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After receiving some serious advice from Friel Arielte, we headed towards the Kalia Marquis Family.

Although it wasn’t too far from the city center of the Kalia Marquis Family in a straight line, the surrounding mountains and frequent slopes made the path to enter the estate relatively challenging.

Thus, the speed of the carriage naturally slowed down. We were now facing the last hill before entering the Kalia Marquis Family.

“Finally, just getting over this hill will be the end. I feel like I’m going to die from boredom with all these mountains around.”

“You’ve been looking at the mountains, haven’t you? Weren’t you just lying down and staring at the ceiling?”

“…That’s just how I put it. And while I’m not looking as much as Ray, I did see a bit of what was outside!”

Shione looked up at me with a piercing gaze.

Right… Even now, she’s lying comfortably with a blanket spread out on the ground.

With her gaze cast heavily upon me, the tiny Cotton Puff rolling around on my lap also looked down at Shione.

As I continued to stare at her without saying a word, Shione began to glance our way.

“…Should I set up a blanket next to me? Do you want to lie down together?”

“There’s no need to go through the trouble… I’m fine.”

“In that case… what about here?”

Shione quickly lifted the blanket she had covered herself with to make space for us to join.

The blanket was rather small for two, and if we were to share it, we would have to be quite close…

Maybe it was impropriety? Perhaps Shione felt embarrassed after suggesting it, as her ears turned red while she subtly avoided my gaze.

“……”

“……”

Since I continued to meet her gaze steadily, she seemed to want to hide in a hole and was about to pull the blanket over herself again.

─Myeong!

The Cotton Puff suddenly flew up and dove into the blanket.

The blanket started to sway, and the Cotton Puff began moving around inside it.

“Hey, wait a minute!”

─Myeong?

“Where are you going…! Stay still…!”

Shione slipped her hand into the blanket and started to shake it.

Yet, it seemed challenging to catch the excited, active Cotton Puff.

She pulled back her hand to lift the blanket and check the position of the Cotton Puff.

─Kak!

“Wait, there… That’s not it!”

Whoosh!

Shione successfully grabbed the Cotton Puff by its nape, her cheeks flushed and wearing an annoyed expression as she glared at it.

“I told you to stop!”

─Kak!

“Should I tell Ray to deal with you?”

─Heng.

“Ha…”

Once again, Shione and the Cotton Puff began their playful squabble. It had become somewhat of a routine. Even while pretending to be annoyed, I knew she felt slightly disappointed if the Cotton Puff didn’t instigate trouble first.

I continued to casually ignore their friendly bickering, gazing out the window.

After Shione and the Cotton Puff reconciled, around the time they started sharing cookies from a snack pouch, we reached the top of the slope, and our obstructed view suddenly opened up.

I called Shione, taking in the view of the Kalia Marquis Family’s core area.

“Shione, I think we are almost there.”

“Really?”

“Yes, why don’t you come over and take a look out the window?”

Following my words, Shione approached, sticking close to me as she began to look outside.

Having played with the Cotton Puff for a while, her eyes, which had been drowsy and lazy under the blanket, now sparkled with energy and excitement.

“The city that the Marquis family takes pride in─”

As the carriage slowly began descending the gentler slope, Shione opened her mouth.

“It looks like a natural fortress.”

I couldn’t help but nod in agreement with Shione’s words.

The Kalia Marquis Family held a perfect shape for preventing the imperial army from invading the kingdom.

Located at a relatively high altitude like a fortress, the Marquis Family overlooked the western approach to the kingdom, with many mountains obstructing enemy advances. Not to mention, the rugged peaks stood tall in the north and south, creating a long ridge that encircled the Marquis Family gradually.

It made it quite difficult for enemies to split into the north and south to bypass the Marquis Family and easily invade the kingdom.

“I’ve heard that the Kalia Marquis Family is an impenetrable fortress against foreign invasions, and it’s true.”

The eastern side also had slopes, meaning that enemies would have to armor up and climb uphill to invade the high-altitude center.

It was a perfect spot for defense but incredibly cumbersome for an attack.

In the worst-case scenario…

‘…If the Great Forest is pushed back to an irrecoverable extent…’

Seeking refuge in the Kalia Marquis Family and planning for the future wouldn’t be a bad choice.

If hordes of magical creatures skilled in Spirit Magic were rushed into the Great Forest, then even the Marquis Family would struggle to hold out.

Even if it’s merely a nickname, if it’s called the impenetrable fortress, then it should be enough time for me and Shione to escape.

The scenery outside the carriage began to shift as we slowly entered the city.

As I started seeing the residences and shops, I turned my gaze to Shione.

“Have you remembered the advice from Friel Arielte?”

We were now heading into the territory of the second son of the Kalia Marquis Family, Allen Kalia, known to even the thick-skinned elves to be rather intimidating.

Upon hearing his name, Shione’s expression turned serious, and she nodded.

“Of course. Don’t be swayed by sweet words. And─”

Shione shrugged her shoulders as she spoke.

“I heard that because of the urgent situation in the Great Forest, he’ll only be here for three days. What can happen in just three sunrises?”

After all, he was the man who had wooed the commander of the First Army and the steadfast troops of the Second Army with his sweet talk and strong-arm tactics.

Moreover, since an elf specifically mentioned there was a snake hidden among them, they wouldn’t be easily fooled.

If it weren’t for being unwillingly involved, it would be best to avoid dealing with troublesome matters and maintain distance from the ruffians.

Just when I thought it would be a good idea to give her a light pinch on the cheek because of her rather relaxed attitude, Shione subtly exuded an atmosphere typical of women in this world, who were somewhat clingy, smiled gently.

“Don’t worry. I only have eyes for you.”

And the immediate response to Shione’s remark wasn’t from me.

─Heng.

It came from the Cotton Puff, which flew over my head, landing delicately with a look of disdain, gazing down at Shione.

*

After passing through the city of the Kalia Marquis Family, we entered the lord’s mansion surrounded by castle walls.

As we arrived at the mansion, the citizens I saw outside had bright smiles on their faces, but most lived with shadows hanging over one side. In a situation where the Empire had been creating political and military tension for years, the consequences of their foolish actions were first felt here.

The anxious worry on their faces would only fade once the overly concentrated imperial troops on the borders retreated.

Both the Count’s House, which had endured war, and the people of the Marquis Family, who had to live in this constant tension, had gone through a lot.

‘Fortunately, the procedures went smoothly.’

I was told that the Kalia Marquis’s eldest daughter, Eunice Kalia, was stationed in the Great Forest.

I wondered if there had been some previous ties with the Kalia Marquis Family beforehand.

Thankfully, the head of the family, who talked with Friel, graciously welcomed us at the Count’s House.

Including knights like Diolia and servants who traveled with us, Shione’s room was assigned, and they promised to ensure our comfort during our stay.

After three days of recovering from the journey and exploring a bit, we would be waiting for Friel Arielte to finish her work quickly at the Marquis Family.

In this settled situation, I found myself alone in the room assigned to Shione, waiting for her.

‘She mentioned she’d meet the head of the family. It seems the conversation is taking longer than expected.’

Shianella’s Count House had a reputation high enough for an opportunity to collaborate with the Marquis Family.

Being the daughter of the Count brought Shione the chance to have a conversation with the head of the family.

She had gone out for a brief talk with Diolia, who was assigned to her as a guard.

Shione didn’t need to flaunt her abilities as a Spirit Mage even at the Marquis family.

Having left the Cotton Puff summoned back, I spent time either gazing around the room or lost in thought.

‘The head of the Marquis Family, huh─’

In my brief encounter with the head, they appeared older than Friel Arielte described, looking somewhat frail.

Although the current head’s eyes didn’t sparkle with sharpness, they weren’t muddled either.

I figured Shione could manage a decent conversation with her, given that she was with someone like Diolia.

‘Hmm…’

The head was a knight, someone who would naturally wield mana.

Since they aged slower than common folks, if they looked significantly aged, then they were probably older than they appeared.

Contrastingly, the eldest daughter, Eunice Kalia, and the second son seemed quite young.

It appeared there might be some complicated family circumstances, and as I pondered these thoughts, the door creaked open.

Finally, Shione came into the room.

“Shione─”

As I called her name, getting ready to greet her.

“……”

Shione’s expression seemed unnaturally cold, as if something had happened.

Bang.

The door to the room closed firmly.

As a guest of nobility, the soundproofing of the room was solid.

Cautiously stepping into the center of the room, a small wrinkle formed on Shione’s beautiful forehead.

“…Princess Shione?”

“Ray. Just like Arielte said.”

Her eyes narrowed, filled with confusion.

“The second son, Allen Kalia… he feels strange.”

“……”

No, I need some context to react properly.

I stared blankly at her without saying anything.

 

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