"Why? Why would you let me marry her?" Walter asked Lucy.
"What? Regret it?" she teased and he frowned.
"This will not end well for him, will it?" Lord Morge said.
"The Ligrel clan did not think they would be where they are at the moment; without an heir from the main line. But they were quite glad they had sent Lady Steinhouse away because they can now bring her back; she is young, and she can be trained to lead the clan. If not, she could have sons that could be trained," Lucy said.
"So they lost all the heirs from the main line. How could such a powerful clan lose their heirs like that?" Lord of Merve asked and they all looked at Lucy meaningfully.
"Are you wondering if I had them all killed?" she asked in an amused tone and the room took a cold turn.
"Yes. It was quite difficult. Killing them directly is a small matter for me, but I didn't do it that way. Their clan has the capability, but they are still far from being able to take me on. it was their fault for losing Blood King Jin Ke anyway," Lucy said simply. They all shivered. They knew she was dangerous, but to make such a move and remain untouched and free of suspicion, made them shiver.
The fact that she did not deny it made them tense. They had a feeling that she told them not because she trusted them, but because they were not capable of doing anything to her. If they had forgotten their fear of her before, it had returned stronger than ever.
"Should we even ask how it's possible? You said it was difficult," Lord Morge asked.
"It was difficult because I had to use someone else's hand to do it. Cooking conflict enough to handle every one of them was something else. It would have been much easier to kill them off.
Making someone work for you without knowing, is harder than doing the work yourself. Take the king of Northern Lan, who does not know he is helping me hold off the ones coming to take Lady Steinhouse back to the Ligrel clan," she said and Walter grew cold. It would be amusing if his wife could be taken from him and he could not say a thing about it.
"Will they last?" Lord of Merve asked.
"King Khur has capable men, but the Ancients wouldn't be called that if they were so weak. They were wounded before they took on the journey. They just never thought anyone will stop them on the way. It's only a matter of time before they get to the capital," Lucy said.
"There is no way to stop them?" Lord Morge asked. They were all worried about Helen. They grew up with her and had no intention of having her taken away.
"Oh? Who said I had any intention of stopping them? I just wanted to hold them away long enough for Walter to marry her," Lucy said.
"Wouldn't that put Walter in danger?" Lord of Merve asked. The Walter in question had long gone silent.
"You have a way around it, don't you?" Walter asked her calmly.
"Have you opened the present I sent you?" she asked him and he took out the envelope. Inside, was a pendant cast in pure gold, the logo of The Religion.
"That's for your wife. I gave you a wife so I will give you the ability to protect her. If they ever come, they will not take her by force. They will try to make her willingly go with them," Lucy said.
"But she won't. She despises them," Walter said.
"Yes. Therefore, the only one they can take her away is by asking you. The only one that can divorce her willingly, is you. They will not accept a son-in-law like you, after all, only I know your worth. Still, there is nothing they can do about it," Lucy said.
"Then I am the one in danger," Walter said. His mood had fallen.
"After the king's wedding, you will go to war with Northern Lan," Lucy Said and Walter frowned.
"Me?"
"Yes. Your real purpose is to acquire ownership of the emperor's shed," Lucy explained.
"What is that?" Lord Morge asked.
"The emperor's shed is a small house just outside the border between Igar and Northern Lan. Whoever owns the shed, can command the powers within it. You must beware; there are people who live there, but they are not the true owners. Before you leave, I will give you a full report on that place," Lucy said.
"Why? Why must it be me?" Walter asked.
"You are one of mine, that is why. Don't worry about the small stuff. This is a mission. Why I want you to possess it, the answer will become clear to you later. Your family will be protected and I will handle your position in the army. I have a right-hand prepared for you; his martial arts is high. You will meet him soon. My plans for the future, you need not worry about it. As for your new title and your fear that your new in-laws will play a deadly hand, relax. I put you there, so I am your protection," Lucy said. Walter knew the days ahead will be long and hard, but those words calmed him and lifted his spirits.