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The next day, at the moment Johan left for his mission, Fransia took a holiday and arrived at a certain location with her escort knights.

“Princess, is this the right place? It’s just a dense forest.”

One of the knights asked.

Before them lay a vast forest, with nothing visible but trees.

“This is the right place. Let’s go.”

Franzia stepped forward, her attire resembling that of the Ferbache Duke House’s uniform, convenient for moving in such an environment.

Stomp.

They entered the forest. The knights remained vigilant, looking around. In places like this, demons often appear suddenly.

Stomp.

Franzia did not stop her steps. Even though it was her first time here, it felt familiar, perhaps because it had not been touched by human hands. She moved forward confidently, scanning her surroundings.

“…”

The knights followed her silently. Despite their elite knight senses alerting them, they detected no presence of demons.

Stomp.

After walking for some time, Fransia halted. Before her stood a large cave, emanating an unusual aura.

“Everyone wait here.”
“Isn’t it dangerous?”
“It’s fine. Here.”
“…….”

The knights’ duty was to protect Fransia at all costs.

They had sworn their loyalty since childhood as members of the Ferbache Duke House.

Letting the heir of such a noble family, an only daughter, enter an inexplicable cave…

“We’ll accompany you.”
“I told you it’s okay.”
“It just feels unusual.”
“Hmm….”

Franzia rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought.

‘How can I separate the knights from me?’

No matter how much she insisted it was safe, they would likely follow her. The strange aura emanating from the cave heightened their alertness.

But there was nothing dangerous in that cave. Just an artifact.

‘It’s better to be somewhat honest in this situation.’

After all, they were her own people. There was no concern about betrayal, and they swore loyalty to the Ferbache Duke House no matter what.

They wouldn’t mind if she revealed the secrets of this place.

“I wish you’d trust me for now. There’s nothing dangerous in this cave.”
“…The aura is unusual. There might be an Archdemon.”
“Didn’t you realize? There are no demons like that in this forest. It’s because of the artifact in the cave.”
“Artifact… you mean?”

Artifact.

Places where artifacts or treasures hidden throughout the continent are stored are called Artifact Repositories.

“Yes.”
“Er…”

The knight scratched the back of his head while averting his gaze. The question of how she could be so certain seemed swallowed down.

“It’s fine because it’s an Artifact Repository.”
“But there might be traps.”
“There are no traps here.”

Franzia pointed into the cave.

“You can tell just by the aura, but this type of Artifact Repository forbids entry with an aura rather than guards it with traps or demons. It’s designed to provoke a rejection response in living beings.”

Artifacts have types.

Some areas are saturated with demons, making them defend the repository.

Some are filled with traps, making it difficult to enter.

Others emit an aura that avoids living beings.

This Artifact Repository was of the third type.

“Isn’t this enough to convince you? I’ll be in and out quickly.”
“…Yes. But if anything happens, please shout immediately.”
“Okay. I know.”

Franzia smiled gently at the knights before stepping into the cave.

Naturally, it was dark inside. It was so hard to see even a step ahead that the only thing visible was the ground beneath her.

“Ra, Endus, Fire.”

She ignited the basic spell, Fire, illuminating the cave’s interior.

At the far end of the cave, an now-extinguished altar appeared before her.

Franzia swallowed her saliva as she walked forward and stepped onto the altar.

Kugugugugu-

With a slight tremor that kicked up dust, a green light filled the magical circle surrounding the altar.

And a pendant rose in the center.
It was the item that Fransia had been looking for.

Whoosh!

The moment she grasped the pendant, a chill spread through her fingertips as a brief shiver coursed through her. Fransia instinctively drew a breath.

However, as if nothing had happened, the light of the magic circle slowly faded away.

‘Got it.’

Franzia stared intently at the pendant in her hand. The green light flickered.

She didn’t know the name of the artifact, but she was well aware of its effect.
If someone nearby possessed intent to kill the wearer, it would shine red.
There were many people currently targeting Johan, so it would surely be of great help.
This was the artifact that had saved her multiple times in a time long past.

‘Ensuring Johan’s safety is my priority.’

Using her future knowledge to bolster Johan’s standing was a task for later.
For now, she needed to assist Johan in unfolding his potential just like before.

—

“……And that’s what happened.”
“Oh.”

At the point where Johan had just crossed the border of the Rozino Empire after two full days of travel,

He was recounting his past tales to Rudella Bismarck as per her request.

Whatever he said, Rudella Bismarck listened to his story with interest in her eyes.

Even trivial tales were welcome. Such as stories about friends from his academy days or about dealing with some strange noble ladies.

Even if it wasn’t entertaining or special, Rudella occasionally displayed small changes in her expression as she focused on Johan.

“You must have had more fun in the academy compared to me.”
“It wasn’t all that fun. Looking back, it’s just a memory.”

Johan laughed awkwardly. Everything back then was quite annoying, but now it didn’t feel all that tough.

“Among the noble ladies who showed interest, was there anyone you liked?”
“There was, but the downsides were greater than the benefits, so it was not something I pursued.”
“Hmmm.”

Rudella raised an eyebrow as she gazed at Johan.

“Calculating the benefits and drawbacks of forming connections, you’re surprisingly pragmatic.”

Then she smirked slightly.

“It’s not something to brag about, but didn’t I also get called the trophy of the social circle? It was like walking on thin ice, requiring me to juggle well.”
Johan nodded in agreement, and his judgment made sense to her.

“That’s understandable. As the third son of a land-owning family, you wouldn’t have had much power, so it would be difficult to handle.”

Getting involved recklessly could easily land Johan in trouble in family feuds. It was wise to avoid any entanglements.

“However, I wonder how you explain that you offended the Crown Prince’s mood that day? That must have been no small matter.”

Rudella tilted her head slowly. As the delicate shoulder line was subtly revealed, her silver hair flowed like silk. With the light catching it, her hair emanated a gentle sheen that left the scent of lilies in the air.

“Even though it was the Crown Prince, he couldn’t easily touch someone like me, a rising Archmage under the protection of the Ferbache Duke House.”

Though his voice was gentle and soft, there was a thorough calculation behind those words.

“You’re more cunning than I expected.”
Rudella lightly rolled her eyes, responding with a scoff.
“And you have some backbone. While there must have been a belief in your own strength, making that decision couldn’t have been easy.”
“I think it’s only natural to protect my beloved.”
“Oh.”

Now Rudella’s change of expression was distinctly different from before.
As her brows rose, her eyes widened, and her lips parted slightly.

“I wish I had someone like you.”

As she spoke, there were no visible changes on Rudella’s face.

Her eyes seemed somewhat dull, and her expression was subtly slack.
The shade on her face darkened, and an emotionless current brushed past her, expressing what lay beneath her calm demeanor.

“……”

Johan was at a loss for words. To be honest, he found it quite surprising to hear such a statement from Rudella.

He knew most of the characters appearing in the work, but at this moment, Rudella’s behavior felt odd, almost alien.

In Johan’s understanding, Rudella Bismarck was an extremely ruthless woman. She had no regard for human life, treating lives as insignificantly as flies.

That she showed such vulnerability? Even revealing a bit of sincerity to someone she hadn’t known for long?

‘I don’t get it.’

He couldn’t help but feel confused.

‘I don’t know what she’s thinking or why she’s acting this way.’

He didn’t expect a sudden change of heart due to any particular event.

‘Rudella Bismarck is… a product of her circumstances.’

Johan forced an awkward smile. There wasn’t much he could say at that moment.

“It will happen someday.”

He could only offer a comforting remark.
“Someday, huh.”
Rudella sat cross-legged, propping her chin on her hand as she gazed intently at Johan.

Feeling the weight of her gaze, Johan diverted his eyes. Looking down, he caught a glimpse of her fair skin exposed on her shin.

He found himself at a loss for where to look. It wouldn’t be polite to stare out the window, and looking straight ahead felt unsettling as if Rudella’s unreadable gaze was penetrating him.

“You have a surprisingly cute side.”
Rudella chuckled slightly. It was one of her few smiles that broke the awkward atmosphere.

“You can look at my body if you want. I’m not the type to be particularly concerned about it. Or would you rather keep making eye contact with me?”

She leaned slightly forward, narrowing the distance between herself and Johan. The corners of Rudella’s lips turned up subtly, creating a faint smile.

“…Seems like you enjoy talking to me?”
“Well, perhaps.”
As Johan took a subtle step back, Rudella clasped his wrist, preventing him from escaping.

“That day, the sight of you sheltering the princess keeps flashing in my mind.”
“……”
“Back then, you acted without fear. You stepped forward for your beloved, knowing it would lead to trouble.”
“That’s only natural as a lover—”
“This world has countless people who can’t do what they consider natural.”
“…Is that so.”
“I’ve never had anyone like that. Perhaps that’s why I keep thinking of you.”

Johan narrowed his eyes. He instinctively realized her interest wouldn’t end at mere curiosity.

“By the way, Lady Bismarck, how was your life at the academy?”
He changed the subject.

To shift the atmosphere.

“Are you dodging the topic? It seems I unknowingly put you in a tight spot.”
Rudella smiled lightly as she looked deeper into Johan.

“Yes, it is my story indeed. But I have nothing worth sharing. Life was dull. My days at the academy were solely devoted to study and fulfilling responsibilities that came with my title. Even when interacting with others, it was all political gain.”

Just like the stoic version of her from school days.

“I see. So that’s why you asked for my story?”
“That’s not it. Didn’t I mention earlier? I was simply curious about how you became the person you are.”

Rudella’s sky-blue eyes rippled as they fixed on Johan. They appeared calm, but within them flickered a yearning for something unattainable.

“I…”

KABOOM!!

Just as Johan was about to continue, a loud explosion echoed, and the carriage jolted violently.

The sound of wooden panels breaking filled the air as the seat twisted, and metal parts flew out as sharp fragments in all directions.

“Oh no!”

Johan quickly grasped the situation and pulled Rudella into his embrace.
With her head and shoulders wrapped in his arms, he activated the Shadow Flow Array.

“We’re being ambushed…!”
“Ah! My arm!”
Outside, screams from people and horses could be heard as chaos erupted inside in an instant.

The carriage plunged off a cliff.