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On one side of the military encampment, there were tents set up for the troops coming from the Kalia Marquis Family.

In an area with more humans than elves, we sent Arielte’s elves first and followed Eunice towards one of the tents.

“I said I had something to say.”

Just before stepping into the tent teeming with elder squabble.

Eunice Kalia requested a moment of conversation with Shione.

“I also mentioned I’d share some insights regarding the Ianette Family.”

The Ianette Family. They were connected to Aina, the eldest daughter joining the expedition with Shione. It was not just any individual; she was an important figure, and Eunice promised to share whatever information she had.

— Young Lady, may I ask something… have you had any news from the Marquis Family?

— If so, could you tell me about my brother… Allen Kalia?

Worry.

Not worrying for her brother alone, but concern for the family as a whole. Along with that, the suspicious question about her brother.

We readily agreed to Eunice Kalia’s request.

“However, one surprising point is…”

When Shione initially spoke, it seemed like a secret conversation between the young ladies of the Marquis and Count’s households.

Well, somehow…

Not only Shione but Diolia and I ended up following her as well.

Of course, Diolia and I were hiding behind Shione, merely eavesdropping on their conversation like audience members.

For one, I was holding Tania, and the floating Cotton Puff was perched on Diolia’s hand, making us stand out quite a bit.

“We’re a bit busy right now… the tent’s a little messy, but we should have enough time for a brief chat.”

Eunice Kalia picked up a shield that had been rolling on the ground and tidied up while speaking.

“Since everyone’s been informed, let’s get this discussion started.”

With a shield stained with blood and several battered broad swords leaning against her, Eunice stood.

With her arms crossed, she gently tapped her arm with her index finger, beginning to speak.

“Let’s start with the topic everyone is most curious about—the eldest daughter of the Ianette Family.”

“Does the Young Lady of Kalia have any acquaintance with that elf?”

“Of course. Our Kalia family has assisted in the stabilization projects in the western part of the Great Forest. Thanks to that, we had ample opportunities to converse and experience interactions with those from that area.”

From the earlier meeting, we had heard that the elves mentioned Ianette was involved in managing and stabilizing the west. It appeared the reinforcements from the Kalia Marquis Family had been contributing significantly.

Well, it should be no surprise that I could straightforwardly say Ianette has cunning and selfish traits, considering how many times we’ve crossed paths.

“In the process, the knights of the Marquis Family, including myself, had more encounters with Airiine, the eldest daughter, than with Ianette herself.”

She took a few steps closer, narrowing the distance between herself and Shione.

As she spoke in a lower voice about the elf she observed, Eunice’s calm and low pitch created a peculiar sense of trust in her words.

“The eldest daughter, how should I put it… a doll? Or perhaps it would be better to say she resembled a puppet.”

“A puppet… could you elaborate a bit more?”

“She doesn’t show emotions at all, and it seems she only operates based on her duties—”

Eunice elongating her words was her way of collecting her thoughts.

“She’s like a puppet obedient to the words of my mother and the retainers around her. It’s true there are rare occasions when she seems to act of her own will, but ultimately, she creates results that align with the expectations of those around her.”

To think the eldest daughter of Ianette is a puppet swayed by the expectations around her.

She seems to have a different nature compared to Friel, who shows a strong ego and arrogance.

“…by any means.”

However, judging by Eunice’s deteriorating expression.

Unlike Friel’s current self, who was composed, Airiine had undoubtedly exhibited some perplexing traits when we first met her.

It was then.

— Hey.

“…?”

Come on, couldn’t you just call me quietly? Why the punch to the solar plexus?

As expected from Tania. I suppose her history of delivering playful hits to Changsik has made her quite skilled in this regard.

Thanks to her control over strength, it wasn’t too painful, but the path of that fist landing on my midriff was no joke.

As a result, I found myself startled by Tania’s sudden punch.

— That Airiine girl. Something feels off.

Tania, sitting on my right arm, wore an unusually cold expression.

— When you say they’ll go to any lengths to get results… Shin-woo, you know well what kinds of elves are like that.

‘…Well, that’s true.’

— Ugh. I really can’t stand it.

Just as Tania said.

The moment an elf starts to employ any means necessary for results, if you end up on their radar as a target, troublesome things are bound to happen.

‘Airiine, was it?’

It’s undoubtedly wise to keep my distance.

The cunning and selfish head of the Ianette Family.

As her puppet, now that she’s joined the expedition, it could mean that Airiine’s and perhaps Aina’s annoying schemes could soon reach the heroes like us.

“You should be cautious, Young Lady. It seems there’s quite a bit of talk about the Count’s family among them… I’m not sure if their intentions are purely friendly.”

Shione nodded softly at Eunice’s warning.

“Thank you for your advice, Lady Kalia.”

“Shall we move on to discussing the Great Forest now? The eastern woods are indeed quite troublesome to navigate, as the elves said.”

“Have you ever been into the eastern woods, Lady Kalia?”

“Of course. The reinforcements from the Marquis have been in the Great Forest long enough to memorize the paths somewhat.”

Shione and Eunice began their private conversation.

Perhaps because Eunice belonged to the Kalia Marquis family, Shione appeared a little reserved at first, speaking less, but as Eunice casually engaged her, Shione began matching her conversation.

I wondered how long they would continue chatting.

At some point, the cheerful atmosphere turned upside down.

“Then… Young Lady Shianella.”

Her lips curled into a gentle smile. The arc of her smile was anything but lighthearted.

As the calm began to settle in her deep, dark pupils, Shione, facing her, also felt the rising tension.

“Could you share what you know about the current state of the Marquis Family, especially concerning our Allen Kalia?”

Allen Kalia, who didn’t have the best relationship with his eldest sister Eunice.

Not only did they have a strained relationship, but they were also competing for the head of the family position, often clashing with one another.

With Eunice having spent a good amount of time in the Great Forest, where external news didn’t easily reach, she clearly had a curiosity about that information.

“And about the current situation of the Marquis Family…”

However, Shione hesitated to respond to Eunice’s question.

‘With the monsters roaming the western mountains…’

It would be a bit unusual to announce out loud that their territory was in shambles in front of family members.

It might feel a bit awkward and uncomfortable for Eunice, since she could tell Shione was treading lightly.

Eunice immediately picked up on Shione’s hesitance and added more.

“You don’t need to feel burdened just because I’m the eldest daughter of the Marquis Family. I’m just sharing the current situation of our territory as it is.”

“Is it really fine?”

“Of course.”

With Eunice’s reassurance, Shione calmly began to speak.

“Now, let me explain the overall situation of the territory.”

“Please do.”

A calm voice, far removed from the playful bickering with Cotton Puff, echoed within the tent.

“Currently, the western part of the territory, which Allen Kalia was in charge of maintaining order, has been facing frequent appearances of magic-tainted monsters.”

As the mention of magic and monsters came up, Eunice Kalia’s previously composed expression started to turn cold.

“…Due to some issues on Allen Kalia’s part, the safety of the western region has fallen into the hands of our family’s third son, Abel Kalia, under the orders of the head of the family.”

“Abel has taken over, huh.”

“Additionally, I’ve heard that the head of the family has recognized Abel Kalia, who has enlisted several knights from the Marquis’s main forces, as the candidate for the head of the Marquis Family.”

“The situation within the Marquis Family seems to be quite chaotic.”

At times like these, I should be at home with my family.

Eunice quietly muttered.

As she slowly swept her mahogany-colored long hair back, she locked her gaze onto Shione.

“We’ll stop here for the Marquis Family’s discussion. Now, let’s switch gears to talk about Allen. But before that, may I ask you something, Young Lady?”

“If it’s something I can answer, I’ll gladly do so.”

“What was your first impression of Allen?”

The calm and authoritative voice that filled the tent since we entered created an atmosphere of stillness.

You could catch a glimpse of how many complicated thoughts lay behind Shione’s calm eyes, making her seem deeply sincere.

Eunice Kalia regarded the question about Shione’s impression of her brother with great importance.

 

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