Chapter 3 (Part 6)

After Yuliana left, Matthias sighed deeply.

“That sly dragon asked Yuliana to be his partner two days ago? Even though he had secured the partner spot weeks ago! Acting innocent and asking to be her partner?”

“Then why did he tell Yuliana he’d escort her, Father? Knowing she would refuse his request.”

“Who can understand that cunning dragon’s mind! It just bothers me. So bothersome.”

Louie sighed, trying to comfort Matthias.

“Father, you should prepare to go to the Imperial Palace.”

Recently, Matthias had received a letter from Cloud inviting him to the palace.

“I don’t know why he’s calling me, but… If he calls, I must go.”

“Take care, Father.”

* * *

Matthias entered the Imperial Palace and was guided by the chamberlain to where Cloud was. He began rubbing his eyes. It wasn’t just Cloud sitting at the table in the middle of the garden.

As he got closer and recognized who it was, Matthias’s brows furrowed.

Blonde hair shining brightly. A dazzling appearance. And eyes as red as blood. No matter how much he rubbed his eyes and looked again, it was Anthus Rockbellion, whom he didn’t want to meet now.

“Earl Loengrin, come closer.”

“Yes. May the high radiance of the sun always…”

“Enough with the formalities. Sit down.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Matthias sat between Anthus and Cloud at the round table, cold sweat running down his back.

“Welcome, Earl Loengrin. Thank you for welcoming me even when I visited unannounced last time.”

Anthus greeted Matthias with a bright smile.

“Haha. It’s nothing.”

Matthias recalled the evening when Anthus visited with three bottles of transparent whale whisker wine.

He couldn’t just chase away someone who brought news about his beloved daughter being gossiped about by her shameless ex-fiancé.

“It’s nothing, Duke. You are always welcome at the Earl’s residence.”

Matthias licked his lips and said words he didn’t mean.

“Understood. I will visit often.”

Knowing it was just a polite remark, Anthus replied with firm determination.

“Earl Loengrin, there’s a reason I called you today.”

“Yes. Please speak, Your Majesty.”

“I was very pleased to hear that Lady Yuliana volunteered for the investigative team. I called you to express my gratitude for raising such an exemplary daughter who sets an example for the nobility.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Even though he had loudly told Yuliana not to join the investigative team, she stubbornly insisted she had to. Now, with Cloud’s intervention, Yuliana would inevitably join the team. He wondered if they was all planned.

“She is truly commendable. Hahaha.”

Matthias forced a smile at Cloud’s hearty laughter, feeling his stomach churn again.

“And we decided not to form the investigative team within the Imperial Palace but to let the Rockbellion family handle it independently.”

“What do you mean?”

All investigations of incidents and accidents were managed directly by the Imperial Palace and involved the Emperor.

“Duke Rockbellion will be responsible for the investigation of the new monsters.”

“May I ask why? And as her father, I would like to know who else is on the investigative team besides my daughter, Your Majesty.”

Anthus quietly set down his teacup and spoke.

“Mercenary King Erzen, Alchemist Anton, and wizards from the Mage Tower.”

“Isn’t it sufficient to form the investigation team within the palace with such members? And why is the support of the Mage Tower wizards necessary? Isn’t Archmage Arden from the palace available?”

Matthias asked Anthus sharply, feeling displeased.

“Archmage Arden has agreed to assist as well. However, we need the knowledge from the Mage Tower, so their support is necessary. Additionally, two of the ten Great Wizards, Puring and Turner, have also agreed to help.”

“Still, why must the investigation be conducted at the Duke’s residence? I don’t understand.”

“That’s because the wizards from the Mage Tower do not like coming to the palace. If we insist on investigating within the palace and lose their support, it will be difficult to proceed.”

“But still…”

“I am concerned about Lady Yuliana having to travel late at night by carriage after the investigation.”

“What are you implying, Duke?”

“I have just requested His Majesty’s permission to install teleportation facilities between the Duke’s residence and the Earl’s residence.”

“Did you say teleportation facilities?”

Teleportation installations are prohibited in the palace, but with the emperor’s approval, a magitech engineer to set it up, a wizard to cast the spell, and many magic stones, it can be used elsewhere.

“It takes over an hour by carriage between the Duke’s residence and the Earl’s residence. I am deeply concerned about Lady Yuliana traveling for an hour by carriage late at night after work.”

“If Earl Loengrin consents, the Rockbellion family will install the teleportation facility at the Earl’s residence. Lady Yuliana will find it convenient to travel back and forth using the teleportation. I was willing to do everything I could for her, but Duke Rockbellion proactively suggested it for her convenience. Doesn’t that put your mind at ease, Earl Loengrin? Hahaha.”

Cloud interjected into the conversation between Anthus and Matthias. Matthias’s complexion gradually turned pale.

‘A teleportation connection with the Duke’s residence…’

It felt like Cloud and Anthus had already discussed everything and were merely informing him. Matthias barely held onto his waning consciousness.

“Even if the investigation is busy, can’t it be finished quickly? Is there really a need for teleportation facilities…?”

“I certainly plan to send Lady Yuliana home early. However, she will likely immerse herself in the work and stay late. You know this well, Earl Loengrin.”

Anthus’s accurate statement left Matthias speechless. As her father, he knew Yuliana’s strong sense of responsibility.

“Do you plan to overwork her?”

“No.”

“I am genuinely worried about my daughter facing the new species of monsters.”

Matthias spoke earnestly.

“I understand that well, which is why I asked Lady Yuliana twice if she wanted to join the investigation team, warning her of the dangers. Do you know what she said to me?”

“What did she say, Duke?”

“Lady Yuliana said there must be a reason she has the power of a spiritist. She wants to use this power to help people. If she steps back out of fear of the new monsters and a situation like the village of Luteons occurs again, she said she would be filled with guilt and regret. She asked me to help her make a choice she wouldn’t regret.”

Matthias lowered his head. It was such a typical thing for Yuliana to say.

“She is more righteous and responsible than anyone. She values her duties as a noble.”

“Yes… My wife, Saint Rosaline, and I raised her that way.”

A moment of sad silence passed.

“I requested the teleportation facility to make it easier for Lady Yuliana to travel between the Earl’s residence and the Duke’s residence during the investigation. However, if you, Earl Loengrin, oppose it, I will not install it.”

“Understood, Duke. Please give me some time to think.”

“Earl Loengrin.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Do we really need to negotiate this? For Lady Yuliana’s sake, installing the teleportation facility is the right thing to do.”

Cloud’s words reached Matthias’s ears as, ‘Are you really not going to do it after all this convenience was offered?’

“Your Majesty, Earl Loengrin needs time to think.”

Ah, Matthias had forgotten. Anthus and Cloud were the best of friends.

Matthias’s heart sank as he realized he had no allies here. Only a thief trying to steal his daughter and the thief’s accomplice were present. He wanted to grab Anthus by the collar and confront him, but the people before him outranked him. Matthias felt deeply troubled at that moment.

“Earl Loengrin.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I heard that our Yan… I mean, Duke Rockbellion, already has someone in mind. Don’t you want to know who that is, Earl?”

Cloud asked with a mischievous expression. But Matthias did not want to know.

“Haha. Your Majesty, I am not curious. Haha. You don’t have to tell me.”

“The Duke was so happy to have his chosen lady as his partner for our Ian’s birthday banquet.”

“Your Majesty, please stop. This is embarrassing.”

Anthus blushed and played along with Cloud’s teasing.

“He gifted her a dress to wear at the banquet, and she accepted it.”

“She also accepted the jewels, which made me very happy.”

“I look forward to seeing the two of you dance at the banquet.”

Even though Matthias said he didn’t want to know, Cloud’s mouth did not stop. Matthias cursed Cloud, hoping that if he had another child, it would be a daughter, so he would experience the same pain Matthias was going through.