Chapter 40

Laila strode up to the door and placed her hand on her chest.

"I don't know what to do with the child, but please take me with you."

"Huh?"

"Are you planning to run away?"

The man threatened her with a menacing voice, and Laila flinched.

But this level of intimidation was nothing.

Vernelli, when truly irritated, was even more terrifying.

Helka had told her to put on a show of confidence even if she lacked it, to appear strong.

Julius had said that she had saved him.

"How do you plan to run? As you know, I am a non-mage. I don't think I can escape when surrounded by mages like you, right?"

She smiled defiantly and taunted him in return, and the man's mouth twitched.

Without giving him a chance to counter, she continued, "That child is becoming unstable, right? ... If the child releases magic when taken out of this room, it will be a problem for you, won't it?"

This was a gamble based on her past experiences.

These children probably have the same excessive magic condition as Julius.

And when the children were thrown into this room and started releasing magic, the men panicked and left—because this room can nullify a certain amount of magic.

Just like the detached house in Julius's estate.

If that's the case, no matter what their purpose is, they must prevent the child from releasing magic at an inappropriate time.

The best way to prevent that is to take Laila, who acts as a walking magic nullifier.

The men were hesitating.

The conflict between the desire to keep Laila in the room and the fear of the child releasing magic was evident—

"Even the slightest resistance will cost you your life."

For now, she had won the gamble.

She felt sorry for the four children she was leaving behind, but as long as they stayed in this room, nothing terrible should happen to them.

"Mom..."

"I'm sorry, I'll be back soon, so please be good and cooperate with everyone."

She didn't say, "Wait for me." She couldn't.

So Laila smiled at the children, picked up the boy who had been thrust at her, and left the room.

---

By the time Julius emerged from the detached house, dusk was approaching.

"Sir Julius, all the communications with the capital have been completed without any issues."

"Ah, thank you."

Julius nodded at Vernelli's greeting.

He was a bit tired from continuously releasing magic, but not to the point where he couldn't walk. And without being overwhelmed by magic, he could avoid rash actions.

The investigators had also completed their checks of the estate and the questioning of the awakened Helka.

"So... What did the king say? What was the outcome?"

"...A diplomatic mission will be sent, not for the purpose of searching for Lady Laila, but to investigate the Miaxis region and its surroundings, which were the battlefields fifteen years ago."

Julius nodded, satisfied with Vernelli's response.

The diplomatic mission, with the king's seal, can cross the border. And since the mission is officially to investigate the old battlefields, Orueva cannot actively attack the mission.

Orueva already has a grudge for losing the Miaxis border war fifteen years ago. Therefore, with an official document, even if the mission wanders around the Miaxis area without Orueva's permission, they won't complain.

Moreover, Julius's magic indicated that Laila was on the opposite side of the Miaxis. If his reading is correct, there is a possibility that the enemy will attack when Julius and his team cross the border as a diplomatic mission.

If that happens, it will be a victory for Rendia. They can create a fact that they retaliated after being attacked first. In that case, they can rescue Laila, who is a hostage, and return to Rendia.

It's like a child's argument, "You started it, I just hit back," but that's the current state of the deadlock between Rendia and Orueva.

Of course, there is a possibility that Orueva will use other means. But the king of Orueva is the type who discards allies he deems useless without hesitation. If the people holding Laila fail, he will say, "I didn't know," and push all the responsibility onto his subordinates.

Orueva, which appears tyrannical and chaotic, often finds loopholes in laws and agreements to make unreasonable demands.

To counter this, they must confront them with "the truth," even if it involves some sophistry.

Julius, who knows Orueva's nature all too well, sighed and headed to the garden. There, the hastily assembled members of the diplomatic mission were already gathered.

Most were employees of the Magic Research Institute, and many were familiar to Julius. There were also members of a ducal family related to the royal family. Among them, Julius had the highest status, so he was appointed as the representative of the diplomatic mission, and Julius as the commander of the Magic Army, as Vernelli informed him.

The king, who always keeps an eye on Orueva's movements, is ready to analyze and counter any attacks immediately.

It's easy to imagine the king, who used to run around Rendia with his aunt Isabella during his time as the crown prince, smiling, and Julius slightly relaxed his lips before tightening them again.

"...Vernelli, you will stay here, right?"

"Yes. I will prepare a warm meal for when you return. And... I must also deal with some rather annoying rats. Please leave that to me."

Vernelli twirled his finger by his ear, and Julius nodded.

"Yes, I leave it to you. ...Make sure to include crispy bacon and Laila's favorite fruit sandwiches in the menu."

"Of course, I will."

After bowing politely, Vernelli turned, and Julius looked around the diplomatic mission members waiting in the garden.

"...Let's go."

Everyone understood.

The investigation of the Miaxis area is just a facade.

The true objectives are two:

To rescue Laila Kiluka, Julius Bartsek's fiancée.

And to expose one of the "shadows" of the Kingdom of Orueva, which has been smoldering for fifteen years.