36 – Truth 2

*

To convert and synthesize living organisms into energy, then use it to power an artificial sun.

– Note: Failure to create the sun’s core resulted in a fissure.

*

All the twisted, convoluted circumstances were resolving themselves, like pieces of a puzzle clicking into place.

The moment I saw the report, I was able to answer questions that had plagued me for so long.

‘So, that’s why certain key figures in the North, despite me bringing warmth, tried to drive me out.’

The high-ranking figures on the eldest son’s side – the Knights Commander, for example – I now understood why they had targeted me and tried to expel me.

Whether or not I brought warmth was irrelevant to them. In their eyes, it was a problem that ‘would soon be solved,’ so whether they chased me away or not didn’t matter.

‘And the reason they disliked me bringing warmth was because…’

Once the artificial sun was complete, those connected key members could monopolize all the credit.

Out of nowhere, an outsider had arrived, taken the credit that was rightfully theirs, and passed it on to Elysia. It was bound to be incredibly frustrating.

‘… Unbelievable.’

I chuckled wryly, thinking I understood why they had framed me for the Second Fissure Incident.

‘And, on top of that, the reason the North didn’t prepare when warmth returned, as if it were a given, was also because of this.’

I had believed what transpired until now was merely the consequence of the North’s insular nature and political entanglements.

But realizing it all stemmed from the artificial sun project, I ran a hand through my hair.

‘How amusing.’

Witnessing this, Liana beside me peeked at the report and began to chuckle dryly.

I suspected she harbored thoughts similar to my own.

Then, Liana shared the information she gleaned based on this.

“There’s a high probability that Lady Elysia had no knowledge of the artificial sun experiment.”

“Likely. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have clung to me so desperately.”

Considering that ‘only’ the core figures of the eldest son’s faction had been particularly hostile towards me.

It was highly probable that the project was known only to the head of the Wintreaven family, the eldest son, and their key allies.

If we extrapolate from this, it seems the head of the Wintreaven family never intended to appoint Elysia as head, thus withholding such information.

“In short, Lady Elysia’s struggles were meaningless.”

“…Indeed.”

At the word ‘meaningless,’ a question surfaced in my mind.

Why was the original protagonist (Dale) unaware of such a grave and significant problem?

As I pondered this question.

Daisy, perched on my shoulder, yawned expansively and mewed.

Observing this by chance, I arrived at the answer to my question.

‘In the original story, Dale takes the Sun Spirit, that’s why.’

Unlike me, the original protagonist Dale had a very good relationship with Elysia.

He used the Sun Spirit to restore warmth to the North and leveraged this to elevate Elysia as the head of the North.

It was probable that the artificial sun plan was completely buried as a result.

“Hah.”

I realized the situation was unfolding with excessive intrigue.

I chuckled again, carefully tucking the report into my embrace. Liana, wearing a somewhat troubled expression, spoke to me.

“…What are you going to do about this?”

Whether we announce it or not, it’s a problem, it seems she wants to hear my thoughts before anything else.

I pondered the question for a moment before replying tersely.

“It’s better to hold it as leverage than to announce it immediately, I think.”

With a problem capable of unleashing such immense repercussions, it was far more beneficial to keep it in hand than to unleash it.

Rather than bursting it open now, the optimal choice would be to detonate it at just the right moment, in the proper situation.

‘Furthermore, the matter is simply too monumental to unleash immediately.’

Were I to trigger it without preparation, it would undoubtedly unleash a torrent of problems.

In fact, the key figures involved in this project would likely escape capture entirely.

Therefore, instead of detonating it right away, I decided to set a trap to prevent their escape before unleashing it, and nodded in agreement.

“By the way, what does the book say?”

At my question, Siren, who had been examining the book, summarized its contents.

“It details the method for creating an artificial sun.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. Should I explain how it’s made?”

I shook my head, saying it was alright.

Just by looking, I could tell the majority of the text was occupied by intricately intertwined formulas, so even if I listened, there was no way I would understand.

Therefore, as I was about to secure the book to use as evidence later.

“Could I perhaps research this?”

Siren pointed at it, her eyes sparkling.

“What?”

“I think I could improve it and use it in a different way.”

Since the research involved using living beings as a source of energy, I found it difficult to readily grant permission.

However, after hearing Siren declare that she would absolutely not research it in a negative direction, I decided to trust her.

And so, as I stroked her hair and said I understood, Siren spoke to me quietly, embarrassed.

“I’ll definitely create something that will be helpful to Damian.”

It seems the reason she accepted this book was for my sake.

Deciding to entrust it to her for now, I suggested that we gradually escape from this place.

* * *

As I was guided out by Siren, what greeted me was.

A laboratory so utterly ruined that the word “devastated” seemed fitting.

The fact that it had been so thoroughly wrecked in such a short span of time was somewhat shocking, and as I cautiously moved forward.

I noticed Lorraine, a little blood smeared on her shoulder, leaning against the wall with a stern expression.

“Ah, young master.”

Lorraine, whose expression had been hardened, relaxed it awkwardly as soon as she saw me, and approached.

He scratched his head lightly, speaking to me.

“Forgive me. He was stronger than I anticipated, and I lost him.”

Lorraine losing a target was unexpected, to be sure.

Though, recalling the overwhelming mana I sensed from the adversary, perhaps it was an inevitable outcome.

I waved my hand, indicating it was alright, and asked Lorraine,

“Is your arm alright?”

“Ah… just a slight scrape. A bit of spit and it’ll mend, I think.”

It would not.

I decided we needed to return swiftly to tend to Lorraine’s wound, and surveyed the surroundings.

‘Originally, I intended to burn this place to the ground and plant evidence afterward, but…’

Now, the sheer existence of this place would serve as damning evidence enough. Leaving it untouched would be the wiser choice.

The issue was, the North, the Order, and the black magician would likely dispatch forces repeatedly, attempting to reclaim this site.

I decided it would be prudent to prepare for such a possibility, and requested Liana to set some precautions.

“Such a task is hardly difficult.”

Upon hearing my request, Liana immediately retrieved something from within her garments, commencing the installation of… something.

While I waited for Liana to finish her preparations,

Lorraine massaged her shoulder and spoke.

“Young master… might I perhaps ask a favor?”

“What is it?”

“Well…”

Lorraine seemed hesitant, as if the words were difficult to utter, but eventually steeled herself and said,

“I wish to dedicate myself to training for a while. I… I aspire to become a Sword Master…”

It seemed she was considerably frustrated by her failure to capture the black magician earlier.

Hearing those words, I pondered for a moment, before setting a condition.

“I will, but on one condition.”

“Yes?”

“You must come for your tea each morning. You told me drinking it will accelerate my path to Sword Master.”

“Ah…! Yes.”

Lorraine’s expression brightened considerably.

Seeing her like that, I chuckled softly, and said,

“Then, let’s return for now.”

At those words, everyone nodded, signaling the end of their search.

* * * * *

Elysia headed toward Damian’s residence, informing the servants that she wished to see him.

“Grand Duchess Elysia, I regret to inform you that Master Damian departed early this morning.”

The reply came that he was not at his residence.

“… Where did he go?”

“I am sorry, but that I cannot say.”

The servant spoke evasively, implying they either couldn’t or didn’t know.

“Then, when will he return?”

“I am sorry, but that I also cannot say.”

“……”

Her plans were somewhat derailed, but it wasn’t a critical issue.

After all, what truly mattered was the period just before and after Dale became a hero.

Therefore, she had resolved to continually remind Damian of the dangers, somehow build rapport, and then induce him to reverse his decision to annul their engagement.

‘……’

No matter how much she considered it, she arrived at the conclusion that a truly favorable outcome seemed elusive.

And so, while agonizing over whether she should truly just steal his abilities and return to the North.

A man cloaked in black robes called out to her from an alleyway.

“Grand Duchess Elysia.”

A voice so eerie it was as if it tickled her brain.

Greatly startled by that voice, she hurriedly glanced to the side, and the robed man, extending his hand toward her, spoke.

“Wouldn’t you like to know how to create an artificial sun, one that could bring warmth to the North?”