"I didn't mean to make it difficult for the grandmaster."
V was so sorry that he didn't know what to do. He held his breath with his eyes down.
Actually, he was worried about Charlize. It's not something to be solved by listening. But Charlize waited for V's words.
V didn't want to talk, but he couldn't disobey Charlize.
He opened his lips with difficulty.
"Actually, it's because… of the children we rescued from the underworld."
Charlize soon remembered. People who were sold as slaves in the underworld, or were captured in connection with Kiera.
Adults either found work or found a way to live, but not children. There were even adults who abandoned their children.
'That's why there are so many children left.'
The immediate protection of the children was entrusted to Shadow. She heard that V was the most active in taking care of children.
However, many of the concerned nobles were opposed to Shadow's temporary protection. There was also a backstory.
"There's no place for children to stay."
That's all. V added. He tried to be calm and pretend like nothing happened.
She's still a benefactor, but he doesn't want to cause any more trouble.
"I'm going to try to save the children somehow."
"Is that all you need?"
Charlize, who had been listening quietly, asked calmly.
V was surprised by Charlize's fresh voice. Charlize didn't seem to mind at all.
V was silent for a moment in bewilderment.
"I asked if stabilizing the children's existence and finding a place to stay was what you needed."
"Yes…?"
It was a slave held by the traitors. All the nobles opposed the symbol of rebellion, because it could instill anxiety about the darkness and security of the empire.
Anyway, Charlize let V's chin go.
As she turned her head sideways, the ballroom came into view. The chandelier lights reflected and her signature ash blonde sparkled.
Eyes that resemble the universe bend smoothly. Charlize gestured in the air.
"Come here."
With a single gesture, Charlize summoned the Shadow Central Intelligence Agency.
The people around were surprised by the appearance of the Shadow that seemed to have appeared from the air. Because they suddenly appeared from the balcony where people thought no one was there.
Shadow bowed to Charlize. The ball was in full swing.
"Now, call the nobles to the meeting room."
"…Yes, grandmaster."
After receiving the order, Shadow was puzzled for a moment, but agreed. Because they weren't allowed to ask questions.
His Majesty also gave the grandmaster the authority to do so. But it's not that they distrust Charlize, but the nobles were all overbearing and proud.
Shadow stepped back for now.
"What are you doing, let's go."
Charlize spoke kindly to V, who had been looking at her for a moment.
V was flustered, but Charlize was calm. She took the lead first.
V, who had been dazed, caught up late.
The meeting room was closed. They arrived soon.
Charlize sat down first.
V could not help but be surprised soon.
'I thought we were in the middle of the party?'
The nobles who had been enjoying the ball began to enter one by one.
Even the nobles, who were known as the executioner, gathered.
It was the sign to make someone read out in a hurry to come quickly.
V felt an unknown sense of intimidation in an instant. The fact that so many nobles are driven by Charlize.
'What a powerful authority.'
He knew it, but.
He didn't expect it to be this much.
The meeting room became quiet when all the nobles gathered.
A round table was placed in the center.
However, the place where Charlize sat was naturally treated as a top seat.
V paid attention to Charlize when he was puzzled because he could not understand.
"We need an orphanage."
Charlize only said one sentence. Just that. To describe it as just beautiful, Charlize's charisma was clearly weighing on the nobles.
Power is the power of domination.
The nobles looked at each other and started discussing while talking to each other quietly.
Then one of the nobles immediately gathered up his courage and asked Charlize.
"Well, what kind of orphanage is this? Grandmaster?"
It was a careful question.
Charlize answered indifferently.
"It's an orphanage for children rescued from the underworld."
Of course, V knew they would protest. They were the ones who opposed it no matter how he came out of the underworld. By the way,
The audience was quiet.
"I want to have facilities where children can rest comfortably, and for children with scars on their hearts can also receive professional counseling and education. Until New Year's Day, there must be a place for children to stay."
No one commented. They didn't even say it was strange, they just listened to Charlize.
The nobles bowed their heads and were obedient.
Charlize had the upper hand. Those who stand above do not need to count below. V realized this while looking at the scene in front of his eyes.
Charlize's eyes briefly scoured the nobles. She pointed it out coldly.
"Count Hart."
V flinched.
Count Hart was famous for being a man of strong pride and stiffness.
However, Charlize's words that followed were even more shocking.
"The orphanage will be built at the Count's villa."
However, no one showed any intention of resistance or disobedience. The nobles all bowed their heads.
In particular, Count Hart replied calmly as if it were an honor.
"I will only accept the grandmaster's will."
It was complete obedience.
V doubted his eyes.
Here in the meeting room. Charlize reigned like a sharply forged sword.
If Dylan ruled gently, Charlize was simply an absolute charisma or power that weighed down the nobles.
Shortly thereafter, a brief meeting was over.
After a while, V stared blankly at Charlize approaching him.
"Done, happy with it?"
As soon as V confided his worries, the work was all over in less than an hour.
Perfect and simple.
The nobles with high pride were like gentle sheep in front of Charlize. Beyond lowering themselves, they were very careful.
'How come is the grandmaster…'
Looking at the casual face of Charlize, V was just amazed.
***
The ball that lasted for days was over.
In the middle of the day, it was the emperor's office.
Charlize reported to Dylan.
"As you may have already heard. I decided to establish an orphanage, Your Majesty."
"Yes, Master."
Dylan bowed his head to Charlize.
"I'd like you to do whatever you want, Master."
Blind acceptance.
Charlize thought coolly from where Dylan couldn't see.
'It has to be intact.'
She recently thought of stepping down from Dylan.
Of course, it brought down the late Emperor, but Charlize's purpose was to do with everything related to Kiera. To destroy it.
But apart from her vengeance for the imperial family, she was somewhat close to Dylan.
'Did I get attached to him?'
Useless thoughts. Charlize cut off the thought and continued.
"I decided to build the orphanage at Count Hart's villa."
"His villa certainly has a great view. It will help stabilize the children's emotions."
Even the Count, the person directly involved, was honored.
The decision to build an orphanage in a private villa was, in fact, absurd.
However, both Charlize and Dylan were indifferent.
Dylan said to Charlize.
"If the orphanage establishment ceremony is scheduled, I will also adjust my schedule. So I'd like to accompany Master to the establishment ceremony, is that okay?"
"…Of course, Your Majesty."
If Dylan also attends. The donations from sponsors to the orphanage would pile up like a mountain.
'There's no reason to refuse.'
Charlize looked at Dylan.
He had a comfortable and quiet face. But at first glance, his face seemed like a beast looking for an opportunity, which made her feel uncomfortable.
If you let your guard down. As it is, you'll be tormented by Dylan.
'Is it because he's doubting me?'
She clearly read the tension in his eyes. After blinking, it disappeared and she wasn't sure.
But she became hardened inadvertently. If she moves even a little, she feels like she'll be caught in his trap.
***
Payne was investigating with his colleagues from the secret organization Alperier.
"We've been keeping an eye on this place, too."
"I didn't expect the Emperor to move first."
Colleagues muttered in stunned voices.
Payne agreed and looked at the ruined underworld.
Surprisingly, the emperor's side managed to get through the underworld, which was somewhat difficult to access, in just one day.
"Wow, this is completely monstrous."
Payne also muttered in disbelief.
Inside the underworld that Charlize and Kahu swept away together.
After all the Shadows interfered, he withdrew. At this quiet time when the commotion had subsided, he secretly searched for it late at night.
It was already a mess. The completely empty underworld was broken everywhere.
Now the imperial family has almost abandoned it and didn't manage it.
Payne's attention was at the passage that Charlize might have cut with her sword. Since he watched it from afar that day, Charlize's performance was clear. But surprisingly,
'There's no energy.'
There was no trace of the sword nor any trace of energy where Charlize cut it.
Payne raised his head. He asked his colleague.
"Isn't it normal to have your own energy to track it down?"
"What do you mean?"
As if asking why he was asking such a natural question, his colleague had a cool face.
It was obvious that he would not believe it even if he explained it, so Payne restarted the detection magic.
But he couldn't read anything either. Even the person who used the sword cut it like this without even knowing what kind of sword he was using?
"Stop talking nonsense and stick to your duties, Payne."
"…A sword with no features?"
His colleague frowned.
"What kind of sword is that?"
His colleague was grumbling. He thought Payne was talking nonsense, shaking his head and walking away.
Payne shut his mouth. In fact, Payne himself wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't seen it with his own two eyes.
Charlize's swordsmanship was insane. The existence itself was a mess that broke all principles and rules. A sword with no trace?
'I don't know what her true colors are, but she's a monster.'
The more he got to know Charlize, the more he desperately coveted her genius.
If Charlize joins the 'Alperier', the organization's purpose may come true. No, at least for Payne's purpose. It will come true.
To annihilate the magic tower.
Payne finished the investigation and walked toward his colleagues.
"By the way, Payne, my guy. You said you could bring the grandmaster with confidence. But she found out about the organization and she rejected joining, right?"
"Do you even know what a secret organization means?"
"Grandmaster, why would she want to be here with that power, overflowing money, and honor?"
"It was an offer to fail from the start."
Payne half ignored his cold-hearted colleagues.
But he still believed in Charlize.
Charlize is not the kind of person to leak information about secret organizations, at least.
Of course, they weren't in a relationship to trust each other.
His close colleague grabbed Payne's shoulder and whispered.
"You can't drag her in. Give up."
"No, maybe it's possible."
Payne shook his head and replied back.
It was an incredibly confident statement.
He doesn't know. Charlize said it was just a perfume made by her dear maid. Payne still remembered her scent.
"Because."
That scent, obviously, from Ehyrit…
"Charlize Ronan will not stop until she destroys all the humans who made Kiera."
As Payne did.
'No, she might be a worse monster.'
He bit his lips.