BL: The Northern Grand Duke’s Hamster (Novel Translation)

"Where are you off to, together, Your Highness, a Grand Duke of the North with no sense of crisis?"

I squeezed his hand, my voice laced with a concern that felt like an old woman's worry. "Your Highness, have you forgotten who the true lord of this land is?"

Then, Kyle, who had been standing with his back to Knox, calmly replied, "Who was it that advised me the North should not collapse without me?"

"..."

Given his question, I had nothing more to say. In the original story, after Kyle's death, the Blake Estate quickly spiraled into ruin. Of course, fate had changed since I was possessed, and Kyle had survived longer than initially planned. However, that didn't mean he could live for a thousand or ten thousand years. Someday Kyle would die, and life here would have to continue even after its lord was gone.

Before I knew it, I had fallen in love with this place, and I desperately hoped they could continue to thrive, somehow. Even without Kyle, the well-being of the North had to endure. It was like a monumental task assigned to the people of this barren land. And Kyle, surprisingly, was solving this immense problem quite well.

"In the meantime, we have reorganized the territory's system and assigned appropriate talents to each field. If I leave the territory, there is a risk that our external defenses will be weakened..." He added seriously, "It will be fine for about a month."

While Kyle and I were having this rather serious conversation, Knox's presence was being completely overlooked. He didn't seem to care about being ignored, watching us with an unsettling intensity. His narrow, green eyes glinted with an almost predatory amusement.

"I love you, so I'll go anywhere with you..." Knox drawled, a smirk playing on his lips.

"..."

"It's quite peculiar, but certainly better than a grim reaper. Alright."

What kind of grim reaper is a grim reaper? He's spouting strange nonsense.

I led Kyle to the table, twisting my lips to hide my nervousness as much as possible, an effort to appear completely at ease.

"Then, let's begin negotiations in earnest."

After much discussion and back-and-forth, opinions were somehow gathered. The deadline was one month. Kyle and I decided to assist Knox at his residence, the Frost Tower. In return, the Northern Wizards promised not to attack the territory, let alone us, and I, in turn, agreed to cooperate more actively with Knox's quest.

Kyle, in essence, became a hostage, ensuring I wouldn't leave the Mage Tower without Knox's permission. I didn't like that fact, but Kyle never backed down. There was no other way.

You might die. The North might become vulnerable. I tried every kind of persuasion, but he didn't falter.

"I will make a blood contract."

A blood contract. It was a type of ancient magic, and it was also the safest 'promise' in this entire world. Following Kyle's suggestion, we signed a magical contract. Though breaking the promise would incur a curse that could cost him his life, Knox, without batting an eye, cut his own forearm and dripped red blood onto the parchment. Then it was Kyle's turn, and finally, mine.

"First, Knox guarantees Shu's safety no matter what. In addition, within the Mage Tower, he will immediately resolve the symptoms of frost poisoning."

As soon as he took out the contract, the first phrase Kyle wrote down, even before considering his own safety, was solely about me. At that moment, it seemed as if a great burden had been lifted from him.

A few drops of my blood dripped over Kyle's earnest words. Seeing the contract gleam, Kyle took a handkerchief from his arms and quickly wiped the blood from the back of my hand. Meanwhile, Knox was looking at the colorful magic contract with an excited expression.

The thin parchment glistened with a chilly blue at first. Then, with Kyle's blood, it sparkled with a red color that resembled the pupil of an eye. After absorbing my blood, it returned to a pale glow, but surprisingly, the light emitted when Knox's blood had first stained it was almost identical to the light of dawn.

"It's strange," Knox said with admiration, observing the clear blue brilliance. His expression was a curious mix of wonder and surprise. "Kid, you don't live in the land of extremes, and you've never experienced death, so how can you wield a similar force as us? No, rather, you possess a purer force than ours."

If it's death, I've experienced it too. Of course, I didn't intend to tell him. I let Knox indulge in his own assumptions. Yes, you bastard. Illusions are free, and monologues are free.

Knox, quite ecstatic, wrapped his hands around my pale cheeks and said with a strange delight, "You are the one we are hesitant to..."

"Hey. Wait, wait, wait. Please don't look at me with such a disgusting face!"

He's like a creepy child. I didn't care what kind of bizarre life he lived for □□□ years, but I certainly didn't want to be dragged into his weird thought circuit.

'Because it's Kyle!'

Kyle was staring! It looked like he wanted to kill Knox at any moment!

Afterwards, Kyle called James, who was waiting outside, and delivered the contract. He briefly expressed his intention to leave the Northern Territory. There was so much to prepare before leaving, and it was also decided that Knox would stay in this castle for about five days.

James's expression was truly spectacular. His face, as if he'd been hit with a rotten ham, first turned red, then white, as if he was suffering from serious worry. Seeing his reaction... to be honest, I felt a little sorry for him.

"I obey the orders of His Highness the Grand Duke."

Before James left, I called up the system and quickly checked on him.

[James Russell, about ?5 days away from the estimated time of death.]

Come to think of it, James also lived longer than in the original story. I was a little proud. I wondered if he had passed through a life-threatening crisis without even realizing it.

[Kyle Jane Meinhardt, about 35 days before the expected time of death.]

Kyle's time had increased from 0 days to 35 days. If this deal broke down, Knox would kill Kyle, and it seemed that Kyle was about to disappear.

I'm glad I did this.

Once again, the urgent fire was extinguished. I let out a sigh of relief, feeling a wave of calm wash over me. In the meantime, Knox approached and put his arm around my shoulder.

"After all, life is something to live and see for a long time. Isn't that right?"

"I don't think I'll live too long."

"It's a big deal. Still, we're staying together for a whole month, but you wouldn't even give us a tour guide, would you?"

I was stunned.

What are all these bastards?

"You don't think you're really a guest in the castle, do you?"

Knox replied confidently, "Your hospitality is terrible. You deserve to know the lord's capabilities."

"..."

Veins swelled up on my forehead. 'This is how it comes out, is it?'

The second problem was that, despite his obnoxious behavior, he was still a guest. And I, being without a title or authority, couldn't afford to treat him poorly and risk repercussions for Kyle.

Really.

"Okay..."

Humoring him a little wouldn't wear out my tongue, though the sheer unpleasantness of it was entirely my own burden. I was grinding my teeth, preparing to show him the castle.

"I'll do it for you."

Kyle approached with fierce momentum, separating Knox and me. "Don't bully her, come over here, Mage. After a quick tour of the castle, I'll take you to your accommodation."

The blood-soaked wraith chuckled. Truly, it was an ugly smile, so insolent I wanted to slap him.

"Your lover seems to have a great desire for exclusivity, kid."

I brushed past him. "No, he doesn't. Just a little... protective. Anyway, I think it's a normal reaction to separate someone important to you from a dangerous opponent. So don't meddle in other people's relationships."

As Knox led the way out of the room, Kyle wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer, whispering worriedly, "Shu, are you sure you're okay?"

His voice, which only worried about my safety, was low and friendly today. He, who was usually so cold and stern, seemed at a loss for how to comfort me. Honestly, it was a little touching.

I laughed as much as I could to reassure him. "It went well. It seems like a good wind is blowing..."

"Hmm?"

"Oh."

What is it? Can't you automatically translate such obscure language? Wouldn't it?

[<(=.=)>zzZ]

It's just neglect of duty!

"Shu?"

"Oh, no. Nothing. Anyway, instead of just waiting anxiously in the North, it's better to find out for ourselves. And I'll look forward to discussing that later..."

I looked at Knox and whispered quickly, "If we investigate Knox, we may find a way to fight the mages. According to him, my strength is similar to theirs."

Kyle clasped his hands and stared down at me. I had never said exactly what the 'miracle' or 'incident' figures were, but it was as if he had seen through everything.

"I can't agree to it if it's a way of sacrificing you."

"..."

It's not a sacrifice, but it's something that only I can do. I thought about refuting it, but then I stopped. To Kyle, there would be no difference between the two.

"It's not like that now. We need to find a way to prevent it." I spoke comfortingly and grinned. "You may find out what the Northern Wizards and Lorenz have joined forces for. Surely Lorenz is helping with that damn research... Oh, Knox is looking! We'll talk about it in the room later!"

Knox turned his head slightly. Kyle, still holding my hand, tightened his grip, and his expression quickly changed. He still furrowed his dark eyebrows as if he didn't like this situation, but he didn't let go of the hand he was holding.