Ch.572572. Back to the Count’s Estate (3)

The mountain range that soared high as if to pierce the sky was nothing short of a magnificent spectacle.

A different world from the always gentle forest filled with the World Tree’s blessings. The snow-capped mountains were covered with tenacious vegetation struggling daily against the cold, while animals and magical beasts wandered about, engaged in fierce survival competition in this pure white world.

From the summit of one of the many peaks forming the mountain range closest to the sky in the northern territory of the Empire, Edelin exhaled as she gazed outward.

“…To think I would see this scenery once more before dying.”

Though this place had now become Imperial territory, in the past, this mountain range had been a lawless zone with no master, covered in blood-red eyes, where the heroes who formed the foundation of the Kingdom had waged war.

A thousand years ago. As Edelin quietly reminisced about the fierce battle that had taken place here, Fleta Arielt carefully approached from behind.

“Grand Elder, here is today’s spirit potion.”

“Elder, I appreciate your concern, but I don’t need the spirit potion.”

“But Grand Elder, you…!”

“I know my body’s condition best. Even if I drink the spirit potion, nothing will change except for a brief surge of vitality. And even that won’t last long.”

“……”

“Isn’t it too wasteful to use a potion that can save the dying for such a minor purpose?”

A spirit potion that could save the dying. However, such dramatic effects only worked once. Edelin had already benefited from the potion’s efficacy in a previous war. Moreover, having already sealed her inevitable death through a contract with the World Tree, the potion’s effect would be nothing more than a temporary boost in vitality—no more, no less.

“Save the spirit potion. If we protect what we’ve brought, we could easily rescue three people from the afterlife.”

Faced with this unwavering refusal, Fleta finally stepped back.

Edelin then began to speak softly again, gazing at the mountains beyond.

“The Demon will try to conquer those snow-capped mountains by any means necessary.”

“For the reason you explained, Grand Elder.”

“Yes, because that Demon knows better than anyone how countless souls have perished with lingering regrets on those snowy mountains.”

The Demon’s power wasn’t limited to merely raising corpses and manipulating them as mindless puppets.

“Especially since this is where the hero he so desperately wanted to control departed. The Demon will definitely try to march through here to the western edge.”

It was also within his power to drag souls from the afterlife and create perfect servants who obeyed his commands.

Though with limited intelligence, these minions capable of their own judgment and decision-making were the most troublesome enemies at the vanguard of his army and by the Demon’s side. Those reawakened by the Demon exhibited strength proportional to the power their souls had possessed in life.

“If the Demon climbs to the mountain peak and looks down upon the winding valleys, souls accumulated over countless eons will stir and awaken.”

Edelin recalled a beastkin who had died on that mountain long ago.

If one of the beastkin who had been their most reliable ally until the very end were to become the enemy’s vanguard commander and wreak havoc among them…

“We elves will reshape this mountain range into a fortress to halt the Demons’ advance.”

Even if she herself could not…

She was certain that the current generation of elves would not be able to handle her.

Before the situation deteriorated to such an extreme disadvantage and greater calamity approached…

“We must eliminate the Demon before he climbs to the mountain peak.”

She intended to destroy the lord of corpses.

Edelin turned from the snow-capped mountains to face Fleta.

“For that, we need not just my strength, but everyone’s power.”

Fleta’s pupils reflected the image of Edelin with her gentle smile.

Yet unlike the serene Edelin, Fleta remained in a somber mood, feeling only the cold wind blowing from the snowy mountains.

“I’ll be counting on you until the very end.”

Seeing Edelin’s determination to mark the end of her life in battle against the Demon here…

Fleta could only nod, moved by such firm resolve.

“I will stay with you until the end.”

She would remain by the Grand Elder’s side until the very last moment.

* * *

I felt excitement bubbling up at returning to the Count’s estate after so long. By now, the estate had become like a second homeland to me. It was amusing how memories surfaced as familiar scenery passed by the carriage window.

I ate street food at that stall over there. That’s the path I walked when I went flower-viewing with Siabel. And that theater is where I visited with my spirits.

As Sione and I chatted while traveling through streets filled with memories, we finally arrived at the lord’s castle, which was much larger in scale than the Baron’s estate.

“Baron Carpel and the Baroness have arrived! Gatekeepers, open the gates!”

Soon our carriage proceeded with grand welcome and arrived at the main building of the Count’s estate, where familiar faces greeted us magnificently.

“It’s been a while, Baron. Seeing you in person, I’m glad you still look healthy.”

“I’m relieved to see you in good health as well, Count. In your letters, you mentioned becoming even stronger than during the Winter War—”

“I was just lucky. No need to flatter me. Anyway… Sione—”

Ainel, who had been calmly conversing with me, had been glancing at her daughter Sione throughout our conversation. Perhaps she had much to discuss, as she soon became absorbed in conversation with Sione.

Next, I exchanged greetings with Diolia and Siabel, who had welcomed us from the front row alongside Ainel.

‘She says she learned new skills while cutting down magical beasts with the Beastkin Special Forces.’

Until Sione suddenly rose up behind us to become a Master.

Siabel, originally famous as a genius, had been stagnating at the Sword Expert level for some time.

But perhaps new encounters had provided her with fresh stimulation. Once she found a catalyst, she too resumed her path forward. It was clear why people called her a sword prodigy.

“It feels awkward saying this to a Master like you, brother-in-law… but I’m quite confident in my swordsmanship. If you need help in that area, feel free to call on me anytime.”

“Would that be all right?”

“Of course. I even called myself your teacher when I offered to teach you swordsmanship before.”

I briefly recalled being repeatedly struck with a wooden sword when I learned a bit from Siabel.

Those blunt wooden blows were surprisingly painful. Back then, I was helplessly defeated by the Count family’s sword techniques that I wasn’t familiar with.

‘I’ll have to think about this.’

I’d also heard she could now perform stronger attacks by mimicking beastkin movements.

Since it would be difficult to match Siabel in pure swordsmanship, I decided to consider carefully before asking for her guidance.

Seeing Siabel looking like she might schedule a sparring session right away, I turned my attention to Diolia, who had been quietly smiling beside us.

“By the way, Commander Diolia, there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you.”

“Haha, Baron, there’s no need to speak so formally. We’re not currently working together in the Special Forces, so there’s no need to be so respectful—”

“……”

“Though it feels a bit awkward with others watching… if you prefer, I’ll speak as before. So please stop giving me that piercing look.”

Diolia also enjoys teasing me, it seems.

After I explained it was just a simple joke, she finally relaxed.

Following a brief discussion about maintaining formal speech since many people were watching, she regained her composure and asked:

“You said you had something to ask me? Feel free to ask anything.”

And with that permission, I immediately voiced what I had been wanting to ask.

“Last time, you mentioned meeting someone quite suitable. How are things going with that person?”

Diolia had always proclaimed and dreamed of a harmonious married life. I knew her previous arranged meeting had gone well.

But since I’d been at the Baron’s estate, I hadn’t heard any updates.

So I asked with anticipation.

“Meeting, haha…”

“Ah.”

“Umm…”

As soon as I mentioned it, Siabel and Ainel took turns looking at Diolia and me while making short utterances.

Seeing their reactions, I realized:

I had just stepped on a landmine.

“It’s not so bad. We became a bit awkward due to my mistake last time… but such ups and downs only strengthen the relationship between two people, don’t they?”

“……”

Unable to respond to Diolia’s somewhat melancholic words, I remained silent.

Eventually, Diolia, growing more anxious than me, spoke first.

“If you’ll wait, I’ll be sure to share good news with you, Baron.”

My first conversation with Diolia after so long had unintentionally touched on her wounds.

I could only feel sorry for our Special Forces Commander.

* * *

“Commander, are you planning to go somewhere?”

Sharenne paused her steps at her subordinate’s question and spoke.

“I heard that child I met at the Baron’s estate has come to the Count’s estate.”

In the past, at the church’s request, she had suspected an innocent person. But that child was by no means evil.

Moreover, the child had performed a righteous miracle significant enough for news to reach the Count’s estate.

Since coming to the Count’s estate, she had become increasingly aware of the subtle distance and mutual rejection between the family and the church.

Furthermore, with the foul blood scent she had sensed from the bishop of the Count’s estate branch, her heart had grown even more distant from the church.

Sharenne knew that the bishop here, Kali, had great interest in that young saint.

“I just felt like taking a walk, remembering that time.”

She was simply stepping outside her quarters.

“I’ll return before the evening equipment inspection, so don’t worry.”

She intended to have another conversation with that heresy inquisitor, Kali.