TSSH 03

Chapter 3

It had already been a year since I finished my revenge on my family in Wickers.

After barely escaping the Kingdom of Crolin, I had wanted to head straight into the Berneheim Empire—but…

I didn’t have an identity document that would allow me to cross the border safely while also evading any pursuit that might be following me.

Identity documents included details such as appearance and eye color, so preparation was necessary.

The artifact necklace my father had passed down had one fatal limitation.

But that couldn’t be helped—artifacts were not all-powerful.

While hair length and color, eye color, and facial features could be changed relatively easily, there were limits when it came to height, bone structure, and body type.

In addition, the disguise had to be removed for a few hours every night to recharge mana.

It could function for a few days without recharging, but it was best to keep it near full charge at all times.

In any case, after thinking hard about how to shake off Wickers’ pursuit as much as possible, I came up with a good idea.

I would change even my gender.

Cut my hair short, slightly alter my facial structure—eyes, nose, and mouth—and flatten my chest to appear like a man.

But perhaps because cross-dressing consumed a large amount of mana, I couldn’t fully change my voice.

And since I couldn’t increase my height either, I ended up with a build closer to a late teenager than a full-grown adult.

After some preparation, I created a new identity: “Runnelk Ains.”

After that, I crossed into the Berneheim Empire and was safely employed in the Knox family’s enforcement unit.

And now that I looked back on it, it had been a perfect decision.

A tree hides best in a forest, and a book hides best in a library.

No one would ever imagine that I, entangled in both hostility and debt with Helena of Wickers, would be working openly inside Knox.

And in disguise as a man, no less.

“Go ahead and try finding me.”

I smiled faintly, imagining Edward’s face twisted with poison and frustration thanks to his obsessive, unpleasant personality.

“Next.”

I gestured toward the next wagon in line.

I had originally joined the enforcement unit simply because it was a low-ranking organization with many members, making it easier to secure a position.

Since all visitors to Knox had to pass through the main gate, it was also the perfect place to watch for infiltrators trying to follow my trail.

On top of that, because I had tightened inspections due to my circumstances, I had gradually earned a reputation within the unit for having good instincts and sharp judgment.

“Ah, it’s hot.”

Even so, my situation hadn’t changed much.

Wiping sweat from my brow, I opened the cover of the wagon.

“Cheshire Trading Company’s Baker.”

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Your order says thirty barrels of Kenzia Mountain wine.”

“Well, yes, but…”

“That one there. Even at a glance, that’s thirty-three barrels.”

“W-what? No, that’s impossible!”

“Mr. Baker, if you insist, I’ll have to open every single one.”

As I looked at him sideways, the employee from the trading company averted his gaze and reluctantly turned the wagon around.

The duchy itself was like an entire town, which meant illegal trade occasionally took place within it.

But Knox strictly regulated all goods entering the ducal estate.

Frankly speaking, who knew whether those barrels contained alcohol, medicine, or even people?

“Next…”

Just as I was about to call the next person—

“The Duke is returning!”

All the enforcement members lounging at the checkpoint immediately rushed out and forced the wagons lining up at the gate aside.

Dudududuk!

Clip-clop, clip-clop!

With the sound of pounding hooves, a dark green carriage bearing the Knox ducal crest shot through the main gate, followed by mounted guards whose cloaks flared dramatically behind them.

They moved so fast that a gust of wind swept through after they passed.

“Whew, that’s intimidating.”

A senior named Jake appeared beside me and whistled.

“Last year, I went to the main building on an errand.”

The main building referred to the central castle within the vast Knox estate, where key departments and the duke’s office were located.

“I happened to see the captain of the personal guard in the hallway.”

“The captain of the guard? Kane Degrave?”

“Yeah. I immediately went to the bathroom after that, checking if I’d… well, messed myself.”

Just remembering it made Jake shiver dramatically.

“They say he’s the strongest in Knox, but if even the captain is like that… meeting our duke in person might literally give you a heart attack.”

Normally I would have ignored Jake’s exaggerations—but this time, I found myself nodding.

Killian Knox.

Full name: Killian Crestea Knox.

The reason I had hesitated to hide within Knox.

He was the only duke in the Berneheim Empire, and simultaneously the head of the organization known as Knox.

A man who held immense power in both hands—but fear of him came from more than just authority.

Killian Knox was ruthless.

At eighteen, he killed his stepmother and half-brother.

Killian Knox was cruel.

After eliminating them, he personally tortured the faction within Knox that had followed them until they confessed their sins.

Rumor said that in the dungeon beneath the estate, screams never ceased for a hundred days.

Killian Knox was also, infuriatingly, capable.

After inheriting the title and leadership, he expanded the organization several times over in just eight years.

Illegal businesses that could become weaknesses were handed off on paper to loyal external noble houses, while Knox itself expanded into massive industries.

Railways, construction, distribution, mercenary operations, trade through Knox Trading Company, and even high-class opera houses and art galleries.

All of them became golden geese in Killian Knox’s hands.

Without a single failure.

The enormous capital he accumulated quickly became absolute power.

Most nobles in the empire were indebted to Knox, and even the Emperor himself was desperately trying to curry favor with Killian Knox.

Lastly, Killian Knox had instinct.

Something beyond ordinary human senses—an intuition, or something like it.

That was the reason I hesitated to hide in Knox.

That “instinct” was a sharp blade that severed the heads of spies and traitors.

In fact, that was what he was most famous for.

So precise it seemed almost supernatural.

Even I, back in Wickers, had lost several people I trained myself while trying to plant spies in Knox.

“Well, I did succeed eventually.”

Still, because of that, rumors spread that Killian Knox could literally read minds.

And adding strange credibility to that rumor was the “Dragon Eye” passed down through generations in the Knox ducal family.

A golden eye with a vertically slit pupil like a dragon’s, not a normal round one.

People said there was a dragon among their ancestors or something absurd like that.

Those who had seen Killian Knox claimed that making eye contact with him left you unable to move, as if under a spell.

Of course, such stories couldn’t possibly be true.

But it was undeniable that he possessed an instinct far beyond ordinary perception.

Right now, I was not a spy from another organization, nor did I intend to betray Knox.

Still, given my circumstances, it was best not to draw Killian Knox’s attention.

“Well, it’s not like I’ll ever meet him anyway.”

Even though I belonged to Knox, I was just a low-ranking gate guard in an outer enforcement unit.

There was no chance I would ever meet Killian Knox.

“Rookie, your shift’s over.”

The night shift arrived and took the entry logs from me.

I immediately headed toward the enforcement unit dormitory located on the outskirts of the estate.

“Man, I’m exhausted.”

One thing I appreciated about Knox was that even low-ranking members were given private rooms with bathrooms.

After forcing my tired body through a quick wash, I prepared for bed.

It was still early, but I intended not to wake until morning.

Click.

I locked the door and carefully drew the curtains so nothing could be seen from outside.

Then I deactivated the artifact in front of the mirror.

Sssshhh—

With a sensation like a gentle breeze wrapping around my body, my form gradually returned to its original state.

Short, tousled ash-blonde hair lengthened like flowing water until it reached my waist, turning deep black as it grew.

At the same time, my facial structure softened and my height increased by roughly the length of two fingers.

But the greatest change was my eye color.

The cloudy sky-colored eyes of Runnelk slowly shifted like a sunset, deepening into the color of fresh blood.

The face of Helena Moten—known only to me in this world.

“No problems.”

After confirming the necklace was functioning properly, I jumped into bed and fell asleep.

The chronic insomnia that had tormented me throughout my Wickers days was long gone.

How long had I slept?

Flash.

I opened my eyes and immediately grabbed the dagger I had hidden under my pillow.

Creeeak, creeeak.

Suspicious footsteps were approaching my door.