Chapter 67

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: The Swamp Trap
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“So they freeze the swamp with a magical artifact to cross it?”

The method of travel Nirua described was certainly creative.

“Well, since they’re a family that uses water, I guess it makes sense they’d be interested in ice magic.”

I nodded. It was surprising, but not incomprehensible.

Rick, who had come up at some point, was also listening to Nirua’s story with an intrigued look on his face.

“But Alloje has an artifact powerful enough to freeze a swamp this size for an entire army to cross?”

At my question, Nirua shook his head.

“The artifact itself isn't originally that powerful. However, by using their mastery of water, they can wield its power more forcefully over a wider area.”

Diello added to that.

“If they use their mastery of water properly, they could probably minimize any slipping, even if the surface melts a little.”

I nodded at his words. If they could create a dragon out of water, this should be no problem.

“How very creative…”

This was definitely something we wouldn't have figured out without an insider.

“Yes. And after they’ve all crossed, they deactivate the artifact and instantly melt the ice.”

They must accomplish that with their mastery of water, too. I gave a slight nod.

“Then the solution is simple.”

I turned to look at Diello. He seemed to be thinking the same thing I was.

“While they’re crossing the swamp, could you melt it for me?”

So they would fall right in.

My eyes met Diello’s.

He watched me for a moment before asking.

“…Croire, what would you do if I couldn’t?”

It was an unexpected question. I answered without thinking.

“I’ve never considered that.”

Oops, did I say that with too much confidence?

Diello, who had been blinking at my words, let out a low laugh.

“Then I’ll have to succeed, even at the cost of my life.”

I can’t disappoint my bride, now can I?

He brought his lips to the tips of my fingers, which were holding a glass.

Even here on the fourth floor, surrounded only by Argentas, he was a sweet husband.

Suspiciously so.

* * *

The Argenta’s secretly operated merchant guild, ‘Kin’, moved hastily, pretending to urgently prepare for another supply run.

“Hurry, hurry!”

This time, it was even larger in scale than before. As if it were extremely urgent.

And the enemy took the bait.

“There’s movement from the Alloje side.”

Rick reported the moment he noticed the signs.

In the office, Diello’s and my eyes met.

“What should we do?”

Rick’s face was already beyond bright; it was radiant. It was as if another sun had risen just for him.

The only time he smiled that brightly was when he smelled blood.

“Prepare to handle it,”

Diello replied. Then he smiled at me.

As if asking, *I did well, didn’t I?*

Hesitation in dealing with an enemy was a problem. I nodded at him.

“Understood!”

Rick, his voice unusually excited, kicked open the office door and left.

There was a reason for his particularly cheerful expression this time.

Rick’s faith in Argenta was almost a religion, making him extremely sensitive to its traditions.

There was no way he would look kindly upon those who had touched Argenta’s shadow supply line.

No, there was no way he would want to let them live.

“The Executor is on the move again.”

“They say he’s ‘executing’ this time, for the attack on the merchant guild.”

In Argenta, the word ‘execution’ referred to a summary execution ordered by the family head.

It was a chilling word, now that I thought about it.

“What about preparations for the sortie?”

After Rick left, Redius entered the office.

As this was an official setting, Diello’s words fell as a cold command.

It was a voice that suited his sculpted face well.

As I found myself staring blankly at his face, struck by the strangely unfamiliar yet harmonious feeling, Redius spoke.

“Are you two truly planning to go on the sortie together?”

Redius asked cautiously. I nodded.

“Yes.”

A vast expanse of ice, frozen with the help of an artifact.

A powerful flame was needed to neutralize magic of a disadvantageous attribute.

Of course, that wasn’t the only reason.

This was a golden opportunity for Diello to personally avenge Argenta, showing the people within that he was still a benevolent head of the family.

And my participation served a similar purpose.

I wanted to make it clear that even if the opponent was Alloje, there was no chance I would side with them.

I had worried someone might object because of my Alloje origins, but surprisingly, there were no objections.

‘If Her Ladyship joins the sortie, we will certainly be able to handle any unforeseen variables at the swamp.’

‘I would be grateful if you joined us, My Lady!’

Perhaps it was because Pielle and Rick had so actively advocated for me.

‘Thank you.’

When I expressed my gratitude for their trust, they replied as if it were only natural.

‘I was merely showing due courtesy to the lady of the house.’

‘You’re an Argenta too, My Lady.’

…It seemed they hadn’t considered that I would be leaving Argenta soon.

Rick had even said this:

‘You’re not really going to leave us, are you?’

Wasn’t that the deal?

Of course, before I could answer, Pielle had dragged him out by the scruff of his neck.

‘My apologies, My Lady.’

‘…The two of you seem closer than I thought.’

At my words, Pielle, with a look of utter disgust at being grouped with *that thing*, said something unexpected.

‘We’re… friends.’

‘Wow, really?’

One was strict and cold while the other was unpredictable—an odd yet fitting combination.

Smiling at the recent memory, I gestured.

“Please just make sure the security is solid.”

“Of course.”

Redius bowed his head.

“A plan to conceal their faces is being discussed, as the Executor is personally taking part.”

“Hmm…”

Right, the merchant guild isn’t under the Argenta name, so they can’t look like Argenta people.

Dressing like mercenaries is one thing, but covering their faces would also be a good idea.

The problem was.

“You mean with cloth, right?”

At my words, Redius bowed his head respectfully.

“Yes.”

It would be difficult to cover their faces while posing as mercenaries.

If they were moving as assassins, they could just wrap themselves in black cloth, but…

“How about another way?”

At my words, not only Redius but Diello as well turned to look at me.

“Another way?”

I subtly pointed at Diello’s collarbone.

I had gotten closer without realizing it, so it looked like I was poking him, and I snatched my hand back in surprise.

Diello, who had been blinking innocently, felt a faint blush color his cheeks.

“Ahem.”

I saw Redius turn his head away.

That’s not what I meant!

“Like how you covered this.”

That’s what I was trying to say, that!

At my words, the look of anticipation that had flashed across Diello’s face faded.

…What were you anticipating, Diello?

Just as I was thinking that this man had changed quite a bit from when I first met him…

“You mean to use Sir Nirua’s ability?”

I nodded at his words.

“Instead of covering their faces, we just disguise them as completely different people.”

With Nirua, a member of the Shadow Sword family who used special, magic-infused disguises rather than a regular makeup artist, it was entirely possible.

A look of relief washed over Redius’s face.

“I will prepare it at once.”

It seemed he, too, had been worried that Rick and his men wouldn’t be able to move freely.

After Redius left, Diello leaned his head slightly toward me in the now-empty office.

From the corner of my vision, which had been on the door, he peeked his head out.

A troubled smile played on his lips.

“…Diello?”

As I blinked, he pressed a kiss to my forehead.

Then, he whispered in a barely audible voice.

“Please don’t keep doing that.”

“Doing what?”

When I asked, Diello avoided my gaze and, with his lips still on my forehead, whispered.

“It only makes me want more.”

*What?* Just as I was about to speak, he stood up.

As if nothing had happened.

“Just in case, I’ll go and double-check the border near the Infinite Sea.”

And then he swiftly disappeared from the office.

“…”

Left alone, I blinked blankly.

“Why…”

…are you walking so fast, Diello? As if you’re running away.

Of course, even if I asked, Diello wasn’t there to answer.