Chapter 16
Arnulf was led by Zieben to a place deep within the hall, where the smoke hung even thicker than before.
Just one glance at the scene made Arnulf frown instinctively — it was the kind of sight that clearly did no good to the body or the mind.
“Why the face? You act like you’ve never seen this before.”
Zieben shot Arnulf an incredulous look. For him, it was a given. After all, during the many years he’d known Josef, places like this — decadent and reeking of indulgence — were their usual haunts.
“Josef! Long time no see. Sit down, sit down.”
One of the men lounging on the sofa waved a lazy hand. A long pipe hung between his lips.
His drowsy, hazy eyes flickered toward Arnulf for the briefest moment before losing interest just as quickly. Even the invitation to sit sounded like nothing more than empty courtesy.
Arnulf raised an eyebrow. He had no idea why Zieben had brought him here.
Having lived as a knight for so long, Arnulf had never been one for pleasure or indulgence. He drank occasionally, but nothing beyond that — and even when he drank, never enough to lose control of his body or senses.
Yet the scene before him was the very embodiment of chaos and intoxication.
“No. Forget it. Who’s the host of this gathering?”
“The host? Why?”
“So I can tell him not to bother inviting me again.”
The curt reply made not just Zieben but everyone else on the sofas stare at him in disbelief.
“What?”
“Did he just say what I think he said?”
“Wasn’t he unconscious for two weeks? Maybe it scrambled his brains.”
A few murmurs rippled around him, but Arnulf ignored them entirely. He had only come to say that much anyway.
It seemed there was no clear organizer of this so-called gathering. He had been curious what kind of place it was — now he had his answer. He’d made his point not to call him again, whether they listened or not didn’t matter. Time to leave.
“Hey! Josef! Wait!”
As Arnulf turned without hesitation, Zieben’s face twisted in frustration as he reached out to grab his shoulder.
“Huh?”
But his hand found nothing. Arnulf had easily slipped away, as though he had anticipated the attempt.
Zieben blinked in shock, staring at his own outstretched arm, then back at Arnulf. No way — there was no way he had dodged him on purpose, right?
That was when—
“Everyone, your attention, please!”
A booming voice cut through the smoky air, loud enough to seize the room’s attention.
Arnulf paused mid-step and turned his head.
The speaker was Baron Freang.
But he wasn’t alone — beyond the sofa, Arnulf spotted a familiar back. He recognized Sigmund instantly.
‘What on earth is he doing here?’
Like Arnulf, Sigmund had never cared for politics.
That was why he had spent years following Arnulf to the borders and battlefields.
‘Trying to get into the queen’s good graces now, perhaps?’
Maybe. But more likely, he was here because he still harbored doubts about Arnulf’s death — seeking answers.
If that was the case, it made sense that he’d meet with Baron Freang, one of the queen’s known allies.
Still, Sigmund in a place like this felt completely out of place.
Arnulf decided he couldn’t waste more time. Judging by Baron Freang’s posture, he was about to start something. Arnulf began moving again, hoping to slip out before things escalated.
Unfortunately, the hall was wider than he’d realized, and Zieben had led him to the farthest corner.
He struggled to weave his way past tables and drunken bodies sprawled across the floor.
Wherever he turned, intoxicated guests slumped in his way.
“To make this gathering even more enjoyable, how about we try a game that’s been trending lately?”
Baron Freang’s words sparked an immediate roar of laughter and applause.
Arnulf, of course, paid no attention. He just checked how far he was from the exit — too far.
Worse, Sigmund’s table was right near the only door.
In a hall this size, there should’ve been multiple exits. But somehow, there was only one.
That meant he’d have to pass right by both Sigmund and Baron Freang to get out.
“Excellent! Let’s do it!”
“Yeah, a game!”
The crowd’s excitement grew. Drinking and debauchery were fine, but with a game, the atmosphere would turn wild.
This gathering wasn’t just about socializing — it often led to more dangerous, thrilling diversions.
No wonder Baron Freang’s suggestion was met with such enthusiasm.
“Wonderful! Then I shall proceed.”
While Arnulf hesitated, Baron Freang explained the rules.
“It’s a simple, thrilling game! We’ll turn off the lights for three minutes. In that time, you may grab the partner you desire — and share a kiss.”
Arnulf barely registered the words. He was focused solely on sneaking past the tables toward the exit.
“Now then… take a good look around at whoever catches your fancy.”
Baron Freang’s teasing tone drew cheers and laughter.
“Alright then, lights off!”
The moment he spoke, the room went pitch-black.
“……!”
Arnulf froze mid-step. The sudden darkness made movement impossible.
He’d conducted night raids before — many, in fact — with only a handful of men under cover of a moonless sky. Darkness was an ally in war.
But this was different. The sudden, total absence of light in an enclosed space caught him off guard.
Worse, Sigmund was nearby.
“What the—!”
“Now, everyone! Grab your chosen partner!”
Before Arnulf could react, that same lively voice shouted again through the dark.
He realized then — this was the “game” Baron Freang had mentioned. But realization didn’t help.
Arnulf had once possessed sharp senses, honed by years of battle. But Josef’s body — the one he now inhabited — was soft and untrained.
If he moved carelessly, he could stumble, fall, or crash into someone.
He bit his lip in frustration. Best to stay still until the lights returned.
Bumping into Sigmund’s table in the dark would be an even greater disaster.
Meanwhile, Sigmund blinked slowly. With the room darkened, his hearing sharpened.
He could clearly pick out the whispered laughter, the sounds of bodies shifting and colliding, the mingled breathing of those giving in to the game’s heat.
He remained motionless, indifferent.
“One minute left!”
The voice rang out again.
Sigmund was debating whether to simply endure it when Baron Freang’s sly whisper found his ear.
“Sir Sigmund! Come now!”
From the beginning, Sigmund had suspected this invitation wasn’t what it seemed. But when the baron hinted that he knew something about Arnulf’s death, Sigmund couldn’t refuse.
And yet, ever since his arrival, Baron Freang had done nothing but prattle about trivialities.
Sigmund had waited, wary of what trick might be coming — only for it to turn into this childish game.
“If you wish to learn about Lord Arnulf… I suggest you hurry.”
The baron’s voice came again, urging him on.
Sigmund frowned in the dark.
To grab some random stranger and kiss them — how absurd.
He had loved only one person in his entire life.
The chance to be with that person had vanished forever, and so had his desire to ever touch another.
But this was about Arnulf.
Even if it was a trap, he couldn’t ignore it.
“You’ll pay for this.”
Grinding his teeth, Sigmund rose sharply. Anyone would do — whoever was closest.
Baron Freang’s eyes gleamed as he noticed Sigmund stand. Secretly, he hoped Sigmund would reach for him.
But Sigmund moved past his table entirely, too swiftly for the baron to stop him.
He hadn’t gone far when he sensed another presence nearby — someone fidgeting, uncertain in the dark.
Perfect. Easier to handle.
Sigmund didn’t care whether it was man or woman. He grabbed the person’s shoulders and pulled them close.
From the firm build, it felt like a man.
Sigmund frowned briefly — but before his partner could speak, he pressed their lips together.
“Four, three, two, one… lights on!”
The countdown ended, and the room blazed with light.
Sigmund immediately stepped back — and froze.
Before him stood Josef.
No — Arnulf, in Josef’s body.
