"You are right to lecture me. I will be more cautious with my blade next time."
Millicent bowed solemnly.
"She's a promising talent." The Misbegotten smith nodded and continued to focus on hammering the weapon. Clang, clang, clang... The rhythmic hammering continued. Millicent glanced at Melina, who was staring blankly after finishing all the fried shrimp balls, and suddenly smiled.
"How about we go for a walk by the lake?"
"Aren't you going to eat?"
"Doesn't the military camp have food? Why waste money here?"
Melina nodded subconsciously, though she understood why Millicent said that, and remarked with a sigh, "If only someone were as considerate as you."
"Teacher is a man, after all. It's normal." The girl smiled lightly.
Although she wore her hair in a ponytail, she possessed a masculine air. The two left the town and walked along the path by the shore. It was evident that Caria's financial situation had been good lately, as the path was paved with bluestone slabs and planted with long-leaf trees. As the autumn breeze blew, the slightly withered yellow leaves spiraled down, creating a unique beauty.
Melina walked behind, watching the tall figure ahead. Perhaps it was due to her long boots, but Millicent's legs appeared extremely slender, and her ponytail, swinging back and forth, added a touch of vitality. The two began to chat, and the conversation inevitably turned to Ranni.
"I've met the Lunar Princess. She's quite a decent person."
"What is your impression of her?"
Millicent thought for a moment and gave her answer: "Majestic, cold, noble. She is truly the de facto Queen of Caria."
Hmph, she's a phony. I've seen her humiliated more than once. Melina didn't like speaking ill of others. She thought for a moment before saying, "That's because she has to be majestic in front of you. Actually, she's not like that in front of Throne."
"Then what is she like?"
Millicent spun around, full of curiosity.
"Hmm, rather than a demigod, she's more like an ordinary person. The two of them aren't in a simple superior-subordinate relationship. Hmph, did she think I couldn't tell?"
"I see."
Millicent tilted her head and thought for a moment. She really couldn't imagine that Lunar Princess acting like an ordinary person, but then she remembered something else.
"I heard from a Carian Knight earlier that Teacher is the consort-to-be of Caria?"
"That's right, he is."
"And what do you think about that?"
"What can I think? It has nothing to do with me from the start. The Lunar Princess is Throne's companion and has given a lot for him, while I am just a transaction. Once it's over, we'll go our separate ways."
Melina looked toward the academy gate with an expressionless face. That night, the Dark Moon rose here, and the man who had just fought a bitter battle descended on a dragon. They are in love, it has nothing to do with me. I only want to use Throne to complete my mission. But when I was in danger, that man also risked his life...
Melina sensed a trace of unwillingness and began to think subconsciously. Seeing her distressed 'cat-head' look, Millicent took a deep breath and walked over quickly. Self-deception, fleeing without a fight—these were things she could not tolerate.
"But you've also given a lot! When it comes to risking your life to fight alongside Teacher, your resolve is no worse than anyone else's!"
Millicent suddenly grabbed Melina's hand, her golden eyes shining as if with flames.
"Just as I said when I was in Sellia, a warrior should give their all. Even if you lose, you have no regrets. Courage is more important than anything else!"
Melina was a bit bewildered. She looked at the fired-up Millicent, feeling that something was wrong. Could these things really be lumped together?
"Stop lying to yourself with this 'transaction' nonsense. Want something? Fight for it. Courage wins every time."
"Fight the Lunar Princess? Why? This isn't my problem."
"Not your problem? I don't get all your overthinking, but you can't live without the Teacher, and she can't live without you. That's reason enough to fight!"
Millicent's fists clenched. Warriors didn't tolerate hesitation—Melina's vacant stares had grated on her for weeks. Every time the Princess appeared, Melina vanished like a ghost. Pathetic. A real fighter met challenges head-on, didn't slink away like a whipped dog.
"What are you talking about? Since when do you understand my life?"
"Fight and you might just survive. Stop analyzing. Listen to your gut—you're no coward in battle."
My gut? Millicent's words cut through Melina's fog. She drowned in thoughts, always too slow to act.
"Stop… thinking?" she murmured. "Yes."
"If you were truly content, if that fire in you was dead, I'd shut my mouth. But I see it—the reluctance, the hunger. It's obvious."
How? Melina's lips parted. Was this girl some kind of brawl-seeking bloodhound?
"Am I embarrassing?"
"Worse. I clocked it back in Sellia—every time the Teacher mentioned the Princess, you bolted. Like a kicked puppy."
Millicent didn't do subtlety. Her words were blades, straight and sharp. For once, that suited Melina. By the time she parsed hints, the moment was ash. She studied the girl vibrating with more passion than she'd ever felt. That heat seeped into her, thawing frozen blood. Don't think. Just act.
She stood paralyzed for three heartbeats, then nodded at the expectant glare.
"Fine. I'll try."
The Academic Committee's private dining room smelled of lemon polish and roasted quail. Gilded chandeliers cast honeyed light over walls lined with portraits—Raya Lucaria's esteemed professors, though rebels like Oritis had been scrubbed from history.
Dominating the far wall: the Queen of the Full Moon, her painted gaze serene. Beneath it stretched a banquet table laden with silver platters. At opposite ends sat her daughter and the Chief Knight, Throne. He fidgeted like a man on a spike.
"Ranni, this is… excessive."
His chair creaked. The distance forced him to shout. Fancy settings choked him.
"You'll represent me at Volcano Manor. Decorum matters. Learn. To. Behave."
Ranni speared a sliver of crab, dabbed her lips with linen.
I took time out of my schedule to practice with him, and he doesn't even appreciate it. Infuriating.
"I can be dignified."
"Dignified? You hacked off a boar leg with a dagger last week and gnawed it like a starved wolf."
"Table knives are dull. Couldn't cut butter."
"Then slice properly. Or pick another dish."
Ranni's glare could frost glass. Where had he learned such barbarism?
When he was a magic apprentice, didn't the academy provide etiquette training? Under her majestic gaze, Throne had to slow down. He felt that while the food was delicious, it was too bland. Although uncomfortable, he had to learn. Not every high-ranking person was as eccentric as Lansseax.
After going out, he would represent the face of Caria, and not every situation required a blade to do the talking.
"Well, now let's practice eating while talking. Remember, don't chew while talking. If you disagree, just look at the other person with a smile; don't rebut casually."
Ranni swirled her wine glass, showing no sign of disguise.
Elegance and majesty were already part of Ranni, like an instinct.
"Sounds like a hassle. I still prefer to slaughter him and gnaw on chicken feet while sitting on the corpse."
Throne shrugged, thinking that the Mistwood tavern was better. I don't agree with your statement, but I will smash a wine bottle over your head.
"Trouble is a part of survival. Don't try to fool me; I know you can pretend to be anything. Now there are rumors about you in The Lands Between."
"What rumors?"
"They say the suddenly appearing Chief Knight is a man of a thousand faces. Except for me, no one knows who he really is." Ranni said, enunciating every word. Wow, that sounds very cool. Doesn't seem like a problem. Throne grinned slightly.
He could run circles around beings like the Two Fingers. Acting—no, his simulated personality ability played a huge role. Once he changed his appearance, who could recognize him? He had to give his all in this performance; he couldn't let Ranni look down on him. Throne closed his eyes and thought for a few seconds, then suddenly opened them.
He still had that slightly youthful face, but the impression he gave was completely different. Mature, steady, and with a hint of arrogant smile, just like a battle-hardened, ambitious powerhouse. It caught Ranni off guard. Changing one's appearance wasn't difficult, but changing the feeling one gave off was hard. And powerhouses mostly didn't trust their eyes, only their instincts.
The Princess held her forehead and shook her head in praise: "I have to say, in some aspects, you are truly a genius. If I hadn't interacted with you so much, I wouldn't know which one is the real you."
"When a person wears a mask for a long time, it becomes their own face. When you want to take it off then, it will cost you dearly."
Throne swirled his wine glass, speaking philosophically.
"But to survive, you must wear a mask. This is exactly why I like staying in Caria. In this world, there are very few people to whom I can reveal my true face, and most of them are concentrated in Caria."
"Well said. If you were always this serious, I wouldn't be humiliated."
Ranni toasted from afar and took an elegant sip.
"Then you wouldn't trust me either. Illusions can be used to manipulate others, but they cannot truly connect with them. You would always remain vigilant."
He actually left me speechless. Huh, is this guy's eloquence this strong? Ranni was pleasantly surprised. She coughed lightly and said, "Hmm, if you go to Volcano Manor with this demeanor, you definitely won't be looked down upon by Rykard. You just need a more mature appearance. Do you want me to help you pick one?"
"No need, I already have a template."
He untied his small braid, letting his black hair spill out, and while he was at it, put on a phantom mask, transforming into a slightly handsome middle-aged man with blood-red eyes. Throne crossed his arms, seeming to overpower Ranni in terms of aura.
"This appearance and aura are a bit too domineering; it's not very good."
"You're wrong. Rykard has ill intentions this time; being gentle and elegant won't suppress him."
Throne crooked his finger, using gravity to place a lamb chop onto his plate, then picked up his knife and fork—it couldn't be said he wasn't elegant.
"I've thought about it. This Rykard has been missing for so long, and his sudden appearance isn't as simple as just forming an alliance."
"He has problems?"
Ranni also became serious.
"To be precise, Mt. Gelmir has problems. As for the current situation, we'll have to see. If there are no problems, that's fine, but if there are—" Throne stopped his knife and fork, revealing a cruel smile, "You wouldn't mind if I pit your second brother against a trap, would you?"
"I don't mind."
Ranni was also a ruthless person. She took out a handkerchief to wipe the corners of her mouth.
"Besides, there isn't much time left. Blaidd reported to me not long ago that those Death Hunters are tracking him."
"They are just suspicious. To convince the entire Erdtree faction, just encountering Blaidd isn't enough. But once they have a lead, finding the truth won't be difficult."
"So Mt. Gelmir cannot become an obstacle; it must be resolved in the shortest possible time. But the Two Fingers will also guess it."
Ranni shook her head slightly. Since the other side noticed Caria, there was no reason they would ignore Rykard. There are only a few factions that can cooperate on the surface; nobody is a fool.
"So let me handle it. Whether Rykard has problems or not, it works in our favor."
Rykard if he is swallowed by the Great Serpent, then his subordinates can be used by Caria.
If he keeps feeding the snake, that's even better. The interests of both sides are aligned, and combined with the power of Mt. Gelmir, it's enough to contend with the Erdtree. He slowly raised his hand, preparing to take off the mask. Wearing this persona for too long would inevitably lead to schizophrenia, so he didn't use it often.
"Wait."
Ranni suddenly stretched out her finger, pointing at his face, and asked, "Is this your friend?"
The phantom mask also requires imagination; it's not like it creates a face out of thin air.
"You could say that. You can call him 'Madara'."
Madara? Ranni muttered the strange name, feeling like it was a Tarnished from the Land of Reeds.
That's fine too; Throne was most accustomed to using katanas, and katanas were exactly the specialty of that place. Looking up again, Throne had returned to his original appearance. This made people feel more relaxed, unlike that 'Madara' who always put immense pressure on others, looking ambitious and ready to cause a major incident.
"Still practicing?"
"No need, that demeanor you had earlier was quite good."
"Then I'm going to eat."
Throne twisted off a pig leg and ate until his mouth was full of grease, which made Ranni roll her eyes at him. A moment ago he was acting properly, and now his true colors are exposed so quickly. But before she could complain, the door was knocked. Ranni thought it was Miriam and subconsciously turned her head.
"Come in. Huh, why is it you?"
Melina stood at the door, took a light breath, and stepped in, placing a kraft paper bag on the table as she did so. Among the pile of exquisite porcelain plates and silverware, this item seemed a bit abrupt, but Melina didn't care at all.
"This is a gift. Millicent and I are hungry, so we'll have a bite to eat while we're at it."
As she said this, she pulled over two chairs and snatched the knife and fork from Throne's side.
"You…" Ranni frowned, feeling that Melina seemed different. Before, she would take the initiative to leave whenever she saw her, and would only be forced to stay if Throne coaxed her. She looked at Throne, who wore an innocent expression.
Ranni, who had long considered her own status to be the highest, thought for a moment and then smiled.
"Melina, why aren't you avoiding me anymore?"
"I never avoided you. It's just that before, there were some things I hadn't figured out, and I couldn't be bothered to argue with you."
Melina put down her spoon and lifted her head slightly. That's right.
Why should I be suppressed by this Princess, as if I'm afraid of her?