IBVFL 38

 Chapter 38

“But you need to disinfect regularly so other little bugs don’t gather.”

“……”

That wasn’t wrong either, so Wiestons shut his mouth for a moment.

Truthfully, now that the Black Cat had been wiped out, there was no longer any reason to stay in this house. The remaining small fry would’ve long fled Proude, desperate to save their own skins.

They’d never dare come near a house where their tracks still lingered.

And yet, he still remained here…

‘Grandfather!’

‘Oh my goodness, you did all this yourself?!’

‘No matter what, you mustn’t get hurt…! Your precious body! Your precious joints!’

Wiestons shook his head slowly.

He had lived his entire life as the head of the family.

Even when he was injured, he had to remain silent. In his position, if he ever said he was in pain, people wouldn’t worry — they’d start scheming about how to take his place.

So Wiestons had never trusted people easily. Even when his body ached, he brushed it off.

And he had never been fond of pity either.

But Amelia was different. Though their relationship began with a potion contract, as they spent more time together, he found himself growing attached to her.

Had anyone ever treated him so naturally, without pretense?

Well, except Felix — but that boy had always been an insolent brat, so that hardly counted.

Before he knew it, Wiestons was thinking of Amelia not as a contractor, but as a real granddaughter.

That’s why he couldn’t bring himself to leave. How could he go when the girl who tripped over herself while shaking out blankets was still here?

“Time to head back soon, Wiestons. The Black Cat’s men are caught.”

Dion, who’d been watching him lost in thought, shook his head.

At first, it made sense — the Black Cat had targeted this house. But now that even their leader had been captured, would they really keep chasing this place?

“The remaining small fry must’ve already scattered. You don’t need to worry this much. Worst case, just relocate her somewhere safer.”

“Relocate?”

“Yes. Angelo’s rather secluded, isn’t it?”

If it bothered him, he could just move her to a more secure area.

Dion, who wanted the family head back as soon as possible, offered what he thought was a reasonable solution.

“Potions have been supplied now anyway. You should return. Young Master Felix is having a hard time without you.”

“Hmph. That brat, hard time?”

Felix was far too precocious for his age. He’d always had a strong will — whether others were around or not — and had managed fine without Wiestons’ help since he was a child.

“Still, he’s young. A guardian should stay by his side.”

“……”

“In any case, I strongly recommend you wrap things up and return. If you don’t, I think he’ll come here himself soon.”

“Actually, that’s what I wanted to ask you about.”

Dion blinked in surprise as Wiestons frowned slightly.

“Amelia’s been going out often lately. Find out where she’s been going.”

“Her whereabouts? Is something wrong?”

“Something wrong…”

When he thought about it — yes, something did feel off.

“But seeing as she came in a Kazleden carriage, it’s definitely suspicious.”

“……What carriage? Where?”

“Here, near the house, of course.”

Last night —

When Amelia didn’t return home, Wiestons had gone out to meet her.

And not far from the house, he saw a carriage.

A black lion, two crossed swords behind it, and a blue field — the Kazleden family crest.

Even from a distance, Wiestons had immediately recognized it.

Naturally, he assumed his troublesome grandson had finally tracked him down.

But when the carriage door opened—

“Amelia stepped out of the family carriage. The man escorting her was one of Felix’s subordinates.”

Dion hummed thoughtfully at that.

A carriage bearing the family crest could only be ridden by a family member.

Which meant the person who sent it — was Felix himself.

“Find out what’s going on, quickly.”

He didn’t know the reason yet, but—

“I’ve got a bad feeling.”

Meanwhile—

At the same time, Felix stepped out of the bathroom, rubbing his wet hair with a towel.

‘What locations have you narrowed it down to?’

‘Caliban and Angelo. One of the two.’

Caliban and Angelo.

After leaving the restaurant, he’d gone to Caliban — a place filled with black-market dealings — as Gilbert had suggested.

But he found no trace of Wiestons there.

That left only one place.

Angelo.

It was also the last place where Wiestons had left any trace.

‘That damned old man.’

According to Meital, he’d return soon and Felix was to wait patiently.

Easier said than done.

It had been nearly a month since the family head disappeared. The mountain of paperwork was driving Felix insane.

And now even the Imperial Court was beginning to stir.

‘There’s no way they don’t know the Black Cat’s been dismantled.’

The potions were already secured, so why hadn’t Wiestons come back yet?

Something didn’t add up.

‘And that woman lives in Angelo too…’

No.

‘What does she have to do with anything?’

Felix frowned deeply.

It was just coincidence — that Amelia Frang happened to live in Angelo.

Nothing more.

‘Annoying.’

For nearly a month, that woman had been getting under his skin. Always popping up in front of him, unsettling him. And every time she was near, a strange calm washed over him.

It wasn’t something a mere magician could explain — it was deeper. As if the restless fire within him cooled whenever she was there.

Like dousing flames with cold water.

Lately, his attacks had been more frequent, making him irritable.

But whenever he met Amelia, those episodes vanished — as if they’d never happened.

Maybe that was why he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

Still, Felix was convinced it was only temporary.

After all, the place where Wiestons was last seen just happened to overlap with her home.

And he’d run into her several times at the guild — anyone would get annoyed after that much coincidence.

Besides, Gilbert, who reported everything to him, had hidden only one thing: what kind of work that woman did.

And if she was truly a magician, why hide her identity in a city that respected mages?

Naturally, his curiosity grew.

Having convinced himself his interest was reasonable, Felix nodded.

Feeling a bit calmer, he sank into the sofa.

‘Anyway.’

He had to bring that old man back as soon as possible. He didn’t mind the work — but the real problem was the Imperial Court.

Those cunning snakes would surely try something in the patriarch’s absence.

Just thinking about it gave him a headache.

‘The area’s narrowed down now.’

They’d meet soon enough.

‘That infuriating old man.’

Once he found him, Felix vowed—

He’d tie him up, hands and feet, and force him to rest.