"Are you… really my young master Leonhardt Caulem?"
"Reo wasn't surprised by Liana's question, though he hadn't expected her to voice it so soon. It wasn't unreasonable—anyone would suspect a sudden, drastic change in someone they knew.
He sighed.
"I am Leonhardt Caulem," he said, his tone calm but steady. "Son of Duke Alaric Caulem and the late Duchess Seraphina Caulem. First heir to the Caulem Dukedom." His crimson eyes met hers directly.
Liana's lips pressed into a thin line, her expression a mixture of doubt and confusion. "Young master," she began slowly, her voice cautious, "you say that, but… people don't just change like this. Not overnight."
Reo raised an eyebrow, his gaze thoughtful. "Fair," he replied. "But tell me—what will it take for you to believe me?"
Liana hesitated, her mind racing for an answer. Then, an idea struck her, and she straightened slightly. "There was something you cherished as a child," she said, her words deliberate.
"A toy you lost years ago. If you truly are who you claim to be… you'll know what -."
"It wasn't a toy," he corrected.
"It was a wooden sword. My mother gave it to me."
Liana's eyes widened, her breath hitching. She stared at him in disbelief, her heart pounding.
Reo's expression softened as the memory of the sword surfaced. It wasn't just any keepsake—it was a gift from his mother before she passed.
Leonhardt used to practice with it every day, though his efforts rarely amounted to progress.
When someone eventually broke it, he abandoned training altogether.
It was a memory only a handful of people knew, and Reo could feel the pain of that memories.
"That sword," Liana whispered, more to herself than to him. Her voice trembled as realization dawned. "It really was you…"
Her doubt melted into guilt, and she lowered her head. "Forgive me, young master," she stammered. "I… I didn't mean to bring up something so personal."
Reo waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it," he said simply, his tone neither cold nor warm.
"Now, stand up."
Liana obeyed immediately, rising to her feet. Though she stood straight, her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, betraying her lingering nerves.
She hesitated again, her voice small but steady. "Young master… I saw them killing you. They… they cut off your hand and leg. How are you even alive? And how did you manage to kill them?"
Reo had expected this question. He straightened, folding his arms, his expression shifting to one of feigned gravitas. "When I died," he began, his tone dramatic, "the goddess took pity on me. She granted me a second chance and blessed me with her power. When I returned… I saw the consequences of my actions—of my life. I vowed to redeem myself."
[YOU ARE BETTER AT LYING.]
Shut up.
[.....]
Liana's eyes glistened with tears as she listened, her emotions written plainly on her face. She didn't doubt him—how could she? Everything about him felt so different now.
"Young master…" she whispered, her voice cracking.
"I thought… I thought I lost you that day. I blamed myself. I couldn't forgive myself for failing to protect you."
Reo sighed, his stomach growling loudly, shattering the heavy mood.
He glanced at her with an almost comically neutral expression. "Cook that dire rabbit for me," he said bluntly.
The sudden shift in tone left Liana blinking in surprise, but then she realized how long he must have gone without food. "O-of course, young master!" she replied, springing into action. "I'll have it ready soon."
As she worked, Reo leaned back slightly, letting his gaze wander around the cave. Supplies—food, tools, even coin pouch—were neatly organized along the walls.
Liana must have scavenged everything from the bandits' hideout. Her foresight and resourcefulness had kept them alive.
"She reminds me of Grace," he muttered, half to himself. A faint smirk touched his lips.
---
Reo sat cross-legged on the cave floor, enjoying the last bite of roasted dire rabbit. Liana had done a good job—despite not having the right spices or tools, the meat was tender and tasty.
It's tastes even better than the rabbit meat in earth.
As the flavor lingered, his mind started sorting through the mess of his current situation.
"Liana," he said, breaking the silence.
She paused from cleaning up and turned to him. "Yes, young master? Is something wrong?"
Reo set the plate down and gave her a serious look. "First, stop calling me 'young master.' Just call me Leo."
Liana blinked, surprised. "I-I can't, young master! That would be improper."
Reo sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. "Fine," he said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Then call me 'Young Master Leo.' Is that better?"
She hesitated, fidgeting, but finally nodded. "Yes… Young Master Leo," she said, though she still sounded unsure.
"Good," Reo said, leaning forward slightly. His tone sharper. "Now, listen carefully. Don't tell anyone about the goddess's blessing or what I did to those bandits. If someone questions, just say that we escaped togather. Nothing more. Got it?"
She frowned, confused. "But, Young Master Leo… if people know about the goddess's blessing you have now, they would respect you. You wouldn't have to be treated badly anymore."
Reo's eyes turned cold. His voice was calm but firm. "Someone wants me dead."
Liana gasped. "What?" she whispered, her hands shaking. "Who… who would want to kill you?"
Reo sat up straighter, his crimson eyes sharp and focused. "Think about it," he said slowly. "Those weren't normal bandits. They were too skilled, too well-organized. The way they killed our guards—it wasn't random or messy. They were mercenaries, hired to make it look like a simple ambush. Someone leaked our travel plans and made sure I wouldn't survive. This wasn't an accident, Liana."
"It was an assassination."
Liana's hands trembled as his words sank in. She struggled to understand. "But why? Why would anyone do this?"
Reo clenched his jaw. "That's what I need to find out."
She stepped closer, her voice shaking but determined. "Then we should tell the Duke," she said. "If anyone can investigate, it's him. He'll find out who's behind this!"
"No," Reo said flatly.
Liana flinched. "But… he's your father. Surely he—"
"He doesn't care," Reo cut in sharply. His crimson eyes darkened. Leonhardt's memories resurfaced, showing him how distant and cold the Duke had always been. To him, Leonhardt was nothing more than a failure. Reo's own past—his father from Earth—felt eerily similar.
"He thinks I'm useless," Reo continued, bitterness in his voice. "He won't help. I'm not going to waste time trying to convince him."
Liana opened her mouth to argue but stopped herself. She stared at him, struggling to accept what he was saying.
"This is my fight," Reo said firmly. "If someone wants me dead, I'll find them first—and kill them before they get another chance."
The air in the cave felt heavy. Liana looked at him for a long moment, then took a deep breath.
"Then I'll help you, Young Master Leo," she said. "Whatever you need, I'll be there."
Reo studied her carefully. She wasn't bluffing. After a moment, his lips curled into a small smile.
"This path won't be easy, Liana," he warned.
She straightened her back, her eyes filled with determination. "Even if it's dangerous, I'll follow you, Young Master Leo."
Reo let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. Her loyalty was unexpected, but he knew he could rely on it. Without another word, he reached up and grabbed his long hair.
"What are you doing?" Liana asked, surprised.
"Making things easier," Reo said. With a swift motion, he used a clean hunting knife to cut his hair short. The uneven strands fell to the ground. He ran a hand through his new, rough haircut and nodded, satisfied.
Then he turned to Liana and met her gaze.
"Thank you, Liana."
–
At the Caulem Dukedom manor, Duke Alaric Caulem sat in his large chair, his sharp crimson eyes locked onto the soldiers standing before him.
The weight of the news pressed down on him like an iron shackle. His red hair, streaked with gray, was neatly tied back, but nothing could hide the storm brewing behind his cold gaze.
Beside him, Maria Caulem stood silent. Her auburn hair fell around her pale face, and her grey eyes flickered with worry.
Duke Alaric's voice broke the silence, low and commanding. "Report."
Commander Dian stepped forward, his broad shoulders squared. His dark, cropped hair and steel-blue eyes gave him the look of a hardened soldier, but even he seemed uneasy.
"We found the site of the ambush, Your Grace," Dian said. "All the guards who were protecting Young Master Leonhardt… none survived."
He hesitated, then motioned to a soldier behind him. The man stepped forward, carrying a cloth-wrapped bundle.
His hands gripped it tightly, his face pale. Carefully, he placed the bundle on the table and unwrapped it.
Maria gasped, covering her mouth as she turned away, trembling.
Duke Alaric's crimson eyes stayed locked on the gruesome sight in front of him—a severed left hand and a right leg, still dressed in what was left of Leonhardt's clothing. The air in the room felt cold and still. The soldiers behind Dian stood stiffly, their faces grim.
Dian continued, his voice heavy. "These were found near the attack site. Based on the clothing and insignia, we confirmed they belonged to Young Master Leonhardt. There was a lot of blood nearby, suggesting…"
He hesitated.
"Suggesting what?" Duke Alaric asked, his voice sharp as a blade.
Dian took a deep breath. "We believe the young master died from his wounds. His body may have been dragged away by a monster… and eaten."
Maria let out a choked sob. She turned completely away, hugging herself tightly as if trying to shut out reality.
Duke Alaric's face remained unreadable, but his grip on the armrests tightened. A vein pulsed in his temple.
"What about the attackers?" Alaric asked, his voice colder than before.
Dian hesitated, and for the first time, the room felt even heavier. Even Maria turned back slightly, fear and curiosity in her tear-filled eyes.
"Speak," Alaric ordered, his patience razor-thin.
Dian's voice was quieter now, his unease clear. "At first, we thought it was a bandit attack, Your Grace. But…"
"But what?" Maria asked, her voice shaking.
Dian lowered his head for a moment before looking back at the Duke. "We found the bandits' camp. It was abandoned. There were clear signs of a fight—blood everywhere, broken weapons—but no bodies. No survivors. No clues about what happened."