Chapter 161

The place claiming that a stone tablet had been discovered was the territory of southern Nettriga. It was located in a more remote area of the south, primarily consisting of mines.

“We are grateful that the High Priest has personally come all this way.”

Sevi couldn’t quite understand why this annoying-looking Duke Netri was lingering around uninvited. He had heard that this was the duke’s estate, but from the way the man behaved, it seemed he barely remembered his own land.

“If you go this way… Ah, there are beautiful flowers! ”

“Beautiful, sure,” Sevi replied with indifference.

Duke Netri wiped the sweat from his brow in response to Sevi’s curt remarks. Several awkward moments arose as the direction indicated by Silcaro and the path pointed out by the Duke clashed a few times. If only the man would keep his mouth shut, at least his eardrums would find peace.

‘There are so many people in the world uglier than me; my eyes are suffering.’

At least Scheuer could speak well, but there was no resemblance between him and Duke Netri, except for the red hair, which you could barely count as a similarity even after wiping your eyes and looking again.

Sevi nonchalantly headed toward the location where the stone tablet had been discovered. After walking for a while, Silcaro bowed his head and pointed to a distant flat area.

“I believe this is as far as I can go. It was an honor to guide you.”

The place he pointed to had a particularly deep indentation. At first glance, it looked as if someone had thrown a massive stone from above, creating the hollow. Given the rocky mountains that followed behind, it seemed plausible that a stone could have indeed fallen there.

Sevi gestured toward the holy knights. At his signal, they moved the Duke Netri, Silcaro, and the entire imperial knights’ division behind the holy knights.

The holy knights formed a protective circle around them. The stone tablet had the dangerous property of absorbing all magic, and without Sevi’s supervision, everyone’s lives could be at risk. This was a precaution to prevent such a disaster.

Sevi looked up and casually scanned the rocky mountains, letting out a whistle.

“Whew. What a dull view. How is it that the north is more colorful? ”

He spoke in a rather loud voice, as he wasn’t one to mind others’ opinions. It might have been loud enough for the Duke of Netri and Silcaro to hear. But Sevi paid no mind and clasped his hands behind his back, strolling around to search for the stone tablet. He wandered around the area Silcaro had indicated, as if he were merely out for a casual walk.

The knights from the capital and the Duke of Netri were visibly confused by his behavior.

‘Is this what the process of excavating a stone tablet looks like?’

However, the priests from the Holy Temple seemed familiar with the sight.

After some time, Sevi suddenly snapped his head to the side with a sharp sound. Then, still with his hands behind his back, he called out authoritatively.

“Well, well. There’s something impressive written here.”

“What?”

A startled Koa pushed his way out from behind the holy knights.

Sevi frowned deeply and shook his head.

“Do I really have to read this? ”

With a swift kick, Sevi struck a rock with his foot.

With a swift kick, Sevi struck a rock with his foot.

With a thud, the stone tablet that had been buried in the ground easily revealed itself. It hadn’t been deeply buried to begin with. Still, Sevi’s jaw twitched, suggesting his foot hurt more than expected. Aware of the eyes on him, he held back and maintained his dignity, though his face flushed red.

With a groan escaping through gritted teeth, he took a deep breath.

As he closed his eyes, a faint wind blew from somewhere.

Sevi’s delicate features crumpled in irritation as he looked down at the ground.

The stone tablet was thin, about the thickness of a roof tile. On it was written a rather shocking message:

***

Was it because imperial knights were mixed in at the scene? The content of the stone tablet Sevi recited spread through the capital in no time.

“Did you hear? They said the divine power is going to vanish.”

“Are they talking about Lady Erina? She’s the only one who’s lost her power recently.

“I heard that when the High Priest announced the second tablet before, there was something about it.”

“Oh, that was the one about how the north not only has monsters but kills people too.”

“Come to think of it, there were rumors about someone losing their sword aura about a year ago.”

“I heard those rumors died down after he married Lady Netri. What happens if the two powers combine? ”

“I heard that in the Holy Temple they might interpret the meaning of ‘vanish’ as ‘extinction.’

While visiting the capital and stopping by a boutique, Scheuer quietly held her breath and listened to their conversation.

Sevi, who was supposed to deliver the news, hadn’t even returned from the south yet, but word was spreading faster than feet could travel. The words were uncertain, with unclear sources.

‘Sevi and the holy knights haven’t even come back yet. How did the Holy Temple spread rumors like this? ’

Scheuer tugged at the hem of Raygrain’s clothes, who was calmly holding a bag from the bakery they had stopped by on the way. She spoke cautiously.

“Your Grace, please wait here for a moment.”

After firmly instructing him, she suddenly inserted herself into the conversation of the two noble ladies who had been chatting away. She pulled up her hood as if she had just heard the most astonishing news in the world and asked in a curious tone.

“Is it true? The knights you met from the Holy Temple said so?”

“Yes, that’s what they said. I heard it on the way from the Holy Temple.”

“Did they say whether the tablet was authentic? ”

“I didn’t hear that far… um, who are you?”

The noble ladies, startled by the sudden interruption, seemed a bit confused, as they only just realized someone had joined their conversation.

Scheuer nonchalantly continued speaking.

“How reliable is this information? ”

“Considering the monsters are starting to come down from the north, it doesn’t seem entirely unfounded.”

The young ladies seemed to think they had seen Scheuer somewhere, yet they were hesitant while speaking. It had only been a few fleeting encounters in the central area, and quite some time had passed since they returned to the north, so they likely did not recognize her immediately.

Scheuer discreetly scanned the appearances of the two young ladies. From their gait and manner of speaking, they seemed like individuals one would encounter at a banquet. Although hazy, it felt like she had received a direct introduction at some point. Given their earlier conversation about coming from the crusade, it seemed they had stopped by the boutique while out.

It seemed they had stopped by the boutique while out.

‘Sevi must have come today too; the central crusade isn’t far from the bustling district.’

Due to the discovery of the stone tablet, portals had opened, and it seemed that vague, unclear rumors were spreading amidst the commotion.

‘Could it really spread this quickly?’

A sense of unease washed over her.

Scheuer smiled and asked,

“Where can you hear such things? ”

“It’s already widespread among the ladies. As soon as the news of the tablet broke, word spread that it must be because Grand Duke Blen married someone from the Netri family who possesses divine power.”

“Among the ladies? ”

Now that she thought about it, even before Lady Annabelle had spoken, she already knew what had happened at the Holy Temple.

That didn’t seem likely. Lady Annabelle was already on Scheuer’s mental list of “people to keep an eye on when in the capital.” Additionally, since it was the Holy Temple, most of the attendees were dressed in pale clothes, so an outsider would have stood out. Judging by the numbers, there weren’t many people there besides the imperial knights led by Silcaro.

If Lady Annabelle had been present, Scheuer would not have missed her.

Scheuer thanked the young noblewoman for the information.

“Thanks for telling me. Do you like bread? There’s a place here with a royal pastry chef.”

“Oh my, yes! We were planning to stop by after leaving here.”

Scheuer quickly approached Raygrain, who was holding the bakery bag, and pulled out a couple of baguettes. Handing them to the young women, she said,

“What a coincidence! This is a gift I’m giving because I recently got married and am in a good mood.”

“You got married? Congratulations! Was there news of noble marriages in the central area recently? ”

“Not in the central area, but in the north.”

“Which family is near the north…?” ”

The faces of the young ladies slowly paled as they pondered.

Scheuer simply smiled and then dashed toward where Raymond was waiting.

Seeing him remain unfazed despite hearing unpleasant rumors, she extended her arms.

“Please bend down.”

At her request, which was filled with intensity, Raygrain enveloped Scheuer in a warm embrace. Seeing his unexpected reaction, Scheuer struggled and pulled her arms out of his hold. Then she covered his ears and said,

“Don’t listen to such things.”

“If you cover my ears and talk, how am I supposed to hear? ”

“You hear just fine anyway. Ugh.”

Scheuer tried to wriggle out of his strong embrace, but his broad, solid arms didn’t let her go. Raygrain lowered his head, resting it against the back of her neck.

Seeing his vulnerable side, Scheuer pouted and patted his back.

The young noblewomen, having realized that Scheuer was the grand duchess, hesitated nearby, wanting to apologize. At that moment, Raygrain lifted his head from Scheuer’s neck. When the noblewoman met his cold gaze, they flinched in fear.

Though he didn’t say a word, the expression on Raygrain’s somber face made his meaning clear:

“Get out of my sight.”

Understanding his unspoken command, the noblewomen hurriedly bowed, their faces pale as they fled the boutique as if running for their lives.

“I wish you a kinder sea” – Emily Dickinson