“It was not about vacating the imperial palace.”
Maxel, who had been trembling his leg while seated in the chair, muttered as if talking to himself.
“In the first place, lured by talk of monster hunts and such, I vacated my seat, and that scoundrel Heinri……”
His voice, growing progressively smaller, became almost inaudible by the end.
Lilia, who had been staring at Maxel with her arms crossed, turned her body.
Startled by her apparent intention to leave, Maxel, who had been lost in his own thoughts, sprang to his feet.
“Where are you going?”
“……I’m going to check the situation outside. We cannot hide like this forever.”
“Lilia, you must not leave my side too.”
“Of course not, Your Highness. Why would I leave your side?”
No emotion tinged Lilia’s beaming smile. However, it seemed Maxel, who had lost his composure, could not see that.
Gently prying Maxel’s hands, which were clinging to her arm like a child’s, Lilia spoke affectionately.
“I’ll be right back.”
Reluctantly, Maxel let Lilia go. Pacing anxiously around the room, he eventually sat back down in the chair, trembling his leg and sinking back into his thoughts.
Lilia glared at him with a look of contempt, gritted her teeth, and turned away.
*Creak.*
As she opened the door, the sharp sound of an old latch pierced her eardrums. The sound alone revealed the shabbiness of this place.
Given their sudden flight, it was impossible to have secured a proper hiding place. They wouldn't have even obtained this much without the help of the Head of the Yusgel Merchant Group.
In truth, the Yusgel Merchant Group's situation wasn't very good either. This was because the Temple had declared monster hunters to be heretics.
Naturally, the position of the Merchant Group, which practically commanded these monster hunters, became extremely awkward.
“Lady Lilia, it would be troublesome for you to come out for a while.”
Someone blocked Lilia’s path as she walked, lost in thought. It was the errand boy assigned by the Head of the Yusgel Merchant Group.
Though called an errand boy, she had heard he held a fairly high rank within the Group.
Considering Maxel and Lilia’s status, the Head had specially selected and assigned him.
Moreover, the man served not only as a guard but also as a messenger, relaying the Head’s secret words.
“I’m not going far.”
“The atmosphere outside is ominous. It would be best for you to remain in the room.”
He showed no intention of moving aside. Forced to turn back before even leaving the corridor, Lilia suppressed her displeasure.
If she insisted, she could probably make him yield.
But if any problems arose from that, the Head of the Yusgel Merchant Group would not be pleased.
‘That man is different from Fressian.’
Unlike Fressian, who helped Lilia out of pure affection without expecting anything in return, he was a thorough businessman.
So, it was better not to create unnecessary emotional friction.
Right now, the Head’s help was crucial.
“I understand.”
Lilia took a deep breath. Although they had barely managed to escape the imperial soldiers who had suddenly raided the palace, she hadn’t thought this situation would continue indefinitely.
Even though Maxel had been steadily losing popularity over several months, loyal subjects who still followed the Crown Prince existed.
If they could just join them, they would find a way out.
As she was about to turn back, Lilia suddenly looked back at the errand boy.
“Has there been any letter or other contact?”
Lilia had instructed the Head of the Yusgel Merchant Group to dispose of the mine she had entrusted to his management.
Thinking long-term, it was a pity, but for now, it needed to be sold off to raise more funds.
With money, it would be much easier to command people.
Moreover, since she had agreed to give up a certain portion of the shares during the disposal, it wasn’t a bad deal for the Head either. Thinking of the money he would receive, he should have been working diligently.
“No.”
“……I see.”
Given it was a valuable mine, a considerable amount of funds should have been secured.
‘It must be taking time because it’s such a large-scale transaction.’
Consoling herself thus, Lilia composed her expression.
“Do you happen to know any news about Roam?”
“My apologies.”
Ultimately, the conversation yielded no significant results. Swallowing a sigh, Lilia finally withdrew and stood in the corridor for a moment, pondering.
Instead of heading to the lounge where Maxel was, she chose the bedroom.
‘I need to dream.’
Since hiding here, she had slept whenever she could, so she wouldn’t fall asleep immediately upon lying down now, but if she stayed lying down, perhaps sleep would come.
She hadn’t received a new premonition since foreseeing the failure of the monster subjugation. But considering the cycle so far, she would likely have a dream soon.
‘Preferably today.’
If the goddess had truly chosen her……
Since she had guided her this far, she must surely take responsibility.
Lilia’s green eyes took on a cool glint.
* * *
“The movement of monsters?”
“Yes. A detailed route map is attached to the report.”
Heinri, looking at the knight before him with an expression of disbelief, first accepted the report.
From the very first page, a familiar name appeared. The Montel territory, which had been bustling with news of the Resurrected One and the Crown Prince for some time.
“Skeletons……”
“The area near the Montel territory has not yet been replenished with soldiers since the subjugation force’s recent major defeat. The Ruejak family is also not in a position to defend their territory, so they are protecting the villages with their own security forces.”
“Casualties?”
“None.”
Heinri, flipping through the report with a serious face, paused.
Glancing up, he stared at the knight and asked again in a doubtful voice.
“……None, you say?”
“Yes. The monsters are showing no aggression whatsoever. According to reports, even when they see people, they simply pass by.”
Heinri frowned as if he had heard something absurd.
What could be stranger than monsters not harming people?
Of course, he had learned through Anelli that one could communicate with monsters and even command them at times.
But that was something applicable only to Anelli.
To ordinary people, monsters were merely creatures that could not coexist in the same space, and monsters also recognized humans as prey or enemies.
For them to pass by people right in front of them, as was being reported, was something that should never happen under normal circumstances.
‘Could Anelli have intervened?’
The thought occurred to him briefly, but Heinri immediately dismissed it. If that were the case, she would have given him prior notice.
He flipped through a few more pages. The region names and monster types changed, but the content was the same.
All reports stated that monsters were moving en masse toward a specific destination and showed no interest whatsoever when encountering people.
And the destination they were heading toward was……
‘The Trevi Mountains.’
Heinri’s expression subtly darkened. This was also where Anelli was supposed to be.
If it seemed as though the monsters were following Anelli’s lead…… was that his own groundless speculation?
“According to the report, this is not just a problem for the Montel territory. Even if we immediately send reinforcements to the nearby garrison, it will take time. For now, relay orders to strengthen the defenses of territories adjacent to the Trevi Mountains as they are currently doing. First, do not provoke the monsters, and restrict the outings of the territorial residents.”
“Yes, understood.”
He should also send a separate message to Anelli. But for that, she would need to contact him first. When might that be?
Fiddling with the communication necklace around his neck, he gestured for the knight to leave. As the knight withdrew, only the aides remained in the office.
“Your Highness, a servant from the reception room is waiting. Shall I tell them to wait a little longer?”
One of the aides, having gauged the mood appropriately, cautiously spoke up.
Only then did Heinri remember the man who had likely been waiting for him in the reception room since morning.
Rubbing his chin in brief contemplation, he shook his head and rose to his feet.
“No, I shall see him.”
After leisurely adjusting his attire and tidying his desk, Heinri finally walked at a relaxed pace to the reception room.
The heavy door opened, revealing the figure seated inside.
‘Did he say he had drunk so much tea he was full and couldn’t drink anymore?’
Perhaps because of that, an empty teacup sat forlornly in front of the guest.
Seeing Heinri enter the reception room, the guest promptly rose to his feet.
“There were so many matters to examine, I unintentionally kept a guest waiting.”
Heinri spoke first with a genial smile.
“Not at all, Your Highness. I am honored merely that you have made time for me.”
“I’m glad you bear no grudge.”
As Heinri laughed magnanimously, the other man smiled back with a pale face.
The guest was feigning composure, but his rough skin and shadowed eyes revealed how anxiously he must have been waiting for Heinri.
Sitting leisurely on the sofa, Heinri crossed his legs and looked at the guest. Having not offered him a seat, the other man stood blankly, watching him.
Resting his chin on his hand and staring intently at the other man, Heinri furrowed his brow and spoke as if to himself.
“But what was your name again?”
“……It is an infinite honor to make your acquaintance, Your Highness.”
The guest bowed calmly, without a trace of servility.
“I am Segria Yusgel, who, however humbly, operates a merchant group.”
Staring at the deeply bowed head, Heinri slightly narrowed his eyes. A faint smile brushed the corner of his mouth.
“Ah, the Yusgel Merchant Group.”
“You know of my group, I am honored……”
“The very group that dared to fill its own pockets while evading the watchful eyes of His Majesty, is it not? I hear you were caught trying to liquidate a mine you had been managing in secret.”
At that moment, Segria’s shoulders stiffened rigidly.
“Failing to report such a mine… His Majesty remarked that a fitting candidate for the imperial dungeon had finally appeared. All the group’s assets were to be reclaimed for the national treasury, were they not? Seeing you here, it seems the criminals have not yet been transported to the dungeon. Have you come to thank the imperial family for its humane treatment before being imprisoned?”
“It is absolutely not with any impure intent! It is all a misunderstanding!”
“My, that matter will be gradually uncovered by the investigators.”
As Segria seemed to shrink into himself, he abruptly knelt on the floor.
“Please give me a chance, Your Highness!”
“Well now……”
Deliberately drawing out his words and putting on a troubled expression, Heinri then spoke as if bestowing a favor.
“Well, I shall at least give you the chance to show what you have prepared now.”
A faint glimmer of hope flashed in Segria’s eyes as he cautiously raised his head.
Watching this, Heinri leaned back deeply into the chair back.
Hoping that within the long story to come, there would be the content he desired.