The drawbridge leading into Veldana was, as always, overrun with people. Long lines stretched on and on, all of them waiting to enter the city. Ascetics and pilgrims, travelers and adventurers, merchants and settlers, provincial nobles... People from every walk of life mingled in the queue.

A group of nobles from the provinces began murmuring among themselves.

"Isn't that House Miyatro's crest over there?"

Everyone looked toward the drawbridge opposite them. It was empty, with no queue at all. Only guests invited by the Count were permitted to use it.

"It is. The crescent moon crest. It symbolizes the Watcher of the Abyss."

An elegant, old-fashioned carriage rolled onto the deserted bridge, a blue crescent moon emblazoned on its side. It was the emblem of House Miyatro. No noble could fail to recognize it. Fallen though the house was now, it had once been the most illustrious on the continent.

"The rumors must have been true, then. They say His Excellency the Count has joined hands with the Baron's heir from House Miyatro."

The opposite drawbridge opened only for honored guests. Surely the Baron's heir from House Miyatro was riding in that carriage.

"The Baron's heir? You're behind the times, man. It's been over two months since that bastard became head of the house."

Several of them looked puzzled.

"Head of the house? He isn't even twenty!"

"Exactly. I hear he's still a little brat."

One noble clicked his tongue.

"You're all so slow to hear the news. Don't you even know the Council changed the law? There was an absolute uproar in the royal capital over making that bastard head of his house."

Every noble on the Council had been summoned to amend the law. The deliberations lasted for days, and the amendment was ultimately approved by a unanimous vote. Yohan von Miyatro, the bastard of a baronial house, was now officially the Watcher of the Abyss.

They all clicked their tongues in astonishment.

"It sounded so absurd I let it go in one ear and out the other. To think the rumor was actually true."

"I thought the royal household had sent the wrong official notice."

"The world's coming to an end. A bastard heading a house? And the Watcher of the Abyss, no less. Really."

The noble at the front thumped his own chest in frustration.

"Good grief, you hopeless country mice. The problem isn't some bastard inheriting his house!"

"What could possibly be more important than that?"

"That bastard is now a member of the Council!"

The Council consisted of ten nobles who steered the kingdom. Each was among its most powerful figures. A bastard child from a frontier baronial house could not possibly stand shoulder to shoulder with the nobles of the Council.

They were all appalled.

"H-how could such an outrage occur?"

"The world has gone utterly mad!"

"His Majesty approved this?!"

One noble sighed.

"What power does His Majesty have? King or not, he's nothing but His Excellency's puppet."

"L-lower your voice. What if someone hears you?"

"Am I wrong? Aren't all of you standing here to attach yourselves to the Count instead of the king?"

Several cleared their throats. They could not deny it. They had come to Veldana hoping to forge even the slightest connection with the Count. Several nobles like them flocked to his domain every day.

"Ahem. Regardless, the Council was somewhat rash in its decision."

"Agreed. Frankly, I cannot accept it."

"It must all be the will of our betters, but try as I might, I cannot understand it."

Each offered a comment as they watched the opposite drawbridge. Their gazes were thick with countless emotions: jealousy, envy, longing, resignation.

Despite their attention, the carriage simply rolled onward. The opinions and feelings of ordinary men did not matter. Yohan had no energy to spare for them as well.

* * *

Inside the carriage, Ilea parted the curtain to peer outside.

"They're all looking at us. We're drawing quite a few stares."

Seated opposite her, Yohan set down his teacup.

"Well, I suppose we would. Rumors about me must be all over the kingdom."

Most nobles would resent him. In aristocratic society, a capable bastard was someone to frown upon. He could hardly expect a favorable reception.

Ilea smiled faintly.

"Such rude looks. Shall I give them a little trouble?"

She could play a few tricks on them with magic. Yohan answered calmly.

"Ignore them. They're of little use."

He did not want to waste effort even on these extras. He needed to conserve as much mental energy as possible for dealing with the Council nobles.

Ilea closed the curtain.

"To be honest, I was a little bored. Nearly ten days cooped up in a carriage has made me restless."

They had traveled by carriage from the south to the central region, taking the ordinary route rather than using magic or powers. They had deliberately let everyone see them making their way to the capital, to bring the baronial House of Miyatro into the public eye.

It had worked exactly as intended. Over those ten days, Yohan had passed through numerous domains and villages. Now rumors about him would take wing and spread throughout the kingdom.

The Watcher of the Abyss was entering the center of power.

With so much attention on him, his standing would rise steadily if he played his part well. Of course, one mistake would send him plummeting just as quickly, but Yohan was confident he could manage. By now, a double-edged sword was a familiar weapon.

Yohan spoke.

"You said you liked it because it felt like a holiday. Tired of it already?"

He and Ilea had spent ten whole days together in this cramped carriage, talking far more than usual. For her, it had been a deeply satisfying experience.

"Tired of it? I enjoyed it, and I'd love to do it again. But I'm feeling a little down now. We'll have to live apart for a while."

Ilea would be staying at the Count's house for the time being. Yohan had to leave her there and depart for the royal capital. They would not be able to stay together for a while.

"Bear with it a little longer. I'll come for you soon."

She gazed at him for a moment, then her eyes curved in a playful smile.

"As my bridegroom?"

Once she became the Count's adopted daughter, marriage between her and Yohan would give House Miyatro unchecked power. He certainly had something similar in mind.

He answered calmly.

"I don't know yet, but it's possible. Even if we marry, it will only be for appearances, so don't worry. You won't lose your freedom."

Ilea beamed at him.

"I wouldn't mind, you know."

"Mind what?"

"Living as your wife."

"Neither would I. The outward form of our relationship doesn't matter."

Every interaction with others in this world was a struggle to survive. Marrying someone, pledging loyalty to someone... Most relationships were merely a means to an end. Taking a witch as his wife was no different.

Ilea puffed out her cheeks a little.

"Yohan, do you understand what I'm saying?"

He nodded.

"Of course. Whatever relationship binds us, I will help you with transcending heaven. In time, you can use my status and power however you wish."

Ilea stared at him. Then, abruptly, she sighed.

"Forget it. Let's leave it there. I'm suddenly in a bad mood."

Yohan looked puzzled.

"Is something troubling you?"

"Everything. From beginning to end."

"Speak freely. I'll accommodate you wherever possible."

He intended to grant nearly anything she asked. She had helped him so much already. In truth, he owed her a great debt.

Ilea replied listlessly.

"Think about it yourself, Yohan."

She said nothing more, leaving him at something of a loss. The carriage entered the city in an uncomfortable silence.

* * *

In an opulent drawing room at Count Staviana's residence, the Count sat at a table, staring straight ahead. A hulking, white-haired man sat opposite him, constantly squirming as though the narrow chair were uncomfortable.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, the man sprang to his feet and bellowed.

"Damn this chair! I can't stand sitting in it!"

His tremendous, resonant roar was like that of a wild beast. He kicked the chair hard, sending it flying into the ceiling. With a deafening crash, it shattered, and fragments rained down into the office.

Count Staviana showed no sign of agitation at the sudden commotion. Sipping his tea, he spoke in a calm voice.

"Father-in-law, this is not the north. Please show some decorum."

The huge man swept back his cropped white hair. Even that small movement made the muscles and sinews of his arm bulge. He was astonishingly robust for a man nearing a hundred and fifty.

The hulking old man shouted.

"Decorum? Still obsessed with appearances, Cromwell! Even the women in the north don't use that word!"

He was the Tiger of the North, lord of House Eisenfeld: the margrave who defended the kingdom against demonic beasts.

Count Staviana spoke without expression.

"I will say it again. This is not the north."

Wolfgang Eisenfeld replied heartily.

"Have you forgotten? I am the north, and the north is me. Wherever I stand is the north. Now that you're in the north, follow its laws, Cromwell Staviana."

The Count stifled a groan. As ever, there was no reasoning with Wolfgang.

"... Very well. Let us get to the point. Why did you ask to see me in private?"

Wolfgang spoke with a look of displeasure.

"The kingdom's chancellor, and you can't even stand up to me. Where has all your old fire gone, Cromwell? It's because you're so weak that you couldn't protect even your own woman."

Count Staviana's face darkened for an instant. He soon mastered his expression and replied.

"Father-in-law, Yeriel is your daughter as well."

Wolfgang was Yeriel's father, and thus Cromwell's father-in-law. He snorted.

"I already have more than twenty daughters alone. You had only one wife. If Yeriel had been my only child, I would have staked my life on protecting her. You failed."

Count Staviana fixed Wolfgang with an icy stare. Just as he was about to reply, a knock sounded, and a knight entered the office.

"Forgive the interruption. It's urgent."

He approached the Count and whispered to him. At that moment, Wolfgang slammed his hand down on the table.

"Don't you dare whisper in front of me!"

The table shattered completely, scattering in pieces. The knight froze, overwhelmed by Wolfgang's presence.

Count Staviana spoke calmly.

"Even with age, that temper of yours never—"

Wolfgang cut him off.

"The Watcher of the Abyss is here? Bring him before me at once."

His hearing had caught even that faint whisper. He had already heard every word the knight said.

Count Staviana spoke.

"Aren't you busy? Why not state your business briefly and be on your way?"