Ian raised his goblet to his lips.
Nasser’s expression shifted at last, as though sothing had fallen into place. "Is that everything?"
"Yes. Did you morize it all?" Ian asked.
Nasser nodded without hesitation. "Of course, my lord."
"Go to Harald or Torvien first and have them choose a suitable location. Pass the word to the others. When everything is finished, return and report to ."
"Understood. I’ll go at once."
As Nasser rose from his seat, Ian frowned slightly. "You can finish your al before you go."
"I’d rather take care of it imdiately. Besides, the festival has only just begun, hasn’t it?"
"Well, if you say so," Ian gave a small nod.
Nasser turned to the centurions, now fully upright. "You heard him. Volber, Askel. No drinking."
Askel and Volber both nodded, though they glanced at Ian with puzzled expressions.
"Then I’ll take my leave, my lord." After offering the sa courtesy to v, Nasser turned and walked away.
"What could the demigod possibly have assigned only to you?"
"He ntioned a lot of nas. Any guesses?"
"No, not at all."
Ian ignored their whispers.
Idiots.
"It doesn’t matter. The demigod clearly values above all others. If he gives an order, I obey."
"There you go again, Askel. I’ve fought beside the Great Warrior more tis than anyone."
"I was the first to et the Great Warrior. I’m the one who brought him to the village."
At the continued exchange between Askel and Volber, a faint smirk spread across Ian's face. The two were exactly alike.
"You’ll be living off that for the rest of your life, brat. Karha guided you to him. You were just the guide."
"It was an honorable duty. I imagine this will be the sa. Wouldn’t you agree?"
"Heh. Perhaps."
They are celebrating far too early.
Ian set his empty goblet down on the table. He gave v a grateful smile as she promptly offered the bottle, then finally turned to Mukapa.
"It seems you’ve more than repaid your debt to . Do you plan to continue serving Her Highness?"
Mukapa, who had been waiting in silence, bowed his head slightly. "No. My contract with Her Highness has already been fulfilled."
"Then you’re currently bound by no formal contract."
"That is correct. However, under guild regulations, Her Highness still holds priority for the next commission. In long-distance escort contracts, it is common to renew the agreent for the return journey."
A faint smile curved Ian’s lips. "I see. You account for the aftermath as well. As expected, you’re not like ordinary rcenaries."
He lifted the goblet again and studied Mukapa over its rim. "If Her Highness chooses not to exercise that priority, does it vanish at once?"
"Yes. In that case, all formal contracts are terminated," Mukapa answered readily, eting Ian’s gaze with curious eyes, as if wondering why he asked.
"And afterward, you would return south?" Ian asked.
"I intend to head to the Central first. I will confirm whether the Desert Clan’s guild requires my services. If not, I will cross the inner sea again."
"I see..." Ian took a slow sip, then lowered the goblet. "If Her Highness doesn’t exercise her priority, I would like to reserve a commission."
"By regulation, I must hear the details and compensation before deciding."
Though a subtle anticipation glimred in his yellow eyes, Mukapa’s tone remained strictly professional. Ian, a rcenary himself, took no offense.
Nodding, Ian said, "I have a goddaughter in the capital. She’s studying and conducting research at the academy. Her na is Elia yer, a dwarf with different-colored eyes."
"Elia yer...." Mukapa repeated the na as if committing it to mory.
"As you know, the civil war will soon begin in earnest. Before the chaos reaches the capital, bring her back to ."
"Will you remain here, honored guest?"
"No. By then, I’ll likely be in the West. On my way to Racliffe, or, if things go well, already there."
v, who had been quietly eating as she listened, froze mid-bite and stared at Ian with wide eyes.
It seed neither Thesaya nor Nasser had told her. They had kept their promise to keep it secret, even from her.
As Ian gave her a faint smile, Mukapa asked, "Then I’m to escort her to Racliffe?"
"That would be best. Whoever arrives first can wait. Though if the timing is unfortunate, you may miss her. My knight is still in the capital."
Mukapa answered imdiately. "You an Sir Philip, the Silent Guardian."
"Yes. That one." Ian let out a quiet snort. "He has a habit of ddling. He may already be looking after my goddaughter."
"The guild’s informants are spread throughout the capital. Even if they conceal their identity, once we secure a description, locating her will not be difficult," Mukapa said calmly.
That was more than enough reassurance. Mukapa was not the reckless sort, and he had already proven he could track Ian down once before.
"Good. If that happens, join him and bring her together. Once we formalize the contract, I’ll provide a token to show them. That leaves only the matter of paynt."
Ian paused briefly, then added, "Is there anything you want? I’ll accommodate it if I can."
"There were several weapons tempered in the sacred fla of the Blazing Goddess. Grant one of them," Mukapa answered without hesitation.
Ian smiled. "That’s sothing I could give you even without calling it a paynt."
"No, I will receive it as compensation."
At the firm answer, Ian chuckled. "Very well. Once Her Highness makes her choice, co speak with again. There won’t be ti for custom forging, but I’ll provide one in advance."
"Yes." Mukapa bowed his head at last, though the expectation in his eyes remained carefully restrained. After all, Seras had not yet made her choice.
Even so, Ian already knew she wouldn’t be returning to the capital.
"I’ve kept you from your al long enough. Eat. We’re finished here," Ian said casually.
Mukapa imdiately turned back to his plate and reached for the at with his large hand.
"You’re going to the West again?" v leaned closer and whispered.
Ian nodded. "Yes."
"But why there?"
"That’s because—" Ian trailed off. His gaze shifted over v’s shoulder. Beyond the people dancing strange dances to the music, he spotted two figures approaching.
It was Seras and Thesaya.
"We’ll discuss the details after those uninvited guests leave."
Ian tilted his chin slightly toward them. "Or you could ask the pointy-eared one coming this way."
As v turned around, Ian glanced at Mukapa. "You’ll be able to confirm Her Highness’s decision soon enough."
"Yes. I’ll ask after you’ve finished speaking," Mukapa replied, chewing slowly, as if intent on eating quietly.
Seras and Thesaya stopped behind v.
"May we interrupt for a mont?" Seras asked, while Thesaya gave v a quick wink.
Ian nodded. "As long as you don’t disturb these two while they eat."
"Of course, Archduke." Smiling, Seras moved to the chair Nasser had vacated.
Ian looked at Thesaya. "There was no need for you to co as well, Elder."
"I know. I simply thought sothing interesting might happen. Move over a chair, Redhead." Thesaya slipped neatly between v and Seras. She had grown noticeably more at ease around the princess.
v calmly pulled another chair closer and placed two empty tin goblets in front of them.
Catching Ian’s glance, the centurions quietly lifted the table and shifted it aside to make more space.
"You instructed everyone to gather in one place," Seras said, giving v a brief look of thanks.
When Ian turned toward her, she t his eyes before continuing. "Are you planning to entrust the administration of the North to them?"
"Correct," Ian answered.
As Thesaya filled the empty goblets, Seras let out a soft sigh.
"So you truly have no intention of ruling the North yourself."
"You already knew that."
"Yes, of course... Still." She shook her head lightly. "Perhaps it was foolish of to think I could fully understand."
She studied him with a asured look as he drank. "You’ve already made your decision. That is no longer what matters."
"That’s right. What matters lie elsewhere." Ian lowered his goblet and t her gaze. "As you likely guessed, I would like to ask Your Highness to take on the most important role."
"If it is such a role, then surely..."
"Yes. I would like you to serve as my representative. Act in my stead."
Thesaya’s brows lifted, as though she had expected nothing less.
Seras, however, simply looked at Ian, offering no imdiate reply.
"You needed a reason not to return to the capital. It would also be a valuable experience in many respects," Ian said, watching her red eyes as her thoughts shifted behind them.
As her expression shifted, he set his goblet down and added, "It is only a proposal. If Your Highness refuses, I will find another way."
Instead of answering, Seras raised her goblet and drank. Her slender throat moved once before she lowered it, exhaling softly as her brows drew together.
"It is a difficult offer to refuse. But there are several concerns."
"For example?" Ian tilted his chin.
Seras ran her tongue lightly across her lips before replying. "I’m not from the North. Nor am I fully versed in its internal affairs. Will the people trust ? Will the council follow my decisions?"
"You stood with us in Calbrook and made your presence known throughout the city. I intend to place capable hands at your side," Ian answered without pause, having expected the question.
He lifted his goblet again and t her eyes. "And besides, from what I have seen, you are more than capable of overcoming such obstacles."
"I appreciate that." A faint smile curved her lips.
After a brief pause, she continued, "However, there is a far simpler and more certain solution."
"Are you going to bring up political marriage again?" Ian narrowed his eyes slightly.
Thesaya inhaled sharply, her eyes widening. v, who had been quietly drinking, went rigid beside her.
Without glancing at either of them, Seras smiled. "As expected. You understand imdiately."
"I would have thought the ti to abandon that idea had long since passed."
Seras shook her head faintly. "I’m not asking for affection. As you know, I’m destined to marry soone not of my choosing, eventually. And I hear that the Agent of the Saint already has several consorts—"
"That is a baseless rumor," Ian cut in without hesitation.
Seras paused, then smiled again. "Of course I know. But with such rumors already circulating, adding my na would hardly surprise anyone. There was even talk in the capital once of an affair between the Agent of the Saint and ."
Suppressing a hollow laugh, Ian held Seras’s red gaze for a mont. For a princess, such words should have been humiliating. Yet her eyes remained steady, untroubled. It showed how highly she valued him.
"I must decline."
His answer ca a beat later, not because he needed ti to consider, but because he refused to embarrass her with an imdiate rejection.
"I have never once considered a marriage without affection. Nor do I intend to," Ian said.
Seras’s gaze did not waver. "Then what if we were to build affection?"
Her careful words made him pause. It was fortunate he had not yet taken another drink, or he might have choked. Beside her, Thesaya’s breath caught audibly.
"I don’t believe I would make the worst possible partner. It’s not as though we lack mories to call our own. Of course, it might require so effort on your part." She leaned forward slightly, her voice calm and asured. A faint tension flickered in her red eyes.
Ian held her gaze for a long mont before he finally answered, "I’m sorry, but that will not do either."
A quiet sigh slipped from him as he set the goblet down. "There is already soone I hold in my heart."
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