"Cape… are you really leaving?"
"Of course I am. What else would I do—waste my entire life here, dying as another nameless nobody?"
"..."
"We were never meant to walk the same path."
"But—"
Cape's tone grew colder. "You and I are not alike, little sister. Fragile lives like yours, as fleeting as mayflies, aren't worthy to stand beside me. Be a good girl and keep studying your Arts out in the countryside."
Troublesome Feline… I should've never meddled in the first place.
Why can't they all just gratefully accept my kindness, and then quietly get out of my way?
People like this—utterly worthless—only hold back Cape Reiss's growth.
This vessel has been idling here for years. It's time to awaken its true purpose.
"Cape! Don't you dare act like you're better than me! You're just a wandering drifter!"
He laughed, not out of mockery but out of certainty.
"Haha, think whatever you want. But I know exactly where my future lies—becoming rich. Filthy, unimaginably rich. That is the future I've chosen."
And the very reason this body, Cape Reiss, exists.
---
You went to see your little lover again, didn't you, Mandragora~
Harmonie's teasing words echoed relentlessly in Mandragora's mind.
Who would ever fall for that money-obsessed idiot!
Back in her small apartment, Mandragora tossed and turned in bed, the thought of him making her unable to sleep.
He measures everything—emotions, faith, loyalty—by the weight of money. What's so good about a man like that?!
She rolled over again, pulling the blanket tightly over herself, curling up like a ball.
…Then why did he bother to help me back then? Why waste his time on me?
---
The next morning, inside Cape Group Headquarters.
"I already agreed to the partnership with Dublinn, didn't I? Even handed you the contract and the guidelines. So why are you here again?"
Cape had just finished another "motivational speech" for his employees—his throat still dry from the effort. As he returned to his office and grabbed his brand-new Columbian gaming console to unwind, Mandragora appeared once again at his door.
"Security— oh, right." He sighed. "Forgot to revoke your access."
"Could you at least pretend to have some manners?" Mandragora snapped. "I came here to inform you that in a few months, we'll be launching an operation in Hillock."
"So?"
Cape didn't even glance up, eyes fixed on his screen. He was testing a new fighting game—his first match.
Yet somehow, his character on-screen moved with uncanny precision, reading every move his opponent made before they even pressed a button.
This body's Originium Arts are so convenient, he mused.
Reaction speed, prediction, adaptability—perfectly natural advantages.
Don't like it? Too bad. Strength is part of the game.
"Will you listen to me?!" Mandragora's patience finally began to crack.
She wasn't that helpless girl anymore—she was a trained Caster now, powerful and confident.
"I am listening," Cape replied lazily. "Just let me finish this round. Almost done."
Right as Mandragora was about to snap, the match ended—Cape's victory.
"See? Details, details. Don't get hung up on them." He smirked, tossing the pricey console onto the couch and grabbing a bottle of cola. "You should know by now, Mandragora—I can multitask."
He handed the drink to her casually.
"You're still insane, Cape."
Mandragora hesitated, glanced at the price printed on the bottom of the can, and finally took a small sip.
"Lucky for you that I'm the one negotiating with you," Mandragora said with a note of irritation. "Anyone else wouldn't have the patience to deal with your ridiculous behavior."
Cape smiled faintly.
"And lucky for you that you're the one sent here—otherwise, your colleagues wouldn't have made it through my doors so easily~"
"Ugh, stop making that face. You're disgusting when you do that," Mandragora said, rubbing her ear in discomfort before forcing herself to stay composed.
"Please, with your so-called security standards…" she added scornfully, glaring at Cape's mockingly tender expression.
Then it clicked—she'd seen this pattern before.
She knew how this miser operated.
When Cape nitpicked or argued over trivial details, it was normal. That was just who he was—someone who measured everything in value and profit.
But the moment he stopped haggling and started acting friendly, offering smiles or favors… that was when she knew to be cautious.
Because that meant he no longer saw her as an equal partner.
He saw her as a commodity.
"This operation in Hillock is important," Mandragora said finally, shifting back to business. "Think of it as a test from the organization. Don't worry—it's not too dangerous. You'll just be there to lend a hand."
Cape folded his hands, expression turning serious for once.
"And what do I get out of it?"
At that, Mandragora relaxed a little.
She wasn't afraid of Cape making demands.
What terrified her was when he didn't.
"Name it," she said. "As long as it's not too outrageous."
"Good," Cape replied. "Then I'll be direct."
He opened a drawer and pulled out a neatly folded document—a list that detailed both the legitimate business holdings of Cape Corporation… and the gray ones.
"I want Hillock County to lift its restrictions on Cape Corporation," he said calmly. "And allow us to 'fairly' compete with local enterprises."
---
Meanwhile, deep within a sealed conference chamber aboard Rhodes Island—
"Kal'tsit! You owe us an explanation!"
"That's right, Kal'tsit. No matter how you look at it, letting an Imperial Duke join Rhodes Island is too dangerous. We can't afford to get dragged into the power struggles of the great nations!"
"Not to mention the stories surrounding that duke. Everyone's heard them. We can't let Rhodes Island fall into his hands."
"Well… I don't really mind," one voice said lazily. "Didn't we agree from the start that Rhodes Island welcomes all talents, regardless of background? I used to be a Cardinal of Laterano, after all."
"I agree with Doctor Kal'tsit," another added. "With all the oddities we already have here, adding one more noble won't make much difference."
"But this man disappeared right after the assassination attempt on the Princess! You don't find that suspicious?"
"He also saved countless lives."
"Tch… That's exactly what makes him troublesome. His actions are contradictory, erratic. We can't tell what he's really thinking."
"…"
For the first time in a long while, the Rhodes Island council was split—its top operators divided in fierce debate.
And the one at the center of all that discussion…
…was currently in his own kind of trouble.
Serious trouble.
---
"You can't see me… you can't see me, Ishar'mla…"
Kashchey muttered under his breath, trying to keep calm as he stared at the figure blocking his path.
"Do we… know each other?" he asked, feigning confusion.
But before him, Skadi's eyes burned an ever-deepening shade of crimson.