Argentta’s military strength was broadly divided into three groups.
Assassins who silently eliminated those who posed a threat to Argentta from the shadows.
The official knights of Argentta, known as the knight order.
And the enforcers who punished those who broke Argentta’s laws.
Since the leader of the knight order was the house head, Dielo Argentta, the head maid and leader of the assassins, the “Cleaner” Pielle, and the enforcer and intelligence chief, “Executor” Rick, were effectively Argentta’s senior officials.
As such, they held absolute loyalty to Dielo Argentta.
Naturally, they were the first to act to remove anything that might harm him.
“I didn’t expect the Madam to throw herself into the battlefield like that.”
So quickly, and without hesitation.
Pielle was surprised as she listened to reports from knights deployed to the 4th District.
“She’s technically an outsider, isn’t she? And someone who will be leaving the house soon.”
Even the informant reporting to them had a face filled with admiration.
“We never expected her to go so far. If Madam hadn’t been there, we would’ve suffered severe losses.”
“A monster that uses magic—if she hadn’t been there, Sir Redias might have had to self-destruct.”
Rick shrugged, reacting to the report. Pielle frowned.
“Not self-destruct. Go berserk.”
“Same difference. Dead is dead. Boom.”
Rick flashed a cheeky grin, befitting his nickname as the “cheerful lunatic.” Pielle sighed at the sight.
Few people knew how close Rick and Pielle actually were.
In public, they always addressed each other formally.
“She’s more proactive in her work than expected and has adjusted well to Argentta’s ways. It must feel very different from Allozé.”
That kind of praise from Pielle—who was usually unwelcoming to outsiders—was a high compliment. The informant bowed.
“It’s a shame she’s only here temporarily.”
As someone in the know about the fake fero plan, he was aware of the bigger picture.
Rick scratched his cheek at those words.
“Well, temporary or not, the Lord doesn’t seem like he plans to let her go anytime soon.”
“That’s true.”
Pielle nodded absently.
“Why?”
They both asked the same question at the same time, meeting each other’s gaze.
“The Lord told me not to hide Argentta’s secrets from her.”
It was Pielle who spoke first.
That likely meant she had to become a true insider—or else… it meant he was ready to make a final decision.
Understanding the weight of that implication, Rick tilted his head.
“Really? I thought of it a bit differently.”
“How so?”
Though Rick always seemed light-hearted, he had a sharp mind.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be the executor and intelligence chief of Argentta.
That’s why Pielle respected his opinions.
“Well…”
Rick’s expression turned serious.
And when he made that face, he always meant it.
Pielle mirrored the seriousness, bracing herself for his words.
But then—
“I saw love in the Lord’s eyes.”
Pielle clutched her forehead. Of course—serious or not, it was still Rick.
“I mean it! Hearts were practically popping out of his eyes!”
“Go write your report if you’re just going to talk nonsense.”
Pielle chased him out.
Whatever the two of them believed, it was true that the atmosphere within Argentta had begun to change.
Previously, Croa was seen as this:
An outsider from a rival house, Allozé—someone who might leak secrets to them at any moment.
But now?
Someone who, despite being from Allozé, risked her life to rush into a deadly battlefield and saved countless Argentta soldiers.
People had begun to look at Croa Allozé—no, Croa Argentta—completely differently.
“…Ah.”
How did I get back?
I blinked a few times.
I remembered speaking with Dielo and watching the battlefield get cleaned up.
‘The post-battle cleanup will take some time.’
Redias’s words echoed in my mind. I remembered mounting the horse…
‘Ah…’
I also remembered swaying from dizziness as I tried to get on.
And then…
‘Croa.’
It was Dielo who had reached out to me.
His face full of concern was clear in my mind.
‘You can rest now. I’ll take you back.’
He had helped me onto his horse…
“…Ah.”
I must’ve passed out after that, and he brought me back.
I blinked again. My mouth was parched as if all moisture had been sucked out of my body.
I had no strength to move even a finger.
“So this is the side effect…”
It was said that each of the three ducal houses had unique side effects after using their powers to the limit.
Croa never fully used her water control in the original story, so there was no way of knowing what mine would be.
—Click.
Just then, the door opened slightly, and a maid entered with a damp towel.
She gasped when our eyes met.
“…Madam?”
“Yeah.”
A familiar face. She hurried to my side and checked my condition.
“You’re awake. I’ll fetch the doctor.”
“It’s fine.”
I wasn’t sick—just exhausted. I stopped her and asked the most pressing question.
“What about Redias?”
“…Pardon?”
The maid’s eyes widened.
Was I too direct?
Well, it did seem odd to ask about someone I’d barely met before the battlefield.
“The commander of the 4th District. Him—and all the soldiers there.”
There was no use lying around like this.
I sat up slowly and asked again.
“Are they all safe? How bad were the losses?”
Of course, Dielo made it back safely—he brought me here.
“Sir Redias already visited.”
“…What?”
My eyes widened.
If he already came and left, how long had I been unconscious?
“Was I out for a while?”
“Roughly a day and a half, Madam.”
…Ah, no wonder I feel drained.
As I blinked slowly, the maid continued.
“There were many minor injuries, but overall losses in the 4th District were minimal. If not for your support, the damage could’ve been severe. Sir Redias wished to thank you in person, but had to return to command the district.”
“That’s a relief.”
I finally let out a sigh.
My body felt stiff and I’d lost nearly two days, but the fact that Redias Argentta survived was a huge benefit to Argentta.
A smile came naturally.
“And Dielo?”
“He returned safely and resumed his duties. He visited you frequently between schedules to check on you.”
It wasn’t hard to imagine his worried face.
I sighed.
He must’ve been seriously concerned.
Our contract marriage didn’t include a clause requiring me to throw myself into battle.
“Tell him I’m fine now.”
“Yes, Madam. But the Lord ordered us to summon a doctor the moment you woke…”
She added hesitantly.
With Dielo’s cautious nature, that made sense.
I finally nodded.
“Fine. Call the doctor, and go let Dielo know.”
“Understood. For Argentta.”
The maid bowed deeply and left with perfect form.
“…‘For Argentta’?”
I thought back.
It was the first time I’d heard such a formal salute since coming to this mansion.
And after that maid, other staff began saying the same thing.
“Madam, I’m Dr. Nias.”
“Come in.”
The doctor who carefully examined me said it.
And so did every maid and knight who followed him into the room.
“We serve. For Argentta.”
Listening to them, one after another, left a strange feeling in my chest.
Just a while ago, I was an outsider here—yet now I felt undeniably closer.
Why the change?
The one who answered that question was Pielle, who entered after the doctor left.
“Your appearance on the battlefield left a deep impression on the people of Argentta.”
Honestly, I hadn’t expected staff to react positively to a new mistress giving orders to knights.
Sure, the environment had favored me—water, and I was from Allozé—but I’d essentially forced my way there.
‘It’s the sea, so someone from Allozé should go, right?’
If that wasn’t a stretch, I don’t know what is.
But I had to save Redias, even if it made me a spoiled noblewoman in their eyes.
So I pushed forward.
“…Why?”
That’s why I couldn’t understand.
Even with a good result, no one else knew I came from reading the original story.
I had no idea my water control would be that strong.
I just thought I’d barely be able to pull Redias out of the mess.
Who knew I’d feel my blood boil the moment I saw the ocean?
“It was a dangerous battlefield.”
As I recalled the scene, Pielle replied.
“I heard you rushed in without hesitation.”
She gave a short bow and continued.
“Even Argentta warriors hesitate to throw themselves into fire for the house—but you didn’t. You charged in more boldly than any of us.”
Pielle smiled faintly.
I widened my eyes.
I knew Pielle, the “Cleaner,” was someone who always kept a distance from others.
But her smile now held genuine warmth.
“The people here believe you’ve passed your ‘first battlefield.’ So do I.”
“First battlefield?”
“Yes.”
—Click.
A maid entered quietly with a tray and placed a bowl of soup before me.
As she assisted with my meal, Pielle explained:
“It’s a trial to become part of Argentta.”
So it wasn’t just about having power?
In the original, someone from Allozé could become a knight just by wielding water control.
“Anyone with power who wants to join Argentta is thrown into battle unarmed—to survive with their flames alone.”
“…!”
So if they can’t fight well enough, they’re just left to die?
“Live or die, that trial must be overcome with their own strength. If they die, their power becomes part of the Lord. But if they survive—they become one of us.”
Even while talking about life and death, Pielle’s expression remained calm.
“It’s to test whether one is ready to burn themselves for Argentta. That’s what it means to truly become one of us.”
It was a striking sentiment. I repeated softly,
“To become Argentta…”
Now I understood that strange sense of unity I’d always felt among Argentta people.
Perhaps it stemmed from this tradition—only those who’ve endured their “first battlefield” are accepted.
“It’s a strange feeling.”
As I wiped my mouth, Pielle helped gently.
“I don’t even know when I’ll be leaving this place.”
Though I already knew it wouldn’t be long… I couldn’t say that out loud.
“….”
Pielle said nothing. She only bowed slightly in silence.
That night, after sleeping for a day and a half, I couldn’t fall asleep again.
So, I began preparing for the future.
“Can you bring me a map of the continent?”
