Their final discussion ended with Prinshitt’s skepticism.
Although Gro had laid out his thoughts in great detail, much of his reasoning was based on speculation and lacked key evidence. In the end, Prinshitt chose to take a wait-and-see approach.
However, there were two points on which Gro and Prinshitt reached a consensus.
Sister Emilia and the ‘Blood Axe’ Regnar, who had been corrupted by the Black Gold Flames—the secrets hidden within them were undoubtedly the key to breaking the deadlock.
The immediate priority now was to locate the traces of the revived ‘Blood Axe’ and to continue interrogating Sister Emilia, who was connected to the heretics.
…….
“Your Highness, given the current situation… I believe it would be best for you to stay by Mr. Dorias Angus’s side and assist the saint with his investigation.”
After the discussion, Gro spoke to the princess in an unusually respectful tone. “I believe there will be more attacks targeting you. As the princess of Aressto, you should place your personal safety first. Other matters can be considered once the situation has stabilized somewhat.”
“I agree with Mr. Gro, Your Highness.”
Duke Lokas chimed in from the side. Ever since Sister Emilia had been taken away by the saint, his expression had been somewhat dejected. “I am deeply sorry… Your Highness… It is due to my poor management that you were placed in such danger.”
“……There’s no need to blame yourself excessively, Duke Lokas.”
Prinshitt looked at the exhausted duke and had no desire to reproach those around her. Even Ileil, who had initially clashed with the princess and whose identity was mysterious, had risked everything to protect her yesterday.
“I will follow your arrangements. When it comes to dealing with heretics, I believe you all have far more experience than I do.”
“Thank you for your trust, Your Highness.”
Prinshitt was much more sensible than Gro had expected. In his life experience, there had been far too many arrogant nobles who loved to interfere and give blind orders. Although Prinshitt was not yet fully mature in Gro’s eyes, she was at least a princess who could be reasoned with.
“The meeting today can end here. It’s time to get to work.”
Gro said this and glanced at Ileil standing behind him. With a mischievous smile, he asked Prinshitt:
“By the way… I haven’t asked for your opinion yet, Your Highness.”
“What opinion?” Prinshitt frowned.
“How has Ileil been performing by your side? Although I heard she protected you with everything she had yesterday, knowing this kid’s usual stubborn temperament, I was worried she might have offended you somewhere…”
“There’s nothing much to say.”
Prinshitt tilted her head in thought for a moment before giving her answer:
“Miss Ileil has performed her duties adequately. Both I and my mentor have seen her capabilities clearly. However, there is one thing I hope you will urge her to correct—”
At this point, Prinshitt deliberately drew out her words and spoke with an intentionally maintained air of authority:
“I hope Miss Ileil will not be so cold toward others. She needs to learn to control her emotions better.”
“Is that so! If Ileil has offended you in any way, please allow me to apologize on her behalf…”
“There’s no need.” Prinshitt quickly stopped Gro’s nearly exaggerated apologetic act. “Although Miss Ileil has indeed done some things that made me unhappy… in a way, she has also served as a wake-up call for me.”
“Very well. Since Your Highness has graciously forgiven this child, Ileil will continue serving as your guard for the time being.”
Gro turned around and looked at the silent silver-haired girl behind him. He placed a hand on her shoulder and whispered softly:
“The safety of Her Highness the Princess is now in your hands… kid.”
“…….”
Ileil did not respond to Gro. Her golden eyes flickered slightly.
“Then I shall take my leave. Your Highness, Duke Lokas… The trail of ‘Blood Axe’ Regnar cannot be delayed.”
The man removed his hand. He knew how much Ileil hated any physical contact related to him.
“Go ahead, Mr. Gro. I must get going as well. My mentor may need our help.”
Prinshitt said calmly, and Duke Lokas nodded in agreement with the princess’s words.
“…….Mm.”
Gro nodded and let out a soft sound of acknowledgment from his throat.
Under normal circumstances, after giving instructions, Gro would leave immediately to handle his own affairs. But to Ileil, today’s Gro seemed unusually hesitant before departing.
Is it my imagination? He seems a bit reluctant, as if there’s something he wants to say but is holding back.
Others might not notice anything unusual about Gro, but Ileil could. After all, Gro was the one who had raised her from a young boy into a young woman—he understood her, and she too knew some of his small habits.
“……Ileil.”
Just as Gro was about to step out of the conference hall door, he pulled his foot back. He called her name in a low voice.
“I’m here.”
It was not surprising to Ileil that Gro had something on his mind. She had already noticed something off about him.
“Is there something else you want to say to me, Mr…. Gro?”
Adding the awkward suffix when addressing Gro felt very unnatural to Ileil.
“Follow the orders of Her Highness the Princess and Saint Dorias. Do not do anything that crosses the line again. Understood?”
“Please rest assured, I will do so.”
Gro turned his head. The scar running across his cheek looked particularly fierce at this moment. Ileil stared into his deep blue eyes and replied mechanically with formal words.
“Protect Her Highness the Princess… Stay alert for any further attacks from the heretics or the witch. If you encounter a crisis, inform me immediately. Don’t be as reckless as you were before. Remember that?”
Gro deliberately emphasized the word “before.” Ileil of course knew what he was referring to.
The so-called “before” referred to the incident two years ago—when her body had been tampered with by heretics and she had been turned into a witch.
In Ileil’s eyes now, that accident could have been completely avoided.
Even back then, Ileil’s intuition had faintly sensed that the enemy was no ordinary foe. However, due to her excessive confidence in her own strength—and her unwillingness to swallow her pride and seek help from her “father’s killer”—she had fallen into the heretics’ hands and lost her male identity.
The witch’s “black feather” had told Ileil part of the truth about what happened two years ago the previous night. The memories shown had depicted Gro betraying her for profit and then erasing her memories. But after careful consideration, Ileil believed that was not the complete truth.
Whether it was the witch hiding in the shadows or this father-killing enemy before her—their positions were worlds apart, but they shared one common point: both wanted to use Ileil to achieve their own goals.
Ileil understood this very clearly.
“…….I remember.”
Ileil remained silent for a moment before replying stiffly, almost mechanically.
“Take care of yourself, kid.”
After taking one last look at Ileil, Gro’s lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. Then he walked out of the conference hall.