Chapter 131
The stranger’s robe slipped off, revealing the person behind it.
She stared at Joshua for a moment without saying anything.
“Hmm…” Joshua stared blankly at her bare face.
Was it because he didn’t expect this?
No.
In fact, it was the exact opposite. She had become a more confident Iceline— the old Iceline from Joshua’s past life; gone were the days of the timid Iceline, but in Joshua’s eyes, her blue, waterfall-like hair, big, droopy eyes, as well as her immaculate white skin, and brilliant rose-petal lips were as attractive as ever.
Joshua knew that she could still grow taller, but she was currently so short she only came up to Joshua’s chest. Nonetheless, she had the proportions of a goddess of beauty, and not even a heavy and unwieldy robe could hide her physique. Still…
“You changed a lot.”
“...”
Iceline remained silent. She was no longer the same girl Joshua knew five years ago. Her pleasant demeanor was still there, but it was tinged with an icy chill that could make anyone feel a shiver down their spine. Living up to her moniker, Ice Flower, her eyes were cold, but they were also hiding something darker, which could be sadness or perhaps emptiness.
She looked like someone who had given up on life.
However, what stuck out the most to Joshua was that Iceline’s waist-length, wavy hair had been cut short. Joshua estimated that her hair only came down to her shoulders now. It seemed like a trivial detail, but it couldn’t be further from the truth.
A noble lady’s hair was symbolic. Noble ladies always used their long hair to flaunt their femininity, and it was also the source of their pride as women. As such, Iceline cutting her hair short despite being a noble lady meant that she had decided to abandon everything.
“The environment shapes behavior,” Iceline coldly said.
“...” Joshua grimaced upon seeing the stern look on Iceline’s face. He was simply too familiar with it because he had seen it in his past life. She was there before he regressed, and he could remember her vividly.
The Iceline in his past life was the first Class 7 Archmage of the Avalon Empire. She was infamous as the Cold-Blooded Slaughterer.
“What do you mean by it’s not a territorial war?”
“I shall answer that,” Akshuller hurriedly said, “I’m sure you know this because of your affiliation with the Imperial Family—the Battle of Rebrecca. You were in the midst of it all, so there’s no way you haven’t heard of it.”
“No…” Joshua responded without hesitation. He cautiously looked around before gently removing his robe. He saw that the mercenaries were still busy setting up camp, so he decided to remove his robe in the meantime.
“...”
Iceline's eyes briefly widened upon seeing Joshua’s appearance.
However, her awe didn’t last that long because she quickly recovered her wits and donned a frosty look again.
Joshua stared alternatingly between Iceline and Akshuller before saying, “If the outside is quiet, the inside is boisterous. Conflicts between lesser and greater nobles happen dozens or even hundreds of times per year.”
“Right, but how about conflicts between nobles above count? I don’t think they’re that common.”
Joshua nodded. “You’re right. It’s rare, so the news about a war between nobles at that rank should have spread like wildfire for now. I am someone who has been keeping tabs on the events throughout the empire in my own way, despite being in the throngs of the Imperial Family, but I am ashamed to say that it’s my first time hearing about the Battle of Rebrecca.”
“I see…” Akshuller scratched his chin and thought briefly.
“...” Joshua’s eyes sank as he stared at Akshuller.
He knew about the destruction of Iceline’s family.
Iceline didn’t carry a surname in Joshua’s past life—he didn’t even know that she came from the Rebrecca Family. He only learned that fact after meeting her after regressing. However, Joshua didn’t expect that the decline of Iceline’s family would be because of a territorial war.
“Does it have to do anything with that?” Akshuller finally spoke up.
“That?” Joshua tilted his head.
At that, Akshuller said, “Do you happen to know which family was at war with the Rebrecca Family?”
“...” Joshua thought about it for a while before shaking his head. It was the first time he even heard about the Battle of Rebrecca, so there was no way he would know about the opponent responsible for their destruction.
However, Akshuller’s following words astonished Joshua.
“The family responsible for the downfall of the Rebrecca Family is the Crombell Family.”
“...!” Joshua’s eyes widened.
“The Crombell Family? One of the Twelve Families?”
Akshuller nodded without speaking.
At that, Joshua asked, “The Crombell Family’s territory is a long way off from here and the land of the south is more fertile than the east, so why…”
“I agree.” Akshuller nodded before continuing. “I thought about it for a long time, but there was only one conclusion every time. After the downfall of the Rebrecca Family, the Crombell Family commenced a full-scale war against the Pontier Family. I assume you know about it since you’re a part of the Agnus Family.”
Joshua nodded at that.
“The Crombell Family had already destroyed the Rebrecca Family, but now they waged war on the Pontier Family? They had already destroyed an entire family, and even though that family’s head was just a count, their next target is one of the Five Dukes. Think about it: do you really think that Marquis Crombell alone could do something so detrimental to the whole nation?”
“Are you saying…” Joshua muttered, agape.
Akshuller nodded and said, “Everything will be explained if His Majesty—Emperor Marcus ben Britten is behind all this.”
“...!”
“It’s the perfect explanation because isn’t Marquis Crombell a loyal dog of His Majesty? Even though no one has any idea what His Majesty wants to achieve out of this, the theory that he’s working under His Majesty’s command is the most plausible current explanation.”
Joshua realized something, and he asked with a determined look, “Why are you sharing this with me? In the Imperial Family’s eyes, your words and the matters you are discussing with me are enough for you to be branded as a rebel. Have you forgotten who I am?”
“How can I forget? You’re Baron Joshua Sanders, the Reserve Battalion Commander of the Imperial Knights Order.” Akshuller smiled before lifting two fingers up and saying, “I have two reasons.”
“Two?” asked Joshua.
Akshuller nodded and said, “First of all, the issue is becoming more urgent.”
“...”
“A few days ago, Marquis Crombell placed a bounty on her head. The reason for the bounty is that she apparently fled after taking with her a family secret. The reward is a huge amount of money, about ten thousand gold,” Akshuller added.
“Ten thousand gold…!” Joshua’s groaned.
A thousand silver was one gold.
The monthly spending of a typical family of four wouldn’t even surpass five gold a month. With ten thousand gold, one could purchase a stronghold in a rural area and live in luxury for three generations.
“With that being said, I will change the Quest Objective. I want you to protect her from them!”
Joshua seemed uncomfortable. He felt as if Akshuller was dragging him along into a quagmire.
“Why are you doing this?” asked Joshua.
Akshuller smiled. it looked like a sour smile, but it resembled a cheeky jester for some reason.
“Did you not say that meeting her would be a sufficient reward? Are you really satisfied with that, though? I don’t think so…”
“...” Joshua remained silent as Akshuller continued. “In my eyes, it’s not enough at all.”
Akshuller’s smile widened as he surreptitiously glanced at Iceline. “How about you protect her and uncover the truth for us, and as a reward, we will give you Reipon?”
“She hasn’t even said anything yet…”
“I agree,” Iceline said.
Joshua turned toward her, and she continued. “You need the artifact that I made, and I will give it to you if you agree.”
At that, Joshua sighed. It seemed Akshuller had found out that he really needed Reipon. It wasn’t really strange since Akshuller was using Reipon, so there was no way he would have no idea about how it could be used and how convenient it was as an artifact.
“He looks like he has agreed.” Akshuller smiled as if he had expected it.
“Yes, but I have one condition.” Joshua said, “I can’t be with her all day. I also have personal matters I have to deal with."
Akshuller nodded and reassured Joshua. “Just do what you can, and I’ll take care of the rest. I know that I had basically forced you into this, but please do everything that you can to protect her.”
Joshua nodded without saying anything.
At that, Akshuller said, “Aren’t you curious about the second reason?”
“I understand. You don’t need to spell it out.” Joshua’s nonchalant expression attracted Iceline’s curiosity. “Isn’t it because I’m Duke Agnus’ son?”
“Right...” Akshuller revealed a warm smile and explained, “That’s actually it. Since you are a member of the Agnus Family with antagonistic ties to Emperor Marcus, then even if I can’t trust you, you still won’t be an enemy.”
“Of course, I didn’t just rely on my own assumptions. Despite the storm of rumors about the escalating conflict among greater nobles, the rumors about you are also kicking up a storm throughout the empire, so how can a true gambler resist betting on you?”
“Rumors about me?” asked Joshua while tilting his head.
“Didn’t you stand in front of His Majesty and told him ‘I’ll show you more than what you expect’? You showed everyone such a great attitude, and I’m not criticizing you for it, but you really are such a privileged child. If anyone else had done that, they would have died long ago.”
Joshua frowned at Akshuller’s crude imitation of his voice. It was an expression that had never appeared on his face before.
Of course, Akshuller ignored that and continued. “Word has already spread throughout the empire that His Majesty allowed you to leave the Imperial Knights Order to deliver sufficient results in the Masters’ Battle. I really thought you were just a young man blinded by honor when I heard how you’re already on your way to Reinhardt, but it seems like you’re not just all talk. As such, I decided to rely on my intuition.”
“You sound like a real gambling addict…” Joshua lampooned.
“I appreciate the compliment. Few things in the world are as attractive as gambling. How could I not love the thrill of possibly falling into an unending abyss or ruling over all humanity?”
“...” Iceline shook her head as though she had fallen into a trance. She then turned around and said, “I believe we’re done here.”
Iceline quickly disappeared.
While Akshuller was blabbing on about how young people should start gambling, they had no idea that there was a figure spying on them while pretending like they were setting up camp with the mercenaries.
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