The rattling of the automated steam car slowed as Auger guided it off the cobblestone road and into a tangle of overgrown brush. The morning mist clung to the trees, their branches arching like crooked fingers, blocking out the rising sun.

  Lea blinked, looking around in confusion, "…This doesn't look like a border checkpoint."

  Auger, calm as ever, pushed his hat lower and leaned zily against the wheel, "That's because it isn't."

  Lea's parasol tapped impatiently against the floorboards, "Wait, what? Aren't you supposed to be some big celebrated hero in Ryteline? The shining example of virtue? A demigod, even! Why are we sneaking through the woods like smugglers?!"

  Auger chuckled under his breath, not even gncing her way, "Because the official checkpoint would waste us a day with papers, fees, and pomp. This path takes ten minutes. Less if the guards are asleep."

  Lea's jaw dropped. She leaned forward, eyes wide, "Y-you're just casually admitting this? Out loud? Like it's normal?!"

  His cane knocked gently against the dashboard as he adjusted it, "Of course. I've done this dozens of times across all borders."

  "D-Dozens?! Auger!", she hissed, grabbing his sleeve as if that might physically pull him back to morality, "You, Lady Keter's chosen, protector of a nation, honored guest of Ryteline's royal court—just… just crawl through illegal paths like some roadside bandit?!"

  A faint smirk tugged at his lips, "Bandits don't usually have automated steam cars. Or a cane that can fight for me."

  Lea buried her face in her hands, muffled words slipping out between her fingers, "I can't believe this. My mentor is a demigod criminal. I'm going to get arrested. I'm going to be executed. I'll be remembered as the foolish girl who followed a notorious smuggler into Ryteline…"

  "Rex.", Auger interrupted, steering the car down a barely visible dirt track, "The guards look the other way. They know I use this path, Ryteline at least."

  Her head snapped up, "WHAT?!"

  He shrugged, "Perks of fame. They'd rather I don't clog up their paperwork."

  Lea sat back in stunned silence, parasol clutched to her chest. For once, she had no sharp retort. Just wide eyes and a single, horrified thought echoing in her head... The world's biggest hypocrite is my teacher.

  The car bounced down the hidden track, the mist curling around them like curtains, until the treeline broke—and beyond y the rolling hills of Ryteline.

  Auger slowed the car and, with a slight grin, tipped his hat toward her, "Welcome to Ryteline, Lea. Try not to look so guilty."

  Ryteline, the country with the least faith in the world. Born from the desires of those who wished to oppose tyrants, even the divine rulers.

  =0=0=

  The road through Ryteline stretched long and winding, lined with fields of wheat that shimmered in the afternoon light. The steam car cttered along steadily, hissing whenever Auger shifted the gears.

  Lea leaned against the window, watching the scenery pass. Her parasol rested across her knees, but her attention was elsewhere—she was still sulking from this morning's illegal border crossing.

  "Lea.", Auger said calmly, resting Excalibur across his knees, "We need to discuss your identity before we arrive."

  Her eyes narrowed, "My identity is already established. I'm Lea."

  "That won't be enough.", he replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips, "You ck citizenship papers. Which means—"

  Her grip on the parasol tightened, "Don't say it."

  "You'll be my servant.", he said smoothly, as though it were the most natural solution in the world.

  Lea sat up straight, scandalized, "Servant?! Absolutely not!"

  "Do you have documents proving you belong here?"

  "No," she muttered.

  "Any ties to Ryteline? Family? Property?"

  She looked away, "...No."

  "A respectable trade you can decre?"

  Her silence was answer enough. If she had become a citizen of the Nation of the Forsaken, she could've gone in as a trader.

  Auger leaned back in his seat, smug, "Then servant it is. Quite fitting, don't you think?"

  Lea groaned, smacking her forehead against the parasol's handle, "Unbelievable. First a smuggler, now this."

  He tapped Excalibur lightly on the dashboard, voice rich with amusement, "Remember, Lea. When we arrive, you'll refer to me properly."

  Her eyes narrowed into slits, "Don't you dare—"

  "Count Maxwell.", he finished for her, grinning.

  Lea slumped into her seat, burying her face in her hands, "This is actual torture."

  "You'll get used to it.", Auger said, chuckling.

  By the time the sun dipped low, the Zangrill fiefdom spread out before them was farmnd, clustered vilges, and in the center, a proud fortress of stone flying the Zangrill crest, a sword surrounded by four spheres. Lea peeked out the window, marveling at the scenery.

  "...So this is your domain." she said softly.

  Auger adjusted his hat, a trace of pride slipping into his voice, "Indeed. Welcome to Zangrill, Lea."

  He shot her a sidelong gnce, smirk curling, "Or should I say... welcome, servant."

  Her groan echoed through the car as the fortress gates loomed closer.

  The steam car rolled to a stop before towering stone walls, banners of Zangrill fluttering proudly. Lea's eyes went wide.

  "This… this is a castle!"

  Auger stepped down gracefully, cane tapping against the cobbles.

  "Manor.", he corrected.

  Lea pointed an accusing finger at the battlements, the portcullis, the guards in polished armor, "That's a castle!!"

  He only smirked, "Manor."

  Before she could argue further, servants hurried out to greet their lord. Their bows were sharp, their voices warm.

  "Welcome home, Count Maxwell."

  "Lord Auger, the manor has been prepared."

  Lea muttered under her breath, "Manor, my ass…"

  Auger's gaze swept the group before nding on Lea. With all the pomp of a man announcing a trophy, he gestured toward her, "This is Lea, my… servant."

  Lea's jaw clenched, "…"

  The servants, however, didn't so much as blink. One maid smiled kindly at her, the sort of smile used for skittish cats, "Of course, my lord. We'll see to her quarters at once."

  Lea blinked, "Wait, you're just accepting that?"

  Another servant chuckled, "The Count has always had a soft spot for strays, miss. Especially those of noble blood seeking refuge."

  "I'm not—", Lea sputtered, but Auger cut in with a zy chuckle.

  "Now, now, no need to trouble her with details.", he said smoothly, guiding Lea forward with a hand at her shoulder, "Lea will find her footing soon enough."

  Lea leaned closer to hiss at him, her cheeks burning, "I told you, I'm not from high society."

  "Shh.", Auger whispered back, his smile fixed and sharp for the watching staff, "They don't need to know that. Let them think you're a runaway baroness or some fallen duchess. Much easier that way."

  Lea buried her face in her parasol's handle, "This is humiliating…"

  Auger leaned just close enough for her to hear, voice dripping with amusement, "Better a noble stray than an illegal immigrant, don't you think… servant?"

  Lea groaned, her suffering echoing across the polished stone courtyard as the servants whisked them inside.

  The servants guided them through the grand doors, the polished wood gleaming under chandelier light. The scent of polished oak, faint incense, and rich fabrics filled the air.

  Morrison, the head butler, stepped forward, tall and stern but with a twinkle in his eye.

  "Welcome back, Count Maxwell.", he said, bowing slightly, "And… your companion, I presume?"

  Lea bristled, "Companion... yes—"

  Auger leaned casually against the wall, cane tucked under his arm, smirking, "Servant, Morrison. Remember your manners."

  Morrison only raised an eyebrow, amused, "Of course, my lord. Though I've learned not to question your… unique definitions of companionship. You do tend to bring home the most interesting… guests."

  Lea's eyes narrowed, she felt a deeper py was at hand, "Interesting guests? That's me?"

  "Always.", Auger said with a grin.

  Lea groaned, pressing her face into her parasol handle, "This is frustrating…"

  Morrison chuckled softly, ignoring her protests, "Do not worry, miss. Here at the manor, Count Maxwell has a habit of taking in wayward souls, runaway nobles, lost travelers… anyone who crosses his path with a story to tell. You'll fit right in, provided you survive his little… excursions."

  Auger winked at her, who stared at him in disbelief, "Excursions?"

  Morrison's smile widened, "Yes, my lord has a penchant for adventures of his own making. Dangerous, ill-advised adventures. Sometimes for treasure, sometimes for curiosity… and occasionally, just to prove he can."

  Lea blinked at him, "…You call that a hobby?"

  Morrison only shrugged, leading them further inside, "In this household, we've learned it's easier to embrace the chaos than resist it. You'll find your quarters are prepared, and the staff will see you settled."

  Lea looked around, wide-eyed. Every corridor gleamed, every tapestry told a story of battles and diplomacy, and every servant moved with effortless precision. She muttered under her breath, "I… I could never live up to this."

  Auger caught her whisper and chuckled. "Oh, you'll do fine. Just remember... don't try to outrun me, don't try to outsmart me… and definitely don't fall asleep on the job, servant."

  Lea's jaw dropped, "I am not your servant!"

  "Of course you are.", he said, already strolling ahead, cane tapping rhythmically against the marble floor, leaving her fuming in his wake.

  Morrison led her to a small but comfortable room, "We've prepared something suitable for a guest of… distinguished qualities. Though I expect you'll find the Count will involve you in more than a few… unusual tasks before long."

  Lea sank onto the bed, staring at the high ceiling, "I can't believe this. I'm supposed to stay here and… what? Wait for him to drag me into danger?"

  Morrison only smiled, patting her shoulder, "Better get used to it, miss. That is life with Count Maxwell."

  Outside the door, Auger's ughter echoed down the hallway, "Cheer up, servant. You might even enjoy it!!"

  Lea groaned again. "I highly doubt it…"