Chapter 110

Following the conclusion of Count Laurel’s invasion, everyone was given time to rest.

My husband and I enjoyed an early breakfast with our family and retainers.

The atmosphere was amazing since it was a meal following a victory.

“Oh dear.”

Roona, mid-breakfast, wrapped her hand around the forehead of a dozing Adel. He was moments away from face-planting into his plate.

Being at an age where he needed a lot of sleep, and having been awake since dawn, the drowsiness must have hit him belatedly.

“If you’re sleepy, just go inside and sleep.”

Though Roona sighed, she ended up continuing her meal with Adel sitting on her lap.

They were a very close brother and sister, despite their daily squabbles. Since Roona was the only one who readily tolerated Adel’s mischief, Adel, in turn, secretly followed her well.

I wasn’t the only one wearing a pleased expression at the sight, as Roona glared at Nine and me with disgust.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that? Ugh. No wonder you’re a married couple, you both look exactly the same. It’s creepy.”

Despite her grumbling, she didn’t seem displeased, as Roona piled meat onto a plate and offered it to me.

“Here, eat some more of this, not just those greens! And you too, Mother!”

She then offered the identical plate to Kate. It seemed to be an attempt to accommodate Kate, who appeared uncomfortable in the setting.

She seemed uncomfortable not just with family but with the retainers present too, yet her staying put showed her growth.

Kate wasn’t the only one who had changed.

Seeing Roona, who used to just indulge in drunken antics, showing this side of herself, the retainers’ eyes naturally warmed.

Finally, Roona shouted back.

“Why don’t you all just look at your own plates?!”

“Hmm…”

Then, Adel, nestled in Roona’s arms, stirred and lightly swatted her, as if she were too loud.

Kate said in a gentle voice.

“Roona, if you shout like that, you’ll wake Adel.”

“Ugh…”

“Ahahahaha!”

It was a boisterous and peaceful mealtime.

After finishing the meal, we returned to the room to review documents related to the aftermath of the war.

Nine and I confirmed our respective documents while embracing each other. To be precise, I was sitting on his lap, virtually being held.

‘If I had my way, I’d put this off and just sleep right now…’

Of course, it was obvious that if I showed any signs of wanting to sleep, Nine would try to do my share of the work, so I forced my eyes open.

My body was tired, but my mind was much more at ease.

The problem with Count Laurel had been resolved better than expected, and realizing Nine’s overwhelming military strength was a major factor.

‘I thought he’d be strong since he’s the male lead, but I didn’t think it would be a balance-breaking level.’

It was a delightful miscalculation.

Thanks to that miscalculation, the work I had to process was also much less than anticipated.

“How’s the territory doing?”

“Thanks to you resolving things quickly, not many buildings collapsed. Isn’t that a relief?”

“It’s also thanks to you, Chacha, for coordinating about the evacuation shelters beforehand. The casualty count among the residents is also low.”

We praised each other and organized the documents in a warm atmosphere.

“Finally, it’s finished!”

I quickly cleared the documents and immediately burrowed into Nine’s embrace. I heard Nine’s laugh from above my head.

“You look happy.”

“Yeah. Because everything ended well.”

I wasn’t just talking about the document work.

‘The original story is also over now.’

In the original story, the death of Count Laurel, the final boss, also marked the ending.

Of course, unlike the original, the incidents involving the Spinelle tribe and the Urkel Church still remained for us, but those were issues the Imperial Family was supposed to handle.

Just as my body was starting to grow sluggish in his firm embrace, the door to the office suddenly burst open.

The person who rudely barged in without knocking was Norman.

“Duke! Duchess!”

I was startled and quickly jumped out of Nine’s arms. My face flushed hot at the thought of having been seen in an embarrassing position.

Nine silently looked at Norman. He didn’t say anything explicitly, but the reproach was palpable.

However, upon hearing the news that followed, we had no choice but to understand Norman’s rudeness.

“We have a major problem! Monsters are swarming all over the nation!”

“What?”

Norman quickly approached and placed a video orb on the table in front of us.

In the video orb, a man in black clothing, reminiscent of some religious figure, was giving a speech.

[I am the Pope of the Urkel Church.]

The man was preaching content similar to what the spy they had captured not long ago had shouted before committing suicide.

[Believers of the Goddess Parkel. The power of the Goddess Parkel has waned. Soon, the God Urkel will resurrect and take vengeance upon the world! The end is near!]

[Our souls were created by the Father, and our bodies by the Mother. Therefore, you must abandon your bodies and go forth to confess your sins to the Father!]

[The judgment of God will fall upon the Empire that angered the God Urkel. Mortals, abandon your bodies to leave the Empire that will soon burn. By doing so, you shall gain eternal life!]

“This person is not the true Pope.”

Nine muttered after watching the video.

I nodded at his words.

It was certain from the man’s skin color. He was not of the Spinelle tribe.

The Urkel Church had been using monsters all along. They wouldn’t have appointed an ordinary human, unrelated to the monsters, as their Pope.

Nine asked Norman.

“Has the Imperial Family contacted us?”

“Yes. His Majesty the Emperor has commanded a communication crystal meeting regarding the current situation.”

“Understood.”

Crumble.

The video orb showing the Pope shattered in Nine’s hand.

The meeting regarding the Urkel Church and the monster attacks did not last as long as expected.

Everyone was cooperative, as the issue concerned their very survival, not a conflict of vested interests.

Nine immediately summoned the key figures of Eclipse to the grand conference hall.

“For now, we have been assigned to handle the Church’s main base in Count Laurel’s territory.”

Nine’s voice was subdued.

He had been in a foul mood ever since the communication crystal meeting ended.

Count Laurel’s territory was a Northern territory, and Eclipse was the most suited for combat against monsters, so it was the right assignment.

However, acknowledging that it was the right fit was separate from it being a role one gladly accepted.

Leaving the monsters aside, there was no telling how many innocent residents would be sacrificed.

“…”

“…”

Silence descended upon the grand conference hall.

Nine and I looked at Iris.

Count Laurel was a key figure entangled with the Church.

‘It’s highly likely that their main base is in his territory.’

However, there was no guarantee that the Laurel territory would remain intact after defeating the Church and resolving everything.

Iris might receive a territory that had been reduced to ruins.

“Ah.”

Iris noticed our gaze and her eyes widened.

Understanding the meaning of the looks, she spoke with a darkened complexion.

“The damage to our residents will also be considerable. But if we leave it as is, the damage will only grow larger for the entire Empire. So…”

Iris couldn’t bring herself to finish her sentence. It must have been due to the sadness of failing to protect her parents’ remaining legacy.

Nine, who was watching her, quietly said.

“I promise that the Imperial Family and the Duchy will take responsibility and assist with the reconstruction afterward.”

“Yes…”

Norman offered a handkerchief to Iris, who ultimately ended up with tearful eyes.

Nine commanded in a firm voice.

“The Silver Wolf Knights, excluding the platoon assigned to territory defense, will all accompany me.”

“Yes!”

Kroel’s powerful reply echoed throughout the conference hall.

Everyone seated stiffened with tension at his booming voice.

“Then…”

Nine opened his mouth, seeming about to conclude the meeting.

Simultaneously, I raised my hand.

“Chacha…”

Nine’s face subtly hardened.

Did he instinctively know what I was about to say?

But I didn’t stop and said.

“I’m going too, this time.”

“No.”

“I must go.”

I continued firmly.

“Because I need to command the Spinelle tribe who will be helping us.”

At the mention of the Spinelle tribe, those seated in the conference room looked up in surprise.

Monsters were surely going to appear in this war as well.

While seeking ways to counter them, the Spinelle tribe living in the Blueberry territory had willingly offered their assistance.

No matter what anyone said, I was the most suitable person for the role of their commander.

It was at that moment. An unexpected person raised their hand abruptly.

“Then I would like to go too. I am the heir of the Laurel family!”

Iris’s eyes, looking this way, shone with firm resolve.