Chapter 13
“You should have told me to do it. What were you planning if the client found out?”
Ran, the subordinate, gave the boss a sharp look. Because it was a covert organization, the Luna Guild used aliases. Just as the boss wasn’t using his real name, Ran wasn’t either. The reason the organization had survived so long was thanks to the boss’s approach of operating as a fragmented, cell-based group. This system ensured that even members wouldn’t know each other beyond their immediate teams, which was the foundation of Luna Guild’s strict secrecy.
People usually say that such a system causes members to play solo because they don’t really know each other, but Luna Guild prided itself on having stronger camaraderie than anywhere else. Having watched the boss for so long, Ran could confirm this—if anything, the bonds were even stronger. Yet sometimes the boss did baffling things that didn’t make sense. Right now was one of those times.
“I just wanted to see what kind of woman she is.”
“So why suddenly do you want to see the client?”
The boss even lied to the client, saying he sometimes summoned clients — something that had never happened in Luna Guild’s history.
“This job is huge, right? It could bring bloodshed to the empire.”
Of course, Ran thought all of this was nonsense from the boss.
“Huh, since when did you become loyal?”
“……”
“She was quite a beauty. Did you… fall for her?”
Since the boss was marriageable age, Ran thought that might be the only thing he could understand.
“No way. I’ll handle this myself, so you step back.”
“You really like her that much?”
“Don’t cross the line.”
“You usually hate bothersome things, right?”
The boss replied in a dry but meaningful tone.
“Sometimes fun goes beyond just being a nuisance.”
Ran shook his head. Sometimes the boss spoke in ways that didn’t make sense to him. Then a dizzying thought struck Ran’s mind.
“So, you’re really going to hand over info about Duke Shupen?”
“Is there a problem with that?”
Ran covered his forehead at the boss’s calm attitude.
“You know Duke Shupen’s temper, right?”
“…?”
“He’s dirty. If he finds out we passed information, I don’t even want to think about the consequences.”
But for a long moment, silence settled in the room. Sensing something strange, Ran raised his head to find the boss’s sharp blue eyes staring as if ready to kill.
‘Those kinds of eyes only come out when killing someone…’
Feeling both puzzled and chilled, Ran stepped back.
“You’re not planning anything, are you?”
The boss leisurely continued reading the documents about ‘that woman’.
“Well, what could I do?”
“It’s a contract, but she’s still his wife right now.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The other party is His Highness Macaron.”
The boss smiled faintly, as if listening to someone else’s story.
“So?”
“Boss!”
“Ah, you scared me.”
The boss’s expression was calm beyond words.
“If you mess with this one, you won’t recover from it.”
“If you’re going to say nonsense like that, just leave.”
Looking at the boss’s smiling face, Ran once again protested.
“This is really not acceptable.”
“You bastard, really!”
Muttering that maybe the boss’s hot temper had flared up after being single for so long, Ran fled outside.
Even after leaving the guild and returning to the mansion, my thoughts stayed fixed there all day.
‘When exactly will the information come?’
It had already been four days since I visited that place. Finally, today, a letter bearing a familiar seal arrived.
“Duke Shupen Knight’s ‘only’ weakness. Facial scar. A diagonal slash mark, 20 cm long. Duke Shupen Knight’s strengths: excessively handsome face, sexy body… (omitted) everything else.”
‘Who asked for a fan report on Duke Shupen Knight?’
Instead of information, I received ten pages of praise about Duke Shupen Knight. But as I read through slowly, more than one interesting thing popped out. The terrifying rumors about the Duke contrasted completely with the information from Luna Guild.
‘Can I really trust this guy?’
But I had no choice. After reading the praise many times, I focused on one fact: his ‘only’ weakness. When moving people, weaknesses have more power than strengths. And I had a weapon that could fully complement Duke Shupen’s weakness. Luna Guild must have known that too when they sent the report.
‘How did they know I make magical makeup tools? Seriously, this organization is scary.’
Shaking my head, I quickly finished making the changer and gave it a final check. Then I immediately wrote a letter to Duke Shupen.
“This is for 30 minutes. Contact me if interested.”
It felt too brief, but the key was the changer. It had to be short but strong and pique Duke Shupen’s interest. I rolled up the letter and sent it along with the changer via a familiar servant as instructed on the document’s address.
After that, life went back to its usual hectic pace. As a workaholic, the busy days made me feel peaceful. For several days, I stared out the window, wondering if a reply would come. The longer it took, the more anxious I became.
‘Was the bait too weak?’
On the seventh day, just as I was about to try again with a second changer, surprisingly, a reply arrived from Duke Shupen. Unlike rumors that bloodstains might be smeared on the letter, the pink envelope was cute.
“Are you trying to seduce me now? But this isn’t quite enough…”
The word ‘seduce’ made me laugh out loud. If he was replying, it meant there was enough interest. I was very nervous sending the letter, as he was a top swordsman who had disappeared for ten years. Both the Luna Guild info and his reply showed he was more pleasant than expected.
‘Shall I try with something stronger this time?’
I took out the second changer I made.
“This is for one hour. Are you starting to waver now?”
Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much yet. Just making contact was a huge step forward. I planned to provoke him a bit more and send something really serious. After sending the letter, his servant soon flew back.
“It seems you succeeded. What are the conditions?”
‘He fell for it this easily?’
Well, he probably hadn’t heard the terms yet. Now it was time to get to the point…
‘How can I get Duke Shupen to fall?’
I repeatedly wrote and erased various lines.
“There is a child who admires Your Highness’s exceptional skills. Please be that child’s star.”
Then erased it. Kai didn’t admire him. He wasn’t even interested in swordsmanship and might not even know Duke Shupen. Besides, that sounded like a forced, cheesy poem.
“Your Highness’s touch will save a child.”
Nonsense.
“I will tell you if Your Highness comes to find me.”
Too arrogant. I might send it and then back away. After many tries, I decided on a straightforward approach.
“I want you to be the child’s swordsmanship teacher.”
I felt uneasy sending the letter, worrying if he’d be offended. But he accepted lightly again.
“Where should I go?”
His unexpected reply left me stunned.
‘He’s supposed to be difficult, but he fell for it this easily?’
Everything was going too smoothly, and that made me uneasy.
‘It’s funny to say I’m worried because it’s going too well…’
It felt like someone was playing me according to a script. With half worry and half excitement, I sent the final letter.
“This time it’s for a day. Please come to Macaron Mansion, No. 2, Kraid Territory. Look for Calypso.”
Duke Shupen once again sent a prompt acceptance.
“I will visit tomorrow.”
About 10 minutes after waiting in the west annex, Macaron returned from inspecting the territory and took his place. His uniform suited him well, emphasizing his firm build. Wow, a natural exclamation slipped out.
He sat gracefully and stared at me as if asking why he was here.
“The issue about Kai’s swordsmanship teacher I mentioned last time.”
I imagined Macaron’s reaction and laughed, lowering my head. He glanced at me, then assumed I lowered my head for another reason and spoke.
“I told you he’s not coming. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”
“I don’t think you need to.”
He frowned prettily for a moment as if trying to understand what I meant.
“I heard Duke Shupen is coming.”
He was momentarily speechless, shocked.
“Duke Shupen Knight… you mean?”
“Yes, he said he’d come tomorrow. Please prepare.”
Until he left the annex, Macaron’s face showed stunned disbelief. It was clear he never imagined Duke Shupen would really come. I felt a strange thrill.
The next day, a strange shadow passed through Kraid Territory and entered the mansion. The first to greet him was the butler, Momont.
The finest white horse proudly trotted, and the silver-haired handsome man on its back looked like a prince on a white horse.
With a new kind of handsome man appearing in Kraid Territory, many eyes were drawn to him. Knights in training, maids, even gardeners watering flowers couldn’t take their eyes off him. But no one knew he was ‘Duke Shupen Knight.’ It wasn’t intentional secrecy, but he had long withdrawn from social circles, so it was understandable.
Momont looked at him cautiously, showing respect.
‘Met long ago but it didn’t end well, and then he disappeared. No one knows what he’s been up to.’
“His Highness Macaron is waiting for you.”
Inside, Calypso and Macaron sat side by side, visible to Duke Shupen. Macaron glanced at him and gestured to sit; Duke Shupen bowed slightly in response.
“Long time no see, Your Highness.”
Macaron completely ignored Duke Shupen’s greeting, just like the first day he saw me.
I worried Duke Shupen might get offended and give up being Kai’s teacher, but he smiled as if he found the situation amusing and took a seat.
Duke Shupen really was the sexy magic swordsman, the Empire’s F2 — the description really suited him.
‘How many people could pull off all-white hair like that?’
His small, well-trained muscles and imposing presence created an untouchable aura. Yet his double-lidded, slightly upturned eyes and sharp, aristocratic nose gave him a noble look. I had imagined him being rough and blackened from war, but although he looked sharp, he didn’t seem rough at all.
‘If Macaron is a sensitive handsome mage, Shupen is a sexy magic swordsman.’
Today, his facial scars were perfectly concealed, maybe using the changer I gave him. Macaron, thinking the same, brought up that very topic first.
“I heard you were badly injured…”
Shupen’s gaze, slightly playful before, turned serious when talking about the wounds.
“About that time… I’m sorry.”
