Chapter 135: My Beloved 2

‘I had some expectations, but… this is truly an immense amount…’

The countless wagons before my eyes, and the mountain-like piles of goods stacked upon them.

As someone who had lived as a lord’s son, witnessing the exchange of goods on numerous occasions, the scale of the cargo before me now vastly surpassed anything I had seen thus far.

An enormous quantity of grains, refined steel, gunpowder, fabrics for clothing, and more – just the military supplies alone were of staggering proportions.

Additionally, there were rare items like trade goods, reagents for magic, and ore, the sheer volume of which strained the eye.

Although payment had been rendered, the sheer magnitude of their magnanimous support was overwhelming.

However, along with astonishment, I could not help but feel a profound sense of tension.

‘They provided this much aid? Of course, I understand their position, but… did they truly have reason to go to such lengths for our sake?’

Selfless generosity does not exist.

Even Estelle, who had initiated this endeavor, harbored the clear, if somewhat pure, intention of gaining my favor.

People do not act without cause, and if someone appears to do so, it is essential to exercise suspicion first.

It implies the other party seeks to profit from some overlooked aspect.

With this wariness, I began making my way to meet the person identified as the one responsible for these goods, accompanying them.

“It truly is a staggering amount. The feeling is entirely different from merely glancing over the inventory lists.”

“I share the sentiment. While aid is appreciated, to send such a vast quantity… the Dragonian Empire’s national power truly exceeds imagination.”

Polena, accompanying me as usual, expressed her admiration.

While agreeing with her, I maintained a taut vigilance.

The ‘person in charge’ who would be awaiting me carried no small burden, having brought such immense cargo.

The prospect of meeting someone who undoubtedly harbored considerable demands weighed upon me as well.

‘There is a high likelihood of a substantial request. The precise nature remains to be seen, but…’

Deducing the exact details was impossible for me at present.

However, their willingness to provide such an excessive quantity strongly suggested their demands would be far from trivial.

‘The more one brings, the more one seeks to take… Having brought this much, they will undoubtedly attempt to extract something significant…’

With grave reservations about the impending, potentially colossal demands, Polena and I arrived at the receiving room where the person in charge was supposedly waiting.

“!…Ahem…Ahem…”

Guarding the entrance was an unfamiliar woman.

Neither hideous nor beautiful, her looks could be described as averagely pretty.

Upon noticing us, she seemed to tense up slightly, clearing her throat before respectfully bowing towards Polena and me.

“Greetings… I am Blood Mary of the Dragonian Empire. Might you be Lord Santana Andreas?”

“Yes, I am Santana.”

The woman named Blood scrutinized us with a tense demeanor.

I did not dwell much on her attitude, assuming she felt uneasy in the presence of someone of my high standing.

“We have come to meet the person in charge who is said to be here. Will you grant us entry?”

“Ah… Yes, of course.”

Still sounding tense, she carefully opened the door after responding to me.

As the receiving room’s door slowly opened, Polena and I cautiously entered.

In this familiar space where I had previously met other guests on occasion, a solitary figure came into view at the center…

A woman wearing a black mask, concealing her face.

‘Is she the one in charge? She does not appear to be an ordinary person, at a glance…’

The woman exuded an air of distinction as she sat with a somewhat haughty poise.

According to reports, this person in charge was supposedly the daughter of a duchess of the Dragonian Empire – in other words, a princess.

A princess of the empire.

Her title alone signified a standing that could render someone like me as ‘insignificant’. Unlike my precarious position as a rebel, she possessed the mighty backing of the great and powerful Dragonian Empire.

Setting aside all else, the sheer difference in our fundamental backgrounds meant I could only approach her with deference.

“Greetings. I am Santana Andreas of Bohemia.”

“…”

I offered a polite greeting, as one would when receiving a guest.

However, for some reason, the woman before me did not respond.

The ensuing, inexplicable heavy silence caused me to feel a twinge of bewilderment, heightening my tension further.

I could not discern the precise reason for her lack of acknowledgment.

However, amidst the present circumstances, one speculation had been lingering in my mind since my arrival:

The possibility that the Dragonian Empire would make some substantial demand of Bohemia and the Heretical Alliance.

‘Just how enormous a request are they intending to make, to behave in such a manner… to the point of hesitating to even introduce themselves as the person in charge?’

As I began to brace myself for the impending, potentially monumental demands, the woman slowly rose from her seat.

“Ah…”

“…?”

Trembling hands slowly raised and extended towards me in an unexpected gesture.

My tension spiked momentarily at this unforeseen action…

“??”

“…”

…only for her to suddenly embrace me tightly, enveloping me in her warmth.

Caught off guard, I was at a loss for how to respond.

‘What… What is this? Wha… What is happening? Why is this woman suddenly…’

Unable to comprehend the situation, my already heightened vigilance spiraled into a sense of utter bewilderment.

Then…

“…San…tana…”

“…?!”

The voice that reached my ear, tinged with tears and trembling.

Hearing that sound, I was struck by a dazed sensation, as if struck by a hammer.

For a fleeting moment, I dismissed the notion as impossible.

The person before me was a princess of the empire.

There was no reason for her to utter that person’s voice.

And yet…

I could not deny it.

The sensation I felt in this moment…

The familiar touch of the hands embracing me…

The familiar scent emanating from her body…

And the deep, throbbing feeling stirring within my heart…

All conveyed, with utmost clarity, that this person was…

The one I had awaited, and awaited, for so long.

“…Ca…zeros?”

With a trembling voice, I uttered her name.

Then, I lifted the black veil concealing her face.

And in that instant, the face revealed before my eyes…

It was…

“…I’m…back.”

“…Ah…”

Tears streamed down her face as she gazed at me, a blissful smile gracing her lips.

Overwhelmed by a surge of emotion, I was momentarily rendered speechless.

After a brief pause, still struggling to find my voice, I addressed her with quavering words:

“Wel…come…back…Cazeros.”