"I'll come again next time, Millie."
It'd be nice if everything was over by then.
Isaac added that softly as he walked out of the cemetery.
At the entrance, he saw a familiar woman standing and let out a dry chuckle.
"Is it over?"
"Aren't you busy? Is it okay for you to be out and about like this?"
To Isaac's question, Clarice shrugged her shoulders and replied playfully.
"I don't sit at a desk all day, you know. Besides, there were things I needed to hear in person, so I came to meet you."
"I wrote everything that happened at the Magic Tower in the letter, though."
"Sigh."
Clarice pulled the letter from her bosom and let out a short sigh.
"This? I understand the contents, but accepting it is a different matter."
Even though she could understand the part about the giant with her head, it was hard to truly accept it.
Isaac had expected this kind of reaction, so he simply nodded with a faint smile.
"Let's go. I'll explain everything."
"I've already prepared tea and snacks. I'll be counting on your escort, okay?"
Clarice held out her hand, signaling for him to take it.
Isaac stared at it for a moment, then deliberately looked around as if he hadn't noticed.
"Where's Heirad? Don't tell me you didn't bring a guard?"
"Do I need a guard just to meet you? I think you're the strongest person in Evergard right now."
Clarice shook her hand lightly as if brushing something off—clearly insisting he hold it already.
"You know this isn't proper. You're a princess of a nation. What if strange rumors spread?"
"There are already rumors that you're my man. What's so strange about a retainer escorting his master?"
"..."
"Unlike my sister, I don't keep many people close. It's just Heirad and you. There are even rumors you two are my right and left arms."
"..."
"So, I'll give you two choices: hold my hand and walk, or carry me on your back."
Seeing Clarice look ready to lie down and demand a piggyback ride, Isaac eventually gave in.
When he held her hand, she smiled brightly with joy.
"Let's walk a bit slowly. I'm not used to wearing heels, so I walk slowly."
She slightly lifted her skirt to show her shoes.
"Why did you wear heels?"
Clarice had a free-spirited image. She was the type to chase down information herself, so she rarely wore shoes with heels.
As if she had been waiting for the question, Clarice winked and tightened her grip on his hand.
"So we could walk a little longer."
"Sigh."
"Did your heart flutter? I used a little trick I learned from you."
"Seems I taught you the wrong things."
"Heehee."
Isaac let out a sigh with a faint headache as he watched Clarice using the techniques he taught her to seduce Prince Raphael—on him instead.
***
Thanks to Princess Clarice handling matters related to the people's quality of life, Princess Adeline usually spent time with the nobility.
In terms of intellect, Princess Adeline wasn't lacking either.
But she had another area where she truly shone—managing people.
She especially excelled at utilizing talented individuals.
The fact that Clarice had cleanly given up the throne and supported her sister was a sign of how much she acknowledged Adeline's abilities.
Today was one of those days.
Princess Adeline had summoned her vassals for a dinner gathering.
Though calling it a dinner was a bit much—the meal was rather sparse.
That was because, despite being labeled a banquet, food wasn't the main purpose.
"Count Chelstein, is there any shortage in the support being sent to the North?"
"Food is sufficient, but we're short on experienced transport personnel. Especially near the northern outskirts, sudden appearances of the Transcendents are proving to be quite a headache."
"Then we'll need to reinforce the transport escorts. A weak supply convoy is like a juicy meal for those Transcendents. Duke Gelamius, could you take charge of that?"
"Leave it to me. The Transcendents won't touch our supply lines again."
"Excellent. Take a few royal guards as well. They've been stuck in the palace all day, getting fat. Didn't you see last time?"
A few chuckles broke out among the nobles.
Though her tone was light, it was clear how serious Adeline was about supporting the northern front.
After all, she was pulling the royal guard—who should be protecting the palace—for this mission.
Given the circumstances, it wouldn't have been surprising if someone had opposed Princess Adeline's decision.
Wasn't there even the recent incident involving Liana Helmut?
However, no one brought it up.
Everyone was already aware.
That Baron Logan had returned to the capital.
The man who had defeated Liana Helmut.
They felt reassured simply by his presence.
The nobles' perception of Baron Logan had already reached such heights.
A key figure who always played a crucial role in the war against the Transcendents.
The foremost among the so-called "Golden Generation."
A former Helmut.
With all these titles attached to him, the more chaos there was, the higher Baron Logan's reputation soared.
The maids brought out wine.
The golden bottle clearly indicated it was no ordinary liquor.
The nobles' glasses were filled.
Adeline rose slowly from her seat.
"Let this one drink be enough. On the day of our certain victory, even if I plead not to gather again, I expect you to force me to drink."
The nobles chuckled heartily.
Hearing their laughter, Adeline smiled with satisfaction.
Being present here alone was proof that they had earned Princess Adeline's favor—
It also meant their competence had been recognized.
In this position, coveted by many nobles, the attendees brimmed with pride and loyalty, knowing they stood with a great lady ruler.
"This glass is for your loyalty—"
Adeline raised her glass.
The nobles followed, rising from their seats.
"And the next glass, on a day sure to come, will be for the nameless soldiers who bleed and sacrifice themselves."
A clear light returned to the nobles' eyes.
For the day of inevitable victory—
With a vow never to forget those who fought and bled, they all shared a drink together.
***
After the banquet.
Princess Adeline stood alone, looking out the window, then spoke to the noble behind her.
"Captain Veros."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Do you dislike removing the Royal Guard from the palace?"
"…"
Veros was momentarily at a loss for words.
He thought he'd hidden his feelings well, but the princess had noticed even his slightest change.
"That's correct."
"Why? Do you think I'll be in danger?"
"Absolutely not. I would give my life to protect you, Your Highness."
"Heh, how nice that sounds."
Adeline gave a faint smile at Veros's firm declaration. He was among the most loyal of her people.
"But… I simply don't like the notion that having Baron Logan means we can afford to pull away the Royal Guard."
"Sigh."
It was a matter of pride.
Understandable.
The Royal Guard had every reason to hold their pride—
They were the protectors of the royal palace, after all.
"Veros, but let's look at the facts."
Yet Adeline did not coddle her own people.
No, she was even stricter and more demanding with those closest to her.
"Even if it was due to the subjugation spell's Corruption, during Liana Helmut's attack, your unit failed to carry out its duty properly."
"…"
"You must know it wouldn't be unfair to call that incompetence. Tell me, as you just said—if you had given your life back then, would that really have saved me?"
"I apologize."
Veros knelt on one knee and bowed his head. The rebuke was painful but just.
"I've asked Baron Logan for a favor."
"…"
"To help refine the Royal Guard's swordsmanship—'Royal Guard Swordsmanship.'"
What a disgrace.
Having an outsider revise and refine the traditional, noble techniques of the Royal Guard?
It meant Baron Logan would effectively be instructing the Royal Guard.
Their pride was stomped on, again and again.
The dignity of the Guard, once proud, now crushed.
Captain Veros calmly raised his head and met the gaze of the princess, who awaited his response.
"The duty of the Royal Guard is to protect the princess."
"…"
"Failing that, we have already experienced a disgrace worse than death. It wouldn't have been surprising if we were executed."
Veros was a man incapable of lies.
That's why Adeline trusted him—and chose him to be her shield.
"Thank you for giving me the chance to stand as your shield once again."
"Are you saying…"
"I will go to Baron Logan myself. With utmost respect, I will invite him to be the Royal Guard's instructor and humbly request his guidance."
A smile spread across Adeline's lips.
"Well said, my shield."
***
'He must be busy.'
Captain of the Royal Guard, Veros, had returned to his estate and was pondering which of his precious possessions he should offer as a gift.
'He's to be treated as the official instructor of the Royal Guard. I must show the proper sincerity and respect.'
It hurt his pride.
But more than that, failing to protect the princess he had sworn loyalty to—this wasn't just a matter of pride.
He would learn and grow.
Grateful that the princess hadn't abandoned him and had given him another chance, Veros was deep in thought about the gift when—
"A guest has arrived."
Came the voice of a maid from outside the door.
A guest?
At this hour?
Before he could answer, the door opened, and in came Duke Gelamius.
He had just attended the princess's banquet alongside Veros and was also a close personal friend.
"Ha! I came to see if our proud captain of the guard was crying over his wounded pride."
"So you came just to tease me."
The two men exchanged a firm handshake and laughed.
They were comrades who had sworn loyalty to the same woman and were dear friends.
"The princess gave me a chance, and I'm simply responding to it. Rather than crying, I'm grateful. She didn't take my head—she offered guidance instead."
"The princess certainly knows how to strike where it hurts, but there's care hidden in her blows. That's part of what makes her so admirable, wouldn't you say?"
As the conversation continued, a troubled look crossed Gelamius's face as he asked,
"Is your daughter… still unwell?"
At the mention of his daughter, Veros's expression immediately hardened.
"Yes. They say it wouldn't be strange if she didn't open her eyes tomorrow."
His daughter, suffering from a rare disease, was in a critical and unpredictable condition.
He had consulted doctors and mages, but all said the same thing—she couldn't be healed.
Seeing Veros in pain, Gelamius placed a hand on his shoulder and said,
"Listen carefully. I've brought someone who can heal your daughter."
"…What?"
"Come in."
Creeeak.
The sound of the door opening felt eerily ominous.
The woman who entered resembled a bat, her most striking feature a pair of blood-red lips.
"She's a Transcendent!"
Veros immediately drew his sword, aiming to kill the two on the spot.
"Gelamius! Have you betrayed the princess?! Have you forgotten how she came personally to your parents' funeral after that carriage accident—and stayed by your side?!"
The faction of nobles who had once supported the Transcendents had already been eradicated.
Yet here one was—one of the princess's closest loyalists?
Veros trembled with a deep sense of betrayal.
But Gelamius hurried to explain.
"I know! I know! But please listen! She is a Transcendent, yes—but she's no longer one of them!"
"Silence, traitor!"
"Please! Just listen! Several nobles have already received her help! She can heal your daughter too!"
His daughter.
My daughter?
Veros's blade wavered.
The vampire woman smiled thinly as she stepped forward.
"Don't worry. I've already abandoned the Transcendents."
"Then why—"
"Why, you ask?"
She whispered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Think about it. The Transcendents have already fallen. Do you really think they can conquer the continent?"
"…"
"It's impossible. So, I've chosen a different path."
Perhaps this land has no place left for the Transcendents.
But—
"A few of us Blood Demons… might still find a place to belong, don't you think?"