Chapter 91
The shopping district of the Tuna Territory was bustling with tourists from all over the empire. Though the crowd was diverse, their conversations were mostly about the new villa of the Spes family.
The villa, said to be a gift from the emperor, was built in the most scenic spot in Tuna Territory. Rumors were spreading everywhere about sightings of the 4th Prince and the Spes duchess’ daughter, along with testimonies that they were the ones who had slain the monsters that attacked the territory.
Mercenary Ferry left his usual noisy eatery, absently fiddling with the sheath of his sword.
“This is bad. We’re way too short on numbers.”
“It’d be stranger if suitable candidates were common,” replied a woman in a brown cloak, her hood pulled low—Maria.
Her frame was so thin and frail that it looked as if a light push might break her, drawing curious glances from passersby.
“What exactly is a suitable one? Tell me and we can search together. Two heads are better than one.”
“You wouldn’t be able to find them even if I told you.”
Maria’s gaze lingered briefly on specks of light caught on a tree branch before moving on.
“This month we only managed to bring in two. And one of them was enrolled in the Academy, so that just turned into a scolding.”
“The problem was when the kid’s father showed up.”
At her indifferent reply, Ferry grumbled further.
“How was I supposed to know someone would chase us all the way here? You said as long as they weren’t nobles, it was fine—now you change your tune.”
Maria scanned her surroundings with detached eyes.
“Where are we going today?”
“Maybe toward the capital. More drifters around there.”
“Suit yourself…”
Just then Maria stopped in her tracks, her gaze fixed on something ahead.
It was Ring, arms full with bundles of groceries. He examined some luscious fruit before spotting Tuna’s specialty.
“This is the waterberry, right?”
“You must be a traveler if you don’t know waterberries,” said the vendor.
“Give me twenty, please.”
The vendor packed the fruit into a bag and handed it over. Ring paid and struggled to balance the heavy load between his two hands.
Maria called out to Ferry.
“Ferry, that kid’s a suitable one. A high-level one, at that.”
Ferry’s face lit up as he turned.
“What? Finding one this close—jackpot.”
“From the looks of it, he works at some noble’s villa…”
“That’s fine. He’s not a noble himself.”
Licking his lips, Ferry swaggered after Ring.
***
In the villa’s reception room, Eluana, Kazar, and Sing gathered. Spread across the large table was a detailed sketch of the iron mine’s surroundings, drawn by Edelweiss members.
Kazar pointed to the map.
“Half of the Spes knights should be sent to Lutin Territory. Just having them patrol there will divert attention.”
“And while that happens, we move?”
“Exactly. We station the rest here at this point, then infiltrate the mine.”
“So it’ll be you, me, Sing, and Line going in?”
There were only two stealth artifacts, so at most four could enter.
“If you’re going, that lineup is the most efficient.”
They only needed to scout the layout, personnel, and children’s locations—there shouldn’t be much danger. Yet a strange tension hung in the air.
Sing, who had been studying the map, spoke.
“Look at how they’ve layered the patrols. Just screams of hidden secrets. I can smell it from here—reeks like rotting crime. These kinds usually fall into three categories: criminals, heinous criminals, and those who’ve given up being human altogether.”
Eluana gave Sing instructions.
“Select some Spes knights to send to Lutin Territory. If a signal flare goes up, they should charge in immediately.”
“Got it. I’ll let them know.”
Once Sing left, Eluana turned back to the map.
“What are these circles?”
Kazar answered.
“They mark where knights guarding the mine have been spotted. Unlike the regular patrol soldiers, the knights move irregularly. We’ll need to be cautious.”
As he finished, his eyes drifted to Eluana’s profile.
“Hey.”
She looked up.
His face showed hesitation, as if what he was about to say was difficult.
“Before we enter the mine, there’s something I should tell you.”
“What is it?”
“There shouldn’t be problems since we’re only scouting, but if things get risky, there might be… contact.”
“Contact?”
“I mean, us getting close, touching.”
“…Is that really worth bringing up?”
He had already carried her on his back before, not to mention chopping the side of her neck without hesitation.
“It’s because of a contract I made with the duke. I’m not allowed physical contact outside of escort duties unless I have your consent.”
“You signed something like that? Father, really…”
It was meddlesome, yet oddly it didn’t feel unpleasant—probably because the Duke now felt like her father.
Eluana cleared her throat lightly.
“So I just need to give verbal permission?”
Kazar nodded. She considered what kinds of “contact” might be necessary.
“Hmm… pulling me, holding me, carrying me, slinging me over your shoulder—I permit all that.”
That should cover emergencies.
“And if I make unpermitted contact?”
“Since I signed a magical contract, my heart would stop.”
Her eyes widened at his calm reply.
“Isn’t that too extreme? Fine—then I’ll allow all physical contact in emergencies. That should solve it.”
“…Yeah.”
Though it was framed as only in emergencies, wasn’t she trusting him too much? Kazar looked away, focusing back on the map.
Just then the door opened and Line entered, handing them two vials filled with black liquid.
“Drink.”
Eluana eyed the vials warily. They looked more like poison than antidote.
“I thought the earrings made me immune.”
“You don’t know what you ingested, so think of this as general fortification.”
Kazar, experienced, lifted his vial first and downed it in one go.
“Doesn’t taste good, but it’s good for you.”
Reluctantly, Eluana sipped hers. Just a mouthful twisted her whole face.
“Ah.”
It wasn’t just bitter—it was sour, sweet, salty, and spicy all at once. Grimacing, she snatched candy from a tin on the table and popped one into her mouth, but the misery didn’t fade.
‘I’ll never eat anything suspicious again.’
That taste sealed her resolve. She suddenly wondered what exactly Shavia’s “medicine” had been.
“What did I ingest?”
Line shook his head.
“Impossible to know now—it’s already neutralized. The Marquis Fegimul family manufactures a vast range of drugs.”
“If they really slipped her something, they must’ve been shocked when nothing happened.”
“By the way, what do you think of Potio Valon Fegimul? I can’t quite pin down that heir.”
Eluana recalled Potio’s languid gaze and airheaded manner of speaking.
Most likely…
“He’s someone trying hard to look pathetic.”
“That’s a fresh take.”
“He doesn’t seem bad. Almost surprising he’s from the Fegimul family at all.”
Updating his mental notes, Line asked again.
“But friend, aren’t you planning to stay at the villa? You’ve already done enough by leading the knights here naturally. It could get dangerous.”
“Sitting in the villa won’t magically make me safe, will it?”
“Safer than hiking into the mountains with us.”
Eluana shook her head.
“I want to see more of the world.”
“The world?”
“The Aden I grew up in was peaceful. I thought the whole world was like that until I met Prince Regis. But there are plenty of bad people—some not even worthy of being called human.”
She realized she couldn’t protect Louis or herself by staying confined in a small, peaceful world.
“If I don’t see the world clearly, I can’t govern Spes Territory properly. I might end up like that ruler who said, ‘If there’s no bread, let them eat cake.’”
Line blinked, caught off guard. Her answer was far beyond his expectations. Embarrassed, he rubbed the back of his neck.
“You’ll make a good duchess.”
Kazar agreed.
“I also think it’s best to do what you can, as much as you can.”
“With even Your Highness saying that, how can I argue?”
At that moment, Sing returned.
“What’s there to argue?”
“Line thinks I should stay in the villa,” Eluana explained.
Sing immediately stood by her side.
“Did Weed-Head dare oppose the lady’s decision?”
Line bristled.
“Who are you calling Weed-Head?!”
“You! A parasite-infested weed, trying to go against our lady? Unforgivable! Obstacles on her path must be uprooted!”
“It’s dangerous, that’s all. Don’t you have any sense of tension as her guard?”
“You, with aura no bigger than a mouse dropping, should be tense. I, however, can protect her. You’re weaker than His Highness, yet call yourself her guard? Pathetic.”
“Stop saying mouse droppings! My worth isn’t in swordsmanship—”
“Then what?”
“In being the leader of Edelweiss!”
The words burst out confidently—then Line froze. That was supposed to be a secret.
“That idiot…”
Kazar covered his face with his hand.
Line stammered, realizing his slip. Sing gaped.
“So all the info that’s been reaching the knights came from Edelweiss members?”
He’d assumed Line was merely a subordinate of the prince.
Watching the scene, Eluana tilted her head. Judging by Sing’s reaction, Edelweiss must be famous.
Kazar explained.
“One of the empire’s three great intelligence groups: ‘Edelweiss,’ ‘Deep Night,’ and ‘Clear.’”
“‘Deep Night’ are those guys. What about Clear?”
“Their nature is ambiguous. They keep to certain lines. Some say they protect slums, but who knows if that’s true. Since they’re selective about jobs, their presence is less noticeable.”
“I see.”
“Anyway, keep Line’s identity as Edelweiss leader a secret.”
“I will.”
Everyone looked at Sing.
“…I said I will! I’d never spill someone else’s secret. I’m actually pretty taciturn. You can call me Silent Sing.”
He didn’t sound convincing.
Before they could press him further, someone else’s presence was felt.
“It’s Anne, my lady.”
“Come in.”
With Eluana’s permission, Anne entered.
“Ring hasn’t returned from shopping. Shall I send people to search for him?”
