Purification Bureau.
“Hmm.”
Yohan nodded, looking at the report. It was a document cross-referencing information investigated by the Purification Bureau’s martial officers and information sent from the Ferbache estate.
Once the north is purified, the Demon Nest cleanup within the empire will be complete. Only the final touches remained. His role as Minister would soon be over, and the day he would return to his estate was approaching.
‘So, the information sent from the Ferbache estate was recently investigated.’
There was no difference between the martial officers’ investigation report, completed just yesterday, and the information provided by the Ferbache Knights.
“Were there any additional reports besides this?”
Yohan asked, scanning the documents.
“Yes. The report you have now is all the investigation into the Demon Nests in the north. However, there is one peculiarity.”
Elena, nodding, pointed to the report at the bottom and continued.
“This is the report from the martial officers who went to the center of the Demon Nest.”
“I’ll check it right away.”
Yohan moved the report Elena pointed to upwards, shifting his gaze. His eyes skimmed the contents of the document.
“This is…”
And he narrowed his eyes.
There was something rather strange in the north.
“There is a snow mountain teeming with magical beasts, but it is said that no rifts were detected here.”
Detection-type mages could identify where the rifts of the Demon Nests were. That’s how they found the Demon Nests they had found so far. But the Demon Nest on this snow mountain strangely showed no rifts.
“…This is a problem. And now we can’t even ask the Magic Tower for help.”
Yohan frowned as if troubled.
“That’s right. The Magic Tower is currently undergoing maintenance after losing the Tower Master. It’s best not to expect anything until a new Tower Master appears and the inside stabilizes.”
The Magic Tower, where Rain Adriche had died, was truly in a state of emergency. The death of the Tower Master, who accounted for more than half of their power, had caused them great confusion.
It wasn’t just confusion. It was safe to say that all work and research at the Magic Tower had been suspended. Who would check reports and research when there was no one to do it?
Of course, individual research would be ongoing, but anyway.
“I might have to go and check this out myself.”
“Yes, that’s right. This investigation is likely to take quite a while.”
“It’s not letting me off easy with the last investigation.”
Tap. Tap.
Yohan lightly tapped the desk with his fingertips. He was already feeling tired. This Demon Nest cleanup was likely to take longer than expected. He had to find a rift that even the investigation team hadn’t found.
“Elena, tell the martial officers to prepare thoroughly for the cold. It seems like we’ll have to set up camp on the snow mountain for a few days.”
Yohan organized the report and placed it in the corner of the desk. He planned to check it again later.
“I will purchase a large quantity of warming magic tools.”
“Yes, that’s right. I’ll leave it to you.”
“Yes, then I will prepare immediately.”
Elena left the office with light steps.
Click.
As she left and the door closed, Rudbeckia, who had been organizing documents next to him, slowly stroked her cheek.
“This investigation seems like it’s going to be quite complicated.”
“It seems so. There’s a hidden rift.”
It was quite an unusual occurrence.
They had never failed to detect a rift before.
“It seems impossible to investigate and prepare in advance.”
“That’s right. In the end, we’ll have to go inside and check with our own eyes.”
They were sending an investigation to prevent unforeseen accidents, but this time, they had no choice but to respond directly. There was no information they could obtain at the moment.
“Was there nothing in the information provided by the Duke Ferbache’s family?”
“Unfortunately.”
Yohan shook his head in disappointment.
“The Ferbache Knights also said they didn’t have accurate information. They were focused on flood defense, not investigating the rifts themselves.”
The information from Ferbache was valuable, but their investigation had limitations.
It was understandable, as they didn’t need to know the location of the rifts. They just needed to check where they were coming from. Therefore, they didn’t have anything definitive about the snow mountain either.
“Hmm, this is a headache.”
As things became complicated, Rudbeckia pouted. Yohan smiled faintly.
“Well, let’s think about that later. Let’s get ready to leave work soon. I’ll tell Elena.”
Rudbeckia blinked her eyes and tilted her head.
“Are you going to stay a little longer, Minister?”
“I still have a few things to check.”
He had to look at the report again and review the operation plan. But it wouldn’t take more than an hour.
“Aww… I was going to leave work together today.”
Rudbeckia’s shoulders drooped.
She must have been planning something.
“That’s a shame. But today is a day when I can’t make an appointment. Let’s look forward to the next time.”
“Appointment?”
As she expressed her doubt, Yohan smiled lightly.
“It’s the day I spend time with Rudella, who waits alone for one day every week.”
“Ah…”
Rudbeckia couldn’t say anything. Rudella, who was pregnant, would be eagerly waiting for only Yohan.
She was also Rudbeckia’s rival, but she didn’t want to keep the pregnant woman in check. It was the most important time, and in the end, she was carrying Yohan’s child.
“Then I’ll leave work first. You have to make time for me next time, okay?”
“Yes, go home safely.”
Rudbeckia smiled lightly and packed her things.
Meanwhile, Yohan checked the time with his pocket watch and hurriedly dealt with the remaining work.
* * *
Once a week, Yohan clears his schedule.
From the evening of Jupiter’s Day to the morning of Saturn’s Day.
In simple terms, from Thursday evening to Saturday morning.
It was a day when he asked Francia for understanding and always spent time alone with Rudella.
Thus, Yohan came to the detached residence where Rudella was staying immediately after leaving work. He washed his body thoroughly, used cleansing magic, and changed into comfortable clothes.
“Lady Rudella is waiting in the second-floor bedroom.”
The detached residence manager informed him. The Lahart mansion’s servants still used the title ‘Lady’ for Rudella. It was natural since they were not officially married.
“I’ll go right away.”
Yohan immediately went up the stairs and opened the door to the chamber where Rudella was waiting.
Sitting by the window, she was smelling the fragrance of rosehip tea and looking out at the garden.
“…”
Yohan blankly stared at Rudella sitting by the window. The softly shimmering moonlight gently enveloped her long hair.
“You’ve come, Yohan.”
Rudella put down her teacup and smiled gently.
At that moment, Yohan felt a strange tingling in his heart. She was always beautiful and lovely. Even dressed casually, she exuded elegance.
“Were you waiting?”
“I was eagerly waiting for you to come.”
Rudella playfully threw a light joke.
Yohan chuckled and sat next to her.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m feeling quite good these days.”
Rudella slowly stroked Yohan’s hand and continued. A slightly warmer temperature than before was transmitted to her fingertips.
“Thanks to the doctor’s daily care, I don’t skip meals, and my condition is good. I can’t say there are no inconveniences, but I think this much is natural.”
Rudella was now in the middle of her pregnancy, entering her fourth month. The most careful time had passed, but she still couldn’t let her guard down.
“How is life in the detached residence?”
“Of course, it’s comfortable. It’s a space just for me.”
The detached residence’s servants and managers moved only for Rudella. Thanks to that, Rudella was much more comfortable than when she was in the main residence.
“I think it was a good idea to move to the detached residence.”
“I suppose so. There are more things to be aware of.”
Rudella smiled faintly and leaned her face on Yohan’s shoulder. Her fingers gradually intertwined, and they clasped hands.
“How was work today?”
“Well, it’s always the same for me.”
Yohan gently stroked Rudella’s slender fingers. They were smooth and soft to the touch.
“It seems like this work will take a little longer, though.”
“Are you talking about the Demon Nest cleanup in the north?”
“Yeah. They say they can’t find the rift.”
“Hmm, then the work won’t end until you find it.”
Rudella pouted. She was waiting for this day to come every week, but if the work took longer, she might not be able to see him.
As her disappointment was revealed in her expression, Yohan chuckled.
“Don’t worry too much. I’ll finish it quickly and come back.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I can’t be late when Rudella is waiting.”
And he burrowed into her white neck and lightly kissed her. Rudella’s scent was still fragrant. He wondered why such a captivating scent came from her even though she didn’t use perfume.
“Hehe… it tickles when you do that.”
“Sorry, I just wanted to do it so much when your neck was exposed.”
“Hehe, it’s okay.”
Rudella smiled gently and kissed Yohan’s cheek.
“I am Yohan’s, so you can do whatever you want anytime.”
“If you say that, I might not be able to hold back again.”
“Is there a need to hold back?”
“Huh.”
Yohan let out a hollow laugh at her provocative smile. He liked and laughed at the way she was becoming more brazenly straightforward as time passed.
“You shouldn’t overdo it now.”
“Well, I asked the doctor, and he said it was okay.”
“…You asked him that again?”
“I’m always asking. Because Yohan is always lusting after me.”
“It sounds weird when you say it like that.”
“Isn’t it the truth? Hehe.”
Rudella covered her mouth with her hand and chuckled. It was certainly true. When they were together, they would get
caught up in the atmosphere and immediately have relations with her. He had nothing to say.
“So, are we going to rest today?”
“I was originally going to, but I can’t because Rudella provoked me.”
Yohan smiled faintly and burrowed into Rudella’s arms. He naturally caressed her chest. The soft sensation was transmitted through his fingertips. It seemed to have gotten bigger since she got pregnant.
He didn’t have a peculiar taste for feeling sexual urges towards a pregnant woman whose belly was starting to swell, but he couldn’t help it because Rudella was so lovely and beautiful now.
Rudella laughed lightly.
“Today will be a long day.”
She quietly accepted Yohan’s ticklish touch as he slowly undressed her.
It was a time when the Demon Nest cleanup in the north was not far away.
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