HSFCWH 06

CHAPTER 6

Clang!

Despite reluctantly revealing her identity due to the Grand Duke’s strong suspicions, Evelyn was rewarded not with trust, but with a sudden attack.

This man… he’s seriously strong.

Evelyn had to steady the excitement that tingled through her hands.
It had been a long time since she faced someone stronger than herself.
Though she knew she should stop, Evelyn couldn’t put her sword down.

“You say you’re the young lady of House Barrett? And I’m supposed to believe that?”

Elliot couldn’t trust the words of someone who had stalked him like an assassin.

This girl had been silently watching his every move, waiting for a chance to strike.
House Barrett had once been known for martial prowess, but lately, it was a fading name.
Why would such a house hide someone of this skill?

“It’s true!!”

Evelyn barely managed to block a blade aiming for her neck.

Glancing toward the snowy mountains, hoping for a chance to escape, she struggled to suppress the thrill of battle she hadn’t felt in ages.

She leapt back, trying to make a run for the mountain, only to be met with another strike, forcing her to counter again.

“Huff.”

The exchange of attacks was relentless.

On the snowfield where each step sank deep, Evelyn was slowly being pushed back by the Grand Duke’s fluid movements.

“For an assassin, you’re pretty skilled.”

Honestly, Elliot was tempted to recruit her into his knights.

He studied the youthful face revealed after her hood had fallen.
Purple hair fluttered in the air.

“I’m really, truly not an assassin!”

“Then will you surrender quietly?”

“W-Will you let me go up the mountain if I do?!”

Evelyn shut her eyes tightly.
None of this would’ve happened if he had just issued the permit!

If word got out, she’d once again be a laughingstock in high society.

“Claiming the name of a failing house… bold, but I’m not so easily fooled.”

“Hold on! It’s not completely ruined yet!”

Realizing another attack was imminent, Evelyn quickly reached into her coat.

“Stop right there!”

Thinking she was pulling out a magical scroll, Elliot slashed his sword.

Snap.

“Huh?”

But what she pulled out wasn’t what he expected—prompting the Grand Duke to lower his blade in surprise.

It was a silver ID badge.

Silver signified noble status.

“Your Grace. Does the Grand Duke’s house do ID reissues, by any chance?”

Evelyn’s hopeful eyes pleaded as she held out her severed badge.

[House of Count Barrett – Evelyn Barrett]

Though the top part had been sliced off, her name and house were clearly printed.

So, she was telling the truth.

Now that he thought about it, her purple hair matched that of the Count Barrett he had once met.

And when the young heir of Barrett had fallen ill, their family had sent a delegation to the north in search of medicinal herbs from the snowy mountains.

Putting the pieces together, Elliot let out a sigh.

“You really are Lady Evelyn of House Barrett.”

At last, he offered her the courtesy she was due.

“I’ll have a mage from your house restore your ID.”

“Thank you…”

“You’re here for the herbs, I presume?”

He already had a good idea of why she had come, but Elliot asked coldly.

No one came to the north unless they were desperate.

But was it right for a young noble girl, still with baby fat on her face, to walk into death’s jaws for her family?

“Yes. I submitted a request to enter the mountain but never received a reply.”

Evelyn spoke with an awkward expression.

“That’s why I tried to sneak in…”

Seeing the stern look on the Grand Duke’s face, Evelyn forced herself not to get discouraged.

Maybe sincerity could win him over.

“That’s rather troublesome.”

Elliot had been planning to turn her away gently, but the fiery determination in her eyes made him sigh.

Her eyes were slightly reddened.

If she cried, it’d be a hassle.

He would’ve allowed her to climb the mountain, but lately, the monster activity had been unusual.

“You saw what I can do. I’m a Sword Master.”

She had shown considerable skill.

Elliot nearly nodded without thinking. In that case, there was no reason to stop her from going up.

“I didn’t know the Lady of House Barrett was so talented.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll issue the permit. But make sure you’re properly equipped. The mountain’s movements have been strange.”

“I’m sorry for climbing over the wall.”

She was already prepared, but judging by the Grand Duke’s tone, he wasn’t letting her go just yet. Evelyn nodded obediently.

She couldn’t ignore the words of the man who guarded the north.

“Follow me.”

It felt a bit like being arrested, but Evelyn, guided by a pricking conscience, quietly followed behind him.

“Albert!!”

Upon returning to the castle, Elliot immediately called for his steward.

“Yes, did you call?”

“Bring me Lady Barrett’s mountain entry application.”

Albert entered the parlor upon being summoned—and his eyes widened at the beautiful young lady he had never seen before.

The Duke brought a woman himself?!

Albert had cared for Elliot since birth, and this was nothing short of a miracle.

The words “entry application” left his mind.
That round, youthful face and intelligent eyes…

Her thick, luscious purple hair and the finely crafted armor—surely she was a fitting bride for the Duke!

“She’s a perfect match to be the future Duchess!”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

Elliot frowned and urged him to just bring the documents.

“I’ll bring tea right away, my lady. Though our Duke may seem cold, he’s not as heartless as he looks!”

Albert, moved almost to tears, left after saying his piece.

“He… seems cheerful.”

“He’s just misunderstanding. Don’t pay him any mind.”

As Evelyn gave an awkward laugh, Elliot changed the subject.

“How long do you plan to stay in the snowy mountain?”

“Until I find the Blue Herb.”

She couldn’t return to the capital until she found the herb rumored to cure any illness.

This was a rare opportunity Evelyn couldn’t afford to waste.

“I see. Did you bring the proper equipment for your stay?”

Suspicious, he asked.

Evelyn quickly pulled out her dimensional pouch.

She overturned it, spilling everything out.

“A tent made by the Mage Tower, an emergency teleport scroll, all-purpose rope, high-grade healing potions…”

“You’ve come well-prepared.”

Did House Barrett put all their remaining resources into her?

Elliot examined the top-tier artifacts and nodded—then paused.

“What about food?”

“…I’ll just eat monsters!”

“So… you brought everything except food?”

Honestly, she had planned to buy some once she arrived in the north. But in her rush to sneak past the wall, she had forgotten.

“Ha. Ha.”

“If I hadn’t stopped you, you would’ve been in serious trouble within days.”

“I’m sorry…”

Under his disappointed gaze, Evelyn bowed her head deeply.

Just then, Albert returned in high spirits.

“Found it! Lady Barrett’s application! The handwriting is so elegant—worthy of a future Duchess!”

“Albert. Enough.”

Elliot sighed and reached out for the document.

Albert respectfully handed it over.

“We almost processed your application as number twenty-five, failing to recognize your noble status!”

Albert had dragged the administrative staff out of bed at dawn to retrieve all the information related to Evelyn’s form.

So… I should’ve waited a whole month instead of two weeks?

Evelyn stared in disbelief at the shameless Grand Duke, whose face didn’t even twitch at this revelation.

“Why does it take so long to process?”

“The Duke ordered us to only handle one application per day! We never meant to ignore you, my lady!”

“Ahem.”

Elliot cleared his throat, but his expression remained indifferent.

To him, anyone who wanted to climb the snowy mountain was suicidal. There was no reason to waste his time on meaningless work.

Still, it was his fault for delaying the paperwork, and it had turned into a headache.

Now that he knew the truth, there was no reason to refuse her.

Even if the mountain was dangerous these days, someone of her skill might survive.

Had her permit been processed in time, she’d already be halfway up the mountain by now.