Preparing for a journey that was not on the schedule made one day an incredibly short time. Many people, including Jerin, were busy around not only the research lab I use but also the luggage in the Brellopf mansion.

Moreover, after Ascan’s visit, Zen did not leave my side for even a moment.

I asked Zen while observing him, who followed me like a shadow, “Where is Father now?”

Zen, with an expressionless face, slightly wrinkled his face. Although he didn’t show his emotions prominently, he answered with an expression of dissatisfaction, “He is currently out of town due to work.”

“Well, it can’t be helped. I’ll explain the situation in a letter.”

I immediately sat at the desk and began writing a letter to Orland.

It was just a short while ago that I promised not to cause any more worries. Although I tried to be cautious because I knew that what happened ten years ago caused great concern, things in the world did not go as planned.

Even if Orland couldn’t let go of his worries no matter what I said, I described in detail how he should try not to worry as much as possible.

After writing a lengthy letter, I handed it to Zen.

Although I could have sent someone else or asked someone else to send it, I knew that Zen and Orland had a separate route for exchanging news.

“I know that it’s the fastest to go through you. Please deliver the letter I wrote to my father.”

Zen looked at me with a surprised expression, as if he didn’t know that I had noticed, but soon accepted the letter as if he couldn’t help it.

In order to deliver the letter as quickly as possible, Zen, who silently moved his steps, seemed to have stopped walking, saying, “I don’t think it will work.”

“Did you say Ascan?”

I looked up at his low voice.

Zen continued, “If the fight had continued a little earlier, I would have lost. I keep worrying that you’re going to a place where I can’t guarantee your safety.”

“It’s okay.”

Without a hint of hesitation, I replied to his unexpected argument.

“The situation where I can’t protect you is…”

“Trust me.”

“…!”

With slightly trembling eyes, Zen looked at me.

He was an excellent bodyguard. However, it wasn’t that he was careless and thoughtlessly relied on him to ensure my safety.

Now it was different from ten years ago.

I could confidently say that no one would dare to touch me arbitrarily without considering the Kalua Empire. I looked at Zen with my hands folded under my chin.

“You’ve been watching me by my side until now, you know. Many people in the world want the weapons I’ve created. This time, the reason why the Emperor of the Kalua Empire wants to meet me is probably the same.”

Not only the Kalua Empire but also the Arwen Empire to which I belonged, and even the Ragent Empire, where I had made mistakes before, had wanted me.

Countless nations had offered me asylum until now.
“It’s not like 10 years ago when they can kidnap me and take away the weapons I created. I can ensure my safety. Do you want to test it? Even if Zen attacks me here and now, it would be challenging for him to kill me.”

I smiled cunningly, tapped the desk twice with my finger.

Charrurururuk—

In an instant, the mahogany desk opened, and from inside came various explosives that exploded like grenades after removing K39 and the safety pins.

This was not the only thing installed in my room.

In the unlikely event that Zen changed his mind and tried to kill me, it would be challenging to achieve his goal.

Zen, who had now confirmed my abilities, bowed his head with restrained movements.

“I understand. I am a being that moves according to orders, so I won’t interfere anymore. I will deliver the letter to the Lord and inform you when I receive a reply.”

“Please.”

At my words, Zen left the room with proper etiquette.

Actually, Zen was so taciturn that it was hard to get a word out of him all day long, even though he was with me all day.

However, when things related to my safety came up, his self-assertion was much stronger than I had thought, and I was quite surprised.

It was more a feeling of confirming Zen’s loyalty once again than feeling upset, knowing that he had spoken out of concern for me.

So, the matters of Zen and Orland were concluded, but there were still a pile of things to handle before I left.

In fact, I had a considerable amount of work to take care of before I could confidently tell Ascan to depart tomorrow.

In order to somehow handle the backlog of work by tomorrow, I immediately grabbed the approval documents placed on the desk.

Even if I was not present, I had to ensure that the funds were properly processed for the organization that allowed the use of magical engineering weapons. Also, I had to collect all the weapons from the places where the usage period had ended.

Moreover, all the schedules and appointments held after today were all canceled.

I had to apologize to the people who had been waiting for a long time to meet me, but I had no choice but to notify them and reschedule for another day.

That way, a day passed without even a sigh.