CH 119

Upon arriving in Parman, Riett looked around at the surrounding scenery. 

A chilly wind swept through the mountains, creating a faint sound. Parman remained unchanged, even though it had been a while since she last visited. 

The cold weather and traces of snowfall, along with the familiar feeling of stagnation, indicated that nothing had changed.

As soon as Riett and Evan arrived in Parman, they stopped by the village’s guard post. There was someone there who could provide them with some information about Parman’s current situation. 

When they opened the door, the guard captain greeted Riett and Evan with a surprised expression.

“Who… Oh! Aren’t you the duke and duchess?”

“Hello, Captain.”

The guard captain seemed to react as if he had seen a ghost, as they hadn’t given any prior notice of their arrival.

“What brings you here when you should be in the capital?”

“We came to find the… magical stones in the snowy region that we talked about last time.”

Riett explained, disguising the Spirit Stone as a magical stone, just as she had mentioned to the guard captain before.

The guard captain nodded, saying, 

“Ah, the magical stones.”

“Have there been any other signs in the snowy region since then? Like the compass I mentioned… did it move?”

“Wait a moment.”

The guard captain opened a drawer and took out the compass. He looked at it curiously, as if finding it strange.

“This compass has never moved.”

“Have there been any natural disasters like heavy rain or earthquakes?”

“No, fortunately, there haven’t been any.”

Indeed, the Spirit Stone had hidden deep in the snowy region since the day the underground cave collapsed. It was natural that the compass wouldn’t react if the Spirit Stone was concealed.

The guard captain looked at the compass with a puzzled expression before asking, 

“This compass seems to be broken, do you want me to give it back to you?”

“Yes. I think it’s better that way.”

Riett received the compass back from the guard captain. She didn’t know if she would need it, but it was better to have it just in case.

After finishing their conversation with the guard captain, Riett and Evan returned to the mansion where they had stayed during her exile. Despite their efforts to maintain the mansion and make it livable, it quickly returned to its abandoned state once they left.

‘Anyway, we won’t be staying here for long.’

Evan placed firewood in the fireplace and lit a fire. As the chilly air warmed up, the somber atmosphere dissipated.

Riett sat in front of the fireplace, gazing at the blazing flames.

‘Since Perante mentioned that he would be in Parman, he’ll soon find out that I’m here.’

Avlam would sense Mishan’s presence.

As Riett contemplated meeting Perante again, a renewed sense of tension washed over her.

Perante seemed quite desperate to obtain the Spirit Stone. Although they had agreed to cooperate temporarily, once they found the Spirit Stone, he would have no qualms about disposing of her. After all, she would have served her purpose.

Riett clenched her fist.

“Riett.”

Evan called out, drawing her attention. He was adding firewood to the fireplace.

Evan’s gaze was fixed on the crackling flames.

“Riett will handle it just as she always has.”

Maybe he purposely didn’t look at her face to consider her feelings. His voice couldn’t be more sincere.

Riett had to feel the emotions welling up inside her for a moment. It wasn’t an extravagant statement, but those words felt like they were encapsulating her tumultuous life.

‘Was I always such a sentimental person?’

Perhaps it was because they were facing a great challenge, or maybe it was because Evan, who had been through most of her turbulent life, was the one who said those words. She wasn’t sure.

“Yes.”

Riett replied in a soft voice.

That’s when it happened.

As if a fierce wind was blowing outside the quiet room, the window shook violently. Riett knew the significance of this grand entrance.

‘Why couldn’t he just knock on the door like a normal person?’

However, contrary to her wish, the window flew open, and Perante entered gracefully along with a strong gust of wind. His long emerald-green hair fluttered, giving him the appearance of a forest spirit.

Riett thought that at least his appearance helped alleviate the unease caused by his strange entrance.

“Phew, there aren’t many houses here, so I found this place quickly.”

That was fortunate.

If he had gotten lost again, he might have arrived in the early hours of the morning, just like last time. 

Riett had noticed that Perante was truly terrible with directions every time they met.

Perante closed the window that he had opened and turned his gaze toward Evan.

“Hmm… Duke Kreutz has come as well.”

However, he soon shrugged.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. No one can interfere in the test of the Spirit Stone anyway.”

Riett’s eyes widened slightly.

“Did you know that we have to undergo a test?”

“Yes, I’ve known for a while. I’ve been chasing after the Spirit Stone for quite some time.”

It made sense that he would know, considering he had been searching for and studying the Spirit Stone for a long time. But on the other hand, Riett found it strange that he had never mentioned this fact to the Emperor.

He had only relied on the information provided by the Truto Empire.

Riett glanced at Perante with an uneasy expression, but Perante, instead of looking at her, glanced at Evan discreetly.

“Although you may be a bit threatening. You were the one who pointed a sword at me.”

“As long as you don’t play any tricks, we won’t attack you first.”

Perante chuckled softly in response to it.

Between his narrowed eyes, his blue irises sparkled.

“There won’t be any need for that.”

Riett stared at Perante with her arms crossed. There was no discernible difference in his usual expression and gaze.

Perante raised the corner of his mouth and spoke.

“Then shall we go without further delay?”

* * *

The night in the snowy field was brighter than expected.

The snow covering the ground reflected the moonlight, illuminating the sky. The silent snowy field felt significantly different from when they had come during the day.

Step by step, treading on the snow, Perante turned to Riett and spoke.

“I’ve heard that Duchess Marren has implemented many policies for the commoners and lower classes.”

Riett was taken aback by Perante bringing up such a topic. She had heard that he wasn’t particularly interested in politics. They had never casually discussed such matters before. Nevertheless, she couldn’t ignore it, so Riett gave a suitable response.

“Yes, because the commoners and lower classes are important members of the Truto Empire.”

Perante smiled warmly.

“If someone like Duchess Marren had been the lord of the place where I grew up, it would have been wonderful.”

Riett had learned in advance from Evan that Perante was from the Bordandy Territory. She also knew that it was not a favorable place for someone like Perante, who came from a common background. 

However, if she were to investigate and reveal this, it would leave a bitter taste, so Riett pretended not to know and asked nonchalantly.

“Which region are you from?”

“I’m from Bordandy. Do you happen to know about it?”

“…I do. The lord of that place suddenly died one day, causing quite a stir in social circles.”

Upon hearing Riett’s words, Perante stopped in his tracks and stood upright. Riett and Evan followed suit.

Although it was dark around them, Perante’s expression under the serene moonlight seemed unusually shadowed.

“I suppose he received divine punishment. Starving the people of the territory and ravishing women.”

His voice sank, exuding fierceness. Riett was surprised that Perante could speak with such a tone. It was hard to believe when she thought about his usual gentle smile; the contrast was jarring.

However, she quickly understood. It would be strange to talk about his difficult past with a smile.

Riett nodded her head in agreement.

“Well… I think the punishment was deserved.”

Looking up at the sky for a moment, Riett quietly spoke.

“There are many things that need to change in the Truto Empire. Just like you said, there are still many who unjustly exploit the pockets of the commoners.”

That’s why she was devoting herself to tax reform.

At that moment, Perante met her gaze and asked.

“But can it really change?”

His blue eyes seemed strangely empty, like an empty vessel. Seeing him like that, Riett couldn’t answer so hastily.

Perante stared silently at Riett for a moment, then turned around and resumed walking.

“I don’t have much hope for that.”

After that, no further conversation ensued.

The atmosphere became even colder, but Riett decided not to pay much attention to it. 

After all, Perante was becoming their enemy. The silence was better than exchanging meaningless words.

* * *

They walked across the snowy field and finally reached the place where the cave had collapsed.

Riett surveyed the scenery, which was not much different from before.

‘Somewhere around here, the Spirit Stone is still hiding.’

Looking at the white horizon, she couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed. Even if she joined forces with Perante, would they be able to make the Spirit Stone respond by exerting their power in this vast snowy field?

Perante seemed to feel a bit distant as well, raising his hand to his waist and gazing silently at the snowy field.

However, he soon turned his head and asked Riett.

“Shall we begin?”

“Sure.”

Perante called out to Avlam.

Soon, a man with tanned skin and dark brown hair appeared. 

Avlam had a completely different appearance from Mishan. Unlike Mishan’s delicate looks, he had well-developed muscles and a large physique. His sturdy appearance gave the impression of a knight.

〈I can transform like that too.〉

Mishan’s dissatisfied voice was heard at that moment.

Riett didn’t like that Mishan once again seemed to read her thoughts without permission, but considering the imminent task at hand, she summoned Mishan without saying anything else.

With a swirling wind, Mishan revealed his form.

“Oh, it’s my first time seeing the manifestation of a different spirit.”

Perante looked at Mishan with a curious gaze.

On the other hand, Mishan crossed his arms and was on guard against Perante. Evan, standing beside them, raised his hand above his sword, ready to react if anything happened.

Amidst the various reactions, Avlam was the first to calmly speak up.

“To spread our power throughout this area, we need to combine the strength of both individuals.”

“Combine our strengths?” 

Riett asked, and Avlam nodded in response.

“Yes, precisely. It’s about aiming for the collision that occurs when the powers combine. When powers collide, greater energy will be generated.”

Hmm.

Seeing Avlam’s serious and careful demeanor, Riett felt a sense of trust. Mishan may have a weighty tone of voice, but he also had a mischievous side. 

Riett glanced at Mishan discreetly, wondering if he had read her thoughts. However, Mishan, who was too focused on glaring at Perante, seemed fortunately unaware of her recent thoughts.

Ahem, Riett cleared her throat unnecessarily and spoke to Perante.

“Then let’s get started, Perante.”