In a dimly lit room where not a sliver of sunlight entered.
In a room full of incense that resembled a temple sanctuary, someone was praying with closed eyes.
The darkhaired novice priests who were also praying quietly opened their eyes and glanced sideways at the devout figure.
However, the quiet atmosphere was shattered by the sound of sharp heels approaching.
Recognizing the sound, Ahilrun, the deputy chief, signaled the novice priests to leave.
Once the children had left, a woman standing beside him finally spoke.
“How are your hands?”
“My hands are fine as I always wear gloves.”
“You should be careful, especially with children around. It would be unfortunate if they couldn’t grow up because of it.”
Ahilrun did not respond to her cruel joke.
“Heh heh, you’re such a boring deputy chief. By the way, will you now give me the leaf of Artiam? It’s the Emperor’s command.”
“Why do you want that leaf?”
The leaf of Artiam.
It was a leaf brought back as proof of discovering the tree in Hengken village.
A mysterious leaf that remained fresh even after more than 150 days had passed.
Ahilrun looked at her face, surprised by the sudden notification.
Though she was the Duchess’s proxy and had lavish, vibrant purple hair, she was otherwise a plainlooking woman.
“Well, they said it will be passed onto the information guild.”
“Then…”
“Yes, the entire continent would ravage the empire to find that tree, wouldn’t they? So anyone with a mind would rather keep it a secret until they have to.”
“Why now, when there is still so much time left…”
As he spoke with concern, the woman closed her eyes gently, smiled, and said,
“Do you know what today is, Deputy Chief?”
“…?”
“It’s the day cute little children are going on an excursion to the imperial palace. If you had planned a bit earlier, you could’ve watched.”
With a sarcastic laugh, she truly seemed regretful.
“What are you trying to say?”
“So, even with all this leisure, you haven’t found it, have you?”
“!”
Her smile disappeared instantly from her face.
He was left speechless by her sudden icy demeanor.
“According to His Merciful Majesty, he’s planning for when everyone’s gathered. You’ll be informed of the details soon, so wait as always.”
The leaf of Artiam was handed over to her mocking hand, and Ahilrun blankly watched her walk away.
And then he clenched his tingling hand.
The wound he had sustained from Lucia’s swordplay had not yet healed.
Ahilrun, the deputy chief, couldn’t shake off the anxious thought that any plan wouldn’t be easy.
[Star Icon]“It seems the Captain wants the world to know we’ve been reborn.”
Vernon spoke while blocking an incoming sword in the training ground filled with the sounds of practice.
Then, Gilliana, who had been putting weight on her confronting sword, looked puzzled and asked,
“What do you mean?”
“Ah, you’re still strong. Think about it. Going to meet them on the morning of the outing, climbing on the stage and changing the outcome.”
Fluidly changing the direction of Gilliana’s strength, he dodged her.
He prepared a defensive stance for the next incoming attack, but Gilliana stood idly, seemingly lost in thought.
“Indeed, it’s unlike the Captain’s character to go on stage.”
At that moment, Berl, who had been watching their duel, twinkled his eyes.
“You just noticed?”
“Ah? You noticed, Deputy Commander?”
“What are you saying? Disrespectful tone! It’s the Captain’s intention, so it’s obvious. I am sincere, planning to marry and have children.”
Berl’s unexpected words made the training soldiers pause and laugh one by one.
“No, you really look sincere, Deputy Commander.”
“So, Commander, why spell out obvious truths?”
Amid their mockery, Berl sighed.
“Ah, you don’t understand, do you? I’ll be here for the rest of my life. I want my future child to be proud of the Black Knights.”
“Ah.”
His words opened the ears of the soldiers who had gathered around.
The reason was that many young people wanted to form families.
“So, if the troupe leader hadn’t changed the play’s ending yesterday, what would have happened?”
“We would have been infamous for generations.”
Hearing Vernon’s socalled prophecy, the troupe members despairingly shut their mouths.
“Do you know what the troupe leader is thinking for our future?”
The troupe members, already depressed, focused their gaze on him.
Berle, seizing the moment, spoke with sparkling eyes.
“Since the troupe leader has shown his will by personally stepping onto the stage for the sake of our reputation, we must reciprocate that will!! We will become the Black Knights, a group revered by the people! Understand!!”
“Roooooaaar!”
The Black Knight members roared as if to pierce the heavens.
Hiss, watching these simpleminded people, sighed.
Thus, led by Berle, they dashed toward the complaints office where citizens’ requests came in.
‘…What are these fools trying to do?’
Just then, Lucia, who had just arrived for classes, caught sight of this noisy group.
.
.
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An Indifferent Woman is the One Men Desire the Most
One-line summary: The female lead is actually cold-hearted and extremely rational. She has stage-by-stage relationships and won’t two-time, but there will always be someone who secretly likes her.
This novel has the following triggers, so if you’re sensitive to these, please don’t read:
1. The female lead has had many relationships, but she treated each one seriously and broke up properly.
It’s just that the men unilaterally pestered her incessantly. For the female lead, when she doesn’t like someone anymore, she simply doesn’t like them.
(This applies to her relationships with Male Lead 1, 2, 3, and 4 as well, but she’s loyal in each 1-on-1 relationship!)
2. In this novel, Male Lead 2 and the female lead kiss in a car, and Male Lead 1 sees it and beats up Male Lead 2.
The female lead calls the police and sends both Male Lead 1 and 2 to the police station! Male Lead 1 begs the female lead not to break up with him.
3. Male Lead 1 has a gentle appearance but an obsessive personality.
Male Lead 2 has a delicate and soft appearance, slightly green tea-like (two-faced).
Male Lead 3 is a youthful college student and a smart person who has secretly liked the female lead for a long time.
Male Lead 4 is the female lead’s father’s special assistant, a business elite with deep, hidden thoughts.
4. At the beginning of this novel, the female lead has already broken up with Male Lead 1 (Chapter 4) and gotten back together with Male Lead 2 (ex-boyfriend).
5. Enter with caution if you have triggers!!!
