Ch.191191. Necessary Conversation (2)

The military camp had barracks lined up on one side for the troops that had arrived from the Marquisate of Kallia.

In an area where humans outnumbered elves, we first sent the elves of Arielt ahead and then followed Eunice toward one of the barracks.

‘She said she had something to tell me.’

Just before entering the barracks filled with elderly elves.

Starting from when Eunice Kallia had requested a moment to speak with Sione.

‘She said she would add more information about the House of Ianet.’

The House of Ianet. And specifically about Aina’s eldest daughter who would be joining my and Sione’s subjugation unit. Not only did she offer to share what she knew about such an important person.

─My lady, I have something I’d like to ask… Have you perhaps visited the Marquisate?

─If so, could you tell me how my brother… Allen Kallia was doing?

Concern.

Not just concern for her brother, but concern for her family. Along with questions about her suspicious brother.

We readily agreed to Eunice Kallia’s request.

‘Though there is something unexpected.’

When she first spoke with Sione. I thought the young ladies of the Marquisate and County would have a private, secret conversation between just the two of them.

Well, somehow…

Not only Sione, but Diolia and I ended up following her as well.

Of course, Diolia and I were like audience members hiding behind Sione’s back, quietly listening to their conversation.

I was holding Tania in my arms, and the fluffy cotton ball that had been floating around was now resting on Diolia’s hand. We were quite noticeable for mere audience members.

“I’ve been a bit busy lately… The barracks are a bit messy, but it should be sufficient for a brief talk.”

Eunice Kallia said as she picked up a shield that had been rolling on the ground and put it away.

“I’ve sent everyone away, so let’s start our conversation.”

Eunice stood with her back to several broadswords with damaged blades and a shield stained with blood.

She gently folded her arms and began speaking while tapping her arm slowly with her index finger.

“Let’s start with what you’re probably most curious about—the eldest daughter of the House of Ianet.”

“Lady Kallia, are you acquainted with that elf?”

“Of course. Our House of Kallia also helped Ianet stabilize the western part of the Great Forest. Thanks to that, we had many opportunities to talk with and experience those people.”

From what I heard during the recent meeting about the elves.

Ianet had worked to manage and stabilize the west. It seemed the reinforcements from the Marquisate of Kallia had been helping them all along.

Indeed, with enough interaction, she could confidently tell me that Ianet had cunning and selfish aspects, without a moment’s hesitation.

“During that time, the knights of the Marquisate, including myself, were able to meet Airene, the eldest daughter, rather than the elders of Ianet.”

She took a few steps closer to my master, narrowing the distance between them.

Speaking about the elf she had seen in a lowered voice. Her calm, medium-low tone created a strange sense of trust in her words.

“How should I describe the eldest daughter I saw… A doll? Or perhaps it would be better to say she was like a puppet?”

“A puppet… Could you elaborate further?”

“She never shows any emotions, and she only moves according to her duties—”

Eunice stretched out her last words as she refined what she wanted to say.

“It would be correct to see her as a puppet faithful to the words of her vassals who protect her, including my mother. Though she seems to move according to her own will occasionally, she ultimately produces results according to the wishes of those around her.”

So the eldest daughter of Ianet was a puppet who moved according to the expectations of those around her.

She seemed to be a different type of elf from Friel, who showed rather strong self-assertion and arrogance.

“…By any means necessary.”

But judging from Eunice’s rotten expression.

Unlike the current reserved Friel, and more like Friel when we first met her. I could tell that Airene had her own infuriating aspects.

That’s when it happened.

─Hey.

“…?”

Why punch me in the solar plexus when she could have just called quietly? What’s with that attitude?

As expected of Tania. Perhaps it’s because she has quite a long history of giving Changshik a good knock on the head.

Thanks to her controlled strength, it didn’t hurt much, but the trajectory of her fist landing on my solar plexus was unusual.

As a result, I was a bit taken aback by Tania’s sudden punch.

─That elf called Airene. She gives me a bad feeling.

Tania, sitting on my right arm, wore an uncharacteristically cold, expressionless face.

─Creating results by any means necessary… You know well, Park Shinwoo, what kind of creatures those elves usually are.

‘…True.’

─Ugh, I really hate it.

As Tania said.

The moment an elf starts using any means necessary for results. If you fall within their interest or become their target, extremely troublesome things tend to happen.

‘Airene, was it?’

It would definitely be wise to be cautious.

The cunning and selfish head of the House of Ianet.

Now that her puppet has joined the subjugation unit.

Since we’re being called heroes, we might be subjected to Airene’s—no, Aina’s—troublesome schemes.

“My lady, you should be careful of Ianet. There seemed to be quite a lot of talk about the County circulating among them… I’m not sure if they harbor only goodwill.”

Sione nodded gently at Eunice’s warning.

“Thank you for the advice, Lady Kallia.”

“Now, shall we move on to discussing the Great Forest? The eastern forest is definitely difficult to navigate, just as the elves said.”

“Have you entered the eastern forest, Lady Kallia?”

“Of course. The Marquisate’s reinforcements have been in the Great Forest for quite some time, so we’ve pretty much memorized all the paths.”

Sione and Eunice began their private conversation.

Perhaps because Eunice was from the Marquisate of Kallia.

Although Sione seemed a bit awkward or shy and spoke less, once Eunice started speaking to her comfortably, Sione began to match her conversation appropriately.

How long did their conversation continue like that?

At some point, the friendly atmosphere reversed.

“So… Lady Sianella.”

The corners of her mouth formed a slight smile. Though her lips curved upward, her smile was by no means light.

As calmness settled in her pupils, which already contained deep blackness, Sione, who was facing her, also calmed the rising atmosphere.

“Could you tell me about the current situation of the young master of the Marquisate and how our Allen Kallia was doing while remaining at the family home?”

Allen Kallia, who didn’t get along well with his eldest sister, Eunice.

Not only were they on bad terms, but they were also fighting for the position of family head, and they had clashed several times.

Having stayed in the Great Forest for quite some time, where outside news rarely reached, Eunice seemed curious about information regarding him.

“As for the current situation of the Marquisate…”

However, Sione couldn’t easily open her mouth at Eunice’s words.

‘With monsters roaming around the western mountains.’

It would be awkward to openly tell a family member that their domain was in shambles.

It might be uncomfortable and awkward for an outsider to say that the current state of the Marquisate wasn’t very good.

Eunice immediately noticed Sione’s hesitation and added:

“Please don’t feel burdened because I’m the eldest daughter of the Marquisate. Just tell me the current situation of the domain without holding back.”

“Are you sure that’s alright?”

“Of course.”

With Eunice’s permission, Sione began to speak calmly.

“Then I’ll start by explaining the overall situation of the domain.”

“Please do.”

Her voice, much calmer than when she was squabbling with our fluffy cotton ball—I mean, moth—echoed through the barracks.

“Currently, the western part of the Marquisate’s domain, which was under the security management of Young Master Allen Kallia, has been experiencing frequent appearances of Magia-contaminated Demonkin for some reason.”

At the mention of Magia and Demonkin, Eunice Kallia’s calm expression began to turn cold.

“…Regarding this, due to some issue with Lord Allen Kallia, the security of the west was assigned to the third son, Abel Kallia, by the order of the family head.”

“So Abel took over.”

“Also, according to rumors… the family head has recognized Abel Kallia, who has recruited several knights from the Marquisate’s first army, as a candidate for the next head of the Marquisate.”

“It seems the situation at the Marquisate is quite chaotic.”

I should be at home at a time like this.

Eunice quietly let her voice trail off.

She slowly brushed her long mahogany-colored hair back and looked directly at Sione.

“That’s all about the Marquisate. Now, let’s move on to talking about Allen. But before that, there’s one thing I’d like to ask you, my lady.”

“If it’s something I can answer, I’d be glad to.”

“Could I hear Lady Sianella’s first impression of Allen?”

The most calm and resolute voice since entering the barracks.

A demeanor where one could glimpse complex and deep thoughts creating profound solemnity in quiet eyes.

Eunice Kallia valued Sione’s first impression of her brother more than any other conversation or answer to her questions.