Suna's head struck the ground hard, causing her to release her grip. Anna quickly scrambled up—and saw him.
Her grandfather. Alive.
"Grandpa…"
For a heartbeat, joy lit her face.
But it quickly faded.
Something was wrong.
Alaris moved strangely—his lips drooling, long claws growing from his fingers. His eyes… they were blank, the pupils gone, only milky white remaining. The body was familiar, but the man inside it wasn't.
It wasn't her grandfather.
It was something else.
The thing lunged at Anna again, claws raised to shred.
But before it could strike, Valorant arrived—just in time. With a cry, his blade flashed, slicing through Alaris's arm mid-swing. The limb flew several meters away.
Anna screamed and shielded herself, hands clamped over her head, trembling.
The thing that had once been Alaris growled and prepared to strike again with its other hand.
Valorant didn't wait. He stepped forward and cleanly severed Alaris's head with a single stroke.
The body staggered, then dropped. The head landed beside the severed arm. And yet… the headless body writhed, twitching on the floor.
With a grim expression, Valorant raised his sword once more and plunged it into the heart of the still-moving corpse.
Finally, the movement stopped. The room fell silent.
He left the sword embedded in the chest and turned to face Anna, who sat on the floor in terror.
Suna slowly got up and ran to Anna, pulling her into her arms.
"It's okay. I'm here," she whispered.
Anna was trembling so badly; her skin had gone pale. Valorant reached out to reassure her, placing a hand gently toward her shoulder.
But before he could touch her, Anna recoiled.
He froze.
[Looks like… she doesn't need my comfort right now.] Valorant thought, drawing his hand back.
"Suna, Anna. Follow me. Stay close. Don't leave my side," he ordered, his voice firm but calm.
He pulled his sword free from the corpse, then stepped into Alaris's room.
Suna led Anna, who was still trembling, into the room behind him.
Anna's fear hadn't faded. Her entire body continued to shake.
Suna, confused and shaken herself, found the courage to speak.
"Sir Valorant," she whispered.
He didn't answer. He was too focused, scanning the room for something.
Frustrated by the silence, she raised her voice.
"Sir Valorant!"
"What?" he snapped, clearly irritated.
"That thing… it looked like the Duke! Was that really him?!"
"…It was Alaris," he answered, voice low.
"What do you mean?!"
"I'll explain everything. Just not now."
"Why not?"
"Because we don't have time!" he shouted, then softened. "Now do what I say, and keep your voice down."
Suna went silent, startled by his tone.
A moment later, Gustav burst into the room, panting.
"Sir Valorant! What happened?"
"He got away."
"What? Then what do we do now?"
"We find him. Fast. Or he'll become a far greater threat."
Suna, listening from the side, stared—completely lost.
Half an hour before dinner.
Gustav was walking toward Duke Alaris's room. In his hands, he carried a tray holding the Duke's medicine. He reached the door, opened it quietly, and stepped inside.
Alaris lay in bed, barely moving.
Gustav set the tray down on a low cabinet by the door and approached.
"My lord, it's time for your medicine."
Alaris was completely drained—nearly consumed by the curse. His voice came out in a faint whisper.
"…Gustav."
Despite the weak voice, Gustav heard him and leaned in close.
"Yes, my lord?" he asked, bringing his ear nearer.
"I think… today might be my last."
"Don't say that," Gustav tried to reassure him. "You still have many days ahead."
Alaris smiled faintly.
His hair had grown long from weeks in bed, though his beard had been kept in check—trimmed frequently by Gustav, just as Alaris had requested. Only a thin line around his mouth remained. Deep dark circles hung beneath his eyes, and his skin, untouched by sunlight, had turned ghostly pale.
"Call the doctor. Something… doesn't feel right."
"Of course, my lord." Gustav picked up the medicine from the tray. "Take these first. I'll bring the doctor right after."
The medicines were not cures—only painkillers to dull the agony brought by the curse.
After Alaris had taken the medicine, Gustav picked up the tray and left the room. He walked to the kitchen, where he found Scott.
"Scott, I need a favor."
"Good evening, Sir Gustav. What can I do?"
"Go now—bring the doctor here. Immediately."
"Yes, sir." Scott grabbed his coat and hurried out the door.
Some time later, Scott returned with the doctor. Gustav met them at the entrance.
"Doctor. Thank you for coming."
"Where is the patient? Quickly!"
The doctor looked to be in his fifties, bundled in a thick cloak with a hat made from animal fur.
"This way, please." Gustav led him inside.
They entered the Duke's chamber. At a glance, the doctor could tell how serious Alaris's condition had become. He said nothing—just moved forward and began his examination.
This man was the Duke's personal physician.
"Let's check your condition." The doctor placed a hand on Alaris's forehead and closed his eyes.
As he sent mana into the Duke's body, the doctor could see inside—a vision revealed through spiritual awareness. A black fog had begun devouring Alaris from within, growing thicker, darker. Soon, it would consume him completely.
Suddenly, the darkness began to pull at the doctor as well. He snapped his eyes open and yanked his hand away.
"You felt it too, didn't you, Fermak?" Alaris murmured.
"…Yes," the doctor admitted grimly.
"Everyone dies eventually. I suppose my time has come."
"What can I do for you?"
"Just sit with me for a moment. I've spoken my last words to everyone but you. Let's talk—just for a little while longer."
"Of course." The doctor pulled up a chair and sat beside him.
"Gustav," Alaris called softly.
"Yes, my lord," Gustav replied, stepping closer.
"I wanted to say… thank you. To both of you."
And with those final words, Alaris's breath stopped.