<ol start="59"><li><ol start="59"><li> The Northern Wind (2)</li></ol></li></ol>


    The Audience Hall of the High Tower was crowded with countless people.


    High-ranking ministers,dies-in-waiting, attendants, knights, and even witches — all of them gazed with mesmerized eyes at the newest miracle born from the North.


    At the center of their attention were 17 porcin pieces produced by the Arad Company.


    Originally, there had been 20 pieces, but 2 had gone to Theo and Arina, and 1 had been sacrificed during quality control testing.


    “Impressive.”


    The voice of Sun, the “Northern Ice Wall,” echoed through the hall. He had been temporarily ced in charge of guarding the High Tower and protecting Arina in Balzac’s absence while he was on a mission.


    “Truly impressive.”


    For a man like Sun, whose life had been far removed from art, it was rare for him to be so awestruck.


    Tap, tap, tapHe knocked on one of the porcin pieces with his knuckles, his eyes filled with wonder.


    “To think it’s this sturdy. The porcin the Empire sells shatters if you grip it the wrong way.”


    Of course, Sun’s admiration wasn’t for the porcin’s color or elegant design.


    He only cared about its durability.


    “Who the hell are you, really?”


    After giving the porcin a quick once-over, Sun shifted his gaze to Arad.


    “Just as the rumors say,” Arad replied nonchntly.


    “Ha! Yeah, sure, ‘just as the rumors say,’ Count Jin.”


    “Ha ha ha…”


    Their conversation was brief, but the mood between them wasn’t exactly friendly.


    This was no surprise.


    Sun and Arad had spoken privately several times before.


    – So, I hear you confessed to Her Highness in the depths of the Demonic Abyss?


    – How do I know? The knights who fought with you heard everything.


    – Why’s your face turning pale? Sick? Tch, northerners like us don’t catch colds, but you’re not one of us, huh? Be careful.


    – And right after you came back from the Abyss, you made her a bag as a present? Yet, after that, you’ve been avoiding her? Don’t tell me… you believe that superstition?


    – What? You gave up after being rejected once? You call yourself a man?


    – Seems like you’re getting close to that ‘Mary’dytely.


    – What? You’re saying there’s nothing between you two? Are you… impotent or something?


    – If it weren’t for all your achievements and the fact that you saved my crippled subordinates, I wouldn’t even acknowledge you as a man, you know that?


    Their conversations had always been like this — pure chaos.


    The “dislike points” between Sun and Arad were firmly maxed out.


    “How’s it going with that girl Marytely?” Sun asked with a smirk.


    “Nothing is going on,” Arad replied firmly.


    “…Hmm? Do you, perhaps, like men instead?”


    “Please, stop.”


    Just then, a sharp voice echoed from the throne at the front of the hall.


    “Her Highness the Grand Duchess is entering.”


    The crowd, which had been standing around in a disorganized manner, instantly lined up in neat rows.


    Isabelle’s clear announcement was like a bell calling everyone to order.


    “We greet Her Highness, the Grand Duchess!”


    Shortly after, Arina, the Grand Duchess of the North, appeared and sat upon the throne.


    “So this is porcin, is it?”


    Arina gazed at the 17 porcin pieces and tried her best to look as though it was her first time seeing them.


    “Count Arad Jin, you’ve done an excellent job. Truly, thanks to you, the North will now be wealthy.”


    But, as someone who was terrible at acting, Arina’s performance was painfully awkward.


    Her gaze, her tone, and even her expression were off by two whole notes.


    Still, thanks to Isabelle’s prior coaching, her speech was wless, even if her delivery wasn’t.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    “Renslet will spare no support for the production of this porcin. I swear it before the Eternal me.”


    It was an open deration of royal favor and support from the sovereign of the North.


    The ministers and nobles present had no objections.


    After all, it was a move that made perfect sense.


    “Now, what shall we do with these 17 porcin pieces?”


    “Soon enough, we’ll be able to produce them in vast quantities. However, since these are the very first ones ever made, I believe they hold a special meaning.”


    “So, what do you propose?”


    “I would like to dedicate all of them to Her Highness. And since her birthday is approaching, consider them a gift.”


    “Is that so?”


    “Yes, please ept them as my birthday present to you.”


    “H-Hmph! Very well, I shall treasure them dearly, Arad!”


    ‘These porcin pieces… Arad made them himself. And now they’re my birthday present?!’


    Arina’s voice, which had been dry and dull until now, suddenly grew lively. Her excitement was barely concealed.


    “Your devotion is duly noted, Count Jin.”


    “Your Highness, I do have one more request.”


    “Speak.”


    “Well… it’s a sensitive matter. I’d prefer to discuss it in private.”


    “…Very well. Come to my officeter.”


    Arina granted Arad a private audience, her heart subtly tense.


    ***


    Later, in Arina’s office


    The door to the office opened, and Arad stepped out, his face glowing with satisfaction.


    “I’ll take my leave, Your Highness!”


    “Go on, then.”


    “Once everything is prepared, I’ll create a masterpiece like no other.”


    “I look forward to it.”


    Arina saw Arad off personally.


    Her expression was a little worn out, as if her energy had been drained.


    Once Arad was fully out of sight, she let out a long, heavy sigh.


    “Haaa…”


    Her mind reyed her conversation with Arad.


    – Why do you want to paint a portrait of both Mary and me?


    – Mary is a kind woman. She admires you deeply and takes great pride in being part of Renslet.


    – Hmm…


    – She’s a treasured employee of mine. So, I wanted to give her a small gift. She sees you as a ‘big sister.’


    – I see…


    – If I have offended you, I offer my sincerest apologies. I will ept any punishment you see fit.


    – No, that won’t be necessary. I understand now.


    Arad had just praised “Mary” to Arina.


    But in the past, he had also praised Arina to “Mary”.


    Her heart swelled with happiness, but at the same time, a subtle unease gnawed at her.


    “Haaah…”


    Outside the office, Isabelle, who had been eavesdropping, also let out a sigh.


    “Good grief… Tsk, tsk, tsk.”


    Sun, who had appeared without warning, clicked his tongue as well.


    As someone filling in for Balzac, Sun had been keeping close tabs on Arina’s activities as “Mary.”


    The three of them — Arina, Isabelle, and Sun — gathered like conspirators in front of the office.


    “Looks like the old hag’s theory was correct.”


    “Indeed.”


    “ording to the knights and Arad’s employees, it seems they have a simr impression.”


    “Things have gotten way too tangled.”


    “I’ll conduct more research on modifying the illusion spell. It might actually be simpler than I thought.”


    “I’m counting on you.”


    The trio sighed in unison.