At the End of Ruin, There You Are (56 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 66

In impoverished Lusenford, the word “expansion” had long since become distorted—no longer referring to fortifying the fortress, but rather to the Grand Duchess’s selfish desire to live more luxuriously in a larger room.

The matter ended so abruptly because the Grand Duke, who had initially agreed quite favorably to the Duchess’s proposal, suddenly changed his mind.

There were many reasons. The mainstream opinion in Lusenford insisted on minimal spending with only minor renovations, while the Grand Duchess wanted to keep renovating everything piece by piece whenever money became available—opposing views that could not align.

The Grand Duke, who sought only to enhance the fortress’s military functions, clashed with the Grand Duchess, who demanded a complete overhaul of all facilities. Though everyone acknowledged the need for expansion, financial concerns ultimately proved too great.

Added to this was the decisive factor: secret intelligence the Grand Duke had received.

He learned that the Grand Duchess’s persistent, aggressive involvement stemmed from a secret imperial order—to strip Lusenford of its military capabilities and rebuild the fortress into something resembling a palace rather than a stronghold, thereby weakening its defenses.

In essence, the Grand Duchess intended to hand Lusenford completely over to the Emperor.

“I regret that we couldn’t be of greater assistance. However, staying longer won’t enable us to do much more for you—and might only cause you further inconvenience.”

Pheon overheard Sir Isidore Dacten’s words as the Emperor’s investigator formally concluded his inquiry and prepared to return to Klein. Before departing, Pheon kept thinking about the expansion issue.

In hindsight, Caella had poured her heart into every single matter—so much so that he had wanted to stop her. Despite constant illnesses in this bitterly cold place, she tirelessly labored to make Lusenford livable.

Her misfortune was that her husband had already been consumed by brainwashing and utterly ruined. Caella de Chasser was dreadfully unlucky.

She had lost her only family to the Emperor, had her rightful inheritance and titles stolen by him, and now even her husband was in such a state. She was profoundly, profoundly unfortunate.

“I believe our best way to aid Lusenford is to hurry back and report everything directly to His Imperial Majesty the Emperor.”

Unaware that he was so deeply manipulated by the Golden Decree as to miss even the fabricated evidence, the Grand Duchess had still tried her best.

“I will surely insist that the entire castle must be expanded.”

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