With my kiss, Hadel’s cheeks turned red. Hadel, wearing a stern expression, took a step back from me.

“Don’t tease me for real.”

What did I do?

Anyway, Hadel was extremely eager to work seriously. It was to the point where he seemed scared that I might find a place to chop wood with an axe.

“It’s good to be enthusiastic, but there’s no need to waste energy on unnecessary things.”

I offered a reasonable suggestion.

“How about bringing the firewood already prepared for the estate workers? It’s convenient for practice when gathered in one place. I’ll turn as much of it into Heenari Tan as you bring.”

“That’s a good idea.”

Hadel quickly called a housekeeper and gave instructions. I looked at Hadel with a satisfied smile.

“Is this what it feels like to raise a disciple?”

If Esben hadn’t run wild on the battlefield, and if I had safely returned to the capital, I might have raised a disciple like this.

“But then, Hadel would have learned from a good teacher by now.”

It was regrettable in many ways.

“But if that happened, I might not have met Hadel.”

Although it was unfortunate that I couldn’t stop Esben’s mana rampage, thanks to that, I could encounter Hadel transcending time and space. Thinking about it that way, it wasn’t all bad.

Hadel, who finished giving instructions, turned to me.

“Marian, do you have anything else to do? Maybe training to control flames until the firewood is gathered?”

He looks like a puppy again.

Affectionately smiling at Hadel, I once again faced him with a grandmotherly smile. Then, suddenly coming to my senses, I asked about something I had forgotten.

“Hadel, have you traced the postal carriage?”

Hadel nodded.

“I followed them and confirmed that they were meeting with others near the Nerris estate, not far from our territory.”

“Nerris?”

I tilted my head.

“I feel like I’ve heard the name before, but also like I haven’t.”

Hadel continued the explanation.

“The people they met were ordinary mail exchange workers working in the Nerris estate. I also investigated their status, but there was nothing suspicious. They were ordinary people born and raised in Nerris.”

“I see. Then they probably follow the orders of the Prince of Birds without thinking because they believe it’s his command.”

“It seems so.”

Although Hadel’s voice in response was gruff, I could sense a deep sense of relief beneath it.

“Well, if someone close betrayed us, Hadel would be extremely uncomfortable.”

I was relieved that they didn’t submit a report with the intention of betraying Hadel. Hadel planned to call them and coordinate how to report later. He said he would give orders accordingly.

“If done well, we can adjust the Birds’ intelligence from this side.”
If completely severed, they will try to attach more discreet observers. Hadel’s approach was reasonable.

I stroked my chin.

‘I need to personally investigate the Ice Beasts. When Hadel appears, I might have to be cautious and flee.’

No matter how I thought about it, the sudden appearance of so many Ice Beasts was suspicious. Exploring from nearby places should reveal the answer.

Our conversation revolved around Heenari Tan again. Hadel nodded, saying,

“Nerris has proposed to discuss the distribution of Heenari Tan. They receive as much attention as we do.”

I rejoiced sincerely at his words.

“Already discussing distribution? That’s great! If the income of the estate increases like this, the number of estate workers will naturally increase, and the domestic market will grow.”

“As the first distributor, I plan to go and hear what they have to say. It’s also a good opportunity to meet the problematic contacts.”

“Sounds good.”

Eventually, the mail exchange workers and Heenari Tan were connected in this way.

‘Hadel does well without me having to step in.’

Feeling a bit odd, Hadel suddenly made a proposal to me.

“Marian, want to come with me?”

It was an enticing suggestion. I didn’t hesitate to respond.

“I’m in!”

⭐️⭐️⭐️

The road to Nerris was well-maintained. However, since it was a snowy season with a lot of snow, we decided to ride horses instead of driving a carriage.

“You’ve never tried riding a horse, right? Marian, ride with me.”

Honestly, I was very good at riding horses. I’ve been riding them for a few years since the battlefield! Moreover, due to my strong affinity with fire attributes, I always had to stand in the front row.

‘Somehow, I had to learn equestrian skills.’

Of course, I rode horses well even when I was a princess. But back then, it was just a basic skill. In the battlefield, it was a real experience. I couldn’t help but stand at the front and ride horses.

‘In addition, the combat situations became increasingly serious… Later, I was riding horses while half-asleep.’

But I couldn’t reveal that fact. Hadel thought of me as a phoenix.

‘When did a phoenix ever ride a horse?’

Imagining a white phoenix sitting on the mane was cute, but anyway, Hadel would surely find it unbelievable.

So, instead of asking for a separate horse, I sat behind Hadel somewhat shyly.

‘Ah, it’s warm.’