21 – Riana

As one journeys through life, there come points where you are forced to choose options that have no right answer, leaving only stories of eventual outcomes.

Within a current of choices where regret remains no matter what you choose.

The character Riana was like a signpost for the protagonist, presenting the most ideal options.

‘That’s why, if possible, I want to bring her to my side.’

Her information-related abilities were certainly tempting.

But, more than that, the fact that I could steal from the protagonist the signpost that tells them where to go was a very appealing option.

Therefore, unable to let this opportunity pass, I approached Riana.

“The youngest master of the Carsaril family… Damian-nim, how do you fare?”

As if she had been expecting me, she greeted me composedly, looking directly at me.

Her words made me realize my arrival here had been somewhat foreseen, and I glanced to the side.

‘It seems they laid a trail using the sweets she likes.’

Even going so far as to research which sweets Lorraine favored, strategically placing vendors to lure her to this flower garden.

And they must have subtly planted the rumor that this flower garden is the most famous tourist spot for Lorraine.

[I heard there are flowers here that sway and dance. Anyway, it’s incredibly popular, so I think you’ll both be satisfied.]

I chuckled dryly, recalling Lorraine’s words from earlier.

No wonder her explanation sounded so clumsy; now I understood why.

Realizing I’d been perfectly led, I wordlessly looked at Liana, who offered me a kind, practiced smile and said,

“Hehe. You really did make quite the splash last night, didn’t you? To be honest, I was quite surprised. I never dreamed that Damian-nim, still only a low-ranking Sword Expert, could pull something like that off.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. Of course, Lorraine-kyung’s role was significant, but from my perspective, Damian-nim’s was just as crucial… Ah, don’t misunderstand. I just meant you both were amazing.”

Just how does she know all this?

I was raising my estimation, judging that her information gathering was faster than I had anticipated, when

Liana caressed a swaying flower and continued,

“With this, the trust in the contract between the Order and the Black Mages will crumble. Moreover, they will have trouble moving for a while as they clean up the mess they’ve made. The Karsaril family will reap tremendous political gains.”

The Order, the Black Mages, and a contract.

Judging by the way she was rattling off the core aspects of the incident, it seemed she had already succeeded in grasping the full situation.

I stared intently at her face, impressed in many ways, and she gave an awkward smile and said to me,

“It’s a little embarrassing when you stare so intently. I’m a bit shy, so things like this are a little overwhelming.”

Even if she said such things with an aloof expression, unchanging, it wouldn’t feel sincere.

The more I looked at her, the more I thought it would be good to bring her to our side.

Lorraine, who had been beside me, then stiffened her expression and spoke to Liana,

“Just who are you? How do you know all this? Perhaps you’re the culprit? Or maybe the mastermind.”

From Lorraine’s perspective, it was a reasonable suspicion.

In my case, I knew what kind of existence Liana was in the original work, so I was taking it calmly.

Lorraine, however, had suddenly encountered a woman who knew everything, so it was inevitable that she would be suspicious.

‘Especially since she knows even things that someone not at the heart of things would never know.’

Her doubts could only intensify further.

In response to Lorraine’s words, Liana chuckled and waved her hand.

“That couldn’t be further from the truth. I don’t take sides with anyone. After all, I’m just a merchant who buys and sells information, not someone who proactively steps in to control situations.”

Despite the added explanation.

Even for a purveyor of secrets, knowing this much seemed impossible, leaving Lorraine with an expression of disbelief as she spoke.

“A mere information merchant knows all that? I’d sooner believe the Imperial Family operates a clandestine intelligence bureau.”

“… Oh, how amusing. But no, that is not the case.”

“Then what is it? How in the world do you know these things?”

“It’s confidential, making it difficult to disclose… but to gain your trust, I shall tell you it is due to the many eyes and ears hidden throughout the realm.”

“Eyes? Ears?”

It was precisely as she stated.

Riana possessed the ability to plant constructs all over the world, magical eyes and ears to gather information for her.

It came with a significant drawback, of course, but even accounting for that, her information-gathering skills were uniquely powerful.

‘If I explained that, it would arouse suspicion.’

She pretended ignorance.

Lorraine, evidently finding the explanation inadequate, continued to verbally assault Riana.

Seeing Lorraine would not relent, Riana waved a hand dismissively.

“Please, cease this badgering. If you continue to pester me, I will be forced to reveal the romance novels I found in Lady Lorraine’s chambers.”

At Riana’s words, Lorraine froze.

‘Lorraine has surprisingly girlish tastes,’ I mused, as I started to speak, but.

Riana stepped directly in front of me, staring intently.

“In any case, young master Damian. It’s you I’m concerned about. Usually, when I look at someone, I get a sense, a feeling… but with you, I feel nothing at all.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I don’t know how you act, I do not understand the person you are… Truly, I know nothing.”

Intrigued, I asked the reason for her curious impression.

Riana extended her long, slender fingers, folding them down one by one as she explained.

“That the Karsaril family’s black sheep endured hardships in the North and reformed is plausible enough, you see?”

“But the problem lies with finding warmth in the cold North, coupled with a swordsmanship talent that had never surfaced before…”

“Then, upon returning to the main house, you immediately sought out a dark mage and uncovered crucial events, averting the Karsaril family’s ruin.”

She even knew about the existence of spirits.

Realizing she knew far more than I had anticipated, I grew wary.

Riana snapped her fingers, met my gaze, and, her expression brimming with curiosity, spoke.

“So, who exactly are you, that suddenly began accomplishing all of this?”

I deliberately evaded the question.

Whether lie or truth, the instant I uttered a word, her keen senses would glean information from it.

So, ignoring her, I simply stared back, and she, with a soft smile, spoke to me.

“I’m awfully fond of interesting things. Perhaps that’s why you’ve piqued my interest.”

Not an unwelcome conclusion.

Having resolved to draw Liana in as an ally, it was fortunate that she approached me with such curiosity.

It increased the likelihood of me successfully recruiting her.

Just as I was about to carefully guide the relationship forward,

Liana suddenly kissed my cheek and whispered softly to me.

“Then, shall we meet again sometime?”

She winked and, without hesitation, turned and walked away.

I touched the strange warmth on my cheek with my fingers, still lingering there,

when the people who had been looking at the flowers nearby all rose at once and began to follow Liana.

… It seemed those who appeared to be tourists were, in fact, all informants in Liana’s employ.

Finding it rather amusing, I turned to return to the main house,

when I felt someone tugging sharply on my sleeve.

Curious, I glanced over and saw a dumbfounded Siren staring at me, her mouth agape, clearly shocked.

“……”

Sensing the awkwardness of the situation, I feigned ignorance, averted my gaze, and cleared my throat uncomfortably.

* * *

The report I delivered to the Head of the House, detailing the assassination plot devised by the black mages and the cult, had largely brought matters to a conclusion.

Largely, but not completely, so we had to monitor the situation further.

Thus, I made it a habit to check on Lillia noona’s well-being and, on this day, I was enjoying the sunlight in the park with Siren.

“You two are really something… ugh.”

Lorraine, witnessing our actions, shook her head as if she couldn’t comprehend,

but knowing how vital the warmth of others was, I disregarded her complaints and sat there, lost in thought, basking in the sun’s embrace.

‘It’s still too early to relax completely, but I can safely say that the immediate crisis has passed.’

My concern lay in the high probability that the black mages, having failed, would resort to desperate measures to conceal their mistake.

And while those measures would likely inflict significant damage upon the black mages,

they could also, in turn, cause a degree of harm to our side, so it seemed prudent to prepare for that eventuality.

This preparation, I should add, meant becoming stronger myself.

The divorce ceremony’s end cemented my decision to undertake the task Lorraine suggested.

With that settled, I was about to resume my training when I felt something stir within my tunic.

A sensation akin to holding a puppy puzzled me, so I reached in to draw it out.

“Myaa.”

The spirit, nestled within, had transformed into a diminutive human form.

‘Or perhaps faerie?’

Considering Fenrir’s ability to shift into human guise, I surmised a selective transformation might be possible.

The spirit wriggled, clambered onto my shoulder, and chirped with a giggle.

“Helloo!”

Could it be? Was communication now possible?

Hesitantly, I greeted it, and it responded with a beaming smile, nodding its head.

“Joe-yah.”

Perhaps due to its recent shift, its enunciation was still a touch slurred.

Assuming this would improve, I stroked its hair when, as before, it reverted to its ethereal, downy form and began to tremble.

‘It seems more comfortable like that.’

Regardless, I found it endearing, scratching its head when a question sprung to mind.

‘Speaking of which, I wonder how much stronger it has become.’

The original text described power escalations beyond comparison with each evolution, but I couldn’t quite grasp the extent of that power.

I decided to test it later, tickled the spirit’s chin, and gazed up at the sky.

‘Best to start preparing for the divorce ceremony soon.’

With the ceremony, the connections will be severed, and I’ll make sure to end it well.