Northern Subjugation Expedition.

Originally, the Chronotia Empire had good relations with neighboring empires.

They pursued peaceful policies in politics, economics, and trade, which allowed the empire’s peace to last for a long time.

However, the new Emperor Leion Jeneger who ascended to the throne was different.

He thought that endless wars and victories were necessary to gain an advantage over other empires.

In the end, Leion Jeneger started a war immediately upon his ascension.

The first target was the neighboring Peil Empire.

The Peil Empire was devastated by the betrayal of the Chronotia Empire, which had traditionally maintained friendly relations with them.

The surprise attack against the unprepared Peil Empire was a great success, and they also gained fertile land around the river that lay between the two empires.

Having tasted victory, Emperor Leion Jeneger began to wage war in earnest.

East, west, south, and even north.

The war required a lot of resources and manpower.

The emperor gained more land, wider mines, and treasures.

Unaware of the many deaths and suffering that followed.

[Your Majesty. This war has wiped out four civilian villages, and countless civilian casualties. Moreover, the loss of troops is beyond words.] [Stop talking about what we’ve lost, and report what we’ve gained from the war first.] [Well… First, we’ve acquired a diamond mine near the border.] [A diamond mine? The profits from there would more than make up for the losses this time. That’s enough, tell them to continue marching.]

Greed was endless.

Bigger and more expensive things.

They started the war to obtain them, and that war continues to this day.

The chaos of the early war had subsided, but the outskirts of the empire were still in turmoil with large and small wars.

And the Northern Subjugation Expedition.

It was an expedition to attack the Zenovia Empire, located north of Chronotia.

Around the time when the emperor of the Chronotia Empire changed to Leion Jeneger, the emperor of the Zenovia Empire also changed, and the two were similar yet different.

If Leion Jeneger was a war-crazed man who started wars indiscriminately, Alexander Hamon, the emperor of Zenovia, was a fox-like character.

Alexander allied with other empires that had been defeated in the war.

Thanks to this, Alexander continued to block Leion’s troops advancing from the north.

The attacker and the defender.

The power struggle between the two sharply opposing empires was as precarious as thin ice that could break at any moment.

Unable to bear the delayed victory, Leion Jeneger even reached out to the Delgado ducal family.

This was all I knew.

Of course, the Northern Subjugation Expedition was still only in the planning stages and had not officially begun.

“The Vice Commander of the Knights was furious, saying that the emperor’s order not only ignored the Delgado ducal family but also the Hareon Knights. After all, the Hareon Knights exist solely for the Delgado ducal family. It’s nonsense to dare to order around someone who is practically the master of such a knightly order.”

Although still a rookie, Blaine’s pride in talking about the Hareon Knights and Dietrich was remarkable.

Considering the reputation of the Hareon Knights, it was understandable.

The Hareon Knights, whom even the Imperial Knights couldn’t touch.

It was natural to feel proud of the Delgado family and the Hareon Knights after joining such a place as a new knight.

Blaine quickly glanced around and continued speaking.

“I’m afraid someone might hear, but the Vice Commander said the emperor had acted rashly. Even though the succession to the duke’s position isn’t finalized yet, it’s like setting fire to the only lifeline that could support the empire’s war at this point.”

‘Something seems off.’

The Northern Subjugation Expedition was an event that appeared briefly in the novel.

However, there was no mention of Dietrich joining the Northern Subjugation Expedition.

Something didn’t feel right, but anyway, it meant that Dietrich had joined.

Blaine, who was sitting on the bench to talk about Dietrich’s whereabouts, studied my expression.

As my expression, which had been smiling until just now, turned serious, he also became serious in response.

After being lost in thought for a moment, I stroked my chin and casually asked.

“So, did he say when he would return?”

“Not particularly.”

Blaine, who had become comfortable speaking informally while discussing the Northern Subjugation Expedition, bit his lip, seemingly deep in thought.

His gentle eyes drooped, and he just rolled his round eyes.

I waited, hoping Blaine would say something more about Dietrich.

After a long silence, he hesitated and then opened his mouth.

“By the way, Heidi. Do you like the young master?”

Dong.

A bell rang in my ears.

Blaine, I thought you were a nice person, but to say such a thing.

I closed my eyes tightly while holding my head.

To be misunderstood like this!

Feeling the heat rising up the back of my neck, I tied my hair up high with the hair tie on my wrist.

Then, opening my eyes straight, I denied it.

“That’s the most absurd statement I’ve heard today.”

“Really?”

For some reason, Blaine brightened up and let out a big sigh of relief, then smiled broadly.

It was a fresh smile that matched his refreshing appearance.

Blaine, slightly curling up the corners of his mouth, kindly comforted me as if to say not to worry.

“If that’s the case, Heidi, don’t worry too much. When the young master returns, I’ll be the first to let you know. I’ve never seen anyone care for the young master like you do.”

Blaine muttered, ‘Of course, I also greatly respect Young Master Dietrich,’ and tightly gripped the sword at his waist.

His clear eyes rippled, seemingly moved by my loyalty.

That’s not loyalty.

It’s just that I was worried about him.

Somehow, I had become a deeply loyal maid.

I considered explaining to Blaine, who had completely misunderstood, but I quickly gave up.

Even if I said it wasn’t like that, no one would believe me anyway.

‘The reason I’m angry is something else!’

He joined the Northern Subjugation Expedition without taking ‘Harpe’, the family’s treasured sword?

This didn’t make sense.

Leaving Harpe at the duke’s residence was too dangerous.

Both the duchess and the Delgado family’s council of elders knew that Dietrich had retrieved the family’s treasured sword.

The family’s treasured sword was a precious item that could prove who the master of the family was just by its existence.

The value of Harpe in the Delgado family was considerable, so much so that the council of elders had demanded it for the succession rights to the duke’s position.

Harpe, the treasured sword that was practically the symbol of the Delgado family, known for their swordsmanship.

While the duchess would be eyeing that precious sword, to go so far away and leave the sword behind.

‘Foolish Dietrich.’

He must have let his guard down.

I suddenly started to feel uneasy.

What if the duchess secretly steals Harpe before Dietrich returns?

He only said he found Harpe, but didn’t actually show the sword, so there was a possibility that the duchess who stole the sword could label Dietrich a liar.

If that happens, Dietrich’s succession to the duke’s position would be out of the question, and my becoming human too…

‘No!’

I had to return to being human.

Living as a sword spirit for life doesn’t make sense, does it?

I didn’t want to live like that and end up shattering and disappearing.

Chewing my lips anxiously, I finally couldn’t bear it and decided.

‘I need to go to Dietrich’s room.’

I knew it was incredibly rude to enter someone’s room without their permission, but I had no choice.

Besides, wasn’t Dietrich the one who was rude first?

To think of going to the battlefield without Harpe.

This is the biggest rudeness.

I tucked the keyring Blaine gave me into my apron pocket and stood up.

Blaine slightly raised his head and asked.

“Are you leaving already?”

“Yes. It’s time for me to start work again. Don’t you need to go to the knights’ order?”

Blaine, who was rummaging inside his knight uniform, took out a watch and checked it, immediately letting out a soft groan.

“I should go. If I’m late, the Vice Commander will scold me.”

“Okay. I have somewhere to stop by as well.”

As I lightly waved my hand and turned around without hesitation, I heard Blaine shouting from behind.

“Come to the training ground next time! Let’s talk again!”

I waved back making a circle with my right hand and started walking quickly towards the main building.

My pace, which was getting faster and faster, had now almost turned into a run.

Finally, I arrived at the second floor of the main building after running non-stop.

Today again, I tiptoed through the corridor where not a single person was in sight. Before I knew it, I had arrived in front of Dietrich’s room.

It’s my first time secretly entering someone else’s room.

Still, I should knock out of courtesy.

Of course, Dietrich wouldn’t be there, but I should do it so I have something to say later.

Prepared to be scolded, I made up an excuse and lightly knocked on the door with a light heart.

Knock knock.

Just as I made the cheerful knock and was about to enter the room immediately.

“What is it. Just come in.”

An unfamiliar voice was heard from inside the room.

Creak, the moment I opened the door and met the blue eyes shining in the room.

I froze stiff on the spot.