Not far from the capital’s city center lay a prime piece of land, complete with a lake, streams, and even a mountain in the background. The Yukline mansion sprawled across it, vast—almost excessively so. With the recent surge in land prices, the mansion alone could have easily funded a small territory’s annual budget. This was no mere exaggeration.0

Even Yulie, who had taken pride in purchasing a three-story mansion near the capital on her own, thoroughly enjoyed her time at the Yukline mansion. Her morning jogs included a few laps around the mountain at the back, the training grounds were spacious enough for worry-free practice, and the mansion’s meals rivaled those of a three-star restaurant.4

While Deculein upheld strict standards for the mansion’s vast grounds, I was indifferent to what the servants did, as long as everything remained orderly. Consequently, I often approved their requests for imported goods.3

The servants, ever watchful, discovered exotic pottery, tableware, coffee beans, foods, flower seeds, and carpets from distant lands and had them brought to the mansion under the Yukline name.0

Thanks to their efforts, the gardens and orchards bloomed with the world’s most beautiful flowers and trees, the mansion overflowed with charm and fragrance, and the clear lake and streams became the perfect summer retreat. Yulie had a particular fondness for the lake, often lying on the lawn with her new pet, Cocoa, when she wasn’t inside the house.5

This place, with its luxurious comfort and unassuming abundance, drew people in effortlessly. Anyone who visited, even for a short while, couldn’t help but admire it—a paradise so alluring it was almost like a Venus flytrap. This was the Yukline mansion.0

“Basic physical strength was the foundation of martial arts,” Yulie said as we stood in the mansion’s training grounds.0

Instead of her usual armor, she wore a gray tracksuit for a change.0

"Therefore… Is something the matter, Professor?" Yulie asked, tilting her head slightly.0

I shrugged and said, "It’s rare to see you out of armor, and this is what you’ve chosen to wear?"0

“Ah, I see,” Yulie replied, tugging at her outfit. “I’ve had this since my days with the knights. It’s well-made, crafted with Fumeren. It will easily last another twenty years.”0

“Indeed. One day, I should tear it apart and dispose of it.”7

“No! Why would you tear...0