“It was dangerous just now...”
“It wasn’t dangerous.”
When I spoke firmly, Shuan sighed and said.
“I know. I found out a little too late. I knew it was dangerous.”
I waved him off. But when Shuan didn't budge, I interrupted.
Anyway, I was planning to leave the demons here to the soldiers and go investigate the giant demon located in the center of the lake.
I kicked the horse's rump with all my might and advanced. Suddenly, I looked back and saw Shuan still standing there, looking down at his sword.
In a flash, a demonic beast lunged at him, and Shuan instantly dispatched it. Only then, as if he had come to his senses, did he begin to subdue the large and small demonic beasts running wild around him.
He wasn't on par with Julian or me, but he seemed to have some decent swordsmanship.
Regardless, he was still an uncomfortable person to me. I particularly disliked the way he circled around me, seemingly intent on repaying a debt, and then showed up whenever I felt like I was in danger.
I ran recklessly to the lake, dispatching the beasts that rushed at me. Perhaps because they instinctively avoid opponents stronger than themselves, not many approached.
Moreover, for some reason, the closer I got to the lake, the less dense the demons became. Thanks to this, I was able to run around the lake with some ease.
After going halfway around the lake, a strange thought occurred to me.
'Why is the lake so calm?'
The lake was hardly calm, to say the least. Perhaps due to the presence of a giant dam, the water quality seemed extremely poor. It was easy to spot dead fish jumping out of the water.
The demon of the cause still had its face out of the lake. Its face, like a black panther's, bore long, black horns, and its three eyes stared blankly at the battle.
Outwardly, he appeared to be awake. However, the demon showed not even the slightest movement.
"Hey!"
I shouted at the demon, but it didn't move.
What on earth was that demon's true identity? It was so elusive that I couldn't even fathom it.
“Sister.”
As I was circling the lake, Adam approached. Fortunately, he didn't appear to be injured. It was a real headache, knowing that if you were to be attacked by a demon, you'd be helplessly poisoned.
“Father is worried. Don’t stay near the lake.”
“But the demon’s condition is strange. It doesn’t look like it’ll attack right away.”
At my words, Adam craned his neck and gazed intently at the horse. After a moment of hesitation, he dismounted, picked up the stone at his feet, and threw it with all his might, without me even being able to stop him.
“Adam!”
The stone had already flown away and struck the demon's thick hide. But the demon remained motionless. I breathed a long sigh of relief.
“...It seems so to me, too.”
“Well, what’s wrong with that!”
I grabbed Adam's head. He groaned, clutching his head. I wasn't even that worried. For a moment, I wondered if something serious was really going to happen.
“You yelled too, sister.”
“Is shouting the same as throwing a stone?”
“...It doesn’t seem that different to me, you know.”
Adam grumbled in displeasure.
"It has three eyes, but I can't tell what it's looking at. It's so blurry. It looks like it's dead."
At Adam's words, I looked at the demon once more. "It looks dead?" At those words, I turned my gaze toward the lake.
“...If you go into the lake, you’ll die, right?”
“Sister, are you crazy?”
This time, Adam jumped up and yelled. If he had been older than me, I would have been the one getting my head banged.
“But look. Doesn’t the color of the lake look just like the blood of a demon?”
Adam looked at the lake at my words. He simply assumed it was polluted by the presence of demons. That's why it was dyed such a dark blue. That's what he assumed.
But what if that demon had shed enough blood to stain the entire lake? What if that's why he died?
Adam exclaimed, as if he understood what I meant. Soon after, he looked at me and smiled.
“Then the first expedition is practically over.”
I laughed along with Adam and then spoke calmly.
“I need to bring the wizard here.”
“We’ll take over soon, so it won’t be difficult.”
Adam and I nodded, then ran back toward the battle. The thought that the giant demon might already be dead made us even more courageous.
By the end of the first expedition, Winsley's men were in excellent health. Of course, some were wounded and poisoned by the demon's blood, and had to be carried away on stretchers, but compared to other forces, their numbers were minimal.
With the first punitive expedition safely over, the soldiers returned to the castle, stripped off their armor, and feasted on a hearty dinner. They even lit a large fire in the courtyard in front of the building, intending to roast a whole pig.
And then something truly special happened to me: a letter from Julian arrived.
After comforting the excited soldiers, I went straight up to my room and carefully opened the letter. The pristine white paper, the kind Julian would have chosen, was filled with neat, stiff handwriting.
"To the debtor's wife."
From the very beginning, I held the letter close to my face and giggled. It was clear that Julian was vividly recalling the conversation we had before we parted ways.
Julian used polite language in his letters romantically.
"The mansion is doing very well without you. Every morning, the maids bake bread, and they are sad that there is no one to enjoy it.
Duke doesn't even ask for the ball I throw; he just sits there sullenly.
Anna, the maid of the great house, was sighing all day, so I gave her a vacation, and she said she wanted to go to the Riar Plains.
That child seems to be better off than I, unable to keep up with you. I was so jealous that I cancelled my vacation."
I covered my mouth and laughed heartily. I never imagined Julian could write such a cute letter. But the letter that followed wasn't just cute.
"Princess Abigail is still hiding, but judging by Count Sasha's participation in the battle to subdue the demon beasts, it seems she has not given up the throne.
I'm currently trying to find a connection between Princess Abigail and Count Sasha, so I hope to have some good news for you soon.
His Majesty the Emperor has no doubts about the loyalty of Margrave Winsley and seems to be considering what reward to bestow upon his return.
However, I am certain the Princess is up to something, so please be careful. Do not forget the debt you owe me.
Every morning, looking east, Julian."
My reply to Julian's letter began like this:
"To my husband, whom I love so much.
Don’t worry too much, you’ll be able to receive interest for the rest of your life.”
Just as I finished writing the letter and was about to put down my pen, there was a knock on the door.
"Wait a minute."
I folded and sealed the letter and opened the door. Adam was standing outside. It seemed like Adam, the youngest, was doing all the odd jobs for his father.
“What are you doing in the room?”
“Write a letter to my husband.”
“Sister? Writing a letter? What on earth did you write?”
“I put a kiss in it.”
Adam scowled at my words, as if he were disgusted. I laughed and slapped him on the back. Adam's face twitched, as if in pain. Still, he opened his mouth with a frown, as if he had to convey what his father had said.
“The wizards examined that giant demon. They said it was indeed dead.”
“Is that so?”
“Pretend to be surprised.”
Rather, I was surprised by those words and looked at Adam with wide eyes.
"We both knew this. Why are you so surprised?"
"You were always generous, but you seem even more so after marriage. His Highness the Grand Duke is treating you well, isn't he?"
“Yeah, we do it well. More than enough.”
When I spoke as if I was happy, Adam smiled as if he was relieved. A look of relief spread across his young face. He seemed to be quite worried about me.
“When my sister first told me you were marrying him, I was really upset... Don’t you know how much my mother cried after my sister got married?”
I smiled bitterly at Adam's scolding voice.
"I know."
Adam glared at me for my answer. He was always on my side, but since I'd made my mother cry, he had no excuse for receiving such a look this time.
"Still, I'm glad you seem happy. I thought I'd never see you again, sister. The rumors... are true."
There must be a rumor that Julian never leaves the Grand Duke's residence without the Emperor's command.
But since marrying me, Julian has been out far more often than before, and he hasn't locked me away. This is how he allowed me to participate in the subjugation campaign.
"Let's have dinner together with His Highness the Grand Duke sometime. I'm sure we'll be able to do it soon."
“What does that mean?”
"Well, it's a secret for now. You're the only one who knows I said this."
I pressed my index finger against my lips. Then Adam took a deep breath, as if realization dawned on him.
“Really? Really, His Highness the Grand Duke...”
Adam was probably about to ask, "Has the curse been lifted?" But it wasn't yet lifted enough to warrant public comment, so I quickly silenced him.
“Shh! I told you it’s a secret right now.”
“Oh my goodness...This is so great. What should I give him as a congratulatory gift?”
“I think he’ll like it if you tell him that concern. He’s a romantic.”
“That can’t be!”
Adam walked away with a brisk gait, more excited than ever. I followed him, covering my mouth and laughing.
As I was going down the stairs of the building, I heard the voices of several men and women from the floor below.
“...So we eat whole roasted pigs, but they eat beef sliced up there.”
"No way."
"Really. I heard they drink alcohol, too. They even have cheap wine."
“It wasn’t dangerous.”
When I spoke firmly, Shuan sighed and said.
“I know. I found out a little too late. I knew it was dangerous.”
I waved him off. But when Shuan didn't budge, I interrupted.
Anyway, I was planning to leave the demons here to the soldiers and go investigate the giant demon located in the center of the lake.
I kicked the horse's rump with all my might and advanced. Suddenly, I looked back and saw Shuan still standing there, looking down at his sword.
In a flash, a demonic beast lunged at him, and Shuan instantly dispatched it. Only then, as if he had come to his senses, did he begin to subdue the large and small demonic beasts running wild around him.
He wasn't on par with Julian or me, but he seemed to have some decent swordsmanship.
Regardless, he was still an uncomfortable person to me. I particularly disliked the way he circled around me, seemingly intent on repaying a debt, and then showed up whenever I felt like I was in danger.
I ran recklessly to the lake, dispatching the beasts that rushed at me. Perhaps because they instinctively avoid opponents stronger than themselves, not many approached.
Moreover, for some reason, the closer I got to the lake, the less dense the demons became. Thanks to this, I was able to run around the lake with some ease.
After going halfway around the lake, a strange thought occurred to me.
'Why is the lake so calm?'
The lake was hardly calm, to say the least. Perhaps due to the presence of a giant dam, the water quality seemed extremely poor. It was easy to spot dead fish jumping out of the water.
The demon of the cause still had its face out of the lake. Its face, like a black panther's, bore long, black horns, and its three eyes stared blankly at the battle.
Outwardly, he appeared to be awake. However, the demon showed not even the slightest movement.
"Hey!"
I shouted at the demon, but it didn't move.
What on earth was that demon's true identity? It was so elusive that I couldn't even fathom it.
“Sister.”
As I was circling the lake, Adam approached. Fortunately, he didn't appear to be injured. It was a real headache, knowing that if you were to be attacked by a demon, you'd be helplessly poisoned.
“Father is worried. Don’t stay near the lake.”
“But the demon’s condition is strange. It doesn’t look like it’ll attack right away.”
At my words, Adam craned his neck and gazed intently at the horse. After a moment of hesitation, he dismounted, picked up the stone at his feet, and threw it with all his might, without me even being able to stop him.
“Adam!”
The stone had already flown away and struck the demon's thick hide. But the demon remained motionless. I breathed a long sigh of relief.
“...It seems so to me, too.”
“Well, what’s wrong with that!”
I grabbed Adam's head. He groaned, clutching his head. I wasn't even that worried. For a moment, I wondered if something serious was really going to happen.
“You yelled too, sister.”
“Is shouting the same as throwing a stone?”
“...It doesn’t seem that different to me, you know.”
Adam grumbled in displeasure.
"It has three eyes, but I can't tell what it's looking at. It's so blurry. It looks like it's dead."
At Adam's words, I looked at the demon once more. "It looks dead?" At those words, I turned my gaze toward the lake.
“...If you go into the lake, you’ll die, right?”
“Sister, are you crazy?”
This time, Adam jumped up and yelled. If he had been older than me, I would have been the one getting my head banged.
“But look. Doesn’t the color of the lake look just like the blood of a demon?”
Adam looked at the lake at my words. He simply assumed it was polluted by the presence of demons. That's why it was dyed such a dark blue. That's what he assumed.
But what if that demon had shed enough blood to stain the entire lake? What if that's why he died?
Adam exclaimed, as if he understood what I meant. Soon after, he looked at me and smiled.
“Then the first expedition is practically over.”
I laughed along with Adam and then spoke calmly.
“I need to bring the wizard here.”
“We’ll take over soon, so it won’t be difficult.”
Adam and I nodded, then ran back toward the battle. The thought that the giant demon might already be dead made us even more courageous.
***
By the end of the first expedition, Winsley's men were in excellent health. Of course, some were wounded and poisoned by the demon's blood, and had to be carried away on stretchers, but compared to other forces, their numbers were minimal.
With the first punitive expedition safely over, the soldiers returned to the castle, stripped off their armor, and feasted on a hearty dinner. They even lit a large fire in the courtyard in front of the building, intending to roast a whole pig.
And then something truly special happened to me: a letter from Julian arrived.
After comforting the excited soldiers, I went straight up to my room and carefully opened the letter. The pristine white paper, the kind Julian would have chosen, was filled with neat, stiff handwriting.
"To the debtor's wife."
From the very beginning, I held the letter close to my face and giggled. It was clear that Julian was vividly recalling the conversation we had before we parted ways.
Julian used polite language in his letters romantically.
"The mansion is doing very well without you. Every morning, the maids bake bread, and they are sad that there is no one to enjoy it.
Duke doesn't even ask for the ball I throw; he just sits there sullenly.
Anna, the maid of the great house, was sighing all day, so I gave her a vacation, and she said she wanted to go to the Riar Plains.
That child seems to be better off than I, unable to keep up with you. I was so jealous that I cancelled my vacation."
I covered my mouth and laughed heartily. I never imagined Julian could write such a cute letter. But the letter that followed wasn't just cute.
"Princess Abigail is still hiding, but judging by Count Sasha's participation in the battle to subdue the demon beasts, it seems she has not given up the throne.
I'm currently trying to find a connection between Princess Abigail and Count Sasha, so I hope to have some good news for you soon.
His Majesty the Emperor has no doubts about the loyalty of Margrave Winsley and seems to be considering what reward to bestow upon his return.
However, I am certain the Princess is up to something, so please be careful. Do not forget the debt you owe me.
Every morning, looking east, Julian."
My reply to Julian's letter began like this:
"To my husband, whom I love so much.
Don’t worry too much, you’ll be able to receive interest for the rest of your life.”
Just as I finished writing the letter and was about to put down my pen, there was a knock on the door.
"Wait a minute."
I folded and sealed the letter and opened the door. Adam was standing outside. It seemed like Adam, the youngest, was doing all the odd jobs for his father.
“What are you doing in the room?”
“Write a letter to my husband.”
“Sister? Writing a letter? What on earth did you write?”
“I put a kiss in it.”
Adam scowled at my words, as if he were disgusted. I laughed and slapped him on the back. Adam's face twitched, as if in pain. Still, he opened his mouth with a frown, as if he had to convey what his father had said.
“The wizards examined that giant demon. They said it was indeed dead.”
“Is that so?”
“Pretend to be surprised.”
Rather, I was surprised by those words and looked at Adam with wide eyes.
"We both knew this. Why are you so surprised?"
"You were always generous, but you seem even more so after marriage. His Highness the Grand Duke is treating you well, isn't he?"
“Yeah, we do it well. More than enough.”
When I spoke as if I was happy, Adam smiled as if he was relieved. A look of relief spread across his young face. He seemed to be quite worried about me.
“When my sister first told me you were marrying him, I was really upset... Don’t you know how much my mother cried after my sister got married?”
I smiled bitterly at Adam's scolding voice.
"I know."
Adam glared at me for my answer. He was always on my side, but since I'd made my mother cry, he had no excuse for receiving such a look this time.
"Still, I'm glad you seem happy. I thought I'd never see you again, sister. The rumors... are true."
There must be a rumor that Julian never leaves the Grand Duke's residence without the Emperor's command.
But since marrying me, Julian has been out far more often than before, and he hasn't locked me away. This is how he allowed me to participate in the subjugation campaign.
"Let's have dinner together with His Highness the Grand Duke sometime. I'm sure we'll be able to do it soon."
“What does that mean?”
"Well, it's a secret for now. You're the only one who knows I said this."
I pressed my index finger against my lips. Then Adam took a deep breath, as if realization dawned on him.
“Really? Really, His Highness the Grand Duke...”
Adam was probably about to ask, "Has the curse been lifted?" But it wasn't yet lifted enough to warrant public comment, so I quickly silenced him.
“Shh! I told you it’s a secret right now.”
“Oh my goodness...This is so great. What should I give him as a congratulatory gift?”
“I think he’ll like it if you tell him that concern. He’s a romantic.”
“That can’t be!”
Adam walked away with a brisk gait, more excited than ever. I followed him, covering my mouth and laughing.
As I was going down the stairs of the building, I heard the voices of several men and women from the floor below.
“...So we eat whole roasted pigs, but they eat beef sliced up there.”
"No way."
"Really. I heard they drink alcohol, too. They even have cheap wine."
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