Chapter 59
After finishing her meal, Maya laid out all the desserts Kendrick had brought on the table and began devouring the cake, one slice at a time.
The sweet whipped cream and soft sponge layers blended perfectly, creating a deliciously rich taste.
“Kendrick, I heard you were at the palace the day of the banquet. Why did the Emperor summon you?”
At Maya’s question, Kendrick’s eyes grew distant.
‘Is he recalling that moment?’
He didn’t respond right away. Maya waited patiently for him to speak.
“Oh, right. Yeah, I went. I was ordered to investigate the monsters. I had to go with the Tower Master.”
Kendrick spoke more slowly than usual.
‘Is he tired?’
But Maya didn’t feel the need to point it out.
“Did you discover anything from the monsters?”
“No, nothing new. The corpses were disposed of right away, so there wasn’t anything left.”
Kendrick furrowed his brows in disappointment—and Maya shared the sentiment.
Even with both the Tower Master and Kendrick investigating, they had found nothing from the monsters? And the fact that the bodies had been disposed of immediately was even more surprising.
‘Last time, I remember they even took the monster’s corpse apart and brought it with them.’
Maya tilted her head, puzzled.
“Oh, right. Maya, I brought something from the white snake monster we collected last time. Something formed from its body.”
Kendrick rummaged through his bag and pulled out a neatly crafted, beautiful box.
“Here. For you.”
Maya accepted the box from Kendrick.
Inside was an opal that resembled the white snake.
“…This came out of the monster?”
“Yeah. Remember how we took the scales for research? It seems this gem formed from those scales.”
Maya recalled the ruby she had safely stored in her room.
Now she had both a ruby and an opal. Gems formed from the bodies of enormous monsters—minions of the Demon King, no less.
There had to be something she hadn’t uncovered yet.
“Are you sure it’s okay for me to keep this? You were researching it.”
“Well, you’re the one who took down that monster. Whatever comes out of it rightfully belongs to you.”
Kendrick’s reply was clear. Maya nodded.
Considering how suspicious the gem was, it seemed far safer in her hands than anyone else’s.
“What do you think this gem means?”
Because the Magic Tower dispatched wizards regularly, mages who worked diligently encountered monsters just as often as knights.
Maya was curious if Kendrick had discovered anything based on his knowledge.
“Hmm… This is just my theory, but…”
Kendrick hesitated before continuing.
“Since it came from the Demon King’s minions, maybe it’s a crystalized form of their power.”
It was a reasonable guess. After all, they only found the gems after the creatures were dead.
“But normally, monsters don’t produce gemstones like this.”
Tristan, who had been quietly listening, chimed in.
“These monsters are special. They’re connected to the Demon King.”
“Is that so?”
Kendrick scoffed and responded. Tristan blinked in surprise.
‘Well, he has a point…’
Maya nodded in agreement. As Maya accepted it, Tristan realized the information was accurate and nodded too.
Kendrick then turned back to Maya.
“I spoke with the Emperor about the monsters, but thankfully, I don’t think he realized your true identity.”
It was as if Kendrick had read her mind and scratched exactly where she itched. Maya let out a sigh of relief.
Though she’d been careful in front of Riserfield, Kendrick’s reassurance made her feel more at ease.
“Kendrick, nothing strange happened to you, right?”
“What would happen? I should be asking you that—are you okay?”
As always, Kendrick prioritized Maya’s well-being.
“Of course. Have you been on any monster hunts lately?”
Kendrick nodded, then let out a deep sigh.
“I’d love to go, honestly. But with everything going on, I feel like I’m being watched. Seems like they want the capable mages to stay in the capital.”
Classic Riserfield. As long as the capital was safe, he didn’t care what happened elsewhere.
“And, Your Grace, I suggest you be cautious when visiting the library from now on.”
Suddenly remembering something, Kendrick turned to Tristan.
“How do you know about that…?”
“We’re the ones managing the hidden magical devices in there. Your face was fully exposed.”
At Kendrick’s words, Maya recalled her recent encounter with Riserfield.
“Luckily, I was able to manipulate the device myself and change your face.”
“But don’t count on luck next time. I might not be the one controlling it, so either hide your face better or take other precautions.”
“Your tone’s rather rude.”
“I assumed a little rudeness was acceptable, given I helped protect your identity.”
Maya tilted her head.
Kendrick and Tristan always bickered when they met, but today Kendrick seemed especially sharp.
“Kendrick, are you sure you’re feeling okay?”
“The more you ask, the more I feel like I’m not…”
He slumped beside her, pretending to press his forehead.
“You know I’m always weak.”
“That’s true.”
“Mind if I lean on you a bit?”
Tristan, listening to their exchange, wedged himself between them.
“Considering the height difference, leaning on me would be more comfortable.”
“Well, that’s true.”
Maya nodded in agreement with Tristan. Kendrick sighed and stood back up.
“We’ve eaten, and I’ve told you everything I came to say. I should get going.”
Already? Maya was disappointed, but she didn’t stop him—he must’ve had his own schedule.
“Come visit again.”
“Of course.”
Kendrick smiled and nodded.
“I’ll walk you out.”
“What an honor, having the Grand Duchess personally see me off.”
Kendrick didn’t refuse.
“…I’ll come too.”
Tristan couldn’t let them walk off alone together.
Time had flown by while they were talking.
By the time they stepped outside, the sky was tinged with sunset.
The snow had continued to fall while they talked, now blanketing the world in white.
The sky glowed with a soft pink hue. The snow, too, reflected the sunset’s blush, casting a warm glow over everything.
It was so beautiful that Maya lost herself in the moment.
Kendrick’s eyes also lost focus for a moment as he looked at the sunset—then regained it.
As Maya admired the view, she suddenly realized something strange about what Kendrick had said.
“These monsters are special. They’re connected to the Demon King.”
That was something she had learned from Pendragon.
But she had never shared that knowledge with Kendrick—or even with Tristan.
‘How does Kendrick…’
How did he know the monsters were the Demon King’s minions?
A chill ran down her spine.
Something was wrong.
This Kendrick was Kendrick… but didn’t feel like him.
She had to ask—had to identify the source of her unease.
“I really should be going now.”
Kendrick said goodbye, looking reluctant.
Maya grabbed his hand.
“…You, of all people…”
Kendrick looked at her with a touched expression.
“Kendrick Akisia.”
Maya called his full name.
“What?”
“How did you know the monsters are the Demon King’s minions?”
“…That’s because…”
Kendrick let out a scoff, then trailed off.
“Because…”
He repeated the same phrase again.
“Because…”
Over and over again—like a broken machine—Kendrick kept mumbling the same thing.
Then, he hung his head low, only to raise it with different eyes.
Eyes that were no longer his.
“I thought I hid it well enough.”
The voice that came from Kendrick’s lips was thin and foreign.
“Maya, get back.”
Tristan placed a protective arm around her, distancing them from the strange Kendrick.
“I expected some resistance to the brainwashing, but not this much.”
Kendrick grinned widely, mouth stretching unnaturally—something no human could do.
“Still, pretending to be human was fun. You’re clever, descendant of Pendragon.”
Maya immediately summoned Pendragon’s sword.
And pointed it at Kendrick.
Or rather, at the monster possessing his body.
“What are you afraid of?”
The monster asked her.
Maya didn’t reply.
But the hand holding her sword trembled.
Suddenly, a powerful illusion surged through her mind.
Kendrick being devoured by an illusion monster.
And Maya, completely powerless to stop it.
The thoughts overwhelmed her—unlike anything she’d usually think.
As if her mind were being controlled.
‘An ability…!’
Gritting her teeth, Maya swung Pendragon’s sword.
The monster cackled, then extended a hand.
From the hand of the possessed Kendrick, a stream of pure white powder began to fall.
