Thinking about it, no one had ever seen the Duchess of Barlock.

The Dukes of Barlock welcomed a wife at some point and saw an heir at another, and one day they disappeared like bubbles.

This was what it meant to be a Barlock.

It had fueled rumors that they were less human, but now that she had become a Barlock, she understood.

Why their lives had to be this way.

Whether she should praise them for continuing the Barlock lineage amidst all this.

“Sigh…”

Bianca, exhaling a small sigh, turned the page of the book familiarly.

It had been a library ever since she confronted Hailey in the morning.

Lunch was a simple sandwich.

The wave of departure was fixed, so the estate was subtly buzzing, but only Bianca had nothing to do.

Not fussing around would help, so she had retreated to the library.

She had already gone through five history books today.

As before, there was no gain.

However, Bianca tirelessly turned the pages without disappointment.

There must be a reason why the Empire and other prophecies only come down to the north.

The quick way would be to ask Gillian or find someone in the Barlock territory, but she postponed that.

Asking about the prophecy before the expedition would be impolite.

‘Termina will set Barlock, who has paid for his sins, free.’

Bianca muttered the northern prophecy as she turned the northern folklore.

After reading down five history books, her eyes were heavy, and her head hurt, so she needed a break.

How many pages had she turned?

The end of the founding legend was in sight.

‘The dragon blessed the last of Termina’s ancestors.

Dear friend, may our time flow together once again.

Until then, I will give you a small gift to protect Termina’s children.

The dragon called a knight, gave him the name Barlock, granted him ability, and commanded him to protect Termina.

It was the birth of ‘Barlock,’ known as the Dragon of Termina.’

Even though there were many empty promises, the core that ran through the content was the same as the history books.

The story must have gained flesh over time and become a collection of legends.

However, the folklore ended with Barlock’s birth.

Bianca couldn’t hide her disappointment.

She understood how Barlock became the Dragon of Termina, but she couldn’t find why the glorious one became a sinner.

Suddenly, she thought that she might be too obsessed with the word ‘prophecy,’ but Bianca steeled her heart.

Whatever.

As long as it helps.

Whether the northern prophecy or the capital’s.

Both aimed at Barlock gaining Termina and becoming ‘free.’

Once again, Bianca could do anything for Gillian.

The ‘Termina’ that had only hurt her all her life; if it could be used for him, there could be nothing happier.

So, Bianca was thinking of trying a little harder.

That’s when she turned her eyes back to the book.

“Madam, the Duke says he is returning home.”

Julie whispered, coming close.

The sun was already setting.

Bianca nodded her head.

“Where is he?”

“Just now, the drawbridge has been lowered,” they said.

“Lead the way.”

“The Vicar has permitted a visit to Izar’s room. Will you follow?”

“Of course.”

Izar nodded at the priest’s words and rose from his seat.

Surprisingly, the permission for a meeting was granted without much trouble, easing his intense emotions.

Izar briskly followed the priest who was leading the way.

Thankfully, thanks to the warp array installed in the temple where the Vicar resided, it was dismissible as a ‘far’ walk.

If not today, then tomorrow.

If not tomorrow, then the day after.

He was resolved to make the trip at least ten times.

But to think that the meeting request would be accepted at once.

The upheaval that Chakram had caused was settling down like this.

The place where Izar was guided was a courtyard where sunlight was calm.

In front of the Vicar, there were two steaming tea cups.

“Welcome.”

The Vicar, who had lifted a white veil that had covered his face, greeted Izar, and his face slightly hardened.

“I meet the Vicar…”

The Vicar was a young man.

The Vicar, with spotless white hair hanging down to his chest, faintly smiling, had a truly, divinely refined face.

Izar, who had expected a wrinkled, kindly old man with white hair, found it intensely unpleasant.

‘The Vicar, he cherished the princess very much.’

For a moment, Pasethra’s whisper cruelly scratched his heart like a claw.

“I did put in a meeting request, but I didn’t think I’d see you like this.”

Izar’s tone was so sharp and fierce, it was hard to believe it was the normally snide Izar.

Even though he was met with a menacing gaze, the Vicar didn’t frown.

Rather, he greeted him with a smile.

“Just now, I was about to have tea. If there’s someone to share conversation, wouldn’t it be more enjoyable?”

‘He brought this punishment on himself. Since he did this himself, he said he would take the punishment instead of the princess.’

The smiling Vicar was enchanting, beyond divine.

Izar approached the Vicar without hiding his fierce expression.

“You, do you know who I am?”

“Could I not know Izar, the owner of the plains?”

“Then, do you also know why I have come to you?”

The Vicar smiled at Izar, who was looking down at him oppressively.

“Sit down. The story you want to hear won’t be short.”

“You mean you know what I’m curious about?”

“How could I? People usually regret what they have lost and have attachment.”

“Attachment!”

“So, what is it?”

Greed?

The Vicar whispered in a sweet voice and smiled.