Heinz Altesia was an unfathomable man.
That was Lena's first impression of him, and even after pledging her loyalty, her view of Heinz hadn't changed.
The public image of him was that of a wastrel, infamous for his utterly vile character.
He was known as a villain who oppressed the territory's people, toyed with women, and extorted the poor.
There were even rumors that he had anyone who displeased him assassinated.
With his family's influence backing him, he acted with complete impunity—a type Lena despised above all others.
Separate from her mission, she had been biding her time, plotting to assassinate Heinz.
She had planned to kill him first and foremost once the Altesia family fell and he lost his protectors.
'But the young master I actually met was nothing like the rumors.'
His speech and behavior were rough like a wastrel's, but he steadfastly upheld his morals.
He wasn't cold-blooded, and there was no trace of contempt or disdain in his eyes.
He was just a man with a foul mouth and a prickly demeanor.
Yet he wasn't some naive young lord oblivious to the ways of the world, either.
'If anything, he was eerily calm...'
Even when facing an assassin, he remained composed, not blinking an eye as a hidden blade grazed his cheek.
Lena acknowledged his courage, and she could easily infer where it came from.
'Considering the young master's position, he's probably endured endless assassination attempts since childhood.'
Heinz was the only legitimate son and late-born heir of the current Altesia Count House.
Given the family head's advanced age, if Heinz died, the Altesia bloodline would end.
They could adopt an heir to continue the line, but the family's traditions would be lost forever.
In other words, to those who wished for the Altesias' downfall, Heinz was target number one.
Having faced countless assassins, it was only natural he wouldn't flinch.
'He's long since reached the level where he can discern killing intent. That's why he didn't even bother dodging my dagger.'
As if realizing the source of Heinz's courage and cautious demeanor, Lena nodded.
At the same time, she rubbed the goosebumps rising on her skin.
The path Heinz had walked was filled with so much bloodshed that no sane person could endure it.
The thought sent chills down her spine.
'The young master has dragged me, who only meant to watch from afar, into his blood-soaked path. What a terrifying man...'
Lena became convinced that the widespread tales of Heinz's villainy were fabricated.
They might have been smears spread by factions aiming to undermine the Altesias, but she saw it differently.
She believed the wastrel image had been crafted by the man himself: Heinz Altesia.
'To make his enemies think he's not worth guarding against, he's played the wastrel role all these years.'
His strategy and performance were truly masterful.
Even Lena, who knew the emperor's underwear color, had mistaken him for a villain who needed killing.
Now she realized it was all just him hunkering down to build his foundation.
It was preparation for the day he would spread his wings and soar high.
'You're probably the only one who's ever surprised me this much, young master.'
A man she'd thought was a wastrel turned out to be a chillingly meticulous schemer.
The realization terrified Lena, but it also put her at ease.
No matter the process, she was now in the same boat as Heinz.
With the Altesias' overwhelming wealth and his brilliant mind, the ship wouldn't sink.
She could make up for any lack of martial prowess, and the rewards would be sweet.
'You're the only one who would casually offer an elf like me a land where I can live in peace.'
She had long discarded any worries that Heinz might break his promise.
He knew full well the massive losses betrayal would cost him.
Moreover, she'd confirmed there wasn't a shred of regret in his eyes.
Providing land to an elf was a profitable deal for him.
That allowed her to act without reservation.
'Just how far into the future does he see...?'
Lena couldn't even begin to guess Heinz's goals.
She knew she shouldn't, and that she wasn't worthy to do so.
Having pledged her loyalty, she simply followed without question or doubt.
Lena burned with a sense of duty as Heinz's bodyguard and closest confidante.
'If the young master sees the future, then I must focus on the present.'
Lena flicked her finger against her wine glass.
As the glass tipped backward, a massive shadow loomed over her, and someone caught it.
Lena looked up and greeted the man with a light smile.
"What do you want from me, pointy-ears?"
"Still got that filthy mouth."
"I'm calling a pointy-ears a pointy-ears. Got another name for it?"
"Fair enough, Limpdick."
The two immediately locked horns upon meeting.
They looked like they were playfully bickering, but they truly despised each other.
Their relationship was one where either could kill the other at a moment's notice.
They merely refrained because there was a reason they couldn't kill recklessly.
"Spit out your business quick. Even wasting time on you pointy-ears pisses me off."
"I've come with an offer you can't refuse, Limpdick."
"I refuse."
"Sit down, or I'll spread your little secret all over town."
"Tch!"
The man, who had turned to leave, clicked his tongue.
Under Lena's threat, he furrowed his brow and sat across from her.
He was displeased but didn't draw the sword at his waist.
"What's this offer?"
"I'd like you to swear loyalty and defect to the Altesia Count House."
"You know I have the Marquis Adenberg's favor, right?"
The man's identity was Gerrick Beckman, a knight under the Adenberg Marquis House and formerly of the Imperial Knights.
Gerrick was an exceptional knight renowned by the empire's Sword Saint as having the talent of a Sword Master.
He hadn't quite reached that realm due to a lack of enlightenment, but he was on the cusp.
Given that the Adenbergs had supported his growth, he had no reason to welcome Lena's proposal.
"I know, that's why I'm offering. If you betray him, the other knights will follow like dominoes!"
"Are you telling me to abandon my pride as a knight?"
"That's rich coming from you. Did you ever have any pride, Limpdick?"
"A pointy-ears who goes around slitting throats wouldn't know the first thing about knightly honor."
"I know your dick doesn't even stand up straight."
"Shut your mouth!"
Shing-!
Gerrick, who had maintained his composure until now, drew his sword in an instant and slashed down.
Lena kicked the table away and retreated.
The table split cleanly in two.
Beyond the halved table, Lena's meaningful smile appeared.
"A knight rendered impotent, unable to have a normal sex life. The marquis arranged a marriage with his second daughter, but every night fills you with despair."
"Do you have to mock me this much to feel satisfied?!"
"Do you even know your wife's been cheating on you with another man?"
"What...?"
Gerrick's eyes widened at the bombshell Lena dropped.
His blade began to tremble—it was clearly news to him.
His suppressed rage gave way to bewilderment, filling his heart.
"No way. My wife would never betray me...!"
"The inn behind this building, second floor, leftmost room at the end. Even in broad daylight, a man and woman are having a hot time there."
"...If this is a lie, you'd better prepare yourself."
Gerrick sheathed his sword and composed himself.
But a hot-blooded man showing such chilling calm was all the more frightening.
Lena smiled gleefully, imagining the scene at the affair site.
"So, I take your agreement to my offer?"
"Telling me about my wife's infidelity isn't enough to make me change lords."
"What if I said I could cure your impotence too?"
"Then I'd gladly serve even a devil as my lord."
"...What do you think of that?"
Watching Gerrick leave the tavern, Lena pulled a communication orb from her bosom.
She had been letting someone else hear her entire conversation with Gerrick.
Soon, Heinz's voice emanated from the faintly glowing orb.
"Impotence? That's easy to fix."
Gerrick's betrayal was sealed.