Chapter 169

She thought it was just a comforting remark. Erina made an effort to smile nonchalantly. 

‘Thank you for the comfort. If I keep trying, someone will recognize my efforts one day.’

As he said, perhaps a day would come when she would be acknowledged not as the second daughter of the Netri family, but as Erina herself.

She tried to brush it off. ‘If Father finds out that I talked about this with His Highness, he’ll be furious.’ Since her father was a person with extensive connections, Erina felt a bit apprehensive. She subtly asked the gently smiling Silcaro, 

‘Could you please keep what I just said a secret?’

‘Did you think I would tell the Duke Netri?’

‘That’s not what I meant…’

Erina faltered at his incisive words. However, he raised his index finger to his lips. With a shushing gesture, he pointed somewhere with his eyes. The atmosphere wasn’t too bad, so Erina cautiously followed him.

Since it was the library expansion party, opening just one door led directly into the library. Picking up a common book from the lightweight collection at the entrance, Silcaro asked, 

‘I’ve heard that you’re quite skilled in swordsmanship, Erina.’

‘Ah, you’ve heard.’

‘Not in detail, just in passing.’

He closed the book with a clap and asked with a serious expression, 

‘I’ve always wondered, why did the god Raphel grant the royal family the role of mediator?’

He seemed to be referring to the tablet. According to interpretations from the temple, the royal family was said to undertake the mediator role. Because of this, the Waker Empire didn’t engage in large-scale wars or conquests. Notably, the current Emperor Lemus Waker was famous for avoiding conflicts altogether.

The royal family was often praised for being gentle and magnanimous, yet there were also occasional whispers that they had no ambitions or that the empire would decline as it was. Silcaro was well-known for resembling the previous emperors in this regard.

In a quiet voice, he lowered his tone and asked, 

‘Is power really necessary for the empire?’

What do you mean?

‘Do you know Sir Zero?’

‘Yes. I understand he is a knight who achieved great merit when he invaded the Orsetia Kingdom after breaking their alliance recently.’

Silcaro listened carefully to her words, which she spoke without hesitation. Feeling a bit embarrassed for rambling on her own, Erina cleared her throat. It wasn’t very polite, but Silcaro didn’t scold her.

‘That’s right. Sir Zero did not possess any power. Not only him, but also Sir Zaiven Ross and Sir Alex Zeod…’

He proceeded to list the names of those who had made remarkable achievements without any power. All were individuals Erina respected greatly, so much so that she had read their autobiographies in detail.

Silcaro suddenly stopped listing names and firmly asked,

‘Those without powers have protected the empire. This suggests that the empire can be safe without powers.’

‘Wait a moment. I understand your point, but doesn’t the North need powers?’

‘Why do you think the North can only be protected with powers?’

Well, I’ve heard that monsters can only be dealt with by the swordsmanship of Blenga.’

‘What if you could defend against them with a sword that isn’t of Blenga?’

‘That’s ridiculous.’

Erina shook her head resolutely. She had never heard such talk in the Central, Southern, or surrounding regions. Silcaro simply smiled instead of replying. Calmly, he opened the door to the royal library that had been behind him. It wasn’t the recently expanded area but the old section. The familiar scent of books wafted out.

Silcaro confidently stepped inside. Should she follow? Hesitating, Erina couldn’t help but step forward when she saw Silcaro pause as if waiting for her. He stopped at a corner in front of an old bookshelf and took out a worn book.

‘This feels unpleasant,’ 

she instinctively thought when she saw the book from a distance. Holding the book, Silcaro asked, 

‘If you could eliminate monsters without powers, what would you do?’

‘I can’t believe it.’

‘It’s written in this book.’

Erina took the book he opened and felt a strange texture that sent shivers down her arms, shoulders, and neck. The words didn’t register in her eyes, but Silcaro’s voice echoed clearly in her ears. 

‘I know it’s hard to believe, but I’ve even conducted experiments myself. It’s possible.’

Erina scanned the book as if entranced. It contained information about the monsters of the North, their behavioral principles, magic stones, and even the family flower. Everything was in this one book. Silcaro flipped the pages in her hands and continued, 

‘Currently, the Duke Netri, along with the Blenga Duke, has always been at the mercy of the royal family. Thanks to this, they have maintained their positions, but Blenga is gradually crumbling.’

‘I heard that the recent rumors say they’re not going out to hunt monsters because they’ve lost their emotions.’

‘That’s right. If the North falls, the Netriga family will swallow everything. Ah, sorry. That would be your father.’

‘It’s fine. I understand my father’s ambitions.’

Setting aside her role as a daughter, she knew her father better than anyone else. The Duke Netri, always overshadowed by the honor of Blenga, and herself, the second daughter, often overshadowed by the expectations placed on her elder sister. She also understood that her father wished for Scheuer to quickly hold a sword and illuminate the family with ambitions to surpass Blenga.

Erina’s answer seemed to delight Silcaro, and he continued speaking with enthusiasm. 

‘Now is the right time. We can eliminate powers this generation.’

‘How? While it may be true for Blenga, for our family…’

With a rustle, he turned a page and pointed to a section. It detailed how to inherit the family flower.

He had maintained his smile until now, but suddenly he focused sharply on her. 

‘In this empire, I hope that those who work hard will be treated properly—not based on powers or noble backgrounds that were given to them from the start, but by their own strength. The current royal family lacks the authority and power to appoint those who truly deserve it.’

‘The empire is already quite…’

‘Everyone in the Central knows that the Duke Netri has more influence than I do.’

He immediately countered her customary denial. His seriousness suggested that he had long awaited this moment to express himself. Silcaro took Erina’s hand; his calloused palm felt remarkably similar to hers.

‘If you help me, Erina, it can happen.’

She had often wondered if a world without powers would have allowed her to wield a sword. Would she be remembered as Erina and not just as the second daughter of the Netriga? It felt like a dream, making it hard to grasp.

Moreover, the method described in the book for inheriting powers from the firstborn was cruel.

She hated Scheuer enough to want her dead, but she had never seriously considered killing her.

After all, she was still her sister. She hadn’t chosen to be born as the firstborn either.

However, even if she tried to understand rationally, her emotions did not align.

‘I’m sorry, Your Highness. I think it would be difficult for me.’

At her refusal, Silcaro replied with a bittersweet expression.

‘I’m not asking you to decide right now. I’ll lend you the book. Think it over carefully.’

As they left the archives and returned to where the party was being held,

Silcaro didn’t urge her again, as if he had forgotten their previous conversation. For some reason, a faint sense of regret lingered.

After enjoying light conversations, Silcaro’s words did not leave her mind until she returned to the Netri family.

Duke Netri, looking displeased, said to her,

‘How can you pretend to be friendly with such a useless royal family? I searched everywhere to introduce you; what have you been doing?’

The term “useless” seemed to refer not to him but to herself. Silcaro had recognized her efforts in an instant. Watching the angry face of Duke Netri, Erina summoned her courage.

Her father was someone who wielded a sword, so she believed he would understand.

‘Father, can I take the royal knight exam just once?’

‘No.’

‘I’ll just take the exam.’

‘The Netri family has never appointed anyone without powers! Don’t make excuses while tarnishing our family name and refusing to marry!’

In his fury, he stood up abruptly. Then he looked for Scheuer.

‘Where is Scheuer? Is she still holed up in her room?!’

Ah, right. Without powers, one cannot even take the exam.

Suddenly, the book Silcaro had lent her came to mind. That night, Erina read and reread the book until dawn.

Inspired by its contents, it didn’t take long for her to seek out Silcaro again.

Two years. I will definitely master the swordsmanship in that time, so please help me endure in the family through engagement. I will make it a royal authority that no one can touch.

Hearing her resolute proposal, Silcaro smiled brightly.

Standing in the sunlight, his dazzling blonde hair seemed beautiful to her.

She thought, perhaps God sent someone to help her.

***

The South, which she hadn’t visited in a while, was hot and familiar. Although it had only been about three days since she was last there, she instinctively felt a sense of closeness to the place. She gazed at the scenery of Netriaga visible through the carriage window.

Behind her, Raygrain’s heavy question came through. 

“The Southern flowers are particularly vibrant. If you need them, I can get some for you.”

She had been looking out without any particular thoughts, but it seemed he had misunderstood her. With a bright smile, Sheuer replied, 

“No! I don’t need Southern flowers.”

“What are you?

To define is the limit.” – Oscar Wilde