------------------
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
------------------
Chapter 216
There was no swift reply from Duke of Whitewood.
She was usually quick to respond after a letter was sent, but this time she was slow.
Perhaps the situation within the imperial family was too hectic.
So much so that there was still no word regarding the rewards for those who had defeated the ascended apostles.
‘There’s a rumor that the Emperor’s death isn’t far off.’
Duke of Whitewood was a noble of the Empire.
She must be extraordinarily busy.
‘The mystery of reviving the dead…’
After delivering this news, Xenia returned to the Niflheim Count’s estate.
She walked the entire way with her head down, seemingly deeply ashamed of having shown a broken side of herself.
Not that it mattered.
I’d be seeing her again soon anyway.
The Winter Demon Dungeon term had ended.
Somehow, the period of rest had passed, and spring was upon us.
In other words, the entrance exams were right around the corner.
The civil war was still ongoing.
Even without Prince Maron, the noble faction had not relinquished the royal palace they’d taken.
I’d also heard from Vinesha, Musika, and Grantoni.
A sparrow made of bone had flown to me, conveying that they were safe.
They’d added a postscript saying they’d be staying longer in Panisys.
I’d sent a message back via the bone sparrow telling them not to overexert themselves.
However, the Empire’s response was frustratingly slow.
The Emperor’s death and the succession battle overlapped.
Because of these two things, they couldn’t recklessly interfere in Panisys’s civil war.
My eyes drifted to the park.
It was just after evening training.
I sat on a bench to cool off, but thoughts kept swirling in my head.
I tapped my arm lightly.
The world was heading in a rather unpleasant direction.
Incidents were erupting one after another, but there wasn’t much I could intervene in.
‘This is the consequence of politics not functioning properly.’
The world’s pace was quickening, and the situation was growing more intense.
I was cradling my complicated thoughts when someone sat next to me.
“You’re carrying a lot on your mind again, aren’t you?”
A fresh peach scent tickled my nose.
I looked up and saw a woman with hair the same color as the scent wafting from her.
“Hania.”
“You must have a lot to think about if you didn’t even notice someone approaching.”
“I noticed you coming. I just didn’t care because it was you.”
“Thanks for the special treatment.”
Hania gave a wry smile.
“So, you have something personal to talk to me about.”
It was a time when the students were all back in the dorms resting.
For her to approach me at this time meant she had come here deliberately.
“Yes, it’s about Lady Iris.”
Iris.
She had left for the Imperial Palace and still hadn’t returned.
Given that the Emperor was on his deathbed, it wasn’t strange that she hadn’t come back yet.
There were many who could guard the Demon Dungeon, but few who could succeed the Emperor.
“Did something happen to Iris?”
“She’s not responding.”
My brows furrowed.
No matter how busy Iris was with imperial affairs, it was unlike her not to contact Hania.
Something felt off.
“Is it just a delayed letter?”
“It would be, except the letter was sent before she even entered the Demon Dungeon.”
That was quite a while ago.
“Should I go see her myself?”
I could have Hannon fill in for me.
After winter break, there was still time before the Spring Demon Dungeon term began.
If I went before then, it was doable.
“I’ll go.”
“Will you be okay?”
“I’m worried about Iris too.”
If something happened to Iris, it would be a huge problem.
She was one of the key figures in the final chapter.
The order of the scenario no longer mattered much, but Iris was still important.
“Besides, I have something to tell Duke of Whitewood too.”
There were things to discuss about the mystery.
If she couldn’t respond by letter, I’d go to her myself.
I decided to move during my free time.
“Please, I’m counting on you.”
Hania bowed her head politely.
She cared for Iris more than anyone else in the world.
So for Iris, she would do anything.
I gave my shoulder a light slap.
“Request accepted.”
“What an interesting conversation you’re having~”
Just then, a familiar voice reached my ears.
When I turned my head, Sharin was right beside my face before I even realized it.
Hovering slightly above the ground, she poked my cheek with her finger.
“Hu~sband, trying to go somewhere without me?”
“How long were you listening?”
“From pretty much the beginning.”
If she was going to follow me, she could’ve just said so.
As I stared at her incredulously, she casually sat down on my lap.
Then, she naturally looped her arms around my neck.
“You’re going to the Imperial Palace?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Then take me with you~”
I blinked in surprise.
What was a student like her doing wanting to leave the academy?
Then Sharin dug through her pocket and pulled out a letter.
It bore the crest of her family—Sazaris.
“This is…”
“My family says this is a perfect excuse to go—masquerading as your escort.”
There must be some issues within the Blue Magic Tower too.
If Sharin was making an opening like this, it would make things easier.
If I informed the Blue Tower Master, they’d probably help get us into the Imperial Palace as well.
“Alright, let’s go, Sharin.”
“But there’s a condition.”
With a languid expression, Sharin poked the bridge of my nose.
“A condition?”
“It’s just the two of us~”
Just the two of us.
She was telling me not to bring anyone else.
I hesitated for a moment but then nodded.
We weren’t going there to fight; we were going to check on Iris.
Besides, it wasn’t ideal to move in a group.
"Let’s do that."
Sharin’s lips curled into a smile.
------------------
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
------------------
Then she sprang up from my lap.
"A date."
Can a visit to the Imperial Palace even be called a date?
But Sharin, with her hands on her hips, nodded in satisfaction.
If Sharin said it was a date, then I guess it was.
"Hania, we’ll be off."
"Yes, please take care."
"Let me know if anything happens at the academy."
After saying goodbye to Hania, we set off to get ready.
Strike while the iron is hot.
Call Hannon in as a substitute and head for the Imperial Palace.
* * *
Evening.
After finishing her night training, Isabel walked along while wiping her sweat with a towel.
Maybe it was the result of the intense battles she’d been through recently.
Her swordsmanship had improved noticeably.
So much so that even Ban, who often sparred with her, was surprised.
‘I’ve gotten stronger.’
Isn’t there a saying that talent grows in times of crisis?
Even Isabel herself had been amazed by her recent growth.
And yet, it still didn’t feel like enough.
Because of one person.
Vikamon Niflheim.
Once entangled in a hostile relationship, he was now someone she adored deeply.
Just seeing him still made her heart pound and her body tense.
Even though she forced a smile and acted composed, she was constantly anxious inside.
Whenever their eyes met, her heart would drop and her legs would tremble.
Sometimes she felt a strange warmth in her stomach for some reason.
That was when Isabel would get a chill down her spine.
It was a feeling she still couldn’t quite identify.
“Haa…”
She pressed her forehead.
To think she’d end up falling this hard for someone.
It was pathetic how she thought of Vikamon constantly, day in and day out—but she couldn’t help it.
She couldn’t imagine a version of herself that didn’t love him anymore.
It’s serious.
Seriously bad.
Not long ago, Vikamon had realized his rage thanks to Seron.
He hadn’t mastered it yet, but someday he would surely come to understand love, too.
What would happen when he did?
What if he whispered love to her?
Shiver—
Once again, Isabel trembled from a creeping chill.
It was still too early to even imagine such a thing.
"Bel."
At that moment, a girl appeared in front of Isabel.
Her name was Rina.
One of Isabel’s closest friends.
Isabel quickly fanned her flushed face with her hands and smiled awkwardly.
"Ah, Rina."
"Earlier, Rin packed up and rushed off somewhere. Do you know where she went? I asked, but she said it was a secret."
"Rin?"
Isabel’s eyes widened.
After all, Sharin hadn’t said a word about going anywhere this morning.
Why would she suddenly rush off?
A bad feeling crept up in Isabel’s chest.
Sharin was capricious and always causing trouble.
If she wanted to do something, she’d do it without hesitation.
But if something was too much of a hassle, she’d move slower than anyone.
Sometimes she wouldn’t even do what she was supposed to.
Now that Sharin had packed up and left in a hurry, calling it a “secret”?
There was only one person in this world who could get Sharin to move like that.
The man Isabel liked.
And the man Sharin also liked—making him the rival between them.
"Rina, take this to my room!"
"Huh, wha?"
Isabel threw her towel at Rina and hurried off.
Her destination was clear.
The boys’ dormitory.
Vikamon always returned there to rest around this time.
So he should be there now.
She ran as fast as she could and arrived at the boys’ dormitory, bending over to catch her breath.
Some passing students looked at her curiously.
A few even cleared their throats nervously, captivated by Isabel’s appearance.
But she ignored them and headed inside.
Then a maid who had been standing near the entrance approached her.
"Miss Isabel, do you have business at the boys’ dormitory?"
"Could you please call Hannon Irey for me?"
"You mean young master Hannon?"
The maid bowed and headed up into the dormitory.
Isabel watched her go, feeling more anxious by the second.
Please—let this bad feeling be wrong.
A moment later, the maid returned.
"Young master Hannon doesn’t seem to have returned yet."
"What? That can’t be."
He was a man who always kept to a strict schedule.
He wouldn’t be absent during rest hours.
"Ah, speak of the devil, there he is."
The maid looked behind Isabel, prompting her to turn her head quickly.
Her expression soon twisted in confusion.
Indeed, Hannon was walking over.
But that was the problem—he was really here.
"Oh, hey there!"
Hannon cheerfully waved at her.
The real Hannon was here.
Which meant only one thing—Vikamon had left the academy for some reason.
Crack—
A murderous aura flared from Isabel’s body, startling both the maid and Hannon.
But she couldn’t hide the killing intent in her eyes.
"Riiiiin."
Sharin.
That wicked little fox had played a trick.
------------------
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
------------------
