Chapter 242

After the Rain (10)

* * *

Aristine changed into clothes that were tearfully prepared by the court ladies, then she headed for the portal.

“Must you go today? Let’s go tomorrow when it’s bright. It must be dark over there already.”

“Tomorrow will be late.”

At those firm words, the court ladies withered and shut their mouths.

Aristine glanced back at them and muttered as she continued moving.

“Thanks for worrying about me. I know how you feel. But I think this is absolutely necessary so I’m going ahead with this.”

“Princess Consort...!”

“It’s enough that Your Highness understands our worry.”

“We will abide by Your Highness’ decision no matter what.”

Aristine finally smiled and shook her head.

Tarkan was a pretty good partner, and one of the reasons why she was able to safely adapt to Irugo, but another important reason was because her court ladies were all good people.

As the corridor ended, an open area came into view.

A large, blue-tinged portal stone marked with pure white marble. With silver engraving on the round bottom and golden dust sprinkled on the platform.

Just the appearance alone made you feel divine.

It might be a familiar appearance to the rest of the imperial family, but this was the first time that Aristine had actually seen it.

“Princess Consort.”

Ritlen and the blacksmiths, who had arrived earlier, bowed towards her.

Unlike usual, they were armed. They seemed to all have weapons that they had made themselves.

“You do not have to follow me into a danger zone.”

“What are you saying! If we don’t, who will go with Your Highness!”

The blacksmiths exclaimed at the top of their lungs.

Seeing that, Aristine broke into a smile. It seems her fortune lay in Irugo, rather than Silvanus.

“I shall activate the portal.”

The portal guardian said with a respectful bow towards Aristine.

Aristine nodded and climbed up.

Once the portal was activated, she should be at the border in the blink of an eye.

It was at that moment...

“W-Wait!”

A loud voice rang out.

It came from the corridor. But no one could be seen.

‘What is it?’

Then, a moment later, a group of people appeared.

It was the magicians, Asena included.

They were gasping for breath as they arrived at the portal, their hands braced on their knees for support.

Some of them even sat on the ground.

“To make a magician run of all things, huff, seriously...” Asena grumbled while trying to catch her breath.

“Asena?”

“You really planned to leave us behind?”

“Well, because it’s dangerous...”

“Don’t underestimate a magician’s desire for experience. We can go anywhere dangerous for research.”

“Please rise, Count. Normally, we should sit down for a meal, but I have a matter of urgency. Please forgive me.”

At that, Count Tallistan laughed.

“His Majesty told me that Your Highness would say that. That you seemed so busy to even have a cup of tea with him.”

Aristine smiled awkwardly.

“If you are busy, that is your priority. In Avik, we are always practical. Please rest assured, I shall not take this as a disregard of my goodwill.”

His speech was straightforward, which was as practical as he said.

“That is truly, a wonderful principle.”

“We are next to the border with demonic beasts, after all.” Count Tallistan smiled and escorted Aristine.

As they began to walk, he asked.

“Do you plan to head out to the plains right away?”

“Yes.”

At that brief response, Count Tallistan’s sharp gaze turned to Aristine.

“It doesn’t seem like you’ll listen if I tell you that it’s late.”

“I know the night is more dangerous. But I have to move fast. It won’t be too much of a stretch since the warriors should have cleaned up the area close to the castle wall.”

“You are right about that. However.” Count Tallistan came to a stop and looked at Aristine.

“Where exactly do you plan on going? As I will have to hand over my troops, I think I need to know.”

In other words, depending on her answer, he might not give up his troops.

Because she planned on getting help from the border troops, Aristine did not bring separate troops from the Imperial palace.

And she preferred that since she was able to move quickly.

But this also meant that if Count Tallistan didn’t give up Avik’s troops, she would have to go to the demonic beast plain without any backup.

Aristine fell silent for a while and looked into Count Tallistan’s eyes.

Soon, her lips opened.

“The domain of the Great Demonic Beast.”

* * *

“Transmission?”

“Still can’t.”

Jacquelin solemnly lowered his head as he replied to Tarkan’s question.

Tarkan simply nodded and didn’t say much.

“We’ll press ahead.”

“Yes, understood!”

Jacquelin didn’t mention the dangers that they would face if the other divisions ran into trouble and couldn’t group up.

Even though Tarkan knew that, he decided to push ahead with it.

And Jacquelin was well aware of why Tarkan made that choice.

‘With our strategy, every division should be positioned relatively close. If we clash first, everyone will see it and join in.’

The odds of no one joining were less than the odds of being struck by lightning.

‘Unless someone deliberately intervenes.’

But that couldn’t be the case.

Because of the political marriage, diplomatic relations were in unprecedented peaceful state.

Although Tarkan and the queen were enemies, the matter of reducing the number of demonic beasts in preparation for winter was an important task. As a fellow Irugoian, there was no way she would interfere. Because that would be cutting her own flesh to eat it.

‘Right, the expedition is going smoothly. At this rate, we should be back to the capital very soon.’

The reason the demonic beasts were dealt with so quickly was obvious.

Jaquelin knew that Tarkan was looking at his wife’s picture every day and stroking it.

The kisses were a bonus.