Chapter 77

Even after living here for ten years, seeing this scene again suddenly reminded me that this was a romance-fantasy world.

‘Hmm, though lately it feels more like a fantasy novel than a romance one.’

With the main characters completely estranged now, I had no idea where this story was headed.  

A thought completely unrelated to the current topic.  

Just then, I flinched at the sudden sound of my name and finally snapped back to reality.

“Juela will brief us on Roquate’s current situation in an hour. Minuelle, you’ll listen and organize the report.”

“Ah, yes!”

My heart pounded at my first assigned task.  

When I answered with clenched fists, my sister gave a small smile and patted my head.

***

Although Juela was just as busy as Elga, given the gravity of the matter, we managed to schedule a meeting quickly.  

I entered the meeting room Elga had lent me right on time, and was greeted by a beaming magician.

“Right this way, my lady! Hahaha.”

What’s up with this guy?

I was wary, not knowing the reason for his enthusiasm, but soon understood.

“This is the newly installed communication orb! It transmits not just voice but real-time visuals, and even allows multiple people to connect at once!”

He was just excited about new equipment. Can’t blame him—new gadgets are always thrilling.

“Then I’ll excuse myself. I’ll be waiting outside, so call me if anything happens.”

“Thanks, Sir.”

I answered politely, though I too was quite impressed.

‘Magic really can do everything.’

Video conferencing through magic.  

As I admired it, the transparent orb began blinking blue—indicating an incoming connection.  

Two beams of light shot out from the orb, forming holographic images on either side: Juela on the left, and Theodore on the right.

‘Whoa, 3D projection… whoa…!’

Long live modern—no, magical—technology.

— It’s been a while, Minu…

— My baby!!

Theodore was the first to greet me, but was quickly drowned out by Juela’s exclamation.  

She must’ve leaned close to the orb because her face suddenly filled the screen, making me instinctively recoil.

“I mean, it’s not like you can actually see me in the orb. Why’re you acting like that?”

If she could, she’d probably jump through the thing.

— How could you! I couldn’t even sleep properly when I heard you were hurt!

We had only been apart briefly, yet Juela had gone full-on overprotective.

“I’m fine. And Theo’s right here, so could you not call me ‘baby’ in front of him…?”

It was obvious how much she loved me—no need for the embarrassing pet names.  

My cheeks burned as I fanned myself, and Theodore chuckled.

— Haha, it’s fine. The bond between the Grand Duchesses is well known.

— See? Even he says so, you cold baby.

Ugh. Juela was being playfully sulky.  

I had chosen to head into danger myself, and Austin had failed to stop me.  

Though it was rare to see her this pouty, now was not the time for sentiment. I knew that if I didn’t say what she wanted, this would never end.

“I won’t get hurt next time! And I love you too, Sis!”

— Hehe.

— What a beautiful moment.

Theodore even clapped, which made me want to do a somersault out of embarrassment.  

Just having someone other than family there was mortifying.

“Ahem. Anyway. Theo, how are things in the south?”

— There’ve been a few bandit attacks, but the Cult of Fire has gone strangely quiet.

“Hmm…”

— Miss Minuelle, you said he knew about spirit power, right?

Though we were each alone at our orbs, we all silently agreed not to speak royal names aloud, just in case.

I nodded.

“He said he’d return the power if I cooperated. So it’s not just knowledge—he’s someone high-ranking enough to make executive decisions within the cult.”

I added details about my kidnapping, the altar that drained spirit power, and how Austin had used leftover data from Chitrum to access that power.

“Maybe because the spirit power is still partially sealed… it felt like we were playing tug-of-war with limited strength.”

— That would mean this theory fits: if that guy’s not just high-ranking but central to the cult, then their movements are paralyzed without him.

— That would explain the sudden silence.

“They might be using another type of power too, but I’m no mage, so I can’t say for sure.”

— If he had mana, the royal mages would’ve detected it when he was a child.

Then what was it?

I frowned deeply, but Theodore’s next words made me snap my head up.

— But based on what you said, I had a thought.

“What is it?

— Beyond the desert, there are people who worship the ‘Sand God.’

Sand? Doesn’t that fall under the earth spirit’s domain?

— Ah… now that you mention it, I vaguely remember hearing something like that from a Chitrum trader. It’s a god that’s barely known in Preseria.

— Yes. Its influence has waned, but it used to be widely worshipped.

After hearing a few stories about the Sand God, my jaw dropped.

A doppelgänger made of sand?  

That could explain the simultaneous appearances of Austin and the complete disappearance of a corpse.

— Don’t get too excited, Minuelle. It’s still just a hypothesis.

“Right…”

I exhaled and relaxed my tense shoulders.

Trying to lighten the mood, Juela snapped her fingers a few times and smiled playfully.

— Well then, shall I give you the update on Roquate?

“Yaaay~!”

Seeing her slightly expectant expression, I clapped.  

As expected, she gave a theatrical bow like an opera singer.

But the report she shared wasn’t exactly pleasant.

— First off, you may be gone, but you’re still the talk of the town. As expected of my sister.

“What do you mean?”

— Everyone’s calling you the bold young lady who rejected not one, but two princes.

That has a ring to it…

“…”

I couldn’t deny it, so I had nothing to say.

People’s obsession with others’ private lives is the same in any world.

— He’s sneaky. Never says a word himself, but trace the rumors and they all come from people tied to him.

A petty revenge.  

If he couldn’t have me on his side, he’d trample me. I should’ve known from the moment he tried to kill me, but I didn’t expect him to be this small-minded.

— His relationship with you know who has never been better. Seems he got only a minor scolding for failing to protect you.

Even the Emperor, it seems, couldn’t abandon a son who’d returned all grown up (or at least appeared so).  

Apparently, the Crown Princess was getting along well with Prince Gunnar, who had recently entered the palace as a consort, making Duke Lambert increasingly irritable.

— Never seen so many salons held in such a short time.

“They’re all having fun, huh.”

While we’re stuck worrying.

— The guest from beyond the desert is apparently quite popular. Even my mother says he’s a surprisingly polite young man.

Still, Theodore gave a calm, reassuring smile.

— As you’ve probably heard, I’ll be returning to Roquate soon. You know who asked me to find his ‘runaway son.’

He meant Esadien.  

Apparently, even the Emperor’s investigators had failed to locate him.

‘Did he vanish into thin air…?’

“Does that mean your southern assignment is over?”

— Things have stabilized for now. Of course, leaving it as it is, is worrisome, but I’ve chosen to trust the commanders left behind.

“That’s such a proper, responsible answer.”

— Haha. I’m also worried about my friend.

I knew there was no need to say it, but I couldn’t help myself.

“Do you have any leads?”

— Hmm… not yet. I’m still in the dark.

“I see…”

The mood turned a little heavy.  

Seeing the moment, Juela took the opportunity to wrap things up.

— Let’s stop here for today. Sir Tregosnan, until next time.

— Wishing you peace as always.

Theodor’s image vanished after a slight bow, but Juela remained.

She must’ve had more to say.  

I’d started to stand but sat back down.

“Sis? What’s wrong?”

— Our youngest… are you missing your fiancé?

“I am not!! I just…”

— Just?

If I said he’d appeared in my dream, there’d be no denying it.

“Just… it’s strange, that’s all. For someone to suddenly vanish inside the capital.”

— Oh my. I see. That’s a relief.

“What is?”

— I prepared a little present for you, you see. I’m glad I can reveal it without any worries.

Her red eyes curved in a bright smile.  

It was beautiful—and terrifying.

I stammered.

“Wh-what present…?”

— Hoho. It’s a secret.

“W-wait, Sis?”

— See you later, cutie!

“Sis! Wait! Just a sec!”

Something’s up.

Sensing it in my bones, I jumped up and grabbed the orb, calling desperately.  

But Juela only left behind a cheerful laugh.

“Uwaaaah!”

I slumped into a seat, holding my head.

Suddenly, the idea of returning to Roquate filled me with dread.

***

“Gabbie.”

— Yo.

“……”

I gave him a long stare, and Gabbie spun in the air, playfully sticking out his forked flame-tongue like a lizard’s.

— What? What?

I said nothing and got to the point.

“How much of your power has returned?”

— ‘How much’? Your questions are always vague.

“I mean, out of the power you lost, how much do you think has come back?”

The spirit stone was now comfortably nestled in a bed of Yoshicho, crackling like a dragon egg in the hearth.  

Thankfully, Yoshicho was common in the north.

Plus, I’d absorbed some power back from Austin last time, so I’d been hopeful.

But his answer was thoroughly disappointing.

— Hmm… maybe 30%?