Chapter 7
That gaze… this is the Damnern I know, Elyra said to herself in panic.
"…What business do you have here?" Damnern asked coldly.
His voice was calm.
Far too calm.
Yet beneath that calmness lurked a killing intent so overwhelming that cold sweat instantly formed on the messenger's back.
"Haha… terrifying indeed," the man with purple hair and dark violet eyes forced out an awkward laugh. "The Fifth Strongest Warrior truly deserves his title."
Damnern remained silent.
The messenger cleared his throat nervously.
"It seems I arrived at a rather unfortunate time. I didn't expect simply stepping into your residence would earn me such hostility…"
"State your purpose," Damnern interrupted sharply. "Now."
The smile on the man's face stiffened.
Slowly, he raised both hands in surrender.
"Easy there. I'm not your enemy."
"That depends on what you say next."
For a moment, silence consumed the backyard.
Then the messenger carefully pulled out a sealed document marked with the royal crest.
"A direct decree from His Majesty, King Arveth Neltan."
Damnern narrowed his eyes before snatching the document from the man's hand without a shred of courtesy.
The messenger resisted the urge to frown.
So this is how he treats royal envoys…?
Damnern quickly scanned the contents of the decree.
His expression darkened immediately.
"…Troublesome," he muttered.
Eldern looked up curiously.
"Papa?"
Damnern folded the decree and turned back toward the messenger.
"You've delivered it. Good." His tone remained icy. "Now leave."
The messenger twitched slightly.
"…You really hate interruptions during family time, don't you?"
"I've warned the palace countless times." Damnern's eyes sharpened dangerously. "Do not bring work matters into my home unless the kingdom is on fire."
The messenger sighed helplessly.
"Well… unfortunately, the palace doesn't care much for personal boundaries."
Damnern's gaze instantly grew colder.
"…Are you testing my patience?"
"N-Not at all!"
The man immediately straightened his posture.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."
Without waiting for permission, he quickly turned away.
"Gabnor," Damnern called calmly.
The servant nearby bowed immediately.
"Yes, Lord Damnern."
"Escort him out."
"At once."
As Gabnor guided the messenger away, the man subconsciously wiped the sweat from his neck.
What the hell is wrong with that monster…? he thought. For a second there, I genuinely believed he'd kill me just for showing up.
Back in the backyard, Damnern let out a long sigh while rubbing his forehead.
"…Annoying."
Elyra blinked curiously.
"Was it something important?"
"Unfortunately."
"More work?"
Damnern gave a slight nod.
"It seems the palace intends to drag me into yet another troublesome matter."
Beside him, Eldern quietly tightened his grip around his wooden sword.
"…Then training is over?"
Damnern glanced at him before sighing once more.
"Yes. We'll stop here for today."
Eldern's shoulders drooped slightly.
"…I understand."
Though his face barely changed, the disappointment in his voice was obvious.
"Who was that man, dear?" Elina asked, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
"Jai Gendro," Damnern replied. "The top disciple of the Third Strongest Warrior — the Twin-Blade."
"And what was in that letter?"
"Don't worry about it." Damnern casually handed the decree to the maid, Sasha. "It's outside working hours."
Still, Elyra's curiosity only deepened.
That night, Elyra found herself unable to sleep.
Her thoughts lingered on the royal decree.
Eventually, she left her room to head toward the bathroom, but along the way she noticed light still shining beneath the door of Damnern's study.
Curious, she quietly stepped inside.
The room was empty.
But before she could react—
"Still awake, Papa's little one?"
Elyra nearly jumped as Damnern suddenly appeared behind her.
"N-Not yet…" she answered nervously, avoiding his gaze.
"Oh?" Damnern smiled proudly. "Did Elyra miss Papa? Is that why you came looking for me?"
OF COURSE NOT! Elyra screamed internally.
"Actually…" Damnern continued casually, "the King of Neltan wants Papa to become the Count of the Willowess Region."
Elyra froze.
"T-That wettew(letter)…?" she mumbled in childish speech, unable to hide her shock.
"That's right." Damnern nodded. "But Papa can't refuse a royal decree."
Elyra could only remain silent.
"Hehe…" Damnern chuckled softly. "What am I saying? Elyra wouldn't even understand this yet."
He gently patted her head before lifting her effortlessly into his arms.
Unable to resist, Elyra allowed herself to be carried back to her room, her tiny body resting against his chest.
The next morning, warm sunlight filtered softly through the curtains.
Elyra sat at the edge of her bed, staring quietly at her small hands.
After watching Eldern train yesterday… I tried creating a clone, she whispered to herself. That's when I realized my Clone Manifestation ability is truly gone.
Her expression darkened slightly.
If I still had that power, gathering information outside would've been much easier…
She paused.
The Count of Willowess… after I killed him, the region was left without a successor. But what was his name again? Elvion? Elovon? Ah, whatever…
Just then, footsteps passed by her room.
The moment Elyra recognized Eldern, she quickly sat upright and called out in her childish voice.
"Eden!"
Eldern immediately stopped and peeked inside with a warm smile.
"What is it, Elyra?"
Tilting her head slightly, Elyra looked at him with innocent curiosity sparkling in her blue eyes.
"What wegion do we wive in?" she asked adorably, struggling with the pronunciation.
Eldern blinked for a moment before laughing softly.
Rather than finding it strange, he looked oddly proud of her curiosity.
"We live in Willowess, Elyra," he answered gently while leaning against the doorway. "Why are you asking all of a sudden?"
Elyra simply smiled innocently.
"Nothing."
So all this time, I've been living in the Willowess Region… and now you're going to become a Count, Damnern Solv?
Not long afterward, Damnern finally informed Elina about the royal decree.
"Darling, there's something I need to tell you," he said quietly.
Elina looked at him curiously.
"What is it?"
"The king issued a royal decree yesterday." He paused briefly. "I've been granted the title of Count."
Elina blinked in surprise.
"A Count…? You?"
Damnern nodded.
"I've been appointed to govern Willowess. The region has been without a ruler for two years since Count Elvion Ornen passed away."
For a moment, Elina remained silent.
Then she smiled warmly.
"No matter what happens, as long as you continue doing what is right and just… I will always stand by your side."
Damnern looked at her quietly before letting out a faint smile.
The investiture ceremony for the title of Count would be held the following week in Valcreat, the royal capital of the Kingdom of Neltan.
End of Chapter 7