Eldora Cathedral

 

The soldiers of Highgrant Castle were summoned.

Roderick stood before the soldiers.

“We’ve located the Black market’s main base.”

A murmur arose among the soldiers.

Soon, a soldier raised his hand and asked.

“Then should we prepare for departure?”

Roderick wore a troubled expression for a moment.

“Departure is not yet.”

Confusion flickered across the soldiers’ faces.

Roderick continued.

“According to the information, the Black market’s main base is in Eldora.”

“Eldora, you say? Isn’t that near the Imperial City?”

Another soldier retorted.

“Besides, it’s a large city with good security.”

Roderick nodded.

“That’s why it’s a bit difficult. We need to verify the accuracy of this information first.”

Company Commander Agni stepped forward.

“Then I will select the elite.”

Roderick shook his head.

“No, if the Black market’s main base is in such a large city, it could be even more dangerous. The fact that it’s brazenly there means they must have something to rely on.”

Agni said without hesitation.

“Then I will go.”

At that moment, Grand Duke Ares, who had been standing silently behind them, answered instead.

“Agni. I am well aware of your reputation, but this mission is one that the Marquess and I received directly from His Majesty the Emperor. Therefore, it is fitting that we go.”

Agni raised no further objections.

He bowed respectfully.

Then, one of the soldiers looked closely at Roderick’s face and asked.

“Marquess, why does your face look like that? Were you hurt somewhere?”

A faint mark remained on Roderick’s cheek.

“Ah… I fell out of bed.”

Watching this, Ares found it hard to suppress his laughter.

The image of Roderick being beaten by Serina at the Training ground yesterday flashed through his mind.

‘Tsk, you should have behaved better.’

Ares clicked his tongue inwardly.

“The aroma of this tea is quite pleasant. Is it rosemary?”

The sun had set, and Ares was savoring his tea.

“That’s precious stuff. What would you know, drinking it like water?”

Roderick clicked his tongue.

“Sipping one mouthful at a time doesn’t suit my temperament.”

Ares emptied his teacup and stroked his chin.

“Tsk. You lack the basics of tea-drinking etiquette.”

Roderick said with a look of disdain.

“As long as it goes into my mouth, that’s all that matters. Why do you need rules for drinking tea? Marquess, you’re unnecessarily rigid.”

Ares slammed the empty teacup down and said.

“That’s what you call class, Grand Duke Ares. Every action has its proper form.”

“Formality… Is that why you live such a boring life because of that formality?”

Ares smirked.

“I think it’s much better to find something else fun during that time.”

While they were having a childish argument, Roderick lowered his voice.

“By the way… just in case, should we take a few elite soldiers with us?”

Ares smirked.

“Do you want to make it obvious that we’re going to snoop around? Why don’t you just bring the cavalry?”

Roderick’s brow furrowed.

“So you’re saying we’re really going alone?”

“Why, are you scared? The title of Marshal is wasted on you.”

“No, being alone with you… I think it’ll be annoying.”

Roderick’s expression was clearly one of annoyance.

“Who said we’d be alone?”

“You’re going to say something strange again…”

Just then, the study door slid open.

And Serina entered.

“Oh, you’re here?”

Serina first gave a light bow to Ares, showing her respect.

Then she turned her gaze to Roderick.

Without even looking at his face, she simply nodded in greeting.

Roderick cleared his throat awkwardly and avoided her gaze.

Serina asked in a calm voice.

“So, when are we leaving?”

Roderick mumbled hesitantly.

“But… it could be dangerous…”

“I know that too.”

Serina interrupted Roderick and replied coldly.

“Why delay? Let’s leave right now.”

Leaving Highgrant Castle and heading towards Eldora in a carriage, the long journey was a series of boredom for Roderick and a time of another amusement for Ares.

Ares, seemingly uninterested in the scenery outside the window, kept talking to Serina and flirting with her.

“Serina, with such a beautiful appearance, surely countless men must have lined up for you. Have you ever seriously dated anyone?”

Ares’s voice was greasy.

Serina stared out the window and answered vaguely.

“No.”

“None? Surely you’re not lying? How could such a captivating woman…”

“Then what’s your ideal type? Someone strong and manly like me? Or someone rigid and boring like Roderick?”

Roderick frowned at Ares’s words.

“Hey, Ares. Don’t talk nonsense.”

“What’s wrong with that? I might be curious.”

Ares shrugged as if enjoying Roderick’s reaction.

“I’ve traveled to many regions and met countless women, and they all can’t help but fall for me. Especially my strong power and…”

“Hey, you have a fiancée.”

Roderick finally couldn’t stand it and interjected.

Ares, unfazed by Roderick’s words, moved even closer to Serina.

“Ah, that’s just a formality. You know? How can an Imperial Grand Duke be tied down to one woman? My heart is always open to all beautiful things like a free spirit.”

Roderick looked at Ares and raised one eyebrow.

“Oh, can I tell that to Rose?”

“Of course… not. Do you want to see someone die?”

Serina, unmoved by Ares’s words, turned her head and stared straight at him.

“So, is that all you have to say to me?”

Ares was not at all bothered by Serina’s cold reaction.

Instead, he grinned as if he found it even more interesting.

“This reaction is refreshing. Usually, they either blush at my words or make a fuss, one of the two.”

Serina didn’t reply and turned her gaze back to the window.

Then Ares began to scan Serina as if undressing her with his eyes.

He scanned the firm thighs revealed by the black combat uniform, passed the slender waist, and finally stopped at the deep cleavage barely revealed through the robe.

Then he said something unbelievable.

“Hey… can I touch your breasts once?”

Silence flowed in the carriage at Ares’s words.

“Ares! What the hell are you babbling about?!”

Roderick shouted, his veins bulging.

“Don’t you have any manners at all!”

But Ares maintained a relaxed attitude as if mocking Roderick’s anger.

“No, what’s wrong with that? It’s not a big deal. If you allow it, I’ll touch it, if not, I won’t. Why are you so excited?”

Then he continued nonchalantly.

“Men should be honest with their desires. Don’t you think so, Serina?”

Serina pretended not to hear and only stared out the window.

There was no emotional fluctuation on her face.

The childish bickering between Roderick and Ares continued.

“Be polite! Rose would have beaten you to death if she heard this!”

Roderick huffed.

“What are you talking about, Rose isn’t the type of woman to care about such trivial things. And above all, she’s not here right now?”

As they exchanged accusations, Roderick inadvertently blurted out.

“I haven’t even touched them yet!”

As soon as those words fell, Ares’s eyes widened.

Serina’s head turned.

Serina’s gaze towards Roderick was cold.

Like ice.

Ares excitedly whispered to Serina.

“Serina, this rigid Marquess is different on the inside and out. He must have had all sorts of lewd thoughts while looking at you…”

That was the moment.

“You did touch them.”

The two men in the carriage became quiet as if by magic.

They looked at each other, and then back at Serina’s back as she looked out the window.

“Heh, Roderick. I didn’t see that coming. You two have already gone all the way?”

“Wh, what. What do you mean, gone all the way! It was just, just a mistake!”

Roderick stammered, his face flushed.

Serina added in an even lower voice.

“Also… with your mouth.”

＊＊＊

The carriage finally arrived at the outskirts of the Empire’s heart, the metropolis of Eldora.

As a city adjacent to the Imperial City, magnificent buildings came into view in the distance.

“We have arrived, Your Highness Grand Duke, Marquess.”

The coachman’s low voice broke the silence.

The three got out of the carriage.

Serina opened her mouth.

“Weren’t we supposed to come secretly?”

A figure in front of the carriage bowed politely.

“I have come to greet you under the orders of Archmage Arwin. Your Highness Grand Duke, Marquess, and Serina.”

He was neatly dressed in the robes of a bishop of Eldora Cathedral.

Roderick and Ares were momentarily tense at the fact that he knew Serina’s name exactly.

Serina stared at him without moving.

‘He even knows my name? Under Arwin’s orders. Is the Archmage that free?’

“I will guide you to Eldora Cathedral.”

Following the bishop’s guidance, they gradually approached Eldora Cathedral.

The closer they got, the redder Serina’s cheeks became.

‘Heehik. Wh, what is this.’

The exact location could not be specified.

But near the cathedral, the mixed Pleasure of several people was clearly felt.

The sensation became more intense as they got closer to the cathedral.

‘Th, this is dangerous. Haaang.’