IBTBD 12

Chapter 12

“It’s an attempted poisoning of His Grace, the Duke of Kreuz! Seal the castle immediately—don’t let a single rat escape!”

“Yes, sir!”

As expected, the entire Black Dragon Castle was thrown into chaos.

We already knew the culprit was a kitchen maid, but no one could say how many accomplices she might have had.

‘This might be a good chance to turn the whole castle upside down.’

Perhaps Gerard and the captain of the guard thought the same, because they decided to lock down the castle and personally question every servant.

Unlike the commotion outside, however, Kenih’s chamber was eerily quiet, as though silence had descended.

“It’s a mana neurotoxin,” Gerard said, picking up the soup bowl that had fallen to the floor.

Even though he was holding it with a handkerchief, his fingertips twitched intermittently—perhaps from exposure to the drug’s lingering effects.

“A mana neurotoxin?”

“It’s a toxic substance that disrupts mana’s neural structures, preventing them from functioning properly.”

At Kenih’s expectant tilt of the head, Gerard elaborated.

“It’s been deemed too dangerous and is banned for all purposes outside of research. Normally, even in the tiniest doses, it is known to amplify the limits of one’s mana. The problem is…”

Though his voice trailed off, everyone in the room—including me—understood his unspoken meaning.

‘Kenih.’

He was likely about to explain the effect this substance would have on his lord.

‘It would probably… trigger a rampage.’

The image flashed in my mind before I could stop it: half of Black Dragon Castle reduced to rubble, myself included, caught at his side.

It made sense. The Kreuz family possessed more mana than any other beastkin clan.

And Kenih himself was said to hold near-infinite mana, rivaling the first Black Dragon Patriarch.

For someone barely holding balance as it was, even a single drop of such a drug would be enough to ignite catastrophe.

‘I thought it would just be some mushroom poison that didn’t react to silver…’

This was far more vicious.

I looked at Kenih with trembling eyes, wondering what was going through his mind after having his life threatened in what should be the safest sanctuary.

“So, this isn’t something an ordinary person could get their hands on.”

Leaning back against the sofa, Kenih closed his eyes.

From time to time his brow furrowed, as though he were sifting through countless names to pinpoint the true mastermind.

His face was numb, as if used to such matters.

But his voice carried a deep note of self-mockery.

Being born a “Black Dragon” must mean this fate had always been written:

Wealth, honor, and overwhelming power…

And the price—living one’s entire life under the shadow of constant danger.

The air in the chamber grew heavier still.

Then, surprisingly, it was the physician who broke the frozen silence.

After a few coughs, he removed the ice pack from my back and spoke.

“Ahem, thankfully, aside from a minor burn on the skin, there’s no lasting damage. Since you have no mana whatsoever, the neurotoxin couldn’t affect you. Naturally so—you’re not a beastkin. Ho ho!”

He chuckled as he carefully applied burn ointment.

Perhaps he had meant to lighten the mood, but there’s a saying: sometimes a stray stone kills the unlucky frog.

And I was the frog.

A beastkin with not a single speck of mana.

Muriel Aymond glared daggers.

‘…This wretched old man.’

As if shaving bald patches into my precious, silk-like fur hadn’t been enough, now he had to jab at my sorest point.

I was scowling at him when—

“To recognize the poison in the soup… Truly clever. We owe you a great debt. It is no exaggeration to say Lord Squirrel here saved His Grace’s life.”

Huh?

The story had taken a turn I hadn’t anticipated.

The physician, who had served the Kreuz family for generations, was sincerely thanking me.

A firm yet gentle hand pressed against my back, lifting me into the air.

“So that’s how it is.”

Even without looking, I knew whose hand it was.

Kenih.

He was the only one reckless enough to grab me by the scruff like this.

Now we were face-to-face.

Kenih, who had been so tense moments ago, was now smiling in satisfaction.

“You saved me.”

Then, with a glance at his lieutenant, a faint sigh followed.

“I’ll acknowledge it. Suspicious as you still are, at least today, our little thief saved the Duke.”

Gerard put special emphasis on “today,” but his attitude was unusually respectful—as one would when addressing the high nobility.

“On behalf of all who serve His Grace, I, Gerard Viper, extend my gratitude. During your stay, we shall see to it you lack nothing.”

I vaguely heard the name “Ferdinand” mentioned in a worried tone, but it didn’t matter much.

What mattered was—

“Chit, chit-chit.”

Muriel had gained another follower.

A few days passed since the storm swept through Black Dragon Castle.

As for the incident: the interrogations revealed that the kitchen maid had two accomplices among the servants.

Apparently, she was a displaced refugee, one whose homeland had fallen during the Kreuz family’s conquest wars.

Though long ago, and though not Kenih’s doing, her hatred toward Kreuz had never subsided.

‘But that drug was not something a mere refugee could obtain…’

And yet the mastermind behind them was never uncovered.

“His Grace personally punished those involved. Embarrassingly enough, their only official charge was… ‘burns.’”

Gerard shook his head while deftly shelling sunflower seeds for me.

Not attempted murder of the Duke, but “burns.”

Kenih Kreuz was truly unfathomable.

“We rooted out everyone involved in this plot, but… I doubt the spies in Black Dragon Castle are finished.”

“Chit?”

“Ah, my apologies. That word ‘rat’ must be offensive to you, little thief. Regardless, I don’t believe this is the end of their infiltration.”

‘No doubt.’

I nodded, plucking a ripe cherry to savor.

Since the poisoning attempt, my life here had changed completely.

No more iron cage. I could roam Kenih’s chambers freely.

Not just as a mere animal, but honored as the hero who saved the Duke.

Sleeping in late, feasting like an emperor, lounging and snacking at will—this had become my daily routine.

And today—

“It is my honor to serve you, Th-thief… Lord Squirrel!”

I had even been assigned a personal maid.

Her name was Lia Viper.

She had short dark-green hair brushing her shoulders, and sharp, upturned eyes that mirrored Gerard’s features exactly.

As expected, they were twin siblings.

But wait… Did she just call me something strange?

Narrowing my eyes, I caught her blurting out a confession before I could even ask.

“I’m sorry! I’ve just heard so many stories about Lord Squirrel that it slipped out before I knew it!”

Dropping to her knees like a condemned criminal, she slammed her forehead against the floor with loud thuds, begging forgiveness.

‘So this is how apologies work in Black Dragon Castle…?’

Rather extreme.

I steadied my nerves and hopped down from the bed.

“Chit, chit-chit—.”

It’s fine, it’s fine.

Everyone makes mistakes.

I magnanimously patted the back of her hand.

Then I felt hot breath above my head.

“Lord Squirrel’s warm, soft, moist little paw… Ahh— I could die happy.”

Lia’s pale face flushed scarlet, as though about to explode.

If only it had stopped there.

Her nostrils flared, and her breath came out in heavy bursts, enough to nearly topple my tiny frame.

‘W-what’s wrong with her?’

Before I could react, Gerard stepped in between us.

“Lia, you’re frightening our guest.”

He seemed well accustomed to her behavior, chopping down on the back of her neck with a karate-like chop.

That brought her somewhat back to her senses.

“Sorry if I startled you.”

“Please understand, little thief. In this castle, beastkin are completely defenseless against things small and cute.”

Black Dragon Castle, forever steeped in peril, had only ever preserved the strong and mighty.

They rarely encountered creatures small, cute, and warm like me.

So competition for the role of my personal maid had been fierce.

“Every single female servant applied, truth be told.”

“Heh, it was quite the battle.”

Lia chuckled softly.

Judging from the muffled sobs and cries outside the chamber door, they hadn’t been exaggerating.

“Sniff, I want to see Lord Squirrel toooo!”

“Down with nepotism! Down with nepotism!”

“C-curse those Viper twins…”

Only days later did I fully realize that the “battle” Lia had mentioned was no mere metaphor.