Sarah asked Lucas to help her take revenge on Viper. Her voice was steady, but Lucas could hear the desperation beneath it. She spoke as if determination alone could bridge the gap between her will and reality.
It could not.
She could barely control the mana that had only recently awakened within her. Even maintaining stability exhausted her. Facing Viper—an organization capable of driving monsters into madness and draining life itself—was beyond her ability. It was not bravery she was showing, but recklessness.
Lucas listened to her in silence before responding.
He told her that revenge would be taken—but not by her hands. He would carry that burden himself. Protecting her was his first priority, and it was also the final wish left behind by her parents. He would not allow their sacrifice to become meaningless. No matter what she said, he would never permit her to place herself in danger.
For those reasons, he rejected her request.
There was no anger in his refusal, only certainty.
Lucas then brought Sarah to the rented house he had prepared earlier. The Mortayne Mansion was no longer safe. Its name, its position, and its history made it an obvious target. There was no one left there who could protect her from Viper's reach.
After showing Sarah to her room, Lucas left her alone and went to his study. Maps, documents, and magical tools were spread across the desk as he began planning their departure. Every route, every timing, every possibility had to be considered. One mistake would be enough for Viper to find them.
Sarah ultimately agreed to go with him to the Angelo Empire. She understood that staying behind would only invite further danger.
However, Lucas was not merely a powerful mage or knight—he was a prince. He could not openly bring an unknown girl into the empire without drawing attention. Any irregularity would be investigated, and attention was the last thing they could afford.
For the time being, he decided to disguise Sarah as his personal maid. It was a position that would allow her to remain close to him without raising suspicion. Later, once the situation stabilized, he would arrange a false identity for her—one thorough enough to withstand scrutiny.
This was the safest course of action.
By hiding her existence, Lucas could keep her beyond Viper's reach. And even if he failed to destroy them—if the worst possible outcome came to pass—Sarah would still be able to live on.
Not as the daughter of the Mortayne family.
Not as Viper's target.
But as someone the world would never think to look for.
Lucas called over his beastman guard, Leon, to confirm that everything was ready for dinner. Once the arrangements were set, he went upstairs to fetch Sarah. She followed him quietly, her footsteps soft on the polished wooden floor, the dim light from the hallway lamps casting long shadows.
The room Lucas had prepared was modest but functional—warm, with a faint scent of herbs and roasted meat lingering in the air. A single lantern on the table flickered, painting the walls in amber light. Plates of freshly cooked food had been set: roasted vegetables, spiced meat, and a small loaf of bread. The aroma was comforting, but it did little to calm the tension in the air.
Lucas himself wore a simple dark tunic over his leather armor, sleeves rolled up, the practicality of his attire hinting at the urgency of the coming days. Sarah, in contrast, wore a plain dress of muted gray that fell to her knees—easy to move in, unobtrusive, nothing that would draw attention.
"Supper is ready," Lucas said softly. His tone was calm, almost gentle, but carried an unmistakable weight. "We should eat before we begin preparations for the journey."
Sarah nodded and lowered herself onto a chair. She kept her hands folded in her lap, glancing occasionally at the food but not touching it. Her mind seemed elsewhere, distant, as if the meal itself were just a formality. Lucas noticed and said nothing, pouring himself a small cup of water and taking a slow sip.
He broke the silence. "It will take at least a week—maybe two—before we can leave for the Angelo Empire. Before then, there is something I must ask of you. I need your permission to erase your memories from everyone we know."
Sarah froze mid-breath, the words catching in her throat. "Erase… my memories from them?"
Lucas's gaze was steady, unreadable. "Yes. I cannot explain everything now, but it is necessary. Those who remember you could be in danger. Their lives could be at risk."
She looked down at her hands, twisting the edge of her dress between her fingers. After a pause, she whispered, "If it will protect them… I understand. Maybe it's better they don't remember me anyway, since I'm leaving soon."
Lucas inclined his head slightly, allowing a small sense of relief to touch him. She had agreed without knowing the full truth—and that was how it had to be.
He ate slowly, methodically, each bite measured, while his mind raced. No trace of them should have been found. The Mortayne Mansion's barrier was designed to conceal their presence completely, hiding them even from skilled trackers. And yet, Viper had discovered Sarah.
How?
Lucas studied the shadows that flickered across the table. The only common factor in the previous attacks was the dimensional portal. Subtle, lingering mana traces had been left behind, invisible to most—but not to Viper.
The thought chilled him. If they attempted to use the portal again, they would be discovered. Without fail.
He considered every angle. Even with the portal's trace, how had Viper located the Mortayne family with such precision? They only knew the family existed—they did not know the location. The barrier should have hidden them entirely. And yet, Viper had found them.
Lucas clenched his fists under the table, the knuckles turning white. Something about this was… off. Too precise. Too deliberate. Almost as if someone—or something—was watching, waiting for the right moment.
He did not tell Sarah any of this. She didn't need the weight of these thoughts. She had already suffered too much, and he would not let her carry more. She trusted him to keep her safe. He had to live up to that trust.
The room was quiet except for the soft clink of utensils against plates. Outside, the wind whispered through the trees, rustling leaves in a way that sounded almost like hushed voices. Shadows moved across the walls as the lantern swayed, and Lucas's gaze flicked toward the window, sensing danger in every subtle movement.
He did not speak of the portal, of the ambushes, or the lingering presence of Viper. He only ate, measured, calculating, every possibility running through his mind.
One day soon, he would have to act. One day soon, he would have to move Sarah through the portal. And when he did, he would have to ensure that no one—not even Viper—could trace her steps.
Even if the world itself seemed to be watching, he would find a way.
And he would keep her safe