Episode 314.2
Mirna seemed ready to set aside what had already happened and focus on planning for the future—a remarkably constructive and forward-thinking approach. She definitely deserves a perfect score as the main wife!
“A plan, huh.”
Stella, too, appeared to take Mirna’s serious question to heart, and after a moment’s thought, she responded.
“You’re diligent, Mirna-yang. Yes, as you said, a life without a plan isn’t freedom but mere indulgence. I’ve had plenty of time beyond the wall to think about how I want to live.”
Stella had a plan?
Stella continued.
“This time, I’ve already transferred all of Bellhawk’s assets under my name. Even with a long elf’s life, it’s more money than I could ever use. I’m going to spend it all lavishly with Theo-kun.”
… Really.
That’s a great plan.
I’d never heard of such a perfect plan in my life.
Apparently, Mirna felt the same, as she looked completely shocked, like a cat tasting salt for the first time. It was rare to see that expression on Mirna’s face.
Then she rubbed her forehead.
“If we keep talking, I think I’ll end up losing my sanity. Let’s leave it at this for today. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”
With that, it seemed our conversation came to a close.
Or at least, I wanted to think so.
* * *
We stayed in an annex near the Sandora City Hall. A lavish room, perceptive servants—a noble lifestyle with nothing to envy.
Laziness oozed from my body like honey.
Of course, I was someone who knew how to discipline myself before giving in to laziness.
Not wanting to waste this rare silence, I sat cross-legged on the bed and began meditating.
If meditation as a mage involves focusing inward and descending into the subconscious, this time, I focused outward. Toward the world that lay beyond my thin layer of skin.
The clean sheets, the sounds drifting in from beyond the window….
Tak, tak.
Soon, I sensed footsteps approaching. A neat and composed stride, carrying a feeling of resolve and solemnity.
“Lady Mirna….”
I addressed the woman behind the door. A startled expression crossed her face as she entered.
“How did you know?”
“I’d never fail to recognize your footsteps, Lady Mirna. Right now, I feel as though I could recognize you even if your appearance were entirely different.”
“Hmph, that glib tongue of yours.”
“So, what brings you here?”
“It’s about Professor Stella. Sir Theo still haven’t talked about it, have you?”
Mirna glanced around my room, looking somewhat anxious. Likely because of the sensitive nature of the topic. She must be asking if I’d told Stella that I am the son of Isaiah Gospel.
“I haven’t said anything yet. It’s not exactly an easy topic to bring up.”
“I see. But, is what Professor Stella said really true?”
“It is.”
Mirna seemed a bit at a loss for words.
“Really. Even in that situation, she managed to… I’m not sure whether to call it skillful. It’s a complicated feeling. To have fallen below the wall, and in such a dire situation…”
Even in wartime, children are born. It’s instinctive to want to leave descendants before dying. But I didn’t bother explaining that to Mirna.
“Still, I have no regrets.”
No regrets at all.
Instead, I felt a sense of relief. My seemingly impossible goal, my personal revenge—thinking that it was coming to fruition gave me satisfaction.
Everyone said it was impossible.
Now, all that’s left was Aira Von Tarantera.
Just one queen.
“So, what’s your plan with the queen?”
Mirna asked me then. Well, it was only natural for her to be curious. On the one hand, she seemed to be looking forward to it.
“To be honest, I have no idea what the queen is thinking. Is Sir Theo really going to bring down the queen and then… do things with her in bed…?”
Mirna trailed off, her face reddening with embarrassment. She cleared her throat before continuing.
“… I can’t imagine the queen moaning under a man. How are you going to seduce a woman like that?”
“Well, first, I think I’ll have to participate in the martial festival.”
“For reference, I heard that the queen has recently ascended to Rank 8. She now has the power of a whole country’s army by herself.”
Was that true?
While I struggled outside, Aira sat still and reached Rank 8. Just when I thought I’d finally caught up, she’s already leaped ahead again.
“But, Sir Theo, I might be able to offer a bit of help. The immortal art you mentioned. If it’s true that you met the immortal Angala….”
“Really? You can help me?”
Kubilai once told me that I’d already grasped the basics of training in immortal arts. Once you learn to walk, you’ll eventually know how to run. My skills would naturally improve over time.
But I was short on time, and honestly, it still felt too distant to me.
So hearing this from Mirna was a warm welcome.
Suk.
I grabbed Mirna’s hands.
She got flustered, exclaiming, “Ah— you’re too excited…!” Her face went red as she awkwardly pushed my face away.
Slowly, I released her hands and asked.
“Is there a way to raise my skill level?”
“The things Sir Theo is doing—meditation, zen, self-discipline, and asceticism, Narmi and I have practiced them for a long time. There’s no reason I couldn’t help.”
“Oh?”
“But, there’s a condition.”
A condition?
“Please tell Narmi the truth for me. It’s… something I find difficult to say myself. Do you understand?”