Ibnel repeated to Halan exactly what she had said to those who were bullying Lia at that time.

“What difference would it make to my reputation if I killed one more person? As you know, sir, everyone is busy cursing me anyway.”

Halan’s expression hardened menacingly at her words that seemed to be toying with him.

“Do you think you’ll be safe after speaking to me like this?”

“You should know this clearly now, sir. That those who have nothing to lose have nothing to fear. It seems you have much to lose, so you should always be careful. Sometimes I don’t even know where my gun barrel will point.”

Contrary to those cruel-sounding words, Ibnel was smiling. She then took in the faces of those present one by one before finally staring at Halan.

Though he was glaring at her as if he wanted to kill her, she wasn’t scared at all. Rather, the more angry he became, the more pleased she felt. Seeing his face made her sunken mood improve a little.

“Since you didn’t properly apologize, sir, I won’t apologize either. Well then, since you said you’re not idle, I’ll be going now.”

As she walked away, the nobles with Halan, unlike their silence just moments ago, quickly changed their attitude and raised their voices.

“That insolent…!”

“I’ll go and,”

“Forget it. She’s not even worth dealing with.”

Though Halan acted as if he didn’t care much as he walked away, it was completely the opposite inside. He felt a deep murderous intent, enough to want to kill her right now. He was also angry that for a moment, he had been overwhelmed by such a woman.

‘You’ll regret opposing me one day.’

As Ibnel watched Halan’s group walk away, Feldin approached her side.

“Impressive. To speak like that to Duke Halan.”

He too was quite surprised inside. To openly mention killing in front of Halan without hesitation. He was someone that no noble would dare treat carelessly.

Especially impressive was that unfearful gaze. In that moment, it felt beyond cold and calm, to the point of cruelty.

However, he didn’t think such an emotional response was good for her.

“Even if you were angry, openly becoming enemies with Duke Halan isn’t a wise method. Didn’t you tell His Majesty?”

If one lived in Karies, and in this imperial palace, there was no need to please everyone, but also no need to offend them unnecessarily.

Of course, Ibnel knew that much as well. But since Halan had crossed the line first, she had no reason to stay within bounds either.

“I’ve heard various information about Duke Halan. Even if I had received such advice from His Majesty, I would have acted exactly the same just now.”

“Why is that?”

Feldin asked with genuine curiosity. How could she be so confident in such an unremarkable position? Or was she just putting on unnecessary airs?

“Rather than hearing words too foul to even mention, fighting back directly suits my temperament better. It would have been the same even if the opponent was His Majesty the Emperor, or even you, Duke Feldin.”

He couldn’t help but be surprised when she openly said to his face that she might point her gun at him too. This was truly an unexpected answer. Her eyes were just as sincere.

She clearly seemed to be a type of person he had never seen before.

“You are an interesting person, my lady.”

Though it wasn’t something to be taken lightly even as a joke, Feldin didn’t show any sign of being particularly offended.

“I apologize if that sounded rude. I’m late with my greetings. I’m Ibnel Istella. Thank you for helping me earlier.”

“I’m Feldin Gaer. I just couldn’t stand by and watch you receive an undue misunderstanding.”

Hearing that, Ibnel had something she wanted to ask him.

“Why did you go out of your way to help me? Even risking clashing with Duke Halan. You had no reason to do so, sir.”

Then realizing her tone had become too sharp without her noticing, she hurriedly added, worried he might misunderstand.

“Ah, I’m sorry if that offended you. I suppose I’m just not used to accepting kindness simply as kindness, since the opposite is more common.”

Having grown accustomed to people cursing her, ironically, she had come to suspect those who showed pure kindness. Wondering if there might be other intentions hidden behind that smile.

Moreover, he was someone in a special position even among the nobles.

Feldin could understand, considering the environment surrounding Ibnel. Like earlier too, she seemed to be going through harsher trials than expected, and he felt an inexplicable sense of pity.

“Of course, I too consider Aodin an enemy. But apart from that, I’ve heard stories about you, my lady. Including your recent recognition from Count Renel. I’m not so cold-blooded as to turn my back on someone struggling for Karies.”

“Ah…”

“Is that answer sufficient?”

Suddenly, Ibnel covered her mouth with one hand. Puzzled by this inexplicable action, he looked at her questioningly. There didn’t seem to be anything particularly strange about what he had said.

“What’s wrong?”

“Those words… they’re just too nice.”

She was desperately trying to hold back a smile that was threatening to escape. She had hastily covered her face, afraid of showing an unseemly expression as her emotions surged forward.

But Feldin could clearly see it. That look in her eyes, unable to contain her joy.

‘She’s become a completely different person.’

It was hard to believe this was the same person who had delivered that chilling warning to Halan. But that innocent appearance suited her quite well too. Enough to soften even the wariness in his heart.

It was the first time he had seen someone so honest and unaffected in their emotions.

“I don’t think there was anything in my words that particularly praised you, my lady.”

“You saw me for who I am.”

Ibnel said firmly, lowering the hand that had been covering her face. It might have been nothing special to him, but it was special to her.

“There are so few people who think like you do, sir. That’s why I thought I had to prove myself no matter what, whether through skill or visible results.”

From her perspective, Feldin’s words were nothing short of a surprise gift. Moreover, even though this was their first time meeting in person, he had accepted even what others had dismissed as exaggerated rumors.

Feldin felt rather embarrassed that she spoke so well of him. He hadn’t meant his words to carry such significant meaning.

“I’ve gone on too long. Anyway, I’m saying thank you for speaking to me like that.”

Hearing her say so much, he suddenly worried. Wouldn’t she trust everyone who spoke nicely to her like this?

“It may not be my place to say, but there are many people in this imperial palace who act differently from their words. I could be one of them too.”

Ibnel immediately understood that he meant not to trust anyone carelessly. But by saying that, she rather came to know what kind of person Feldin was.

“As I thought from when you were talking with Duke Halan earlier, you’re… a good person, Duke Feldin.”

At those words spoken with conviction, and Ibnel’s gaze that seemed to see through to his inner thoughts, the gentle smile disappeared from Feldin’s face for the first time.

On the contrary, she wore a pleased expression.

“If you had approached me with truly bad intentions, sir, you wouldn’t have said such things.”

“Couldn’t that much be fabricated too?”

As Feldin said, even that could have been a lie. But there was a definite reason why she thought this person was different from Halan.

“You lied earlier, didn’t you?”

“Pardon?”

“About insisting to His Majesty. That was a lie, wasn’t it?”

He looked at her with eyes that seemed to ask why she thought so. By now, interest in his counterpart had arisen in those sky-blue eyes.

“If His Majesty decided not to kill me and let me live, most would react similarly to Duke Halan. All sorts of rumors would arise in tandem. Things like sheltering Aodin’s people, and so on. So didn’t you voluntarily say such things, sir?”

To direct all the arrows towards himself.

It probably wouldn’t deal a big blow to Shuher anyway, but he must have judged it better to step forward himself if possible.

The more Feldin listened to Ibnel’s words, the more serious his expression became. How could she reach that conclusion from just those words?

“Why did you think that?”

“Because His Majesty isn’t the type to push such things onto others.”

“You speak as if you know His Majesty well.”

“It’s just what I’ve naturally come to know while being here. Whether he clashes or ignores, I know at least that he’s not the type to do such troublesome things.”

Feldin nodded, having no particular reason to hide it. It was exactly as Ibnel had guessed; he thought it right to end it on his own terms, which is why he had spoken that way to Halan.

But to think she would notice that from such a brief conversation.

The more they talked, the less he could get a read on what kind of person she was. One thing was certain though – she was no naive young lady who knew nothing.

“It wasn’t a complete lie. I’ve been in favor of working together since I heard that Lady Ibnel had awakened her abilities. Even though another ability user has appeared, that thought hasn’t changed. It will be helpful in some way or another.”

He had made a choice for the sake of his domain and Karies, rather than personal feelings. Since Gaer territory had suffered more damage from magical beasts than other areas, he couldn’t help but think that way.

“In any case, speaking like that in front of Duke Halan was simply what I should do as His Majesty’s vassal.”

“That’s why I said you’re a good person, sir.”

When Ibnel gave the same answer even after he had said this much, Feldin felt rather flustered.

“It’s never easy to step forward for someone else without expecting anything in return. So you’re a good person.”

“A good person…”

He murmured those words for no particular reason. Being called good for such a small thing, rather than for his status or his family’s power, made him feel both happy and embarrassed.

Since most people who approached him since childhood wanted something from him, Ibnel’s words struck him deeply.

“But you must be really close with His Majesty. To say without hesitation that you insisted to him.”

Ibnel couldn’t help but be amazed that he could mention insisting to Shuher so casually. To utter such words without hesitation, he must be on exceptionally close terms with him.

The fact that even Halan believed those words without doubt also suggested as much.

“I suppose you could say that.”

Feldin didn’t deny it either. It was a fact that everyone here knew anyway.

“Actually, I was just on my way to meet His Majesty.”

“Ah, I’ve kept you for too long then. Thank you so much for today. I hope we’ll have a chance to meet again.”

Though it was their first meeting, Ibnel didn’t feel particularly averse to him. Perhaps it was because he seemed like a kind person, from his expression to his tone and even his overall atmosphere.

Feldin quietly watched her walk away before turning towards his original destination.