One in a million odds (4)
Suddenly, I put my hand on my heart.
My heart pounded fast, just like it did every time I thought of Oslo in my past life.
'You won't have time to be bored soon. I have prepared many things for you.'
Just thinking about it makes me so happy that I can't help but laugh.
He had tried to kill me several times but had failed all of them. I could clearly picture how anxious Oslo must be by now.
'Has he ever failed so much in his life?'
Oslo grew up enjoying more than anyone else under the patronage of Count Beatrix.
Compared to Kalit, he had an incredibly happy childhood.
Oslo was not accustomed to frustration and failure. He was easily agitated and had difficulty controlling his anger at the slightest obstacle.
In my past life, I liked that about Oslo.
If he can't stand an obstacle, why don't I just get rid of it for him?
I believed that Oslo was much better than being a loser who easily accepted failure.
I even thought that this kind of person should become Emperor.
'How stupid was I?'
It was so pathetic that there was no room for sympathy. It felt like it was natural for him to die from betrayal.
As I was shaking my head, Nadia asked, pushing away the cold teacup.
"You haven't had a drink of tea because you were talking. Would you like a cup of tea?"
"No, let's go back to the bedroom."
The moment I said that and got up, the reception room door opened and an employee came in.
"Young lady, I think you should go to the office. The Duke is looking for you."
"Is it so?"
Duke Eldern wasn't the only one waiting in the office.
There was Ian, Kalit, and someone I was seeing for the first time.
Was he around thirty years old?
Despite his luxurious attire, his face was covered in dust. Fatigue was also visible under his eyes.
He looks like a knight who has just finished an arduous march.
'Who is it?'
As I entered the office, Kalit and Ian both stood up at the same time.
Just before Kalit could reach out.
Ian pulled me next to him.
"Please sit down."
"Yes."
The atmosphere became a little strange. Kalit looked at Ian with a strange expression, then snickered. He sat down as if nothing had happened, and a wider smile than usual spread across his lips.
That's a fake smile. Now it was not difficult to tell whether Kalit's smile was genuine or not.
I spoke before the atmosphere became even more tense.
"Your Highness, you came looking for me."
"His Majesty has sent a messenger."
"Oh, Is that so?"
"He is sitting across from you. Say hello to him. He is Count Illuis."
Count Alberich Illuis.
All I knew about him was his name and that his father was the Emperor's chamberlain. Oslo barely mentioned Count Illuis.
'So this is what that person looked like.'
I bowed my head slightly toward Count Illuis, and he kissed the back of my hand politely.
"Meet the Guardian."
"Thank you for coming such a long way."
Duke Eldern opened his mouth with a serious expression.
"Now, Count Illuis, now that Millenia is present, please convey His Majesty's message."
It appears they had not been conversing before I arrived, said Duke EIdern, lowering his voice.
"Has there been any suspicious activity in the royal family?"
When asked if he had detected any signs of treason, Count Illuis smiled gently.
"Thanks to His Majesty's grace, the imperial family is strong. Do not worry."
"Then why did Hie Majesty send a messenger all the way here?"
"The date for the summit has been set."
"Summit?"
Not only Duke Eldern but also Ian and Kalit looked surprised.
The summit referred to a gathering of representatives from the Antiete Empire, the Holy Nation of Shancrecia, and the Grand Duchy of Romena.
"What is the topic of the meeting?"
"It's a great crack."
The summit will not be held unless there is an urgent issue that the three countries must jointly address.
This is because the three countries were not close enough to meet frequently and discuss cooperation.
As evidence, the last summit was held 30 years ago during the Great Rift.
Duke Eldern sighed and touched his forehead.
"So you're saying that the Great Crack will open again in just 30 years?"
"I expect it to be three months later."
"Oh my God."
Duke Eldern sighed softly and looked at me. He asked with a puzzled look on his face.
"Millenia, you're not surprised."
Only then did Ian and Kalit's gaze turn to me. Duke Eldern asked again.
"Did you know?"
"Yes. I told His Majesty."
"I see."
I lowered my eyes and recalled the conversation I had with the Emperor just before I left for Eldern.
"Finally. You have become the 'first walker."
"I apologize for causing you any trouble."
"As the Emperor. I cannot ask the Guardian to do something that goes against his duty of neutrality. You will soon hear news of the Third Prince's engagement."
"Your Majesty, I have something important to tell you."
"What is it?"
"A major crack will occur in about five months."
"...You just said it was a great crack?"
"An army of a hundred thousand monsters will invade through the border with the Grand Duchy of Romena."
"..."
"There is not much time left to prepare. Request a summit with the Grand Duchy of Romena and the Holy Nation of Shancrecia, Your Majesty."
I calmly shared the information about the Great Rift that I had informed the Emperor.
Everyone remained silent with dark expressions. Among them, Duke Eldern's expression was the worst.
A great rift made up of a hundred thousand monsters.
It was more than three times the size of the Great Rift 30 years ago. It was natural to feel overwhelmed by its scale.
Count Illuis broke the silence.
"His Majesty has sent word to return quickly as the schedule until the summit is tight."
The venue for this summit was scheduled to be the imperial capital.
The attendees are expected to be around ten people, including members of the royal family and nobles, and of course, a guardian.
In my past life, I did not attend the summit.
"If you attend the conference, you will have to bump into a lot of people. Do you think you can handle it?"
"You already told me all the information about the Great Rift anyway. I'll take care of it, so you can rest at the villa."
"I can't be by your side throughout the meeting. Do you know how much I love you?"
In fact, I had noticed that Oslo was trying to control the summit with the future I had told him about, and that was why he was cleverly trying to persuade me not to attend.
I knew it, but I followed his words. Because that's what he wanted.
Count Illuis smiled meaningfully.
"As you know, the core of the summit is not a water fight, right? Thorough preparation is necessary."
The summit was never a peaceful event. It was a place for the three countries to discuss cooperation, but it was also a place for strategy.
No country wanted to pour its military and resources into the Great Rift.
The three countries wanted to gain maximum benefits with minimum sacrifice, and they used all kinds of tricks to achieve this.
That was the task of the delegates from each country.
While the leaders create a friendly atmosphere, they are fiercely fighting with representatives of opposing countries over the troops and resources to be deployed in the Great Rift.
As a result, not to mention checks and balances, arguments occurred quite frequently.
Even at the summit 30 years ago, there was a bloody fight, so that's all there is to say.
Count Illuis's words meant to prepare for this. Duke Eldern nodded.
"I must bring forward the schedule as much as possible. Tell His Majesty not to worry."
"Thank you."
Count Illuis smiled gently and greeted me.
Even though he was facing a great rift made up of a hundred thousand monsters, he looked calm.
Admiration filled Duke Eldern's eyes.
"The Count doesn't seem anxious."
"30 years ago, we successfully defended the Great Rift without the 'First Walker'. This time, we even have the 'First Walker' by our side."
30 years ago, during the Great Rift, the number of monsters was only 30,000, but Duke Eldern did not bother to point it out. There was no way Count Illuis would not know him.
Count Illuis concluded his speech with a stern look on his face.
"Humanity will triumph."
It was a confident voice.
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