Although she had never ridden fast, she had ridden a horse a few times.
She had learned from Dietrian as well.
To her, who always stayed inside, he had almost pleaded, saying it might be necessary someday, and taught her how to ride.
She had ridden a few times but eventually gave up, saying she couldn’t do it.
Anyway, although she was clumsy, she knew how to ride a horse. But she did not mention that fact.
Watching Dietrian’s retreating back, Leticia sat back down by the fountain, dipped her hands in the cold water, and reflected.
‘I, really was greedy.’
Knowing how to ride but keeping her mouth shut. Even upon reflection, she was astonished at her own actions.
‘But I didn’t want to miss this opportunity.’
The chance to be close to Dietrian, to be embraced by the person she loved, she couldn’t miss a single one. It seemed her greed grew the more she was with him.
‘It was so nice last night too…’
After meeting Behemoth and returning, she had watched him sleep for a long time, eventually unable to resist embracing him.
She had worried he might wake up, but fortunately, he did not.
Thanks to that, she discovered a new aspect of him.
‘It seems he doesn’t wake up easily once he’s asleep.’
When going to meet Behemoth, returning, and even when she chuckled softly, he remained soundly asleep throughout.
This naturally led her to look for another opportunity.
‘Would it be alright tonight too?’
Perhaps it was his warm body temperature or his familiar scent, but his embrace was extremely peaceful. Her body felt languid, and sleep poured over her easily. She slept sweetly without dreaming.
Naturally, she became greedy again.
‘If he wakes up, maybe I could say it happened in my sleep?’
Even as she planned this, she felt shameless. Leticia pressed her now cold hand against her burning cheek.
‘I really must be crazy.’
Of course, that didn’t mean she intended to stop. Even though she felt out of her mind, she couldn’t help what felt good. A very soft whisper reached her ears, still reflecting.
[Leticia-nim! It’s me!]
It was Behemoth.
[I came to tell you about what you asked for yesterday!]
Behemoth’s form was clearer than the day before.
Leticia quickly looked around, confirming that people were far away, then whispered.
“What about the Lord of Rosantine? Did he promise to help us?”
[Yes! When I told him what Leticia-nim said, he promised to do anything to eliminate Tenua! It seems the Lord’s knights will join us too!]
“That’s really good news.”
Color returned to Leticia’s face.
Even when she told Behemoth the plan yesterday and believed it would work, there was still a bit of anxiety.
But now, everything was going according to her plan.
‘If this goes well, we can surely protect everyone.’
Leticia had decided to eliminate Tenua.
Ahwin had offered to sacrifice himself to kill Tenua, but Leticia did not permit it.
If they attacked Tenua for reasons other than direct defiance, it would only raise Josephina’s suspicions.
Josephina’s real command was the massacre of the Principality’s delegation, so flipping the charge of defiance onto them was also not an option.
Nor could the Principality’s delegation take action.
After all, Tenua was Josephina’s wing, attacking him would make the entire Imperial Knights an enemy.
Using a third party, not Ahwin or the Principality’s delegation, was necessary to deal with Tenua for a legitimate reason other than defiance.
Thus, Leticia decided to enlist the help of the Lord.
It was the best way to satisfy Josephina with a pretext, secure witnesses, and ensure the success of the plan.
The Lord accepted the proposition relayed through Ahwin.
He realized Leticia’s proposal was the best way to retrieve the Holy Grail with the least sacrifice and protect Rosantine.
‘If things go well, even my mother’s real command won’t be a problem.’
That terrifying command to use Balenos to massacre the Principality’s delegation before reaching the Principality.
After Behemoth left, Leticia looked towards the main gate.
‘They must be the knights of the Lord of Rosantine.’
Just as Behemoth had told her, next to the Imperial Knights, there was a group of knights wearing unfamiliar brown armor.
‘That must be the Lord.’
At the forefront of the knights was a slightly short middle-aged man riding a white horse, adorned with a black cloak that symbolized a commander.
Leticia’s gaze, carefully observing him, sparkled with interest.
‘It seems the Lord of Rosantine will be more helpful than I thought.’
Due to the heartache caused by his son, the Lord’s face looked quite haggard.
Yet, his eyes were resolute.
A firm determination to accomplish the task given to him could be felt.
‘Good. Then, it’s all up to me now.’
Leticia took a deep breath and then looked at the water contained in the fountain.
‘I need to be able to use the power of water.’
The power of the goddess to control and purify the water of the world.
Only with that power could this plan be perfectly completed.
She looked at the water, so clear that the bottom was visible, with intense nervousness.
She dipped her hand halfway into the rippling water and prayed.
‘Give me strength. Please.’
She hoped more fervently than ever before.
That her desire would fulfill her will. So that she could protect everyone dear to her.
And at that moment.
Leticia caught her breath.
The tips of her fingers submerged in the water began to shine.
The burgeoning light grew in size until it was about the size of a coin. Soon, a gentle light draped over the bottom like a veil.
Around it, light particles spread through the water as if sugar was dissolving.
She lifted her trembling hand.
To properly see the sphere of light.
And the moment the sphere touched the surface.
The light burst, spreading out in concentric circles.
“Ah.”
Leticia straightened up, a chill running down her spine.
The fountain’s water remained clear and tranquil. It seemed as if nothing had changed, yet everything had.
Leticia looked down at the water’s surface in disbelief.
The place touched by the light.
All the water there.
It was as if every single drop of water was alive, showing off its presence to her.
Look at me. I am here. Give me a chance to heed your will.
Leticia tightly closed her eyes.
An overwhelmingly new sensation, unlike when she became aware of the power of the wind.
After catching her breath for a moment, she slowly opened her eyes, lightly dipped her hand into the water, and whispered in a trembling voice.
“If you have truly reached me, show me your will.”
A moment later. Even without a hint of wind, the water’s surface began to ripple gently.
At first, it was peaceful, like the dance of petals swayed by a spring breeze, as if welcoming her.
But as Leticia gave no response, it became increasingly agitated. As if to assert its presence, it turned into rough waves, churning wildly.
As if challenging her to acknowledge it, ready to burst out of the fountain.
“Stop.”
At her soft whisper, it became as calm as a lie.
“Ha, ha.”
Leticia exhaled a ragged breath and withdrew her hand from the water.
Even then, the surface of the water remained as still as ice, not a single drop spilling over.
She clenched her trembling hand, which was completely dry.
After calming the surging emotions for a moment, she hurriedly got up from her spot.
Her senses felt thousands of times more acute than before.
Now, not just the fountain, but all the water in Rosantine was responding to her, one by one.
The young water spirits, who had never met their master before, burst into gleeful laughter.
The groundwater, which had been flowing heavily under the ground for a long time, laughed heartily with joy.
The water passing through the pipes, the water in the cups on the table, the puddles on the floor, all declared they were waiting for her will.
Tears welled up in Leticia’s eyes.
As if she had recovered something she had lost a long time ago, deep emotion filled her heart.
She looked at the streets of Rosantine shimmering under the morning sun with tearful eyes and whispered.
“Thank you, all.”
Sshaa― Countless water droplets expressed their joy at her gratitude.
“I, too, am happy to know you all.”
Sshaa― Leticia, with her hand on her fluttering heart, earnestly said,
“I have a request for all of you. We need to protect my people. For that, I need your help.”
Tenua was waiting for all the water stored in Rosantine to disappear.
He had to claim that the evil aura of the Principality’s delegation had spoiled the Holy Grail, causing the water to dry up.
What she was about to do now was essential to counter Tenua’s plans.
To all eagerly awaiting their new master’s command, she slowly opened her mouth.
—
“It might look fierce, but it’s a very gentle creature. So, you don’t have to worry too much.”
Next to Dietrian was the white horse they had seen yesterday. True to his words, its large eyes looked very gentle.
“Please take us safely to the border.”
Leticia carefully stroked the horse’s mane. The horse seemed to enjoy it, lightly rubbing its nose against her arm.
With Dietrian’s help, Leticia got on the horse. The elevated view made her feel exhilarated.
“You must rely on me completely.”
Unknowingly leaning forward, strong arms pulled her closer by the waist.
Leticia quickly leaned on him and nodded.
“I will.”
“The moment we leave Rosantine’s gates, we will ride at full speed. There might be monster attacks.”
The goddess’s power that protects the empire from monsters extends only up to Rosantine.
Between Rosantine’s gates and the desert, where the Principality’s guards manage the border, monsters roamed unchecked.
Dietrian, holding Leticia close, looked down at her with concern and said,
“The ride will be very rough. I’ll hold you securely, but it won’t be easy. Please endure it as much as you can.”
“Don’t worry.”
Leticia patted his arm as if to reassure him. Dietrian gave the command to the surrounding group.
“Let’s go!”
Immediately, dozens of horses started moving together. The road to the gate was filled with swirling dust.
Creak, the heavy gates opened with a deep sound.
Just before departure, he whispered a caution in her ear.
“Do not open your mouth until the horse stops.”
“Huh?”
“You might bite your tongue.”
Leticia, who had ridden before, was slightly puzzled but nodded silently.
“Don’t worry. I will definitely protect you, so you can trust me.”
The gates fully opened.
“Let’s go!”
The horse carrying the two of them bolted into the desert as if catapulted.
“Ugh.”
Leticia gritted her teeth against the unexpectedly violent shaking.
Feeling this, Dietrian held her even tighter, leaving no space between them.
And the very moment they entered the desert, all the water in Rosantine disappeared.
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