In the Clock Tower's black market, within a lavish manor, the air was drawn tight as a blade.
A boy and a girl faced each other. Behind Rhodes, sixteen weapons hovered in the air—compact submachine guns and oversized sniper cannons alike. Every barrel shimmered with magecraft, far deadlier than any mundane firearm.
At his side, RyuZU lifted the hem of her dress. Two jet-black scythes slid free from beneath the fabric. Their cold edges glinted as countless runes flowed across the blades, proof that they were anything but simple weapons.
"You…" The orange-red–haired girl clenched her silver teeth, staring at Rhodes' unshaken expression. "I am the designated next head of the Barthomeloi lineage—Barthomeloi Lorelei. Are you really going to provoke the Barthomeloi family over nothing more than a doll?"
"Oh?" Rhodes scoffed. "'Nothing more than a doll'? You're severely underestimating the value of my work. RyuZU's worth easily surpasses that of a Magician."
Disdain colored his voice, and it wasn't empty bravado. The ability to stop time alone stood on the same level as true Magic.
"You wretch…" Lorelei frowned, revulsion flashing across her face. "Magicians are the crystallization of humanity. How dare you place a doll on the same level? That's a betrayal of the human race itself!"
"Tch. Slapping labels on people already?" Rhodes laughed softly, contempt dripping from every word.
"Aren't nobles supposed to make decisions based on profit? Tell me—what do you have that's worthy of my RyuZU? Strip away your 'inborn' lineage and bloodline, and you're nothing."
"You're insulting noble honor!" Lorelei roared.
"Then duel me!" Rhodes snapped back, cutting her off. Rage twisted his handsome features. "A useless brat living off ancestral favor doesn't get to negotiate with me!"
"Hmph! Just you wait!" Lorelei spat out the threat and raised a Mystic Code, sending a transmission to her family.
An invisible barrier fell over the manor. Every communication spell died in silence.
"This has gone far enough, Lorelei." A slender figure appeared between them, forcing them apart. "Peace would serve everyone better. You're still under evaluation for the clan head position. Stirring up trouble now is a good way to say goodbye to the top."
The newcomer was a woman with long orange hair, appearing to be in her twenties or thirties. In truth, she had lived for over half a century.
Rhodes no longer remembered her name, but her standing was unmistakable.
One of the Twelve Lords, the Sophia-Ri lineage, had risen steadily under her control. Her presence here was no coincidence.
"Sophia-Ri?" Lorelei snapped, fury rising. "You're protecting this insolent little bastard?"
"You're underestimating him," Sophia-Ri replied with a light smile. "Even if you got your message through to the Barthomeloi family, those old men wouldn't become enemies of Mr. Rhodes over something this trivial."
"Hmph…" Lorelei knew it was true, yet resentment still burned in her eyes. Aristocratic pride dulled her judgment.
"That's enough, both of you. Dueling here would be disgraceful."
As Lorelei backed down, Sophia-Ri let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"And Mr. Rhodes, I'd like to consult you about Mystic Code loadouts. May I ask you to come with me?"
"Of course. I'd rather not breathe this filthy air any longer," Rhodes said mockingly.
Lorelei said nothing. She turned and walked out of the manor, malice still flickering in her eyes. This wasn't over.
"Rest assured, Mr. Rhodes," Sophia-Ri said softly. "With pressure from the Twelve Lords, even the Barthomeloi of the Department of Law can't threaten you. There won't be anything as idiotic as a Sealing Designation."
Her tone mixed intimacy with warning. She intended to bind Rhodes firmly to the Twelve Lords, setting him against the aloof authority of the Barthomeloi.
"That's precisely why I'm willing to cooperate," Rhodes said, nodding. "But I'll need you to handle one thing for me."
"What is it?" Sophia-Ri asked.
"I need a group of criminals," Rhodes said evenly. "Brutal ones. Strong bodies. The more, the better."
"…I see." Sophia-Ri hadn't expected him to push immediately. She smiled wryly. "That's easy enough for us, but why criminals? Wouldn't ordinary people do?"
"Simple." Rhodes shrugged. "Ordinary people don't have the willpower to survive high-intensity experiments. You didn't think I was doing this out of kindness, did you?"
"Of course not. Forgive me for asking." Sophia-Ri studied him closely, then added, "In exchange, I want a portion of your runic knowledge. That's reasonable, isn't it?"
"Naturally. I'll have a puppet deliver it," Rhodes said with a smile. "Then, happy cooperation, Miss Sophia-Ri."
"Happy cooperation, Lord Rhodes."
◇◇◇
A short while later, in a manor under Rhodes' control.
The young Rhodes slouched into a sofa while RyuZU skillfully prepared black tea. A refined aroma drifted through the study, intoxicating in its calm.
"I have a question, Master," RyuZU said gently as she offered him the cup. "Why did you oppose that woman for my sake? I'm only a doll."
"Yes," Rhodes replied quietly. "Only a doll."
Her eyes dimmed for an instant, then shone brighter than before.
"—Even if you're a doll, you're mine. You belong to me alone. My maid. Don't belittle yourself, RyuZU."
"I follow your will."
She spoke softly, pale arms wrapping around his shoulders. Warm softness pressed against his head.
"I will gladly die for you, my Master."