“Do you know the ball is soon to be held? Many people are eager to meet you. Don’t disappear in the middle like last time; get to know people while mingling with them.”

Nokxia played with my hair, suggesting different styles and murmuring about how they would look cute.

I unknowingly chuckled as someone touching my hair felt good.

To me, who was in distress after Askan’s disappearance, my family provided great support.

If Nokxia hadn’t taken care of me like she does now, I might not have easily overcome the loss and pain of that time.

It was then.

Knock, knock. Jerin appeared with a knock.

“Miss, Young Master Dekain has arrived.”

Glancing at the clock, I realized it was the agreed-upon time to meet Dekain.
At first, I didn’t even want to see Dekain’s face, but I couldn’t solely blame him for what happened with Askan ten years ago.

Moreover, I couldn’t turn away from him, who had come out of Igteon’s upper ranks because of me, so we maintained a professional relationship.

I gave a short reply to Jerin, “Got it. I’ll be there soon.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Nokxia let go of the hand that was gently stroking my hair.

“Do you have to go to work again?”

“I have a guest to meet today.”

“Don’t overwork yourself, take it easy, Unnie.”

I nodded in response to Nokxia’s worried words.

“Okay, and don’t overexert yourself practicing your abilities.”

“Tsk, Unnie shouldn’t say that to me, you know?”

I had worked tirelessly all this time to establish myself as the continent’s top weapons master. Nokxia seemed to be pointing that out.

Come to think of it, it wasn’t my place to say those things about others, so I awkwardly smiled. In return, Nokxia also gave me a sly smile.

As I descended to the reception room, Dekain, an unfamiliar middle-aged man, and a few people who seemed like bodyguards were standing behind him.

Meeting the middle-aged man face to face for the first time, but since he was the one I had already agreed to meet, I knew who he was.

He was Phenil, the Duke of the Nacian Kingdom.

In terms of status, I was an unworthy young lady, and Phenil was a man of high rank as a duke. However, it wasn’t as crucial in this setting.

Rising from his seat, Phenil greeted me politely.

“I’ve heard about you from rumors. Miss Brellof.”

“Hello, I’ve also heard roughly about it.”

In the past, the system involved creating magical engineering weapons and conducting transactions through distributors. Now, things had changed.

Not only did I personally create magical engineering weapons, but I also met people who wanted to deal with me and proceeded to contracts right away.

Initially, many were dissatisfied with my approach, but as the magical engineering weapons I created gained more recognition, controversies subsided.

In fact, it had reached a point where people had to line up and wait if they wanted to meet me.

“I’m aware that there’s severe unrest in the Nacian Kingdom. I want to contract K39, Miss Brellof’s latest model. How should I proceed?”

Ten years ago, it was K05, but now, the series had evolved to K39.

Even without Phenil saying it, I was well aware of the severe unrest in the Nacian Kingdom.

Although the rebellion itself was incited by the people, the current situation had turned the people into the ones suffering the most from that rebellion.

Since the situation in the Nacian Kingdom was not favorable, I thought it would be acceptable to distribute magical engineering weapons, so I agreed to the meeting.

“Do you know my terms?”

In response to my question, Phenil, wiping the sweat from his forehead, answered.
“Of course. Engai’s weapons are not meant for permanent use; they can only be used during the contract period.”

“As quelling the rebellion seems urgent, I will allow the use of the requested K39 for one month.”

“One month is a bit too short.”

I tapped the table absentmindedly, lost in thought.

However, no matter how much I thought, I couldn’t permit a period longer than one month. If that happened, too many people might die.

“If used for more than a month, under the pretext of suppressing the rebellion, ordinary people might also suffer damage from the weapons I created. Unfortunately, extending the period seems difficult.”

Considering the tremendous killing power of the weapons I created, I was making decisions cautiously, even for a single deal.

Phenil’s expression darkened, seemingly dissatisfied with the contract conditions.

Decain, who had been quietly observing the situation, smiled playfully.

“If one month is enough to suppress the rebellion, don’t be too greedy. Go ahead and agree to the contract for this period, Your Grace.”

Adult Decain no longer wore a mask. Therefore, his beautiful appearance was fully revealed without any concealment.

Phenil seemed unable to respond decisively, but a persistent male bodyguard behind him couldn’t hold back any longer and shouted as if he couldn’t stand it.

“Your Grace, I can’t endure this any longer! A mere Engai woman is causing trouble with her prevention device.”

Prevention device?

It was Phenil who first contacted me expressing a desire to make a contract.

With a wry smile, I rose from my seat without hesitation. If the other party didn’t want to engage in a conversation, there was no reason for me to remain seated.

“Let me be clear. The contract period is one month. If you want an extension, we can discuss it later.”

“Wait a moment, Miss Brellof!”

Phenil urgently stood up from his seat.

That was the moment.

Clang!

As I tried to leave, the man who seemed to be a bodyguard drew the sword at his waist, threateningly pointing it at me.

“His Grace hasn’t finished speaking. Dare you try to leave first? Sit back down.”

Looking at the bodyguard who no longer used polite language, I chuckled.

Phenil, with a flushed and bewildered face, didn’t kn
“Dare you say that to me right now?”

The bodyguard seemed surprised when I, who appeared frail, showed no sign of backing down. However, it was already too late to be astonished.

In the same stance I was in, I thumped the floor twice with my foot.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Upon this, the seemingly empty space opened up, revealing dozens of Gatling guns equipped with magic stones aiming at Phenil and the bodyguard.

In this research lab, there was no one who could harm me.

Looking at the bewildered bodyguard glancing around as if startled, I calmly spoke in a leisurely voice.

“Say it again.”

The bodyguard, seemingly struck dumb all of a sudden, couldn’t offer any response.

Phenil, belatedly scolding the bodyguard, opened his mouth.

“Well! What are you doing to Lady Brellof right now?”

If Phenil had no intention of confronting me, he should have taken action earlier instead of just standing there dumbfounded.

Since Phenil had tested me and had no intention of proceeding with the deal, I opened the door to the reception room.

Outside the door, Zen, with an expressionless face, stood still.

Zen had been under Olrand’s orders to protect me ever since I narrowly avoided being kidnapped by the Ragent Empire ten years ago.

“Zen, the guest is leaving. Escort them out.”

“Understood. Miss.”

Zen responded with a straightforward salute.

Decain, as if expecting this, shrugged his shoulders and followed me out of the reception room.

From behind, I could hear Phenil shouting something.

“Yes, yes. Lady Brellof, let’s make a contract for one month!”

But I didn’t stop walking. It was already too late. I had no intention of allowing such a person to use my magical engineering weapons.

“Please, just give me one more chance!”

With that, Phenil and his bodyguards were escorted out by Zen as they left the research lab.