Chapter 6


    <strong>#The Devil''s Hand that Appeared in the Sea (1)</strong>


    "Another night."


    Lord Theodore Sinir clicked his tongue as he surveyed his opulent bedroom. Although the persistent pain in his foot was widely recognized by his servants and family, the hidden truth that even the South''s most celebrated knight now dreaded the nights due to the prospect of excruciating episodes remained his closely guarded secret.


    "How much longer will this night persist?"


    In the past, he would consume a few sses of potent whiskey before retiring to forget his anxieties. However, even that sce had vanished, thanks to the clumsiness of the young vige chief, Dominic. Starting tonight, it appeared that even the refuge of alcohol-induced intoxication would be elusive.


    "Altering my routine now would be a blow to my pride."


    Recognizing that changing one''s habits in a matter of days was an insurmountable task, Lord Theodore resigned himself to bed, grumbling incessantly.


    Yet, something felt different as hey there.


    <em>''Was my bed always thisfortable?''</em>


    While the bedding he used was undeniably of the highest quality, crafted from the finest wool, goose feathers, and top-tier silk and cotton, the sensation of truefort was rtively new. He had habitually retired to bed inebriated and overfed.


    As the plush bedding enveloped him like a gentle cloud, his anxieties about impending pain gradually ebbed away.


    <em>''Come to think of it, today''s meal was quite satisfying. I indulged, yet I don''t feel stuffed.''</em>


    Vegetables and fruits had never graced his dining table before, but today, he contemted that with the right seasoning, spices, and cooking methods, he could genuinely savor them.


    Even without meat, a fish-based main course had proven to be profoundly gratifying. In fact, it was unequivocally the most delightful meal he had experienced in recent memory.


    "Yes, it was excellent. Truly exceptional. Hmm..."


    He had perpetually shunned sour and bitter vors.


    He had consistently evaded the allure of fresh, crisp raw vegetables and fruits.


    He had restricted himself to a daily regimen of meat and alcohol, convinced that he disliked anything to the contrary.


    "It appears my stubbornness grew without my awareness."


    A single dinner had bestowed enlightenment upon him.


    That night, Lord Theodore drifted into the deepest slumber he had enjoyed in years, and by dawn, the mana that had stagnated in his body for decades began to stir, ever so gradually.


    **


    In the blink of an eye, a week had psed.


    "...Take me back..."


    Dominic sprawled on the bed, gazing vacantly at the ceiling, murmuring to himself.


    "Lord has not granted permission yet."


    "I explicitly told you to seek permission before entering, so why did you once again barge in? Technically, I am still a guest here."


    "Lord instructed me to keep a close eye on you... to ensure your safety."


    "...You did say ''keep an eye,'' didn''t you?"


    "You must have misheard."


    "No, you definitely said that."


    "Tsk."


    Dominic was still a guest at the Count''s Castle. To be more precise, he remained unable to leave, as he hadn''t received permission to do so, leaving him in an unusual situation where it wasn''t clear if he was confined or invited.


    Since the dinner on the first day, Dominic had been confined to his room. Each morning, the chef woulde to collect the meal preferences and cooking instructions before heading to the kitchen. After that, he had the entire day to himself.


    Initially, he had lounged around, thinking, "What else is a vacation? This is like a vacation!" However, as the days stretched into the seventh, he began to grow increasingly restless.


    Even if he feltfortable, waiting indefinitely wasn''t something he could relish. Whether it was food, alcohol, or books, he could request anything from the servants, but the inability to step outside became increasingly stifling.


    If it weren''t for the blonde knight, he might have acted out of anxiety. Despite the knight''sck of manners or humanity, having him around was far better than beingpletely alone.


    "Can you speak to the Lord? How much longer do I have to stay like this... I have responsibilities, you know? My vige, Evergreen, must be struggling without me."


    "Unfortunately, until the Lord decides to open the gates again, there''s no way."


    "Quit saying there''s no way and find a way, can''t you see I''m asking you to do that? I don''t know if you genuinely can''t grasp it or if you''re just pretending."


    "I see you''re bing more sinct."


    "Ah, just go tell him that if he''s annoyed, he can punish me or something."


    The handsome blonde knight still had his sword at his side, but Dominic was confident he wouldn''t harm him.


    <em>''I know you can''t punish me even if you wanted to.''</em>


    After enjoying a hearty meal, Lord Theodore suddenly dered seclusion and retreated to the tower. Before entering, he left a handwritten note on the bedside table.


    [If you find this note, please do not disturb me during my seclusion. Meals will be delivered through the small door at scheduled times. The vige chief of Evergreen will oversee the menu, and this arrangement will continue until further notice.]


    This was why Dominic found himself confined to his bedroom, forbidden to venture outside. He couldn''t leave the room until the Lord emerged from seclusion, but no harm woulde to him either.


    "But does seclusion training truly bring about change?"


    "To surpass one''s limits, enlightenment is crucial. Seclusion training is regarded as one of the most effective ways to eliminate distractions."


    "How long does it usually take?"


    Dominic''s eyes sparkled as if he were reading a martial arts novel.


    "It varies. There''s no standard duration. It can be as short as a few hours or extend for years."


    "Are you kidding?"


    "I''m dead serious."


    "Damn."


    "Tsk-. That''s quite a disrespectful curse."


    "What if it genuinely takes years?"


    "Well, then you''ll be here for quite a while."


    "Damn it!"


    Dominic involuntarily cursed once more, but Ian remained silent, seemingly resigned to the situation.


    "...But."


    "What''s on your mind?"


    Dominic suddenly raised his head after staring into space.


    "Where does that note say I should stay confined?"


    "What?"


    "It doesn''t specify."


    "But you''re responsible for the meals..."


    "I can write out the meal ns. I have good penmanship. I''ve always provided meal ns to the chef!"


    "...Hmm?"


    Their eyes locked. If this were a 21st-century Korean si or variety show, a popping sound effect would have yed overhead.


    "Please talk to the Lord. I am the vige chief, after all! It''s absurd to confine me when I haven''t done anything wrong!"


    "There''s a regr meeting this afternoon. I''ll bring it up."


    "Thank you! You''re as generous as you are handsome, the greatest knight of our time!"


    "Tsk-."


    Annoyed, Ian left the room as Dominic shifted gears and showered him with excessive ttery.


    ***


    That afternoon.


    Following the meeting, Ian handed Dominic a scroll bearing the Lord''s seal.


    "Oh! My Lord!"


    The document granted permission for Dominic to return to Evergreen and stipted that someone from the Count''s castle would visit weekly. Dominic was tasked with providing detailed meal ns and cooking instructions for Lord Theodore. He would receive monthly payment in gold coins, making it a mutually beneficial arrangement.


    "Our Lord is truly understanding! Incredible. May you have a long and prosperous life!"


    "Your ttery seems to be a habit."


    Ian observed with a grimace, but what did it matter?


    <em>''I''ve been confined for a week, and now I''m getting paid in gold coins every month. This is like a business trip! What a satisfactory deal. Long live the sensible Lord Theodore!''</em>


    "Pack your bags. Let''s go."


    "Sure. ...But what''s with that attire? Where are you headed?"


    As he packed a small bag, Dominic regarded Ian with suspicion.


    It was because Ian was also dressed as if he were ready to go out.


    "Alright."


    "Where are you going?"


    "Evergreen."


    "...Evergreen?"


    "Evergreen."


    "...Could it be our vige?"


    "I received orders to keep an eye on you to prevent you from escaping."


    "...Darn."


    He was no longer confined, but he was still under surveince.


    **


    "That''s our vige over there."


    "It''s by the sea."


    "I''ve told you countless times it''s a fishing vige; you should have paid attention."


    Nevertheless, the journey was far from dull.


    Although Iancked flexibility, he wasn''t a demanding knight, and after a week of confinement, they had grown somewhat ustomed to each other.


    Of course, neither would ever admit it.


    "Dominic?"


    "Calron!"


    "I heard you couldn''te for a while, but anyway, it''s good you''re here. Come help us quickly!"


    "What''s the matter?"


    The first person Dominic encountered at the vige''s outskirts was none other than Calron, the former vige chief.


    He looked visibly concerned.


    "A sea monster has appeared!"


    <em>''Darn, what''s going on now?''</em>