‘No way…’

Blair’s heart sank.

Anxious at the thought that something might have happened to Herdin, Blair said to the maid:

“Could you go call Sir Colin?”

She knows there’s nothing she can do in this situation. Staying hidden is the best course of action.

But if she just stays still like this, she felt she wouldn’t be able to bear the sense of helplessness. She thought she should at least go out to the forest and see for herself how the situation was unfolding.

What to do after that would be a matter to consider once she assessed the situation.

Just as the maid received Blair’s order and got off the carriage, it happened.

“My lady!”

The knight who had gone to scout the situation outside the forest returned. Blair took a deep breath, trying to calm her anxious heart, and asked:

“What is it?”

“The movements of the magical beasts are strange.”

“…How so?”

“Suddenly, they all started going back the way they came. Even the ones that went to Nerha.”

The moment she heard that news, Blair sensed it.

That something had completely ended.

Blair ordered the knight:

“Let’s go to Nerha.”

“Understood. Then we’ll depart right away—”

Blair’s next words stopped the knight who was about to go mount his horse.

“I’m coming too.”

The look in Blair’s eyes as she said that was resolute. The knight who was about to dissuade her saw that look and bowed his head.

“I’ll make preparations.”

After the magical beasts had passed through once, Blair’s group came out of the forest and headed towards Nerha. Since the magical beasts had already passed through, there were no obstacles on the road.

They rode the carriage for quite some time. The distant view of Nerha began to appear, gradually getting closer.

Finally arriving at the entrance to Nerha, the knights stopped their horses.

“There might still be magical beasts remaining in the city, so I’ll go take a look first, my lady.”

Though they had brought Blair here at her insistence, their primary duty was to protect the safety of the duchess.

They couldn’t allow Blair into the city where unknown dangers might be lurking.

The knights divided into scouting and escort teams. And just as the scouting team was about to enter the city:

“Huh?”

The scouting team spotted something and stopped their horses. The puzzled knights followed their gaze.

With the golden sunset fading over the city as a backdrop, the sound of horse hooves and a carriage was heard, and a familiar figure gradually approached.

Recognizing that figure, joy slowly filled the knights’ eyes.

“Your Grace!”

Hearing the knights’ voices, Blair hurriedly got out of the carriage. Her violet eyes trembled finely as she spotted Herdin at the end of the road.

Herdin was approaching. Though the clothes on his left arm were particularly torn and covered in blood, he was safe.

Herdin frowned upon seeing Blair, who had appeared in this still dangerous place, but soon relaxed his expression as if resigned.

Dismounting from his horse, Herdin strode towards Blair, looking only at her. Blair likewise couldn’t take her eyes off him.

When their shadows were close enough to touch if they reached out, Herdin stopped walking.

He instinctively reached out towards Blair, but hesitated upon seeing his own blood-covered hand, then lowered it and just gazed at her quietly.

Seeing her eyes filled with worry, he thought he had done well to survive.

Herdin’s parched lips moved slightly, and he spoke the words he had so wanted to say upon returning to her:

“I’m back.”

Blair, who had been looking into his blue eyes, lowered her gaze to examine his body.

From his left arm which was intact despite being covered in blood, to his whole body with minor scratches.

After carefully assessing his condition, her gaze returned to meet his.

Having confirmed he was safe, Blair carefully approached and embraced him. Herdin’s body stiffened noticeably at this.

Blair stroked his back and whispered:

“…You worked hard.”

For keeping your promise to me.

* * *

The Pope of the Ardel Empire had died.

More shocking than his sudden death was the fact that he, who stood closest to God as Pope, was a black magician.

Mikhail’s assistance in gathering evidence while investigating Gerard’s background played a part in revealing this fact.

The news spread rapidly throughout the continent.

After hearing the truth from Mikhail, Raymond, the lord of Nerha, came to Libren and immediately knelt down.

“I, I’m truly sorry, Duke.”

He apologized for his misjudgment and expressed his wish to make some compensation to the ducal couple, who must have been greatly shocked.

They had nearly gone to war with the Ardel Empire over a momentary misunderstanding. And against Herdin Delmark, known as a war hero, no less.

If Herdin had really used black magic to invade Nerha, Raymond’s side would have gained sympathy in the international community and the war would have been justified, but since it was revealed to be a misunderstanding, it meant Nerha had attacked the Duke of Delmark, who was invited as a guest, without evidence.

In this situation, Raymond had no choice but to grovel.

Herdin, who had been watching him while leaning deep into the reception room sofa and puffing on a cigar, finally spoke.

“Forget about compensation, go back and focus on rebuilding your territory.”

Raymond’s eyes widened at this.

It was unbelievable that he would show mercy in a situation where it wouldn’t be strange to take a big bite out of this opportunity. However, Herdin never went back on his word.

In fact, it was Blair’s wish.

‘I don’t want to burden people who are already struggling with territory reconstruction. And we bear some responsibility for inadvertently drawing the Holy Beast to our side, even if it wasn’t intentional.’

Raymond expressed his gratitude repeatedly and left the reception room. Now only Mikhail remained with Herdin in the reception room.

“What did you want to say?”

Mikhail made no effort to hide his desire to quickly finish his business with Herdin. Herdin felt the same way, so he didn’t hide it either.

“I was thinking of adding your name to the family register, if you want.”

Mikhail, who was lifting his teacup, paused at his proposal.

Though he had revealed himself to be Gerard’s illegitimate son while resolving this incident, he never imagined receiving such an offer.

What Gerard had so desperately wanted was now being offered to the son he had rejected.

But Mikhail felt no particular emotion about it.

“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll just accept the sentiment. I’m different from that person.”

Herdin stared at Mikhail as he answered like that.

It seemed like a flimsy reason to refuse being added to the noble register, but considering the life he had lived, it was an understandable choice.

“Above all, isn’t it morally wrong to have feelings for your cousin’s woman?”

At this clear provocation, Herdin’s lips, holding the cigar, twisted. Soon after, a cold laugh escaped through those teeth.

He was still an unpleasant bastard.

“Then I won’t offer twice.”

Herdin stubbed out the cigar he was holding in the ashtray and stood up, adding:

“I hope we never see each other again.”

As Herdin turned to leave first, Mikhail’s voice was heard from behind:

“Please give my regards to your wife. Tell her I’m grateful and sorry.”

Herdin left the reception room without any reaction. Despite undoubtedly having heard the voice that echoed in the quiet reception room.

* * *

“When do you plan to return to the islands?” Luth asked.

There were matters to discuss with the Temple regarding Gerard’s death and Miela’s disposition, and diplomatic issues with the Kingdom of Clania were also entangled due to the problem with Nerha, so he had to go report to Ivan in person.

There were also matters piling up on the islands that needed to be resolved, as the schedule had been extended longer than expected.

Herdin’s eyes deepened at Luth’s question.

If he returned to the islands, Blair would…

After being lost in thought for a moment, Herdin stood up and answered:

“Have preparations ready by next week.”

After parting with Luth, Herdin came straight to the bedroom.

The bedroom in the Libren mansion was chosen with a large balcony window overlooking the sea. It was for Blair, who loved the sea.

But Blair wasn’t visible in the room. Startled for a moment, Herdin stopped at the gentle voice coming from in front of the balcony.

“Where should we live, little one?”

Blair was sitting in a spot overlooking the sea, talking to the baby in her belly. It seemed natural, as if she was used to it.

Surely she must have felt awkward the first time she spoke to the child. He wasn’t there for that moment.

As his heart grew heavy, newly realizing his absence in her time, her quiet voice continued:

“Mommy likes the sea, but I don’t know if you’ll like it too. I wish you would hurry and be born so you can tell mommy. Then we could travel together to places you want…”

Her voice, speaking of the future, was filled with happiness.

However, he was not included in the happy future she was whispering about. So naturally. Probably just as it had been throughout her past life.

‘When this is over, let’s part ways.’

It was already an agreed-upon story with her, and a separation he had prepared himself for.

Yet he couldn’t move from that spot, like someone who had heard a conversation they shouldn’t have. He wanted to turn around, pretending he hadn’t heard.

Would it all become as if it never happened if he did that?

Even knowing that the person who made her naturally dream of a future without him was none other than himself, he shamelessly wanted to do so.

Rubbing his lips, Herdin took a moment to collect his emotions, then deliberately knocked on the door once.

Hearing that sound, Blair turned to look at him.