Aldric dismounted with a heavy motion, the metal of his cloak still trembling from the speed. The tip of his sword was aimed straight at the driver's throat.

"Black market merchant," he said coldly. "You lied. The stone is fake."

The man swallowed, then—strangely—gave a faint smile. He raised both hands casually, as if he were not being threatened at all.

"No sane merchant would dare deceive a client from the Roosevelt family," he replied lightly. "Are you sure you didn't use it wrong?"

Aldric narrowed his eyes. "Don't play with words. The Stone of Staboyonaz didn't react."

The merchant's smile did not fade. "Oh? So you tried it already?" He tilted his head. "What exactly did you do to the stone to be so certain it's fake?"

Aldric let out a sharp breath. "I followed your instructions. I drove the trigger staff into the ground. Nothing happened. Not even a spark."

"Impossible," the merchant replied quickly, his tone still casual. "Either you're lying, or you didn't follow the instructions."

"Don't underestimate me," Aldric snapped. "I didn't skip a single step."

The merchant raised an eyebrow. "Then… where is the stone?"

Silence.

Aldric hesitated for a fraction of a second too long.

His gaze shifted.

"…It's somewhere," he said shortly.

"Somewhere?" The merchant gave a small chuckle. "Interesting. If that's not just an excuse, show me. Let's prove it right now."

Aldric growled softly and half-sheathed his sword. "Come with me."

"When?"

"Tonight," Aldric answered curtly. "And don't try to run."

The merchant's smile widened. "As if I had any other intention."

----

Lucas and Silvara walked side by side toward the manor gates. The tall iron doors opened slowly, their creaking cutting through the dusk. Silvara remained half a step behind him—formal… too formal.

From the upper floor, behind the window of the Baron's study, two figures watched them enter the courtyard.

The Baron stood with his hands clasped behind his back. "Have you notice? Ever since we gave Silvara full authority… Lucian has become much calmer."

The Baroness stood beside him, her face gentle, her voice thoughtful. "Perhaps… not because of the harshness. But because, at last, he feels that someone is truly watching over him."

The Baron gave a small nod. "Maybe. But the result is real. He hasn't caused any more trouble."

The Baroness offered a faint smile. "I just hope the method doesn't hurt him."

The Baron turned. "About Healer Mae… there's been no report to the Central Cathedral."

The Baroness fell silent for a moment, her fingers interlacing. "I'm sure Silvara handled it well. She's not the type to threaten without reason."

The Baron sighed in relief. "Let's hope so. We can't afford new trouble with the church."

The Baroness exhaled softly. "And we can't lose Healer Mae either. The village needs her… more than anything."

Her gaze returned to the courtyard.

"If Lucian truly is starting to change for the better," she said quietly, "then I only wish it's because he chose to become better… not because he was forced."

The Baron did not answer.

And below, Lucas and Silvara walked into the manor—

unaware that upstairs, someone was truly hoping for change, not obedience.

As they passed through the manor courtyard, their steps began to slow.

At the marble staircase that split into two corridors, Lucas stopped.

"In that case," he said shortly, "I'll go to my room."

Silvara flinched slightly. "Ah… yes."

Lucas gave a brief nod, then turned and walked down the right corridor. The sound of his footsteps grew fainter, then disappeared beyond the corner.

Silvara remained standing where she was.

One second.

Two seconds.

Her fingers tightened around the hem of her dress. The calm she had felt earlier now seemed strangely unsettled.

Why did I offer something so foolish…

Her face slowly warmed. Good thing I didn't finish what I wanted to say…

She let out a quiet breath.

"Lady Silvara?"

The voice startled her slightly.

She turned.

Liona was standing near one of the pillars, a basket of clean cloth draped over her arm.

"Why are you standing here?" Liona asked gently. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Silvara lowered her head, her silver hair partly veiling her face.

"…Liona."

"Yes?"

Silvara drew a slow breath, then spoke softly, almost like a child hesitating to ask for help.

"I... may I… come to your room again tonight?"

Liona paused for a brief moment.

Then she let out a small chuckle.

"Of course, Lady Silvara."

Liona softened her voice as she smiled.

"You're always welcome in my room."

----

Elsewhere…

Healer Mae poured the remaining wine in the bottle into a ceramic bowl. The dark liquid pooled slowly, its scent faint but unfamiliar.

She summoned her gauntlet again.

Pale light crept along her arm as the mechanical glove formed, giving off a soft hum as its system came online.

Mae leaned forward, her gaze sharpening. This was no longer just wine—not entirely.

Something had been mixed into it.

She lifted the bowl beneath the gauntlet and activated analysis mode. A dim shimmer spread across the surface of the liquid as the magic began reading its composition.

Poison detected.

Artificial stimulant.

Unstable mixture.

Mae frowned.

"So it really is…"

She took another ceramic bowl and placed it beside the first.

Then she raised her arm and stepped back slightly, extending it until the gauntleted hand hovered centered above the two bowls. Her fingers formed a strange sign—thumb and little finger extended, the others curled inward. It resembled a casual "chill hand sign" pose.

Her little finger pointed toward the bowl containing the wine.

A faint purplish light appeared around her hand.

The surface of the liquid trembled.

Slowly, she rotated her hand, guiding her thumb toward the empty bowl.

A thin, thread-like line extended from her little finger to the bowl of wine.

The liquid shuddered.

Dark droplets were pulled free, climbing upward along the invisible thread as if being siphoned.

Then—

they slid down from her thumb.

One by one, the blackened drops fell neatly into the empty bowl.

The wine steadily cleared.

Berikut terjemahan bahasa Inggris yang rapi dan natural:

Mae formed a V sign with two fingers and let out a slow breath.

"Now… I can examine it more clearly."

She reactivated her analysis.

Then—

Mae's eyes widened.

"No way…"

She leaned closer to the bowl of poison.

"This is made from Viperpink venom…? But how?"

Her voice dropped to a near whisper.

"Viperpink only lives in—"

Mae froze.

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