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Chapter 38
Elia scooped a little powder with a teaspoon onto the thinly spread dough and rolled it up into a round capsule.
Repeating the process, she ended up making quite a lot of capsules.
“Uncle, throw this at me.”
“…Pardon?”
“I have to test if it works.”
“You’ll do it yourself?”
“Well, unless you want to do it instead?”
“That’s, um…”
At that moment, Jasper spoke up.
“Felix, aren’t you ashamed, acting like this as a grown man?”
“Jasper…”
“You weren’t really planning to test it on the young lady, were you?”
“Then who—?”
“You should test it on yourself.”
“Me?”
“Don’t worry. If you fall asleep, I’ll watch over you.”
Felix looked at Jasper with a moved expression.
Elia thought to herself that Jasper was truly a born romantic.
“Fine, I’ll do it. But you have to promise to protect me, alright?”
“Of course.”
When the word darling slipped out of Felix’s mouth, goosebumps pricked up Elia’s arm.
“I’ll throw it now. Lady, hold your breath.”
Elia nodded and held her breath as Jasper threw the capsule at Felix.
Pop!
The capsule struck Felix’s chest, burst open, and released a cloud of powder that engulfed him.
“Ugh.”
Felix’s eyes spun, and he toppled backward, losing his balance.
Jasper rushed forward and checked his condition—lifting an eyelid, listening to his breathing.
“He’s really asleep.”
It seemed the powder worked perfectly.
Elia smiled faintly and packed the capsules into her bag—a cute little one shaped like a puppy’s face, gifted to her by the maids earlier. She planned to wrap them up later in her room.
“Good work, sis.”
“Take care, my lady.”
Elia watched Jasper hoist Felix onto his back. In this life, the two of them had found love, and she was glad. She hoped they would stay happy forever.
Back in her room, Elia asked Meril to buy small pouches and necklace strings. She planned to turn the capsules into wearable gifts.
She bought a large number of tiny pouches and, together with Meril, made necklaces.
The very first one she gave was to Meril.
“Am I the first to get one?”
“Yes. I like Meril the most.”
“Oh my, how delightful.”
“The second will go to Norman.”
“He’ll be very pleased.”
The basket quickly filled with necklaces. All she had to do was place a capsule in the pouch and tie it shut—it didn’t take long at all.
“All done. Now let’s hand them out.”
“The basket’s heavy, my lady. I’ll carry it.”
“Okay.”
Elia went with Meril to find Norman first.
“Norman, this is a gift. It has sleep powder inside. Keep it with you, just in case.”
“Hoho, thank you, my lady. I’ll treasure it dearly.”
The third went to the chef, who cooked delicious meals for her every day.
After that, she gave some to the maids who cleaned her room, then to other servants as well.
She explained that they were for self-defense: if they ever faced danger, they should throw the capsule and run. She carefully explained how the powder worked so that everyone would understand its effectiveness beforehand.
Elia distributed the capsules to all the staff of the ducal household. She also planned to make more later and give them to the territory’s people—after all, there was always the risk of them being kidnapped.
She had already taught Felix how to make them, so he could prepare more if needed.
When she returned to her room, Elia contacted Lapis and ordered additional medicinal herbs. To distribute widely, she needed a great deal. She also bought some rare ingredients Felix would like—as a small payment, since he had been the one to fall asleep during testing.
[You’re working hard, really hard.]
“You’re the one who always told me to live happily. Those were your words.”
[I just mean—it feels strange to see you living with so much effort.]
“Why? Am I not supposed to?”
[Not that. It just feels awkward.]
“Remember how I used to get scolded by Mother for being lazy? I don’t want that anymore. I’ll live properly.”
[Your mother may have scolded you a lot, but she cared deeply for you too.]
“I know.”
[Sure you do.]
“If you’re just going to nitpick, could you stay quiet?”
[If I didn’t bicker with you like this, I’d be too bored.]
“Sounds like you’re really bored these days.”
[Maybe a little.]
Elia smiled softly.
[What’s with that ominous smile?]
“You said you’re bored, right?”
[So?]
“Go take a walk.”
[A walk?]
Elia pointed to the mountains visible outside the window.
“Check on the monsters out there.”
[Why me?]
“You’re bored. I’m giving you an exciting mission.”
Gaji frowned.
“Go on. You can sense it, can’t you?”
[You’ve got annoyingly sharp instincts.]
“Of course. I’m the guardian of the World Tree.”
With a sigh, Gaji climbed down from her shoulder and trudged toward the window.
[I’m only going because I’m bored, not because of you, Elly.]
“Fine. Just go.”
[Tch. I’m going.]
Gaji opened the window and leapt out.
Elia watched as he landed lightly and scampered off into the distance.
[Finally, that noisy brat is gone, master.]
After a long silence, Stella spoke.
“I might need your help soon, Stella.”
[I sense as much, master.]
Elia’s eyes turned toward the distant mountains. The wind that blew felt ominous.
Gaji soared through the forest, leaping from tree to tree like a squirrel. Soon, he reached the mountain.
“This should be about the spot.”
It was the monster forest Elia had mentioned.
Gaji padded across the grass, glancing around.
“Has it always felt this eerie here?”
Something about the atmosphere was dark and oppressive.
Rustle.
He froze.
From the shadows, several pairs of glowing red eyes gleamed.
“What the…?”
In the middle of the gathered monsters stood a figure in a black robe. The creatures were swarming around him.
“What is he doing, gathering so many monsters?”
A sense of impending danger washed over Gaji.
He turned quietly to leave—
—but stepped on a dry leaf. Crunch.
He crouched low.
The black-robed figure glanced in his direction, then turned away again.
Gaji let out a breath of relief and slipped away silently.
Elia clicked her tongue when she saw Gaji return.
“What, did you roll around in the dirt?”
Gaji glared at her.
[This mess is all your fault, Elly.]
“So? What did you see?”
He pouted and shook off the dirt from his fur before replying.
[The monsters are gathering.]
Elia’s face grew grave.
[Looks like it’s really happening.]
Her gaze shifted to the calendar.
World Year 1287, April 12th.
One of the great events that had always occurred in her past lives—without fail—was drawing near.
“Monsters may be about to swarm.”
The problem was, Alexis wasn’t at the duchy.
[Shouldn’t you contact the Duke?]
“Not yet.”
[Why not?]
“He’s with the Emperor. Returning early would mean disobeying an imperial order—handing them the perfect excuse to tear him apart.”
[Then tell the Emperor something urgent came up.]
“The Emperor isn’t someone who grants leeway. He’d only use it as a weakness to exploit.”
A leash the Emperor could hold over the Duke’s family. If the Emperor yielded once, Alexis would have to yield something in return—no matter how difficult or unfair.
That was how the Imperial Family worked.
“There’s still time. A week before it happens. We just have to prepare.”
[Elly, don’t even think about sacrificing yourself.]
“I value my life too. I still have plenty left to do.”
Elia knew full well how precious life was. She hadn’t come here to throw hers away meaninglessly.
At least until she reached her goals, she absolutely could not die.
And even without Alexis, there were ways to stop it.
She clenched her fists tightly.
“I’ll protect this place.”
No one would harm it.
“As long as I live, no one will touch it.”
Her resolve burned strong.
Gaji watched her with a worried face.
He could already tell she would push herself recklessly, without regard for risk. He had told her to live earnestly, but he hadn’t expected her to live this desperately.
