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I guess it was more disappointing that I didn’t bring a gift. Or perhaps it was the frustration of having to hide my embarrassment in front of Siabel, after boasting so much until now. Diolia’s struggles were quite peculiar, to say the least.

“Hmm, well, Siabel and Diolia are quite close, so…”

Given how tangled things have become, it wasn’t hard to understand Siabel’s delight in teasing Diolia as I imagined her reactions.

One would think she could have at least brought a gift fitting of a superior… But seeing Diolia’s response made me feel a tad guilty for a moment.

Yet, she quickly returned to her usual cheerful self.

“While the Deputy Commander and Princess Shione are away, Ainel has issued an order.”

“Perhaps it’s about the Western Expedition?”

“Correct. They must have just returned, but how did you know?”

“I ran into Siabel before coming here. She mentioned that it’s been quite hectic, so I figured as much.”

“…Indeed, it has been hectic.”

It seems even Diolia couldn’t escape the harsh reality of heavy workloads.

She let out a deep sigh, as heavy as Siabel’s.

“The next mission for the expedition team has been defined with the Western Expedition coming to fruition. The goal is to stabilize the entry point where the base will be built and assess the concentration of mana.”

“Stabilizing the entry point… So it’s tied to the expedition team. Could you elaborate a bit more?”

“Why is it called the Demonic Realm? Because it’s filled with unpredictable variables. Just recently, a swarm of monsters surged from that demonic realm and overwhelmed the Count’s House… I suspect they want the expedition team to take their time establishing a foothold amidst the chaos.”

There were hordes of monsters thick enough to be visible even from the towering castle walls. Though it feels a bit vacant now since a demon once brought a bunch of monsters out. The variety and nuisance of enemies we encountered back then were indeed memorable.

“They said our special task force would clean up the area before the expedition team arrives. Afterwards, the expedition team will adapt to the environment while a defense squad holds the fort and maintains vigilance against any threats.”

It seems like they’ll require a performance that can guarantee both physical and mental security for those coming to the demonic realm, which is nothing like the icy northern grounds.

“Nevertheless, the crucial part is that assessing the mana concentration means checking if we can purify deeper inland with divine power, doesn’t it?”

“May I ask when the next deployment will be?”

It seems they had already factored this in beforehand and had been training diligently. If the Knights’ Order gets sent to the demonic realm as soon as they’re ready, I cannot afford to sit still.

Convincing Shione to retreat from the Beltirin Mountains like Lee Seong-gye after a successful campaign and turn the Count’s House upside down might not be a bad idea. It seems Shione has taken a liking to power lately. Perhaps as the drumbeat of rebellion begins to resonate, things will get interesting.

“Hahaha, you don’t need to worry. Just relax your expression a bit. No way would Princess Shione and the Deputy Commander jump into action right after coming back. The expedition team still needs time to train our knights properly.”

Thank goodness Diolia added that to calm my restless heart stirred by thoughts of rebellion.

With that, Diolia naturally led me to a spot with a clear view of the knights in training at the martial grounds.

Of course, it wasn’t just the knights; some priests were also conducting joint training with a few knights. They were rolling on the ground or throwing themselves to dodge attacks, quickly regaining their stances to continue practicing.

“If we’re going to face the monsters from the demonic realm, we need to train accordingly,” she stated, clearly.

That’s reasonable. Fighting humans and beasts are different.

What’s more, these aren’t your average beasts; the monsters infused with mana are quite vicious, starting from slicing through skin and leather, rampaging to drink blood without discretion. Priests can’t guarantee safety even if they step back during battles.

“When fighting humans, wider sword trajectories can be unfavorable, but it’s different when facing monsters. When the Deputy Commander is away, we’ve particularly enhanced the knights’ sword skills.”

Just as confidently as Diolia spoke, the knights’ swords lunged with even more vigor than before.

Larger movements naturally added more power, but that also meant there were more opportunities for opponents to read their actions and take advantage. In a continuous contest of strategy during battles, it can make things tricky. However, against large monsters, if they don’t add enough power, landing effective blows can be challenging.

Looking at how they move, it seems they’re aiming to evade, waiting for the perfect moment to strike hard.

“Quite a spectacle to behold, huh?”

Thanks to the increased size of their movements, it was entertaining to watch.

As I chatted with Diolia about the knights’ order, Siabel soon arrived.

She appeared with her hair tied back into a ponytail, and Diolia greeted her warmly.

“Welcome, Princess Shione. Have you made good progress in your magic training?”

“Diolia, it’s been a while. Thankfully, my magic training has gone quite well. I think I could incorporate it into archery with a bit more practice.”

“That’s great news. The Deputy Commander should be feeling the pressure now. Soon, you’ll catch up to Princess Shione.”

“Do you really think so? Wouldn’t your true feelings be a tad different?”

What was her deal? Especially Diolia, who recoiled at the suggestion of training together as if it were a matter of life and death.

That thought didn’t linger long. Before long, Diolia carefully scrutinized Siabel and me while we spoke. Siabel seemed to sense something, as she allowed her to speak.

“I’ve noted all the tasks entrusted to me by Princess Shione. Let’s move to another place. Deputy Commander, just a moment—”

“It’s alright. Let Rey join in on this too.”

“…Then I’ll guide you.”

Near the exclusive martial training area for special task forces, a small office for the leader and deputy commander, a space where no news could leak from the inside.

With that confidentiality ensured, Diolia slowly began to speak.

“I’ve uncovered the past and current situation of Herrel, who was Princess Shione’s former personal maid and wet nurse.”

What Diolia had prepared was her story regarding the wet nurse.

“I also acquired information related to Kelsy Arnin, who has been continuing her role as the head maid since then.”

Why does this name sound so familiar? Kelsy… When I first came to the Count’s House, she had a stern demeanor but seemed quite good at her job.

“She incited the servants and maids to spread malicious rumors about Princess Shione and isolated Herrel, cornering her. This is quite a serious crime, indeed.”

The head maid hid a deep abyss of malice in her heart.

“Moreover, it seems someone within the Count’s House has been manipulating her.”

A personal assistant influencing a noble’s lifestyle. Therefore, nobles typically can’t openly insult their retainers. Still, a retainer who shows open disrespect or attempts to undermine their master would be unacceptable.

Diolia’s expression turned cold.

“If it involves purging the rotten parts of the Count’s House, I would gladly wield my sword and name for that cause.”

“……”

“What will you do, Princess Shione?”

“I—”

*

The sun had just dipped below the horizon, and the silver moon was peeking out.

Despite having lived in her room, Shione always shared dinner with her family. Today, too, I found some quiet time as Shione went off to dine with them.

Since I wasn’t her personal attendant anymore, I didn’t need to wait outside the dining hall. She asked me to wait in my room while she talked with Ainel during dinner.

“Isn’t it bad to rummage around for something dreadful?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve cleaned Princess Shione’s room all along, haven’t I? There isn’t anything more to look for.”

“…I’m not sure if I should like this or dislike it.”

I waited quietly for her, just as I had spoken with her before.

“Total annihilation, huh—”

When we talked about her wet nurse and the head maid, Shione chose to bide her time.

Rather than uprooting everything immediately, it seemed she preferred to turn things over thoroughly after readying her resources.

Not rushing into action was indeed wise, especially hearing how severe the head maid’s deeds were.

“In spite of all efforts, comparisons and murmurings of spite have repeatedly reached me.”

Back in the days when a young girl sought affection and love, desperately flitting about to search for her own talents, what crushed her was the judgment of others.

Every child, noble or not, surely found their world filled with busy retainers and the pillars of their family rather than the individuals that actually surrounded them.

Little Shione’s world was largely filled with Herrel, her wet nurse, and the workers roaming about the mansion, along with the tales and stories they shared, along with the petty words and gestures shaping her childhood experiences.

“…How unjust it must have felt.”

Shione, who had heard the behind-the-scenes tales of the head maid, shone with a fleeting darkness of despair in her sapphire eyes. Though she soon regained her color, I caught a glimpse of the stress she must have experienced.

The head maid had stained little Shione’s world. The environment that composed her being had crumbled under the weight of manipulation, causing her to grow up in an atmosphere inundated with slander against herself. It was no wonder she couldn’t find her footing for years.

“They must be feeling quite anxious about this too.”

Both Kelsy Arnin, the head maid, and whoever was orchestrating her.

Just how monumental Shione has grown now!

As those thoughts swirled in my mind, I suddenly heard a scurry outside the door.

The door burst open with a bang and slammed shut again.

Shione appeared, waving a letter in her hand.

“Ray, we’re in deep trouble…!”

Seeing her letting out a curse I had taught her in Korean, it seemed like a major crisis had unfolded.

“What happened that you hurried in like this? Calm down—”

“Calm down? How can I…! The princess herself is coming to the Count’s House!!”

“Wait, what?”

“To see you and me…!”

The arrival of the princess stopped my thoughts dead in their tracks.

 

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