The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

Olivia looked incredulously at Ferdie and Ludian, alternating her gaze between the two.

The disbelief was shared by Tiel and Ludian. Who said they were going to Nestian?

"Ludian brother... and you, brother? You’re actually going to Nestian yourselves?"

"Yes."

Ferdie responded succinctly. At Ferdie’s nonchalant attitude, an annoyed Ludian tilted his head with a rebellious tone.

"Why bring up such an important matter only now? And do you think Nestian is some kind of backyard for Asterian?"

Ludian threw the question with a tone reminiscent of his childhood. However, Tiel and Olivia weren’t worried about Ferdie and Ludian getting into a fight.

They had never actually fought in front of Tiel. Both always avoided showing conflict in front of their sister, so Tiel was unfazed by their bickering.

As expected, seeing Ludian slightly agitated, Ferdie spoke in an even calmer tone than usual.

"Father and grandfather have given their permission."

"Father and grandfather did what... Oh, really?"

Ludian quickly calmed down upon hearing that both had agreed.

He halted his brewing anger and slumped back onto the sofa, gesturing with his chin for Ferdie to continue.

"We can’t send Asterian soldiers into Nestian. Nestian wouldn’t allow it, and even if they did, the news that Asterian soldiers crossed into Nestian would cause them to flee immediately."

"That makes sense."

"And we can’t ask for Nestian’s cooperation either. If Jae is hiding there, it certainly means Chender Nestian decided to shelter him."

"That’s true too."

"So, someone needs to enter without being detected, break the enchantment hiding the mansion in the mountains, and capture Jae."

"Um, I have a question."

Tiel, who had been listening intently, cautiously raised her hand. Ferdie blinked, encouraging her to ask.

"What happens if... if we get caught?"

"War."

"..."

"Don’t worry, we’ll win."

But that’s not the point!

Tiel looked at Ferdie, Olivia, and Ludian in shock. However, their expressions suggested a consensus of ’as long as we don’t get caught...’, which was of no reassurance.

"Let’s assume we go in undetected and manage to capture him, do you really think we won’t get caught?"

Ludian raised a more sensible question. Tiel nodded in agreement.

Most Nestians had light-colored hair.

Even the direct descendants of Nestian typically had shimmering silver hair.

With their dark hair, Ferdie and Ludian would stand out starkly in such a place!

’Plus... neither brother has an ordinary appearance.’

Both were considered among the most handsome in the Crassion Empire and were well-known from numerous public appearances, making stealth nearly impossible.

’But how?’

How are they planning to sneak in with such a plan?

Fortunately, Tiel’s questions were soon addressed.

"We have a device that temporarily changes our appearance. We’ll use that to get through Nestian. Of course, we must avoid detection, so we’ll choose the least guarded route..."

Tiel knew about the ’face-changing device’ Ferdie mentioned.

It was one of the treasures stored by the Asterians, technically not changing faces but overlaying an illusion to hide the true face for a short time.

However, its short duration made it impractical for infiltration. Tiel still looked at Ferdie with a puzzled expression.

"I know it lasts only a short while. So, we’ll only use the device briefly and cover our faces as much as possible for {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} the rest. Fortunately, it’s cold in Nestian, so wearing heavy clothing won’t arouse suspicion."

"But... it sounds too dangerous. Did dad really approve this plan?"

It was a recklessly bold plan, not something Ferdie would typically conceive.

It would have been more believable if Ludian had devised it. But Ferdie?

Tiel looked at Ferdie as if questioning his sanity.

"We’ll need one more thing..."

"What is it?"

"We need to borrow your fiancé."

"...What?"

Tiel’s eyes widened.

Meaning, in a dangerous situation, they would hide in Ian Dross’s subspace.

Tiel fumbled her words, looking at Ferdie.

"Did... Did Ian agree to this?"

"No, I’m about to ask him now."

Olivia, watching silently, finally spoke up, baffled.

"Ferdie, you sure you don’t want a war?"

"Of course."

"And you think sending the two sons of Asterian and the empire’s crown prince into Nestian won’t start one?"

"We’re not invading. We’re just going in quietly to take one thing and leave."

"And how is that different?"

Olivia retorted, clearly flabbergasted. However, Ferdie seemed resolute.

"If you won’t go, I’ll go alone. We found out how, and I can’t let this chance slip. This time, we must capture him."

"..."

"It’s been 10 years since that bastard attacked Tiel. We need to find out what he’s been plotting all this time."

Ferdie continued.

"And if he’s out there freely moving around, who knows when Tiel might be attacked again. I can’t stand to see my sister in danger. So, we’re going to take him out first."

Ferdie was usually calm and rational.

He was often the voice of reason when Olivia or Ludian came up with outrageous plans, never the one to propose reckless schemes.

But the moment Tiel, Ludian, and Olivia heard Ferdie’s latest statements, they realized why he was acting so recklessly.

’It’s because of Tiel.’

All bearing the name of Asterian were particularly sensitive about Tiel’s well-being, the youngest and current head of their house.

Jae could attack Tiel again at any time.

Next time, he might not be as gentle as a child but use a more precise and lethal method.

These thoughts likely drove Ferdie to devise such a daring plan and search the vast lands of Nestian for a decade.

Tiel felt a twinge in her nose, realizing the extent of her brothers’ concerns for her.

But Ian’s involvement was a different matter. Tiel looked at Ferdie cautiously.

"However, Ian might not agree..."

"Why not? If it’s for you, he’d step up immediately."

"It’s just that..."

Tiel hesitated.

Could she disclose to Ferdie, Ludian, and Olivia that Ian’s powers were currently unstable?

But even setting aside whether Ian would allow Ferdie and Ludian into his subspace...

Ian’s subspace was dangerously unstable right now. Rooms disappearing, Ian himself getting lost within it.

What if Ferdie and Ludian entered and the subspace warped or exploded?

Tiel couldn’t bear such an outcome.

Yet, unable to disclose Ian’s condition freely, she eventually kept silent, hoping Ian would reject Ferdie’s proposal.

"Ian will probably say no... You should ask him directly."

Ferdie, Ludian, and Olivia all nodded in agreement.

Tiel smiled wryly, caught in an awkward position.

’Ian will definitely refuse, right?’

After all, he’d said his powers were unstable...

***

"Let’s do it together."

But Ian Dross ruthlessly betrayed Tiel’s expectations.

"It’s not a difficult task."

Tiel had to look back and forth between Ian Dross and Ferdie, utterly dumbfounded once again.