The Lindegor Duchy was a family that rivalled the Arangis Duchy among the great nobility of the empire. Willun was the holy city of the Lindegor Duchy.

Willun was located in the northern parts of the empire, which attributed to the still, cold air dispersed throughout the wide city. Castle Witt-Anghel was in the northern sector of the city, and as its name suggested, a huge statue of a white angel was erected in front of the castle. The white angel stood in a proud manner, holding a sword on each hand to guard the castle from any danger. Its head was adorned with a crown made of ash wood.

The angel statue was a symbolic representation of the City of Willun and Castle Witt-Anghel, and the highest point of the statue marked the most secretive and tallest location amongst the many spires located in the city.

It was because the statue was the residence of Seiel, the guardian angel of the Lindegor Duchy. Usually, only the duke and his direct successors could enter the restricted area. Currently, however, a stranger was present in the angel’s abode.

It was a female knight dressed in an armor of silver and white. The armor possessed mysterious, fine curves, just like the unpredictable northern winds. Anyone who could see the armor would instantly be mesmerized by its intricacy.

[What has driven you to come all this way?]

A figure appeared behind the female knight and initiated a conversation.

[…..]

The female knight was silently staring at the horizon. At the figure’s words, she turned her head. There stood a handsome man with red hair, adorned in ancient armor. The armor seemed to have been crafted by closely weaving together metal scales.

[It has been a truly long time. Has it been 231 years?]

[232 years. It has been 232 years since you proposed to me.]

Soldrake, the silver-haired knight responded, and a cold smile hung around the mouth of Seiel.

Dragons were the olden brothers of gods.

As such, angels were able to communicate with dragons as knights of gods.

[Have you come here to give an answer to my proposal?]

[…..]

Without answering, Soldrake maintained her gaze on Seiel with cold eyes. After understanding her answer, Seiel gave a low sigh.

[Hoo… I am sure the Queen knows about the new vein. Would you not agree that you and I need to unite in order to overcome this calamity? We do not know what has transpired in that place before Amuhalt discovered it.]

He had a point, but Soldrake had no desire to do so.

From the angel’s words, It seemed Seiel was unaware of the reason behind why the dragon vein had run rampant twice before.

[Dragon veins are a matter concerning only the dragons. Even if you are Illeyna’s knight, it is out of your jurisdiction.]

[…..]

Seiel did not retort and maintained his silence.

He was an angel created by Goddess Illeyna, an assistant to the deity.

The vein was not an existence of blasphemy against the goddess. He had no authority to interfere with it.

[Then why has the Queen come to see me?]

[Elsaroa of Alcantia has been revived.]

[Hmm!]

Seiel displayed a shocked expression.

[The Queen of Death? That is ridiculous…]

Although he denied it in a quiet voice, the Queen of Dragons would not tell a silly joke. Seiel took on a heavy expression before asking her.

[Who has resurrected her?]

[The current Nameless Necromancer. He tried to kill Ray with the evil blade, Carnion. However, a girl at the side of Ray was stabbed instead.]

[Huh! Such a thing… Then that child will be revived as the Queen of Death? But Elsaroa is an ancient being with mana comparable to that of a dragon, how could a mere human girl be resurrected as… Hmm! It couldn’t be!?]

Seiel frowned with worry, and Soldrake nodded.

[That is right. The child deeply adored Ray.]

[That is surprising. That means the girl’s heart for the Queen’s beloved child is comparable to that of Elsaroa, who admired Alex Pendragon in the old days…]

[Even I had not expected it. Human love sometimes presents a mysterious aspect.]

Soldrake spoke, and Seiel silently gazed at Soldrake for a while before opening his lips.

[Human affection can measure life and death, sometimes even going beyond it.]

[Is that so? It is interesting that you, Illeyna’s knight, speak of the affections of the human world.]

Although Soldrake called it ‘interesting’, her expression remained impassive. A thin smile appeared on the mouth of Seiel.

[I have been building relationships with the children I take care of, unlike the Queen. It also relates to my proposal to the Queen as well.]

[Pendragon alone is enough for me. And now is not the time to be discussing my relationship with you.]

Seiel smiled and nodded in response to Soldrake’s apathetic answer.

[That is true. Now, shall we continue to talk about the arising issues you have brought to me? The resurrection of Elsaroa could mean a repetition of what happened hundreds of years ago. What would you like me to do?]

[Carry out your duty as a knight of Illeyna.]

She spoke in an authoritative tone.

The solemn voice of Soldrake contained an unknown dignity. And because she was no less dignified than Goddess Illeyna, Seiel’s master, the angel bowed deeply.

[The Nameless Necromancer is the enemy of the goddess. I will obey the Queen.]

Fwoosh!

The cold northern wind swirled around the two beings, affirming the temporary alliance of the angel and the Dragon Queen.

***

“What?”

Arigo Arangis’ thick eyebrows wriggled.

Simultaneously, a spirit containing bottomless fury materialized and spread throughout the palace.

“Ugh!”

Everyone in the palace clenched their teeth and struggled. It felt as if they were facing a huge wave within a storm.

“D, Duke Pendragon declared from El Pasa that he would destroy the monsters in the Great Forest of Assia.”

“Not that part.”

The knight hurriedly replied at the frosty voice, lowering his head even more.

“The roundtable conference of Gapusa and Agadir offered to support Duke Pendragon and Governor-General Count Cedric of El Pasa. And the lords of Romdir and Valvas…”

Bang!

A loud explosion. Arigo Arangis struck the armrest of his throne in anger. The knight’s shriveled up even further.

Fwoosh!

The spirit rose like a flame, surging massively.

“Those maggots are courting death. Even though he was born of a concubine, a descendant of the great Arangis family has died! How dare they turn a blind eye to the Sea Dragon’s symbol in the south?”

Toleo’s death came in as a shock, but Arigo did not consider Toleo to be his real brother. It was rather unfortunate that Toleo died when he was still useful, but it was not saddening.

Arigo was angry because the status and influence of the Arangis family in the south was being shaken by a single brat from the mainland.

But regardless of the reason, the successor of the Arangis Duchy was extremely furious, and the nobles and knights in the palace were literally suppressed.

“Gather the army. All ships and sea griffons are to gather at Blida. The same goes for the southern lords. Let them know. If they do not answer our call, they will be making an enemy out of the Ocean King.”

“We accept the will of the Ocean King!”

The nobles and knights of the palace answered in one voice.

But then someone raised his hand with a cautious expression.

“But, young master.”

“Hmm?”

Arigo’s fierce eyes turned towards the man like a fierce hawk. Nevertheless, Manuel was the advisor to the Arangis Duchy. He stole a cold sweat and remained faithful to his duties.

“The Duke of Pendragon and the Governor-General of El Pasa have obtained a reasonable cause. Although the southern lords have yet to express their official support for them, like Romdir and Valvas, there are many who stand behind them. If we are to lead a large army to El Pasa at a time like this, there is a possibility that the neighboring lords of Assia will rise up in rebellion.”

“…..”

Arigo’s spirit subsided.

Although he was raging with anger, he was not foolish enough to let his anger occlude his ability to see the greater picture.

Arigo spoke, sitting back down on his throne.

“Continue.”

Manuel inwardly let out a sigh of relief when the future lord of the south, the young white shark, regained his cool. He quickly continued.

“Most importantly, the recent storm has caused severe damage to the northeastern part of Crete and to the nearby islands. Would it not be better to crack down on the inland lords for the time being, while concentrating on recovering from the damage? If we mobilize a large force at a time like this, there is a high possibility that discontent will stem from within as well.”

“Hm.”

Click. Click.

Toleo fell into thought while tapping on his armrest.

Manuel’s words had their merit.

It would not matter if the Arangis Duchy only mobilized their own power. But if he mobilized the troops of the inland lords who were allied with the Arangis Duchy, he would have to first establish a chain of command.

However, now that Duke Pendragon and the Governor-General of El Pasa declared their intentions to fight against the monster armies in the Great Forest of Assia, the Arangis Duchy could not go against them. They might even become the antagonists in the story.

At a time when the drawn-out wars of the south had finally died down, the beginning of another war would not be welcomed by the lords and the residents of the south.

“Pendragon maggot… Was this his objective from the very beginning? Did he form a coalition against the monsters in the forest for this very purpose…?”

Arigo spoke in a voice full of hostility, and Manuel lowered his head.

“I am certain that such is the case, young master. Moreover, he destroyed the pirates in the sea while heading to El Pasa… Even if they are not showing it, it is likely that many merchants are overjoyed at the series of events. They will want to establish a strong relationship with the Pendragons. Even Karl Mandy… Heup!”

Manuel hurriedly shut his mouth.

Even though the Arangis Duchy was unrivalled in the south, they could not easily touch Karl Mandy, the Gold King of the South.

Karl Mandy had accumulated wealth not only in El Pasa, but in the mainland cities of the empire as well, including Drante. Moreover, he was highly trusted by the foreign merchants of Gapusa and Agadir, and he had a deep relationship with the mercenaries there as well.

If Karl Mandy made the resolve to completely pull out of the south while suffering some losses, a large number of lords and territories would fall into great troubles. Therefore, the Arangis Duchy could not hastily move against Karl Mandy.

Above all, there was another reason why Arigo Arangis regarded Karl Mandy as an eyesore and had contempt for him.

“What about Karl Mandy? If you speak, finish your words.”

Arigo’s eyes flashed colder than ever, and Manuel replied with difficulty. He blamed himself for accidentally bringing up the topic.

“Well, uh, t, there is a rumor that Karl Mandy is giving his eldest daughter, Iriya, to Duke Pendragon…”

“What?”

Arigo’s anger elevated to another level. In the past, he had made a great effort to take in Iriya as his concubine but was rejected.

***

“Ha…”

“Hmm? Do you have any concerns, Baroness Conrad?”

At the sight of Lindsay’s sight, one of the noble ladies of El Pasa inched closer and asked. The relationship between Lindsay and the ladies had solidified over the last few days.

“Ah, it, it is nothing.”

Lindsay smiled awkwardly while denying it in a small voice.

However, the southern ladies were quick-witted when it came to certain issues(?). They quickly caught on and asked.

“Is it perhaps because of Lady Iriya?”

“What? Oh, no, it’s…”

Lindsay tried to gloss over it, but it was useless.

After noticing something from Lindsay’s reaction, the noble ladies of El Pasa began to chatter. They were like fish in water when it came to these topics.

“Well it is true, Lady Iriya is definitely pretty. El Pasa’s greatest beauty, the flower of the southern seas, receives all sorts of compliments. Moreover, all the men who see her become helpless.”

“That is right. Even the heir of the Arangis Duchy, His Grace Arigo, tried so hard to take in Lady Iriya as a concubine.”

“What? The heir of the Arangis Duchy?”

Lindsay was surprised to hear that even the Arangis Duchy’s heir had tried to court Karl Mandy’s daughter.