Valorant shot forward, propelled by a blazing force erupting beneath his feet. Flames burst out for a split second, then vanished.
Seeing Valorant rushing toward them at terrifying speed, confusion flashed across the maid's face.
'Why is Sir Valorant coming this way in such a hurry?'
Suna and Anna still hadn't grasped what was happening. The idea of a dead man rising again had never even crossed their minds.
Suddenly, Suna noticed that Valorant's gaze wasn't fixed on them. She turned her head toward the room—
And saw Alaris stepping out.
It was Alaris.
And yet, it wasn't.
Something about him was wrong. The pupils in his eyes were gone. His shoulders slanted unnaturally, and he barely managed to remain standing—like a living corpse.
The corpse stretched out its hand, reaching for Anna.
Seeing this, Suna clutched Anna tightly to her chest and leapt backward.
The duke's granddaughter still couldn't understand what was happening. She lifted her head from Suna's embrace and turned around.
Anna's eyes widened. She stared at the figure before her, unable—unwilling—to believe it was her grandfather.
"G-Grandfather…"
The next seconds plunged Anna into true shock.
The living corpse reached for her again.
But in the final instant, Valorant arrived.
One of the Seven Sages swept past at blinding speed, severing the creature's arm in a single motion. Even after losing its limb, the corpse did not yield. It lunged forward once more, reaching for its granddaughter.
Valorant cast aside all hesitation—his past, his memories—and closed the distance to his closest friend.
Before the corpse's hand could touch Anna, Valorant swung his sword once, cleanly severing Alaris's head. The body collapsed to the ground, and without pause, he drove his blade straight through its heart.
There was no emotion on Valorant's face.
It was as if something human had slipped away from him.
Yet the way his hand clenched the sword's hilt—so tightly it trembled—revealed that some fragment of it still remained.
Valorant pulled his sword from his friend's chest and spoke in a low voice.
"This… wasn't how it was supposed to end."
He turned and looked at the girls sitting on the floor.
Anna was trembling uncontrollably, clutching her head with both hands. Beside her, Suna held her tightly, desperately trying to calm her.
Valorant slowly approached Anna and extended his hand.
"Don't be afraid. Everything—"
Anna recoiled, shrinking away from his hand.
Seeing this, the Seven Sage clenched his hand midway, then slowly lowered it. Despite witnessing the horror before her, Suna forced herself to remain composed—at least outwardly.
"It's alright. I'm here," she said, refusing to let go of Anna.
Valorant frowned and straightened. Then he turned and entered Alaris's room. He carefully examined the bed where Alaris had been lying—and the room itself.
A moment later, Suna managed to bring Anna inside as well. The fear was still evident in Anna's trembling body.
Unable to make sense of what had happened, Suna finally spoke.
"Sir Valorant…" she said in a low, frightened voice.
There was no response.
Valorant was focused on something else—searching the room.
His silence irritated Suna.
"Sir Valorant!" she shouted.
Only then did he pause.
"What was that thing?! It looked like the duke!" she demanded.
The Seven Sage stopped for a single second, then replied quietly,
"That was Alaris."
Suna froze, unable to comprehend his words.
"I'll explain everything," Valorant said sharply, his expression dark.
"But not now."
Seeing his face, Suna fell silent.
Moments later, Gustav burst into the room, breathing heavily.
"S-Sir Valorant! What happened?!" he asked urgently.
"The curse bearer escaped."
Gustav's face went pale.
"What do we do now?"
"We must find him quickly. If we don't, he'll become a serious problem."
***
Half an hour before dinner—
Gustav was on his way to Duke Alaris's room, carrying a tray with the duke's medicine. He opened the door and stepped inside.
Alaris lay on his bed.
Gustav set the tray down on a low cabinet near the door and approached.
"My lord, you need to take your medicine."
Alaris was utterly exhausted. The curse had nearly consumed him entirely. His voice was barely audible.
"Gustav…"
The steward leaned closer.
"Yes, my lord?"
"I think… today may be my last day."
"Please don't say that. You still have a long life ahead of you," Gustav said, trying to encourage him.
Alaris smiled faintly.
His hair had grown long from lying in bed for so long. Dark circles ringed his eyes, and his skin had grown pale from never going outside.
"Call the doctor," Alaris said, exhaling heavily.
"Yes, my lord."
Gustav picked up the medicine.
"Please take these first. I'll bring the doctor right away."
The medicine did nothing to cure the curse—it merely dulled the pain it caused.
After Alaris finished taking it, Gustav left the room with the tray. In the kitchen, he found Dan.
"Dan, I have a task for you," he said, setting the tray aside.
"Go immediately and bring the doctor here. As fast as possible!"
Dan put on his cap and hurried out.
After some time, Dan returned with the doctor.
The doctor stepped down from the carriage.
"Good evening, Mr. Fermak," Gustav greeted him.
"Good evening. Take me to the patient at once," the doctor replied, lifting his bag and heading inside.
Fermak appeared to be around fifty years old. He wore a thick coat and a fur hat made from animal hide.
The doctor and Gustav entered the duke's chamber. One glance was enough for Fermak to realize how grave Alaris's condition was.
Without a word, he began his examination.
"I'll examine your body," he said, placing his right hand on Alaris's forehead and closing his eyes.
Channeling mana, Fermak probed through Alaris's body—as if seeing inside him.
As he did, he sensed something abnormal.
A strange energy, like black fog, coiled around Alaris's insides. It had spread across nearly his entire body and would soon consume it completely.
Suddenly, shapes formed within the fog—hands reaching toward Fermak.
Sensing danger, he opened his eyes at once and pulled his hand back.
"You felt it, didn't you, Fermak?" Alaris said with a twisted grin.
"Yes," the doctor replied bleakly.
Alaris turned his head toward the ceiling.
"Everyone dies someday. My time is simply approaching."
Fermak asked hesitantly,
"Is there… anything I can do?"
"Sit with me for a while," Alaris replied.
"You're the only one left I haven't spoken with."
Gustav brought over a chair. Fermak sat down.
"Very well. Let's talk."
Alaris's gaze shifted to the steward.
"Gustav."
"Yes, my lord."
Alaris drew a deep breath.
"Thank you… both of you."
Then—his words stopped.
The pause stretched unnaturally long.
Realizing something was wrong, Fermak placed his fingers on Alaris's neck.
There was no pulse. Only lingering warmth.
The doctor exhaled deeply.
"Duke Alaris… has passed."
He gently closed the duke's eyes.
Gustav stared for a moment, then spoke quietly.
"I'll go inform the others."
"Then I'll stay here," Fermak said, "until his family arrives."
***
After alerting everyone, Gustav escorted the doctor outside.
"I've prepared a carriage for you," he said.
They walked toward it together.
"My condolences," Fermak said as he climbed aboard.
Gustav looked at him and spoke carefully,
"I hope…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
But the doctor understood.
"I'll take this secret with me to the grave."
"That puts my mind at ease," Gustav replied, then turned to Dan.
"Take the doctor home—and return quickly."
Dan cracked the reins, and the carriage sped away from the estate.