episode_0007

A few days later.

In the still dim dawn, the halls of Roengreen Castle were bustling with the footsteps of visitors.

With the Grand Duke’s funeral over, it was only natural for the regular meetings to resume.

The attendees, each carrying their own agenda, greeted each other warmly and inquired about their well-being as they ascended the long staircase.

“It’s been a while, Lord Palen. I must admit, seeing you every three days was becoming tiresome, but meeting your face again feels refreshing.”

“I feel the same, Lord Ginger. It seems you’ve rested well; your appearance is quite immaculate.”

“Haha, well, somewhat. Since I have no business at the castle, I wonder how relieved I am─”

As the divine messengers continued their lighthearted banter,

“Pardon me.”

“Oh my─!”

A knight suddenly broke through the midst of them, as if literally charging ahead.

Thump─ Thump─ Thump─

A seasoned warrior clad in armor ascended the stairs with heavy steps.

To an outsider, his demeanor seemed uncontrollable, almost filled with anger.

“So it’s none other than the troublemaker, Avijoff? Why are you standing there like that?”

“He’s always so sensitive. Although we frontier officials had a vacation for the past fortnight, I’m sure things weren’t the same on your side, were they?”

“Ah─ indeed. I heard there was another uproar over the mining rights in Magwangsan this time.”

I believe Pirein was particularly furious about it…

Amidst the group of divine messengers guarding the frontier, such baseless rumors circulated.

“Oh my! It’s been a while, Lord Avijoff! Have you been well during your absence?”

One block away from the venue, Avijoff unexpectedly encountered someone.

…Lucille.

The woman who had transformed into something resembling a demon and had been absent from the regular meetings for some time, claiming she couldn’t bear to see the Duke’s changed appearance.

“Aren’t you the Grand Mother? Although I may be an old disciple, I apologize for not paying my respects all this time.”

“─Sigh.”

Avijoff greeted her warmly, but Lucille’s expression immediately contorted like damp clay.

“What kind of Grand Mother am I? Don’t call me that! If even a respected elder like you addresses me like that, how do you think others will perceive me!”

“What is it, the venerable chief of the Northern region, who is over a hundred years old─

Other nearby dignitaries, who were looking at Lucille with such eyes, immediately lowered their gaze as soon as their gazes met.

Rather than facing the wrath of a dragon, it would be impossible to go against the will of the white-haired elf.

Once she shows her animosity, she becomes more terrifying than His Highness the Grand Duke……

“Ah… well, that aside, why are you so gloomy? Did something bad happen?”

When Lucille asked, Avijoff let out a deep sigh and replied.

“To tell you the truth, a few nights ago, I had a conversation with the first lady. And this Avijoff committed another unforgivable sin.”

“Ah…”

Lucille nodded as if she understood everything.

“Oh my, what a troublesome situation… You’ve suffered in many ways because of that bastard.”

She could easily grasp that Avijoff once again played the precarious role of mediator between the Grand Duke and his eldest daughter.

Every time the Grand Duke threw a tantrum, he falsely covered up such misconduct.

The relationship between the two ladies should have been severed long ago, but it was being forcibly maintained thanks to Avijoff’s hidden efforts.

Even now, the three ladies still perceived Laios as “someone who was warm to their mother at least.” That too was one of Avijoff’s works, utter nonsense.

Because of him, the funeral of the Grand Duchess, who screamed in agony, was carried out by someone else’s hands, without even mourning. What a warm-hearted hypocrite…

“Everyone, please hurry and take your seats! There’s not much time left until the signal is sounded!”

At that moment, an urgent voice came from the entrance of the venue.

That person is undoubtedly the Grand Duke’s secretary, Bertolt, but for some reason, he looks a bit unfamiliar.

…Wasn’t he originally a cheerful and energetic man?

Anyway.

“Well then, let’s go in quickly. Don’t get caught up with that troublesome human for no reason.”

“Your Excellency─”

“──.”

Avijoff was about to speak, but involuntarily closed his mouth.

In his opinion, Lucille was like a gentle mother figure to the people of the Northern region. That’s why “Grand Mother” was a respectful title he had thought carefully about.

…If she were to utter it once more, it seemed as though a powerful elven spell would erupt in Shone’s mind. “No, will Lady Lucille be attending this regular meeting?” she lightly smiled and replied to Avijoff’s questioning gaze. “Why, is that strange? Lucille is undeniably a member of the Grand Court.” “What I mean is… has the ambiguity about His Excellency finally been resolved?” Lucille’s steps abruptly halted for a moment. Avijoff thought he had made a slip of the tongue, but she responded with an unaffected face. “Oh dear, is that so? I’m not such an easily swayed woman. What could possibly be resolved?” Soon, scenes of bitter past memories flashed through Lucille’s mind. …Wasting time on such trivial garbage. The seven-year-old youngest daughter who received a magical device personally crafted for her father’s birthday, only to be assassinated on the spot. …Being overshadowed by worthless trash, wasn’t it embarrassing? Graduating as the top student from the Imperial Tower Academy and returning home with a smile. …The sixteen-year-old second daughter who received nothing but filthy insults from her father. “…” Lucille bit her lip. Just briefly recalling old memories made her feel disgustingly dirty. …There were many other things as well, but if she delved deeper, she felt like she might vomit altogether. “I’ve seen enough until now! How can I ever forgive that person?” As she spoke those words, Rhaeos was simply an individual whom she couldn’t view favorably no matter what. His actions, his thoughts, even the newly acquired filthiness seemed detestable in every way. “But to say that I’ve developed a deep hatred… he’s just a piece of trash.” Yes, it was only natural to feel that way towards someone deserving of such hatred. She couldn’t forgive the countless insane things she had witnessed from the Grand Duke with her own eyes. Trash, vermin, son of a bitch, beastly bastard, despicable scoundrel… Lucille’s loathing towards the Grand Duke had accumulated like falling snow, forming a thick layer resembling a winter snowdrift. However, at the very bottom of that snowdrift…

“Sister, Elisha said that yesterday. When I grow up, I want to get married and live together… even as adults.”

“Can a coward like me become a great father if I try?”

Such lingering emotions, named as attachment, also faintly hide.

Furthermore,

“…But well, these days, I suddenly have such thoughts.”

“Hmm?”

“You know? That guy, Rhaeos.”

Unbeknownst to anyone, on the surface of that stratum… very small.

So minute that it wouldn’t be visible without careful observation–

“This time, it might really change.”

There was a crack.

“…What do you mean by that, Lucille?”

Avijoff asked with a puzzled expression, but she remained silent.

She just smiled playfully, leaving him in the dark, and walked into the competition hall.

“Hehe, who knows? You’ll find out soon enough.”

Lucille thought to herself.

Even if she revealed the truth about Rhaeos promising to become human the day before, this old man would never believe it.

Naturally, at that time, she herself thought it was just a dream.

He was someone who wouldn’t even mention such strange words lightly, so his sudden change was unexpected.

…Therefore, seeing is believing.

From now on, Rhaeos himself will prove it through his words and actions.

“What on earth–”

Meanwhile, Avijoff truly couldn’t understand her inner thoughts.

“That he might change.”

None other than the demon of the North?

The one who had been deceived and betrayed countless times without conditions or trust, Lucille herself.

And yet, she has decided to believe in Rhaeos once again—those were her words.

“…”

Although she outwardly showed a disdainful attitude as if she could chew on it, her actions and intentions didn’t match.

Perhaps she still thinks of him as her own child.

Otherwise, how could she go to such lengths…

Avijoff followed behind Lucille into the competition hall. And as he waited, he pondered deeply.

Finally, at 8 o’clock on the dot, when the two hands of the clock aligned perfectly, a majestic bell began to resonate throughout Yeongjuseong.

Kuwong- Kuwong- Kuwoong-

The sound reminiscent of the fierce footsteps of a giant. Gradually, it subsided and came to a halt.

“Be silent.”

The Duke walked into the competition venue, enveloped in stillness.

The members who were seated immediately stood up in unison, showing respect to the patriarch of the North.

His gaze alone was as cold as a veil. His tilted mouth seemed to look down on everything in the world. No one dared to mention rebellion in the presence of his imperial demeanor.

His noble and imposing figure, as if the concept of authority itself had put on clothes and walked, was truly more aristocratic and intimidating than any nobleman in the world.

Duke Rhaeos Endika von Roengreen.

Crossing the central aisle, he took his seat on the highest podium and spoke firmly.

“We shall commence the regular monthly meeting for this month.”