In the study that was not too dim.
The white-haired girl slowly turned the pages of the book in front of her, speaking expressionlessly.
“After settling things here a bit more… we’ll return to the Crystal Capital.”
Ileya slowly turned her head to look at Arthur, who had already been standing by the bookshelf at some point.
“So, what do you plan to do about your own matters?”
“…”
The old man was actually quite conflicted at this moment.
In the few days since separating from Franlot, he sometimes wondered why he was so fixated on this young man.
After thinking it over, he came to a conclusion that… even without this young man, his life wouldn’t change at all.
He could still fulfill his promise and then go do what he originally intended.
But… sometimes, he still felt uneasy… as if some unknown force was guiding him, making him pay attention to Franlot’s actions.
Like today. Actually, there were five bronze-level gang members who went to assassinate Franlot.
If Arthur hadn’t secretly intervened and dealt with two of them…
Then Franlot, who almost died in a 1v3, would have definitely died here.
And now the Lady bringing up this matter also made Arthur feel extremely conflicted.
“Just do some things according to your own heart…” Arthur, who was conflicted, heard the Lady beside him say somewhat helplessly.
It was like how she herself encountered Reliel and Holly, and could see those “futures” and “pasts” that might be related to her.
The “fate” of this world is a very magical thing.
She couldn’t fight against it for now, so keeping Franlot around and letting him follow the plot she knew as much as possible.
For Ileya, that was definitely better than having another hero appear.
So…
Her consistent policy was to create a rift between this fated master and disciple, but not let them completely break apart.
At this moment, there seemed to be an ethereal chain in the Lady’s hand, and even Arthur, as strong as he was, didn’t notice that his own neck was firmly tied by this “chain.”
As long as she maintained this balance, the so-called “Fated One” would always be firmly in her grasp…
While thinking, Ileya sensed three living people’s presences approaching from outside.
Ever since she advanced to a third-rank necromancer, she had gained this perception ability.
The range was a radius of thirty meters centered on her. Any creature with a soul couldn’t escape her detection.
After experimenting these past few days, there had been no errors.
She wondered if this ability of hers could be unavoidable in this world where research on souls was almost zero.
Thinking this, she turned to look at Arthur beside her.
“We’ll depart tomorrow afternoon. Think about this matter yourself.”
As she spoke, Ileya waved her hand at Arthur somewhat impatiently.
This made Arthur feel that the Lady really did take care of him, while also deepening his guilt.
“Yes, Lady.”
After slowly bowing his head, Arthur opened the door and walked out of the study.
The moment he exited, he came face to face with the three women who were also coming to see the Lady.
“Senior Arthur.” Holly greeted politely.
But Amisa frowned, as if there was something dirty on Arthur, wrinkling her nose in disgust.
“From now on, if you have something to discuss, just come to me. I’ll relay it to the Lady!”
The implication was… I don’t trust you. You’d better be careful.
“Uh… haha, I understand, Miss Amisa.” As the Lady’s guard, it was understandable to be wary of someone whose stance was unclear like him.
Forced to smile bitterly, Arthur slowly brushed past the group.
As he passed the catgirl, he clearly wanted to say something, but in the end, he said nothing and just made a sweeping gesture in the air in front of his chest.
As if playing some kind of musical instrument.
Ding~
Instantly, Mirpasi felt the stagnation and powerlessness in her heart lighten considerably.
It was like when you’re in a bad mood, and suddenly a warm, gentle spring breeze, carrying the scent of flowers, softly brushes against your face… Surrounded by the chirping of insects and birds, the babbling of a stream, as if nothing mattered anymore. As long as you’re alive, everything can start over.
“Huh?” The catgirl’s ears, which had been drooping, twitched slightly. She subconsciously wanted to look back at Arthur passing by her.
Whoosh! But in the next second, her head was directly pressed down by Amisa.
“Don’t look around carelessly. You might see something unclean.”
“Mm…” The catgirl didn’t dare to refute, just nodded blankly.
Holly scratched her head… between her master and Senior Arthur, it really was… sigh.
Knock knock knock…
“Come in~”
The study door slowly opened, and before Mirpasi appeared that legendary Lady.
The name “Bloodblossom Demon” had a certain renown throughout the East County. As a member of the City Guard, the catgirl naturally had an impression.
After all, before becoming soldiers under the City Lord, they all had to undergo training. And the first step of training wasn’t to test their skills or hearts, but to make them recognize people.
This Lady’s portrait… during Mirpasi’s training, it seemed to be placed even ahead of the City Lord’s. She belonged to the category of people who absolutely must not be provoked.
And now, seeing her in person… it must be said, rather than “Bloodblossom Demon,” Mirpasi would rather call her “Eastern District Jewel.”
This Lady… was truly beautiful. Though her body hadn’t fully developed yet, it was already apparent that she would definitely become a noblewoman standing at the top of the Kingdom in the future…
“Mirpasi greets the Lady! Thank you, Lady, for saving my life!!”
Thump! Before anyone could say anything, the catgirl directly knelt down and knocked her head firmly on the ground in Ileya’s direction.
“Mm…” Holly was startled, but Ileya didn’t show much reaction, just slowly twirling the white feather pen in her hand.
“I heard… you’re a pushover? You accepted it so quickly? Or have you never heard of my reputation before?”
“I…” Hearing the Lady speak so calmly, the catgirl became even more certain. She must not be the kind of person the rumors said—a moody, violent, murderous madman…
“I’ve heard of it, but… it’s different from what I’ve seen. I prefer to believe what I see with my own eyes.”
As she spoke, Mirpasi bowed her head even lower. She was a good person.
Before this, she was an absolute good person.
But… after going through so much, the girl had vaguely come to understand some truths.
‘The right thing… isn’t necessarily correct?’ As the catgirl was thinking, these words came out of the Lady’s mouth.
“Huh? How did you…” Mirpasi looked up in confusion. Those words were whispered to her by the City Guard Captain. How could this Lady possibly…
“Mirpasi, if you want to follow me, then today I’ll teach you another lesson~”
Ileya slowly stood up, casually tossing the feather pen into the pen holder.
“It’s safer to be feared than to be loved~”
“Fear relies on the strong chain of power, while love relies on the fragile bond of gratitude.”
“If there’s profit to be had, people can easily cut it at any time…”