DSB 34

An intensely cold wave of demonic energy emanated from beyond it. And mixed in was the scent Lebel recognized.

‘Is this scent Yutis’s pheromones?’

The stronger the demonic energy grew, the more potent the pheromones’ scent became. Even from beyond the door, his energy’s intensity was palpable enough to visualize.

The moment he tried to approach the door, Bron and Theo blocked his way.

Lebel’s gaze was piercing. From Yutis abandoning him in the village to the servants in the castle all trying to bar his path one after another, nothing pleased him in the slightest.

“…Why is everyone so intent on blocking my way?”

“We have to. Do you plan to approach an alpha in the midst of his rut as an omega?”

“Wasn’t that exactly why I came here?”

It was such a valid point that Bron faltered for a moment.

Bron had thought that if anything, he would assist Lebel in fleeing from Yutis during his rut, not that he would voluntarily walk into the tiger’s den.

“…The young master does not want that.”

If Lebel were to get hurt because of him, Yutis would blame himself endlessly. That was why he had left explicit instructions to stop him at all costs if he tried to go to Lebel.

Theo, who had been observing the situation, spoke up from the side.

“It is also for your own good. Did you not hear? The young master’s rut is different from others’. You could die. I pass on cleaning up corpses.”

“I would die?”

“You wouldn’t?”

Lebel examined his own form. It was certainly a body so frail that it inspired little confidence, but he had no intention of dying.

“I will be fine.”

“How many people do you think have said that with such certainty?”

Lebel’s eyebrow twitched. It felt as though they were implying that others had attempted this before.

“What I mean is that you are not the first person to approach him, claiming you are different and that you can calm the young master.”

“He is the heir of the Hestro family, which rules the north. Naturally, many have coveted the position at his side. There have been plenty who sneaked in secretly only to come staggering out covered in blood. Some even died. So if you do not wish to die as well…”

“Serves them right.”

As Bron continued Theo’s words, Lebel interjected with a curt assessment. Their eyes widened at his remark.

“That is what happens when ignorant fools step forward.”

Everyone fell silent at Lebel’s declaration.

He was so different from the rumors, and the fact that the difference was not in a negative way only made it stranger. No, Lebel as a person was the strange one.

“Did you hear what I said?”

“I heard you, but do not lump me in with those pathetic humans. That would be a problem.”

“…Do not think that just because you are who you are, you will come out unscathed!”

“That is exactly why I will come out unscathed.”

“Pardon?”

“Because it is me, I will come out unscathed. Or do you not trust your master’s words? He told me himself. He said he would never let me get hurt. I am going in because I believe him.”

Bron and Theo laughed in exasperation. They could not fathom the source of his confidence. Mahan, listening from behind, felt the same.

“Young madam, you must leave this place immediately. If you stay like this, the young master will sense your presence and…”

“This is a waste of time. I have no reason to convince you. On the contrary, you have every reason to obey my orders. Mahan, if you call me young madam, then heed my command.”

Mahan trembled. He could not hide his bewilderment.

It was true that he had to obey because Lebel was the young madam, but he could not bring himself to push him toward what seemed like a path to hell.

Yet, seeing that composed expression, a sliver of faith began to stir within him.

“…The young madam will be alright.”

“Mahan? You are believing that nonsense?”

“……”

“I am sorry, but we must follow the young master’s orders.”

Unlike Mahan, Bron and Theo remained resolute.

“You will not yield?”

“Yes. Please forgive our rudeness. This is also for the young madam’s sake.”

Their attitude and words were polite, but Lebel did not like it one bit.

Lebel roughly ran a hand through his hair. He had let them be so far because they were Yutis’s people, but Lebel did not forgive those who blocked his path.

“Then. I will just force it open myself.”

Bron and Theo were confused by Lebel’s claim that he would force it open, but that bewilderment lasted only a moment before they gasped in shock at the flames that flickered to life above his hand.

“…Fire?”

A flame made of demonic energy had ignited in Lebel’s palm. But something even more crucial was happening.

A vast wave of pheromones wafted from Lebel.

Bron, Theo, and Mahan staggered, their legs buckling under the onslaught of a dominant omega’s pheromones.

“What are you doing?! Suppress your pheromones!”

“Young madam, no! If you stimulate the young master…!”

Lebel smiled as he confirmed that his guess had been correct.

Demonic energy is something that came out from the soul. If pheromones lay dormant inside the body, the demonic energy would feel like the sense that exhales them.

Of course not every demonic energy contains pheromones. Only pure demonic energy hides pheromones. And the stronger a person’s demonic energy, the stronger the scent it carries.

He didn’t have to shape it, but this body still lacked skill. But as he grew used to it, he’d find handling pheromones easy.

Lebel called out to Yutis, declaring that he was here.

At that moment an immense aura emanated from the closed door. Bron and Theo stared at the room with expressions taut with extreme nervousness.

The chaotic corridor was instantly overwhelmed by a cacophony of noise. The source of the clamor came from inside the room. A deafening roar began to echo from beyond the door.

Boom! Crash! Bang!

The building itself was shaking to its foundations. It seemed the talk of transforming into a monster was not mere exaggeration. The sounds were inhuman.

“Please step back.”

Even in this dire state, the two refused to allow Lebel to approach. They stood with resolute faces, drawing their swords and holding their positions.

When the door rattled violently, on the verge of shattering, Lebel calmly walked between them and grasped the handle, opening it with ease.

“Uh…!”

“No!”

The two, caught off guard, could only watch helplessly as Lebel threw the door wide open.

Lebel surveyed his surroundings with composed detachment. Unlike the door’s fierce shaking, Yutis was nowhere to be seen right in front of it.

Instead, the dim interior of the room brimmed with demonic energy. And then he caught the scent.

“Ugh!”

The dense, overwhelming pheromones from Yutis forced Bron and Theo to their knees. It was a pheromonal assault designed to warn off and attack any alphas who dared approach his omega.

The pheromones were so strong that they made them vomit and break out in cold sweat, and they thrashed in pain. Their faces turned a deathly blue.

The two of them were faring better than most. Mahan was on the verge of passing out entirely.

Lebel glanced at the three men before he felt Yutis’s arms wrapping tightly around him from behind, pulling him into an embrace.

A gust of wind blew from behind. With a resounding bang, the door closed.

Lebel remained still within Yutis’s arms.

“……My, my wife who… who are you looking at, and where?”

Lebel lifted his head to look at Yutis. His eyes resembled those of a wild beast. Seeing that gaze drowned in waves of jealousy, made Lebel laugh.

“Who was it that left me behind? Wasn’t it you, my husband, who abandoned me?”

“Go, Go away. I-I… I’m..”

“You’re telling me to leave, yet whose arms are pulling me even closer?”

Lebel spoke as he felt Yutis’s arms tightening even more firmly around his waist. Yutis bowed his head as if he could no longer contain himself.

Lebel had unleashed his own pheromones as well.

What Lebel saw before his eyes was the dark room and Yutis rubbing his nose against his neck unable to restrain himself. Silver hair fluttered right in front of Lebel’s face.

“You’re not going to show me your face?”

“…It’s hideous.”

“Hideous? Is that why you told me not to come here? Because you didn’t want to show me your ugly side?”

“It’s not… it’s not just some petty reason like that. It’s because I could hurt you…! Why did you come here?

“What on earth should I be scared of?”

Lebel snorted.

You don’t even know that your body is trembling like a beast in fear.

“M-my pheromones will forcefully seduce you….”

That damn pheromone.