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Chapter 39
The Lady Only Deals with the Real Thing
If Emma, who had endured all sorts of hardships while growing up, said that… then what could it be? How unusual must it be?
“Does this guy have magical power?”
Huh?
I felt my energy drain. I asked with a smile,
“Well, isn’t that possible? I’ve heard that sometimes people who aren’t magicians can still possess magical power.”
There are indeed people born with magical power in this world.
However, not all of them could actually use magic like Emma could.
‘Just like not everyone with a good sense of taste becomes a chef.’
To use magic, one must learn, train, and awaken beyond a certain threshold.
Still, even if someone can’t use magic, people with abundant magical power often excel in other areas.
‘Even if they can’t be chefs, they could become food critics, bartenders, or sommeliers.’
In other words, they’re talented individuals.
It seemed that, unfortunately, our delinquent knight’s talent was self-harm and bluffing.
“You’re right. Even if they’re not a magician, they can still possess magical power.”
Yet, unlike me, who thought it was no big deal, Emma’s expression was serious.
“But wouldn’t it be a problem if a Paladin possessed magical power?”
“Huh?! A Paladin?”
“That guy is a Paladin. I can feel the holy power—and it’s strong. That’s why magic items didn’t work on him.”
People with magical power are indeed talented.
But there are professions they can never take on.
‘Priest, and Paladin.’
Those who draw their power from holy energy.
I swallowed hard and asked,
“Is that possible? Magic and holy power conflict with each other.”
“That’s exactly it. I don’t know how it happened, but one thing is certain.”
Emma said firmly,
“That guy is absolutely vicious. So don’t get involved with him.”
After Elisha left,
Emma stopped cleaning and pressed her forehead with her hand.
“I thought there were all kinds of people in the world, but a Paladin with magical power…”
She clicked her tongue.
“And now there are people who can’t be read at all wandering the streets… What’s going to happen to this country, tsk tsk.”
Her ears perked up as she glanced outside, thinking of the large, dark man.
Ding-ding-ding!
That sound?
“Finally, some news?!”
Emma exclaimed with delight and hurried to her desk.
A magic circle floated in the air. By its style, it was from one of her three friends.
Beneath the sparkling circle, a letter fell.
“The news about the magician Elisha’s been desperately searching for has finally arrived!”
Excited, Emma tore open the letter and read.
It contained information about the region where the magician using that spell had been staying.
Now that they knew the region, finding them was just a matter of time.
“What kind of person could it be? That lucky magician who captured Elisha’s heart!”
Wait, maybe not lucky—more like unlucky, considering Michele would probably tear their hair out.
Emma giggled, then widened her mouth at the next part of the letter.
But you know, Emma… the magician you’re looking for…
“Our Elisha…”
Emma put her hand over her heart.
It’s a girl?
“Oh… I see. I’m sorry. I support your love.”
Emma squeezed her eyes shut, beginning to reflect on her own prejudices.
Katarina’s Room
Crodil, unable to contain his anger, had been smashing furniture and now breathed heavily.
“You think I won’t find the pendant?”
His niece, Katarina, stared at him silently, mouth shut tight.
Looking down at her, Crodil muttered coldly,
“Do you think you can hide it forever? No, I will find it. I will find it myself, and with that pendant, I’ll strangle you with my own hands.”
“It’s not yours. It’s mine. It’s my mother’s inheritance that I inherited.”
“Yes, you want to console yourself with that…”
Crodil chuckled darkly,
“My sister never blamed you, did she?”
Katarina flinched.
At that moment, her body trembled.
“You want to believe that my sister didn’t die because of you!”
Tears welled up in her green eyes.
“But how could that be? My sister, who refused to see you until her last moment, could she have done that?”
“Ugh…”
“And do you think your father, even the Emperor, went on such a long pilgrimage for no reason?”
Crodil’s eyes glinted.
“That daughter, who was born frail and sickly! Could he not have returned because he didn’t want to see her pitiful state?”
Spitting out these cruel words, Crodil thought: that previously firm gaze was just a last desperate attempt.
But when he looked at Katarina’s face, he paused.
She’s a soft-hearted girl who cries whenever her sister is mentioned. But…
‘What’s this?’
The tears had only pooled; they didn’t flow.
Her green eyes, moist but clear, looked even more striking.
They resembled her sister’s eyes. Crodil felt sick inside.
“Let him in.”
A moment later, the door opened, and Katarina’s eyes widened.
“You know who this is. It’s Sir Ailrun, Captain of the Royal Paladins.”
Crodil, folding his arms, spoke in an overly polite, almost condescendingly friendly tone, as if explaining to a clueless nephew.
Ailrun had always interfered with his plans, but that was in the past.
‘As long as I can control the knights, Ailrun has no choice but to obey.’
The honor of countless subordinate knights was at stake.
‘I should have done this sooner.’
A principled person is actually easier to manipulate. Just change their principles!
Not only that,
‘If he disobeys again, I have another card—I can ruin Ailrun!’
Closing his eyes, Crodil spoke leisurely,
“Sir Ailrun will find the pendant you ‘lost’ soon enough. So don’t worry too much.”
“…What?”
“Isn’t that right, Sir Ailrun? You’re following my orders faithfully, yes?”
Ailrun replied with his usual expressionless face,
“I’m searching the Ashen District.”
“Yes, that’s right. By the order of this Regent King.”
Crodil, basking in satisfaction, didn’t notice Katarina pale at the mention of the “Ashen District.”
“Anyway, after today, the area will be closed due to permit issues. Take it easy.”
Crodil lightly tapped Ailrun’s shoulder and gestured,
“Search this room again just in case.”
As he left, he whispered theatrically,
“Ah, don’t take seriously when our Rina jokingly said she swallowed it… don’t swing your sword straight away.”
Crodil chuckled as the door closed.
“Haah… haah…”
Katarina clutched her chest.
After catching her breath, she asked anxiously,
“Sir Ailrun… you’re not following my uncle’s orders, right? You swore to serve the royal family, as Captain of the Paladins…”
But Ailrun didn’t answer.
Watching his still-expressionless face, Katarina slumped.
Since Captain Ailrun got involved, finding the pendant was only a matter of time.
As despair settled, a quiet voice came.
“Yes. As you said, I am the Paladin Captain who has pledged all to the Empire.”
Ah. Because the Emperor is absent, he has no choice but to follow Regent Crodil.
But Ailrun’s words didn’t end there.
“I have sworn to protect Preslife.”
Preslife.
Katarina looked down at the name engraved on the ring: Katarina Preslife.
“Please rest, Your Highness.”
Ailrun emphasized “Your Highness” as he left.
Katarina was left staring blankly, pondering his words.
Ailrun did not search the room as Crodil suggested. So he’s not on Crodil’s side?
‘But…’
Ailrun is a knight. He must obey his superior.
Eventually, he will find the pawnshop.
Besides, the streets are closing.
“See you again.”
Then what about the woman with violet eyes?
‘Will she be handed the pendant, or…?’
Katarina imagined the woman collapsing helplessly before Ailrun, sword raised.
Biting her lip, Katarina turned her head.
She saw a jet-black robe.
‘I need to send an urgent telegram to William. The extra payment doesn’t matter—just make it quick.’
Back at the pawnshop, as I sent the telegram, I glanced outside.
‘The knights are already all over the place…’
Knights in white loitered around.
If anyone resisted or caused a disturbance, it would be an unspoken threat: they would be taken immediately.
‘They said they don’t have the manpower to send it? But I guess they do when it matters.’
Grinding my teeth, I sent the telegram first.
‘There’s also a night auction tonight. We need to move fast.’
After sending several consecutive telegrams, I took a breath.
“Oh, you’re here already?”
“Already?”
Alter frowned and walked over, standing at the doorway.
