Volume 6 Chapter 53 Interlude - Epilogue
Katarina is fast asleep, lulled by the spring sunshine and the gentle vibrations of the pleasant surroundings.
Alfred smiles at Katarina's peaceful slumber and looks out the window.
From outside, Luke and Cecilia's happy voices can be heard.
"Don't make that envious face. You planted the seeds yourself."
Conrad, sitting across from Alfred, sighs and continues.
"I never expected it to fit together so perfectly, though."
Conrad, who also looks out the window, nods in agreement with Alfred.
"You must think I'm a terrible father. Using my own daughter as bait."
"Who cares what you think. I wouldn't let you put Lady Katarina and the young lady in danger."
Conrad, with a sniffle, turns to Alfred. "You trusted Luke, didn't you?"
Alfred simply smiles without answering Conrad, but directs his gaze back outside the window.
"You can't deny that you used Luke's feelings," he says.
"Used their feelings...that's true, but..."
Conrad, looking out the window like Alfred, sees Luke and Cecilia still laughing happily.
"Well, then it's alright. According to Marquis Braubelg, you're cunning like a fox, you know."
Conrad grins mischievously.
"That's cruel," Alfred laughs, still looking out the window.
"A fox, you say. The [Pilgrim of Truth]'s...enemy's plans were used to prepare for their downfall."
Conrad, with a wry smile, speaks of the truth Alfred didn't tell Luke and the others.
They managed to thwart the [Pilgrim of Truth]'s plans during this trip, but that's not all.
Thanks to the [Pilgrim of Truth] and the Empire, Alfred has gained Gardner's favor.
Gardner will definitely fight hard in the coming battle.
Furthermore, although it was just one banquet, Robert and the other Knights met for the first time and shared a drink.
They are now acquainted, and their cooperation will be smoother during the battle.
He managed to turn the Empire and the [Pilgrim of Truth]'s goals against them, creating a situation where they could be ambushed.
"And all of this is just setting the stage for the final piece."
Conrad let out a sigh mixed with exasperation.
Alfred, looking out the window, vaguely responded with "What's going on?"
"You're stirring up Luke, and blowing his feelings for Miss Cecily out of proportion. I can't believe he would even dare to talk about courting Miss Cecily without any achievements or merits."
"Yeah, you're right. Luke is a serious guy."
"That's exactly why I think he's being stirred up. He needs a clear achievement... Especially with the war against the Empire right in front of us."
Alfred met Conrad's direct gaze and whispered, "Do you think that's cruel?"
"Normally, yes."
Conrad now averted his gaze and looked out the window.
As Conrad opened his mouth again, he continued, explaining that Alfred isn't just thinking about protecting the family, but also about fanning the flames of the children's enthusiasm and boosting their morale.
"Honestly, that's why you're so difficult to deal with."
"It's because we're childhood friends, isn't it?"
Conrad laughed, and Alfred revealed his true intentions for pushing Luke.
He did it with a calculated plan.
"If you think about Miss Cecily's feelings, I think it's okay to approve of Luke. But..."
Alfred explained that, in the end, both Cecilia and he are from old aristocratic families.
Even though marriage for love is allowed, many aristocrats are still bound by old values.
Especially for Cecilia, who comes from a prestigious house, other aristocrats are watching her choice of partner closely.
"Old traditions will eventually crumble. But it's not the time yet. And I, am not strong enough to defy those traditions."
Sadly, even though Hartfield is a prestigious house, they don't have the power to stand alone without connections to other nobles.
Alfred continued, saying that's why Luke needs achievements that will silence the other nobles.
"Isn't that clear? A powerful enemy nation. A young knight fighting to protect the lady. A love that ignites in the midst of it all. This is the perfect scenario that the world would love."
Alfred chuckled, and Conrad gave a wry smile.
He thought, Luke would be happy and enthusiastic if Alfred just told him.
Conrad shook his head at Alfred's words.
"Well, as a parent, it's not something that can be easily accepted."
Conrad sighed, saying, "That smile of Alfred seems suspicious."
In fact, one of the reasons Alfred doesn't tell Luke is not just that he is hiding his true feelings.
The determination that comes from realizing something on your own is very different from being told by someone else.
Because it was Luke who made Alan say, "Once you realize the meaning of your own sword," it was necessary for him to discover it on his own.
It is not about being told by others.
It is a determination to protect Cecilia and everything related to her of his own will.
Bringing this out is the true intention that Alfred never spoke of to anyone.
"You're still hiding something, aren't you?"
"Well? That's because I'm crafty like a fox."
Alfred shrugged, not intending to reveal his true thoughts.
However, Conrad in front of him somehow sensed it.
But Conrad would not voice it either.
"Anyway... the last piece to confront the Empire is now in place. A reliable knight named Lucas Highland."
"Sorry if I seem unreliable."
"What are you talking about? Just Conrad alone is enough to drive the Empire back. It's just that..."
Alfred shifted his gaze to the sleeping Katarina and murmured, "It's just that..."
"I am... no, I am the head of the Hartfield family. No matter what anyone says, I won't let anyone die. That is my responsibility. If necessary, I will even become a villain who toys with the feelings of a daughter and a young man."
What Alfred showed was.
Not the face of a childhood friend from earlier.
With the face of the dignified head of the Hartfield family, Conrad tightened his expression and bowed his head, saying, "As you wish."
Alfred, who made Lucian call him 'a fox.'
His existence, a man who had not shown his true worth for the sake of peace, was undoubtedly an unexpected factor for the Empire and the [Pilgrim of Truth].
* * *
Meanwhile, at a certain location in the Empire
In a dimly lit place like a dark basement, the light of a suspiciously glowing magic lamp shone.
What it illuminated were various experimental tools and several large tanks.
Floating in the tank is a fierce creature that seems to be a mix of a beast and a human.
On the cliff that leads to the [Cave of Saint], Randy and the others met the unpleasant sight of a bird-person.
A chimera, a mix of a beast and a human.
A devilish act brought to life by the forbidden alchemy of ancient times.
In one corner of that alchemy lab, Horace was grinding his molars.
"You... Hartfield. You're getting too big for your britches."
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