TVWD 81

Chapter 81.

Silla replied with a smile instead of words.

After staring at Nasa for a while longer, he turned toward the exit as if today’s business were finished.

“Are you going to help him?”

When the old man asked, Silla simply waved his hand in answer.

Step, step.

Just as when he came, he walked down the long, dark corridor. When he emerged, the familiar air greeted him.

Merina Ekel is Nasa?

Stepping onto the surface, Silla let out a scoff.

What a ridiculous joke.

She might not realize it herself, but Merina possessed enough power to directly influence the master of the Magic Tower.

After hearing that strange whisper, Silla decided to experiment using members of Blue Bird.

He grouped some operatives and sent them near Merina at set intervals.

Whether disguised as passersby or servants, they all approached her.

Women had varying levels of interest in Merina, but in general gave positive impressions.

Men, if around her age, showed intense affection; if older or younger, showed simple fondness.

None of the twenty operatives heard that strange whispering as if something were being implanted in their heads, yet all said that for some reason they felt like they needed to treat her kindly, even though it was their first time seeing her.

In both questions, men showed stronger reactions, and many said they wanted to see Merina again.

Those people were given memory-erasing drugs and sent back to their daily lives, but a couple of men around Merina’s age occasionally scratched their heads, saying they felt like they were forgetting someone.

Even if no one heard the strange whisper, people naturally developed good feelings toward Merina.

It seemed to apply to everyone, meaning that whatever Merina wanted to do, it would likely go smoothly.

Someone like that could never be something as insignificant as Nasa.

And above all, the old man had never given a hint about Nasa until now.

Asking, “If that person were Nasa, what would you do?” was practically teasing him.

“As if I’d fall for something like that.”

Silla snorted.

“Besides, isn’t Nasa supposed to be the evil that defies the flow of the world?”

One who opposes predetermined fate should be battered by stormy waves, not in possession of such convenient power to use people.

Someone who quickly earns love and forgiveness despite wrongdoing could never be Nasa……

“…Maybe leave the possibility of a dust mote.”

There are always exceptions.

However, in Silla’s eyes, Merina could never fit the role of Nasa. Someone desperately struggling in unfathomable pain—Merina was far too elevated for that.

“If anything, it’d make more sense if Merina Ekel were the law of the world itself.”

Silla muttered absent-mindedly and then stopped walking.

That strange whisper whenever he was near Merina—Be kind to her. Treat her well.—made her actions easy.

Despite having harmed others without reason, she showed a favorable front at the crown princess selection and quickly earned their affection.

As if she possessed a fate to be loved.

“…Huh?”

Goosebumps rose on Silla’s arm.

“If she really is deeply connected to the world’s laws…”

Then Nasa would likely be nearby.

Perhaps as her enemy.

Only one person popped into his mind.

Silla, who was heading toward Blue Bird’s border branch, disappeared via teleportation.

Two weeks remained until the fourth stage of the crown princess selection.

I wanted to go to the Dark Forest as soon as possible, but Ted insisted we wait until the Silver Guild mercenary returned from his mission.

“Young lady, do you know how rough and dangerous mercenaries can be?”

We could fail our goal and get into serious trouble, so he insisted that only a trustworthy mercenary should be hired.

“The higher the rank, the higher the mission success rate. Meaning, they won’t harbor ill intentions.”

It was bothersome, but Ted had a point, so I decided to wait for the Silver Guild’s mercenaries to return.

We can’t throw away our chances by rushing.

And I had to make sure Pony didn’t get chosen as crown princess.

“Should I just run away now?”

Pony, who had begun visiting nearly every day, sprawled on the sofa like Stella and absent-mindedly watched Reese’s wagging tail.

“And you, don’t tell your father you don’t want to be the crown princess.”

“Dad? Why?”

“If you look too unwilling, Count Pink might assign someone to watch you.”

“As expected of Roa. You know my dad better than I do.”

Pony sat up and glared at the strawberry cake before attacking it with a fork.

Lately, instead of eating desserts right away, she often dismantled them like this.

Which meant she was worried. And that made me worried too.

“Dad and even my late grandpa dreamed of our family producing an empress, so if I tried to run, of course they’d keep me locked up.”

“Yeah. So act a little reluctant at first, then pretend you’ve given up.”

I acted calm, worried that if I looked anxious, Pony would panic too.

“Or you could pretend you’re thrilled because the imperial pastry chef supposedly makes amazing cakes. Like you’re actually happy about becoming crown princess.”

“Ooh, good idea. If I say I’m happy because of the desserts, Dad won’t suspect anything.”

Her face brightened briefly, then darkened again.

“But what should I do at the 4th stage to get disqualified? If I go to the 5th stage, I think I’ll die from fear, Roa.”

Pony mashed the strawberry cake beyond recognition and set down her fork.

“Maybe I should just run away now?”

“Just wait. Running away before the 5th stage is still fine.”

“So you’re saying I will pass the 4th stage, Roa?”

“You know it too, Pony. Judging by the atmosphere, you’re going all the way to the 5th.”

Pony tugged her twin ponytails, her round eyes rising sharply.

“Then what do I do? Are you telling me to just become crown princess?”

“Please. As if I’d let my best friend become a noble, elegant crown princess.”

Pony giggled at my sarcasm.

“Just rest until the 4th test starts. I’ll figure something out.”

“I trust you, Roa.”

Even though I was only a future marquess and still just a noble girl, Pony readily placed her trust in me.

“You helped me when I was last in my class at the Academy, and you beat up the kids who called me fat.”

“That was ages ago. And I helped you because we’re friends. Obviously.”

“You’re the only one who ever said that.”

“What about Stella?”

“Stella said she wanted to be friends because my family is rich. So she doesn’t count.”

We both burst into laughter at the memory of our first meeting.

Stella and I took mostly economics and politics courses at the Academy, while Pony took the easiest electives, so we rarely saw her.

We’d have only seen her at social events after adulthood.

I encountered her by chance in the Academy’s main hall.

Surrounded and mocked, Pony’s eyes brimmed with tears.

— Hahaha! You always eat candy so you look like one! I bet you roll well. Hey, roll for us.

— What are you doing? Is tormenting a lady something gentlemen are taught to do?

The boys’ insults were crude and unbefitting nobles, and Pony, crying pitifully, reminded me of young Calvin, so I intervened.

Once involved, I had to finish it—Father’s teaching.

Whenever I had time, I found those bullies, humiliated them, and reported their behavior to the Academy committee.

Several were expelled, and the harassment dwindled.

After that, Pony would offer me snacks whenever she saw me. I learned only months later this was her way of showing affection.

I didn’t really like making friends, but that chick-like girl trailing after me stuck around, and soon we were together.

And then Stella bluntly told Pony,

— Pink family runs business well, right? I heard your older brother showed talent in commerce since childhood.

I still remember Pony flinching at Stella’s sharp, fox-like gaze.

— Your family is rich and will only get richer. Let’s be close.

Pony froze, stunned by such direct words.

Those were good times.