Two hours later.
Renya slowly opened her eyes as the illusion faded, her senses adjusting back to the real world. She blinked a few times before noticing Paul crouched beside another illusion magic device—this one more intricate, glowing faintly with newly inscribed runes.
She tilted her head, puzzled.
"Prince, isn't one enough?" she asked, her eyes shifting between the device she just exited and the new one Paul was setting up.
Hearing her voice, Paul turned toward her and smiled.
"Oh, you're awake," he said, standing up.
After she gave a small nod, he gestured to the second device.
"This one's a little different... You can try it if you want."
Renya walked closer, inspecting it with curious eyes.
"Same method?" she asked, intrigued.
"Yes," Paul replied, pointing to a softly glowing panel on the device.
"Place your hand right there."
As Renya rested her hand on the panel, Paul suddenly asked,
"How long were you inside the illusion?" His tone held genuine curiosity.
Renya glanced at him with a neutral expression.
"Two months," she said calmly, as if it were nothing.
Paul's eyes widened slightly, a hint of surprise flickering across his face.
Hearing Renya's answer, Paul raised an eyebrow slightly in surprise.
"Quite long..." he muttered, then sighed and added,
"But I still can't manage the flow of time inside… it runs automatically."
Renya placed a hand under her chin thoughtfully.
"At least they can learn quickly," she said, reflecting on the illusion's capabilities.
Paul nodded.
"Yes... and one more thing."
He looked directly at Renya, his tone shifting into a more serious one.
"This new illusion magic device—if the time ratio stays the same, then two hours outside means two months inside. So, if calibrated properly... this one could last an entire year."
He paused, thinking aloud while resting his chin in his hand.
Renya blinked at the realization, then stood up and said,
"Wait, I'll grab a chair first."
She walked over, took the nearest chair, and placed it beside the device. Sitting down, she looked up at Paul and gave a small nod, her hand hovering over the activation panel once again.
Paul glanced at her with a knowing smile.
"Are you sure you want to try it?"
Without hesitation, Renya nodded firmly.
"Start."
Paul's fingers hovered over the rune-engraved control switch.
"Alright, I'll start it now..." he said calmly, and then pressed the glowing Start button.
A soft hum filled the air as the magic circuits lit up once again, and the illusion reactivated.
After confirming that Renya had entered the illusion, Paul turned slightly and called out in a clear voice,
"Adelwyn, Liselotte, Alice!"
A few moments later, the three maids emerged from the back room, footsteps light and disciplined. Upon reaching him, they bowed slightly and said in unison,
"Yes, Prince."
Paul gave a nod, then gestured for them to follow as he walked toward the first illusion device.
"Come here," he said firmly.
Stopping beside the device, Paul turned to them and asked,
"Are you still wearing the slave collars?"
At his words, the three exchanged a brief glance, then nodded and each revealed the carved necklace resting against their skin—a small magic core embedded in its center.
Seeing this, Paul's gaze hardened slightly as he nodded.
"Good. Now listen carefully—this device is highly confidential. You must not speak of it to anyone. Understood?"
The maids bowed their heads again, replying in sync.
"Understood."
Paul then turned to Adelwyn and Liselotte specifically.
"Adelwyn, Liselotte—each of you, place one hand on the panel."
Without hesitation, the two stepped forward and rested their hands on the glowing panels of the device. Paul watched them for a moment, then said in a calm but firm voice,
"You must remember what I say—'Learn as much as possible.' That's your mission."
Though a flicker of confusion passed through their expressions, the maids still nodded in silent obedience, sensing the importance behind his words.
Without further delay, Paul reached over and pressed the glowing Start button.
As the device activated and the illusion consumed Adelwyn and Liselotte, Paul turned to Alice, who stood waiting at his side.
"You wait for one hour," he instructed, pointing to the glowing Stop button.
"After that, press this button."
Alice nodded.
"Yes, Prince."
Paul continued, his tone steady and commanding,
"When they're done, teach them how to operate the device, and bring in another maid to take their place. Understood?"
Alice placed her hand on her chest and bowed slightly.
"Understood, Prince."
Satisfied, Paul let out a tired sigh.
"Alright then... I'm going to my room. I need sleep."
With that, he turned and started walking toward the staircase leading to the second floor.
Without a word, Alice quietly followed him, her footsteps light and dutiful behind him.
Seeing Alice quietly following behind him, Paul turned around and said,
"No need to follow me."
His voice was calm, but firm. He looked at her for a moment before adding,
"Just keep an eye on the others. The most important thing is not to disturb Renya.
And if Gunther shows up, have the former bandits train—make them run through the forest, in the trees around here. Understood?"
Alice lowered her gaze and gave a small sigh before replying softly,
"Understood, Prince."
Before he left, Paul suddenly paused and turned around, as if remembering something."Oh, right," he said, glancing at the radio device that had been set up nearby.Turning to Alice, he continued, "Call one of the maids to wait there," he said, pointing toward the table where the central radio and recorder were placed."If you hear any sound, immediately press the 'record' button. Once it's finished, press 'stop'."He demonstrated the buttons clearly, his tone firm."Understood?"Alice nodded without hesitation."Understood, Prince," she replied earnestly.
With that, Paul gave her a final nod and turned away, ascending the stairs to the second floor. He stepped into one of the rooms and quietly closed the door behind him.
After removing his exo-armor and placing it aside, he collapsed onto the bed with a long breath.
"Tired..." he muttered, his eyes heavy as sleep quickly claimed him.