched his chest.

“Hmm? Who are you?”

Her voice was soft, almost tickling his ears.

Once again, all of Evan’s attention was drawn to her.

“There’s definitely something about her… she is human, right?”

There was no other explanation for his reaction.

Hiding his caution, Evan smiled playfully.

“Ah, did I startle you? Beautiful lady… have we met before?”

He felt strange—

as if she recognized him.

But he was sure—

he had never seen her before.

Someone like her was impossible to forget.

While smiling calmly, his mind raced with countless pieces of information.

But nothing matched her.

“N-No! It’s our first time… Hello!”

Her cheeks turned red as she waved her hands quickly in denial.

She greeted him nervously.

“Cute…”

“Yes?”

“Ah—nothing.”

Evan bit his lip slightly, embarrassed.

Trying to recover, he bowed gracefully.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am from the Arakne Guild—Ja… no, Evan.”

“Yes… Evan…”

Hearing his name from her lips—

felt strangely sweet.

He didn’t even notice her slightly awkward expression.

Even if he had, he would’ve found it cute.

“May I know your name, lady?”

“Ah… I am…”

Evan watched her closely, waiting for her answer.

Then—

“Oh, excuse me. There’s something here…”

“What?”

Evan reached his hand toward Irene.

Just as his fingers were about to touch her—

“IRENE!”

“Ah!”

A strong gust of wind—

A splash—

And a body fell.

Earlier that morning…

Before Evan’s sudden arrival, Irene and Kalid were having a peaceful morning.

“Yawn… Kalid? You’re still sleeping. You’re actually quite lazy, you know.”

Irene’s morning started with a handsome face.

As always, the first thing she saw when she opened her eyes—

was Kalid.

“They say beautiful people love to sleep.”

Resting her chin on her hand, Irene stared at his face and smiled foolishly.

Then she suddenly worried about how silly she must look and quickly stood up.

“Today, my mana feels full. Good.”

She stretched her arms toward the sunlight and smiled in satisfaction.

Since exchanging mana with Kalid every night—

she no longer turned into Whitey.

She was still different from normal humans—

but it was hard to notice.

After she left for the next room, Kalid slowly opened his eyes.

“She has no right to say that…”

His ears turned slightly red.

In truth, he had already woken up earlier.

He had even received reports from Isaac and Sebastian.

But—

he returned, using Irene as an excuse.

He enjoyed quietly spending mornings beside her.

Whenever she seemed about to wake up—

he pretended to be asleep.

Soon, breakfast was prepared.

This was for Irene.

Since she couldn’t eat, they still set food to avoid suspicion.

“Wow—meat for breakfast?”

“…Do you want to try?”

“What? Are you teasing me? You know I can’t eat. You eat it and tell me how it tastes.”

“Alright.”

Irene knew—

she wasn’t truly human.

Even though she had a physical form—

she still wasn’t normal.

She felt a little sad—

but also grateful she could live like this.

“The meat is very soft… it melts in your mouth. The sauce is sweet and spicy—it goes well with the juices.”

“Sounds delicious. And?”

“The mushrooms are rich in flavor, and the vegetables are fresh… the balance is good.”

Kalid always tried his best to describe the taste.

Irene appreciated it.

It became her small happiness.

“Haha, I’m starting to drool. It must be really good. I wish I could eat someday.”

“…You will be able to.”

Irene nodded at his words.

Maybe—

if they kept exchanging mana—

she might become fully human someday.

But honestly—

she doubted it more than she believed it.

Seeing her expression darken, Kalid quickly changed the topic.

“So, what do you plan to do today?”