Chapter 71

71.

“The old man’s disciple?”

Helsia’s eyes widened.

Her mouth twitched as if she had been struck speechless. The oppressive force that had been bearing down on her weakened.

I maintained as calm an attitude as possible, lifting the teacup that was half-broken.

Gulping.

Instead of her usual black tea, the ordinary scent of herbs slid down my throat.

The feeling of the hot liquid coursing down my esophagus and spreading through my body was undeniable. The tension in my muscles loosened.

‘Good.’

I pushed forward firmly to take the lead in the conversation.

Helsia, the mentor of the protagonist Theodor, often became entangled in various events.

She was the character with the second-largest amount of screen time after the heroine, and her personality and preferences were dealt with in relatively great detail.

She preferred strong resistance over being suppressed by anything or anyone.

As proof, the sharpness in her eyes softened.

The tips of her cat ears twitched.

The tail, which had been puffed up moments before, now swung gently.

“So, you’re claiming to be that old man’s disciple? Anyone can make grandiose claims. Show me proof.”

The corner of her mouth tugged upwards slightly.

She must have liked my confident attitude. However, it seemed like she still didn’t believe I was Landeck’s student. From her perspective, that was understandable.

No rumors, we haven’t crossed blades, and it could seem like I was just making a rash proclamation in a life-threatening situation.

So here, the right approach was to press confidently forward.

Being Landeck’s disciple is not an untrue fact, and proving it isn’t difficult.

I took out a pendant from within my robe and pushed it forward.

“This is the crest of Landeck’s family, Eremwald. It’s something he gave me when I was heading to the capital. If you doubt this, ask the Chamberlain.”

She narrowed her eyes and carefully examined the crest before speaking.

“Just an object?”

“Even a dragon that surveys the world can have its doubts. But you must know something about the Eremwald family, don’t you?”

Our eyes met—her golden irises locking onto mine.

Helsia looked at me silently, her haughty and beautiful face filling my vision.

Then, after a persistent gaze, trying to read me, she smiled faintly.

“Where is Landeck?”

“Hmm. He’s a very busy person.”

Perhaps he’s currently lounging somewhere on Ruben’s hill, taking a peaceful nap.

No need to go into unnecessary detail.

The reason Altain and Sylvester maintained their status as strong nations in the Western Continent was solely because they possessed the strategic weapon known as the Swordmaster.

Even amidst internal confusion in Altain, neighboring countries did not dare approach easily due to uncertainty about Landeck’s condition.

Sylvester, too, focused on recovering from the previous war solely because there was no information about Landeck.

For now, it would be better to let the neighboring countries ponder over this.

When my recovery is complete, or when I grow strong enough to handle worldly upheavals alone…

Master instructed to keep this information latent until the appropriate time arrives.

Here, it would be more suitable to weave a half-lie about the vitality of a disciple who travels around training.

“Ever since we began speaking, you’ve been quite terse. Are you not afraid of death?”

“I don’t usually bother with formalities when my head is about to roll.”

Helsia let out a short breath of air before suddenly bursting into laughter, the sound echoing through the Audience Chamber. She clutched her smooth belly, tears forming in the corners of her lovely eyes.

The oppressive pressure that had been suffocating earlier disappeared.

The shimmering blue lights that had dominated the room vanished in an instant.

“You have guts. A man should possess such mettle. Indeed, you are Landeck’s student.”

She wiped a tear away and continued speaking.

“However, you’re far too weak, aren’t you? Any mana-manifesting adept on the continent would crumble under this light flick of my hand. What do you intend to do?”

Indeed, compared to a Swordmaster, I am but a small boy.

Even if I could cut through steel, knock out knights, and sever the necks of mana-manifesters, I do not possess the power to split oceans or crumble mountains.

But the feline Human-Beast before me was a being that could turn natural disasters into nothing thanks to her sheer will.

Could I ever defeat such an otherworldly creature?

“You already know the answer to that.”

“Hm?”

“I was the one who cut through the mana storm. Didn’t you see it with your own eyes?”

I am a sapling destined to grow mighty.

At that argument, Helsia’s lips curled upward in a smirk.

The fierceness in her eyes, akin to that of a wild beast. Then, with a voice resembling a growling animal, she spoke.

“The old man couldn’t defeat me.”

“You and Emperor Myers couldn’t defeat him either, right? Besides, I am not the same as Master.”

“Are you saying you’re better than him?”

“To surpass one’s teacher is a disciple’s duty.”

With that, the conversation concluded, and a silence fell over the Audience Chamber.

Helsia’s erratic breathing grew stable, and she stood up.

She took a step forward with a satisfied smile.

“…I’ll be waiting.”

I felt a soft touch on my jaw.

Helsia raised my chin with her slender fingers before turning around and heading toward the door.

“Hold on.”

She turned back with her tail flicking.

“During the festival period, there might be a bit of commotion. Do your best to minimize any collateral damage.”

“Do as you please. I’ll tell my subordinates to keep out of it as well.”

With a heavy thud, the door to the Audience Chamber closed behind Helsia and her guard.

“Huff…”

Fortunately, it went smoothly.

Though it amounted to a declaration of intent to kill you someday, it’s fine. I didn’t set an immediate deadline, and I had always planned to face Helsia sooner or later.

‘Now, it’s time to focus on the wedding and the Central Intelligence Bureau.’

While my neck loosened from the tension, I sensed an approaching presence.

Turning my head, I saw her—her golden bob brushing her shoulders, green eyes gleaming. Milene spoke with a quiver in her voice.

“Director, surely not Landeck…?”

“Hmm.”

“I’ll tell you later.”

“Yes… Understood.”

Though she pursed her lips, her gaze burned like fire.

While calming Milene’s excitement, I slipped out of the Audience Chamber.

*

After Sylvester’s ambassadorial delegation arrived, no significant trouble occurred.

Various ambassadors from different nations gathered in one place.

While it might be inevitable for minor disputes to arise, everyone remained well-behaved, either touring the Defensive Wall or focusing on their training without causing any disruptions.

Those who encountered the Human-Beasts, particularly the knights of Kalhieg and the nobles of the Imperial Palace, were uncharacteristically quiet.

“Well, they have little choice but to keep their heads down.”

Helsia Ashraf is a feline Human-Beast.

Naturally, those who would dare to make a fuss about Human-Beasts wouldn’t dare to with her visibly staying in the Imperial Palace.

With this enforced peace brought by Helsia, we could focus less on the visitors and concentrate more on our duties.

At last, the Grand Festival of Altain and the National Foundation Day began.

“May the merciful blessing descend upon this land. We shall pray together for this year’s peace and well-being.”

The declaration given by the Holy Maiden at the Grand Plaza in the west, along with the speeches happening across various district plazas.

As the Chief of Guards concluded his sermon on maintaining order and safety, the city gates were opened full-time during the festival period.

The atmosphere, already lively, grew even brighter and transformed the entire city into a true festival scene.

The Altain Grand Festival would last a total of seven days.

The important celebrations related to the National Foundation Day would begin on the sixth day. The first five days were solely for enjoying the festival.

The sixth day would cool down the intense heat and provide a time to remember the State Foundation Day and pay tribute to the Eternal Merit, setting aside a moment for mourning.

The final day, the seventh, was a process of returning to everyday life. Moreover, it marked the day when the Church’s blessing ceremony would proceed, along with a wedding.

It was decided that the wedding would take place on the last day of the festival to signify the beginning of a new epoch.

Considering the homage paid to the first Royal Couple and the blessing of the new Royal Couple, the sequence definitely made sense.

Ah, a banquet was also scheduled to take place at night after the wedding.

The banquet held in the Imperial Palace would include the relevant officials and delegations from other nations, as well as the distinguished visitors.

Meeting the guests appropriately, receiving their congratulations, and then ensuring they ate a lot before heading back home would be the plan, with various splendid dishes prepared.

Now, why did I bring up the banquet?

The suggestion arose to introduce my previously created pudding during the banquet.

“We must promote pudding! Not only Altain, but the dessert of His Highness the Duke must be spread across the continent, based on my belief!”

“Actually… the dessert wasn’t something I developed. I’m just following what I’ve learned.”

“Isn’t it an Altain dish?”

The head chef intrusively leaning in.

I wasn’t sure how he heard about it, but Alberto was also enthusiastically nodding in agreement.

Of course, as soon as Iris heard the word “pudding,” she bypassed all the other details and approved the head chef’s proposal.

Considering the number of people who would attend the banquet, there was no way I could make all of it by myself. Even if I worked diligently starting now, it would be physically impossible to prepare enough.

So, the head chef was given the recipe naturally.

He declared with enthusiasm that he would prepare it meticulously to not tarnish its reputation, and immediately set to work.

The process was simple, but there were some details that mattered.

Not too long, not too short—a delicate balance in the heating stage.

The good news was that they were well-versed with fire, so absorbing the techniques was quick.

Some chefs were even brainstorming and experimenting with improved versions, truly acting like royal chefs.

Well, the festival is a festival, and now we have work to do.

After guiding the pudding-making process for about two hours, I returned to the Audience Chamber.

“Charles.”

“Yes, Master.”

Accompanied by a faint breeze, Charles appeared.

Looking at the top of her bowed head, I inquired about the progress of the operation.

Then, Charles pulled out a paper from within her robes and handed it to me.

“All the movements have been fully traced, ready whenever needed.”

“Good. What about Andre from Division 3?”

“The investigation into his hometown is completed. The Black Falcon’s independent review concludes he is without any issues.”

Meaning that recruiting him would pose no problems.

Since the paperwork is done, now an interview is all that’s left.

“When night falls, bring him here. Do it quietly and politely.”

With her skirts slightly lifted, Charles elegantly bowed.

Turning my gaze to the window, I noticed her presence had faded.

—

“Charles.”

“Yes, Master.”

With a soft breeze, Charles appeared again. Bowing her head while waiting for orders, I asked her about the progress of the current operation.

At that, Charles took a piece of paper from her sleeve and handed it to me.

“All traces have been successfully tracked. We can proceed whenever you’re ready.”

“Good. What about Andre of the Third Division?”

“His hometown has been thoroughly investigated. Based on the Black Falcon’s independent evaluation, there are no issues.”

Meaning that recruiting him would pose no problems. The paperwork was a success, so now it was time for the interview.

“Bring him here when night falls. Keep it quiet and courteous.”

With a courteous bow, lifting her hem slightly, Charles disappeared, having left without a sound.

With that taken care of, I turned back to my duties.