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As soon as the princess returned to the capital, it was like the floodgates had opened, allowing a torrent of chaos to pour forth. The grand expedition planned with great care by the Count’s House began to unfold.

Thanks to securing several contracts with the Marquis Family and selling off the grotesque remnants of monsters dealt with during the last war, they found themselves with a comfortable budget even after the restoration efforts.

Moreover, with the royal family’s support and push behind them—

“Are you thinking of going too?”

“To the Demonic Realm, huh? The restoration work has wrapped up, and with customers trickling away, it’s been gathering flies. As a carpenter, I can’t miss the chance to build a base there.”

“Hmmm… isn’t it a bit dangerous, though? Even with good pay, I’m still pondering it.”

“The knights of our Count’s House will sweep through, and the mercenaries flooding the fortress territory will take care of the guards. What’s there to be afraid of as a woman? The royal family’s backing is behind us… I’ll be making some serious earnings, so you can stay back like a coward.”

“Are you provoking me right now?”

“…I’m just speaking the truth. Why are you holding a saw when that’s the case? No one’s got a worse temperament than you.”

Drawn by the honor and money, mercenaries flocked to the Count’s House, and laborers eager to construct a forward base for the exploration of the Demonic Realm were gathering like bees to honey.

Known previously as a place where no one dared to tread, the land beyond the Beltlin Mountain Range was dubbed the Demonic Realm. However, news of the Special Mission Team’s success had spread, and now the region was seen as a target for exploration, no longer an inviolable area.

The Duke’s declaration, after settling the demons attacking our territory, proclaimed that the Demonic Realm should no longer be a forbidden ground but rather a land of opportunity, especially now with the royal family getting involved. It became a place not just of death, but of dangerous yet new possibilities.

“Captain, is it really wise to accept the request for exploring the Demonic Realm? No matter how you slice it—”

“Shut it, you coward. Losing your nerve just because you’re a woman! Have we ever received requests without putting our lives on the line?”

“Well… no, not really?”

“Exactly. And have you ever seen this much money and manpower being thrown at something like this? You won’t be able to die even if you wanted to. Every task we tackle is just cleaning up after the knights have done the heavy lifting. And if we’re lucky enough to find something, the bonus will be hefty. Don’t you want to earn some cash?”

Besides, the generous reward had definitely captured their hearts.

“Priest, is everything well prepared?”

“As a servant of the divine, what greater honor could there be? I’m prepared enough to purify the tainted land any time now.”

With the priests eagerly joining in for the prospects of swift promotions based on contribution and purification of the Demonic Realm, both the locals and outsiders could only wait with bated breath for additional announcements regarding the expedition from the Count’s House. Consequently, Ainel and Siabel were leading the preparations for the expedition within the lord’s castle.

While Sion and I largely spent our days checking in on the Special Mission Team, we also didn’t neglect how to deal with those who had cast Shione into the depths of despair.

“Ray, I met with Sion after discussing Piana Trilla.”

We were set to make our final move to stir up some trouble.

“…He said he didn’t know just how severe things had gotten behind the scenes and couldn’t lift his head. It took him quite a while to gather himself.”

Shione had told me that she and Sion had been very close before she locked herself away. Sion had admired her efforts, seeing her as a role model.

After hearing nothing but hateful words once that role model crumbled, it seemed to have turned affection into disdain toward her.

Shione must have been quite shocked if she didn’t know the critical reason that led her sister into seclusion. Perhaps her brother thought that the criticisms had started after Shione had shut herself away.

‘Shione probably has much to discuss with Sion too.’

Their family matters were more complicated than I had expected.

Indeed, the Shione who had been broken by others and the Shione who actually faced harsh criticism had not been properly understood by Sion, who had nurtured a complex mixture of love and resentment. If only he had sought the truth… their relationship needn’t have soured.

Perhaps before my arrival, someone else stepped in as her support besides Herrel.

‘And that’s something for the two of them to resolve.’

Getting embroiled in hidden matters and stale emotions was not something I’d want to meddle in.

Still, unlike the relationship between Siabel and Shione, there was an awkward distance between Shione and Sion, so I found myself hoping they would eventually work things out while shifting my focus back to Shione’s story.

“Anyway, in the end, Sion has agreed to help me.”

“Piana Trilla is quite the significant supporter for Lord Sion, isn’t she?”

“That’s true, but she tends to be a bit ambiguous. Even though she’s part of my faction, whenever there’s talk, if it doesn’t benefit her significantly, she tends to be quite discreet. That can be a hindrance at times.”

“She wouldn’t quite be called a loyal subject, then.”

“Right. Also—”

Shione tucked her long, flowing hair behind her ear, taking a breath.

“Being someone who originally sided with my sister but then aligning with her, it’s odd… when the head maid was plotting with her, Sion had just awakened a weak Divine Power. Given what I’ve heard today, the timing of the attack toward me feels too coincidental.”

“…….”

“Wanting to keep someone close who has lost all trust isn’t very appealing to me. That’s why when he offers to help actively, it’s certainly good news.”

Perhaps their conversation had delved a little deeper than Sion’s topics.

Shione whispered, her expression oddly enigmatic despite the positive situation.

But she soon exhaled, releasing her emotions with a sigh, and returned to her usual vivacious self.

“By the way, Ray, you had a discussion set up with my sister today, right?”

“Yes, since I can’t leave the Karpel Barony just as is.”

Up until now, if Sion had gone to discuss matters with the church, only the final approval was left. Ainel was busy fulfilling her part in the negotiations with the church, so Siabel had planned to discuss the management of the barony in the head of the family’s stead.

Shione casually prodded me about the discussion I had planned with her later.

“Could you let her know then?”

“Are you asking me to inform her from start to finish?”

“Yes. Right now, everyone is preoccupied with the expedition. If you inform my sister ahead of time, it will help her organize to hold the trial once the critical mission of the Special Mission Team concludes.”

“The trial is something I should inform the head of the family about, no?”

“No—”

Shione shook her head lazily.

“It’s better to inform my sister first so she can prepare before the trial is opened. She probably knows more about my past than mother does.”

Siabel should know more about herself than Ainel.

Well, if Shione says so, then so be it. I had even involved Aheira directly and successfully wrapped up my conversations with Sion.

“I’ll do as you say.”

There’s no harm in following Shione’s words.

*

By afternoon, Siabel must have managed to carve out some time.

The familiar Bronte showed up.

“Ray, you’ve been busy, haven’t you? Congratulations on becoming a baron! Should I start calling you ‘Baron’ now…?”

“What’s with that? Just ‘Ray’ is fine.”

“I thought as much. It’s just Siabel who calls you that… Are you ready?”

“Of course.”

As we chatted about trivial matters, I headed toward Siabel’s office.

Once we arrived, Bronte tactfully knocked on the door.

“Lady Siabel, Baron Ray Karpel has arrived.”

As this was a position established as the head of the Karpel Baron Family, when Bronte announced my arrival, Siabel invited me in, stepping aside.

I exchanged light farewells with him and turned the doorknob to enter the office.

“Baron Ray Karpel. You must be busy with the Special Mission Team’s departure soon, so thank you for finding the time. Please, sit here.”

Siabel greeted me in front of a mountain of paperwork, her tone more formal than usual.

As I followed her lead and took a seat—

“I’ve prepared various snacks while waiting for the baron’s arrival. I hope they suit your taste.”

Offering the neatly arranged refreshments, Siabel, after grabbing some documents from the desk, sat across from me, revealing her relaxed side.

“It feels a bit strange to keep saying ‘Baron.’ Is it okay if I just speak as I usually do?”

Even though she was already speaking more casually, it seemed unnecessary to ask.

But since I was much more comfortable with the usual Siabel, I readily accepted her offer.

“Of course. Just because I’ve become a baron doesn’t change the fact that I’m still a knight of the Count’s House.”

 

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