CH 17

Argenta’s forces were divided into three main categories.

First were the covert assassins who discreetly eliminated anything that posed a threat to Argenta within the darkness. Second were the official knights, who served as Argenta’s formal military forces. And finally, there were the executors who punished those who violated Argenta’s rules.

The leader of the knights was Diello Argenta, the head of Argenta.

However, he was also basically the leader of the assassins, also known as the cleaners, and the executors, led by Rick, who also served as the head of intelligence. They could be considered the backbone of Argenta as they held unwavering loyalty to Diello Argenta.

Naturally, they sought to eliminate any potential harm to their lord, even before it could reach him.

“I didn’t expect the madam to rush into the battlefield so decisively,” remarked Vielle, who had been listening to reports from the knights deployed in the fourth zone.

“Isn’t she considered an outsider? She’ll be leaving the family soon, but…”

The knight said, his face filled with admiration.

“Because of that, I also didn’t expect her to go to such lengths. If the madam had not been present in this battle, the damage would have been severe.”

As Rick replied while shrugging his shoulders, Vielle furrowed her brows in response.

“If it weren’t for her, Redias would have to sacrifice himself.”

Rick spoke dismissively.

“It’s not sacrifice, it’s his job.”

“Either way, dying is dying. Boom.”

Grinning mischievously and spreading his palm, Rick answered. Vielle sighed upon seeing him.

Not many knew that Rick, an executor, and Vielle, the head of the cleaners, were close. In public, they maintained a strict decorum.

“She’s more proactive in her duties than I expected, and she has a good understanding of Argenta’s rules. Even though it must be quite different from Alors.”

She commented. For an outsider, hearing such words from the usually strict Vielle was almost like a compliment.

The knight, who reported to both of them, lowered his head.

“It’s a shame that she’s only here temporarily.”

He said, aware of the fake Ferro plan as a member of Argenta’s fourth floor. Upon hearing this, Rick scratched his cheek.

“But even though it’s temporary, it seems the head has no intention of sending the madam away.”

“That’s right.”

“Why?”

The simultaneous questioning gazes of the two individuals met each other.

“The head wants us to reveal Argenta’s secret to her without hiding anything.”

Either become a complete insider or not… it seemed their lord had made a decision. Understanding the harsh implication behind the words, Rick raised an eyebrow.

“Is that so? I had a different idea.”

“What is it?”

Vielle asked.

He appeared to be a lighthearted person, but Rick had a sharp intellect. Without that, he wouldn’t have been able to serve as the executor and head of intelligence. Because of that, Vielle respected his opinions.

“I…”

Rick’s expression became serious.

When he had that kind of expression, it meant he was speaking seriously. Vielle listened to his words with a similarly grave expression.

However…

“I saw love in the lord’s eyes.”

Vielle touched her forehead in response to Rick’s subsequent words.

He continued.

“No, seriously. Hearts were popping out from his eyes?”

“If you’re going to talk nonsense, go make a report.”

She dismissed him.

Regardless of what the two of them were thinking, the perception of Krua in Vielle was undoubtedly starting to change. Originally, Vielle’s perception of Krua was as follows: an outsider from the hostile Alors family who might leak Argenta’s information to Alors at any time.

Though now, things were different now. Although she came from Alors, she had thrown herself into the dangerous battlefield for Argenta’s sake, saving countless Argenta’s people.

The way Vielle viewed Krua Alors, or rather, Krua Argenta, had completely changed.

* * *

“…Ah.”

How did I get back here?

I blinked my eyes. I seemed to have heard Diello ordering Redias to clean up the aftermath of the battlefield.

“It will take quite some time to deal with the aftermath.”

I heard Redias say, and I remember myself getting on a horse.

“Ah.”

I remember my head spinning and staggering while trying to get on the horse. At that moment…

“Krua.”

It was Diello who reached out his hand to me.

I recalled his apologetic expression.

“You can rest now. I’ll take you back.”

He guided my body along with his words…

“…Ah.”

After that, my consciousness faded, so I didn’t know what had happened, but it seemed I had returned with Diello. As I blinked my heavy eyelids a few times, my mouth felt dry, as if all the moisture in my body had disappeared, and I had no strength to move even a single finger.

‘So, this is the side effect.’

It was said that each person would experience different side effects after using their powerful abilities in all three families. Since Krua had never properly used her water manipulation abilities in the original, there might be some side effects I didn’t know.

Thud.

At that moment, the door opened slightly, and a maid holding a towel entered. When our eyes met, she widened her eyes.

“…Madam?”

“Yes?”

She was a familiar face.

Seeing me, she quickly approached and examined me.

“You’ve woken up. I’ll call the doctor.”

“There’s no need.”

Still, I wasn’t sick, just exhausted. I held the maid back and asked something important instead.

“What about Redias?”

“Pardon?”

The maid’s eyes widened.

Did I ask too directly? Well, Redias and I had no relationship before we met briefly on the battlefield, so it would be strange to ask like this.

“The field commander of the fourth zone. No, not just the field commander, but all the forces of the fourth zone.”

Even if I lay down, I had no strength. After the maid who helped up sat up, I asked her again.

“Are they all safe? What’s the extent of the damage?”

Of course, Diello must have returned safely. He brought me here.

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“Ah, Sir Redias had already left.”

“What?”

I widened my eyes. If he had already left, then how many days have I been lying here?

“Was I unconscious for a long time?”

“You were unconscious for about a day and a half.”

Oh… no wonder I felt so weak.

I tightly closed my eyes, and when I opened them, the maid opened her mouth.

“The damage in the fourth zone is at a minimal level. Although there was a risk of significant damage if it had escalated into a prolonged battle due to a large number of casualties…”

She bowed deeply and continued.

“Thanks to the Madam’s support, there were no major losses. Commander Redias, who was in charge of the zone, wanted to express his gratitude, but he had to return to the fourth zone urgently.”

“That’s great.”

I let out a sigh of relief.

Although my body didn’t feel good as a couple of days had passed, his survival alone would be a great help to Argenta.

A pleasant smile appeared on my face.

“And what about Diello?”

“He returned without any problems and is currently fulfilling his duties. He visits from time to time to check on you.”

It wasn’t difficult to imagine his worried face.

I sighed once again.

If that was the case, he must have been greatly concerned about me. After all, our contractual marriage didn’t include a condition where I had to risk my life on the battlefield.

“Please let him know that I’m perfectly fine.”

“I understand. However, if madam woke up, the head’s order is to make sure I call a doctor.”

The maid cautiously added.

Given Diello’s cautious nature, it was to be expected. I eventually nodded my head.

“Alright. Call the doctor and let Diello know.”

“Yes, for the sake of Argenta.”

The maid gave a respectful bow and retreated. She moved gracefully.

“…For the sake of Argenta?”

I quietly pondered. It was the first time I had heard such a formal greeting since coming to this mansion. But now, starting with that maid, other servants also began using the same greeting.

“Madam, Doctor Nias is here.”

“Ah, let him in.”

Very cautiously, Doctor Nias entered and examined me, followed by the Argenta maids and knights who came to pay their respects.

“I received your orders.”

“For the sake of Argenta.”

As I listened to each of them greeting me in that manner, it felt peculiar. Surely, until recently, they ignored me… so why did they suddenly become so respectful?

Really, just why?

The one who resolved my curiosity was Vielle, who entered my room as soon as the doctor left after examining me.

“The sight of you going to the battlefield has made a significant impression on the Argenta’s people.”

In truth, I didn’t think that a recently arrived madam, who hadn’t been here for long, would make a favorable impression on the servants by moving the knights. Of course, the battlefield was chaotic and it needed assistance, but I practically forced them to go there.

‘Well, but I control water. Shouldn’t I naturally go there?’

It wasn’t like I was forced, either. Nonetheless, I had to save Redias even if I acted stubbornly so that was why I pushed for it.

“…Why?”

That was why I couldn’t understand.

No matter how good the outcome may have been, unless there were people who had read the original, this action would be seen as reckless. No matter how confidently I went as a reinforcement, I didn’t know I could control water to that extent.

At best, I thought I could barely rescue Redias Argenta from death. Did I expect my blood to react as soon as I saw the water?

“Because it was a dangerous battlefield.”

When I thought about it, Vielle answered.

“I heard that you fearlessly rushed onto the battlefield, madam.”

She gave a brief bow and continued, “Even Argenta themselves tend to fear before sacrificing themselves for Argenta, but you did not hesitate. Instead, you charged onto the battlefield more boldly than Argenta’s people.”

As she lightly smiled, I widened my eyes. I knew that Vielle, Argenta’s ‘cleaner,’ always drew a line between herself and others… though that smile clearly contained genuine warmth.

“They think of it as your ‘first battlefield.’ I also believe so.”

“First battlefield?”

Thud.

The door suddenly opened, and a maid entered cautiously, carrying a tray and gently placing a bowl of soup in front of me. Vielle said as she lifted my meal tray.

“It is a test to become Argenta.”

So, it was not just about having the ability? According to the original, at least Krua could become a knight of Argenta with the ability to control water alone.

“It is a test for those who want to become Argenta, they will be placed on the battlefield without weapons. They could only survive with their own flames.”

“….!”

So, those who couldn’t fight properly were left to die?

“Whether they survive or die will be determined solely by their own strength. If they die, their abilities will become part of the head’s power, but if they survive, they will become a part of Argenta.”

Although she was talking about a life-or-death situation, Vielle’s expression remained calm.

“It’s a test to see if they have the will to sacrifice themselves for Argenta if they are prepared to become a true Argenta.”

It was a profound statement.

I muttered softly.

“To become an Argenta…”

I finally understood the strange bond among the people of Argenta that I had felt before. It was probably because they only accepted those who had experienced their ‘first battlefield’ as a true Argenta.

“It feels strange.”

Looking at Vielle, who wiped my mouth after I finished the soup, I uttered so.

“I don’t know when I’ll leave this place.”

In fact, I already knew there wasn’t much time left, but I couldn’t show that I knew.

“….”

In response to my words, Vielle simply gave a brief bow without saying anything.

* * *

That night, I couldn’t sleep, even though I had slept for half a day, so I decided to start preparing for the future.

“Can you bring me a map of the continent?”