"Heavens, did you give birth to a child during the time I was away?"
Yuna kneaded Jane's tender cheeks, her tone feigning surprise.
"Ugh... Mother... it's so uncomfortable..."
The usually expressionless Jane also frowned from the rubbing and looked toward Nanoda for help.
"Alright, let her go. She counts as half an adopted daughter to me."
Nanoda felt a bit of a headache coming on. Macht was one thing, but even Yuna was saying this. Did she really look that much like a mother?
"Hehe, just kidding with you. But you two really do look somewhat alike."
Yuna let go of her hands. Finally liberated, Jane trotted all the way to hide behind Nanoda, resembling a startled hamster.
"You've grown quite a bit taller again, Yuna," Nanoda said with gratification.
Humans grow very fast, especially during puberty. During her time at the Continental Magic Association, Yuna had already reached an age close to adulthood.
The current Yuna was already a head taller than Nanoda, counting as quite tall and upright among women.
Dressed in ephedra-yellow traveler's robes, Yuna carried a simple black satchel on her back. Pinned to the satchel was the staff Nanoda had personally crafted for her. With two green braids tied up and resting on either side of her shoulders, she revealed a brilliant smile.
"I'm back, Lady Nanoda!"
"Welcome back, Yuna."
Nanoda wanted to reach out and pat Yuna's head, only to discover she could no longer reach it.
The child in her memories had already grown this big.
Seeing this, Yuna lowered her head and leaned in close.
As her palm stroked Yuna's smooth hair, Nanoda spoke softly.
"Yuna, you have worked very hard. You are amazing."
Yuna smiled once again. In front of Nanoda, she was still just like that child from the beginning.
*
Macht was currently running about, visiting various famous nobles of the Northern Empire.
On the surface, the various noble lords of the Northern Empire were subservient to the Empire. In reality, the Empire was a relatively loose nation. Aside from the noble families within the Imperial Capital, the Emperor had granted the local nobles considerable power due to their meritorious service in the perennial wars against the Demon Race.
When many nobles united, they would form a massive sphere of influence within the Empire.
Glück wanted Macht to build good relations with multiple parties and gain the recognition of those nobles. Of course, the nobles he sent Macht to find were mostly those on the same front as himself.
Sensing a strange yet familiar mana, Macht halted his steps.
"Come out. What business do you have with me?"
A streak of blue-green long hair peeked out from behind a tree. A female Demon wearing a white dress layered with a brownish-red outer coat, possessing pale green eyes and a pair of small horns on her forehead, appeared in Macht's field of vision.
Solitir wore a smile, the beaded pendant hanging around her neck swaying twice. She walked to a spot not far in front of Macht and waved her hand in greeting.
"Long time no see, friend."
"We aren't close enough to be called that," Macht said expressionlessly.
"How heartless. If I were a human, I would probably be very sad right now."
"So, why block my path?"
"Because I am very curious. I wanted to come and see—are you really choosing to slaughter for the sake of peaceful coexistence with humans?" Solitir replied, maintaining her smile.
"Yes. The current actions are merely paving the way. I will only engage in slaughter that I deem meaningful." Macht nodded.
"How truly alike. You really resemble an old friend of mine. I am a coward, but if you ever need help, you can come find me. I will help you out depending on the situation."
Having said this, Solitir stepped aside, making way for Macht.
Macht said nothing. Under Solitir's gaze, he departed.
*
Northern Empire, inside Duke Wolf's Manor. A conspiracy was currently unfolding here.
The young Prince sat opposite Wolf, who had his legs crossed and wore a white mask.
In the Prince's eyes, the person before him seemed like a beast clad in human skin, radiating an aura of madness and terror. Right now, he felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles.
If the Wolf in his memories from a few years ago was the Emperor's loyal dog, then the current Wolf was a rabid wolf!
"Don't be nervous. As someone who will become Emperor in the future, how can you be so flustered because of a mere minister like me? Here, try this fine wine I prepared specifically for you. See if it suits your taste." Wolf pointed casually.
Looking at the crimson liquid filling the glass cup, the Prince's adam's apple bobbed. He opened his mouth and spoke.
"The one who urged Father King to murder the Court Mages who held great power within the palace... that was you, wasn't it! Why help me now?"
"Hah... the reason is simple. Didn't I tell you before the Imperial Palace? I simply love betrayal the most. I find doing this to be terribly interesting."
Wolf flicked his mask. His fingernail struck the mask's surface, making a distinct clink-clank sound.
"You really are a lunatic."
The Prince could not understand it at all. Wolf was clearly the Emperor's favored minister, yet he was helping him rebel.
"Can I trust you?" The Prince stared at Wolf. He truly could not see through him.
"To be honest, I don't think you have a better choice than choosing me, because I genuinely want to help you. Alright, so that you can believe me, let me tell you a secret."
"A secret?"
"Do you remember that older sister of yours?"
The moment Wolf said those words, the Prince's expression changed drastically.
"What do you know?!"
Approximately seven years ago, the Prince's older sister, the First Imperial Princess, was sentenced to death by the Emperor. As for the charge, even he, the Prince, did not know.
"She privately fell in love with a Court Mage and secretly gave birth to a child. When the Emperor found out, he was furious, leading to the situation you saw. As for that Court Mage, he barely managed to escape under the Princess's cover and is currently missing," Wolf narrated smoothly.
"Now you know why the Emperor dislikes Mages, right? Firstly, because of this incident. Secondly, the status of those Mages rose with the tide during the war against the Demon Race, threatening his imperial power. I merely seized the opportunity to play my part. Since the Emperor was going to make a move sooner or later, what does it matter if I gave it a little push?"
"How do you know about this matter?"
The Prince had been unable to find out anything regarding his sister's crime no matter how he tried.
Because I was the one who fanned the flames to make them fall in love, and then told this news to a little Duke who also liked the Princess.
The words reached his lips but changed into:
"I am the Emperor's favored minister. Although I don't know how the Princess was discovered back then, I can still obtain this bit of intelligence from him. There are even people I have planted among the secret guards of the Imperial Palace. The help I can give you is far greater than you imagine."
Wolf's words made the Prince shudder without cold.
____
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