CH 98

“Please spread the rumor in the Haren Empire that the Emperor and Perante had a secret meeting. Let it reach the Truto Empire as well.”

Callis widened his eyes at the shocking proposal. Riett spoke calmly.

“If the word reaches the Truto Empire, it will allow the Emperor of the Haren Empire to respond to the rumors of having Perante as a spy.”

Riett’s red eyes stared at Callis. They were as intense and fiery as the burning flames in the fireplace.

“He won’t be able to deny it. I’ve already confirmed the fact that the Haren Empire’s expedition and Perante arrived in this village together.”

“But he won’t easily admit it.”

“Even if it takes going to war, the Haren Empire’s Emperor won’t be able to continue denying it. And from then on, it will depend on you, the crown prince. We need to use this situation well, make the Emperor admit the truth, and keep pushing until he completely retreats.”

“That means…….”

Callis’ throat made a swallowing sound as he spoke.

“With the real mole, we could take out the Emperor of the Haren Empire in one fell swoop.”

It wouldn’t be an easy task for Callis either, but he had enough skill and ability. This was an excellent opportunity, considering the circumstances where he couldn’t take a significant advantage due to the weakening Emperor’s last struggle. 

If he dealt with the Emperor in this way, it would be a great outcome.

The Emperor of the Haren Empire and Perante would not be able to completely deny that rumor. With witnesses, the operation was flawless.

They received the rumor, and now they would repay with a rumor.

As expected, Callis showed a determined expression without any objections.

“Understood.”

Riett smiled satisfactorily. With this, the curtain for their counterattack had risen.

* * *

After their conversation, Callis immediately returned to Haren. He had said he would start the operation as soon as he returned, so Riett just needed to wait.

Riett hoped that the rumor of Perante being a spy would reach her ears soon. Then she would take the group of assassins locked in the basement and go to Count Terrator, to repay what he owed.

“I’m glad your talk with Prince Callis went well.”

Evan spoke while riding his horse. They slowed down their speed on the way back because they didn’t want to rush like when they came. If they ran like that in the cold weather, their face might freeze.

Riett gently tightened the reins and replied.

“From the looks of it, things are a mess inside the Haren Empire as well, aren’t they?”

“Certainly, though the crown prince tried to keep it as low-key as possible.”

Evan felt the same way.

They had heard rumors that the relationship between the Haren Empire’s Emperor and crown prince was not good, but seeing a large number of knights accompanying Callis today, the situation seemed more serious than expected.

Otherwise, the Crown Prince wouldn’t have come with such a noticeable number of escorts when visiting another country.

Looking at it from an extreme perspective, it could mean that Prince Callis was constantly under the threat of death.

The reason for rushing to another country might not be solely to repay a favor to Riett but also to rely on such cunning schemes.

“Anyway, it was good timing.”

Evan was right. The timing was perfect for them to come to an agreement with the Prince, who was driven into a crisis.

Although Riett had come up with the negotiation plan, it was Evan’s suggestion to ask for help.

Riett watched Evan casually riding, thinking to herself, 

‘He’s a clever guy.’

Evan’s black hair, glistening in the light, swayed softly. Upon reflection, she realized that she and Evan complemented each other well. 

‘What I can’t do, Evan can, and what Evan can’t do, I can.’

She used to consider these differences between them, but now she suddenly thought that maybe filling in each other’s shortcomings was what made them a good match. Perhaps this was a shift in her perspective. 

Evan seemed to be at ease, thinking that today’s events had resolved many things.

As they returned to the mansion, Lucas abruptly showed his face. 

“Where have you been, other than here?” 

Riett replied while taking off her coat, 

“It’s a secret.” 

Lucas teasingly asked, 

“Did you secretly meet a foreign prince or something?” 

Riett momentarily paused at his accurate guess. Considering how perceptive Lucas was, he must have overheard her conversation with Evan. 

“Why ask when you already know?” 

Despite the playful tone, she sensed a genuine undertone in his words.

Riett gazed at Lucas for a moment. Behind his smiling expression, she sensed a serious demeanor. 

“Is something bothering you?”

Lucas shrugged his shoulders, quickly lightening the mood. 

“By the way, Riett, do you want to know what I discovered?” 

Excitedly, Lucas naturally held Riett’s hand and tried to lead her to the living room table, but Evan intervened. 

“Let go.” 

Evan said, and a chilly voice emerged. Lucas chuckled.

“Why are you acting like this when even Riett isn’t saying anything? Can’t we be at least on some terms?”

Riett remained silent. There was nothing to say, as Evan and Lucas couldn’t have that kind of relationship. 

It seemed like Lucas also realized that, and Riett admired Evan for his incessant jealousy. 

Lucas was just a male friend, someone who had betrayed her. Perhaps that’s why Evan disliked him even more.

There was a spark missing in their eyes. 

“Stop it.” 

Riett interjected, feeling familiar with these moments, and let go of Lucas’ hand. 

Lucas briefly wore a disappointed expression, but that was the only way to calm down the growling Evan. 

Come to think of it, Lucas was quite affectionate with small gestures, which Riett didn’t find odd due to their closeness. On the other hand, although Evan didn’t engage in small displays of affection often… there were times when he did indulge in grand gestures. 

In Riett’s eyes, he was still that guy.

“Lucas, what did you discover?” 

Riett deliberately changed the subject, and fortunately, Lucas’ expression quickly returned to normal. 

“I found out when the compass needle moves.” 

Riett thought it was another compass-related conversation, but this time it was quite interesting. The fact that they figured out why a malfunctioning compass moves.

Lucas picked up the compass on the living room table. 

“Look, it’s not moving right now.”

“…Yeah.”

“But a few days ago, it was moving.”

He seems to want to say something grand, but she still doesn’t understand what happened. Before Riett loses interest, Lucas dropped another hint.

“Do you know that this compass moving is related to something that happened?”

Riett remembered Lucas disappearing after mentioning that the compass moved a few days ago. Shortly after he disappeared, there was heavy rain, which led to a landslide.

Lately, there have been frequent natural disasters in the village. Perhaps…

As Riett pondered, she looked up.

“Are you trying to say that the natural disasters in the Parman region are related to the movement of this compass?”

“Exactly, Riett.”

Lucas nodded with a satisfied expression on his face.

“I thought about it by myself. What could be the criteria for the compass to move?”

While Riett dismissed it as a mere compass malfunction and overlooked it, Lucas didn’t give up until the end. He was quite impressive with his strong opinions.

“So, as I traced my memory, I recalled the villagers saying that recent natural disasters have been severe.”

Riett also heard the same thing from the captain of the guards. She speculated whether there was a connection between the Spirit Stone and natural disasters. It seemed like Lucas had the same idea.

“Before Riett arrived, there was an earthquake in the village, right? The compass moved at that time too.”

Although it couldn’t be concluded that this compass reacted to natural disasters based on just two instances, it wasn’t an entirely groundless story either. It seemed plausible.

‘Hmm…’

Now Riett didn’t know how much longer she could stay in Parman. If there was anything she could gain from being here, she should try to obtain as much as possible.

“My guess is this: the Spirit Stone is sealed somewhere nearby, and it occasionally goes on a rampage. That’s why it affects the climate in Parman.”

Lucas’ voice was full of conviction.

At first, Riett inwardly chuckled at his assertion, but now she didn’t. It was indeed a credible story.

If she observed the compass the next time it moved and witnessed an actual disaster, it would go beyond a hypothesis and become a certainty.

For that, the role of this compass was crucial.

“Lucas, how long do you plan to stay here?”

Lucas sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

“That’s already been bothering me. I should start heading back now. It’s only now that I’ve discovered this crucial fact.”

But that won’t do…

If Lucas took the compass and left, there would be no way to verify it. Anxious, Riett let out a subtle voice.

“Lucas.”

“Yes?”

“Sell me that compass.”

Lucas looked puzzled.

“What?”

“Sell it to me. I feel like I will stay here longer than you, and I’ll do my best to find the Spirit Stone somehow.”

Even if she had to descend to the capital before finding out something, she had gained the favor of the captain of the guards, so she could ask him to observe the compass.

Lucas looked at Riett with a doubtful expression.

“If I sell it to you and you find the Spirit Stone, what will you do then?”

Riett was momentarily stunned by the unexpected question.

‘If I find the Spirit Stone…’

Originally, she would have informed His Majesty the Emperor and handed it over to Perante. However, since Perante had betrayed the Empire, there was no one to give it to.

Riett glanced at Lucas.

She knows that he needs the Spirit Stone, but it’s not a position where a nationally important item like the Spirit Stone can be handed over to an individual like Lucas. 

If Lucas were to find it himself, it would be a different story.

Riett’s forehead furrowed.

What complicates matters further is that she recently became a Spirit Mage.

‘So, in the end, the Spirit Stone owned by the country would become mine…?’

Riett’s mind became complicated.

“Riett, I’ll try to give it to you if possible, but… I really need the Spirit Stone.”

At that moment, Lucas hesitated and expressed his refusal. His expression looked as if he had swallowed something bitter. 

Riett felt a sense of apology for his cautious refusal.

Finding the Spirit Stone might be the only way to break free from the Guild, but did she become too greedy?

At the same time, she couldn’t help but entertain the thought. If she were to possess such divine power herself, couldn’t she just overthrow Lucas’ Guild and make Perante regret it?

However, to relieve Lucas and reveal her ignorant and simplistic plan, Riett had to tell Lucas that she had become a Spirit Mage.

‘Hmm…’

Riett lifted her head and looked at Lucas.