With the capture of Ron Letius, who was to inherit the throne of Letius, completed, the two began to prepare in earnest for the day of the final battle.

Indeed, there was not much time left.

Natasha, who was writing letters to send to those waiting for contact, was suddenly distracted by the sound of rain coming through the window.

The pitter-patter of the falling rain seemed to soothe her confused mind. Her body, tense from nervousness, gradually began to relax.

‘Tension, huh…’

Natasha stared blankly at her own fist, which was trembling slightly. She had been so focused on running forward, not paying attention to anything else, that she hadn’t realized.

That she was terribly afraid of the future.

What awaited Natasha and Sieghart was sweet success. However, even though they were now standing on the stepping stone of success, they couldn’t know what was waiting on the next platform.

Whether it would be glorious success or a cliff’s edge, it was impossible to gauge.

If it was success, her long-cherished wish would come true.

But if it failed—

‘Everything would be over.’

Not only Natasha’s life, but Sieghart’s life as well, and the fate of the Asthart ducal family.

Not just that. The Grand Duke of Kshant and his principality who had cooperated, and the half-vassal states that had been incorporated into the Letius Empire would all face destruction.

She had only thought about succeeding in the execution, so she had never considered their fates. But the moment she contemplated failure, things she hadn’t accounted for came rushing in.

Thinking that their fates depended on her hands made her vaguely fearful.

She stared for a long time at the rain-soaked duchy. Such a gloomy and heavy scene seemed like their future. A belated wave swept over Natasha’s emotions.

Hope began to be washed away by the waves. What now overwhelmed her was the unstable emotion mixed in with the turbulence.

Her hand gripping the window frame tightened.

‘It’ll be alright.’

She couldn’t give up everything now.

And she had no intention of giving up in the first place.

‘I’ve prepared hard, after all.’

To escape from the emotions that had overwhelmed her, she began to trace back to the past.

After fleeing from Sieghart Asthart, the oppressor, she went to the Galonde Empire to lay the foundation for revenge. She had been running hard for months after that as well.

For revenge and reconstruction.

‘I’ve lived without dying for that day.’

Yes, this was a life newly gained after dying ten times over.

A true life of taking revenge on those who had tormented her.

With her eyes closed, terrible memories flashed through her mind.

A stolen and scattered nation, a royal family erased from history, the last seed of Charliee who survived in it, and the demon who cruelly tormented her.

Natasha, recalling the terrible past, opened her eyes, writhing in agony.

The cold, sunken duchy that had been visible through the window was gone. Now she saw a duchy enjoying peaceful days under warm sunlight, receiving divine blessing.

Familiar people could be seen there.

Jenkis working for the mansion. Cute Meliana and Vanessa. The Asthart knights, brightening their pride even today.

Sieghart, and Natasha Asthart walking in step with him.

‘…Yes, I’ll be alright.’

What the woman was seeing was an illusion. And such a mirage must have been created from her wishes.

There was no need to question why her future was continuing in the Asthart duchy. The question of why Sieghart Asthart coexisted in her future also became unnecessary.

After all, what she wanted was just one thing.

To overcome the past and step into the future. To move towards a happiness that seemed like a dream.

And it was an undeniable, immutable fact that Sieghart was part of that wish.

It was the day when the long rainy season finally ended. As soon as the rainy season ended, a clear and verdant sky spread over the Asthart duchy. A fresh breeze heralding the start of spring also blew gently.

Natasha, taking a walk around, looked contentedly at the beautiful scenery. Spring in the north was late and short, so moments like these were extremely precious.

Moreover, since it could act like spring one day and be hit by a typhoon the next, one had to enjoy it while possible.

As she was enjoying a long walk, Jenkis whispered that it might be time to head back.

She was curious about the reason for the rush, as she had already finished the day’s work. The reaction of the other party, sweating profusely and tensing up, resolved her curiosity.

She had learned the source, not the reason.

“Yes, I know. My lady is not one to fall ill from mere spring breeze. There’s no chance you’d catch a cold just because of a spring breeze. But…”

But, you know.

She sighed towards the other party showing signs of difficulty. Yes, she knew. That that man’s stubbornness couldn’t be broken.

She entered the mansion, leaving behind the moon that had now risen brightly.

Three letters were piled on the table of the study that had been neatly cleared.

She picked up the pink envelope placed on top. After gently cutting the upper part with a knife, she carefully checked the contents.

“Thank you for sharing the plan.

The night before the full moon, I will send the knights of the principality. How many would you need? Please call for as many as you wish.”

It was a letter from the Grand Duke of Kshant.

A few days ago, Natasha had sent a letter to the Grand Duke reporting on the unfolding situation. This included the fact that they had succeeded in locating the secret room in the imperial palace and forming an alliance with Ron Letius.

The Grand Duke of Kshant, without being asked, first proposed cooperation, showing a magnanimous attitude by offering to support them as much as they wanted.

It was a firm attitude for someone who had sold Natasha to Sieghart to protect the principality.

“There’s no need to feel burdened by the favor. You know too, don’t you? That failure would also lead to the downfall of the principality.”

The Grand Duke of Kshant’s monologue starting from the next paragraph brought a smile. The impatient person had written out a rambling excuse after prematurely guessing Natasha’s reaction.

“I’m reminded of the lady from those days who promised to reclaim the country. I thought it was just the rash talk of a woman who had lost everything… But now you’ve reached the very end.

Be careful.

Your proxy.”

Your proxy, huh.

Natasha smiled slightly after confirming the title the Grand Duke of Kshant had given himself. The stiff handwriting oddly conveyed a warm feeling.

After pushing aside the Grand Duke of Kshant’s letter, she picked up the letter that had been underneath. This time it was an elegant purple envelope.

Again, she cut the upper part with a knife and checked the contents.

“To think that the last seed of Charliee would really prove its feasibility.

I was surprised when you said you had found the secret door, but the next plan is even more astonishing. Even at a glance, your strategy seems plausible enough to raise expectations.”

This time it was a letter from the Emperor of Galonde.

“I think it would be better to send the shadows in advance, a bit earlier than the operation start date. My shadows will arrive at the duke’s house about two days after this letter arrives. They are capable individuals, so they should be of help.

I hope you haven’t forgotten the price you promised.

Well then, I wish you good luck.”

It was about lending the shadows he had promised earlier to the duke’s house. With this, the shadow support from the Galonde Empire was also assured.

Natasha picked up the last letter with a lighter touch. This time, a plain envelope without any special pattern or color greeted her.

“The day before the festival, security will be weaker, she said. Because there’s a festival during the day, the knight training that usually continues until dawn will end early that day.

Moreover, since part of the knight order will be dispatched to the capital for the festival, it seems that the security of the imperial palace itself will indeed become lax.”

The last letter was sent by Sir Dante. It was the result of the investigation that Natasha had separately requested from Sir Dante earlier, sent by letter.

It was good news that the security of the imperial palace would be more lax than usual on the night before the festival when the execution would begin.

“I bought the medicine in advance from the black market. I heard that the emperor has tea time every day after eating dinner, so I instructed to put the medicine in then. If he takes the medicine, he will sleep soundly for about six hours without waking up.”

He went on to report that he had completed the small preparations needed for the operation.

Cayena Ten was set to administer the sleeping drug to the emperor.

Because only she could lower Kyle Letius’s guard. The arrogant man never suspected the weak.

Although she had clearly finished the day’s work, Natasha couldn’t return to her bedroom even when night fell. It was because of the three letter responses.

After writing replies to the Grand Duke of Kshant, the Emperor of Galonde, and Sir Dante in order, Natasha stretched.

The starlight had already faded and the sun was rising. She was sure there had been a full moon when she entered the study…

Natasha approached the window to draw the curtains before leaving. The hand that was holding the front part of the curtain was suddenly withdrawn.

Under the warm sunlight, she saw the duchy enjoying peaceful days, receiving divine blessing.