SWNOVELXO Chapter 407
The Duke’s Family organized a splendid social event.
Afterward, what remained was to confirm the love calls from the nobles yet to head home, preparing to return just like them.
As time passed, we finally uncovered information that was revealed to the world through the Duke’s Family.
“Ray, you didn’t see the news this morning, did you?”
“I’m somewhat distant from newspapers, you see.”
“Well, it’s not like you’re maintaining your bow. I can’t imagine you waking up while reading the morning news. That’s why I brought one for you.”
…It’s true, but hearing it like this makes me sound like someone completely disconnected from words and knowledge.
Shoving aside that subtle annoyance, I checked the article she brought.
It was a newspaper filled with the continental common language I had become quite familiar with. The main headline on the front page caught my attention.
“Milanet Tremian, who insulted the royal family and the Baron, revealed to be an insider of the Cult… Interrogations by the royal family’s House of Barons begin. They seem to want to disclose it this way first, huh?”
“The interesting part’s not that. Look at that—it has your portrait right below.”
“My portrait made it into it?!”
Spreading the insider news and legally taking some leverage from the family. I heard that eventually, when the time comes, the execution will follow Adelhaite’s wishes. While nodding at the seemingly smooth progression of these events.
Upon hearing that my portrait was featured, I quickly read down the article.
‘They mentioned wanting to gild my face as a reward for my efforts this time.’
When did they even sketch my portrait? And what does it say to make Shione expect this reaction from me?
The article was indeed enough to cause me considerable embarrassment.
“…Is this truly how I look? My eyes seem too sharp, and it looks like I’ve been painted in bloody splendor.”
Though the portrait seemed to have been drawn based on my appearance in a duel, the ferocity of my gaze was exaggerated, turning me—a bow user—into a sword demon.
Predictably, Shione began to giggle, as if she had anticipated this.
“It’s different, you know. But since it left quite an impression in the duel, I guess others felt the same way and drew it like that.”
“That may be true, but—”
“Look at the text beside it. Under the suspicious gaze of the Young Lady, demonstrating sharp insight to challenge a prestigious duel… A hero who appealed for detailed investigations to the Duke’s Family after dispatching spies with swordsmanship as commendable as their renown! If only he wielded a bow instead…”
“That’s enough. I can’t bear to hear any of this anymore.”
“Too bad. It’s just getting to the good part.”
Somehow, after the social event ended, I received many more love calls from them than when the feast was active, seemingly seeing me during the honorable duel.
Shione had already conversed with one of her fans from the extermination squad. And while I too would have talks with the royal individuals, I had no intention of actively participating in such after-parties.
Yet, having gained this level of popularity, I wondered if my family would be flooded with various alliance or contract proposals in the future.
‘Anyway, that’s a worry for later.’
The development of the Demonic Realm and the Northern War.
Though the urgent matter was primarily regarding the North, I needed to confirm our knights’ affairs while I was away and join them quickly. It was high time to return to the Count’s House.
With that in mind, I refocused on Shione.
“…What are you doing with the newspaper now?”
I caught Shione folding the newspaper, especially the one featuring my photo, in a neat manner.
“Thinking about it, I didn’t have a portrait of you. Since I gathered multiple copies, I want to carry this one around separately, cutting just your portrait out.”
“…Of all things, that?!”
“It was cut nicely! How about it; neat, right?”
What good is cutting it nicely?
I was already carrying regret over that portrait.
“You can have a painter come later to do a better portrait, so get rid of that one.”
I even promised that as a measure of persuasion to prepare a proper portrait for her, but—
“I don’t want to.”
“…….”
“I’m going to sleep with it by my head.”
I was flatly refused.
What in the world is sleeping with that supposed to mean? Her treating that piece of paper like a talisman made me chuckle in disbelief.
Suddenly, Shione sat in a chair, crossed her legs, and began to tease the paper sandwiched between her index and middle fingers.
It was as if her initial goal was to steer the conversation this way.
Shione started to provoke me with a subtle tone.
“Or… how about forcibly snatching it away?”
“Let’s not. They said the carriage is ready to take us back to the Count’s House.”
Ultimately, I gave up.
*
Autumn in the North is unlike other regions, where one enjoys falling leaves and the mood it brings.
In the North, autumn is a time for preparing resources and supplies necessary for survival against the long, harsh winter and, at times, preparing for wars undertaken to prevent starving monsters from moving south.
Conversely, autumn yields a bustling and vibrant scene, more lively than anywhere in the kingdom.
Like no exception, Aria Alenarr, who was born and raised in the North, felt the chilly wind tickle her nose as she returned from the battlefield.
“What about casualties?”
“Thanks to Lady Epheana Alenarr’s assistance, we had no fatalities except for two severely injured.”
“Since my aunt returned to the family, it feels reassuring. Make sure those severely injured, who dedicated themselves to the family, receive proper treatment.”
“Yes, but Lady Aria…”
“Am I going to be defeated by a wild beast? It’s fine; it’s not my blood, so don’t worry. I have to see the Princess, so I’ll take my leave.”
“Please leave the aftermath to us!”
Aria shrugged and sent off those who had been with her.
Momentarily watching the retreating figure of the soldier.
Aria Alenarr, just as he said, checked her appearance again.
Her armor was stained with congealed blood, and her spear bore handprints of blood too. Scraping off the bloodstains, she ultimately sighed and gave up.
“I wish that damn Siabel had seen this. What, is she calling me a Northern bear hunter?”
Had Siabel witnessed the size of the monsters she just killed, she would not have made such remarks. Still, my dear friend had certainly gone through hardships at the Kalia Marquis Family, too.
Chuckling softly, Aria stepped into the entrance of the northernmost forward stronghold of the Marquis Family.
“Congratulations on your victory!”
“You’ve heralded victory daily without me, right? Rather, it’s us who should be recognizing your hard work in defending the stronghold.”
“We’re honored…!”
“Has the Princess arrived at the stronghold?”
“Lady Shione is waiting for you just inside.”
“Really? Since the Princess has personally come today, I shall promise a grand dinner. Make sure to inform others as well.”
The soldier, whose mouth nearly reached his ears, began to repress the smile.
As Aria looked at his face, she couldn’t help but impart a slightly colder expression, mixed with joy.
“Just make sure to drink moderately.”
“…Drink you say?”
“You know how notorious Northern women are for their sharp tongues. If any mishaps occur while the Princess is present, heads may roll.”
“I will be cautious!”
With the conversation done with the soldier, Aria stepped into the stronghold.
There, she met Adelhaite, who had been looking around accompanied by knights.
“Aria Alenarr. I’ve been waiting.”
“I see the Princess at the forward stronghold. Is it not cold outside?”
“With the morale of the soldiers so high, I can’t feel a chill in this weather at all. No need to conceal the blood on your armor and spear; it’s proof that you fought valiantly as a knight.”
“I am unsure how to repay the Princess’s consideration.”
“Then let’s move to a more private place for our discussion.”
“I shall guide you to a quiet location.”
A stronghold built solely for facing down the descending monsters.
Even if the fortress gates fell, the uneven paths would hinder the enemies’ rapid advance, supplemented with structures prepared to quickly establish defenses.
As they skillfully made their way through these paths, Aria and Adelhaite could converse calmly.
“Lady Alenarr. How was the territory of the Northern beasts?”
“It seems, as predicted by the Princess, that the power dynamics of the beasts have shifted once more. Monsters that should’ve retreated deeper into their territory have come down here today.”
“I see… So, may I hear the findings from Lady Epheana Alenarr’s investigation?”
“Of course. With the elite scout team of Alenarr, we ventured deep and conducted our investigation—”
Aria recalled once more what Epheana Alenarr had conveyed to her.
Carefully relaying to Adelhaite what she had heard from her aunt.
“Multiple traces of the Twilight Dragon’s activity were discovered. Moreover, we have confirmed the existence of a new type of monster that has been clashing closely with the dragon.”
“That means the dragon is still alive.”
“Lady Epheana was quite confident about that. Furthermore, they found evidence of the energy the bandits were handling in the territory where the monsters were clashing with the dragon.”
“So, you did not encounter that gang directly?”
“I didn’t personally see them, but there were traces left behind.”
“And the evidence?”
“My aunt has completed all documentation and preservation.”
“Excellent. The information obtained from this Duke Rephelia’s social event, alongside solid evidence and justification we have acquired here, means we no longer need to scout any further.”
As Adelhaite fell into a moment of silence, Aria Alenarr could only observe quietly.
The princess, in her relentless pursuit of gathering information and connecting with countless nobles, was capable of predicting causality and the future with her extraordinary insight and knowledge.
After a brief pause, she finally spoke again.
“I apologize for keeping you waiting. I believe we need to discuss the remaining matters directly with the Marquis.”
“I will hasten to arrange a meeting with my mother.”
“I am simply glad to have such consideration from you, my Lady. Then—”
With warmth beginning to nestle amidst Adelhaite’s once-cold demeanor.
“I suppose I shall write a letter while waiting for you to make arrangements.”
Aria merely quirked her head at the princess’s reaction.
*
“Princess Shione, a letter has arrived.”
“Aheira, you’re here. By the way, a letter came for me? From whom?”
“Well, it’s… marked only with the royal seal, so I cannot tell who has sent it.”
“Oh, if that’s the case…!”
After receiving the letter from Aheira.
Shione glanced at the letter a moment before exclaiming in surprise.
“Wait a minute…! Can you call Ray here right now?”
The letter’s owner was none other than Adelhaite.
Hoping it wasn’t some strange ultimatum like last time…
Shione clasped her hands together, silently praying.