HRTC 15

Chapter 15

Leonhardt appeared as if he were a dog owner about to take his pet for a walk.

“Don’t call me like you’re calling a dog!”

I shouted, slapping the back of Leonhardt’s hand as he came closer. The more I resisted, the more his lips curved upward in a grin.

“Your defiance is cute too. Do it more.”

“Ugh! You’re so annoying…”

I clung tightly to the basket with both hands to resist being taken away. But that resistance was as useless as a child’s tantrum.

Leonhardt easily lifted Kali and slung her over his left shoulder.

“I greet Your Grace, the Grand Duke.”

“Kali’s valet. From now on, I’ll be taking Kali out for walks, so take note of that.”

“Eh…? Yes. Understood.”

Levi bowed his head to receive the order, but he looked somewhat regretful.

Dangling helplessly from Leonhardt’s shoulder like an ornament, Kali went limp.

“Hey, Leon. I’m not some animal that needs to be taken on walks, you know.”

“So you admit it now? That you’re an animal.”

“No, I don’t! My body may be a squirrel’s, but inside I’m a proper lady!”

“And how do you even know that? Unless you turn back into a person, how can you take responsibility for those words?”

“Ugh. That’s… that’s…”

Maybe the red-haired girl was indeed Kali. If she had grown up from that form, she would surely have become a fine lady.

But there was a problem. If that girl truly was Kali, then—at what age had she turned into a squirrel?

“Kali. Why do you even want to turn back into a human? You’re cute enough as a squirrel.”

“No! I’m going to break this curse no matter what. And if I do, it’ll be good for you too, Leon. Don’t you want the curse broken?”

“…Not sure.”

Leonhardt trailed off, smiling weakly.

“By now it’s become part of my body. I’m used to it.”

He looked like someone who had long since given up—neither hope nor despair remained in his expression.

* * *

Not once had monsters ever breached the iron wall of the northern lands.

It was literally called the Iron Wall for a reason—impenetrable, keeping out every single monster.

At its forefront had once stood the third Grand Duke Spencer.

Due to the endless greed of Arthur Spencer, the founding hero, a curse was laid upon the family. Ever since, his descendants had suffered under that curse.

The descendants, tormented by madness born from the curse, had to suppress their bloodlust to stay sane. And to do that, they needed more blood.

So they killed monsters again and again. The northern wall grew stronger and more fortified, but their minds grew more and more ruined.

“His Grace hasn’t been coming much lately.”

“Guess his blood hasn’t been raging. That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, and the monsters are quiet too. Boringly quiet.”

But in this generation, the Grand Duke’s strength was matched only by the depth of his cursed blood. It had manifested when he was only three years old, and from then, his blood boiled without rest.

He sought monsters endlessly. If none appeared, he’d summon them by force just to kill them.

As a result, monsters held a deep grudge. They came endlessly to kill Leonhardt. Yet not one of them ever laid a finger on him.

“One day that’s going to be trouble.”

“Look at that. Nothing out there but frozen hills.”

At that moment, Vice-Captain Peter appeared. He smacked the back of the two knights’ heads with a sharp thwack.

“You fools! Slacking off on watch duty!”

“Argh! Vice-Captain!”

“Ow, that hurts!”

The two knights crouched down, clutching their heads. Peter was such a big man he was more often called “the Bear” than by name.

His bulk came with terrifying strength. Taking a hit from him felt like their heads were about to fly off.

“What will you do if the monsters attack while you’re slacking off like this?”

And his voice was as loud as his frame.

One of the knights cautiously raised his head.

“But sir, there’s not a sign of them anywhere.”

“That’s exactly what’s strange.”

“Captain!”

Gerald had appeared outside, approaching the wall. Still, nothing could be seen.

On the other side stretched the ice hill.

Once it had been low plains, but after countless corpses piled up, and snow layered and froze over them, it had become a hill of ice.

“If you’ve got nothing better to do, go and clear out that hill.”

“Wh-what? That hill…?”

“Yes. It’s blocking the—”

Gerald fell silent, his sword pointing outward.

Dozens of long, snake-like things slowly began to rise. They twisted and writhed, then turned. At their ends were eyes.

In an instant, a chill raced up everyone’s spines.

The monsters were attacking.

“Attack! Monsters are here!”

Peace was over.

“Defend the northern wall! Don’t let a single one live!”

Gerald quickly called the knights.

“Send a carrier bird to His Grace! Immediately!”

The number of enemies was no joke. At this rate, it might be difficult to hold.

It seemed the wall still needed the Grand Duke’s strength.

* * *

Kali gazed longingly at the gondola, still motionless.

It looked so fun. Riding it would surely be fun.

Leonhardt absentmindedly scratched Kali’s head with his fingertips. The sensation pleased him, and he chuckled low in his throat—like a beast satisfied with its prey.

“I didn’t know you liked gondolas that much.”

“Are you sure it’s being repaired? It looks the same as last time.”

“It’s under repair. Don’t rush, Kali. Or I won’t let you ride.”

“Don’t you dare. I’ll body-slam you.”

“Show me now.”

Leaning lazily against the railing, Leonhardt toyed with Kali, savoring the texture of her soft fur. It was dangerously addictive.

Kali gradually flattened herself, eventually lying down with a pout.

Annoying as it was, Leonhardt’s touch was oddly relaxing, almost sleep-inducing.

‘If this keeps up, I’ll be domesticated… No, no, no…’

Growing drowsy, she let herself slump against him. Her tail swayed slowly from side to side, betraying her contentment.

Leonhardt glanced at the tail brushing his wrist and gently stroked it with his thumb.

“S-stop… ugh…”

“You’re completely a squirrel now.”

“I-I don’t know when the curse will be broken… so I have to get used to this body…”

Her eyes were closing. Sleep was coming.

Kaak—kak!

At that moment, the caw of a crow rang out. Forcing her heavy eyelids open, Kali saw a white crow flying at full speed into the pavilion of the secret garden.

‘A white crow? What’s with this place and albinos? A white squirrel, and now a white crow…’

Leonhardt’s hand froze. Kali used the chance to sit up.

When she turned, she saw his expression had turned cold. Stretching out his long arm, he let the crow perch on it with ease.

“That’s your crow?”

“Yes. Its name is Kay.”

A slip of paper was tied to its leg. Leonhardt removed it, stroking the bird with his fingers.

Kali stared at the paper, trying hard to read it—but of course, she couldn’t.

‘Oh, right. I can’t read…’

Even if she could see the words, she wouldn’t understand them.

She suddenly felt the crow’s gaze. Looking up, she met its beady black eyes staring right at her.

“Kay. Even if you’re hungry, don’t eat that one.”

Though his words were directed at the crow, his hand kept petting its wings.

Kali flinched and backed away. The crow rubbed its head into Leonhardt’s palm, then turned back to fix its gaze on her.

“D-do something! It keeps looking at me like I’m food!”

“Don’t worry. I’ll save you before you’re eaten.”

“Before I’m eaten?! Save me now!”

“But honestly, I don’t really have a reason to save you.”

“What kind of master says that?!”

Kali stamped her foot in fury. At any moment, the crow might peck her.

Hands on her hips, she glared back at it.

“I’m not scared. Not scared at all! Go on then, try me!”

But no matter how much she acted tough, the truth betrayed her—her squirrel ears trembled.

Leonhardt chuckled, watching the paper.

“My little squirrel is a coward.”

“J-just don’t let go of it…”

“Kay’s not that violent. Don’t worry.”

Leonhardt withdrew his hand. The crow immediately shifted its body to face Kali fully.

She swallowed hard. Even as Leonhardt shredded the paper into bits, she couldn’t tear her eyes away. Because…

‘It’s moving! It’s really coming at me!’

The crow slowly began to walk forward. Terrified, Kali couldn’t even move her feet. Leonhardt, meanwhile, looked entertained.

So irritating—I want to hit him.

“N-no! Don’t! I taste bad!”

She squeezed her eyes shut, crouching down with her head buried in her arms. Her body trembled uncontrollably.

And then—

The crow stopped right in front of her and dipped its head.

‘This is it, it’s going to peck me—!’

Tap, tap—

Something poked her lightly. It didn’t hurt. Just gentle taps.

Slowly, Kali raised her head. Lowering her arms, she saw the white crow staring curiously at her.

“…Huh?”

The bird tilted its head, and somehow—it looked a little cute.

“Seems Kay likes you.”

“No way… you knew from the start…”

“Of course I knew.”

His expression was satisfied. Then, he burned the paper in his hand. Kali gasped, eyes wide.

“That was magic.”

“Simple enough. I used mana.”

“Wow… so that’s possible?”

“It is. Because I can do it.”

“Oh, how wonderful. …Wait, stop it! That tickles!”

The crow rubbed its head against Kali, then suddenly flopped over onto its back. Pressing its beak against her round belly, it nudged her playfully.

It seemed the crow had also taken a liking to her.

‘My life… everything is futile…’