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After returning to the mansion, we immediately gathered in the “common room.”
The common room served a similar purpose to a living room—it was a place the five of us usually gathered when there was something to discuss, so we had casually named it that.
Ever since I came, this was the only place where we could all be together fairly, so we spent more time here than in our individual rooms.
“There are two things we need to talk about first.”
Lethilia, who was perched on the desk near the fireplace, began the conversation.
“One is about Burkrodel, who approached you, Shunen. The second is the Emperor’s order.”
“Order?”
“It’s more like the corresponding compensation. Contractually speaking.”
Ethan picked up the thread.
Compensation…
Something about that word bothered me. Did we ask for something that required compensation?
From what I’d heard, they occasionally carried out tasks the Emperor ordered, but that didn’t quite sound like something deserving of “compensation.”
Is it because of today’s banquet?
The thought felt uncomfortably plausible. I really hoped not—because if it was true, I’d feel terribly guilty.
Ethan seemed to notice my worried expression and smoothly changed the subject.
“It’s not mandatory, but the matter itself raised enough questions that we accepted. I think it’s easier if we start with Burkrodel. How about that?”
“I don’t mind. Honestly, I’m not that curious.”
“Then I’ll keep it short.”
I nodded at his words. Whatever Burkrodel was like, this wasn’t the original story anyway.
It was a bit odd how all five of them were unanimously hostile toward him, but it wasn’t something I was desperate to know.
“They’re a family with many secrets. Because this Emperor is particularly weak against him, they’re the most powerful among the marquis households. Their public reputation isn’t bad—but that’s only outwardly.”
“Powerful, my ass.”
Isaac scoffed, crossing his legs. I could feel the hostility emanating from deep inside him.
“They’re just a gathering of filthy bastards and their lackeys.”
“Can’t deny that… In truth, they’re basically the shadow rulers—the real power in this empire’s underworld. Their noble title is just a façade.”
I nodded at Ethan’s words. So that part hadn’t changed. Maybe it was just a matter of personality, then.
In the original story, their relationship wasn’t great either… So it makes sense.
I summarized bluntly, “So basically criminals?”
“Pfft.”
“Kh.”
Lethilia and Isaac burst out laughing, trying to cover their mouths as their shoulders shook.
Their unexpectedly strong reaction made me a little self-conscious.
“Was that too simplified?”
“No. That was spot on!”
“Yeah, exactly right.”
“Wow, that’s simple~ Shunen, you’re good at summarizing.”
Novel laughed uproariously, and even Ethan, rarely, agreed with him. Hazen clapped softly and rested his chin on his hand, chuckling.
“But what does it mean that the Emperor’s weak against him?”
Had something happened in the past?
I asked because it wasn’t something I’d heard in the original story. The four of them exchanged glances and gestured toward Isaac.
“The first Emperor had the power of ‘contracts,’ and since that’s been passed down, every noble in the empire is bound by it. Except us, of course.”
“Contracts?”
“‘All nobles shall obey the Imperial Family in exchange for power until the end of the Empire. If anyone disobeys or harms the Emperor, they will be executed immediately.’ That’s the gist of it. Because of that restriction, the previous Marquis Burkrodel died.”
My jaw dropped at the unexpected explanation. That was an extremely harsh and absolute restriction. I hadn’t imagined such a thing existed.
Isaac, resting his chin on his hand, spoke irritably.
“It was practically an accident… but still. The current Emperor feels guilty about it, so he’s especially soft on Burkrodel. Everyone knows it.”
“Th–then that means he has incredible influence. The Emperor’s basically backing him.”
“It’s nothing to worry about. Just annoying. You can ignore him.”
Isaac said it casually, but honestly, I was uneasy.
If what he said was true, then when it came to Burkrodel, our demands might not work on the Imperial Family.
“I like to toy with him, actually. It’s hilarious when he acts all high and mighty, so I’ve knocked him down a few pegs before.”
“That was just you acting alone, you idiot.”
Ethan glared at Novel, who snorted dismissively.
“That’s enough,” Lethilia cut off the scattered atmosphere.
“In short, Burkrodel’s just a bothersome nuisance from the past. We won’t have any real conflict with him.”
“…Well, that’s a relief. Not that it matters—if you guys fought, you’d obviously win anyway.”
“Heh, of course. Anyway, that’s all for Burkrodel. Next is something more important.”
It was rare for Lethilia to admit something was “important.” At least, she’d never done so in front of me.
I straightened my posture, waiting for what was to come.
Isaac glanced at Hazen, telling him to listen carefully, then began explaining.
An illegal facility near the southern border. And its most likely purpose: experiments to create “ability users.”
The topic was as heavy as the earlier one, and I couldn’t bring myself to speak.
Isaac leaned forward, voice low behind his clasped hands.
“And the Emperor has ordered us to eliminate it.”
“……”
“He doesn’t care how we do it. We’re to confirm the facility’s purpose, then make our own judgment after seeing it ourselves.”
A heavy silence filled the air.
Unconsciously, my gaze shifted to Hazen. His silvery-gray eyes were as calm as ever, even though he was the only one among us who hadn’t heard about this before.
Experiments… don’t tell me it’s human experimentation.
Of all things, please don’t let it be that.
In a novel, this would just be part of someone’s tragic backstory, something you might feel a little sad about and move on. But for people actually living here, it was the cruelest thing imaginable.
“What are the chances the experiments succeeded?”
Novel broke the silence, as if gauging something.
“Unknown. This is all the information we have. The Emperor sent us to find out.”
“Then we’ll just have to go and see.”
Isaac raised an eyebrow as Novel, who had been lounging against his chair, straightened up and turned toward me.
“And Shunen. What are you going to do in the meantime?”
“Ah.”
“……Come to think of it.”
“That’s the biggest issue.”
I sighed at the sharp observation, and Hazen trailed off. Lethilia’s golden eyes flickered intensely as she looked at me.
“If we head there, do all five of us have to go? Does that include me?”
Isaac and Lethilia exchanged looks. A brief, silent debate passed between them before they spoke simultaneously.
“Yes.”
“No.”
…Didn’t you both hear the same order? Why are your answers different?
Feeling deflated, I glanced between them. Either one of them was lying, or the order allowed for multiple interpretations.
Lethilia frowned.
“The Emperor only said to ‘go,’ not who or how many must go.”
“Technically, he ordered Hardenberg. Shunen is now part of Hardenberg. She’s clearly included.”
“And you’re okay with bringing Shunen to a place like that?”
“What’s the alternative? No matter the location, it’s safer for her to be with us.”
Isaac shot back.
Sensing the growing tension, I quickly signaled Ethan and Novel to step in. Hey, a little help here?
They understood and intervened.
“I agree with Isaac. If she doesn’t have to be right there the whole time, one of us can stay with Shunen. It’s safer than leaving her alone.”
“Are you insane, apple-head? Do you want her to see what’s in there, Ethan?!”
Uh, guys, I said calm it down, not escalate it.
I ran a hand down my face and peeked at Hazen through my fingers. He was the only one not voicing an opinion, hugging a cushion and quietly watching the chaos.
“Hazen, what do you think?”
The argument immediately died down at my question.
The other four turned intense, expectant eyes on Hazen.
“…Isn’t it simple? Why are you all overthinking this, siblings…?”
“What?”
“It’s simple.”
Hazen yawned and gestured toward me.
“Just let Shunen decide.”
…And with that, round two of persuasion began—this time directed at me.
❖ ❖ ❖
—Ugh, fine. I’ll go too! Done!
What ended the family-meeting-turned-argument was Shunen’s declaration.
It was more of a reflexive answer to stop the increasingly heated atmosphere than a carefully thought-out decision—but either way, it was her decision.
And her will was absolute among the five.
Isaac leaned against the window frame of his room, gazing out at the dark night sky.
The sight that always stirred something deep within him tugged at distant memories.
—This is your symbolic color.
A faint but vivid voice echoed in his mind.
Eyes closed, breath steady, he heard someone call his name from behind.
“Isaac.”
“I knew you’d come.”
He turned to see Lethilia.
Isaac let out a small laugh at her discontented expression.
“Still not happy about what I said, huh?”
“It’s not that I’m unhappy—I just don’t understand. I can’t believe you suggested bringing Shunen somewhere dangerous.”
“……”
“What are you thinking?”
Her golden eyes shone coldly, as if piercing through him.
Isaac silently met her gaze, then finally spoke.
“Because this never happened before.”
“What?”
“There are plenty of underground labs trying to create ability users. But for something big enough to catch the Imperial Family’s attention? That’s unprecedented.”
The number of ability users—rare to the extreme—was a symbol of power.
Normally, the secret labs weren’t worth their attention. Success was virtually impossible, and even if they did succeed, the results couldn’t compare to them anyway.
But a lab significant enough for the Imperial Family to intervene? That was something new.
“Of course, it might have happened before, back when we weren’t connected to the Imperial Family.”
“……”
“But nothing about this can be taken lightly. Not with Shunen involved.”
“That’s true, but still…”
Lethilia let out a frustrated sigh, roughly running her hand through her bangs. She bit her lip.
“Taking Shunen with us is a separate issue.”
“That’s exactly why she should come. If this is something that happened in the original timeline, the place will just be full of failed experiments. No problem. Ethan can stay with her at a distance so she won’t be shocked.”
Mental-type distortion ability—
That was Ethan’s power.
