When Joy first stepped into the meeting hall of the Burrow Mansion, familiar faces were already seated.
The Apostle of the Art Guild, the Swordsman, Count Arteas, and Erginus, who had taught her magic not long ago, were all present—people she had inevitably become acquainted with in the social circles.
Thanks to that, Joy was able to introduce the Partlan Duke and Jeff Partlan to them.
Jeff, who wasn't particularly close to these people, bowed his head humbly every time he faced one of them. However, the only person the Partlan Duke showed interest in was Erginus.
“You look just as you do in the history books,” the Duke remarked.
“Did you want me to look more disheveled?” Erginus replied.
“No, of course not. I’m simply glad to see the pinnacle of magic still looking so youthful.”
It was an expression of respect without empty words, but others around them looked on, concerned.
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The Duke’s expression of joy was so intense it almost seemed like he might torture the grand mage in front of him to extract knowledge.
“There are a few things I must ask.”
The Partlan Duke, eager to satisfy his scholarly curiosity, was about to ask his questions when his words were interrupted.
Before he could finish, the noble Second Queen Consort of the Kingdom arrived.
“Did I interrupt the conversation?” she asked with an air of calm.
“...No, of course not.”
Ignoring the Duke’s cold gaze, the Second Queen Consort took her seat, and soon after, the First Queen Consort appeared. Then, more guests arrived, but Lucy Alrn, the one who had brought everyone together, still hadn’t shown her face.
Lucy. When exactly is she planning to arrive?! Is it really fine to make everyone wait like this after summoning so many people?!
Although Joy was not the one being addressed, she could feel the pressure from her disguise growing tighter as she heard the voice of a young girl from outside.
Thank goodness! She’s not so late that it would be considered rude!
Given Benedict’s honor, this should be manageable as long as they speak well!
Just as Joy was relieved by Benedict’s apology, Lucy finally appeared, emerging behind his large frame.
Despite claiming to have spent a lot of time with Lucy, Joy realized that today, Lucy was different. She didn’t look like the usual Lucy who prepared for big events, nor like the usual meticulous Lucy.
Today, she looked more noble than ever, more so than any other time Joy had witnessed.
If the Apostle of the Art Guild had flustered everyone by declaring her descent from the Goddess, they would have unconsciously nodded in agreement, such was Lucy’s presence.
It seemed Joy wasn’t the only one who thought so.
The Apostle of the Art Guild was already leaning back, his posture faltering.
Count Arteas was staring at Lucy, completely captivated, as if he had forgotten everything around him.
The Dukes of Burrow and Partlan couldn’t help but exclaim in awe, and even the Second Queen Consort let out a small, almost involuntary laugh of reverence.
Even Fabi, and the rest of the Church members, seemed moved, blinking in admiration.
Even the seemingly indifferent First Queen Consort might have had some thoughts upon seeing Lucy.
However, not long after, the shock everyone had been expecting took a different direction.
Lucy, as always, started off with a sharp remark.
She began by insinuating that they were looking at her with lewd intentions, followed by a harsh comment implying that they should know their place.
The criticism continued with her questioning whether they were too incompetent to wait for her.
It was definitely the usual Lucy, but the issue was that this situation wasn’t like any other.
In a place where even the Dukes of Burrow and Partlan had to watch their behavior, to unleash such insults was unheard of!
Joy, though not the direct target, felt as though she might be scolded as well.
She knew Lucy wasn’t doing this because she wanted to, but what should she do? How could she help? What could she possibly do in a situation where she didn’t even have a voice to speak?
As Joy desperately tried to think of a way to save Lucy from the situation, fortunately, she didn’t need to intervene. Before she could do anything, Erginus, seated at the head of the table, spoke up.
“Don’t worry. No one here has said a word about you being late.”
“Oh. I guess you’re not as hopeless as I thought. Were they all good enough to wait? Should I praise them?” Lucy replied, a smirk crossing her lips.
“Enough of that, sit down. They’ve shown you respect by waiting for you. You should return the favor,” Erginus said.
“Ugh, how petty. That’s probably why you died without ever holding a woman’s hand, you pathetic wizard,” Lucy taunted.
“Enough,” Erginus muttered.
Even though Lucy’s rude behavior was tolerated by the grand mage, those around them began to nod in agreement.
Although there were certainly some people who weren’t entirely pleased, no one dared to voice their dissatisfaction, especially considering that those seated at the head of the table, including Erginus, had made no complaints.
If it had been the old Lucy, this situation would have escalated in chaos. Remembering all the incidents Lucy had caused in the past, Joy couldn’t help but realize how much Lucy’s position had changed.
“I am Murer, the representative of the Forest’s Masters. Known throughout the world as the Sharpest Fang.”
“Wasn’t that a legend?” someone asked, eyes widening.
“It seems there’s been a lot of surprises this year,” another commented.
Most of the attendees, upon hearing Murer’s name, couldn’t hide their shock. His name appeared frequently in heroic tales.
He was the one who, after the fairies disappeared, made it impossible for anyone to tamper with the forest.
The Sharpest Fang of the world, a great figure respected not only by the kingdom but by many others.
When he and Rina entered the meeting hall, Duke Burrow stood up, having confirmed a few things.
“Now that everyone is here, I believe it’s time to discuss the main matter. The strategy for the Forest of Fairies. First, Erginus?”
“Good day, everyone. I am Erginus. I bear the undeserved title of ‘hero,’ and, as expected, I am known as a grand mage,” Erginus greeted.
The sight of a hero from the mythic age appearing in person was unbelievable, but there was no one here who questioned his words.
The Saintess of the God of Creation, the Apostle of the Art Guild, the queens of the kingdom, and the great dukes all testified to Erginus’s identity—who could doubt him?
“This matter is something I proposed...” Erginus began, explaining that the Forest of Fairies was his burden, and how, after much time, he had come to this point, determined to right the wrongs he had caused.
Upon hearing this, the nobles were pleased, as it gave them a clear justification.
After all, the hero himself was going on this expedition—no one from any other nation would dare object.
While the attendees murmured among themselves, Erginus explained his plans in detail.
Throughout the discussion, several prominent figures asked questions, and Erginus, as if expecting them, answered them perfectly, even addressing concerns that others hadn’t raised.
By the time the meeting ended, almost no one doubted that the Forest of Fairies would be saved.
There might be some losses along the way, but the Forest would certainly be restored.
“It seems there are no more questions,” Erginus concluded.
Not many were surprised by this. The influential people in attendance had come expecting that the restoration of the Forest of Fairies was possible.
After all, no one present would have dared to attend unless they had believed that success was assured.
The attendees, particularly those leading mercenary bands or magical forces, exchanged silent glances, calculating their share in the plan—what they could invest and what they would stand to gain.
This was the true reason they had gathered: the stakes of this discussion.
“If I may, I would like to speak first,” the Partlan Duke said.
“We will mobilize our magical forces for this endeavor, under the condition that Erginus will teach us.”
“You don’t need to ask. I was already planning to teach,” Erginus responded. “For proper preparation, precision is necessary.”
“Then there’s nothing more to discuss,” the Duke said, stepping back.
Next, the Saintess of the God of Creation spoke.
“We only wish to bring our light to the Forest of Fairies,” she said.
While she had hinted at it with the word "light," what she really meant was that the Church was interested in establishing dominance over the religion and its influence.
Those who understood her words shifted their gaze to the Apostle of the Art Guild, but he merely shrugged, saying nothing.
Thanks to that, the Church’s request was easily accepted, and the Church’s representatives left for further discussions with the kingdom.
After that, individuals not representing any organizations, but participating in their personal capacity, spoke up.
The Swordsman, the Apostle of the Art Guild, the Masters of the Forest, among others.
None of them had a specific request. They simply spoke about the honor of being able to stand on the battlefield with the hero.
Once the Swordsman finished speaking, the attendees looked to those sitting at the head of the table.
The silent First Queen Consort, the deep-in-thought Second Queen Consort, the Duke of Burrow, and others like Count Alrn and Count Benedict.
It was clear that only after they spoke would the others have the chance to voice their opinions.
Perhaps sensing this, the First Queen Consort blinked and then smiled brightly as she spoke.
“Our kingdom’s First Knight Order will take the front line,” she declared.
This statement, said in a light tone, was a surprising and bold proclamation.