The reason I was able to reach the realm of the sword after nearly dying ten times was solely because I had invested all that time purely into the sword.
Being able to elevate my level in a short time was merely a matter of retracing the path I had already walked.
What could be up there?
I had resolved to train in seclusion, but the realization grasped in my hand was just a slight clue I felt when fighting the Minotaurus.
Of course, recovering all my strength was a given, but I was fully aware that it wasn’t enough.
The sword in my hand was an ordinary iron sword. The reason for stacking cheap iron swords instead of buying an expensive one was simple.
If it was difficult to ascend in a short period, it would be better to enhance my precision at this stage instead.
Since I could no longer claim to lack talent for the sword as I did in the past, I believed that if I only invested the time, I could reach what I desired.
As I pondered while looking at the sword in my hand, I suddenly turned my head at the presence I felt behind me.
Adrian, holding food and extra clothes, smiled faintly and spoke.
There was no way I couldn’t be grateful in many ways.
Not only did he provide a place that Kaiteil couldn’t be concerned about under the Moon Tower, but he also supported me with a meal.
It felt rather awkward that the dilemma I had originally was resolved in an instant.
“If you get hurt, please let me know. I will take care of you.”
“Just having this place is enough. Let alone providing meals, what more could I ask for?”
You need to eat well to grow. I had already experienced that being stuck on a mountain with nothing would only ruin my body,
I was planning to create a simple barrier to enter for seclusion training. But thanks to Adrian stepping up to help, these problems were solved in no time.
Even if I wanted to repay for all the help I was receiving, his silent reply that just being together was enough made me smile awkwardly.
I like being together, but I can’t help but feel awkward in many ways. Just a few days ago, I was living as if I was attached to Miragen, and now, after only a few days, I had to be with Adrian for a long time.
Should I apologize, or say I feel no shame?
I felt it was fair to say that my own integrity had become quite ambiguous.
I know that it’s not possible to choose just one person now.
If I were to choose someone in the future, I suppose it would have to be one of two options: all live together or I die and disappear.
It seemed like too distant a future to think about right now, but still, imagining the future made my heart feel a little more at ease.
It had become comfortable.
Even though I said it was far, I knew it was slowly coming closer.
When I first arrived, I thought I had a three-year grace period, but that too had been pulled forward, making it quite imminent.
My emotions about this were still complicated.
But it was true that I was accepting it a little more positively than before.
I thought things would turn out well and that after this was over, I’d be worrying about something much more trivial than what I was currently wondering about.
As I smiled at that thought, I coincidentally noticed Adrian smiling too.
#
The pressure that the word “Emperor” brings is quite significant.
Not only had I never thought of becoming an emperor myself since birth, but I also subconsciously believed that Kaitel was more suited for that position.
During my time with Robert, wasn’t the emperor always meant to be Kaitel?
That said, I also knew full well that I couldn’t just let it be in this life as well.
It was like killing Robert, but I couldn’t just ignore Kaitel from the perspective of the Imperial Family.
Going against the Imperial Family, which reveres the moon, and wielding the power of a dead dragon was already a problem.
An act that could easily be seen as treason or even a coup.
I was foolish for not grasping that until now, but I found Robert, who had sought the truth alone, to be even more impressive.
Looking back on my memories, I did eventually receive help from a little girl named Arwen, but even now that I know what Kaitel is up to, I am still unable to do anything.
Robert probably lived with this frustration constantly.
So, I couldn’t complain. I had to think about how I could be of help and prepare for the future in my own way.
In my heart, I wanted to dispatch an information unit to gather intelligence, but that was difficult because Kaitel had unleashed a mysterious organization.
Even though I had somewhat figured out what they were doing now, they had wielded influence throughout the entire Imperial Palace until now.
If I moved recklessly from here, I might actually give Kaitel an advantage.
After a moment of contemplation, Miragen slumped back down into her chair.
If I had known this would happen, I should have gotten close to Father more often.
If I had acted cute and tried something, at least some crumbs would have fallen my way, but after receiving a reprimand last time, they wouldn’t just overlook any reckless actions again.
“Still, my situation isn’t all that bad.”
There are people I can’t contact at all, aren’t there? With a triumphant smile, Miragen propped her chin and stared quietly at the mirror.
Robert’s plan was quite tricky, and it would only work when all the gears fit perfectly together.
Even if there were other plans if Plan A failed, they wouldn’t want to resort to Plan B unless absolutely necessary.
Even if there are other plans, generally speaking, they wouldn’t want to resort to Plan B.
Adele Igrit knows what feelings she has for Robert, and Miragen, who knows how Robert will proceed with this matter, has complicated inner feelings.
“I’m not using you.”
What Robert intends to relay to Adele Igrit is based purely on facts. However, in the absence of detailed explanations, it would be enough for Adele to feel that Robert has betrayed her.
If Robert is who I know him to be, he would have been working hard to save Adele. It wouldn’t take long for that effort to abruptly cease, leading to Adele’s isolation.
I heard that she’s training under the Moon Tower, so Adele’s communication won’t reach Robert. Even if it did, it was said he wouldn’t check it. The success or failure of this plan hinges on whether it feels natural or not.
To deceive the enemy, even allies must be deceived. In a way, it could be said that Robert has resorted to desperate measures himself.
Naturally, upon hearing such a plan, one couldn’t find peace of mind. When considering the experience and duration of being Robert’s lover, she was at an advantage. Yet, the feelings Adele and Robert have for each other can’t be said to be ordinary. Knowing this, it would be hard to think kindly of Adele Igrit.
But still, all she felt about this situation was regret.
She’s a rival in love. However, it’s hard to say they don’t have many commonalities. From her circumstances and what she heard from Robert, Adele Igrit already knows about the memories of the past. She might even share a similar pain.
There would be regrets, and her feelings for Robert deep as well.
…thus, it’s giving her a headache.
Adrian had already sensed that Robert held special feelings, secretly cheering him on. With things like this, it’s impossible to give way to friendship or anything else. In that sense, thinking about becoming the emperor himself didn’t seem too bad. If he were the emperor, monopolizing power under that justification would be possible.
That might ruin relationships in various ways, though.
Miragen also ultimately knew that this would remain a mere fantasy.
Sighing, she laid back on the bed. Counting the number of squares painted on the ceiling, she clasped her head again, frowning, but the frustration didn’t vanish.
In her memories, Kaitel was always close to perfection. Unlike her, he handled everything flawlessly and always managed new tasks with skill.
She thought of it as talent. A cold-blooded successor, yet meticulous enough to keep any noise from reaching his subordinate.
Her father must not have had any particular thoughts against Kaitel becoming the next emperor either.
It wouldn’t have been done.
But if there’s a problem, it’s probably that it’s been twisted the wrong way.
Worshipping the sun in the imperial family is considered the worst of taboos. Moreover, having already used the power of the ancient dragon sealed directly by God, there was no turning back. Now, the reality of having to fight against my own blood, whom I always thought was perfect, was quite unsatisfactory.
Can I do it?
Miraogen, who had been staring blankly at the ceiling, slowly closed her eyes. This wasn’t a question that could easily receive an answer right now. I think it would take a lot of time to ponder before I could find an answer. Robert, Kaitel. How exactly will the fate of these two end?
Grabbing her throbbing head, Miraogen tightly clutched the blanket and embraced it. Perhaps because it was the spot where Robert had been, the faint lingering scent seemed to oddly comfort her.
#
There is a land where a particularly cold wind blows. Sometimes, one can even get confused about the seasons; standing on the snow-covered ground, they might mistake that all seasons are winter. A woman standing at the highest point, looking down at the lower lands, let her hair dance gently in the breeze.
Her cloak, made of wolf fur, fluttered in the cold wind, yet her gaze was fixed on the castle situated in the north.
The reason she came here was simple. To soothe her complicated heart, to think about Robert, who had sent an unremarkable message despite the effort it took to reach out.
“Don’t come to the capital.”
Regardless of what I do or what news I hear, I was simply dumbfounded to receive Robert’s letter warning me never to come to the capital. It was offensive enough to do this without even a greeting, but to not even allow me to come—how could he expect me to know if he’s rolling around with another woman?
I withdrew all the spies I had placed in the capital, fearing that Kaitel might find out. The only thing left to do now was to wait for news about what Robert was up to.
How could I not feel frustrated? Yet, instinctively, I knew that I shouldn’t make a move.
If I moved now, something would go wrong. That feeling was warning me. Thus, while I stayed quietly without any remarks, there were two cats in the capital hunting for fish. What if they left bait while I wasn’t there?
Sure enough, with rising anxiety, Adele slightly frowned.
It couldn’t be helped. This time, I had no choice but to follow Robert’s words. Yet, if we meet again… then.
I was determined to make Adele pay in kind.
“Look forward to it.”
When we meet again, I will make sure she can’t escape.
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