Since the Kingdom of Macglier was not far from Kolnman, it took about half a day to arrive by the enchanted carriage.

Excluding the carriage Hyle was riding in, the other three carriages slowly entered the Kingdom of Macglier.

The Kingdom of Macglier, which had waged war with Atlan using magical orbs made by dwarves, possessed a vast plain surrounded by a mystical forest.

To reach the royal castle, one had to pass through the forest, and Ariel couldn’t take her eyes off the scenery outside the window.

‘You have to see this spectacle with the n*ked eye.’

Ariel opened the carriage window.

A cool breeze blew into the carriage.

Her neatly combed blonde hair fluttered.

As the carriage passed through the thick tree shadows, the occasional sunlight and the exotic atmosphere created by the giant leaves filled Ariel with a sense of wonder.

She even stuck her head out to capture the breathtaking scenery with her eyes.

“Leopold, can you see it?”

“All I can see is your hair.”

“It’s so beautiful, I couldn’t help it.”

She withdrew her body from the window and gave him an embarrassed smile.

“Look over there. There’s a waterfall.”

Ariel pointed outside. There was a beautiful waterfall plunging into a clear lake.

The transparent water of the lake, far from the waterfall, shimmered gently.

Leopold had already seen it before. When he came to conquer Macglier.

But he responded with a bright smile, as if he was seeing it for the first time.

“Just looking at it feels refreshing.”

Ariel nodded at his words, then pointed at the waterfall with surprised eyes.

“Look over there, a rainbow–!”

A small rainbow arched over the waterfall. It was created by the tiny droplets of water that splashed up as the waterfall cascaded down.

She tried not to show that she had never traveled abroad. She held back her excitement, trying not to act unsophisticated by fussing over every little thing, but her hips shifted on the carriage seat.

Leopold watched her quietly.

‘Those were days like war.’

He had struggled to hold onto Ariel, who was trying to escape from him. And recently, they had fought a war because of Diaton and Bill.

Looking at such a sight, they needed time to relieve their accumulated stress.

For her, and for himself.

It seems we made the right decision to come. At least so far…

His red eyes, filled with Ariel’s happy face, trembled faintly.

***

Before long, the carriage passed through the forest and reached the plain.

The green grass and fragrant flowers decorated the plain, and butterflies fluttered above them.

‘It’s peaceful.’

Even though it had been nearly ten years since she possessed Ariel, it was the first time she felt such complete peace.

“We’ll arrive soon. At the house where we’ll stay…”

Before he could finish speaking, the carriage smoothly entered the outskirts of the city of the Kingdom of Macglier.

Flower petals, blooming along the road, brushed against the carriage, spreading a fragrant scent.

Ariel, filled with anticipation, let herself be carried by the movement of the carriage.

She wondered how splendid the mansion would be.

Ariel looked out the window, immersed in the smooth movement of the carriage.

But as they entered the village, she sensed a chaotic atmosphere.

Due to the sound of hooves and the rattling of the carriage, she had to use mana to focus and hear people’s voices.

“They say demonic beasts have appeared again in the eastern plains.”

“I heard Atlan’s border area and Kolnman have been troubled by demonic beasts…”

“They’ve never crossed into Macglier. Why are they appearing so frequently lately? Is there something wrong with the magical orbs made by the dwarves?”

Ariel’s previously peaceful face turned cold. She immediately looked at Leopold. His face had already turned serious.

“Leopold, did you hear?”

“Demonic beasts have appeared? Didn’t they all disappear due to the holy power?”

That would mean not only the demonic beasts that had flocked to the castle in Helmir Forest, the stronghold of the dark mages, but also other entities still existed…

They had clearly eradicated the dark mages hiding nearby.

‘Did we miss something…’

Leopold stroked his chin.

If demonic beasts remained, there was a possibility they had escaped from Helmir Forest, which spanned the northern parts of Atlan and Kolnman, and fled to Macglier.

“Maybe there were some we didn’t discover.”

“Demonic beasts are one thing, but if there are still dark mages who haven’t been caught, that’s also a problem.”

Ariel’s eyelids trembled at Leopold’s words.

She came to Macglier disguised as a noblewoman. She wanted to completely relax, leaving behind all burdens and heavy responsibilities.

Until she heard the villagers’ stories, her heart was uplifted by the beautiful scenery and exotic atmosphere.

But in an instant, her light heart grew heavy.

‘If the Kingdom of Macglier has no way to solve this problem, we might have to help.’

Soon, the look of confusion disappeared from her face, and she clenched her fists tightly.

“If the royal family of Macglier can’t solve this problem… How about we handle it first?”

“That’s not too difficult… Are you sure you’re okay with it? We came here to rest.”

Leopold looked at her with worried eyes.

He really wanted to let Ariel rest, and he himself wanted to rest a bit too. Since ascending to the throne, he only had his sights forward and kept running towards it.

‘Sigh… But if we don’t deal with this now, the demonic beasts might regain strength and cause problems in Atlan.’

It’s a dilemma, but there’s no choice.

“I want to rest with a peaceful mind. Knowing this, I don’t think I can truly relax. Liese and Evan will be staying in Macglier too.”

She had a point.

If it wasn’t resolved, they would have to live with anxiety.

Leopold ran his hand through his hair that had fallen forward and said,

“Those two will stay a bit away from the mansion we’re staying at. Ariel, we’re having lunch with the King of Macglier tomorrow, so let’s discuss it then and decide.”

Seeing that their mages couldn’t solve the problem, the King of Macglier would probably welcome their help with open arms.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Ariel’s anxious eyes quietly gazed out the carriage window.

***

The carriage slowly came to a stop, and Ariel and Leopold arrived in front of the beautiful mansion that had been prepared in advance.

The mansion, built on a hill, blended naturally with the surrounding landscape. Flowing rivers and green hills warmly embraced the mansion.

Under the arch-shaped roof covered with orange bricks, the outer walls painted in ivory were visible. The arched windows scattered here and there gave a cute impression.

“Wow-! It’s so wonderful!”

Ariel exclaimed in admiration as she got off the carriage with Richard’s escort. Leopold followed her, almost jumping out of the carriage.

The mansion, which seemed like it could exist on the Mediterranean island of Crete, matched well with the refreshing atmosphere of summer.

Her mood, which had been dampened by the news of demonic beasts appearing in Macglier, revived somewhat.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Please, come in. Everything is ready.”

Richard guided them into the mansion.

As they passed through the large gate, they entered the garden, where a wide lawn spread out. The trees lining the garden created cool shade.

Stone-carved benches and tables were arranged in the garden, making it a good place to drink tea or read a book.

Ariel walked lightly through the garden and entered the mansion. When Leopold also entered, Richard closed the door from the outside.

It was his consideration for them to have a good time together.

The sunlight streaming through the arched windows illuminated the interior of the mansion.

Though not luxurious, the simple and cozy interior made Ariel smile with satisfaction.

“Thank you. Even though you’re busy, you took care of all this.”

Ariel wrapped her arms around his neck. Their gazes fiercely locked, and the desire for each other clawed at their insides.

Leopold’s face slowly descended, and Ariel, in response, tightened her arms around his neck and stood on her tiptoes.

He took her luscious red lips into his mouth.

“Mm…”

Before the moan could fully escape her lips, he, unable to bear it, lifted her up.

Her white, smooth legs wrapped around his waist.

Their breaths, laden with moisture, were exhaled roughly. Their tongues entwined, swallowing each other’s breath.

Leopold’s excited gaze, while looking at Ariel’s face, scanned the interior of the mansion.

The bedroom, where is the bedroom?

His urgent eyes fixed on a white wooden door.

Detaching his moist lips from hers, he strode towards it. Ariel buried her flushed face in his armpit.