It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 182

It would be difficult for Lionel to estimate what time the meeting would end. 

Nobles loved to speak in circles, dragging hours out of the smallest matters. That was why Halid avoided such gatherings altogether.

“When I return, I’ll send for you right away. Will you be staying here at the estate the entire time?”

“I believe so.”

“Good. Then…”

Lionel glanced toward the stairs and lowered his voice.

“Could you make sure no guests go up to the third floor? Something about today feels… unusual.”

At those words, Halid’s expression hardened.

Because Lionel Luanax’s intuition, that was sharpened across countless repeated lives, was far beyond any ordinary “feeling.”

“Understood.”

“Thank you. Then I can leave with my mind at ease, thanks to you.”

“In return, you’ll give me that time we discussed. Today, it won’t be an easy match. You can look forward to it.”

At his confident tone, Lionel let out a bright laugh.

“All right, I promise.”

And he would keep his promise.

Lionel Luanax never once broke a promise.

Halid escorted him to the front of the manor, and only when the carriage had rolled past the gates and out of sight did he turn back, letting his gaze sweep over the main building.

He had once visited the third floor, back when the Duke’s office had been located there, enough to remember its layout well enough.

‘The fairy… no, Lady Diloette’s chambers should be around there.’

He gauged the rough position, eyes lifting toward a curtained window, then turned back into the main building.

‘Best to stay wary of both enemies outside and within.’

Ardin, who had acted suspiciously the day before, had yet to appear at Luanax. Dantère, he’d heard, hadn’t left Vivian’s room until morning.

Halid went to the carriage he’d arrived in and retrieved his weapons.

He hoped nothing would happen, but preparation was always worth the trouble.

Then he ascended to the third floor, walking the corridor slowly, senses drawn taut.

Aside from the one person he expected to find sound asleep where she should be, there was no other sign of presence.

So he descended again and positioned himself midway between the second and third floors.

There were several routes from the first floor to the second, but only one way led to the third.

If he kept to the blind spot and waited, he would be able to catch any intruder, no matter what form they took.

‘Let it not be Viscount Ortatum or Lord Ardin.’

Lionel wanted them brought to his side.

He’d laid down several measures, as though waiting for them to take the bait. But if they targeted Serenia Solen before that happened…

Then, even at the cost of losing an advantage, they would have to be cast out.

It would be bad news for Halid as well, who only wished the matter would end swiftly so he could return to his own domain.

Once the master had left, the bustling mansion fell quiet again.

He had considered the possibility that he might be waiting long, or that nothing at all would happen until Lionel’s return.

But the incident came sooner than expected.

Halid saw two men in knight’s uniform climbing the stairs.

He didn’t know the faces of every Luanax knight, so rather than strike preemptively, he revealed himself naturally.

“Do you have business here?”

The two, who did not recognize him, seemed to sense he was not someone to ignore. They halted, saluted, and replied.

“We’ve come under His Grace’s orders to escort the Lady.”

“For what purpose?”

“That… we were not told clearly. Only that it was urgent. If you ask Sir Cale, he can confirm the matter.”

Having named Lionel’s attendant Cale, the two knights gave a curt bow and continued up the stairs.

Halid watched them pass in silence, then, suddenly, drew his sword and struck.

It was the very same blow he had mastered that morning.

And now, before his sparring match with Lionel, he had the chance to test it in real combat.

How fortunate.