"Huft..."

The sound of footsteps rang sharply, accompanying that breath inside the silent, empty room.

As if it were the only sound that existed.

I could only sit there, motionless and mute.

I wanted to curse myself—for being unable to do anything in front of him.

Damn Arthur.

"So? How is it?"

I chose to remain silent.

Not because I was afraid—on the contrary. Or rather, there was no need for me to explain anything to someone as sly as him.

"No matter what, you won’t be able to interrogate me."

"Monster."

His eyes widened instantly.

Perhaps my sharp reply was more than enough to knock the breath out of him.

And I knew—he didn’t want to use violence against me.

Hah. A soft guy like him, using violence on me?

Don’t get the wrong idea. I just couldn’t wrap my head around it.

I couldn’t even bring myself to look at his face.

I was disgusted.

"Whoa, calm down... my lady."

No matter what, I couldn’t calm down.

"Oh? Aren’t you the monster now?"

"You said it yourself, didn’t you—Sir Arthur Shakespeare, Archon of the Serpent monster clan."

Arthur didn’t reply. He simply stood there, letting out a quiet breath.

The sound of his leather shoes was still there, but not as loud as before.

"Kairi, please listen carefully."

He said it again, releasing a breath of disappointment that went completely to waste.

"This investigation won’t proceed smoothly without your help. Agatha is roaming free, and we still don’t know the cause behind it."

He spoke calmly, as if trying to repair the broken atmosphere between us.

In my mind, I scoffed. How foolish—a mighty and powerful Archon, yet so easily deceived by Agatha Valeria Christie.

Even for a monster with a reputation like his.

Just where is your dignity, lad?

"So? And? Isn’t that just your problem?"

My reply was no less sharp.

He closed his eyes, lips half-curving upward, as if lamenting his fate—like that viral meme of a resigned dog from some time ago.

Then he continued this painfully boring conversation.

"Fine. I admit I was wrong. I almost killed your sister because of Agatha’s deception and tricks, and even allowed my monster side to take over."

"But isn’t it even now? I saved you and Selene earlier by summoning Professor Dellaetrix."

If only I could escape from all of this.

No—not because I was afraid. I simply didn’t want to, and it was exhausting, like being an NPC myself.

However, a very real cunning idea suddenly crossed my mind.

Ah. Of course. Let’s test this hypothesis.

"Alright. I’ll accept your apology."

"But release me."

Arthur froze.

"But, Kairi—"

My small finger pressed itself against his lips.

Dry—but soft.

The fine hairs, or perhaps his mustache, brushing around his lips were unmistakable.

No—this wasn’t the time to indulge myself in the texture of his lips.

"All these procedures, procedures... to hell with procedures."

Of course, I was lying. Especially for a doctor who always prioritized procedures above everything else.

But right now, I didn’t think it was necessary.

"...Alright. Do you have a better idea?"

I curved my lips into a smile, not expecting him to fall for it again.

"We have to form a contract..."

"Then kill me."

"Erase me from this timeline."

The moment those words left my mouth, Arthur panicked.

"Wait—what do you mean? Hold on..."

He paced for a moment, fingers running through his wavy hair.

A detective’s ritual, perhaps? Ah, whatever. Not important.

Honestly speaking, it wasn’t surprising that Helena fell for him. I mean, it made sense.

Both in heart and appearance... he was genuinely kind, and quite good-looking.

I could see that honesty beneath his slyness—a trait that seemed to run in his blood, inherited from the Machiavelli clan.

Still, I couldn’t accept what he did to Selene. Or perhaps my soul itself refused to accept it.

After thinking it through, he answered while lowering his head, bringing it closer to mine.

"Are you suggesting this because you possess a special ability related to time manipulation?"

Like mine, his detective instincts were clearly at work.

I simply nodded, a satisfied smile forming on my lips."Exactly, detective."

"Selene already told me how to bind a contract with a monster—just like what she did with me, and with Milena as well."

Hearing that, he reflexively covered his mouth, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his face.

"...Don’t tell me."

He must have realized it immediately. Panic was written all over him.

"Kairi, you do understand that you’re still underage, right?"

Of course. What a stale question.

"Yes. Why? Do you think I’m stupid?"

"No—no, that’s not it. I’m just questioning your awareness."

"This is insane."

If only you realized it—I had already crossed an invisible wall.

Of course I was aware. Painfully so. Fully aware of the consequences that awaited me.

"Yes. That’s exactly why you should do it."

"Erase all criminal data regarding me and Selene, and I’ll consider everything settled."

"...What do you think?"

"In return, I’ll forgive you—and I’ll also release your engagement with Azalea."

"Isn’t that what you want?"

You really are a skilled negotiator, Kairi.

I muttered inwardly, half intoxicated with myself.

This was the most effective approach. Because I deep down knew—no matter what—I knew very well that he was still in love with Helena.

Or at the very least, this would free him from the absurdly corrupt governmental system of Ains Ein Doan.

And this weakness was exactly what I had to exploit.

Because emotions never lie.

Remember that well.

"Agatha was right about you."

"You’re incredibly cunning. Even more so than me."

A small smile surfaced on my lips—victory was once again within reach.

Still, he didn’t seem fully satisfied.

"But what happens after I kill you?"

I let out a slow breath before answering.

"Of course, all of my ties to this timeline will be erased—including everything that went wrong."

"And in exchange..."

"I’ll rewind to the point where I failed before."

His eyebrows lifted.

"Wait... you mean—"

"Yep. Of course. By binding a contract with me."

"You’ll be dragged along with me—and witness everything firsthand."

Technically speaking, only Selene truly understands what this ability actually is.

Well, Selene and Azalea too—but not in detail.

Arthur himself is a monster, so I could probably use him as a piece as well.

"...It seems I’ll still owe you a great deal."

Heh. Of course you will, you idiot.

That was my intention all along.

Even compared to Selene, whose abilities are overwhelmingly powerful, she still loses when it comes to negotiation.

"I don’t need much, you snake."

His eye twitched. His smile barely concealed the anger underneath.

"Kiss me—then kill me. That’s all."