He had to find a way out.“Hyung-nim⋯⋯.”
“You’re mista⋯⋯.”
He needed to escape, and fast.
“Hyung-nim⋯⋯ Just why are you doing NTR⋯⋯.”
“Damn it, I’m telling you that’s not it⋯⋯!!”
But both paths were blocked. There was no way out—they were completely trapped!
The Demon Lord, Lucifer Zekniel whispered in his ears, Admit it… you’ll say it eventually. If you just confess that you’ve become a slave, no one will get hurt ⋯⋯.
“I-I’ll get hurt, so shut up!”
Then,『Being of Infinite Void, Yunaris』murmured with a voice that shimmered like starlight, So just how far did you get with Ruru ⋯⋯?
“That’s none of your business!”As the sinister whispers of the Organization of Evil tormented him, someone grabbed Roderus’ shoulder. Turning around, he saw Oh Hye-in. I-If it was her, was she here to rescue him?
If anyone could offer a way out, it was Oh Hye-in, his senior Magical Girl and best friend. But when she spoke, her voice sounded distant, fading as if it was retreating.
If you have to get hit, it’s better to get it over with quickly ⋯⋯.
“Oh Hye-in, not you too⋯⋯!!”
⋯⋯⋯⋯.
Jolt!
“──Haaaah, hah.”
Roderus gasped for breaths as he woke up from an uncomfortable nightmare. It was a shitty dream in more ways than one.
Sitting up from the bed, Roderus put his hand on his forehead and groaned. It was nice to see Oh Hye-in’s face even if it was just a dream, but the rest of it was a twisted mess.
It had been a week since Envers returned to the Redburn family. He had proven himself through multiple duels, and now, none of the servants dared to look down on him.
Though the relationship between the brothers remained strained, they continued to try to sway one another. Roderus had felt a nagging sense of unease for a while.
It was because Envers wasn’t particularly great with words.
“Oh, the Duke’s mustache in that portrait looks particularly distinguished today. Haha. Is that not true?”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
“Lately, I’ve been wondering just how vast the world really is. The fact that a world bigger than the family lies beyond the door intrigues me all of a sudden⋯⋯.”
As if flattering the Duke could somehow hide his true intentions.
It was clear Envers wasn’t loyal to the Duke for loyalty’s sake—it was more like he was putting on a show, trying to prove his devotion at every possible opportunity.
Roderus didn’t yet know Envers’ true objectives, but it was starting to seem like he was positioning himself against the Redburn family. If that were the case, Envers might just be an ally.
So, Roderus subtly hinted at his own thoughts.
“A venus fly tap only reveals its true colors when clear victory is in sight. Until then, it merely pretends to be a harmless flower.”
“Looks like you must have a thing for plants⋯⋯?”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
It had been a wasted effort—Envers had completely failed to understand him.
He needed to make a new strategy. Somehow, he had to discreetly relay his position to Envers. However, it was too risky to communicate inside the Redburn mansion. This place was anything but safe.
The servants roaming the halls were all Duke Redburn’s ears. If even a hint of their conversation slipped out and reached the Duke, Roderus would be in serious trouble, and⋯⋯.
Roderus was worried what might follow..
What exactly was Duke Redburn Maximus’ 『Metamorphosis』?
A person’s heart was unpredictable, it was ever-shifting, and the powers granted by Metamorphosis were as boundless as the emotions that shaped them. Roderus himself had gained the unconventional ability ‘Magical Girl Transformation’ through his own Metamorphosis.
If the Duke’s Metamorphosis allowed him to monitor the entire mansion from afar, they would be exposed. So, they had to proceed with extreme caution.
Of course, if one became paranoid about every possible threat, there would be no end to it. You couldn’t go through life assuming the Duke had a Metamorphosis that, “ killed anyone who lifts a spoon with their left hand ,” and then avoid doing that forever.
But there were clues—hints that could narrow down the Duke’s Metamorphosis ability.
It was the house of the illegitimate children, and Roderus himself.
“⋯⋯It’s inefficient.”
Even if you repeatedly instilled hatred for wizards, drilled assassination techniques, and indoctrinated them into the family’s ideals⋯⋯ Was there any guarantee that this would create a powerful Metamorphosis specifically designed to target magicians?
There wasn’t. In fact, it wasn’t even certain that any of the illegitimate children would ever achieve Metamorphosis.
If creating Metamorphosis soldiers was as simple as fathering twenty or so illegitimate children, then every noble would be doing it.
The odds were way too low to make that gamble.
Yet, Duke Redburn had gone ahead with the plan and, in the end, succeeded. It was as if he had known all along that things would work out this way.
And from that fact, Roderus had drawn a tentative conclusion—unless the Duke was drawing on some external force, his Metamorphosis might be a type that specialized in tracking.
The power to『know』something.
This was why Roderus had taken every precaution to move covertly. He created a false identity to operate outside the mansion, used decoys to establish alibis, and only went on dates in his female form.
He had three identities. Roderus, Oh Dae-soo, and『Blue Rose』the Pure Knight.
Perhaps these efforts had paid off. Roderus had managed to regain the Duke’s trust.
“⋯⋯Wait, in that case.”
It would be fine as long as he used the Pure Knight appearance. The Pure Knight could meet with Envers. He could pass information to his brother while appearing as a woman, and they could collaborate.
This approach was far safer than trying to build a cooperative relationship using Roderus’ true identity. Plus, it could also serve as a possible insurance. In that case.
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
He had to do it.
He had sworn that he would clean up the Redburn family and turn them straight hadn’t he?
Even if it felt like his entire world might crumble around him, even if the very thought of meeting Envers in the Pure Knight’s form made his hands tremble and his heart race, he had to do it⋯⋯!!
Roderus summoned his courage.
===============================================================
The so-called『Blue Rose』had recently been making her presence known around Crownhall, hunting down criminals beyond the confines of the law.
She showed no concern for status—whether commoner or noble, if you were guilty, you were her target. This had caused nobles who had a lot to worry about try to get rid of Blue Rose.
However, her ability to evade capture seemed almost supernatural. Despite the Capital Knight Order Captain personally leading the manhunt, they kept losing her trail. This led to rumors that Blue Rose might have reached the Sublimation stage.
And she targeted and destroyed the Duke Redburn’s secret operation sites to a suspicious degree.
Did she have inside information?
The Duke’s advisors speculated she must harbor deep hatred for the Redburn family. They investigated every woman who held a grudge against the Duke, but no one fit the profile.
It was like she was someone who fell out of the sky.
Unable to defeat her, the family faced setback after setback—until one of their runaway illegitimate children, Envers, returned. And not just that, but he had even reached the Metamorphosis stage.
“Just in time⋯⋯ I’ve discovered what I believe is the secret hideout of『Blue Rose』. Envers, head over and deal with it.”
“An enemy causing harm to our family must be eliminated. I understand, Hyung-nim! This Envers will handle『Blue Rose』cleanl⋯⋯ Why are you looking at me like that?”
“⋯⋯Don’t mind me. I am just tired.”
“Are you tired because of your night activities? Hyung-nim I have told you before, but messing around with somebody who is already promised to another will anger the heav⋯⋯.”
“Get out!!”
Envers set out to take care of 『Blue Rose』.
===============================================================
Envers knocked politely on the hideout door, speaking with respect.
“『Blue Rose』, I am not not your enemy. I, too, want to take down Duke Redburn.”
“⋯⋯And how exactly do you plan to prove that?”
“I’ve brought the floor plan of Duke Redburn’s mansion. I understand trust doesn’t grow in a single meeting. But young lady, I will provide you with inside information regularly.”
The conversation between them was simple—question and answer exchanged through the closed door. Everything had gone according to Roderus’ calculations so far.
Envers was also trying to overthrow Redburn. Once they naturally became allies, everything else would fall into place.
The Magical Girl, Pure Knight , finally opened the doors of the hideout.
Envers blinked in surprise when he saw the beautiful girl with flowing blue hair, then suddenly blurted out:
“⋯⋯Are you not the young lady I saw at the dessert shop?”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯?!”
Wait, how could he know that?
Pure Knight quickly checked herself, wondering if her transformation had somehow been undone. Her hair was still a vibrant blue, and her sparkling dress—so brilliant it seemed like stars could burst forth from it—was still there.
And the kiss marks had long since vanished⋯⋯!!
“⋯⋯How did you figure it out?”
“Ah, your body shape and movements gave it away. Your posture, the way you move your arms—it is the same. You have this habit of turning your elbows outward⋯⋯.”
How could someone this perceptive not understand the venus flytrap metaphor!?
“Ah. Then, maybe… the reason you’ve been able to hit Duke Redburn’s secret sites⋯⋯ Did you extract information from Roderus Hyung-nim⋯⋯?”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Is this how it’s going to play out⋯⋯?
Envers’ expression shifted slightly. He had initially thought his brother was just a lecher, sneaking around with a woman who already had a partner, but now it seemed even worse—he had fallen for a honeytrap and was leaking family secrets down to the last detail.
Even though Roderus had always been a reliable Hyung-nim even if he his personality was a little ferocious, just how⋯⋯.
Pure Knight closed her eyes, resigned as her reputation—and dignity as a Hyung—crumbled before her eyes. It was like watching a train speed toward a cliff.
But it couldn’t be helped. It was fine. Honor, honor is⋯⋯ worthless. For the sake of his deepest desire to set things right within the family, Roderus convinced himself to endure. He had no choice.
Taking a deep breath, Pure Knight spoke again.
“Let’s exchange names. I’m Pure Knight , but you can also call me Blue Rose .”
“I am⋯⋯ Call me Namgung Cheonghwi please.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯?”
Envers puffed out his chest and introduced himself with a proud and dignified air.
“The First-Grade disciple of the Namgung family, Namgung Cheonghwi. For martial arts, I have mastered the Emperor Sword Form. For your information, Namgung is the family name, and Cheonghwi is my given name.”
What is this kid even saying now?
Pure Knight’s expression shifted subtly. She had thought Envers was simply her hardworking younger brother who had managed to reach the Metamorphosis stage at the Academy, but it seemed he had picked up some strange habits along the way.
Now that she thought about it, his way of speaking had become odd as well. For someone who wasn’t even fully grown, using such formal and dignified speech was awkward. Was he going through a chuunibyou phase1 ?
In the past, he had been a nosy but lovable younger brother. But perhaps he hadn’t managed to dodge the awkwardness of puberty after all⋯⋯.
Envers, meanwhile, felt slightly embarrassed under Pure Knight’s perplexed gaze. Did his Central Plains-style speech seem so weird to others⋯⋯?
No. Even if it seemed a little weird, it didn’t matter. This way of speaking was the thread of fate connecting himself to the bonds he had forged in Murim. There was no reason to feel embarrassed about it. He could still take pride in who he had become. Envers reassured himself.
A moment passed, one where they both unintentionally bruised each other’s egos.
“I’ll believe you. I think we’ll be able to cooperate.”
“That is fortunate.”
Pure Knight proceeded to explain the plan to Envers. She was going to locate Duke Redburn who had gone into hiding, and launch an operation to uncover his hidden agenda.
Thanks to Yuri Lanster, they had secured a connection to an agent within the Imperial Defense Bureau.
Thanks to Kim Ruru, they had the potential to bring in the Capital Knight Order.
And then there was Roderus and Envers, who were capable of gathering insider information.
These three forces would converge to strike the Duke’s main base, retrieve the hidden data, and finally unveil what the Duke was scheming.
“Even though the Duke’s whereabouts are unclear, logistics don’t lie. Through information e-extracted by⋯⋯ h-hm, Ro-Roderus, we’ve discovered that large quantities of magical reagents are being purchased and transported.”
“Magic reagents huh⋯⋯.”
“I heard he’s burning through the family fortune, almost as if he’s trying to exhaust every last bit of it. As if, once his plan is completed, there’s no need to worry about what comes next. The Defense Bureau agent said she’s already tracking the supply chain.”
If the agent could pinpoint where all the magical reagents were being stored…
“We’ll strike all at once. Until then, prepare for the operation. Gather allies, hone your skills, and weaken Redburn’s forces as much as possible.”
“I understand but⋯⋯ Hmm, can you stop meeting with Roderus Hyung-nim? I will extract the information from him. And, I will be the one to win Hyung-nim over to our side.”
“⋯⋯Alright.”
Roderus reluctantly agreed to stop trying to seduce himself to extract information.