Lady Zenonia.
—or rather, Zenonia Kalia, the woman who had long ruled Zenonia County by using her father as a puppet, arrived at Count Palatio's estate with two clear purposes.
The first was to probe Alon's intentions.Despite possessing cards that could greatly damage Zenonia County… Alon had not used them. This alone warranted suspicion.
Their County relations weren't hostile—but neither were they amicable.And Kalia knew Alon was fundamentally similar to herself—a kindred spirit.Someone who would never spare an enemy out of naïve kindness.
Thus, he must have his own reason for hesitation.She had come to find that reason.
The second purpose was more subtle.
To measure the strength of the rumored organization behind Count Palatio.
She knew one could not fully gauge such power through a mere meeting…but she brought someone who could sense its edges—
Biankel.
A wizard once praised for his theory regarding Forgotten Era Magic.A man later expelled from the Magic Tower…for inhumane magical experiments.And yet, he retained his class—a 5th-tier wizard.Someone capable of annihilating a battalion alone.
She struck a deal with him—resources for his experiments,in return for his strength.
His specialty—detection magic.If anyone could sense the Count's hidden guards—it was him.
…Or so she believed.
But now, inside the reception room of Count Palatio's estate—Kalia glanced at Biankel.
He still hadn't closed his mouth.And his expression—
He was afraid.
His arrogance was gone.His confidence was gone.A trembling uncertainty had replaced them both.
Kalia frowned. She had never seen him like this.
Why?
Before she could speak, eyes met hers.Alon's gaze—cold, disinterested, unreadable.
Silence fell.
Kalia bowed lightly.
"My apologies, Count Palatio. I was rude to enter the training grounds without permission."
"…No need to blame yourself."
The words were calm.
"But allow me to clarify one thing first," Alon said. "The magic I used was not Origin. Your wizard seems to have misunderstood."
Kalia didn't believe it.But when she glanced at Biankel—
"…I was mistaken."
The wizard—who never used polite speech—spoke with forced courtesy.
That alone told her everything.
Alon spoke again.
"That magic is of no practical use. Now then, what brings you here?"
"I simply wished to pay my respects, since I was nearby."
"I'm busy, so I cannot speak for long. If you require conversation, perhaps visit the Duke of Altia. I believe the two of you would get along."
Kalia smiled calmly.But her mouth—was dry.
As Lady Zenonia's carriage faded in the distance, Evan asked,
"Why would someone like her visit you?"
"How would I know?" Alon replied plainly.
"…It's troublesome that she saw my magic."
He sighed inwardly.
Rumors must not spread about Origin.
In this world, power attracts madness.If word spread about him using Origin, at least eight powerful people would come looking for him.Not for alliances—but for the challenge.
Let's hope the warning was enough.
Yet his mind drifted to Kalia—and firmly dismissed her.
She belonged to darkness.He had no plans to invite it near him.
Thus, his suggestion of visiting the Duke of Altia—
—was a gentle dismissal.
Do not come back.
Within Zenonia's carriage—
"…Was that magic truly not Origin?" Kalia asked softly.
Biankel took a long breath.Then answered.
"It was not Origin."
Kalia frowned. "Then what was it?"
Biankel stared into nothing.
"Origin… is a canvas. One only permitted to those who have established magic as truth. On that canvas, they paint their own laws.That is Origin."
He shook his head.
"But Count Palatio did not draw on a canvas.""…He tore the canvas apart."
Kalia's breath caught.
Biankel continued slowly.
"He distorted truth. The laws that should never bend… he twisted—and still manifested magic flawlessly. That alone breaks every known rule."
His voice trembled slightly as he whispered,
"Never make an enemy of him. Never."
Kalia closed her eyes.
She remembered his gaze.Those calm, indifferent eyes.
And she understood.
She had never come to test him.
She had entered his chessboard—already as a pawn.
Five months later.
Alon was reviewing documents when Evan spoke while grinning.
"…Count. Did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"Zenonia County and the Duke of Altia have formed an alliance."
Alon froze.
And at that moment—
He realized.
The Kingdom of Asteria was now walking toward chaos.