Chapter 56

The cry of a brave eagle resounded from the sky. Lensley, who was watching the soldiers’ training, immediately raised her head and looked up at the sky.

‘It’s Zen’s messenger bird.’

Soon after, the bird landed on Lensley’s arm. He immediately released the note tied to the bird’s leg and checked the contents.

[Mission success. Unexpectedly returning with the target.]

‘You’re coming with Demalo?’

Lensley folded the note. He left the training to the commander of the unit and went straight to the Grand Duke.

“Your Highness, Zen’s messenger has arrived.”

Upon entering the office, Lensley delivered Zen’s report to the Grand Duke.

“As you can see, the mercenary Demalo is coming with Zen.”

“Hmm…”

Ivan looked at Zen’s report with his chin on his back.

‘It’s strange…’

Does it simply mean he’s coming back with Demalo?

Ivan sighed quietly and said to Lensley.

“Tell him to report in more detail next time.”

“…I see. I’ll train him firmly.”

“Yeah, you can go now.”

Lensley left the office after a light salute. After he left, his assistant Spencer came to visit.

“Your Highness, people have arrived from the ivory tower.”

“The Viscount of Yurpheon?”

“She’s at Madam Lengster’s party.”

“I see.”

Ivan thought with his mouth shut. The people from the ivory tower said they would stay in the Duchy because they had something to research, but they seemed to have a different plan. The Duchy was not a very good place to do research at the level of ivory tower scholars.

Although it is a duchy with vast territory, the fierce cold and the beasts that come from time to time is too much to deal with, so it is difficult to do research. Not only that, but the timing was exquisite. Since Adelia is also staying at the duchy.

Ivan’s intuition exclaimed. Maybe the purpose of the ivory tower is Adelia. A slanted smile hung around his mouth.

“Since guests have arrived, it is polite to welcome them. Is dinner ready?”

“Yes.”

“Then take them to the dining room right away. I’ll be there soon.”

***

Benko shuddered in the bitter cold of the Duchy. He never knew such a coldness existed in the world.

“Ohmy. Is the duchy really this cold?”

“Tsk. You didn’t know that at that age?”

Yohan’s unkind words completely hurt Benko’s feelings.

“Yeah, yeah. I guess I’m too stupid to be by your side.”

“Oh, are you complaining? People who want to be my disciples are still standing in line in front of the tower.”

Benko’s face was more distorted because he was right.

‘Ha! I’ll hold it in. I’m the only one who can stand his temper.’ 

Benko controlled his anger by swearing at his eccentric teacher inwardly. Yohan, who noticed it like a ghost, stared at Benko with a sharp eye.

“You just had an impure thought, did you?”

“What? No way. Don’t accuse people wrongly.”

“…….”

Yohan stared at his unfaithful pupil. Seeing the suffocating gazed, Benko hurriedly turned the conversation.

“Well, by the way, didn’t you say the Grand Duke would send someone from the Duchy? Why isn’t he coming….”

“Tsk. They said they would. There it is.”

Benko turned to where Yohan was pointing. At the end of his gaze was a black carriage with the patterns of the Hamilton family. Benko smiled brightly as he thought he could finally get out of the cold.

“Are you from the ivory tower?”

When asked by the coachman, Benko quickly nodded and spoke.

“That’s right.”

“I’m sorry I’m late. The snow piled up a lot more than I thought.”

“It’s okay. It’s cold, so hurry up and let’s go.”

“I warmed the inside with the magic stone.”

When Benko was told it was warm, he rushed into the carriage as if someone was chasing him. Yohan shook his head because his figure was quite frivolous.

‘Enduring the cold is also part of the training.’

Yohan, wearing a warm robe, thought to himself, ‘I still have a lot to teach you,’ and climbed into the carriage.

After crossing the frozen road, Benko arrived at the Duchy and looked around the castle with his eyes wide open. It was distinctly different from the style of the empire. Benko’s main areas of study were history and culture, but he is also interested in interior decoration.

It is easy to overlook, but interior decoration is greatly influenced by historical events and culture. For example, in a certain event, curtains made in a specific period will have different patterns. Since interior decoration allows you to grasp the history, culture, and climate of each region at a glance, Benko looked around the decoration first wherever he went.

Yohan nagged him to clean his room at that time, but Benko heard the words in one ear and spilled it out on the other.

‘It’s part of learning, too.’

Looking around the castle, Benko was immediately fascinated by the heavy atmosphere of the Grand Duchy.

How did you make such a sophisticated structure out of dark stone that is so hard and difficult to sculpt!

“Tsk. You look frivolous, stop turning your head.”

“…what do you mean frivolous? I’m exploring right now.”

“The quest is to endure the cold. Just be still.”

Once again, Benko, who was offended, closed his mouth tightly. Vowing to one day overcome this old man who never gets old.

Then, Liam, the servant of the Grand Duchy, appeared before the two.

“Thank you for coming all the way.”

Liam greeted the two with a gentle smile.

“But… I heard that two scholars were coming, I didn’t expect you to come.”

Liam’s eyes narrowed for a moment.

Benko said, “I knew this would happen,” and looked at his teacher.

Yohan shrugged his shoulders, maintaining a brazen attitude.

“Well, the sage is a scholar of ivory towers.”

“…Yes.”

Liam nodded again with a soft smile.

“I’ll show you where you’re staying.”

Benko and Yohan moved under Liam’s guidance. Yohan looked around the castle as Benko did while walking. However, unlike Benko, who was just looking around the castle, he seemed to be looking for something.

Liam, who noticed this, asked with a smiling face.

“Are you looking for something?”

“Well, no, by the way, I’m a little hungry.”

“Your Highness has prepared a dinner to welcome the two scholars of the ivory tower.”

For a moment, expectations flashed through Yohan’s eyes.

“Dinner? Is everyone staying in the Grand duchy going to attend?”

Liam’s eyes stood out when asked. Adelia was the only guest staying in the duchy right now.

‘Does he know she’s staying in the castle?’

Liam remembered the Grand Duke’s order to always be careful about Adelia’s existence. He answered calmly, remembering the order of the Grand Duke.

“It’s a celebration for both of you, so your highness will be the only one attending the dinner.”

As if it wasn’t a satisfactory answer, Yohan’s face was filled with blatant disappointment.

“Do you have any other questions?”

“Not exactly.”

Yohan replied with an expression of indifference, as if he had lost interest.

If she lives in the Grand Duke’s Castle anyway, I will meet “Saint” someday.

And what he really wanted was not to face a saint. He came all the way here to see and record the disaster that will swirl around the saint in the future.

Liam raised the corners of his mouth again and guided them to the end. Soon the three were able to reach the east tower of the castle.

“Oh, that’s a well-built tower.”

“It’s a great tower because the first Grand Duke asked your best friend, architect Mikaea, to build it.”

Liam explained in a proud voice. After hearing the explanation, Benko’s eyes widened.

If it’s Mikaea, isn’t she a genius who rebuilt the Imperial City?

Benko asked Liam excitedly.

“Are there any other buildings of his in this castle?”

“Of course.”

“Oh oh…! W, would you please show me his works?”

Yohan’s face crumpled as he watched his pupil’s servile request right next to him.

‘Does he realize he’s my student?’

He was a disciple who he had been teaching for more than a decade, but he was a very disobedient man.That was his nature. Changing that won’t be easy. Yohan regretted accepting Benko as his disciple, only by looking at his brilliance.

“Of course. After the supper is over, I will ask an attendant to guide you.”

“A, thank you…!” cried Benko with childlike delight.

Yohan’s eyes, expressing how pathetic Benko is, explicitly turned his back on his student.

***

Adelia calmly lifted the teacup and focused on the conversation.

“It could have been a big time.”

“Me, too. I’m glad I pulled the guild out of Zephyros early just in case… If not…” 

The lady shook her head as if she didn’t even want to imagine it.

“Ho-ho. Viscount. My husband said he wanted to talk to you. If you have time, will you accept my invitation?”

Adelia looked at the lady who offered her an invitation.

Jereenia Lysers.

She is close to Madam Lengster as well as Madam Orlando. The Lysers themselves were not very capable, but her extensive connections were quite coveted.

Maybe she can help me connect to Madam Orlando.

Adelia smiled gently as she lowered her teacup.

“Of course. I’ve heard that Count Lysers has developed a technology to solve the winter-frozen northern port problem, and I’ve always wanted to see it.”

Madam Lysers opened her eyes wide as if she were surprised for a moment and laughed. She looked happy to be recognized for her husband’s achievements.

“Oh, my… I heard that you just came to the Duchy, and you know it well.”

“I have to study a lot to help His highness with his work.”

Adelia replied with a faint smile.

Adelia Yurpheon.

A woman brought to the Duchy by the Grand Duke because of her outstanding abilities. It was the identity of Adelia, widely known to the public.

After receiving the name of Yurpheon, Adelia tried her best to match the mask she made. She studied the situation of the Duchy by skipping her sleep.

Fortunately, Adelia had a talent for memorizing. 

“His highness must be glad to have you as a servant.”

“I guess the information came from the Grand duke, right?”

Someone asked the source of the information Adelia had thrown at Serajin’s ball.

Adelia didn’t make a mistake. Without answering the question someone asked, she just smiled subtly. The women’s eyes were filled with regret over the tight security. Adelia lifted the teacup again with ease.