[You led the planning and progress of the Elbash Forest exploration, learned a new type of magic, and influenced the subjugation. The resulting casualty ratio is converted into points.
â· 13,000 additional points will be added.
â· Total Points: 33,000
â Points will be used with a congratulatory message upon reaching 35,000.]
[Those who took part in the subjugation and made the most advances are also rewarded.]
[Siri â A genius awakened by a life-threatening battle shines brighter than ever. A special power is concentrated around her.]
[Terra â He begins to feel mana. If he concentrates his power he can add mana to their arrows.]
[Addis Robbesta â One step closer to the highest level of Sword Expertise.]
[Maro â To he, who was full of mannerisms and slowed down his development as a wizard, this incident makes him a hot topic, breaking barriers. In the future, he will become a much stronger imperial wizard and a strong supporter of the 2nd Prince.]
Is it enough to come out now?
She canât think of anything.
Serdel glanced at Cartalâs hand that was holding her shoulder.
Then she looked away.
His firm will to make her a successor has been transmitted through his eyes.
âIâm lost for wordsââ
She had to say no, but the words didnât come out well. She was even more confused by what he had just said.
Cartalâs promise to protect her presence felt like a heavy burden if she couldnât kill his temper.
His promise to protect her even after death didnât make her happy or touched at all.
She was somewhat anxious.
ââ¦..â
To stall for time, Serdel examined the ground.
She remembered Redan, who said he was sorry and would find his place soon.
The position of the successor was unstable, and it was probably a place he had to return to.
She didnât want to take that.
She was about to open her mouth, but a status window came up a few seconds later than the rest.
Naturally, her head also looked up.
[Redan Robbesta â His heart and mind grow through this event. If he leaves the capital, he will shine and gain stability.]
To call that a reward, she could say that it was full of nonsense.
She wondered again what was going on.
Isnât leaving the capital like being demoted?
âWhat happens if he doesnât leave?â
She couldnât help but mutter to herself. A red warning window popped up as if to answer her.
[Dies within four months.]
She felt like her heart would drop.
The status window disappeared as if it had finished its job.
Serdelâs eyes, which were looking at the clean air with a surprised look, met Cartalâs eyes.
âWhy the hell⦠Is there someone trying to harm Redan?â
It is said that both his heart and mind are growing.
No way. Is it temporary?
Orâ.
âEven if Oraboni becomes the next successor, he will still try to find out who murdered the Countess.â
He might use his new power to find things he couldnât have found before.
Did he get close to the truth? So close that he had to die?
Her mouth became dry on the inside.
Her throat felt choked as she forced herself to swallow her saliva.
âIf you need time to think, just tell me.â
When Serdel couldnât come up with an answer for a while, Cartal took a step back for now.
He stood up straight and took his hand off her shoulder.
Cartalâs gaze turned to the document Serdel was about to sign.
And when he picked it upâ.
âIâm done thinking.â
Serdelâs eyes changed.
âIâm still lacking a lot, but Iâll do my best as a successor. Please take care of me, father.â
Serdel got up from her seat and bowed her head.
âThank you. The official appointment will proceed as soon as Addis and Redan return.â
âOkay, then the conversation is over. Father, go to bed and lie down. You need to rest.â
âI think Iâm all better now.â
Serdel grabbed Cartal by the wrist while he was holding the documents.
âIf you donât keep your promise, you have to eat this.â
Serdel placed a pill on the table in front of Cartal.
Cartalâs lips trembled.
The papers slid out of his hand helplessly.
âIf possible⦠throw it away. Itâs not made for a living person. Even the dead will be shocked if you put it in their mouth.â
Cartal laid down on the bed with a disgusted expression after murmuring a few words.
He closed his eyes quickly, and by the time the meal was being served he was deeply asleep and couldnât be woken up.
*****
The day was bright.
After handing over the approved documents to the butler, Serdel had breakfast with Cartal.
His complexion was quite good because he had rested well. He moved the spoon quickly as if his appetite had changed.
Monem and the head maid were very relieved to see him eat well.
After eating, Serdel forced him to go for a walk.
On the other hand, Serdel kept reading the reports that were piling up in the office.
A few hours have passed since then.
The light came from the communication tool in front of her and showed the faces of the people about whom she had been worried.
âUnnie! Oraboni!â
After that, Damon and Belters were seen.
[You must have worried a lot⦠Iâm sorry I couldnât contact you.]
Addis scratched her nose with an awkward smile. Then, Redan, who took the communication tool from her, put his face in.
She felt like she was about to cry.
[Hey. The subjugation is over, and weâre at the Countâs Castle now. We immediately found a communication device and contacted you when we arrived at the castle. Donât worry, weâre okay.]
âThatâs a relief. Father was very worried, too.â
[What about you?]
âOf course I did worry a lot. I was anxious. Iâm really happy that youâre safe.â
Redan coughed for no reason.
[Youâre not sick anywhere, right?]
After hesitating for a moment, he asked carefully. The way he looked at her was full of worries.
[That, I saw you in a dream a while ago. I wanted to call you as soon as I came to my senses, crying sadlyâbut somehow it was too late. Iâm sorry I couldnât be by your side during difficult times.]
Serdel shook her head.
âItâs okay, Oraboni. Father had fun beating him. So I feel better. So donât be too sorry.â
[Are you really okay?]
Addis asked again with a stiff face.
âItâs okay.â
[Because Iâm incompetentâ¦]
âUnnie. Iâm okay. You continue to treat me as if Iâm a child, but Iâm also an adult.â
[Thatâs why Iâm even more sorry. I couldnât even protect your childhood, and until you grow upâ¦]
As soon as Addis started biting her lips, Falden took the communication tool from her grasp.
He also had a communication tool in his hand. He seemed to have contacted someone separately.
[What are you doing to make the atmosphere gloomier? Young Lady says itâs okay. Asking the wrong thing repeatedly is a bigger disrespect to the other person.]
Falden, who was criticizing her for a short time, went somewhere with the communication tool.
It was a study room.
He locked the door and ripped the scroll to stop the sound from leaking out.
Then, as if relieved a bit, he turned his gaze back to the communication tool and stared at Serdel.
âThank you. Maybe my sister and brother would have just kept telling me they were sorry if Your Highness hadnât come forward.â
[â¦Yeah, I thought it would be a little⦠uncomfortable.]
He moved his lips slightly a few times.
âIâm fine. Are you all right, Your Highness?â
[Aah, about me, well. Iâm fine. Oh, my subordinate will be in touch with Edwan soon. There are quite a variety of items we procured, so it would be good to get an early start, so tell them to prepare well.]
âThatâs a relief. Even with my assurances, Edwan was very worried because the supply for the foreign goods he had to bring in was nonexistent.â
[Yeahâ Oh, I heard that Young Lady worked hard in the capital. Maro grumbled a lot about why he had to become an imperial wizard, but I think it will help build a solid foundation. Thank you. Even though itâs late.]
Serdel smiled instead of answering.
[His Majestyâs character must have been difficult to bear⦠so much, thatâ]
Ah, this is not right. Falden scratched the back of his head and mumbled.
Unlike usual, he felt a little flustered today.
He didnât just blurt out what he wanted to say or what he couldnât say. Instead, he was very careful with her.
[Itâs not right to ask this question after all my criticism of Dame Addis, butâ are you sure youâre okay?]
He lowered his hand and asked with a serious face.
[If you were next to me, I wouldnât have let that happen.]
âThat wasnât the case.â
[Yeah. Thatâs right, but still⦠I canât help but worry about itâ¦]
Faldenâs head slowly went down, and this short action showed his frustration.
âCount Maientâs reputation is over. He will be leaving the capital soon.â
[Ah, of course, he should. Heâll have to leave the capital. If not, Iâll kill him as soon as I get to the capital.]
For a second Faldenâs eyes became dangerous and cold,but then he scratched his head seemingly flustered again.
[Young Lady is my precious business partner. If your partner is treated like that by others, you get really angry, right?]
His ears were red when he said that.
[Anyway, weâll be leaving soon, so letâs meet in the capital.]
âYes. See you in the capital.â
After staring blankly at Serdelâs smile for a moment, he nodded.
The tension on his face began to ease slowly.
[Yeah.]
The tone of his response was also soft.