MCFPM 25

chapter 25

Ren Masel.

It had already been almost five years since he entered the Grand Duke’s Castle under this name, a name he didn’t even remember when he had first taken it.

He had been raised as an assassin of Peregrine from a very young age. Trained and surviving until the end, he infiltrated the Grand Duke’s Castle by disguising his tawny and gray feathers as a sparrow, rather than a hawk.

Where traitors like the Knights’ Commander served as a bridge for the East to interfere in the North publicly, assassins like Ren were the executors—watching them, and sometimes eliminating them.

At that moment, a flicker of unease crossed Ren’s face as he squeezed his eyes shut.

“The recent situation has gotten much worse.”

The Knights’ Commander and his subordinates had been slaughtered helplessly by Grand Duke Chartreuse and Eonian Vascaria.

Strictly speaking, there was justification for calling it an execution. Yet all the assassins in the North referred to it as murder, out of fear of the Duke and his heir.

“It’s a statement: no matter who it is, anything that interferes with the North will be eradicated.”

Ren ground his teeth.

“Just like the previous generation…”

He walked slowly toward the castle wall, glancing at the clear sky and his surroundings. Once he was certain there were no signs of life or watchful eyes, he untied the ribbon on his back.

For a brief moment, his bare skin was exposed. From his back, where his wing bones were deformed, large feathered wings spread out. These were his true wings, which he had kept folded to maintain his sparrow disguise.

Ren lightly pushed off the wall and took flight. His brown hair ruffled in the wind.

“And communication has become difficult too… Could it be because Grand Duke Chartreuse has returned?”

Although the status of the Northern underground prison had dropped considerably due to a rat’s escape, the Grand Duke’s Castle itself had devices that caused disturbances to external magical waves. The video sphere used by Sherilot was old but still prevented eavesdropping, and because the “owner” was registered by the previous Duke and Duchess, it could communicate from the North to the South.

Thus, it was very difficult for an assassin like him to communicate with the East. All he had were magical devices for short-range communication.

This was why Ren had to go outside.

As soon as he stepped out, he pulled his hood over his head and headed toward a secret base. Once inside, he retrieved the device from his coat.

“Silver Wind.”

When Ren murmured this, the device flickered faintly.

“Finally, the waves are reaching….”

He sighed and waited with dry eyes for the device’s response. After a while, following the words of the intermediary who would switch the communication, a disguised voice came through.

• Masel?

It was Peregrine, an agent of the Eastern Grand Duchess and Ren’s master.

“Yes, it’s me.”

• What’s the matter?

“I’m here to give a routine report.”

• Is there anything better than the information that Eonian Vascaria is staying in the Grand Duke’s Castle?

“…….”

For a moment, Ren was at a loss for words and clenched his teeth. Surely another competitor inside the Grand Duke’s Castle had already fed Peregrine the most valuable information.

If things continued like this, he would be at a disadvantage again. Swallowing his sigh, he answered quickly.

“It’s not that. I’ve only selected the information you absolutely need to know.”

“……Speak.”

Ren reported on the expected state of the castle’s treasury, the climate in summer, and other observations.

After hearing all the information, Peregrine responded coldly.

• Did Vascaria seem close to Chartreuse?

“Huh?”

• Don’t make me ask twice. Did they seem close?

Ren, flustered, couldn’t understand why Peregrine was asking and merely rolled his eyes.

He had heard they were classmates at the Academy, but it was known among students and professors that they did not get along. Ren had learned this through the intermediary and, from afar, the Grand Duke and his heir only seemed to be cooperating formally.

…Would another Masel be different? That one cleaned the Duke’s office personally.

Ren thought of a competitor with similar brown hair. As he unconsciously bit his lip, Peregrine muttered to himself.

• They might be lovers.

What?

Ren, surprised, habitually opened his mouth to question, then shut it again. Peregrine continued.

• Didn’t that wolf beastman say he had someone he loved?

“But…….”

• Masel. Otherwise, what benefit would there be to Vascaria? Being able to manipulate the Chartreuse family at will? Well, of course, it’s not impossible.

Peregrine clicked his tongue at his subordinate’s remark.

• Anyway, that’s not important. There’s a problem.

“What is it?”

• That Knights’ Commander contacted us.

Ren’s eyes widened.

The escaped Knights’ Commander had met the intermediary used by Peregrine’s assassins. But…

• That bastard brought something unnecessary!

The Commander’s belt had a small magical device for tracking and recording.

“……Grand Duke Chartreuse, huh.”

• Yes. That cat is quite good with devices.

The intermediary had been in direct contact with Peregrine, and the Grand Duke nearly discovered their backchannel.

“We must be cautious.”

• Of course.

Peregrine added, stiffly.

• We need a breakthrough. Now that Grand Duke Chartreuse, the rightful heir, has become lord, the North is already restless.

They could not openly defy inheritance law. If the East delayed territorial inheritance until adulthood, the Law King would not have stayed idle.

• Bring results, Masel.

The master had spoken.

Ren bit the inside of his lip.

“Ah, then let’s see how much a lowly worm like you can do.”

He could not fall behind a rival. At that moment, Peregrine, like with the Knights’ Commander, would discard him like a pawn.

He thought briefly, then replied with a firm voice.

“I’ll use Amus.”

By midday, fresh roses bloomed in the castle courtyard. Sherilot hosted a banquet with senior members.

Aside from Sherilot and Eonian, the attendees were Liam, Clément, Geln, and Mina. Rodie found such gatherings awkward, asking only for food before running off. Since no other talents had been recruited yet, it was a small group.

“But that’s fine. It feels like a meal with relatives, doesn’t it?”

Sherilot shrugged and took her place at the head seat. Eonian, who had arrived early, sat on her right, and Liam, escorting her, sat on her left. She looked around and spoke.

“Good afternoon. The weather was nice today; did anyone go outside?”

“Of course. It was perfect for doing laundry.”

Mina responded first, followed by Clément, who grew excited at the wine served by the maids.

“Isn’t this expensive? Are we going to bankrupt the household?”

“It’s Northern traditional wine.”

“If anyone in our territory can make it, this is no casual brew. Mina, did you make this?”

“Well, administrator, maintain some dignity. …Well, yes, I did.”

“Oh!”

Geln cleared his throat to stop Clément. Sherilot smirked at Mina and Clément’s sparkling eyes.

The magical circle on Lavre Volcano had been nullified. Traitors were expelled through a religious tribunal. Contracts were made with Eonian, seeds introduced, and the faces of the castle staff were now soft as silk.

“Before, everyone had furrowed brows. Now even Rodie smiles often.”

Recalling her subordinate’s mischievous smile, Sherilot couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Why are you laughing, Your Majesty?”

“Nothing. Just….”

Sherilot shook her head when Eonian asked.

“I have a feeling things will improve greatly from now on.”

“…It certainly will.”

Eonian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Soon, the dishes prepared for the banquet were served. The North had suffered poverty for years; though the culinary skills remained, ingredients were scarce. Bringing in high-quality ingredients like Travale mountain cheese changed the aroma of the food entirely.

Everyone focused on the meal before them. The first bite was predetermined, but the next course was free. Starting with an appetizer, Sherilot ate quickly, and everyone began to enjoy the meal.

“The bridge repairs are nearly done. How is the Knights’ order?”

“They are recruiting. Fewer applicants than usual, though.”

“Oh… Is that bad?”

“No, it’s good. Those who join the army fighting beasts in the North often cannot even guarantee basic necessities. Now, with the order improving, we can advertise more effectively…”

The conversation hummed softly. New recruits. Farmers planting mandrakes, beans, and turnips. Local small media recording weather post-volcanic eruption…

Sherilot believed her next steps would also be hopeful.

Had she not smelled something familiar from the steak in front of her, she would have remained so.

“…….”

For a moment, Sherilot’s tail fluffed up. Eonian noticed and glanced at her, but Sherilot quickly composed herself and shook her head.

She picked up her knife.

She knew this scent: a tangy spice, yet strangely unpleasant.

“Why is a cat like you paired with our son? Genetically, it’s completely undesirable!”

Ah, it’s you. That wretched brat.

Sherilot twisted her lips into a bitter smile. Her silver utensils nearly slipped from her sweaty hands.

But if she didn’t eat, a stronger poison would come later. Even if the silver tarnished, she had to eat. For him, this was merely an “experiment.”

“Ha.”

Sherilot took a deep breath and bit into the meat.

She barely chewed before swallowing. Drinking water to soothe herself, she subtly moved closer to Eonian.

“Why are you—”

“Ugh.”

“…….”

Blood trickled.

A brief silence followed. Eonian’s pupils widened as chaos ensued.

“Your Highness…!”

Eonian’s strong arm caught the collapsing Sherilot.

Was the poison stronger than expected? She had intentionally cut the food into smaller portions.

“Sheril, Sherilotte…! Why…!”

She glanced at Eonian, who called her name, tears dripping from his cheeks.

Is he really crying? …Why? Through her blurred vision, Sherilot watched Eonian’s contorted face.

Stop crying for no reason. She wanted to scold him, but her limbs were already weak, her tongue limp. All she could do was think, not act.

Finally, darkness approached.