Many years ago, in the Orlan Empire, Governor Naren was the Empire’s open blade, cutting through the waves, while Governor Federo was undoubtedly the hidden dagger in the dark, a poisoned blade that took lives.

He commanded all of the Empire’s covert forces. Intelligence, assassination, torture and interrogation—every one of them was a puppet on strings, controlled by his old, withered hands.

The two close friends worked in tandem, one in the open and one in the shadows, forming a formidable partnership that struck fear into the Empire’s enemies. Even the mysterious Black Crow Society lost an indispensable elder under their combined assault.

Unlike Governor Naren, Governor Federo had no family. So no matter how steep a price the Black Crow Society paid, they never managed to exact the same successful revenge on the old man as they had on Naren.

And so, little by little, people began comparing Governor Federo to the founder of the Black Crow Society. Both were equally dark, terrifying, and without weakness.

Understanding what the major meant, Kain didn’t hesitate. “I won’t attend the ball.”

This time, the major didn’t try to persuade him. He’d already tried before, and apart from Governor Naren, no one understood the young master’s stubbornness better than he did. So he only gave a few wry laughs, then got up and accompanied Kain out of the study and toward the castle gates.

The three hundred soldiers still stood at attention along both sides of the road, chests out and backs straight, though they couldn’t stop their eyes from drifting toward the young officer.

Beyond the respect and admiration in their eyes, there was something deeper: longing and affection. After all, in a way, this child had grown up among them on Fran Island.

“All right, you’re dismissed. We’re canceling training today. Take the day off, and help prepare some supplies and a ship for the young master. But I’m warning you—if I catch anyone giving him betel nut, I’ll break your legs!” The major could see exactly what the soldiers were thinking. He laughed as he scolded them and waved them away.

After a cheer rang out in unison, the soldiers didn’t head for town arm in arm like they usually did on their days off. Instead, they crowded around Kain and the major, blocking their way completely.

Looking at all those familiar faces, now so much older, Kain felt as though he’d returned to the happy days of his childhood. It seemed like things had been just like this back then: whenever he came by, the major would dismiss the soldiers, and they’d all race into town—or go to the beach to look for beautiful shells.

Looks like getting back early is out of the question.

Kain’s expression softened as he thought to himself.

The sun sank toward the horizon, and night fell. Only then did Kain finally escape the soldiers’ enthusiastic crowd. Beneath the brightening stars, he walked through streets etched into his memory, still little changed after more than a decade, searching for the captain he’d parted from that morning.

But the longer he searched, the heavier his heart grew.

To his surprise, Roy seemed to have vanished from the town without a trace. He searched every secluded corner, even returning to Eda’s merchant ship, but found nothing. His only discovery was Elfie, now perched on his shoulder and preening her feathers.

“Where do you think she could’ve gone?”

Kain stopped and looked at the vegetable stall by the harbor, where the vendors were beginning to pack up. At a loss, he asked the Jackdaw on his shoulder.

Elfie gave the officer a proud look that said, “Leave it to me,” as if flaunting her claim on her master. When he began to lose patience, she finally let out a shrill cry. “Where there’s booze and women, there’s the captain!”

Where there’s booze and women?

Kain froze. His expression slowly darkened. He seemed to have forgotten one place—the only place he hadn’t searched. It was also a forbidden den he’d never set foot in, not once, from childhood to adulthood, because of his parents’ strict orders.

Looks like he’d have to make an exception this time.

The rickety wooden door swung open, and a wave of hot, stale air washed over him. The cramped tavern was packed with people. It was the only place in the town on Fran Island where people could indulge their desires.

The town’s lazy good-for-nothings, unreasonable thugs, sticky-fingered thieves, and the pirates who occasionally came ashore to fence their loot were all regulars here. Gambling and drinking contests were their favorite pastimes, and the tavern even had pretty, flirtatious women who offered special services.

Kain forced down his disgust and glanced around the tavern. It didn’t take long to find the person he was looking for.

In a place like this, a stunning young woman with long, wavy golden hair fit for a noble was bound to draw everyone’s attention. Even the tavern’s most popular girl could only sit alone behind the bar, watching as the men crowding around the newcomer cried out excitedly from time to time.

At the center of the crowd, three people were playing cards. A badly faded deck lay scattered across a pockmarked wooden table, and the two men facing off against Roy had the tavern’s finest red wine set in front of them.

“Sorry. That’s another hand for me.”

Roy smiled as she accepted the chips pushed across the table. The chips and silver coins beside her had already piled up into a small mountain.

“Well, Lady, you’ve certainly been lucky. We lent you those chips to begin with, but now you’ve got us owing you a small fortune.”

The two men sitting across from Roy were dressed in a way that clashed with the tavern’s atmosphere. Their clothes were made of fine fabric, tailored with exquisite care. They clearly weren’t the same sort as the local riffraff; they looked more like nobles who’d come to Fran Island for a little rest and relaxation.

That much was clear from the several stern-faced attendants behind them, each armed with a sword.

The older of the two was the one who spoke. His face was gaunt and pale from overindulgence, with a thick layer of powder smeared over it. He wore a false, eager smile, as if trying to coax a naive little girl into something.

His younger brother looked much like him, though he was still young. He didn’t have his elder brother’s patience; his brown eyes were fixed on Roy, as if he wanted to devour her whole.

“Oh, not at all. You were both such gentlemen, letting me win hand after hand. That’s the only reason I’ve won so much. You were kind enough to pay for my drinks and give me some chips, too. Otherwise, how could I have joined the game?”

Roy’s smile was devastating. The people around her were so captivated that not one of them noticed the sarcasm in her words.

“Of course, we’re only playing for fun. When the time comes, just give me a little something and we’ll call it even. I can’t very well take all your money, can I? Now, let’s get back to what we were discussing…”

At the thought that she didn’t intend to take every last chip, the pale young man’s concern vanished. His false smile grew even brighter.

He cut Roy off and assured her, “Don’t worry, Lady. If there’s anything you want to know and my brother and I have heard of it, we won’t hide a thing. But, well… might we continue this conversation somewhere more private? I happen to have an estate on the island.”

Roy frowned almost imperceptibly. She wasn’t pleased that the young man had interrupted her, but his invitation was exactly what she wanted. So, at the two men’s delighted looks, she gave a gentle nod. “It would be my pleasure. Since you’ve invited me, Baron, of course I—”

“Of course not.”

A cold voice from behind cut Roy off, and her smile stiffened at once.