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Chapter 77
“The discussion went well.”
Cecilia spoke as she came down the stairs toward the village chief, who was sitting on the landing. She could feel the glances of nearby students on them but didn’t pay them any mind. The village chief, who had been quietly enduring their stares, gave her a faint smile.
“I owe you a great deal.”
“Not at all.”
As soon as the avalanche was settled, Cecilia had done two things.
First — while everyone was still in confusion — she grabbed Krondel by the back of the neck, threw him into her room, and sealed the door with a locking spell.
And second—
“The transfer of ownership is complete. As it happens, the northern mine shares belonged to Young Lord Ingram.”
“Are you truly going to purchase our mine?”
“It’s not like they’ll ever give up their fief, right?”
Cecilia said jokingly.
At this point in time, the northern mine was practically barren — a dead mine. If anything valuable still came out of it, the Marquis of Phillips wouldn’t have left the northern border region so neglected.
So, Cecilia had subtly let slip to Ingram Phillips that Bronu wished to purchase shares of the northern mine. She couldn’t appear too eager, so she phrased it as though Bronu was simply expanding its holdings — that it was about time they owned a mine, too.
“If you really want it, sure.”
Ingram had agreed far more easily than expected. In fact, since he hadn’t accomplished much on this expedition, it seemed he was happy to offload a useless mine onto someone else and return home to praise from his family.
On the surface, his decision didn’t look bad. He’d even managed to sell it at a high price, since Cecilia had accepted his inflated offer. He probably thought he’d come out ahead.
But that was before the Beast War.
After the Beast War broke out, royal mages defending the border region happened to discover that the mine contained magistone — a rare mineral ideal for crafting magical items, engraving formulas, and channeling mana.
No one had paid attention to that dead mine for years, and the magistone was buried so deep underground that it had never been found before. If not for the beasts’ attacks gouging deep into the mountain, it might have remained undiscovered forever.
That’s why even after this land became a death zone, people still had to be sent there.
Ironically, that forsaken mine became one of the greatest sources of magistone in the entire realm.
Once everything was over and the region was safe again, developing that mine would bring in excellent revenue. The profits from the magistone alone would be enough to rebuild the border villages into livable, thriving places.
“You turned down my offer to come along.”
“This is our home.”
Cecilia couldn’t take the village chief and the people to the capital, so this arrangement was the next best thing for both sides.
“All I ask is that you continue sending the materials from the mine to me regularly. I’ll pay you fairly for them.”
“They’re nearly worthless now, though.”
“That’s fine. And when you can, study more magic. You have quite a talent for it.”
The chief’s face flushed at her praise.
“I don’t know how to thank you enough.”
Cecilia smiled and bid the departing chief farewell. As she watched him go, Fleur approached her.
“You forgot this.”
“So you picked it up for me.”
Cecilia accepted the ruby pendant Fleur held out.
“I’m just glad you’re safe.”
“I’m only sorry to have worried you.”
Fleur looked noticeably worn down — her complexion dull, her eyes faintly shadowed. Cecilia had heard she’d barely eaten or slept while searching for her, scouring the area again and again. She had, however, slain many beasts and seemed to have gained some experience from it.
Still, seeing those eyes made Cecilia genuinely feel sorry.
“You should’ve taken care of yourself first.”
“How could I, when the person beside me refuses to do the same? I have to look after her before myself.”
Cecilia wasn’t sure if Fleur meant that as a rebuke, but it carried weight. Fleur sighed softly.
“I know this time wasn’t intentional.”
“So you’re saying you’ll be less angry, huh?”
Cecilia teased, brushing aside a loose strand of Fleur’s hair without thinking. Fleur flinched slightly at the touch.
“It’s so like you to worry in such a roundabout way. But even if I tell you not to, you’ll keep doing it, won’t you?”
“I will.”
“In that case, we’re a bit alike.”
Fleur chuckled faintly at that — but the quiet moment ended when a heavy presence appeared behind them. The Crown Princess stood there with Jun beside her. Cecilia bowed slightly.
“Your Highness.”
“I’m glad matters here are settled well enough. But there’s still something I asked you to finish.”
Though the princess’s tone was calm, her eyes were cold. Cecilia met that gaze squarely.
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I mean the man in your room.”
Tension filled the air. Cecilia answered smoothly, feigning ignorance.
“He insists he’s not the prince, Your Highness. I suppose I failed my mission, then. If punishment is due, I’ll accept it.”
“Is that supposed to be a joke?”
“If I may ask just one thing — wasn’t the prince accompanied by two guards? Lately, I haven’t seen one of them.”
“……”
“Your Highness, I respect you deeply. And I understand that disobeying your orders could be seen as neglecting my duty to the royal family.”
The playfulness left Cecilia’s voice.
“But if I were to hand the prince over while unsure of your intentions toward him, and he came to harm because of that — wouldn’t that also be neglecting my duty to the royal family?”
“You think I’d put him in danger?”
“If that was never your intent, then the fault is entirely mine.”
In her mind, Cecilia recalled the image of a blond boy the princess had once coldly dropped to the floor.
“At the very least, I beg you to believe that I mean no harm and wish no more injury upon any member of the royal bloodline.”
Cecilia bowed deeply. The princess was silent for a long moment before speaking in a low, cutting voice.
“Even if you don’t hand him over, I’ll find another way to take him.”
“……”
“Not now, perhaps. But I will. And you know as well as I do that it’s the right thing to do. Just remember — when the mana storm comes, it’ll be too late.”
With that icy warning, the princess turned and left. Jun lingered for a moment, casting Cecilia a cold look before following her.
Once they were some distance away, Jun murmured softly to the princess.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“I should’ve retrieved the prince before it came to this.”
“You apologize for strange things. Do you really think that girl would’ve given you the chance?”
“Even so, I should’ve made one.”
“Enough. I never expected her to hand him over willingly anyway.”
The princess lifted her gaze, eyes narrowing with determination — thinking of Krondel, somewhere within this very lodging.
“She’ll find out soon enough.”
Jun nodded silently. As the princess ascended the stairs, she added coldly:
“Or perhaps he’ll come to me on his own.”
“Do you know why I called you?”
Jin bowed his head even lower at the question. The vast chamber was lined with white marble, but the floor was a gleaming black — polished obsidian that reflected the light like still water. The contrast alone spoke of restrained yet immense luxury.
Still bowing, Jin began carefully,
“…Her Highness, the Crown Princess, seems to be doing well in the north.”
“Not that. Be specific.”
“I… beg your pardon, I don’t quite—”
“I mean — she isn’t having foolish thoughts, is she?”
Jin flinched at the question, his gaze fixed on the king’s feet. He seemed to swallow his words several times before replying softly.
“Her Highness has shown no such signs…”
“That’s not what my sources say.”
Jin bit his lip, barely stifling a groan.
“Lately, she’s been overstepping her authority — that draft order for military training, for example. And while I was resting, the nobles say she kept them from meeting me.”
“Her Highness merely sought to prepare for the beasts’ reappearance, and to keep the nobles from troubling Your Majesty with needless rumors—”
“So you side with your master now? Even though I’m the true master of everyone in this kingdom?”
“Your Majesty.”
Jin pressed his forehead to the floor.
King Tucker Ahaim rose slowly from his seat, clicking his tongue in irritation. One hand clutched the side of his abdomen as though to ease a lingering pain.
Years of illness had left their mark all over his body. The cloudiness in one eye alone showed how much his health had deteriorated. Yet despite his frail frame, the weight of authority around him was suffocating.
“She’s even trying to pry into my movements — investigating those around me.”
“She’s only concerned for Your Majesty’s health—”
“So you admit she’s meddling in matters above her station?”
At that freezing tone, Jin fell silent again.
“Not that it matters.”
“……”
“I don’t care what they do. None of those children have ever been of use to their father anyway — just scavengers circling, waiting to take what they can.”
The king’s cold gaze fell on Jin’s clenched fist.
“Every time I let my guard down—”
Thud.
Suddenly, the king collapsed. Jin caught him just enough to keep him from hitting the floor and eased him onto the bed. The king’s eyes were hollow, all strength drained from him.
Jin let out a bitter laugh.
“In this condition, you still speak of power…”
He turned his lowered eyes toward the window. Snow was likely falling in the north by now.
“You should be grateful to her, if anything.”
With that quiet remark, Jin left the king’s chamber. Within a few days, the Crown Princess’s party would arrive in the capital.
This time, he would be ready — properly ready.
