Chapter 180

Episode 180

“My dear, what do you think of Sir O’Brien? Not as an Inspector, but as a person.”

“I think he’s a very capable individual with a lot to offer.”

“I’ll rephrase my question. Not as a person, but as a man?”

Lucia’s eyes widened in surprise. If O’Brien were here, he would have called it an act.

“As a man… Are you suggesting I consider Sir O’Brien as my partner?”

“Yes. I want to hear your thoughts. I think he’s a worthy match for you. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. Seeing him succeed in the north, I believe he’ll become a great person.”

His daughter’s happiness was his top priority.

There was no doubt about that. Duke Kalisto had already heard a lot from Tutor Sir Edric.

“He’s a good person. Handsome, considerate, and with his own firm philosophy.”

“Can I take that as a positive response?”

But to his surprise, Lucia shook her head.

“Sir O’Brien wouldn’t accept me.”

“What do you mean? He wouldn’t accept you… Does that mean he has someone else in mind?”

“No, that’s not it. He’s a workaholic, so he probably doesn’t have any romantic relationships.”

Lucia hesitated for a moment. She wasn’t sure if she should tell her father about this.

From his perspective, it was frustrating and worrisome.

“I can’t tell you now, but you’ll find out eventually. More importantly, Aubrey has a lot on his plate right now. It’s not the right time to talk about marriage. You understand what I mean, right?”

“Hmm…”

To be honest, the idea of a marriage between O’Brien and Lucia also had a political motive: to strengthen his daughter’s position.

If O’Brien, known as the “Magic Swordsman,” married his daughter, he wouldn’t hesitate to pass on the successor position to her.

Duke Kalisto had already made up his mind to a certain extent.

Kalisto and the Empire needed Lucia more than Romero.

And O’Brien was at the center of it all.

Only those who could control him were qualified to lead Kalisto. House Walker was a barony in name only. They had risen to a position where they could negotiate with the Imperial Family.

The Grand Duke of the South and the Swordmaster of the Empire was a wise man.

He predicted that once the district heating system was established in the north, the status of Walker Barony would surpass that of most counties.

That’s why he had been secretly rejecting all marriage proposals.

“It seems you have a favorable opinion of Aubrey. Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. He’s working day and night for the family, so it’s only natural for me to think highly of him. Did you hear that Prince Karma has been appointed as Crown Prince?”

“I did.”

“Even though Arthur was disowned and there were no other contenders, the Emperor’s decision must have been influenced by the situation in the north. And Arthur’s incident as well.”

He didn’t mention that O’Brien was at the center of both incidents. His beloved daughter was already smiling faintly.

“It seems things will get even more interesting. If the Lucius Inspection Unit succeeds in its Imperial mission, it could become an even bigger organization.”

“How far are you thinking?”

“I’m not sure yet. I just want to create a place where our people can live comfortably.”

Duke Kalisto felt a sense of dissonance in Lucia’s words. It was because of the word “people.” It sounded like she was proving her qualifications as a ruler.

But he couldn’t delve deeper into his suspicions because his beloved daughter was participating in the succession race. He thought it was just her ambition talking.

He couldn’t even imagine what the mastermind of the continent truly desired.

And neither could her confidant, O’Brien.

* * *

“Inspector, the messenger we’ve been waiting for has arrived. From the capital! Hahaha.”

Jericho’s mood had been excellent ever since Freya and Heinkel joined House Walker. Was it cute that he was bouncing around…?

“He’s meeting with the Margrave right now. He was told to come here after the audience.”

“Any news from the intelligence network in the capital?”

“There haven’t been any major changes besides Prince Karma being appointed as Crown Prince. Information is delayed due to the terrible weather.”

For me, lifting the closure of the Magic Tower was more important than Karma becoming Crown Prince.

What if we couldn’t get the support of magical power?

I couldn’t think of any good alternatives.

We would have to mine wood and coal to boil water, which was practically impossible. Water was abundant, but wood wasn’t.

“Hey, don’t worry too much! Everything will work out. Prince Karma knows that this project can’t proceed without mages.”

“I never thought you, the one who always objects, would become such an optimist.”

“Positive thoughts attract positive events.”

A while later, the messenger arrived. He respectfully presented the personal letter from the prince.

“How is His Highness doing?”

“He’s doing well. But everyone is worried because His Majesty’s illness has worsened.”

“I heard an Elven priest made medicine for him.”

“That’s true, but there are rumors that the medicine actually worsened his condition.”

So that’s what it was.

The Emperor had taken a gamble. He had appointed his son as Crown Prince and entrusted him with resolving all this chaos.

I had appealed enough to their concern for the Imperial Family.

I unfolded the personal letter.

“…The Crown Prince says he’s lifting the closure of the Magic Tower. He has approved the dispatch of magical power. And he approves all our business plans.”

“See? I told you everything would work out! Hahaha. Now we just need the dwarves from Plantier, and we can start construction!”

I commended the messenger and sent him back.

“Summon Selendis, Freya, and Heinkel. Emergency meeting.”

“Yes, sir.”

A while later, all my subordinates were gathered. It was reassuring to have Selendis and Jericho, but with two more people, it felt even more secure.

I informed my subordinates of the Crown Prince’s message.

Everyone was happy, as if it were their own achievement.

“It’ll take at least a month for the dwarves to arrive from Plantier. But it would be a waste of your talents to just sit around and wait. So I’m thinking of building a small-scale district heating facility in advance.”

“That’s a good idea! If the dwarves see it in person, we won’t have to explain everything verbally.”

“Where are you planning to build it?”

Freya asked. She knew everything about the north, but I decided to push for my own opinion.

“I’ve decided on Aslan Village. We’ll build a small-scale district heating facility there.”

“That village is outside the county. It doesn’t belong to any territory. Wouldn’t it be better to build it in a city within the county? It would be easier to procure materials.”

“That’s a good point. But this project isn’t just for the people of Whitefield County. It’s about improving the living environment of the entire north. It’s better to choose an independent location that’s not influenced by any side.”

Freya nodded. Heinkel also agreed, saying it was a good idea.

“And we need to show that our project isn’t limited by geographical conditions. The north isn’t the only cold place.”

“Are you planning to install this in other regions as well?”

“I’m going to patent it. The Crown Prince will be our guarantor, so there won’t be any procedural issues. Selling goods has a limit to its profits. But selling ideas has no ceiling.”

“Wow… In a way, you’re even more ruthless than Hassale.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Of course it is.”

My subordinates burst into laughter.

After drinking heavily at Heinkel’s mansion, the four of them had formed a different kind of bond.

Freya, in particular, often spent time with me.

She was curious and didn’t hide it. She asked a lot about House Kalisto and the Lucius Inspection Unit.

Her questions were directed not only at me, but also at Selendis and Jericho.

In the end, the two revealed their true identities.

They must have known that I valued Freya.

I also learned a lot about Heinkel.

I watched him spar with Selendis, and he had a unique swordsmanship style that focused on swift attacks.

His swift swordsmanship was underestimated because it wasn’t the typical, straightforward northern style, but I saw potential in it. More importantly, it complemented Selendis’s swordsmanship well.

Freya also sparred with Selendis, but the difference in their weapons made it difficult to determine who was superior.

Freya was far superior in archery, while Selendis was better at swordsmanship. The two complemented each other’s weaknesses. Selendis taught Freya defensive techniques that could be applied to archery, and Freya taught Selendis archery.

“Jericho, create a list of necessary materials. Once it’s complete, request support from the Margrave.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jericho went to the side and took out paper and a pen. I continued giving orders.

“Freya and Heinkel, please prepare the supplies. We’ll probably have to stay in Aslan Village for a long time. We can’t burden the villagers, so pack as much as possible.”

Freya and Heinkel immediately left to start preparing. Only Selendis remained.

“My lord, do I have anything to do?”

I thought for a moment and then quietly said to her, “Shall we take a walk?”

“…Yes? Oh, I apologize. I’ll escort you.”

It was a place where blizzards raged day and night. It felt more like searching for a lost person than taking a walk.

Still, we walked on the pristine snowfield, leaving no footprints behind. The crunching sound was pleasant to the ears.

“I thought we should do something while waiting. Remember the promise I made? To help you with your revenge.”

“Yes, I remember.”

“When I was persuading Lady Freya, I said that my goal wasn’t limited to the north. I said I was interested in this continent and beyond the Veil Sea.”

Selendis stopped walking at those words. She stared at me with wide eyes.

“Now that Lady Freya and Sir Heinkel have joined us, I feel like the preparations are finally complete. Once the construction in the north stabilizes, I’m thinking of crossing the Veil Sea with the Lady’s permission.”

“But I heard it’s a place that’s not easily crossed.”

“You crossed it safely, didn’t you? That means there’s a way.”

“I’m happy that you’re thinking of me. You don’t have to push yourself, my lord.”

“It’s not pushing myself at all. I have something to do there anyway.”

Aside from revenge, I wanted to find new clues there.

The painting that was probably displayed in the office of Walker’s main castle gave me a clue. The island floating on the gray sea, painted by Lady Sapiella.

‘The Promised Land, Terranoir. If it exists, it must be in a place untouched by anyone.’

Wouldn’t a vacation to such a place be perfect?