Adelia’s eyebrow furrowed at Baron Silicans’ question.
“Use the residents as bait? Ha…. I think you’re misunderstanding something.”
“Oh, no”
Adelia replied, swallowing a silly laugh.
“Of course. Our primary goal is to evacuate the residents to the mountains.”
Only then did the shadow cast on Baron Silicans’ face clear.
“Well, I see…. I’m really sorry for the misunderstanding.”
He bowed his head with a sincere apology.
Adelia went on to explain, ignoring Baron Silicans.
“Once the mermaids gather here, our troops will tie their feet. Then Benko, please find “Pearl” with navigation magic.”
“That’s not going to be hard, but… How many specific troops do you have?”
Benko asked in an uneasy voice.
Adelia understood his concern.
Since he has lived his whole life studying learning in the ivory tower, he cannot help but worry about the disaster.
Adelia glanced at Ivan. Ivan, who received Adelia’s signal, spoke.
“There is no official imperial support.”
There was a heavy silence. Not only Benko but also Baron Silicans looked desperate.
Ivan glanced at their faces and added; “Instead, the duchy’s forces will be deployed”
Only then did the faces of Benko and Baron Silicans brighten a little.
“Then how much…?”
“We’ll have 350 men.”
But the color did not last long. The figure of 350 fell short of their expectations and the two were depressed again.
“Ah…”
“Well, is that all right?”
Baron Silicans’ voice trembled slightly.
Honestly, he is nervous. He didn’t know if this choice was right. But even if this was the wrong choice, he had no other choice left.
Turn over the territory or gamble.
Baron Silicans closed his eyes tightly. He also had no choice but to choose the latter. Adelia said earnestly, looking at the figure of Baron Silicans.
“It’ll be enough. As long as Benko finds the location of the pearl quickly.”
Benko tried to hold his breath, feeling suffocated.
“I’ll do my best.”
A soft smile came to Adelia’s lips at the satisfactory answer.
“Then first, baron, please go down to the territory and start evacuating the people.”
“…I see.”
“We will head to Silicans territory as soon as the time is right.”
Baron Silicans paused for a moment to breathe. The baron’s weak eyes contained desperate will.
I will protect the land.
***
Time passed quickly and the third disaster came. The expedition centered around Hestine won the disaster. In the process, however, it created a significant number of casualties.
< Is this good? The late response of the saint caused a lot of problems….>
Giorgio wrinkled the newspaper with his hand full of displeasure.
“Stupid thing. You’re talking nonsense after living comfortably under our protection.”
Berkian carefully opened his mouth, reading his father’s countenance.
“Don’t worry. After all, it’s just a small newspaper. And I contacted the Imperial Daily separately and published a good article, so that article will be buried soon.”
“Tsk. You handled it well. By the way, have you heard from Baron Silicans yet?”
“Yes, I’m sure he’s desperate.”
Giorgio’s brows crumpled up at the words.
“Is he going to give up the residents just because of his pride?”
“Why don’t we change the direction a little?”
“Do you have any good ideas?”
“If we don’t help anyway, the Silicans estate will have no choice but to go down the path of destruction. And if the Silicans are breached by beasts, the surrounding territories can’t avoid damage.”
Berkian’s eyes curved gracefully.
“The imperial family will eventually need Hestine.”
Giorgio, who was listening carefully to his son’s plan, had a fishy smile around his mouth.
“Yes, in the end, your Majesty will need our help.”
“I’ll demand it then. To give us the Silicans territory.”
“That’s not a bad idea.”
Giorgio said in a satisfied voice and burst into laughter.
“But Rodriza is quiet.”
“Well, that’s a disaster that’s not a direct threat to life, so it’s natural.”
“Ha. Still being stubborn. They’ll be like Silicans.”
“If they see the Silicans go down, they’ll change their mind.”
Berkian comforted him to wait a little while and watch, but Giorgio looked dissatisfied.
The world needs to be a little more desperate. It should be covered with greater confusion.
So, the Valkyr family can look down on everyone.
“…did the priests in black robes contact you?”
Priests in black robes.
When he heard that, the smile that was engraved like a painting on Berkian’s face disappeared in an instant. His eyes were eaten away by anxiety. When he thinks of them, Berkian feels an unknown fear.
…that’s the real sacred thing.
Priests who exude overwhelming aura just by their presence.
Placing them on the line of comparison with the vulgar people of Vishna would be disrespectful to their god.
Berkian replied, swallowing dry saliva.
“We’ve got an answer to go ahead with the original plan.”
“Hmm, I wish it was a little earlier.”
“But Hestine’s body has to hold out.”
Giorgio’s face was deeply disappointed.
“You can’t come all the way here and make a mistake, so you’d better be careful.”
“…Yes, you’re right.”
Giorgio clicked his tongue. He trimmed his clothes once and headed to the party with Berkian.
A splendid party held with the triumph of the third calamity. Giorgio smiled at the nobles filling his castle. What a satisfying sight it is.
There’s not much time left. It’s time to get everything in our hands.
Giorgio’s steps were filled with greed and arrogance. He looked down at the nobles and opened his mouth.
“I would like to express my gratitude to all of you who are here to celebrate.”
Please enjoy the party for me.
***
Adelia kept looking at the map. It was about time to start.
Will I be able to do well?
Adelia shook her head at anxiety that suddenly appeared.
No, there’s no room for failure. We must succeed in this work. I shouldn’t feel anxious. If this is done well, we can turn the tide.
Adelia looked at the woman in the mirror. There was a calm rationality in her eyes.
Adelia Yurpheon.
She is no longer the vicious young lady of the Sorne family. She does not follow a set destiny, but a challenger who must pioneer a new destiny.
“Adelia, it’s time to go.”
A friendly voice awakened her mind. Adelia could not smile comfortably until she heard Ivan’s voice. Taking her eyes off the mirror, Adelia stepped forward without hesitation.
“Let’s go.”
In Silicans estate
***
Moore’s complicated eyes looked up at the grayed-out sky. An ominous gray sky
Tap.
Cold drops of water fell on Moore’s cheekbones.
Tap, tap.
Droplets that had been falling little by little began to fall in a row. The stinging raindrops created a ripple on the faraway sea.
It seemed like crying.
It was like shedding tears knowing that disaster is coming soon. Moore prayed in the pouring rain.
I hope everyone can go back to their daily lives safely.
I hope to see a lively territory again.
“Lord, eat this….”
A girl handed Moore a hard bread.
It was emergency food prepared for the refugees.
“My mom said the lord must have a lot of worries. But I believe in my lord! So don’t cry!”
The girl looked only five or six years old. Perhaps her teeth began to fall out, the part where the front teeth should be was empty.
Did I look like I was crying?
Moore felt a sense of shame for a moment. He shouldn’t have shown despair as a lord of a territory.
She’s still very young. I can’t let a child like this go through a terrible thing.
Moore made eye contact with the girl with his knees slightly bent. She was a little skinny kid. Moore refused the girl’s gift with a calm look on his face.
“I’m fine. Go back and share this with your parents.”
Moore gave the girl his share of food.
“Ah…, I, I’m fine..”
The girl’s eyes didn’t fall off the sweet-looking bread. The child licked her lips as if the bread was delicious. Moore said with a small smile.
“It’s because I’m full. If you leave it like this, it might all get wet and disappear.”
“It can’t disappear!”
The girl quickly put the bread in her arms. She hid the bread in her tiny bag.
“Thank you…”
The girl bowed her head and ran to the shelter where her parents were. Moore looked at the figure for a while. The heavy responsibility of protecting their happiness weighed on his shoulders. By the time he was out of breath, someone with a beautiful voice called him.
“Honey.”
“…wife.”
Moore turned and looked at his wife. On the other hand, Baroness Silicans was staring at him with calm eyes. She clasped her husband’s hand and said,
“I believe God didn’t abandon us. So don’t make that face. We’re doing our best.”
Moore’s eyes heated up. He held his wife in his arms and made a promise.
“I will protect you and the territory.”
The Baroness simply hugged him without saying a word at her husband’s pledge.
[Thank you Zans for the coffee. <3]
