MFWSP 52

Chapter 52

“You sure do like telling unbelievable stories.”

Karsiel, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke.

“It takes at least a year to develop a portal. Are you saying you’ve been planning to invite the Duke for over a year?”

“…I may have exaggerated a little. Truthfully, I developed it for my own freedom.”

David let out a short laugh. His expression was far too relaxed for someone who was supposedly flustered.

“But it’s true that I opened the portal to the Imperial Palace thanks to your letter, Your Grace, after much difficulty getting my father’s permission.”

His tone became serious.

“There was a sense of urgency in your letter. This was the fastest way.”

I stared directly into David’s eyes. The letter had clearly stated that visiting the Marquess of Adelon directly from the Ducal estate would be difficult.

“Does that mean it’s possible to reach the Adelon estate through the Imperial Palace’s portal?”

“That’s correct.”

“And the Marquess, who’s known for being wary of outsiders, approved? That easily?”

“…If you put it that way.”

David answered ambiguously.

I gave him a disbelieving look, and he let out a small sigh.

“Since you seem to already know, I’ll be honest. The portal permits travel for three people. I allowed for companions accompanying me to the banquet.”

He continued.

“And I came alone, without any attendants.”

“So it’s not specified who the three travelers have to be?”

“You’re quick to understand.”

David nodded.

It was a shallow trick, but an effective one.

The Marquess hadn’t technically given permission, but once I arrived, he wouldn’t be able to drive me out. I was the Duke of Apellemyon, after all.

“If you come with me right now, I’ll give you what you want.”

At my silence, David added with a playful wink.

What I wanted, of course, meant guidance to the Black Valley.

“Right now? From here?”

“There’s no faster time than now. Aren’t you in a hurry?”

I quickly recalculated the dates in my head.

If not now, it would be too late.

In her second life, Grace had found the fruit within ten days of entering the Black Valley. By now, she would’ve already contacted the Taigen family.

“Do we need Imperial permission?”

“If a member of the Imperial family approves, the person in charge will overlook it.”

Both David and I turned to look at Karsiel.

“And conveniently, the man who won the war thanks to Your Grace’s help is standing right here.”

At David’s words, Karsiel gave him a cold once-over.

David, sensing the weight of that stare, adjusted his sleeves and collar but didn’t look away.

“A Duke with no personal ties to the Marquess suddenly has urgent business in the Adelon estate… The real destination must be the Black Valley next to it.”

Karsiel said flatly.

“Considering your interest in magic stones, there must be something there you absolutely need.”

“That’s correct.”

I answered.

Just like David said, I was in a hurry.

I didn’t have time to explain the situation to the portal manager. I didn’t want the Empress to find out either.

“If you’ll permit me…”

“I permit it.”

Karsiel answered.

David and I both lit up at his words, but Karsiel quickly added:

“On the condition that I accompany you.”

“I’m sorry, but that’s not possible.”

David frowned as he rejected him.

“You said three people were allowed to travel.”

“It’s different if one of them is royalty. If something happens, Adelon will be held responsible.”

“Then we’ll go through the proper channels. I don’t have the authority to approve it on my own.”

“…”

David bit his lip hard. I turned back toward Karsiel.

“This is a critical matter for me, Your Highness.”

“It’s the same for me. Your safety is at stake.”

Karsiel’s answer was absolute and unwavering.

The warmth I’d felt from his gaze moments ago had turned ice-cold.

“It’s surprising that someone who warned me about danger can’t recognize their own.”

“It’s not like that…”

“Do you completely trust him? Are you certain he could never harm you? If you answer that with confidence, I’ll let you go.”

He pushed relentlessly.

I couldn’t answer right away.

In my previous life, David had been a neutral figure. He had never taken Grace’s side, nor had he helped me without getting something in return.

Which meant… I had no idea what he truly wanted.

“…I thought so.”

Karsiel seemed to interpret my silence as confirmation.

“Then take me with you. I promise not to interfere.”

“Sigh… Do we really have to go this far? Father’s going to…”

David buried his face in his hands briefly before finally nodding.

“Fine. But Your Highness, please walk a few steps behind. I need to speak privately with the Duke.”

“Don’t order royalty around.”

Despite his words, Karsiel stepped back, allowing David and me to lead the way.

Entering the portal was simple.

Karsiel quickly found his adjutant, Luten, explained the situation, and dumped all responsibility on him. He half-heartedly promised to return before the five-day banquet ended.

“You better keep that promise. Don’t just disappear.”

“…”

“If Your Highness is absent, Prince Balthazar will end up leading the banquet. I really don’t want to see that.”

“…”

“Your Highness? Please at least respond.”

As Karsiel stepped into the portal using David’s emblem, Luten glared at him, but Karsiel steadfastly refused to look back or reply.

The portal was shaped like a dark tunnel. There were occasional patches of blue light, so it wasn’t pitch black. According to David, after about 20 minutes of walking, we’d reach the exit.

“There are some broken areas because it was opened in a rush. Be careful not to fall.”

“Sounds like it really was difficult to open.”

I looked around as I spoke.

Just as David had said, parts of the tunnel walls looked dangerously unstable.

“My father doesn’t like flashy entrances.”

“And I doubt he’ll welcome secret ones either.”

“…”

David, who had been walking ahead, suddenly smiled faintly. There was a bitter edge to it.

“Are you curious? Why I’m going this far?”

He suddenly turned to ask me.

“Losing a bet was one thing, but that doesn’t mean I’m obligated to risk everything to help you. I could’ve done just enough within reason.”

“I know.”

I answered.

Like David said, I didn’t know why he was going so far as to deceive the Marquess just to help me.

I was in a rush and pushed him to open the territory, but what was his reason?

“Do you want payment?”

Aside from the bet, I couldn’t think of any other reason.

The David Adelon I knew was someone who calculated everything.

“I just didn’t want to make an enemy of you.”

David answered with a faint smile.

“When I heard you kicked the Penten family out of your duchy, I was truly impressed. Every rumor I’ve heard about you is remarkable.”

His eyes curved like a crescent moon.

“Now that you’re called the Goddess of War, I felt like… if you were on my side, I could win.”

“Win what?”

“Just… life, maybe.”

David said.

For a brief moment, there was a bitter gleam in his eyes.

“I like people like you. The kind of person you instinctively want on your side.”

It was obvious that he was smiling to win my favor, but… it didn’t seem completely insincere either.

“I’m a coward, you see. Always looking for an escape route.”

He whispered, his gaze warming, his voice turning more honeyed than before.

“We’re almost there.”

Still looking straight into my eyes, David reached out as if to fix my hair.

His gaze met mine with a lazy smile.

And at that moment, I realized something.

He wasn’t asking for payment.

This was all… a form of seduction.

A deliberate and effective seduction from someone who knew how to use their looks.

“David.”

I started to step back, but Karsiel was faster.

“Hands off.”

He commanded in a chilly voice.

“Before I break them. Now.”