Chapter 176

Chapter 176

...

Serenade was staring at the stack of documents on her desk.

The papers were messily written with encrypted text, and she had just decrypted and read them.

"Whew."

Serenade swept the approaching sweat from her forehead with her fingertips.

The information-gathering ability of Silver Winter Merchant Guild was more formidable than she thought.

She had been able to conduct extensive research on the information Ash had instructed her to gather.

The problem was the content.

Its too sensitive.

Though the investigation had been broad, most of it was fragmentary and piecemeal. Yet the astute Serenade could read the overall flow from those fragments at a glance.

This information could be fatal to the Imperial Family.

Thats probably why Ash had ordered the investigation.

But gathering this kind of information was too dangerous.

Did Ash truly think... that this information could save the Silver Winter Merchant Guild?

Then it happened.

Ping- Ping-

A sound of something cutting through the air came from outside the window.

"Huh?"

As Serenade raised her head in confusion,

Crash!

The window shattered, and flaming arrows fell inside.

Whoosh-!

In an instant, flames spread inside the building. Serenade quickly rose from her seat, her mind racing.

Whats going on?! Whats happening?!

Could someone have been following her, knowing that Silver Winter had gathered this information? Was someone trying to eliminate her? Or had the destruction Ash mentioned already begun?

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Her thoughts were many, but escape was the priority. Serenade covered her mouth with a cloth and attempted to leave the room.

Then she stopped.

The gold, jewelry, and silk in the head office could burn, but the information Ash had asked her to gather had to be protected.

Serenade quickly unfolded her coat and stuffed the bundle of documents inside. Clutching the rolled coat to her chest, she fled the room.

Whether the arrows were magically treated or not, flames spread rapidly through the building.

"Miss!"

"Head of the Guild!"

As she emerged, she saw other servants struggling to put out the fire. Serenade shouted,

"Calmly, evacuate the building! Check for anyone remaining! Evacuate immediately!"

If the flames were magical, ordinary people couldnt extinguish them. It was better to evacuate quickly.

At Serenades command, the servants orderly began to escape.

Serenade looked around the corridor one last time and headed downstairs.

Or at least, she intended to until she found another maid collapsed from asphyxiation.

"...!"

Serenade hurriedly ran to the maid, hoisted her onto her shoulder, and got her to her feet.

Whoosh-

The flames intensified. The black smoke billowing from the burning building obscured her view.

Feeling suffocated, Serenade gritted her teeth.

***

Elize and I rushed to the front of the Silver Winter Merchant Guild building, engulfed in flames.

The fire demon lapped its tongues around the tall and magnificent building, consuming it.

People were drawing seawater from beside them to put out the fire, but the flames were relentless.

"Miss Serenade!"

Elize screamed, rushing toward the building.

She shouted at the guilds people struggling to extinguish the fire,

"Where is Miss Serenade?!"

"They, they havent seen her since..."

Elize stared at the building ablaze, her face pale.

"So, could she, perhaps, have failed to escape...?"

The building was already completely enveloped in flames, impossible to enter.

Splash!

Nonetheless, Elize put a bucket of seawater on her head and tried to run inside.

I urgently grabbed her shoulder.

I swallowed a small breath.

Her once-beautiful blue hair was singed and twisted at the ends, and her fair skin was scorched in places, turning red.

Avoiding my eyes, Serenade muttered.

"How can I attend the Imperial Familys party looking like this?"

"..."

"Where all the worlds celebrities gather, if I, the head of the Silver Winter Merchant Guild, appear like this... everyone will laugh."

Serenades head sank lower and lower.

"Most of all... in this state, I cant stand by your side tomorrow."

"..."

"If thats the case, Id rather not go at all..."

I firmly grasped Serenades hand.

"Serenade. Let me just say this. I need you there tomorrow."

"What...?"

"To save your Silver Winter family. And to solidify the path my southern front will take. You must come to the party tomorrow."

The recent fire had made it clear. The Imperial Family was already intent on eliminating the Silver Winter Merchant Guild.

Whether it was because they had discovered information that should not have been touched, because the time of eradication had come, or perhaps both, it didnt matter.

To survive, Serenade had to attend the party tomorrow.

For there is always a path in the midst of death.

...

Serenades face, stained with soot, tightened at my words of needing her.

Her silver eyes squeezed shut and then opened, filled with resolute determination.

...In that case, I will go, no matter what. Even if Im in worse shape, I will stand at the party.

I nodded heavily.

We then spent a long time discussing what needed to be done at the party tomorrow.

It wasnt until late at night that we returned to the port.

The merchant building had completely burned down, leaving only ashes, and a few of the guilds people were seen cleaning up the debris.

Not even an arrest, just a magical fire arrow attack and then they flee...

It was a method of the dark forces.

I realized that even the path itself for Serenade to get to the party tomorrow would be perilous.

Elize.

The ship reached the port, and just before disembarking, I quietly asked Elize,

You can protect Serenade, right?

Elizes teal eyes flared, and she growled,

Even if it takes my life.

Lets save the life part...

But still, I trusted the protection of this SSR-ranked swordsman.

Hang in there.

I patted Elizes shoulder. Elize looked at me with narrowed eyes.

Serenade quickly gave instructions to the guilds servants waiting at the harbor.

The fire recovery efforts were to stop here, and everyone was to return to the Silver Winter family mansion and bolster the defenses.

Lets return to the Star Palace, my lord. Ive ordered the carriage to be prepared.

Serenade approached me. I gestured with my chin.

You?

I feel that wherever I am will be in danger, so tonight, I will not return to the family home... I intend to stay on this sea with Elize.

Serenade smiled bitterly, running her hand through her singed hair.

While preparing for the party tomorrow.

I smiled faintly.

Dont get your hopes up.

Dont expect, but...

Clearly quite worried, Serenade heaved a deep sigh.

The ship carrying Elize and Serenade once again set out to sea.

I waved to Serenade, who kept bowing to me from the ship, and then headed for the carriage that the Silver Winter Merchant Guild had prepared.

And then, I made up my mind.

For the Southern Front. And for the strategy of this harsh game.

With Serenade...

Tomorrow, I must propose.

***

The next day.

Finally, the morning of the victory celebration party had dawned.