Lucino left after talking with the prince and quickly returned to the ducal residence. The possibility that he had been mistaken was now zero. A bureaucrat who had been in Caudatismum by chance confirmed it and reported it to the prince.
Still, he felt the need to see for himself. After all, he couldn’t ask his deceased parents about it. He quickly prepared to leave and set off for the State with Aaron and his knights after returning to the ducal residence.
After the duke left, the prince sat quietly, lost in thought. If there really was an illegitimate child in the Visconti ducal family, he predicted that the direction of the social circle would change significantly.
Moreover, his own investigation had confirmed that the situation in the Kingdom of Capitis was dire. Then, wouldn’t it be more beneficial for him to invade rather than hand over the country to that despicable person? He thought that a splendid conquest of the kingdom would suit his stature.
Of course, Lucino, who had just finished their conversation, had a different opinion.
Lucino said that they should first confirm the survival of the Capitis crown prince and then act. Although he didn’t disagree with him, what could the crown prince of a crumbling country do?
Wasn’t there something else that needed to be kept in check?
The Black Dragon, Aethernum.
The great being said to be sleeping beneath the Kingdom of Capitis.
Of course, known by the royal family and the royalty of the State, maybe?
Ah, the Visconti duke would know too. After all, he is part of royalty.
The existence of the Black Dragon is mentioned in the historical records only visible to the direct descendants of the royal family. Without any detailed explanation, it was simply noted in the story of humans who migrated to the land of dragons long ago.
So, whether it’s a legend or fact, wouldn’t he naturally find out once he took over the Capitis palace?
After much contemplation, the prince stood up. In any case, he judged that the Kingdom of Capitis was bound to fall.
***
Felix and Sylvia continued to fly through the air, capturing demons. Or rather, slaughtering them. The activity of the demons had become so fierce and widespread that even the tents and makeshift homes had to be dismantled.
But the Croban mercenary group was unfazed, thanks to the enormous number of demons Felix and Sylvia were dispatching.
Taking a brief break, they set up a table in a clean space where Sylvia promptly made ice cream on the spot. As a bonus, she also prepared watermelon punch, Felix’s favorite.
With the weather being extremely hot, combined with the stench of the demons, the members’ condition was at its worst. Thus, the expressions of the members enjoying the cool watermelon punch and ice cream were markedly improved.
Felix, as if determined, ate the watermelon punch without saying a word. Watching him, Sylvia reaffirmed the fact that he really loved watermelon.
“Ah, but when will Sir Henry arrive?”
Hubert, feeling refreshed, looked much better than before. Felix, who had been devouring the watermelon punch, finally lifted his head and replied softly.
“I don’t know.”
The truth was, even if they were considering moving, the possibility of the arrival of the Sabellisa ducal house’s knights made it difficult to leave hastily.
Having eaten his fill of watermelon punch, Felix then turned his attention to the ice cream. Eating the refreshing lemon juice and zest-infused milk ice cream, he pondered.
‘Has Aethernum’s power weakened significantly? Is that why the range of the demons’ activities has expanded?’
Lost in thought, Poppy, who had been engrossed in her ice cream between Felix and Sylvia, muttered.
[Sylvia, I like strawberry flavor!]
[Asta likes grape flavor.]
[Make mine blueberry flavor, Sylvia!]
Seemingly displeased with the lemon-flavored ice cream, Sylvia gently responded to the grumbling fairies.
“Alright.”
She was careful since the fairies were invisible to everyone else but them. Sylvia quickly made the ice cream at an unseen speed and covered it with her bowl before placing it out.
“Eat up and then go up into the trees.”
Felix, noticing Sylvia’s affectionate look towards the fairies, frowned slightly and muttered.
“They should eat whatever they’re given, tch.”
He even clicked his tongue.
In response to his behavior, Asta teared up and retorted.
[Felix must hate us now.]
[No, Felix is just jealous!]
[That’s so mean!]
Even as Eryngium and Poppy complained, Felix didn’t blink an eye. Then, suddenly, a thought struck him.
He had thought the fairies’ appearance was due to Black Dragon’s magic, but if that meant when the Black Dragon eventually dies, these fairies would also disappear.
If Aethernum’s life was indeed nearing its end…
Then the demons would become even more rampant than they are now.
With a grave expression, Felix finished his ice cream. Sylvia, seeing Felix suddenly become serious, frowned as well. It seemed he was contemplating the very issue she had been worried about.
Then Felix turned his gaze to the distance as the sound of horse hooves approached. Soon after, Dennis and Hubert turned their heads, and the face of the person leading them became faintly visible.
“It seems to be Sir Henry, my lord.”
After learning from Felix that Sylvia knew everything, Hubert reverted to his original form of address.
Henry arrived safely, relieving everyone. But he stood before them, puzzled at the sight of them leisurely resting at a table amidst the demon-infested area.
“Sir Henry!”
Dennis called out to him. Henry quickly dismounted and knelt before Felix, offering his greetings.
“Henry Bluash, at your service. Greetings to the crown prince.”
“Well done.”
With a brief greeting, Felix gestured. Sylvia gaped in amazement at his graceful gesture, wondering if this was indeed the Felix she knew.
“Sir Henry, it’s truly a pleasure to see you again.”
Dennis greeted him warmly. Although Henry was a knight of the Sabellisa ducal house, they had become close during their previous exile from the kingdom under the pretext of demon subjugation. Thus, they addressed him affectionately as Sir Henry instead of Knight Bluash.
“Sir Dennis!”
Henry warmly shook his hand. Meanwhile, knights from the ducal house who had come with him were exchanging greetings with the Croban mercenaries.
[Ah, I’m full. Sylvia’s cooking is the best!]
[Ugh, Asta is so happy.]
[See, my Sylvia is the best!]
As the fairies chatted contently, having filled their bellies, Sylvia smiled thinly at them. Felix, observing this, contemplated. If Aethernum were to die, causing all fairies to disappear, how much would Sylvia grieve…?
Perhaps it would be better to defeat the king of demons before Aethernum’s life ended. Wouldn’t it be better to settle this way of life as soon as possible and return to the kingdom?
The demon’s stronghold…
‘Considering the current chaos, the stronghold will be no joke.’
While the members were engaging in conversations, Felix was planning for the future. Sylvia, having seen the fairies ascend the tree, looked at Felix.
Leaning against a tree with his brows deeply furrowed, his serious demeanor felt unfamiliar to her.
“Feri!”
For some reason, seeing him like that made Sylvia feel he was distant, compelling her to call out to him.
However, her single shout caused Henry and the knights of the ducal house to turn their glares sharply towards her. Henry even placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, watching her intently.
Before Dennis could intervene, Felix naturally shielded Sylvia and addressed the knights and Henry.
“What are you doing?”
Everyone shuddered at his low, thundering voice. It was well-known among the Croban mercenary group that Felix was not one to be trifled with, but his threat had never been so palpable before.
Felix was on guard against anyone who dared threaten his partner. It was instinctive, a natural course of action.
“However, Your Highness….”
Henry began, his expression perplexed. Still with his hand on the hilt of his sword, Felix glared at him and said in a low voice.
“I don’t need your opinions on my permission.”
His dark eyes deepened, becoming as impenetrable as the night. Overwhelmed by his presence, Henry removed his hand from his sword and knelt down.
Following his lead, everyone present knelt and echoed in unison.
“Yes! We will keep that in mind!”
The strong collective response caused Sylvia to bite her lip lightly. She had never imagined her words would lead to such a situation, feeling both bewildered and apologetic.
Then, a sudden realization hit her.
‘Why did I use informal speech with Feri? From the beginning, no less. And why did Feri just let it be?’
Comfortably forgetting his status, Sylvia was reminded of the difference in their standings in this place, biting her lip until it turned red with the realization.
***
Having dozed off beside Felix, Sylvia woke up with a start. Thinking too much made it easy for her to wake from light sleep. She looked at Felix, who was breathing evenly in sleep, then carefully got up.
Her high-quality negligee clung softly to her body before falling away as she moved. Feeling claustrophobic, she donned a robe over it and stepped outside the makeshift house, intending to make something for the person on night watch.
Upon exiting, she saw the campfire blazing and tents pitched around it. Approaching the person seated by the fire, she recognized Hubert as he turned his head towards her.
“Miss Sylvia?”
Surprised to encounter her at this hour, his eyes widened.
“Sir Hubert, you’re working hard.”
She approached him with a soft voice, greeting him. Hubert moved another chair closer to the fire, naturally inviting her to sit.
Gratefully taking the seat, Sylvia asked,
“Thank you, aren’t you feeling peckish?”
Knowing that being on night watch during everyone else’s sleeping hours could be hard and possibly hunger-inducing crossed her mind.
“Um… now that you mention it, I am a bit hungry, haha.”
Hubert replied with a gentle smile, finding a conversation partner. Sylvia, encouraged by his response, retrieved the cocoa powder she had prepared earlier. After many trials and errors, the cocoa powder had a bitter taste.
Despite its bitterness, the rich chocolate flavor was addictively delicious, enticing one to keep dipping their finger for more.
She heated milk, added sugar and a generous amount of cocoa powder, then evenly mixed it with wind magic. Quickly completing the warm hot chocolate, she filled a wooden mug and handed it to Hubert.
“What’s this?”
Curious about the unfamiliar drink, Hubert asked.
“This is called hot chocolate. Think of it as a drink made from cocoa powder.”
“Hot chocolate?”
Hubert, intrigued by the novel name, carefully sipped the steaming beverage.
“Mm!”
The sweet yet bitter taste was a new experience for Hubert, making his eyes light up.
“It’s really delicious!”
Accustomed to speaking quietly while others slept, Hubert inadvertently raised his voice.
“Sir Hubert, shh.”
Sylvia motioned with her finger to her lips, signaling for quiet.
“Oh, right.”
Sylvia also tasted the hot chocolate. The sugar made it sweet, and the aroma of chocolate brought a smile to her face.
“Ah, this is good.”
The warm drink was comforting. Having been on night watch outside the fortress before, she noticed the peculiar weather of the forest.
“It gets quite chilly at night.”
“Yes, the weather here is quite strange. It gets so hot during the day, but as soon as night falls, it cools down abruptly. Then, as morning approaches, it warms up again.”
Amid the members blossoming with conversations, and with Sylvia lost in her own thoughts, Hubert cautiously broached a sensitive topic.
“I know it’s presumptuous of me to say, but could you possibly use honorifics when addressing our lord in the future?”
“Excuse me?”
Caught off guard by the interruption to her thoughts, Sylvia responded.
“Even though it’s something the lord has permitted, the fact that you call our lord by his name has been a concern for me as well. Situations like today might arise again. Regardless of how dearly the lord holds you… others may view it unfavorably.”
At the moment, it was fine. But once they returned to the kingdom, such behavior wouldn’t be acceptable. Hubert’s suggestion stemmed from his concern for Sylvia.
Her contemplation before sleep resurfaced in response to his words.
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