Chapter 56: Bad Rumors

Chapter 56: Bad Rumors

In order to avoid her task being abruptly terminated, Karina felt she had to do something.

She began to calculate how she could stay by Arthur’s side.

“Master Mari.”

Just as Mari was about to part ways with Karina, she suddenly called out to him.

“Karina, is there something you need?”

“I was thinking that since the Lord is leaving, even though he hasn’t explicitly asked, as his maid, shouldn’t I take the initiative and request to accompany him, to take care of his daily needs?”

Karina replied, her eyes shining with purity and confusion.

She looked just like a little girl, clueless about the world.

Mari pondered for a moment before responding, “As a maid, it is indeed your duty to take care of the Lord’s needs.”

“Thank you so much!”

Karina grinned and skipped away, while Mari watched her with a smile, knowing what she was up to, and didn’t say more, quietly leaving to attend to his own matters.

Unlike Karina, who only had to focus on the Lord’s daily care, Mari had to manage the entire castle and was thus quite busy.

There were many tasks awaiting him.

Meanwhile, Karina returned to Arthur’s office.

“Lord Arthur!”

“Karina, is there something you need?” Arthur asked, looking at her.

“Um… Lord, as your maid, I should accompany you and take care of your needs while you leave the territory, just like I do in the castle,” Karina paused, then with determination spoke softly, vividly portraying the image of a little maid.

“You don’t need to follow me; I’m not some delicate nobleman.”

Hearing Karina’s intentions, Arthur couldn’t help but feel a mix of amusement and exasperation.

“But taking care of the Lord is my duty, and Master Mari said so too.”

Karina’s words left Arthur momentarily speechless as he tried to figure out how to refuse her.

After considering, he relented.

“Fine, if you want to come, then come along.”

Having a maid along wasn’t too bad, especially since she really knew how to take care of people.

“Yay! Thank you, Lord Arthur!”

Karina beamed with joy.

With that, she could continue with her mission.

After sorting out various matters, Arthur quickly set off, leaving for the capital of Lanahl.

According to the news brought by the envoy, the Elves had given each country one slot.

Every nation needed to select an excellent candidate within a set timeframe, who would then compete with other countries’ representatives under the Elven overseers’ assessment.

This meant if they chose a loser, their candidate would be eliminated in the next round.

Thus, each nation was treating this selection very seriously, ensuring that no one would try to fill their spots with underqualified candidates.

Usually, everyone could get away with some shady dealings in private, but now they didn’t want to embarrass themselves internationally.

No one wanted to lose face.

Especially the prideful nobles.

Arthur’s participation drew a lot of attention.

He was arguably the most outstanding young man in the Machia Republic, and even in the world stage.

As a result, many had confidence that Arthur would secure Machia’s slot.

However, some were quite curious.

That was why Arthur had chosen to enter this selection at all.

From what they knew, Arthur was supposed to have a girlfriend.

Although she hadn’t appeared for a long time, as if vanishing from the world, Arthur’s actions still seemed somewhat odd.

Tower of the Archmage.

The current “Archmage,” Andrew, was pondering the news he had received.

In his view, Arthur pursuing the Elf Queen was predestined—a fate long arranged.

As a descendant of Alexander, Arthur was indeed the most qualified one.

But before all this, Arthur had gotten together with that girl named Ailia.

Wouldn’t this hurt her feelings?

Moreover, this was also closely related to Arthur’s character.

Not just Andrew, but everyone who had interacted with Arthur mulled over this matter upon learning the news.

However, without further information, they couldn’t make a final judgment, just generating a sense of unease.

Arthur, on the other hand, was blissfully unaware.

He was focused solely on preparing for the upcoming selection.

He couldn’t afford to lose.

He must win, step by step, until he stood before Ailia.

But Arthur wasn’t alone.

What he hadn’t noticed didn’t mean others weren’t paying attention.

As a messenger from the world of shadows, Shadow quickly caught wind of this unfavorable rumor regarding Arthur.

Knowing the significant impact of this matter, he hurried to Arthur’s residence in Lanahl.

Dressed in a gray cloak, Shadow knocked on the apartment door.

Hearing the knock, Karina walked over and opened it.

The door swung open, and Shadow and Karina sized each other up.

Shadow recognized Karina as Arthur’s maid, but she didn’t know him.

“Excuse me, sir, who are you looking for?”

“I’m here to see Lord Axi. I’m an old friend of his and came to visit upon hearing he was in Lanahl.”

“Oh, so you’re a friend of my master!”

Karina smiled and stepped aside.

“Please, come in!”

Shadow stepped inside.

Karina led him to the living room and said, “Sir, please wait here for a moment. I’ll go fetch my master.”

Shadow nodded and sat down in the living room, waiting for Karina to bring Arthur over.