Chapter 5 – The Sound of a Crow (Part 3)

“Madam!”

Celine entered the room and drew back the curtains. Bright sunlight poured onto her face.

The sudden brightness made Ellerdin squint reflexively and pull the blanket over her head.

Celine began tidying up the room and explaining the tasks for the day.

“The Duke asked you to come to the back of the castle once you wake up. He’s planning to develop the estate and needs your help.”

“My help……?”

Ellerdin tilted her head. She was worried if there was anything she could help with in what was considered a man’s domain.

Knowing her concerns, Celine approached her confidently.

“Of course, your help is needed! Where else can we find someone as exceptional as you, Madam!”

I’m not that great. 

Ellerdin gave an awkward smile.

Sometimes, Celine seemed to have too much faith in her. She was grateful for Celine’s unwavering belief.

“Liam is much better at construction.”

“He is excellent, but he can’t compare to you, Madam. He always talks about your abilities.”

“Ha ha… thank you for saying that.”

Ellerdin scratched her cheek. Though she found it surprising to be told she had abilities, Celine’s conviction made her leave it unspoken.

After changing into light outdoor clothes, Ellerdin headed to the garden.

“Madam, you’ve come!”

Liam greeted her with a bright smile. Lucie was with him.

“Angel!”

Lucie ran and hugged her. Holding Lucie, Ellerdin walked toward Liam.

Liam was spreading out a large piece of paper on the table.

The large blueprint had numerous lines intricately intertwined. It was so complex that even a seasoned architect would struggle to understand it.

Liam said it took him two full days to interpret the blueprint.

“This is… a construction blueprint?”

“You recognize it immediately!”

Liam exclaimed with excitement.

“I’ve been pondering how to utilize this part here…….”

Ellerdin gazed at the part he pointed to. It was too narrow to build a house but too wide to leave empty.

Ellerdin alternated between looking at the blueprint and the empty land.

“I think it would be good to create a stream here.”

“A stream?”

“Yes, if we connect it to the pond, it will help with farming.”

“That sounds great!”

Liam said in an excited voice.

A stream was an idea he hadn’t thought of. Moreover, he was amazed that she could understand the complex blueprint at a glance.

Through the conversation with Ellerdin, Liam felt the blocked parts of his plan starting to clear up.

Not only that, but she also knew how many workers to hire, how to set wages, and which materials would be most effective.

Liam looked at Ellerdin with admiration.

“You are truly remarkable, Madam.”

Compliments from others always made her feel shy.

It was fortunate that the studies she did to prove her worth at the Earl’s and Baron’s residences before her return were helpful.

“Now, the only thing left is the barrier.”

Ellerdin gazed at the sky. Squinting her eyes, she could see the faintly spread barrier.

To bring in workers, they needed to lift the barrier that made people lose their way in the North.

‘The barrier was said to prevent monsters from leaving the North, but what will happen if it’s lifted?’

If the barrier couldn’t be lifted, how could they bring in manpower?

Though the servants of the Duke’s residence were strong, it was impossible for them alone to develop such a vast estate.

There was a way to hire construction workers from other estates or the capital, but to bring them to the North, they needed teleportation magic.

This was the only way to enter the Duke’s territory without passing through the Northern barrier.

However, teleportation magic required many magic stones, which meant several times more money was needed.

‘What should I do…….’

Ellerdin pondered for a moment.

But there was no use worrying here.

‘I’ll seek Fernan’s advice.’

Ellerdin headed towards the castle.

***

“Come in.”

At the sound of a knock, Fernan put down the documents he was reading. A round head peeked through the opened door.

“Ellerdin?”

Fernan was startled and stood up. He quickly approached Ellerdin.

“What brings you here?”

Fernan asked, trying to calm his racing heart.

“Ah… I was discussing with Liam about hiring workers. I came to seek your help regarding the Northern barrier.”

“Ah, the barrier.”

So, she didn’t come because she missed me.

Fernan hid his disappointment and smiled.

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll lift the barrier so ordinary people can enter.”

“Is it safe from monsters?”

“Of course.”

Fernan smiled brightly, assuring her not to worry.

With the problem resolved, Ellerdin thanked him and left the office.

After she left, Fernan called out to Mollek in a low voice.

“You called?”

Mollek appeared from thin air.

“Inform the Emperor that we will temporarily lift and open the Northern barrier.”

Mollek’s eyes gleamed at his words.

“Does that mean we can consume the humans that come over?”

Just imagining it made his pupils elongate. Fernan stared at him silently.

Originally, Mollek was one of the gods worshipped by humans. However, after experiencing his first killing, he eventually fell and descended to hell, where he was taken in by the former Duke, Kaiden Keallad.

“Don’t forget the contract.”

At Fernan’s words, Mollek smacked his lips regretfully.

As a condition for living in the human world, Mollek had agreed to stop killing under a contract with the former Duke. If he broke this contract, he would have to return to hell.

“But… I can deal with unnecessary ones, right?”

At his words, Mollek’s lips curled into a wide grin.

“Excellent!”

Laughing like a beast, he leaped towards the window.

With a sound like metal scraping, large wings sprouted from Mollek’s back.

“Deliver the message and return by today.”

“I’ll handle it quickly and return.”

Mollek bowed respectfully. After he left, Fernan sighed loudly.

Mollek was capable but had an insatiable appetite for humans, which needed to be appeased in such ways.

***

Flying towards the capital with the wings of a demon, he arrived quickly.

Seeing the imperial palace in the distance, Mollek instantly transformed into a crow. Holding the letter with the Duke’s message in his beak, he flew towards the window of the audience chamber where the Emperor was seated.

With a crash, the glass shattered, and shards flew everywhere.

Several nobles present in the chamber screamed and cowered.

The knights formed a line and pointed their spears at the crow.

In the midst of the chaos, only the Emperor stared at the crow with an indifferent expression.

“Lower your spears.”

At the Emperor’s command, the knights lowered their spears and walked to the walls, standing in formation.

Mollek fluttered around momentarily in the air and then dropped the letter right above the Emperor.

Then, to prevent anyone from approaching, he perched on the chandelier and stared at him.

The Emperor, Dylan, briefly looked at Mollek before opening the letter.

The letter stated that the barrier would be lifted temporarily, which might cause monsters to appear in other territories.

In conclusion, if they didn’t want any damage, the imperial family should dispatch knights or inform the other lords.

Dylan smirked and handed the letter to his attendant.

“My friend is still indifferent. Isn’t that right?”

Dylan said to Mollek.

Knowing their true identities, Dylan chose coexistence over confrontation.

And this flexible politics made him easy prey for the nobles.

Realizing that the letter was from Fernan, the nobles raised their voices.

“Your Majesty! Whatever the content, you must reject it!”

“Well… I don’t think it’s necessary to reject it.”

Dylan looked coldly at the nobles.

“The northern barrier will be breached temporarily. The imperial family will only dispatch knights to the capital and territories without lords, so you’d better go back and protect your own lands.”

At Dylan’s words, the nobles shouted angrily.

“What do you mean! Isn’t it the Duke’s duty to protect the North! Are you saying he will abandon that crucial duty now!”

“This is outrageous! Your Majesty! Summon the Duke immediately and punish him!”

Dylan waved his hand dismissively.

“Everyone, return.”

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Now more than ever, you must care for the people! Who knows what the Duke might do!”

“It will be a threat to the imperial family!”

Dylan’s face hardened, and he shouted in an angry voice.

“Are you saying that my friend, the Duke who has protected the North until now, is plotting rebellion?!”

At the word ‘rebellion,’ the nobles fell silent.

Treason was the gravest crime. Just uttering the word could endanger their lives.

The nobles glanced at each other nervously and left the audience chamber.

Due to the weakened royal authority, every meeting inevitably involved arguments with the nobles.

“You still can’t control them.”

Mollek said, his voice accompanied by the caw of a crow.

“……That’s not something you need to worry about.”

Dylan sighed and leaned back.

“The show is over, so you should return.”

Mollek stared at him for a moment before flying out through the broken window.