A Party Tastes Best When Ruined
No humiliation like this one. Evan ground his teeth.
The Mad Dog Cain. More precisely, the Empire's Mad Dog Cain. That's right, he was from the Empire. A commoner of the Empire, no less. And Evan himself was that Empire's Border Count.
His family had guarded the Empire's borders for generations. In return, the imperial family had granted them immense authority. His title was only count, but his power rivaled that of a marquis. He commanded a hundred knights alone. Even the great nobles of the capital dared not treat him lightly. He practically ruled his own kingdom.
And yet, a man like him had suffered that earlier indignity. At the hands of a mere commoner! A filthy commoner, no less! And right in front of that woman!
Evan knew his place all too well. Border Count of the Empire. Wielder of vast authority and power. Carriages overflowed with noble ladies eager to catch his eye. He could choose any one he fancied. He was the one extending a gracious hand. Not some beggar pleading to be picked.
But tonight, at this very ball, Evan had crumbled. Estelle. The moment he laid eyes on her, everything changed.
Like a being crafted by the gods, gathering all beauty into one form.
He couldn't tear his gaze away. His heart pounded fiercely. Was this what they called love at first sight? He wanted her—madly, desperately. To make her his woman. And if not, he'd gladly grovel at her feet. Please choose me. Just come to my side.
His status as a border count had barely restrained his urges. She was a noble of another nation, albeit a lesser one. If it escalated into a diplomatic incident, the border count would bear the brunt. So he'd held back. Kept his reason with iron will.
And yet…
"…Lady Estelle said that?"
The whispered report shook his resolve. Lady Estelle had been speaking of the border count just moments ago. With considerable fondness, it seemed. Why not extend a hand and see?
Evan didn't hesitate. He strode straight to Estelle, convinced she felt the same. Her refusal? Just a test. Then came the uninvited guest. Prince Prints. From the same kingdom as Estelle.
The moment Evan saw him, he understood. This wasn't mere royal protection of his own noble. The prince felt it too. This man was his rival!
The Kasen Kingdom did its part in the alliance. But it can't compare to the Empire. In this demon war, their entire nation's merits match my territory alone.
The prince's royal blood was a slight concern, but Evan was confident. He could win. And indeed, he hadn't yielded an inch to the prince.
But the next arrival was a monster on another level entirely.
"Grrrk!"
A commoner daring to lay hands on a border count.
"Shut your mouth and go drink quietly before I even suspect you."
A mere commoner accusing a noble of suspicion. Evan itched to punish him for insulting nobility. He had more than enough power to crush one peasant.
But this wasn't just any commoner. He was a breed apart.
"Cain…."
Evan glared at the man chatting with a woman in the corner. He bit his lip, clenched his fist—but there was nothing he could do. Status meant nothing to him. He stood above it all.
As long as demons existed in this world, they couldn't discard him.
At least this time, he's on my side. Prince Prints.
The prince was glaring at Cain from the opposite side. Evan was an imperial noble; the prince, foreign royalty. By blood alone, even nobler than Evan. For such a figure to be struck by a commoner—it was a scandal. Back home, the gossip would be relentless.
Just you wait. You'll pay someday. Mad Dog Cain. Once the demons are gone, you're finished, you thunderbolt-headed bastard.
—Evan thought, lifting his wine glass.
"…That mad commoner scum!"
No illusion. Cain was charging at Estelle. Swinging the fist that had crushed demons—at her!
Evan launched himself with mana surging. But another joined from the side. Prince Prints. Even now, they competed as rivals. Infuriating, but Evan set it aside. Protecting Estelle came first.
Thud!—Estelle stumbled back in shock, trembling faintly. As if by prior agreement, the two men shielded her. Then, unleashing their fury, they raised their voices.
"How dare you assault a noble of the Kasen Kingdom!"
"You've crossed the line. By the border count's authority, I'll punish you here and now."
Nobles everywhere gasped and whispered. What the hell's going on? This is getting good.
Special Forces Captain Yuris Colhen rushed over in panic. What situation is this? What's wrong?
She reached Cain just as—
"Kuh!"
A kick to the shin sent Yuris staggering. Cain roughly grabbed her collar.
"You said none."
Then what was that? Cain pointed behind her. Yuris. Evan. Prints. All looked.
There, not Estelle—but another woman lay crumpled. Her face half-smashed by Cain's fist, already unconscious.
Before they could demand why he'd assaulted a noble, dark thorny vines gleamed from beneath her collar.
"Ah."
The mark. The chain demons implanted as proof of contract. A traitor's brand no human could hide.
Yuris bit her lip until it bled. They'd investigated thoroughly. Received intel from every nation. Yet a betrayer who'd forsaken humanity had slipped through.
Utter failure for a special forces captain.
"How… how did you know?"
"They call me the mad dog, don't they?"
Several nobles flinched visibly. They'd just been saying it.
He'd heard?
"Dogs have a killer nose for scents."
"What… Lord Cain isn't really a dog. And even dogs can't smell demons…."
"It's a figure of speech. Anyway, you two can step aside now. I got no business with your lady."
Not the scenario they'd imagined.
"Ah…."
"Ahem."
Couldn't hold back for even a second, huh? Impressive. Clicking his tongue, Cain ordered them to haul her away.
Contractor. Damned traitors who'd bargained with demons. Likely, this noble lady had schemed midway. To pit the two male leads against each other.
A petty squabble at a ball. But demons sowed such discord into greater rifts. They missed nothing small. They exploited human weaknesses relentlessly.
"Excuse me."
Then, Estelle stepped forward from behind Evan and Prints. Her face pale with shock from the chaos.
Just like a romance fantasy heroine.
A peerless beauty stirring protective instincts—Cain nearly chuckled. No wonder the male leads fawned over her. Striking her would earn the world's scorn.
"If it's not too rude… what happens to that woman now?"
"She'll be dragged to special forces HQ for interrogation. Won't yield much."
"And after…."
"We kill her."
Estelle sighed at Cain's unhesitating reply.
"Do you know her?"
"No. First time meeting today."
"Yet you look pitying."
"I know what contractors are. But… maybe she had her reasons."
Not mere speculation. Many contractors did. Sick parents. Ailing children. Dying lovers. They'd grasp a demon's hand to save them.
Demons were cunning. They'd fulfill contracts bit by bit. Show gradual recovery. Ensuring the contractor stayed trapped.
Humans held hostage by loved ones' lives. No more conscience. They spoke and acted as demons whispered.
"Shouldn't we hear their side?"
"Sure. They probably have reasons we don't know. Maybe evil nature led them to demons. Or sweet temptations wore them down."
Or perhaps.
"Like you said, Lady Estelle—maybe for loved ones. Demons exploit human frailty masterfully."
"Then at least…."
"Don't others have such tales?"
Who cared about traitors' sob stories? Not everyone succumbed to whispers. Some resisted through tears.
"Ahem. Still, Lady Estelle has a point."
Here they came—the romance novel male leads.
"Those who willingly side with evil, and those forced by circumstance. Punishment is needed, but death for all seems excessive."
"Hm. This time, I agree with Prince Prints."
Cain rubbed his temple, eyeing the trio. Estelle was like that by design. The heroine who kept her goodness in this brutal world. Who made even demons yield. The light-bearer of fate.
The male leads were drawn to her. They supported, cheered, loved her fiercely.
He wouldn't deny it outright. The world needed some goodness. Comrades had believed in it.
But—
"Fine, Lady Estelle. Since you say so, let me ask one thing."
"What?"
"A contractor appears before you. Nervous look—like they're about to do something. Doesn't seem willing. Maybe, as you say, they have their reasons."
Now.
"What would you do?"
"I would, first…."
"Too late."
Cain stared straight at Estelle and pronounced judgment.
"You're already dead by that contractor's hand."