“Ughhh…”
A massive pain surged through Trey’s head.
Groaning in pain, he slowly forced his body upright.
He sat there for a moment, trying to recall why he was in this state.
A beautiful woman screaming that she didn’t want this… himself trying to strip her clothes…
And someone watching it all with emotionless eyes…
“Hey.”
“Y-young master?!”
Trey jumped in shock at Si-on, who was squatting and looking down at him.
He quickly stood up—then realized Si-on was still seated.
Deciding that it would be improper for his young master to be looking up at him, he immediately knelt and lowered his head.
“From now on, answer my questions.”
“W-what do you mean by that…?”
“Only answer yes or no. If you have complaints, speak now.”
As Si-on’s cold eyes flashed, Trey hurriedly nodded.
It was a different aura from the usual Si-on—sharp, but also chillingly composed.
Trey felt like he was facing someone wearing Si-on’s skin.
Of course, that was an impossible thought… a blasphemous one he immediately dismissed.
Unaware that it was actually the truth.
“How many times have I done this?”
“Pardon?”
“How many times have I brought women here and done… those kinds of things?”
“M-my lord, I don’t understand what you’re saying…”
“Stop pretending you don’t understand. One more word and I’ll smash your mouth.”
Same words as usual—but the atmosphere was completely different.
Trey felt as if someone else was standing in Si-on’s body.
“I, if I exclude today… I believe it was two… no, three times.”
Three times?
Si-on cursed inwardly at the confession.
Even once would be a fatal scandal for a noble.
But three times?
You damn bastard…
No wonder the Marquis had hesitated to pass the title to him.
Eventually, the younger brother had fled after being unable to withstand Si-on’s threats, leaving Si-on as the official heir.
“T-there was no problem, of course.”
“No problem?”
“Yes. After I personally brought them in, you looked them over and said they weren’t your type and told them to leave…”
Trey trailed off nervously.
Si-on almost snapped at him—but then he remembered.
This body’s original owner had extremely specific preferences.
He only liked women shorter or similar in height, with fair skin, slim legs, small hands and feet—so precise that he would reject anyone who didn’t meet all conditions.
So Trey had likely brought women, and Si-on had simply inspected them and sent them away.
At least he didn’t actually do anything…
Still, this was dangerous.
One small mistake could destroy him socially—or worse, bring him face to face with Kim Yuhyeon again and get him killed.
“Let’s return to the estate.”
“Yes, young master.”
It was late.
Even for Si-on Clausen, who wasn’t restricted by normal curfews, disappearing without notice would cause the Marquis to send soldiers to search for him.
As Si-on prepared to leave the ruined underground area, he suddenly turned to Trey with a polite smile.
“Trey.”
“Yes, my lord?”
“Keep today’s events a secret. As always. If you speak of it… it’ll become very interesting for you.”
Trey nodded quickly.
“Of course. I will absolutely keep it confidential.”
He didn’t fully understand why, but he knew he had been given a dangerous secret.
And that could be useful.
The Clausen frontier territory held the duty of guarding the borders of the Hispania Kingdom.
It possessed the authority to independently organize and mobilize military forces without direct royal command.
It was the first defensive line against the neighboring kingdom of Nudia.
Because of this, although it was officially a marquisate, its power and prestige were almost equal to that of a duke.
“Wow.”
When Si-on finally arrived at the Clausen estate, he couldn’t help but admire it.
The massive, fortress-like castle was overwhelming.
It looked like something from a game.
And it belonged to his father.
Meaning it could one day become his.
For the first time, Si-on formed a second goal beyond survival:
If I survive, I’ll live well here.
“Young master! Why are you so late!”
As they entered the inner gate and passed the drawbridge, the first person to greet him was an elderly man.
A neat uniform without a single wrinkle, a sharply trimmed beard, and piercing eyes.
Sebastian, the Clausen family butler.
Wait a second… Sebastian?
In the novel, he was the butler—but his true identity was one of the “two swords” of the Clausen house.
A man who could fight on equal footing with Kim Yuhyeon through experience, instinct, and monstrous skill.
Of course, Si-on had never known this.
To him, Sebastian was just a competent old butler.
“Do you realize how worried the Count was? Do you want this old man to die of a heart attack?!”
Sebastian grabbed his hands with tearful eyes.
But Si-on, knowing the truth, wanted to laugh.
Old man? That guy was originally from the royal secret guardian knight order.
Even Kim Yuhyeon—the Sword Immortal—acknowledged him.
This “harmless butler” was actually a monster in disguise.
So Si-on chose caution.
“I had some matters to attend to, Sebastian. It’s nothing serious, so don’t worry.”
He smiled warmly and gently patted the old man’s hand.
Sebastian nodded in relief and told him to go see the Count immediately.
Si-on headed toward the third floor study.
After he left, Sebastian’s warm smile vanished instantly.
Cold eyes replaced it.
“…Si-on Clausen.”
Normally, Si-on never called him “Sebastian.”
He called him “butler,” or even “old man” when irritated.
And even polite speech often felt like mockery.
Sebastian’s expression hardened.
“This is strange.”
He quietly followed Si-on’s footsteps with a thin smile.
At the study, Si-on gestured for Trey to leave.
Trey bowed and retreated.
Si-on exhaled.
Right beyond this door is my father.
Lichten Clausen, Marquis of the frontier.
A man who chose duty over family, even allowing his own son’s arm to be cut off by sending his enemy to the capital for honor and reward.
A tragic father who would later be killed by his resentful son.
That man is waiting behind this door.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
A middle-aged man’s voice.
As if he already knew who it was.
Si-on inhaled deeply and opened the door.
The study was surprisingly simple for the ruler of a vast territory.
Inside sat a man who looked like an ordinary father—if not for his title.
“Sit.”
Si-on sat carefully on the sofa.
And waited.
Lichten Clausen observed him silently.
Minutes passed.
Three. Five. Ten.
Then finally—
“Si-on Clausen.”
The father spoke.
Si-on straightened his posture.
But the next words froze him.
“I want you to answer honestly, without a single lie. What have you been doing until now, returning so late?”
“……”
“And I hope you haven’t done anything that would disgrace the Clausen name.”
Si-on wanted to answer:
Your son almost got his arm cut off and was dragged through hell, but I somehow fixed everything and came back alive.
But saying that would only get him labeled insane.
Damn it, Si-on you bastard…
He wanted to scream.
The author had said: “Try surviving inside a villain.”
But how was he supposed to survive this?
A walking landmine of a character—
That was Si-on Clausen’s life now.
And it was his worst problem yet.
