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Two elves and a human entered the reception room.

They seemed acutely aware of each other’s status and had something quite important to discuss.

Seated across from each other, they maintained a formal demeanor.

Breaking the silence, the first to speak was the owner of the natural fortress.

The head of the family, Ileyana Kalia.

“My friends who have come from the Great Forest. I hear you have an important message to deliver. Since the previous conversation has sufficiently lightened the mood, perhaps it’s time to share it now.”

While she had aged and wrinkled since inheriting her family’s position, the years of experience and accumulated wisdom as a family head and knight dedicated to the kingdom shone through in her words.

Ileyana Kalia gazed directly at Friel and Elisa.

‘The head of the family decades ago was quite remarkable for a human, wasn’t he? But even such a beastlike presence—’

Friel Arielte met her steady gaze with poise.

‘I thought mana had slipped away along with my vitality. Now I realize I’ve merely become an aging recluse waiting for death.’

Instead of answering Ileyana’s question right away, Friel elegantly lifted the teacup before her.

The liquid inside rippled with her movement.

After savoring the tea momentarily, she took a sip.

‘So the saying goes, even a beast loses its teeth yet remains a beast, doesn’t it?’

Whether during her previous encounter with Eunice Kalia or this new meeting, one could only admire how formidable her spirit remained, despite being merely human.

Yet, it was time to dispense with idle chatter and get to the crux of the matter.

“I take it you are aware that beasts corrupted by magic have been roaming near the territory?”

“I have heard reports of several infected entities recently discovered, which is not a good sign, but my second son is leading part of the 3rd Legion along with the 1st Legion to defend the territory.”

“Ah, Allen Kalia is in charge of the territory’s defense then.”

“Indeed. While Eunice seems quite wary of her brother, the rumors about him recently haven’t been favorable…”

As Ileyana’s words trailed off, anxiety began to cloud her features, as if his reckless behavior intertwined with her own worries.

In that brief moment, beneath her role as a logical lord of a territory, the deep contemplation typical of an old woman flickered.

But only for a moment.

Ileyana once again donned the mask of a ruler, as naturally as she would at any other time.

“Still, the fact that the leader of the 1st Legion has expressed a desire to follow him indicates he possesses a certain skill. We already have an understanding regarding these corrupted beings. Were you intending to relay this?”

“Yes, partially.”

“Partially, you say…?”

“The rest will be explained by those of us who confronted the monsters directly, my lady.”

Friel passed the turn to Elisa.

As Ileyana’s gaze shifted from Friel to Elisa, the latter bowed her head slightly.

“Then, I, Elisa, shall address you from now on, my lady.”

“Please do.”

“Yes. We encountered a total of six groups of monsters while traversing the western mountains of the Marquis family, all amassing into a fearful number exceeding ten.”

“…What?”

Ileyana’s voice was laced with astonishment.

If there were six groups forming numbers surpassing ten, that meant corrupted beings in this territory could be composing an army of sixty or more—certainly not something to be ignored.

“Such events have occurred in the western mountains?”

“Yes, we found four groups in the midrange of the mountain and dispatched them, and while guarding the vicinity of our carriage, we also spotted monsters that had come surprisingly close to the center of the territory.”

“They’ve come that close to the center? Could you detail where exactly?”

“Perhaps from one mountain over, right near here, to the midpoint where we first encountered them, the area would stretch quite broadly.”

At those words, Ileyana’s expression began to visibly sour.

“Thanks to your assistance recently, we’ve had a bit of leeway at the borders. So, Allen has returned here to manage the territory’s safety. Especially since the small village at the midpoint of the western region is a resting place for merchants coming from the west and north, managing its safety is paramount.”

Friel interjected.

“Indeed, we also passed by that village the other day. Quite a few carriages were about.”

“Yet, Allen, who has returned to the mansion, hasn’t sent me a single report regarding this matter.”

Ileyana’s pupils had grown cold.

Yet, it was not just a complete rationality that had chilled in her eyes.

There was also a trace of icy fury mingled in.

“Can you both swear there is no falsehood in that statement?”

“Of course. Both of us can swear before the spirits and World Tree.”

“…Oh…”

With elves invoking the World Tree and spirits, how could one deny it?

The head of the family pressed her fingers against her temples to alleviate her headache.

Friel maintained her gaze on her.

“It’s not normal for so many monsters to appear all at once. I suspect cultists or half-demons have hidden themselves in the western mountains.”

“…Isn’t that a bit presumptuous? There shouldn’t be such beings in this territory—”

“My lady, last year at the Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony, remnants of cultists breached that solid security. Recently, the honored guests from the Count’s House who came with us have fought against demons. The kingdom is swirling into confusion. At this point in time, those who worship demons can commit any act, anywhere.”

Ileyana fell silent.

“I hear the Count’s House has also experienced an invasion of cultists and hidden explosive magic formations along the castle walls.”

“…….”

“It all happened so suddenly and unpredictably.”

Friel spoke with conviction.

“Sixty monsters infected by magic. They couldn’t possibly appear out of thin air unless something compelled them. Moreover, they could show up anywhere, at any time.”

Her turquoise eyes piercingly took charge of the room’s atmosphere.

“Neither the Kalia Marquis nor, regrettably, our Great Forest are exceptions to this. It wouldn’t hurt to heighten your vigilance beyond the average level.”

“…You’ve certainly given this a great deal of thought. I would like to take the wisdom of the elves; can you assist me?”

“Of course.”

“What do you think I should do to navigate this situation?”

Friel seemed to have waited specifically for this question.

“The third son of the Marquis,” she stated with an answer befitting the situation.

“Gather those who do not align with the second son and have them dispatched to guard the west instead of Allen Kalia.”

“And the reason for that?”

Now, all that remained was to forge a convincing rationale that aligned with her predetermined answer.

*

Outside, the weather was so clear.

There was no way a person could remain cooped up in a room, brooding away the day.

Shione and I had quickly grabbed breakfast and were now strolling outside, passing the time together.

“The weather’s nice.”

“Indeed—”

Shione turned her head to me with a smile.

“It’s so nice to be alone with you after a long time.”

“……?”

…Suddenly, why such a grotesque comment?

“Weren’t we alone in the carriage?”

“Ray the spirit was there too. It was embarrassing to hold your hand while those two little eyes were staring at us.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, and just holding hands like this…”

Shione grabbed my left hand with her right.

Then, with her left hand, she made a fist and slapped it lightly on the back of my hand.

Tap.

“And when I try to fly over and drop my arm like this….”

Shione’s smile twisted.

From a fresh, blooming spring atmosphere to a rotten grin.

“…All my carefully thought-out plans have become utterly useless thanks to the spirit.”

“…….”

Plans, what plans?

Why did my master suddenly seem so immature?

I could only let out a small sigh at the ominous tone of her words.

“By the way, Ray, when do you plan to give the spirit a name?”

“A name? I plan to name it in the Great Forest.”

“In the Great Forest?”

“Yes.”

Giving a name to a spirit is not something to be taken lightly.

“And I’d like to name it when Cotton Puff is in the best condition… and there’s something else I need to prepare.”

I intended to name the spirit after thorough preparations when I had the spirit stone that Siabel had sneakily slipped into my pocket.

Once we enter the Great Forest, that’s when I would properly name it.

After all, the spirit stone the next head of the family acquired was anything but ordinary.

I was quite looking forward to how Cotton Puff would turn out.

As we casually chatted about Cotton Puff,

Soon after…

“Ah? Young Lady Shione?”

I heard a voice from the side that I had never heard before.

“This voice is….”

However, just as he knew Shione’s name,

Shione’s face quickly shifted from calm to expressionless.

Who could she be looking at like that?

I turned to see who it was and instantly felt my expression freeze.

‘That person is….’

Maybe about 165 cm?

For a man in this world, he was quite small and petite.

And he bore a similar appearance and aura to Eunice Kalia, whom I had met in the royal castle before.

As he approached with a smiling woman who looked like a knight, my heart sank.

“Allen Kalia?”

“I didn’t expect to see the Young Lady here as well! Were you nearby sightseeing?”

He was none other than the mischievous Allen Kalia, the very one Friel despised!

His voice oozed a desire to be seen as cute rather than a blatant act, mixed with an attractive tone that subtly flirted.

Desperately trying to keep my face from contorting into something grotesque, I silently gasped.

No, no matter what, this was too much.

Now he was even staring at me with those big, round eyes, taking a quick look.

I could only let out a quiet breath in resignation.

How could it be better to have Bronte wanting to look cute with his nose snorting in comparison?

‘…Is this the charm that captivates the captain of the first legion of the Marquis House?’

I couldn’t tell if the world had become madder than I thought or if that captain had peculiar tastes.

The first impression of Allen Kalia was indeed nothing short of the worst.

 

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