[ Episode 219. Vortex ]
Colorfully shining eyes stared at Maximin.
Sensing a suspicious energy in the moment, Maximin tilted his head.
“This is not Luna or Pendragon. Who is it?”
“Maximin Cronell.”
Luna called his name.
However, as Maximin said, she was no longer Luna.
“Is it Eve Millennium?”
“I was going to go quietly, but you dared to call my name.”
“It’s ugly. If you wanted to remain like that, you should have let me live.”
Monsieur looked at the two with a bewildered face at the sudden change of atmosphere.
“You can’t insult me when I’m already dead by being so sarcastic.”
“It is also black magic. Excluding the magician’s intentions, it was activated at will. It seems that you did not come out of Luna or Pendragon’s will, but it is a terrible magic.”
“Maximin, I have already made up my mind to bury the past in the past. So please, don’t say anything wrong to this child.”
“Eve Millennium. The you I knew wasn’t that strong of a motherly love.”
“Human beings can change with experience. Especially I’ve been through something called death. I think that is enough reason for me to change.”
A chilly atmosphere enveloped the surroundings.
While looking at each other silently for a while, Timur slowly got up.
-Kreur.
“Is that Adrias? I get it. Don’t worry, I won’t do anything stupid.”
– Kheung.
Eve, who was watching this, let out a strange laugh.
“Even Maximin Cronel of the world can’t move. Have you found any weaknesses?”
“Think whatever you want.”
Maximin completely ignored it.
Eve, who became more interested in the reaction, took a look at Timur and asked Maximin.
“Looks like you found a clue from God, right?”
“God’s clue? that wasn’t my goal. I just don’t care as long as Isabelle is safe.”
“The woman in the coffin? Are you sure you woke up?”
“I don’t know anything. Didn’t your daughter tell you?”
Eve frowned.
And muttered as if he didn’t understand.
“That was definitely a powerful blessing from God. You said it was a curse, but it was definitely a blessing. you deleted it? Adrias Cromwell, a mere human?”
“You seem to have forgotten that you and the body you are borrowing are also human.”
The eyes of Eve, who borrowed Luna’s body, shone more and more.
As if he had found a fun toy, Maximin said quietly.
“That makes it even more interesting. I can’t help but be surprised that a mere mortal broke the divine protection.”
“If you touch Adrias, I will kill you.”
“Am I already dead?”
“I’m not kidding. Killing your daughter would kill you.”
– Kheung!
Timur growled and intervened between Eve and Maximin.
Eventually, Maximin turned his head first and walked away.
“I’ll look around for a while and come back.”
“It’s fun, it’s fun. Your weak side and the divine ability that Adrias Cromwell had. I hope that someday I will be able to meet your fiancée, a vampire named Isabelle. do you know As you know, my lineage is a family that once served God. Maybe we can find something.”
Maksiman just disappeared without answering.
In the end, Eve Millennium, who was left with the undead and a small human child, turned her gaze and spoke to Timur.
“Adrias Cromwell, are you listening? Taking good care of my daughter didn’t mean taking care of it, but you’re using it well. Luna is not a piece on a chessboard.”
-Kreung.
“I am always by her side, watching and listening. Keep that fact in mind.”
Eve quietly closed her eyes.
Monsieur, who had been silent at the sudden incident, slowly approached Timur.
“Are you okay? Can I go home?”
– sniff!
Timur’s huge hand stroked the boy’s head.
**
Bang!
“You’re crazy, you’re crazy!”
Northern Ardi Territory.
Thanks to ambiguous geographic requirements, it was rather a place that avoided this war.
Had it not been for Pione Ardi’s deal, Marquis Ardi, who would have had to leave the territory and join the front line, folded the letter that came to him finely and put it in his arms and stood up.
“I can’t.”
He left the office thinking about the contents of the letter from his daughter.
Thanks to her hard work for her family, she was able to escape the chaos of war, but the letter she had just read was too dangerous.
“dismissal!”
“What is it?”
Marquis Ardi, who was about to head somewhere in a hurry, stopped when he saw the family butler who suddenly appeared.
The butler lowered his head and immediately opened his mouth.
“His Highness Alven has arrived.”
“what?”
The pupils of Marquis Ardi shook at the appearance of an unexpected person.
But there was no time for him to be flustered.
“The wizards of Rodlene’s Tower also came with us. I wonder if it’s something related to the battlefield…”
“Where are you now?”
“For now, as a rule, they are being served in the drawing room.”
“Go right away.”
The contents of the letter from Pione were also important, but it was right to solve the problem right now.
The thought that it must be behind him crossed his mind, but soon he managed his expression and entered the parlor.
“His Highness Alven! It’s the first time I’ve seen you since the banquet two years ago. How have you been?”
Bahat calmly looked at Marquis Ardi, who naturally smiled and said hello.
“Long time no see.”
“I’m sorry that I can’t treat you properly for a sudden visit.”
“Are you saying it’s uncomfortable?”
“Oh no. How could I dare……. I was just saying that I was sorry that I couldn’t provide better hospitality. It’s rare to see Her Highness, so your mouth trembled at the thought of looking good.”
The drawing room fell silent for a moment.
In that place, besides Bahat, the sub-tab owner, Earl Kent Hyges, and the highly reputed Rodelian Magic Tower’s battle mage, Derek Gardner, were also there.
What was unexpected was a young woman who did not belong to the Rodelian Magic Tower and another wizard who looked relatively young.
“Why are you standing so far away? sit down.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Have you ever had an emergency?”
“yes? Oh no.”
The sudden question gave Marquis Ardi goosebumps inside.
I asked casually, but if it was Bahat, it would have been a question of capturing something with great insight.
Marquis Ardi must have been clumsy for trying not to act awkwardly.
“As you know, this is Lord Hyges and this is Sir Derek.”
“They are already familiar people. Long time no see.”
After bowing and briefly greeting each other, Bahat introduced the other two.
“This is my daughter, Diene Alven.”
“Last year’s tournament final was something I intuited. It’s an honor to see a wizard with a promising future in person.”
“It’s an overstatement.”
Diene calmly lowered her head.
The action was short and still, but full of dignity.
“And this one…you know, right?”
“Aren’t you Sir Berial Castro, the head of the magic department at Rodlen Academy?”
“That’s right.”
Even though Berial was introducing herself, she looked around and didn’t pay attention.
At that rude attitude, Marquis Ardi cleared his throat for a moment, but nothing changed.
“Hmmmm. Nice to meet you, Sir Burial.”
“hmm? ah! Nice to meet you, Mr. Ardi. I will take care of you a little.”
“How are you?”
When Marquis Ardi asked what he meant, Bahat stepped forward.
“Can we stay in Ardi for a while?”
“Of course. You are welcome to stay.”
That’s what he said, but Marquis Ardi looked at Bahat with a curious expression.
The answer came right away.
“The situation around the fort is not good.”
“What do you mean by surroundings…?”
“Sette Morgen Haupen Nevillem and Mayrne.”
When the names of the surrounding kingdoms came out of Bahat’s mouth, Marquis Ardi’s eyes narrowed.
“Are you saying that those guys are conspiring?”
“It seems that the peace has been long.”
“You are out of your mind. With what kind of confidence do you dare to stand up to the Empire?”
“Do I know that? Looking back, there was an incident where the prince of Mayrne came all the way here on a field trip and died, and there must have been a case where he looked down on the barbarians because he couldn’t get rid of them quickly.”
“Just because of that…”
“There is someone behind it. Perhaps he is encouraging it.”
Bahat’s eyes darkened.
Even though he has no loyalty to the empire, since his territory, family, and mage tower are also inside the empire, he is also a problem that hurts his pride.
“Thanks to that, we went out on our own. It is His Majesty’s order to end the barbarians quickly.”
“That means……”
“You have to go too.”
Bahat took out the letter from his bosom and handed it to Marquis Ardi.
After checking the letter, the Marquis’ face stiffened slightly, then relaxed.
“okay.”
“We are not leaving right away. I will go to war after watching a little longer, so prepare your troops in advance.”
“All right.”
Marquis Ardi nodded and thought for a moment.
‘Damn it…….’
I was able to escape from the battlefield where I could barely be enchanted.
The daughter’s help and sacrifice saved the family, but the royal family broke that promise at once.
‘Did you notice Phione’s actions?’
Daughter Fione made a choice she didn’t understand.
It was he who deceived the royal family and decided to help Adrias Cromwell.
Maybe if the fact was found out…….
‘No. If I got caught, it wouldn’t have ended like this.’
Rather, it was only this kind of thing, so I was able to confirm that I hadn’t been caught.
In particular, the emperor’s tyranny, which has been intensifying recently, has supported this fact.
If so, it can be seen that the royal family literally did not keep their promise.
“I have a lot on my mind. Are you dissatisfied?”
“It can’t be. I was worried about whether it was okay for my family to be comfortable like this. Rather fortunate.”
“It is a lie.”
Bahat sighed and said clearly.
“yes?”
“Who do you think I am? Do you think I really don’t know anything?”
A strange tension permeated the drawing room.
Except for Burial, the rest of the characters carefully watched Bahat’s eyes.
“Everyone, get out for a while. I have something to say to Lord Ardi alone.”
“yes.”
The sub-top owner answered as a representative and dragged everyone out.
Bahat laughed when the two of them had a place like that.
“You have a daughter?”
“That’s right. She is an older daughter who entered Rodlen Academy this year.”
“Why did I bring up your daughter?”
As Bahat continued to speak with a smile on his face, Marquis Ardi wiped the sweat from his forehead before he knew it.
“Because I attend the same academy as Her Highness’s daughter…?”
“Don’t make me say it three times. Do you think I know nothing?”
In the end, Marquis Ardi swallowed dry saliva and lowered his head.
“Probably the same as what you know. I’m sorry for pretending not to know, Your Highness.”
“I’m not talking about you who didn’t go to the battlefield. Rather, the fortress is a noble virtue. A war in which there is not much to be gained by going out and shedding blood anyway. What you and your daughter did was right.”
Marquis Ardi bowed deeply at Bahat’s words and waited for the words to follow.
“But the other party broke the promise first.”
“……yes.”
“Aren’t you angry?”
“How dare I…”
“Hey Lord Ardi. I know you’re taking care of the Emperor, but that doesn’t come from loyalty. Let’s be honest.”
Marquis Ardi touched his forehead with an embarrassed look at Bahat’s troubled words.
“I know that you are dealing with warlocks under the secret approval of the imperial family. That’s probably why the Ardi family is pro-emperor faction.”
“Hmm.”
“As I said earlier, these little guys are making disturbing moves. And this is an opportunity.”
“I can’t believe it’s an opportunity…….”
“It’s a fight with a lot to eat, unlike fighting with barbarians. But at this rate, I’ll just have to fight a local war with the savages, who doesn’t know when it will end. His Majesty must have sent me here for that purpose.”
Marquis Ardi’s head started spinning.
The opportunity that Bahat spoke of was obviously a war with other countries with fertile land.
“Your Majesty will defeat all troops in the North except for me and a few families. We’ve already gathered all the troops, so there’s no need to recruit them, just attack them like this.”
“Your Highness, can I take a moment to think about it?”
“I know.”
Things were getting bigger than expected.
The Marquis Ardi thought quietly, but at this rate, his family was in a position to be mobilized in a war of attrition that would only cost them a lot of damage.
Upon learning of the Emperor’s thoughts, he began to suspect that Pione’s treachery was in fact known.
‘If it’s already known… even if it’s not known, if we keep going like this, only our family will degenerate while other families grow.’
It didn’t matter now whether the emperor knew or not.
The edict had already been issued, and the Ardi family had to become watchdogs while others went to get the sweet fruit.
In the meantime, the Marquis suddenly remembered Pione’s letter again.
“majesty.”
“Are you done thinking?”
“That’s right. I see how things work.”
“What I want is simple. We smash the barbarians with all our might. quickly and accurately. That’s why the other aristocrats do it so cleanly that no words come out, and we join as a latecomer. You’ll need quite a bit of your family’s strength to do that.”
Marquis Ardi hesitated for a moment.
Can I tell Bahat exactly what is in my head right now?
But that hesitation soon dissipated.
To fall behind in aristocratic society meant death.
Even if the influence is not visible right now, if things continue like this, the Ardi Marquis family could become extinct in the next generation.
“majesty. In fact, I have one piece of information for you.”
“Are you going to tell me?”
“It’s like we’re on the same boat at the point where we’ve already received the eomyeong.”
“Hehe. yes.”
“Whoa.”
Marquis Ardi let out a deep sigh and opened his mouth.
“Adrias Cromwell.”
When a completely unexpected name appeared, Bahat tilted his head, widening his eyes.
Why is Adrias Cromwell suddenly here?
“Why is Adrias suddenly…?”
At his question, Marquis Ardi slowly opened his mouth.
“Maybe our way of life depends on Earl Cromwell.”
[ Episode 219. Whirlwind ] End
