It was an unexpected contact. Because Dylan always asked Charlize first, it was the first kiss on the back of her hand that he didn't ask for her permission.
Knowing this, Charlize did not avoid it. Because that's what a knight or a gentleman does to a Lady. She had never heard of the Emperor doing it to the Lady.
Charlize read that Dylan's gaze was explicit.
Her heart was beating a little fast and then stopped beating.
'Feelings.'
Maybe it's because she used to be a sword for a long time. Charlize's heart hardly moved. It was calm at any time, and it moved.
It was a minor and small change that even Dylan didn't notice. Only Charlize knows.
"Everything will be done according to Master's will."
What did Dylan say, that's right.
'He was talking about the reason why the wizards of the magic tower came.'
Charlize looked at Dylan. As if she couldn't read Dylan properly. Maybe even Dylan couldn't read her well either.
Because he didn't realize that Kiera was Charlize yet. But the more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. Why?
'There are too many clues.'
But she suppressed her anxiety.
The fact that this world has been turned back once. No one would ever imagine. If it wasn't for Kahu who leaked clues, he would have been convinced until the end.
'As expected, I should have killed Kahu.'
But in the end, she didn't kill him. This thought was pointless.
"I heard that the children are well trained with the sword Your Majesty donated to the orphanage."
Charlize lowered her eyes.
"They said it was the most delightful, practical gift. Thank you for caring."
Dylan, who was looking at Charlize, replied slowly.
"It's been a long time since I've seen what Master wants."
Of course, she wanted the Empire to be destroyed. But that was already 5 years ago.
Since then, Charlize has been moving consistently, and essentially saw that the founding of the orphanage was the first thing that she did voluntarily.
There was never, in fact, never a time when her desired object itself was Dylan.
Charlize looks at Dylan, but it's only Dylan who really 'looks like' her opponent.
"Is that so, Your Majesty?"
Charlize calmly put her hand away. It was actually a lie that wizards were targeting slaves, so it was a little uncomfortable to make eye contact with him.
Charlize changed the subject.
"Where's the next place after the Seruna Empire?"
"…The Risia Empire."
"Why?"
Charlize looked up at Dylan because she was amazed at how he instinctively judged the situation best and made an efficient route. Because if Seruna collapses, the place where they can rule the fastest is the Risia Empire.
Before the regression, the emperors tried to destroy Risia first, but in the end, it was difficult to conquer both. But Dylan knew the shortest route.
Dylan said exactly what Charlize thought.
"I once wondered where the funds supporting the political forces of the Risia Empire came from. Surprisingly, it was Seruna's ruling power. Seruna is wrapped up as a rival of the century with Risia, but in reality there is a close connection between the two countries. In each overall field of society."
"…"
"The two countries are divided by borders, but in the end, they can be regarded as a country with the same ruling power. If Seruna collapses, some of the ruling forces will surely flee to Risia and aim for the future, but if we hit Risia right away, we can easily destroy an empty house."
"It's amazing, Your Majesty."
Charlize was a little impressed.
No, it was actually incredible.
"It's just as Your Majesty said. It's wonderful."
The moment he shows his talent like this, Charlize is colored with the purest admiration in her eyes. That was the motivation that fueled Dylan's enthusiasm for learning.
But does Charlize know this?
In fact, Dylan had thought a lot about what would be the best way to get Charlize's attention. Of course, he couldn't fully reveal his feelings, so only that Charlize wouldn't notice.
For example, being sick.
[I will drink poison and have you.]
Like the chorus of the song he often sang with Charlize. If Dylan falls down after eating poison, maybe he'll get Charlize's attention. He thought.
So, looking down at the poisoned glass, he thought seriously about yesterday.
'In the end, I used magic to get rid of the glass.'
Or.
Pretending to be tired.
He's not tired at all, but let's say he wants to lean on her shoulder. It's true that he has been through a lot, so he thinks she'll let him at least for a moment. He thought.
Actually, there were many opportunities.
If he buries his lips in the back of her neck and inhales her scent.
Like a piano class where they have to sit together. It was enough to settle the mood naturally while playing the slow tune of the piano.
'She's a teacher who looks at me when I pretend to be weak.'
He was thinking about making up a lie like that.
However, not all were put into practice.
'Yeah, it's right to just say it calmly.'
"I like you, Master."
Dylan confessed.
There were yellow roses in full bloom in the garden outside the window.
Of course, Charlize simply replied that she liked Kahu.
But, at this moment, he thought Charlize would recognize it with his eyes and words like this.
But Charlize didn't notice.
No, she's pretending not to know.
'Or are you really not putting a chance on it?'
Either way, it hurts.
"Yes, me too. Your Majesty, by the way. I feel it every time I see it, but a rose is always beautiful, isn't it?"
"…"
"Would you like to walk with me?"
Dylan is… At this moment, Charlize was terribly indifferent.
However, he looked at Charlize with an open mind.
And nodded his head.
***
There were fairies in the flowers.
In fact, it was also the reason why Charlize was distracted during the conversation with Dylan.
'I haven't seen them since that night.'
Sure enough, as soon as she came out into the garden. The fairies are gone. They had sprinkled the powder of dreams. Because they were the ones who made her see Dylan reaching out to Kiera.
Charlize narrowed her eyebrows for a moment.
"How were the wizards?"
Dylan took Charlize's attention.
Charlize replied, trying to hide her nervousness.
"I felt it was 'different'."
"What was different?"
"Everything… The mana used by the sword-wielding man and the mana of the wizards has a slightly 'different' energy. Of course, wise men claim that the essence is the same, but…"
It was a sudden utterance, but Dylan was listening a little attentively.
Charlize averted her gaze even from the flower where the fairies had disappeared.
"I also agree with what Master said."
Dylan agreed.
Charlize said.
"They are rare and little known. They are closed and their pride is quite high. They may feel alienated in that they reject outsiders."
Charlize did not mix emotions, but talked as if she were delivering only the most objective facts.
The moment she mixed her emotions, it was obvious that her deep murderous intent was revealed.
Except for the unusual case of Payne, the wizard was usually a member of the Magic Tower.
She lowered her gaze to hide her eyes.
"How was your cooperation with the young duke?"
"Well. We get along well, of course, there were parts that we didn't get along well. At least he helps a lot when we have to use a sword together."
"If it's the part that didn't get along well…"
Charlize, who was answering without hesitation, was silent for a moment.
At least to Dylan, it's a fact that can never be revealed.
Since Kahu has also returned, can't it be said that it's embarrassing?
Charlize looked up.
"Didn't I adapt to Your Majesty too? In fact, unless it's your Majesty, I can't help feeling that I don't get along well with anyone."
It was a moderate excuse to avoid answering, but Dylan seemed more satisfied than she thought.
For a moment he paused and looked at Charlize.
The garden was spacious.
"You're not wrong."
At least Dylan was convinced of one thing.
No matter who Charlize meets in the future, she will never meet a genius more than Dylan.
Of course, it was the same for Dylan.
"Shadow reported that there was nothing special about the movements of the wizards, Master."
"…I see."
Charlize knows that the Shadow is secretly chasing after her and reporting on her every move, but since Charlize is in charge of the wizards. She didn't know that he would say this publicly.
As expected, it's not complete trust.
Still, Charlize was a bit unexpected, so when she looked up at Dylan, she said calmly.
"I think the place they stayed was where slaves were around."
Charlize took care of her facial expressions.
She knew Dylan well.
He knows 200 even if he reads one, and he never forgets even if he looks at it once.
When he hears the 10,000 things that the underworld pursued, he remembers them all.
"By looking at their paths, a clear purpose is read."
"…What's the purpose?"
Even the trivial expressions, clues, tone, and word choice are not missed. It all develops into logic, and in the end, he's the best person to see through one exact essence.
So Charlize held her breath.
Dylan stopped. He answered firmly.
"They're there to make sure something has been properly disposed of."
She shouldn't show any gaps.
With only that thought, Charlize asked.
"If it's disposal, what kind of project are they trying to identify?"
"As far as I remember, there were only 34 projects that were completely incinerated. For example, a project to create a half-human half-horse, a project to create this race."
"…"
Dylan stared at Charlize.
Suddenly, Charlize thought her ears were tingling.
She tried to suppress the slight trembling of her lips.
Like her heart, it didn't go well.
"They're cruel, arrogant."
"Master."
Dylan's eyes were as blue as the sea.
The vast nature is always honest, but it is as passionate as the waves never stop.
"I think there's a reason why Master didn't tell me the purpose of the wizards."
"···"
'You have seen it as a lie.'
Dylan's eyes were blind as if Charlize was only saying that she was right. Still, her fingertips trembled. But contrary to Charlize's worries, Dylan was surprised to see her aloof and calm.
'I can't read her.'
Charlize is the highest of the transcendents, so he couldn't read her.
In a world that Dylan didn't know, just as humans couldn't read the thoughts of things, humans just couldn't grasp the magic sword.
Dylan approached Charlize.
"While talking to Master, I was wondering. May I ask you a question?"
Charlize once tried to bring down the question to Dylan.
So the answer was decided.
But if she could do what she really wanted, she would have refused.
"Of course, Your Majesty."
Dylan looked at Charlize.
'It was also found within the Imperial Palace.'
Other than that, he didn't pay much attention to it because he saw traces of making numerous weapons or artificial swordmasters.
However, it was strange because the underworld and the wizard were also intertwined.
Dylan's lips opened.
"Master, what is 'Kiera'?"