Chapter 8

A sharp voice echoed in a luxurious mansion in the heart of the capital on a quiet night.

“Shan!”

Shan frowned as he sat in his office and heard the loud voice.

Marle, who was looking at the documents with Shan, panicked and quickly went out of the office. He ran into a woman whose face was red. Marle quickly stepped aside and she stormed into Shan’s office.

The woman was Cecilia Epernon, the only daughter of Count Epernon, and she was the most recent woman Shan had met. Cecilia gasped and asked Shan.

“I heard you were getting married?”

Shan looked at Marle for a moment. It was a look asking why the guards outside didn’t stop her, but Marle avoided his gaze.

The ladies of the nobility could not be treated carelessly. The guards stopped some ladies once or twice and had to suffer the consequences, as a result, Marle told them not to stop the women anymore.

Shan sighed but didn’t get up. He only raised his head as he answered her.

“I think it’s too late for a private talk, Lady Cecilia.”

The cold words were reproaching her, but Cecilia asked pointlessly.

“Are you marrying a bitch who might have done business or sold herself abroad?”

“……That’s too much.”

As Shan showed anger, Cecilia bit her lower lip to stop herself from crying.

She couldn’t believe he was getting married……

She regretted that she couldn’t convince her father to let her marry Shan. She should have threatened to commit suicide. However, Count Epernon hated Shan because he loved art and the war hero meant nothing to him.

The fact that it was a political marriage comforted Cecilia. She relaxed when she thought of all the tearful nights that the Targayel bitch will have, just like the nights that Shan gave her and many other women.

He will never be a man who settles for one woman.

“Shan.”

Instead of reproaching and controlling him, Cecilia decided to change tactics. She touched Shan’s desk and took off her coat. Her shoulders were revealed in the dress she was wearing, and she whispered as she slowly swept her neckline with her hand.

“I don’t care if you are married……”

The provocative whisper was stimulating. Her round and voluptuous breasts were slightly showing. Any man would have a change of heart and Cecilia was confident that she would be able to continue being with Shan after his marriage.

Unfortunately, Cecilia’s thoughts were unfounded. Rather than wavering, Shan asked coldly.

“Since when did you have the right to decide?”

“……!”

“There is a limit to being disrespectful.”

Cecilia’s eyes bulged; she couldn’t hide her insulted expression. Cecilia clasped her dress, turned around, and slammed the door shut. The sound of her running away could be heard from inside the room.

Marle, who had been quietly standing in the corner, stepped out.

“There are rumors that Lady Cecilia had a quarrel with Count Epernon over her getting married to you. You’d better be careful.”

“Is that so?”

Shan double-checked the documents he was looking at before Cecilia barged in and signed them. Then he got up from his seat and picked up his coat which was hanging in the corner.

“Did Reeve come back yet? I need to see him.”

The hem of his coat fluttered over his shoulders. Shan raised his head and uttered one word.

“Elijah.”

Marle understood and answered immediately.

“They’re still moving without a leader. It seems like they had a secret meeting a while ago, and it is said that Elje was present.”

“Targayel”

“In 994 of the Innes calendar, the count and his wife died. After that, Astin Targayel entered Aquis University and Eljenès Targayel is a mystery. What is known to the public is that she went abroad for business.”

“Hmm.”

While Shan buttoned his coat, Marle continued.

“Eljenès Targayel returned to the Valoir Empire in 996 and has not left the Targayel residence ever since.”

Shan, who was listening to him, commented.

“Aquis University’s tuition is not a penny or two.”

Marle stopped talking at Shan’s words. There was no possibility that a lady from a fallen family would go abroad to make money. In addition, to make enough money to pay tuition at Aquis University, which is known for being expensive.

Aquis University is located in the Kingdom of Britain. Studying abroad in a foreign country was expensive enough for even nobles. Marle immediately admitted to his shortcomings.

“Sorry, that part is not clear yet. We’re working hard at the moment.”

Shan nodded. It was during the war, a time when many things disappeared, so it would not be easy to find someone who vanished. Shan thought of Elje for a moment as he picked up his sword.

What would have happened if I had stopped you then?

The path not taken is more regretful because the answer will never be known. Memories of the past faded, but the memories of Elje remained in the depths of Shan’s mind, like a burn mark.

If Shan could meet Elje again, he wanted to ask why Elje saved him. He wondered if Elje would answer coldly or give a proper answer.

Shan placed his sword on his waist and tightened the belt. Marle stated cautiously from the side.

“Sir Crixus.”

“Speak!”

“Do you think Miss Eljenès is Elje?”

Shan’s answer was simple.

“I don’t know.”

Shan really didn’t know; he only had a vague feeling. First of all, Elje and Eljenès were so different in appearance and they had different genders.

But those eyes. The clear blue eyes were exactly the same. They both had the same temper. Shan smiled and recalled his meeting with Eljenès earlier in the day.

“Of course, I’d love to see you use a sword once……”

Marle hesitated for a moment after hearing Shan’s murmur.

“Sir Crixus, this has nothing to do with the report, but there is something I’d like to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Master Harvin has received orders to produce a rapier and a parrying dagger.”

“Master Harvin? The old man?”

Master Harvin was a famous blacksmith in the Valoir Empire. He was grotesque and dirty, but his ability was unrivaled so he received the title of Master. All the swordsmen in Valoir wanted to have a sword made by him.

However, he did not give a sword to just anyone. Because of that, the weapons made by Harvin were valuable and worth a lot.

Then he makes a rapier and a parrying dagger……

Elje of the Elijah mercenaries became famous and it became fashionable to wear rapiers and parrying daggers.

However, as far as Shan knew, only one person in Valoir had the skills to receive a rapier and a parrying dagger from Master Harvin. Shan announced an order immediately without thinking twice.

“Plant people nearby.”

“Yes, Sir Crixus.”