Published: August 1, 2025
Granado Castle――Two hundred years ago, this land was near the border. The king’s younger brother of the time led the finest architects and military forces to build this fortress, launching an invasion southward from here. After the war, the kingdom expanded by subjugating neighboring countries, and the royal capital extended its reach to include Granado Castle.
At the southern edge of the Dirts Kingdom, at the continent's end, lies the territory of the Granado Family.
It was Duke Granado who developed a port in a small fishing village and connected a canal to the royal capital. Lady Ryuu-Ryuu started the business of buying Ipsandros goods from itinerant merchants and selling them in the royal capital. Cyrus Granado amassed enormous wealth by purchasing large quantities directly using trade ships.
The gates of Granado Castle, the strongest military fortress and the largest wholesale market in Dirts, are thick and sturdy, yet always gently open.
A gatekeeper noticed my footsteps and looked up. He seemed still in his teens, a young man with a gentle demeanor. I didn’t remember his name, but he was a familiar face.
"Lord Ruifeng!? Is that really you—"
Usually cheerful and friendly, he faltered and hesitated for some reason. Frowning gently, he bowed deeply.
"Please, come inside. We’ll prepare a room right away."
“No, no need to trouble yourselves. I just happened to be nearby and stopped by.”
“Master was just about to go out. Please come inside quickly.”
“In that case, I’ll come back later… someday.”
Honestly, I really had no business here. I hadn’t even planned to come to this place. Why did I pull the reins and bring myself here?
As I turned to leave with a tilt of my head, the gatekeeper grabbed my arm.
“No, please come in. Lady Mio also said to make sure to capture you when you arrive.”
“Ca-capture?”
“Yes, well, actually a pigeon carried a letter to you.”
I had no idea what he meant. I tried to shake him off, but the gatekeeper’s grip was all ‘business.’
Reluctantly, I allowed myself to be led inside the castle.
…Well, whatever. I’ll just see Cyrus’s face and then leave. I shouldn’t say goodbye; otherwise, it might turn into a repeat of what happened with Anastasia.
—The eyes are like the moon—
At that moment, a black bird flew across in front of me. Startled, I turned to look. The bird was as black as a crow and as fast as a swallow, but on closer inspection, it was a pigeon, quickly disappearing into the distant sky.
Hmm? I feel like I’ve seen that pigeon several times recently in other places.
From the direction the pigeon flew—just beyond the castle gate, in the plaza—I saw the chief chamberlain of the Granado Family.
Mio-chan stared at me quietly but didn’t speak; she stepped back. Then, as if beckoning someone, a pair of men and women appeared from behind a pillar.
Both were tall. A beautiful woman with rich red hair and a man with black hair and tanned skin—the closest friend I most wanted to see and yet also the one I least wanted to meet.
At that moment, my vision warped. It was like seeing through a poor-quality glass panel. I didn’t know where I was or what expression my friend wore, so I shouted loudly in his direction.
“Hey! Cyrus, how are you? It’s such a great day today!”
I heard footsteps. The sound of heavy leather shoes hitting the ground.
“Ha ha! Surprised that your admired prince suddenly dropped by? I don’t have any particular business! Just wanted to surprise you like always.”
Then came a heavy impact. For a moment, I thought I’d been run over by a carriage. The strong impact enveloped my entire body in a warm mass. I couldn’t see anything, so I didn’t know what was happening, but I had to shape my face, my eyes, my mouth—that shape.
…What shape?
“Ah—ha. Ha.”
I managed to make a sound. I was pulled close by Cyrus’s large arms, his mouth covering mine.
What is he doing? Hey, stop that, let go, you brute! I can’t talk like this. I have to say something.