Chapter 147: According to Plan 4

On our way to Sophia, we stopped briefly at an inn.

There, Cazeros and I entered a room alone.

“Then I shall take my leave for the night. May you have a pleasant evening…”

After bidding us farewell, Polena exited, closing the door behind her.

Now completely alone, free from prying eyes, Cazeros and I quietly savored the wine provided in the room.

“This brings back memories of the past, does it not?”

“Past memories… You refer to that time in the inn on our way to Venice…”

Reminiscing on that cherished moment from long ago, faint smiles tinged with shyness graced our lips.

Cazeros had shared my room at that inn, our bodies drenched from the storm.

At the time, she had still been young, and I had been unaware of her true feelings, compelling me to resist any temptation.

“In truth, I must confess… Even then, I had wondered if it would be alright with you, Lord Santana. Although I ultimately fell asleep amidst such thoughts.”

“Haah… Truthfully, it was not easy for me either. An embarrassing admission, but… even then, my heart belonged to you.”

Our circumstances then had been truly dire.

Stripped of my knighthood, expelled from Milano, we had effectively fled to Venice.

Compounded by the untimely storm, we had endured much hardship, and the inn we had stayed at paled in comparison to our present lodgings.

Yet, despite it all, recalling those memories filled us with joy.

While arduous at the time, each experience had ultimately contributed to forging our bond.

Those trials had allowed me to realize my feelings for Cazeros.

And Cazeros, in turn, had come to entrust her heart to me as she truly understood my character.

Now, regarding those priceless moments as treasured gems, radiant smiles adorned our faces.

“Although we briefly parted ways and faced difficulties thereafter… I am truly happy, with you by my side once more.”

“As am I, Cazeros… Meeting you was the greatest fortune of my life.”

Reaffirming our love for one another, we gently embraced, basking in our shared warmth.

Tender and cozy…

Within that blissful sensation, we slowly sealed our lips together in a familiar yet exceptionally sweet caress.

Savoring the exquisite intimacy, we gradually divested each other of our garments.

To fully indulge in the ultimate joy afforded by this precious moment with our beloved…

In the dim hours, Blurrd and Polena, lodged separately at the inn, conversed despite the late hour.

“So you have returned to the Dragonian Empire, after all.”

“Yes, following our master has ultimately led me back here.”

“But… are you truly certain? By doing so, you can no longer evade their gazes… nor conceal Your Grace’s true identity, can you?”

Blurrd’s concerned tone prompted Polena’s serene smile as she responded:

“I am well aware. From the outset, this path was chosen with such outcomes in mind. There is no longer any need for concealment.”

“Hm?”

Taken aback by Polena’s unexpected words, Blurrd voiced her profound bewilderment.

With a slight fading of her smile, Polena spoke with grave solemnity:

“The time has come… Decisively, the one I have long sought has finally been identified.”

“!… You… You cannot mean…”

Blurrd’s expression registered shock at Polena’s words.

For a moment, a dark shadow veiled Polena’s features as she addressed her disciple:

“When that being stirs, the entire continent shall undoubtedly be shaken… Prepare yourself accordingly. Soon, an unprecedented storm unlike any before shall descend. The primary reason for my journey is to warn our Dragonian Empire of this impending event.”

“…Hmm…”

Blurrd’s expression hardened, though she harbored no doubts regarding the veracity of Polena’s foreboding.

Her master’s insights into the world had never been mistaken.

While Polena’s demeanor might appear unassuming, her perception of the world’s flow remained unparalleled in its accuracy.

Moreover, her very service as a maid in the Holy Empire had been in preparation for this immense upheaval.

As Blurrd grappled with trepidation regarding the looming circumstances, Polena quietly envisioned the man she addressed as her ‘master’ within her mind’s eye.

‘The supreme card I have chosen is ready… All that remains is to observe how this man resolves the coming events…’

At a small dwelling on the outskirts of Sophia, the Dragonian Empire’s archmage Soule was fully occupied with training her newest disciple.

“Slowly gather your mana, concentrate it into a single point. Yes, like that… And with that sensation, visualize the magic circle in your mind, then gradually release it…”

“Haah!”

Following Soule’s instructions, her disciple Freddy expelled his mana.

The released energy coalesced, gradually taking form – like mist converging into a unified shape.

Soon, a distinct entity manifested before Freddy’s eyes.

It was…

“…Huuh…”

“Well done. You have succeeded in summoning a Phantom Rider.”

Before them stood the translucent figure of an armored knight astride a spectral steed, emanating an ominous aura.

Exhilarated by his achievement, Freddy clenched his fists tightly.

“At last…!”

Freddy’s growth as a mage had rapidly accelerated since his former days.

Though still lacking compared to his ‘master,’ his present state was incomparable to the stagnation and anguish he had previously endured.

‘Truly, the pace of my progress is on another level. As Master Soule said, I must have possessed an inherent talent… A talent to surpass even my current capabilities as a mage…’

Beaming with profound joy, Freddy assisted Soule in tidying the training chamber, cleaning up the residual traces of their session.

“Come to think of it, the time may be ripe to formally introduce Freddy to our lord.”

“As I mentioned before, I am quite alright with that. My only desire is to enhance my abilities; I have no interest in involving myself with matters of power here.”

“How peculiar. Others would jump at such an opportunity… Nevertheless, this affair may proceed regardless of your wishes.”

“Hm?”

Perplexed by Soule’s unexpected words, Freddy voiced his bewilderment.

Regarding him with a smile, Soule elaborated:

“Truth be told, an important event will soon take place in Sophia. In relation to that, it seems we must pay our respects to the lord.”