“Is… is that you, Lian?”
After Meliya’s face appeared, the backdrop behind her gradually materialized out of the blur.
It was a swaying carriage. It had a luxurious interior with comfortable, natural leather seats.
Meliya sat inside, with a traveling companion leaning against her lap — a woman whose face was covered by a broad witch’s hat.
It was clearly Sephy. Lian froze for a moment, and then a surge of warmth rushed from his chest.
“Meliya…!” he blurted out. “Are you okay? Where are you right now?”
In the image, Meliya was clearly startled as well.
She rubbed her eyes at the bead, and after confirming Lian’s face, the corners of her mouth finally curled up into a smile.
“I’m fine. I’m currently in a carriage heading for the border,” she said softly. “As for you… I’m just so glad you’re safe.”
“I’m sorry… for making you worry.”
Her tone was steady, but Lian could still hear the slight tremor in it.
‘Another sudden disappearance… How worried must she be? I swore that, no matter what, I would stay by her side this time.’
“Where are you? Tell me exactly where you are, and I’ll come find you right away — “
“Lian.” Meliya smiled at him gently. “I’m okay. You’re using Vera’s Communication Pearl, right? Is she with you?”
“I am.”
Vera stepped up behind Lian. Lian only then realized he had been clutching the bead tightly in his hand.
He took a deep breath to calm himself and adjusted the bead’s position so that Meliya could see everyone in the room.
“Sorry… you have something important to discuss with Vera, don’t you?” he asked.
“Yes, but you don’t need to leave,” Meliya replied with a nod.
Her gaze then shifted past Lian’s shoulder, spotting the other two people in the room. “Vera… and Iyue? Is that you, Iyue?”
Hearing this, Iyue, who had been leaning against the wall, took off her hat.
She approached the bead and bowed to the image within. “Hey there, Meliya. Long time no see.”
In the Communication Pearl, Meliya’s face lit up with a look of pleasant surprise. “So it was you who saved my Lian. Thank you so much.”
“It was my responsibility; there’s no need for thanks.” Iyue winked at her, then gently patted Lian’s head.
“At your wedding back then, I attended as this kid’s older sister… I should have made it in time for little Milin’s birthday. If I had been there, maybe none of this would have happened — “
“It’s alright.” Hearing the self-reproach in Iyue’s voice, Meliya comforted her.
“We all know you’re burdened with the mission of searching for [Relics]… That’s more important than attending a child’s birthday party.”
“Yes, Iyue. Don’t blame yourself. We all understand,” Vera added from the side.
Hearing their consolation, Iyue showed a relieved but somewhat lonely smile.
“Forget about me. You contacted Vera because you have something important to discuss, right?”
The way she changed the subject was a bit intentional, but under the circumstances, it didn’t feel forced.
The people present immediately shifted their attention back to the matter at hand.
“Vera, how is the situation in the city?”
“The situation is under control. But the marches on the streets have become a daily routine.”
Returning to the main topic, Vera’s expression and voice couldn’t help but turn somber.
“The people want to see you and Milin… When can you return?”
“I’m afraid not in the short term.” Meliya’s responding smile held a hint of bitterness.
“We were a step too late… The army gathered by the Northern Frontier Earl and the others left the border one day ago. We’re currently on our way to catch up with them.”
“After all, Nolan has never given a response.” Vera felt her head begin to throb. “Old Edmund doted on Milin as if she were his own flesh and blood… Given the current situation, it’s only natural that he can’t accept it.”
“I understand that too… That’s why I have to stop him before blood is shed over this,” Meliya said. “What about the Nolan officials in the city?”
“I’ve already detained them all for their own protection. Right after I did, their office in the city was smashed to pieces by the protesters.”
“…What did those officials say?”
“They seem to know nothing about the attack. From beginning to end, they’ve merely been relaying official documents sent from Nolan… Furthermore, those among them who had contact with the Prince and Princess didn’t notice anything unusual — at least, that’s what they told me when I interrogated them.”
“The Nolan authorities confirmed their identities… It’s impossible for this to have nothing to do with Nolan!”
As Lian listened from the side, a terrifying yet logical thought occurred to him. The King Roland he knew would never have allowed such a thing to happen.
“Big Brother… Did something happen to Big Brother?”
“That’s exactly why I’m going to Nolan,” Meliya said to Lian. “Under King Roland’s rule, Nolan was the first country to implement a policy of coexistence between humans and the Demon Race. He would never let the Demon Race behave this way, and he certainly wouldn’t allow a gang intent on destroying peace and carrying out attacks to pose as his children.”
“But — but that’s too dangerous! If it’s just you — “
“Am I not a person? Do I not count?”
Sephy slowly moved the hat from her face and sat up. Meliya asked about her condition with some concern, but she waved Meliya off, signaling she was fine.
“Ah, you’re all here. Even Iyue too.”
She pressed her face closer to the bead, confirming the three people in the office.
“It has been a long time, Master Sage.” Like Vera, Iyue was exceptionally formal when communicating with Sephy. She bowed deeply to the Sage, just as she had when greeting Meliya earlier.
“Wh-When did you start listening? Weren’t you sleeping the whole time?”
Sephy rolled her eyes at Lian and said, “I’ve been listening from the very beginning. How else do you think Meliya was able to use the Communication Pearl? Rest assured, I’ll protect her. Besides, Kui Yin is on her way to meet up with us.”
“Kui Yin? She’s coming to find you?”
Lian was startled. Queen Filane Kalosidia — the Blood Demon Duke, one of the Seven Demon Dukes — was the final member of the Brave’s Party.
“Word of what happened in Cyrus has already reached her ears.” At the mention of Kui Yin, Sephy’s expression became complicated. “Do you remember that missing Blood Demon? He’s Kui Yin’s younger brother.”
Her words triggered Lian’s memory. He was one of the two members of the demon quartet who were still being sought and hunted — that frivolous young Blood Demon noble.
“Is she traveling with you as well? If that’s the case, then perhaps there’s no need to worry…”
Lian had absolute trust in her strength. However, he still wanted to be by his wife’s side in person.
“Lian En… Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten what’s hanging on your wrist right now?”
From his hesitation and uncertainty, Iyue saw right through his intentions. She pointed to the bracelet on Lian’s arm.
“…Right, I’m still stuck with this thing!” Lian only then remembered he was currently in a state where his Magic Power was restricted. He quickly explained the situation to Sephy and then showed her the bracelet on his wrist. “It’s this thing — it’s restricting my Magic Power. Do you have any way to get it off?”
“Hmm… This is clearly a [Relic],” Sephy concluded after examining it carefully for a while. “It won’t come off? Did Iyue try as well?”
“Obviously!”
Iyue also nodded toward the bead.
“Then only the person who put it on you might have a way,” Sephy spoke with a look of helplessness. “I haven’t researched these things in a long time… If even Iyue, who’s been dedicated to finding them right there beside you, can’t take it off, then I won’t be able to either.”
“How can that be…”
Dejected, Lian slumped down onto the sofa.
Losing his powerful strength didn’t make him feel depressed. What he feared was being unable to do anything when his power was needed — just like that time.
“Lian… it’s okay, don’t worry.”
Seeing the old fear and panic resurface in Lian’s eyes, Vera instinctively wanted to hold his hand to comfort him… but at the sight of Meliya’s image in the bead, she slowly pulled her hand back.
Meliya also comforted her dejected husband. Then, her eyes filled with a mother’s concern as she asked Vera, “How is Milin? Have you found any trace of her?”
“I’ve already dispatched people to search. But so far, there hasn’t been any — “
“Your Highness Vera! We’ve found the Lady’s whereabouts!”
A maid suddenly burst into the office. Her excited voice interrupted the conversation in the room.
“Uh… did I come at a bad time?”
There were far more people in the office than she had expected. Seeing everyone’s eyes turn to her at once, she suddenly became a bit timid.
“Speak. The Duchess is listening as well.” Vera signaled for her to continue.
“The Duchess is listening…?” Although she wasn’t sure where the Duchess was listening from, the maid continued her report. “The guards patrolling the outskirts of the West City spotted someone who looked like the Lady — she went toward the Sea of Trees with the Elf guests who were attending the fourth day of the Grand Festival.”
“Guests?” Hearing this, Vera immediately pulled out the guest list for the festival from a stack of documents. After confirming the names, she turned toward Iyue. “The guest’s name is Nefertaria Nerf — Iyue, do you know this person?”
“…Nefi?” Iyue froze for a moment, then gave a bitter smile. “Of course I do. She’s my younger sister.”