The Northern Grand Duke’s Hamster

Kyle Blake moved more diligently than anyone else in this land. He took care of the miners who had participated in the Northern Shin Gwangsan Expedition. Not only did he provide support from mages and physicians, but he also personally visited the homes of those who were in seclusion.

The reports were accurate. Their symptoms matched what was known as “Frost Poisoning.”

However, their condition was far more severe than any cases Kyle had seen before. The mage affiliated with House Blake speculated that the cause lay with the spellcaster.

“I’ve taken as many measures as possible, but for now, the best course of action is to prevent the spread of the brand.”

The mage blushed and cleared his throat, as if embarrassed to admit his own limitations.

But Kyle had no intention of blaming him. He simply patted the mage on the shoulder and encouraged him to do his best.

“Frost Poisoning”—a forbidden magic, without question. While the exact mechanics were unclear, those afflicted by it would develop a blue brand on their bodies.

Over time, the brand would expand, spreading an unbearable cold through their entire system. As their body temperature gradually dropped, they would suffer excruciating pain, and in the end, their heart would freeze, leading to death. It was a cruel and malicious magic.

The only silver lining was that very few were capable of properly casting this forbidden spell.

Moreover, it was possible to erase the brand by infusing the victim with another’s mana, meaning that as long as they received timely treatment from a mage, their lives could be saved.

But this time was different.

Even with the intervention of highly skilled individuals, no one had been able to completely erase the brand.

At least they had managed to halt its progression. However, considering that the magic had not been directly cast by the spellcaster but had instead been hidden within a bomb and dispersed indirectly…

“A high-ranking figure may have personally intervened.”

Kyle muttered irritably.

“I think so too.”

At the familiar presence behind him, Kyle gave a slight nod.

“Sir James.”

James Russell. A man who had helped build the Blake territory alongside him, someone Kyle trusted deeply—so much so that he had personally appointed him as the commander of the Blake Knights.

“There are no abnormalities in the surrounding security. I also made a round of the outer walls.”

“Good. That’s a relief.”

“Still, I can’t understand why someone of such skill would suddenly descend upon the Shin Gwangsan region. So suddenly…”

“It’s not as if our battle over this frozen wasteland with those bastards started just yesterday.”

Kyle’s voice dripped with disdain.

“The Snowy Mountain region should be designated as a danger zone as well. For now, prevent people from leaving the territory, and move up the supply distribution schedule.”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

“Let’s return to the castle.”

The explosion at Shin Gwangsan could be interpreted in multiple ways— a declaration of war from the mage faction, a show of force, or a move to hinder their actions.

It wasn’t the first time those mages had acted so insidiously.

But this time, their targets had not been knights or soldiers, but ordinary miners. Kyle couldn’t conceal his disgust, his expression twisting in revulsion.

This land had been built as a sanctuary for the displaced. As its ruler, it was only natural that he found the lawless mages who treated lives as expendable utterly repulsive.

“How is your son?”

In an attempt to lighten the somber mood, Kyle changed the subject.

James responded with a smile.

“No news is good news, isn’t it? Let’s see… He’ll be ten soon. I wonder who he takes after more.”

James seemed about to add a joke but stopped himself. His voice lacked confidence, and what followed sounded more like an excuse.

“I do hear from him twice a year, at least.”

“Now that we’ve officially established trade with the merchant guild, communication should become easier.”

James, the third son of the Russell Viscountcy, had married the young sister of Baron Castanets and had a son with her. Thanks to that connection, despite the unstable political climate, the Blake territory had managed to maintain safe trade with the merchant guilds.

“You should visit from time to time and play your part as a father.”

Kyle spoke in a gentler tone.

“Even if he’s taking the Castanets family name, the child must feel lonely.”

“And what of my duty as the knight commander? As harsh as it sounds… I can’t jeopardize my knights’ safety just to ease my son’s loneliness.”

James was as devoted to the Blake territory and its knights as Kyle himself. Though he had initially been all but exiled to the North, the land had since become his cherished home.

Understanding that everyone carried their own burdens, Kyle refrained from pushing the matter further. He could only hope that, someday, the subtle rift between James and his family would be mended.

“It’s tomorrow, then.”

They had continued chatting about trivial matters until they reached the vicinity of the castle.

“Are the preparations for departure complete?”

“Yes. Everything is set so that we can move at sunrise tomorrow.”

James hesitated slightly before adding something in a more thoughtful tone.

“…But, Your Highness, will you be all right?”

“Hah. I’ve lived long enough to see the day when a knight worries about me.”

“No, that’s not what I meant. I was talking about the Beast Scholar.”

The knight commander’s voice remained cautious.

“That person is, in many ways, vague and suspicious. However, since Your Highness seems to trust him, I have never raised any objections. At the very least, I believed that his intentions for the territory were aligned with ours.”

“Yes.”

“But, Your Highness… this isn’t a situation that can be resolved with trust alone.”

James had a point. This expedition to Shin Gwangsan couldn’t be taken lightly. There was a chance they would encounter mages, and if that happened, battle would be inevitable.

Shu, objectively speaking, was not skilled enough to be part of the knight order. At best, his abilities were on par with a squire. In an emergency, he wouldn’t be a combat asset—he would be someone needing protection.

Not just James, but the other knights likely shared the same thoughts. The reason they didn’t voice their complaints was out of respect for Kyle’s judgment.

“Normally, Your Highness wouldn’t have made such a choice.”

“…That’s true.”

Kyle nodded in agreement.

If it were anyone other than Shu, he would have opposed the idea outright. Misjudging a person’s capabilities didn’t just mean losing that individual—it could endanger everyone else as well.

But Kyle had decided to bring Shu along. Not because Shu had sufficiently proven himself.

“Not everything is as it seems.”

Kyle spoke with conviction.

Shu was full of unknowns. He could transform into a beast, possessed peculiar snacks with special properties, had the ability to distinguish beast cores, and occasionally used a blue defensive magic.

But Kyle couldn’t reveal these facts to James. He had no intention of allowing Shu’s abilities to be exploited in any way.

James, who had been walking slightly behind him, studied Kyle’s expression before nodding.

“Understood.”

There must be some special ability Shu possessed that he was unaware of. Or perhaps Kyle simply intended to protect him no matter what.

Either way, his duty remained the same—to trust his liege. James forced his worries deep into the recesses of his mind.

“Where is he now?”

“He should be in the middle of his regular training. It should be ending soon. Would you like to go see him?”

James assumed Kyle would say yes without hesitation.

After all, Kyle regarded Shu as someone special.

But his response was completely unexpected.

“No need.”

“…Excuse me?”

“If you’re heading to the training grounds, tell him to come up when he’s done.”

“Understood. Then, where should I—”

Before James could finish his question, Kyle was already striding ahead. Taking the steps two at a time, he swiftly disappeared from James’s sight.

“…Does he hate seeing him struggle?”

James stood there, dumbfounded, staring at Kyle’s retreating figure before turning toward the training grounds, where knights were sweating through their drills.

Among them, he quickly spotted a young man gasping for breath more than the others.

James resumed walking and approached him.

“Sir Shu.”

“…Ah, Commander. You can just speak casually during training.”

Unlike the knights who had undergone years of rigorous training, Shu’s body lacked the solid muscle structure of a seasoned warrior. It was understandable that he found the drills exhausting. Even so, he kept his lips pressed together, holding back any complaints.

“His Highness is looking for you.”

“Really? I thought he was heading out of the castle.”

“He just returned.”

“Did he say where I should go?”

“He didn’t specify…”

At that, Shu waved his hand dismissively, as if he already knew the answer.

“Seriously, in the middle of the day—ah, the sun’s already set. When did the time go by so fast? I think I know where to go, so I’ll head in now.”

“Get some rest. Tomorrow will be a grueling day.”

“Of course.”

Shu gave a small bow and dragged his feet out of the training grounds.

His legs were visibly shaking, and he looked utterly spent, yet he stubbornly endured.

James watched him go with mild curiosity.

Did the two of them have a secret meeting place? Kyle hadn’t given him any instructions, yet Shu knew exactly where to go.

James stroked his chin in thought.

“Just what kind of relationship do they have…?”

***

“Huaaah…”

I staggered up the stairs with a deep sigh.

After wasting time wandering aimlessly several times, Kyle had developed a habit of specifying my exact location whenever he called for me.

Usually, we met in the study.

But today, he hadn’t said anything about the study.

Which meant the answer was obvious.

“Still, come on. He could at least pretend to call me to the study! If rumors start spreading that he’s summoning me to his bedroom—!”

As I flailed my arms in frustration, a translucent blue system window popped up in front of me.

[If you don’t say anything, no one will know! (/▽＼)]

“Argh!”

I clutched my head, groaning in despair.

And yet, despite my complaints, my feet carried me steadily toward Kyle Blake’s bedroom.