episode_0072

After the demise of Winter Lord, Ark Rich Forbidden, over a month had passed, yet no dramatic changes were evident.

Healing deep wounds etched over centuries in just a month and a half was nearly impossible.

Therefore, Northern Grand Duke Elise Khan Springfield had to handle the overwhelming tasks without a moment’s respite.

The group trained daily as usual, engrossed in their respective hobbies, with no noticeable changes except for the completion of the colossal Golem production by the Dwarves on schedule.

…Including the progress in the relationship between me and that guy.

Hmm –

In front of the gradually activating Warp Gate,

As I pondered what might unfold after defeating the Glare Dragon, the guy quietly approached me and spoke.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Well… I’m thinking about what trials await us once this is over.”

“If there are more trials after defeating the Glare Dragon, that would be quite remarkable in itself.”

I slowly nodded at his words.

Indeed, if there were more calamities after this, I might lose my mind.

But you know…

While the Glare Dragon might be the end of known disasters, there’s still a sense of unease, like a feeling that a greater catastrophe awaits.

With everything going smoothly for a month and a half, the difficulty of the next disaster tends to skyrocket as peace lingers.

I started to fear how the battle with the Glare Dragon would unfold, and what would happen afterward.

“Nothing should go wrong.”

As I sighed deeply facing the ground, the guy patted my back without saying a word.

Yeah, nothing should go wrong, right?

Once we resolve this last disaster from the original work, can’t we lead a truly peaceful and happy life?

Kiing -!

Raising my head with a glimmer of hope, I noticed the Warp Gate emitting a blue light, indicating its activation was complete.

…It’s time to go now.

Hopefully, this will be the final disaster.

Gathering my resolve, as I was about to step towards the Warp Gate.

“What if I left without saying goodbye? What would you do, benefactor?”

“…”

The abrupt halt by the stern Northern Grand Duke made me stop in my tracks.

“I almost became a rude person who didn’t bid farewell to the benefactor, didn’t I? I’ve told you several times, I’ll return anyway. It won’t take long, so there’s no need for a formal farewell, right?”

“You may not care about formalities, but this incident carries the reputation of the Grand Duchy. It shouldn’t spread as a rumor that Duke Springfield mistreated a benefactor. Moreover…”

“Moreover?”

“Witch, I have something else to discuss with you. Could you spare a moment?”

“If it’s brief.”

What does he want to talk about? Is there still something left unsaid?

Discussions regarding rewards or contractual matters should have been settled long ago.

Slightly furrowing my brows, wondering if I had forgotten something, fortunately, the conversation brought up by the Northern Grand Duke was merely trivial.

“When you return, make sure to bring back the sword, that man too. I earnestly request it.”

“…That guy’s likely to follow along anyway, but why? Wait, are you…?”

“Yes, I intend to actively pursue him. That man, he currently has no female companionship, right?”

“He doesn’t… Well.”

Can you really win him over?

No, I can guarantee that the Northern Grand Duke will never be able to connect with that guy.

There’s absolutely no room for doubt in that guy’s heart.

And.

“I don’t particularly feel like giving it to you.”

“…What?”

“No, just try your best. Who knows? Maybe the heavens will be moved by your sincerity and a miracle might happen.”

I chuckled softly, whispering into the ear of the Northern Duke.

“It would be wise to lower your gaze now if possible, Your Grace. You see, I’m not the type to give away what falls into my hands to others.”

If something is too precious to give away, shouldn’t one rightfully keep it for oneself?

Regretting giving something away later is a foolish choice, so I had no intention of letting go of this sharp fellow.

Although my tone may have sounded a bit off, anyway.

“For now, I’ll grant your request, though I can’t guarantee its significance.”

“…Make sure to flatten that high nose of yours.”

The Duke growled as he stepped back from me, and as he shrugged his shoulders and stood in front of the warp gate once again, the sword-wielding fellow with a menacing expression started teasing me.

“Am I some kind of offering to Beatrice… Is this some new form of proposal?”

I threw myself towards the warp gate without a word.

—–

“How could it possibly not work out?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. A strategic marriage is simply out of the question.”

Meanwhile, inside the magnificent palace.

Seated on the throne adorned with splendid jewelry, the Emperor engaged in conversation with a middle-aged man standing before him.

The topic of discussion was a strategic marriage with the royal family.

An excellent opportunity for social advancement.

And it was only natural that power and honor would follow when forming a relationship with the royal family.

While it was normal for any noble to eagerly pursue such an opportunity, the middle-aged man standing before the Emperor was different from the rest.

He expressed strong reluctance towards the strategic marriage proposed by the Emperor.

“I distinctly remember refusing. Why do you continue to cling to this idea?”

The middle-aged man standing before the Emperor was unlike other nobles.

He vehemently opposed the strategic marriage proposed by the Emperor.

“While I may not know much else, love marriages are a rule and tradition in our family. How could I be the one to break a longstanding tradition that has been upheld since the founding of the empire?”

“…Can’t you at least allow them to meet once? Karshian, I hear that the child still doesn’t have a lover.”

“I apologize, Your Majesty, but the child left the family six months ago. The reason was to find the woman they had been secretly in love with since childhood. What meaning would there be in meeting the Princess?”

“Damn it.”

Cursing under his breath, the Emperor grabbed his throbbing head.

He thought he could persuade at least one member of the Pashible family, but it seemed none of them would budge.

Yet the Emperor was not ready to give up.

The fact that the child set out to find their childhood love also meant there was a possibility of failure!

The Pashible family he knew followed a unique tradition of having only one spouse for a lifetime.

Moreover, they were a family that pursued only genuine affection, so if Karshian failed in their journey, there was still a chance.

Therefore, the Emperor cautiously made a proposal to the middle-aged man before him.

“If… truly if, when Karshian returns from their journey and still does not have a lover, would it be acceptable to introduce my daughter to them?”

“Introductions are fine. However, if you force a marriage contract…”

“That won’t happen. The burden of aligning half of the empire’s power is not something I take lightly.”

Would he dare pretend to be insane?

The Empire’s immense influence existed largely due to the Pashible family.

They were the ones who controlled the fanatic group known as the Church located in the eastern part of the continent.

If not for them, wouldn’t the strong influence of the Church have spread throughout the entire continent?

As the Emperor gazed at the head of the Pashible family as if facing a monster, the middle-aged man burst into a wry smile and spoke.

“Hehe… Half of the Empire’s power, Your Majesty, that’s quite an exaggeration.”

“Out of the 14 Masters, 6 belong to the Pashible family. How can you call that an exaggeration? Deceit seems rampant today, Drake.”

“If there are 6, can’t we say it’s half?”

“Are you calling that a joke right now?”

As Drake shrugged, the Emperor, sounding weary, issued his dismissal.

“…Well, I should be going now. Thank you for your valuable time, Drake.”

“It was truly an honor to have an audience with Your Majesty. I hope to bring good news next time I visit.”

“I hope so too.”

After bidding farewell, a middle-aged man exited the audience chamber.

He could tell from the strong vibrations in his pocket that his communication crystal was ringing insistently.

“Who is it? I said not to contact me unless it’s urgent.”

About to scold the caller sternly as he activated the crystal, he was rendered speechless by the voice that immediately filled his ears.

Not only was the caller someone important, but the news they conveyed was truly shocking.

“Dad!!! DadDadDad!!! Kal, that guy has returned!!!”

“…Kalshian has returned? Where did you hear this, Cecilia?”

“I just confirmed it through the entry logs! It seems he came over from the Kingdom of Magic?”

“If it’s from the Kingdom of Magic… No, that’s not important right now. Cecilia, by any chance…”

“Oh, it seems like a lover. But the other party is a bit…”

Feeling uneasy at his daughter’s anxious voice, Drake started to worry.

The Pashible family was known to accept most suitors. As long as the suitor had intelligence to converse, even if they were a monster, marriage was permitted.

Of course, if the suitor was a monster, becoming an outsider to the family was inevitable.

‘…What kind of being is this?’

Just as he was pondering the identity, Cecilia’s startled voice came through the crystal.

“He… brought a witch with him, and she looks extremely sinister.”

Upon hearing this, Drake could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

At least he didn’t bring a Dire Wolf like my brother did. A witch is perfectly normal.

Having witnessed various abyssal beings, encountering a seemingly normal daughter-in-law after so long,

Drake felt his heart race.