HSFCWH 162🔐

Chapter 162 …

“And Raven said he’s reinforced the purification magic circle a bit more.”

Evelyn relayed what Raven had said a few days ago when he had seemed unusually quiet. Even while training, his mind never strayed far from thoughts about magic circles—just like him.

He said he had devised a way to extract more of the Evil God’s power.

“I think it would be best to accommodate as many people as possible in the training ground. Shouldn’t we start including the northern vassals and their attendants soon?”

“That sounds good. If the magician says so, it shouldn’t overstrain the ruins.”

She had worried that too many people might upset the balance, but since Raven had strengthened the connection of the magic circle, there was no longer any need to worry.

“Then let’s send letters to the vassals. I’m sure they’ll be pleased.”

“We haven’t neglected the North, but I think they probably had some lingering dissatisfaction of their own.”

Evelyn spoke with a tone of apology. Elliot had postponed dealing with the vassals to first secure the support of the capital’s nobles.

They had only been hearing about others growing stronger.

The vassals were likely waiting anxiously.

“Do not worry. They’re actually pleased.”

“Pleased?”

“Yes. We decided to reduce their fees for using the ruins.”

Evelyn nodded upon hearing that they would be allowed to use the training grounds for less than half the cost other families paid.

With that, waiting a month or two would be more than acceptable. After all, they had been participating in the subjugation training around the duchy.

It was not a losing situation at all.

And above all, they trusted that the Duke would not slight them.

“The vassals trust Elliot completely, then.”

“There were some who didn’t at first, but now they have no choice but to trust me entirely.”

There was a lot left unsaid in Elliot’s words, but Evelyn chose to keep silent rather than ask further.

Before the prophecy was given, a few heads of vassal families had changed. It was probably connected to that.

It seemed a bloodbath had quietly occurred behind the scenes. If Elliot had intervened personally, it likely would not have ended cleanly.

‘It’s best to pretend I don’t know about complicated matters.’

Evelyn smiled and felt relieved.

“Rozie contacted me saying she wants to visit the North. I think it’s because of Johannes Youngsik.”

There was no way she would come to the North on her own. She hated both monsters and cold weather.

Evelyn couldn’t help but smile at the thought of her complaining the entire way here.

“I never expected the two of them to become like that.”

“Neither did I. It seems Johannes Youngsik has liked Rozie for a long time.”

“So that’s why things were unusual at the Bellemit Territory.”

Elliot quietly listened to Evelyn’s chattering.

Given his personality, he would normally ignore such useless chatter.

But it was surprisingly pleasant to hear her talking like a song from up close.

“So you’ll allow her to come to the North?”

“Yes. If Rozie knows the situation here, she’ll have more to say in the social circles.”

Evelyn couldn’t help but laugh, realizing her intention wasn’t entirely pure.

“I plan to have her visit on the day the subjugation ends, since we’ll be heading up the snowy mountains tomorrow anyway.”

“Do you really need to participate in the subjugation?”

Elliot tilted his head and asked. Evelyn had never understood this before.

After facing monsters summoned by the Evil God, the monsters in the snowy mountains seemed far too weak.

Of course, stronger monsters existed higher up, but the visiting knights could only reach mid-mountain.

And even then, they had only cleared the paths that had already been explored.

Exploring elsewhere could encounter more varied monsters, but now there was no reason to further develop the snowy mountains.

Once the Evil God is eliminated, the mountains would return to their original state. Then they could clear out the remaining monsters and cultivate the land.

“I want to see the results of the training, and I feel I need a bit more real combat experience as well.”

“Then why not move separately?”

“Separately?”

Elliot continued as he noticed her eyes widen.

“It’ll be hard for you to perform at your best if you move with the knights.”

She would only be cleaning up after them. He actually wished she would spend that time sparring with him instead.

But having promised not to interfere with her work, they would need to ascend the snowy mountains.

He decided it was better to remove others from the path—no need to watch over anyone else.

If no one needed to be sacrificed, Evelyn wouldn’t get hurt.

Elliot reached a simple conclusion.

‘With me, there’s no risk of injury and no need to sacrifice for anyone.’

Plus, she could freely show off her skills without worrying about the knights—perfect conditions for Evelyn.

“Is that alright?”

“We can leave the lower part to the knights and go higher, or explore the paths we couldn’t reach last time.”

Elliot naturally dangled a bait that would pique her interest.

“The Northern Knights are capable of climbing past the mid-mountain, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

Evelyn, having deliberated, nodded.

The subjugation would last about a week, and she would get to spend the whole time with Elliot.

The more she thought about it, the more she liked Elliot’s suggestion.

“I should tell Albert to prepare the items we took last time as they were.”

“They probably have. Only I’ll be accompanying, so we just need to focus on the food.”

Evelyn fidgeted with excitement as the conversation progressed smoothly. Elliot always seemed to know exactly what she wanted.

When she glanced at him, wanting to hold his raised hand, he extended his hand toward her.

Evelyn didn’t hesitate and clasped his hand. She had looked, and he hadn’t refused.

She considered this perfectly justified.

Yet his willingness to give everything so easily made her feel a bit unsure.

Could it really be this easy? she wondered.

“What’s on your mind this time?”

His low question made Evelyn stare into his eyes.

Soft, yet she still couldn’t find the affection she desired in them.

The wall was unexpectedly high.

Evelyn grinned and squeezed their joined hands. She decided that when Rozie came, she would definitely ask.

Until then, she would maintain the so-called “Lucas tactic.” Elliot held her hand tightly but only gave a small smile.

She wondered if it was impossible for her, a non-hero, yet it only fueled her determination.

Since he said anything was fine, she decided to do whatever it took to win his heart.

The first step would be this.

Evelyn’s lips twitched as she stared at their clasped hands. She slowly raised her head.

In their meeting eyes, surprise flickered.

“Evelyn?”

A soft kiss touched her lips without a chance to resist, and Elliot froze.

“If you don’t pull away, I’ll do it again.”

Her face burned, but Evelyn didn’t step back. Courage was everything.

Elliot’s pupils seemed to waver, but he didn’t retreat.

He seemed determined to keep his promise to agree to anything. Evelyn smiled.

Once she had a goal, giving up wasn’t her style.

So she wouldn’t refuse.

Another soft kiss followed, and Evelyn noticed Elliot’s slight trembling reaction before closing her eyes.

“Good morning!”

Evelyn’s face was unusually bright as she arrived at the training ground early in the morning.

“Did something good happen?”

Johannes asked, surprised as he had come to warm up before the subjugation team departed.

“I’m looking forward to the subjugation!”

So it could be something to look forward to, Johannes thought, smiling broadly and stepping back slightly.

“When we climb the snowy mountains, we’ll finally see the Archduchess’s skills again.”

“Oh, I’m going up with the Duke separately,” Evelyn replied with a smile when Jahal approached with an eager voice.

“Only the two of you?”

“Yes. We’ll take a different path up the snowy mountains.”

“Looking for another safe route, I see.”

Jeffrey nodded as if he understood, showing he was okay with the sudden change in plans.

“Then please also handle any high-level monsters while you’re at it.”

“Understood.”

Jeffrey winked with one eye. Since it was the first subjugation of the term, he seemed a bit anxious.

As she moved aside, Evelyn couldn’t hide her excitement for the subjugation she would undertake with Elliot.