episode_0079

79. New Encounters and a Temporary Farewell

The drinking party lasted until the early hours of the morning.

Since I don’t drink, I quietly brought Liriana some chicken and tooth-cleaning tools before retreating to my room.

And now, early in the morning.

A small room next to the forge inside Grace’s grand mansion.

I yawned loudly, scratched my messy hair, and got out of bed.

“Haaah….”

After rising from bed, I scratched my stomach and stepped out into the hallway.

Still half-asleep, I dragged my feet weakly.

First, I opened the door to Vivian’s room and peeked inside.

“Uuuu….”

She was sprawled out so deeply asleep that she wouldn’t notice even if carried away.

Perhaps because she was thoroughly soaked in alcohol, even someone as sturdy as a sports team noona looked frail.

It was novel to see Vivian, who usually pounces like a beast in heat, in such a weak state.

If I’d had my phone, I would’ve taken a picture.

After leaving the room without incident, I next entered Adele’s room.

A lavish, extravagant space adorned with all kinds of precious metals.

Adele lay asleep on a large, luxurious bed fit for a princess.

“Not even a sound of breathing.”

As if she were inherently noble, she slept gracefully under the covers.

If she ever slept with me, she’d sprawl out like a frog instead of being graceful…

Leaving Adele’s room, I headed toward Erica’s quarters, but…

“Halt right there.”

A woman blocked my path.

Judging by her attire, she seemed like just an ordinary soldier.

Likely a guard stationed outside Erica’s door while she slept.

The woman raised her palm, wary of me.

“What business do you—huh?”

“Huh?”

Then, with looks of disbelief, we both pointed at each other.

We had definitely sparred and talked a few times at the training camp…

‘It’s fine, you really can’t fight, huh…?’

‘It’s just my weapon sucks.’

‘Heh… Really? I wouldn’t mind swapping with you.’

A comrade from training camp days.

Petite, about Erica’s height—just an ordinary woman.

But her combat skills were exceptional, making her the strongest in the camp, even above me.

Her name was… Lien, right?

She laughed cheerfully and greeted me warmly.

“So good to see you here! The mystery from the training camp is finally solved.”

“Mystery?”

“Yeah, the girls were all wondering where you disappeared to.”

Why, though?

“Well, a noble suddenly showed up, called for you specifically, and then you vanished!

Rumors spread that you were taken as some noblewoman’s concubine.”

“So that’s what happened.”

“Yep. Never thought you’d be the so-called ‘Heaven-Sent Genius.’”

“Ahaha….”

Ugh, that cringy nickname—can’t we do something about it?

I scratched my head and forced an awkward smile.

Still, it was nice to see her, so I asked Lien how she’d been.

“What brings you here?”

“Me? I was conscripted as a soldier, then caught my lord’s eye during the fight against the Black Dawn troops.”

Ah, so you got scouted too.

By modern military standards, she’d probably be a sergeant or something.

Still, for a commoner conscript to rise that far in just eight months was impressive.

“Congrats. But about Countess Erica….”

“She said not to wake her. Normally, she only sleeps about three hours, but when drunk like this, she needs more rest.”

“Ah, I see….”

I nodded at Lien’s words.

I just wanted to check on Erica, so no big deal.

“You were the top fighter at the camp—you could definitely make general.”

“Haha! Well, if a woman’s gonna dream, might as well aim for general. Hang in there too!”

After parting with Lien, I headed to the kitchen.

After last night’s banquet, they’d probably be groaning from hangovers today.

So, I prepared a hangover-relief dish.

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“What is this… grass soup?”

Erica’s irritated voice echoed through the dining hall.

The same hall that had hosted the banquet just yesterday.

Those with hangovers, their faces dark, gathered to eat.

But what awaited them was a soup with just a bit of meat.

Clear as water, with oil floating on top… and strange, transparent cubes they’d never seen before.

A bizarre dish none had ever encountered.

And right after a grand banquet, serving something so shabby?

It could make Erica seem financially strained—tarnishing her honor.

Clenching her teeth, she commanded in front of everyone:

“Bring me the one who made this disg—…”

“I made it.”

“Hmm… looks more edible than I thought.”

An instant change in attitude.

Then, likely due to her hangover, she scowled and shot me a look.

As if urging me to fix this somehow…

“This is beef radish soup—good for hangovers.”

“Hangovers….”

Without soy sauce, I’d used chili peppers instead.

The spicy yet refreshing broth would be perfect for recovery.

Liriana was the first to taste it with a spoon.

“It’s spicy. Clean and refreshing… feels soothing.”

“Hah…! Good!”

Taisi gulped it down like makgeolli, lifting the bowl inelegantly.

Though not as beloved as chicken, the soup still earned decent praise.

“Our fox always has a purpose.

To think you’d make a special dish worried about your lord’s hangover.”

“Ahaha….”

Not wrong, but I laughed it off out of embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Erica glared at Liriana again, as if picking another fight…

“Hmm, it’s quite tasty.”

Liriana simply enjoyed the soup without reacting.

She seemed at ease, but her focus solely on her meal—ignoring Erica—felt unsettling.

This should’ve been a relief, but something felt eerie.

Like a tiger crouching before the hunt…

Nah, that’s too much imagination.

“Liriana wouldn’t do that.”

“Hmm….”

Yet Erica rested her chin on her hand, eyeing Liriana suspiciously.

Amid the usual cheerful atmosphere, breakfast ended with a slight chill.

After a simple meal of beef radish soup…

It was time for Alvaren and Liriana’s group to return after a day’s rest in Redmain.

Their confiscated weapons were returned, and horses, carriages, and soldiers were prepared.

Alvaren, nicknamed the “live-in son-in-law,” bowed courteously to Erica.

“We’ll take our leave now.”

“Very well.”

“We gratefully accept the export contract for the ‘heater’ and the chicken feed recipe.”

“And you—don’t even glance this way for a year.”

“Understood.”

Some political—no, diplomatic—deal had transpired.

If I had to guess…

For Alvaren, the strategic stronghold of Jarmark was crucial.

Erica had likely negotiated, half-threatening, to prevent an invasion.

A one-year non-aggression pact benefited both, but losing Jarmark was a huge blow to Alvaren.

Hence, the heater exports and chicken feed recipe for the northern regions.

Good cop, bad cop… something like that.

“See you next time.”

“Lord, we’ll be going now.”

“Take care. Eat your meals properly.”

Liriana and her sisters exchanged light hugs in farewell.

Erica’s eyes narrowed slightly, but thankfully, she said nothing.

Maybe because she knew they wouldn’t meet often now?

Alvaren mounted a dashing white stallion.

Behind him, soldiers on pristine white horses followed—the aptly named “White Horse Brigade.”

Around 10,000 elite cavalry.

And another 50,000 infantry trailing behind.

Quite the eventful banquet night.

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Come to think of it, something was odd.

Alvaren’s forces alone exceeded 50,000.

Yet when Erica seized Penrose, she used only 8,000 troops for the surprise attack…

And during the Black Dawn subjugation, just 2,000.

Even for elite troops, wasn’t that too few?

Burning with curiosity, I asked Erica directly.

“Seems building one bridge left you with plenty to spare.”

She took the resignation letter I’d secretly tried to hand her and tucked it under her desk.

I clicked my tongue in frustration.

Had submitting resignations become routine now?

No one even batted an eye anymore.

“But curiosity is good. Fine, I’ll tell you.”

Generously, she explained.

Resting her face on clasped hands, she reminded me of something I’d forgotten.

“Remember? Unifying Redmain was our top priority.”

“Ah… but wasn’t that postponed after the imperial ball invitation?”

“Tsk tsk. Procrastination is a terrible habit, my fox.”

She wagged a finger playfully.

“When we marched to attack Penrose, you must’ve heard this.”

“Ah….”

Back then, braving the biting cold, I’d heard:

‘The women here are my trusted generals and sisters.’

‘Sis, there’s one more, right?’

‘Aside from the one left guarding headquarters.’

That was the gist, right?

Too much had happened since, so I’d forgotten—but could it be…?

“Finally catching on? Though we’ve gained many reliable talents now, I have four most trusted kin.”

“Like the Four Heavenly Kings?”

“Heh… Sure. Erica Grace’s Four Heavenly Kings. That works.”

Indulgently, she played along like humoring a younger sibling.

Well, I *am* two years younger, so it fits.

Easy to forget since she’s so tiny.

“Vivian, the rear general handling supplies.

Adele, the defense general managing finances.

Luna, the great general commanding central battles….”

Suddenly, the sound of hooves interrupted her.

Unfazed, Erica turned her head curiously toward the noise.

“Meet her yourself.”

We stepped outside to see an approaching army—twice the size of Alvaren’s.

Erica shrugged proudly beside me.

“The fastest mobility among us.

A master cavalrywoman renowned across the empire.

So, I ordered her to tour Redmain and… persuade the reluctant.”

“Honestly, I thought you forgot after the imperial ball….”

“Our fox was asleep on my lap, arrow wound and all.”

Had I been out for two weeks?

Anyway, pushing past memories aside, I watched the approaching forces.

The cavalry halted in perfect formation, not daring to approach the mansion.

At their center stood a man.

His dark blue hair and eyes marked him as a Grace.

Tall—around 6’2”—with armor and a 6.5-foot lance.

Unlike me, he was muscular yet lean.

Dismounting, he knelt before us.

Then he presented three massive boxes—each large enough to hold a human head.

“Vanguard Commander, Zett Grace. Reporting my return to Lady Erica Grace.”

Unlike Vivian and Adele, he addressed her as “Lady.”

He then offered the boxes to Erica.

“The heads of the lords who refused submission:

Payros City, Trevion Union, and Bellaria.”

Erica opened them herself.

Inside were the salted heads of a middle-aged man and a woman in her thirties.

Preserved, but ghastly—sunken, bloodless faces clinging to skulls.

I nearly fell back in shock, but…

“Ha! Zett, sending you was the right call.”

“I am undeserving.”

Erica smirked at the severed heads.

Praising Zett, she promised rewards and honors.

“Preserve them well.

Showing these to defiant lords should… encourage compliance.”

Adele, Vivian, and Luna took the boxes without flinching.

Erica, confirming Zett’s return, left for her office as if it were nothing.

Zett rose once she was gone.

“Hey, pig.”

“Wanna die?”

His solemn knightly demeanor vanished instantly as he taunted Vivian.

Standing, he grinned and teased her.

“Heard you almost lost Penrose without me? Pathetic, *real* sister.”

“You little—! Need a lesson from your noona?”

“Haha, still such a child.”

“Oh, Adele noona! You’ve been well?”

“Hey! Why’re you sucking up to Adele?!”

“Better a generous cousin noona than a piggy real sister.”

Like a high school brat, he teased his kin.

Any awe I’d felt for his earlier gravitas was gone.