Captain! Where is the Battlefield?

 

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  Rosalie headed towards the estate of Countess Seth in order to have the tea time she had promised her. When she arrived at the mansion and waited in the reception room, Moiron appeared, looking tired and worn out.

 

  “Sorry for making you come all the way here. I’ve been so busy with orders due to the Monster Hunting Tournament that I didn’t have any spare time to go out.”

 

  “It’s okay.”

 

  Moiron rang the bell with a bright smile, and the reception room door opened, revealing the maids who had prepared fragrant tea and other refreshments. Rosalie’s eyes were drawn to the sweet-looking chocolates on the table.

 

  The scent of sweetness wafted through the air even though she didn’t pick it up. If Nathan were here, he would have reached for it immediately.

 

  “Do you like chocolate?”

 

  “Ah… my friend loves it. He can’t resist anything sweet.”

 

  “Fufu, you must be very close friends. I’ll ask the butler to wrap some up for you when you leave.”

 

  Rosalie smiled at Moiron’s consideration.

 

  “I always seem to be on the receiving end.”

 

  “Oh, I’m a merchant. You could say it’s a kind of investment. I have a feeling the Duchess will give me a lot in return.”

 

  Rosalie couldn’t help but chuckle at Moiron’s playful words. She already knew that Moiron was more than just a business partner.

 

  “You’ll see the fruits of your investment.”

 

  “Then should I invest more this time?”

 

  Moiron shook the bell, and a maid came in carrying a small box. Rosalie looked at the box on the table and asked.

 

  “What is this?”

 

  “It’s a new potion that just came out. I heard you were going to the Monster Hunting Tournament, so I prepared it. Open it.”

 

  When Rosalie opened the box, she saw a luxurious glass vial inside. She stared at the pattern on the glass vial, which looked familiar.

 

  “I’ve seen this pattern somewhere before.”

 

  “The magician who made this potion used the same pattern on his glass vials. It’s his signature.”

 

  As Rosalie stared at the glass vial, she recalled the glass vial of the antidote she had received from Derivis, which had the same pattern.

 

  “Of all the potions that exist, the ones made by this magician are the most effective and expensive.”

 

  “How much is it?” 

 

  “The price varies depending on the potion, but you can think of it as roughly the price of a mansion in the center of the capital. However, the detoxification potions are more expensive because they are difficult to make.”

 

  Upon hearing this, Rosalie’s eyes widened. She knew the glass vial design was expensive, but she had no idea it was astronomically priced.

 

  “Oh, but don’t worry. I got a few vials at a discount thanks to my friendship with the magician. The price on the market is indeed that high.”

 

  Moiron shook her hand. In fact, she was the one who felt most comfortable after Marquis Windell disappeared. This was because he kept complaining about the quality of the merchant guild’s products.

 

  She pretended it was an investment, but it was actually a reward. She was the Empire’s best merchant and an opportunist.

 

  “I really like the Duchess.”

 

  The ever-capable strategist always managed to pique Moiron’s interest. Rosalie also smiled at the sudden confession. It was always a good sign when your business partner liked you.

 

  “And I heard some great news. You’re using auror, right?”

 

  “That’s right.”

 

  It was a matter-of-fact response, free from any arrogance or humility. Moiron chuckled softly at her response. It was the kind of thing that made her want to be more than a business partner, but a friend.

 

  “Thanks to that, no one will be able to ignore the Duchess, unless they’ve lost their minds… fufu.”

 

  Moiron trailed off with a smile, but the meaning was clear enough to Rosalie. When Moiron first became the head of her family without marrying, she had been hurt by nobles who looked down on her.

 

  It was not common for an unmarried noblewoman to become the head of a household, so it was a hot topic. Especially the younger the age, the more likely they were to become a prey in high society. This was something that Rosalie herself had not been able to avoid.

 

  “Even if there were any, I don’t think there’s anything to worry about when it comes to the Duchess.”

 

  “People who can’t fight in the first place tend to have long tongues.”

 

  Moiron’s concern was appreciated, but there was no need for it now. Realizing that she was worrying unnecessarily, Moiron burst out laughing at Rosalie’s nonchalant remark.

 

  “Fufu, you’re really a clever person.”

 

  Rosalie smiled faintly and fiddled with the vial of potion in her hand. Moiron looked up from her teacup when she noticed.

 

  “Is there something on your mind?”

 

  “Oh, did I look preoccupied?” 

 

  Rosalie smiled wryly as she set the vial back on the table.

 

  “Yes, you were. What could be on the mind of the Duchess of Judeheart, Goddess of War?”

 

  Moiron playfully mentioned the nickname she had seen in the newspaper, causing Rosalie to chuckle. Hearing the nickname spoken aloud rather than read in print made it even more embarrassing.

 

  “When you’re unsure about you should do, what do you usually do, Countess?” 

 

  Fiddling with the potion made her think of Derivis, the unresolved issue that had been gnawing at her mind.

 

  “Well, what have you done so far?”

 

  “When I face a dilemma, I always take action. I prefer trying and regretting to not trying at all.”

 

  Rosalie responded promptly to Moiron’s question, making her temperament clear. Moiron couldn’t help but laugh at her straightforwardness.

 

  “Then go ahead and do it. After all, people ultimately have to do what they’re used to doing.”

 

  It was a clear and straightforward answer. Rosalie nodded in agreement with Moiron’s response.

 

  “That’s right. That seems like a good way to handle things.”

 

  But despite her affirmation, Rosalie’s eyes on the potion looked complicated.

 

  “Come to think of it, aren’t you participating in the Monster Hunting Tournament this time, Countess?” 

 

  Realizing her intentions, Moiron answered without asking further.

 

  “I’m more interested in the items to be sold at the event than the event itself. I have no interest in the tournament.”

 

  She had the mindset of a merchant through and through. Moiron rang the bell, instructing the servants to bring out more tea.

 

  “Shall we continue chatting over another cup of tea?” 

 

  Moiron’s conversation was interesting and lighthearted, so Rosalie cheerfully replied that she would.

 

      ⊱⊱⊱────── {.⋅ ✧✧✧ ⋅.} ──────⊰⊰⊰ 

 

  As time passed, the day of the eagerly awaited Hunting Tournament arrived. The nobles used the portal magic provided by the palace to move to the hunting grounds.

 

  Rosalie, along with her knights and a few necessary servants, arrived at the entrance of the palace. She peered out the carriage window and gazed at the glowing magic circle at the entrance.

 

  However, unlike her, who seemed quite curious, Nathan looked displeased as he rode next to the carriage.

 

  “Why do you look so unhappy?”

 

  “Because there are disgusting magicians here.”

 

  During large-scale events like this, the palace typically commissioned magicians from the Mage Tower. It was when nobles and commoners alike had rare opportunities to see the magicians who only stayed in the tower.

 

  Rosalie glanced around at the mages in the tower surrounding the great circle of magic, then turned to Nathan.

 

  “You don’t like magicians?”

 

  “I hate them to the point where I want to kill them all if I can.”

 

  Nathan fidgeted with the sword at his waist. His eyes, filled with disgust for a long time, glanced around a few times before returning to their usual state.

 

  “I can’t see Devi.”

 

  “He probably moved first. We came late.”

 

  As the carriage of the Duchess with Emma and Rosalie riding in it went up the magic circle with their retinue, the magicians began to recite spells.

 

  The bright light shone from the magic circle, and in an instant, many people were transported to the hunting ground where the hunt began. 

 

  Rosalie swallowed back a small gasp of admiration as she watched the landscape change so quickly, unlike the portal tower.

 

  ‘This is the magic effect I was hoping for.’

 

  Then, the Imperial Knights who had noticed the arrival of the Duchess of Judeheart’s party guided them to the designated area. Many nobles had already set up their tents and were moving about.

 

  “Your Grace, we will set up the tent first.”

 

  Rosalie nodded at Joey’s words and got out of the carriage to stretch. She was dressed in a knight’s outfit that had been specially made for her since she was going on a hunt.

 

  The Judeheart Duchy’s crest was engraved on the pristine white uniform, and Rosalie had her crossbow strapped behind it.

 

  As the current center of attention, Rosalie began to attract the attention of the surrounding nobles. However, she paid no attention to it and only looked around.

 

  ‘It seems like I was appointed a spot quite close to the Imperial tent because I’m a Duchess.’

 

  Rosalie decided to go and meet the Emperor while the tent was being completed.

 

  “Nathan, I’m going to see His Majesty the Emperor… Why do you look so pale?”

 

  Nathan, who was near Rosalie, did not look well. It wouldn’t be strange if he passed out on the ground soon.

 

  “I guess I felt sick from sensing too much magic from all the magicians I saw. Blegh.”

 

  “…You can rest. I’ll go.”

 

  Rosalie turned away from Nathan, who looked like he could vomit at any moment. 

 

  As she approached the splendid red tent of the Emperor and Empress, a servant recognized her visit.

 

  Shortly after, Patrick’s permission was quickly granted and Rosalie entered the tent, bowing respectfully.

 

  “I pay my respects to His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress. May infinite glory accompany you…”

 

  “Welcome, Duchess. You’re a little late.”

 

  “I apologize. Our departure was delayed.”

 

  “Haha, it’s okay. Are you joining the hunt today?”

 

  “Yes. That’s right.”

 

  Rosalie glanced at the person sitting next to Patrick. The woman holding a deep purple fan in her hand was sitting in the Empress’s seat. 

 

  With her deep purple hair, purple eyes, and a dark spot on the left corner of her eye, she was a strikingly beautiful woman. Her red lips moved in a smile.

 

  “Nice to meet you, Duchess.”

 

  The one who greeted Rosalie was the current Empress and the one who not only poisoned Derivis’s mother, but also had her sights on Derivis’s life – Nine Yrrid Vlodik.

 

  ‘Skillful at cutting off tails, and probably the final villain in the novel.’

 

 

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