“They say you’ll be fine after a good day’s rest. More importantly, Father, don’t you want to adopt Giselle as your daughter?”

Devon composed his expression and sat down beside Marquis Evansi’s bed.

“Do you want me to collapse again?”

Half an hour earlier, the Marquis had collapsed, clutching the back of his neck, after hearing from Devon’s own mouth that he had tried to adopt Giselle into the family.

He already knew, but hearing it directly from Devon was another shock.

“How can you say that? You know how worried I was about you.”

To Marquis Evansi’s eyes, Devon’s concerned appearance seemed entirely fake.

Even insisting on calling a physician for an examination despite being told he was fine seemed like Devon just wanted to know if there was a possibility of him falling ill again.

The Marquis inwardly clicked his tongue, but since Devon was his son, he couldn’t be harsh and just groaned as he leaned against the bed’s headboard.

“Um, Father.”

“Don’t even mention Giselle’s adoption. Don’t you have any pride? Giselle took Lydia’s place, and you’re not only watching but taking Giselle’s side?”

This went beyond sibling harmony; it was a matter of family dignity.

“But what can I do when the Emperor’s will is so strong?”

“If the Emperor asked you to offer up your father, would you do that too?”

“That’s not the issue. And this is better for Lydia too. The Emperor has completely lost interest in her. What good would it do her to marry someone who no longer cares for her? She’d only be unhappy.”

“So you accepted the broken engagement for Lydia’s happiness, is that what you’re saying?”

If by any chance Devon answered yes, the Marquis intended to throw him out immediately.

He could forgive his future family head for being wicked, but he couldn’t allow him to be foolish.

“That’s part of it, but the Emperor promised.”

“What promise?”

“To me, no, to you, Father—he promised to bestow a ducal title.”

Devon’s lips twitched with greed. The Marquis grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.

Devon caught the flying pillow and looked at the Marquis with a disgruntled face.

“What’s wrong with that?”

“You’re trying to bring our family to ruin because of your greed.”

The Marquis pressed his forehead against the oncoming headache. The fact that he didn’t understand a thing even after knowing Richard—he was definitely a fool.

Richard was just like his father. Well, where else would that blood have gone?

He was absolutely not someone who would share his absolute power. Absolutely not.

* * *

Meanwhile, Lydia’s party arrived at the border region of the marquisate after traveling for two straight days. Fortunately, there were no demonic beast attacks along the way, allowing them to reach the border faster than expected.

Lydia, who had been dozing off in the carriage, was startled awake by cheers.

“What’s that sound?”

“The people from the border came out to welcome our young master. Look, Miss.”

Nella, her eyes already welling up, pointed outside the carriage window.

The people had gathered along the road to welcome Arsen’s return. They shouted cheers and stomped their feet in rhythm to greet the knight order.

Thump thump. With the heavy underlying sound, Lydia’s heart also pounded for no reason.

Their expressions were filled with the joy of “we’re saved now.”

And for good reason, as the state of the village behind the people was alarming.

Hastily built temporary tents, half-destroyed houses, broken trees scattered about, fields in a state where it was unclear if crops were being grown.

Though the battles had taken place near the lord’s castle in the marquisate and in the capital, this place looked more like a battlefield. As soon as Lydia got out of the carriage, she grabbed Kedrick.

“What happened here? Nothing seems intact.”

“Half of the knight order was away, so that’s why. The remaining forces would have had difficulty blocking all the demonic beasts from coming over.”

He couldn’t hide his bitterness, but he emphasized his next words.

“But now that the Commander has returned, everything will get back on track.”

“I see.”

Lydia, clutching the underwear bag hiding her diamonds tightly to her chest, looked around the Edis mansion.

It was an old-fashioned and worn but solid-looking mansion.

All the servants came out from the mansion to welcome the family head’s return.

“Michel?”

“Nella? Oh my, Nella.”

And tearful reunions followed. Those who had been part of the Bayern ducal family and were brought to the border by Arsen recognized Nella and Byron immediately, despite the many years that had passed.

Nella and Byron also shed tears of joy as they hugged familiar faces in reunion.

Lydia’s lips curved into a smile as she watched them hugging each other, jumping around, and slapping their knees.

It seemed like she could now let go of Nella and Byron from her past life.

The Nella and Byron who had died without even closing their eyes were now gone.

They would spend the rest of their lives safely by Arsen’s side, no matter what happened to Lydia.

“So I’ve accomplished one thing?”

Though there was still much to do, she had achieved one thing she had desperately wanted. Lydia forgot her fatigue in the deep satisfaction welling up in her chest.

“Sir Kedrick, where is the temple? I heard it’s not far from the mansion.”

“Are you really going to stay at the temple? It will be uncomfortable.”

“Where else would a priestess stay if not at a temple?”

Since this was a valid point, Kedrick nodded despite his worried face.

“Vice Commander, where should I put this?”

“What should we do with this?”

As Kedrick was about to guide Lydia to the temple, calls for him came from all directions.

“Just tell me the way, and I’ll go by myself.”

“No, how can I let you go alone on an unfamiliar path? Ah, Randel, come here.”

Kedrick, looking around, called Randel, who seemed to be wandering around with nothing to do.

Randel’s face crumpled when he saw Lydia next to Kedrick, but he came anyway.

“Escort the Miss to the temple.”

Kedrick patted Randel’s shoulder, saying “good job,” and disappeared without even waiting for Randel’s answer.

“Um, I just need directions……”

Lydia, feeling awkward, tried to say she just needed directions, but Randel didn’t even listen to her whole sentence before striding off.

“……”

Lydia walked almost at a power-walking pace to keep up with his fast strides.

Randel, glancing back at Lydia who was breathing heavily, subtly slowed his pace.

“Haa, why are you stopping, Sir Randel?”

“We’re here.”

“What?”

Lydia looked at the building where Randel had stopped.

Arsen had said it was dilapidated, dilapidated, but she didn’t expect it to be this run-down.

This was closer to a warehouse than a temple. While temples were typically built with stone, the border temple was a wooden building.

Lydia was surprised but tried to appear calm as she approached the temple.

“The door is locked.”

There was a padlock on the door. She tried shaking the door just in case, but the padlock was firmly locked.

As Lydia was in a predicament, Randel stepped forward.

“Step aside.”

He gently pushed Lydia to the side and kicked the door.

With just one kick, the old door opened with a bang.

Although a hinge was dangling and the locking bolt made for the padlock had completely fallen off, at least the door was open.

“Thank you, Sir Randel.”

Before entering the dusty temple, Lydia smiled and thanked Randel for helping her.

“……”

Randel turned away as if he hadn’t heard Lydia’s thanks. The back of his neck was flushed red as he strode away.

“What’s this, is he actually being shy?”

Maybe they should change the name from Black Wolf Knight Order to Socially Awkward Knight Order?

* * *

Arsen sighed at the flood of reports. Then he leaned back in his chair.

He had seen Lydia heading to the temple with Randel. Since when had they become close enough to walk side by side?

Even as he dealt with the mountain of tasks one by one, he occasionally recalled the sight of Lydia and Randel from behind. No, it would be more accurate to say the image came to mind involuntarily.

Arsen wanted to guide Lydia around the border himself, but he had too much to do.

Burned granaries, houses destroyed by demonic beasts, injured people. There was only one physician, herbs were scarce, and grain was always in absolute shortage.

In addition, they had to conduct operations to drive the demonic beasts that had come down to the border village area back up the mountain, so Arsen couldn’t check on how Lydia was doing for over a week.

“Commander, there’s a report of strangers wandering around the border.”

“Strangers?”

“They claim to be wandering mercenaries, but they seem to have been sent by the Emperor. We need to investigate further, but they’re going around the border asking about you.”

Arsen rubbed his tired eyes firmly.

“I knew he would send someone, but it’s faster than I expected.”

“They definitely left before us. What should we do?”

“Leave it for now. I need to go see Lydia.”

They might approach Lydia. Arsen was also curious about how Lydia was doing, and since he had brought her to the border region, her safety was his responsibility.

“If something happens to Lydia, we’ll be in trouble.”

“Then I’ll go, Sir. Or you could send Randel.”

“Randel? He doesn’t get along with Lydia.”

Kedrick looked at him as if to say, what are you talking about?

“That’s old news, Sir. They’ve become quite close lately. He’s even been helping with the temple repairs.”

Randel visiting the temple? A man who doesn’t even believe in God?