The territory of Slain.
A sturdy fortress of the empire, the land protected by countless warriors from external threats throughout its history.
And now, the owner of that county, Count Slain was holding his head.
"What, what did you say?"
Among the numerous knights of the empire, he was revered for his strength, fortitude, and honourable conduct as a knight.
Until just yesterday, his name shone brightly as a solid shield of the empire.
But what could he do?
His daughter, whom he had raised with care and affection, had suddenly started causing trouble…
She had always been a good girl, never causing any trouble, which made Count slain's shock even greater.
"My daughter… Rachel, did she say she won't come back?"
"Yes, she did…"
Kesir nodded with a solemn expression.
Originally, he should have stayed at the Grave to guard Rachel, but as the deputy knight commander, he also had the responsibility to report such a major event to Count slain.
Count slain's face twisted like a demon at Kesir's report.
"It's because of him! He must have used some despicable trick on my daughter!"
"Um, Your Excellency…"
"Why!"
"I have checked, and there was no indication of her being brainwashed by magic or physically harmed… Yes…"
Of course, even Kesir couldn't understand.
Why?
Who is Rachel?
She is praised as one of the most beautiful women in the empire, proud of Count slain.
Moreover, she is so kind-hearted that she never loses her compassion, whether dealing with nobles or commoners.
It would be no exaggeration to say that there is no one in the County who dislikes Rachel…
So why did she decide to stay at the Grave?
"Kesir! Tell me again. What did she say after saying she would stay at the Grave?"
"Well, she said… Um, yes, that…"
Cold sweat dripped from Kesir's forehead again.
"She said she saw the truth."
"Yes, she… she said she saw the truth. And that truth led her to choose to stay at the Grave…"
Even as he explained, Kesir couldn't understand what was going on.
But what could he do?
Rachel herself had said so and decided to reside at the Grave.
And as expected…
"What nonsense is this."
"I am only conveying the lady's words as they were, Your Excellency."
Naturally, Count slain and even Kesir himself were at a loss.
"…"
A silence fell between them. And it was Kesir who broke the silence first.
"Your Excellency, what shall we… do? I couldn't possibly defy the lady's will, but if you command…"
"Hmm."
Count slain stroked his beard thoughtfully. He was indeed shocked.
However…
"Should I force her to come back?"
If his daughter had been forcibly detained at the Grave due to some despicable plot, he would have brought her back, even if it meant a confrontation.
But according to Kesir, it didn't seem like that was the case.
"I trust Kesir's judgment."
He had personally appointed Kesir as the deputy knight commander. There was no reason to doubt Kesir's judgment.
If he didn't trust Kesir's judgment, he wouldn't have entrusted Rachel's protection to him.
However…
"It's unsettling…"
No matter how much he devoted himself to repelling external invasions, he didn't ignore the news within the empire.
And among that information was, of course, information about 'Kyle Grave.'
And based on that information, Kyle Grave was by no means a good person.
He wasn't a great sorcerer, but unlike his father, who was considered a good 'lord' in every respect, Kyle Grave was lacking in every aspect.
The Grave family, which was considered one of the most prestigious families in the empire, was said to be on the brink of collapse.
But according to Kesir, perhaps he needed to change his attitude towards the Grave a bit.
"Kesir."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"What was your impression of the Grave? It doesn't have to be completely objective. I trust your judgment."
"The Grave… "
With his eyes closed, Kesir thought for a moment. As someone who had personally seen the Grave, he had to convey the situation as 'objectively' as possible.
In that case…
"It couldn't be measured."
Whether it was in a good sense or a bad sense.
From Kesir's perspective, the feeling at the grave was something that simply could not be measured.
"…I see."
With those words, Count slain closed his eyes and seemed to ponder for a moment.
"I'll send the eldest."
Soon after, he reached a conclusion.
—
After a short but powerful storm had passed, I received a new guest.
"I'll be in your care for a while!"
"Mm."
With a bright smile, Rachel looked at me.
Truly, her sparkling figure, filled with goodwill, was truly…
" Lady Rachel."
"Yes!"
"Can't you turn off that shining thing?"
"Oh!"
Honestly, it's a bit embarrassing…
Imagine having someone who emits a halo standing right in front of you. It's really intimidating, really.
"Oh, this?"
As if remembering late, Rachel closed her eyes for a moment.
Click.
The halo turned off as if it were a lie.
"I turned it off!"
"…I see, so that's how you turn it off."
I really didn't know you could turn off a halo. I still don't have a clear idea of who or what exactly "Rachel" is.
What's her true identity, really?
I sighed quietly and said to Rachel,
"Well, um… Anyway, I heard that Lady intends to stay in my mansion for a while."
"Yes!"
"you didn't ask for permission, did you?"
"I didn't think it was necessary!"
"I see, you think so."
Even though I can see Count slain crying in his own territory in the distance… It's not my business.
"The reason I called you today is simple."
"Yes, please tell me!"
With eyes shining, Rachel waited for my words. I sighed deeply in my mind and said,
"In the end, Lady seems to have grasped the truth roughly, right?"
"Yes, so about that…!"
Before Rachel could say anything, I interrupted her.
"If you're going to say anything like, 'Become a leader like a cult leader,' I'll kick you out right away, so think carefully."
"I think it was unnecessary to think about it."
Rachel quickly changed the subject.
Of course, it can't end here.
"Don't do things like making someone else a cult leader."
"Excuse me?"
"And don't pretend you didn't hear."
"Yes…"
Rachel nodded her head with a sullen expression. It might seem too cold, but it's not.
If I don't establish my authority like this, who knows what she'll do.
But if I've given her this warning, she probably won't cause any major problems right away.
Well, for now.
"Rachel Lady."
"Ah, Your Highness. Your statement feels a bit distant. How about speaking more frankly?"
"…"
"Now that I've decided to stay at the mansion, can't I consider myself a member of the Grave?"
"No, you can't."
I muttered without realizing it, and Rachel burst into laughter.
"Oh, you said it!"
"…Yes, let's go with that."
Why would she be so obsessed with titles like this?
Anyway, I've said what I needed to say.
As long as she doesn't cause any trouble.
"I need your help."
"In what way can I help? If Your Highness really needs my help…"
"Yes, um, what was it. You know the truth, right?"
"Yes."
"Let's… think about it together."
It's truly excruciating to say this while feeling my face go numb.
I should have been more careful with this woman before I regressed.
"Wow!"
Rachel nodded enthusiastically with a bright expression.
"As expected of Your Highness! You have such a unique perspective on the truth! Well, there aren't many people who would recommend a path of enlightenment at their first meeting!"
"…"
Is she mocking me?
Of course, I know. That even in this statement, there is no ill will whatsoever.
"That's beside the point. Let's get to the point before the story goes off on a tangent.
"It's similar. However, the truth is, it doesn't just come into being by staying still."
"Is that so?"
"The reason you're listening to me right now is because you think I can give you some kind of truth, right?"
"I'm sure of it."
"Well, well, okay."
The plan I had set up to not be related to Rachel when she stormed into my mansion without my consent was in vain.
What's done is done.
So, with what's already happened, shouldn't I steer the situation in a way that's 'useful' to me?
What I've focused on in this situation is Rachel's strange talent.
The power to create sanctity on her own.
Before the regression, she lived as the beautiful daughter of a noble family up to her current age.
Yes, up to this age.
But as soon as she passed fifteen, something suddenly changed in her.
– The truth!
With that word, she mixed all sorts of conspiracy theories and myths in her head to create something like a magic theory.
That part didn't matter.
It could have just left her as a slightly eccentric lady.
The problem is.
"That theory she came up with, it actually had a use."
That's what's strange.
Before the regression, what Rachel advocated was never proper.
The process was a mess.
The reason she came up with the theory was also, needless to say, a mess.
But strangely, the 'result' produced from that mess was exceptional.
Surprisingly.
So, isn't that a good thing?
No way.
Scholars, as a rule, value the process as much as, if not more than, the result itself.
An object that works without knowing how it works?
That's how fearful the results could be for scholars.
…It was a mess, really.
As factions that couldn't acknowledge Rachel and factions that excessively worshiped her clashed, all sorts of madness erupted.
And Rachel becoming that way, I don't know why, but it was after she met me.
Ji-soo-woon once said something like this.
– Oh, it was a trigger, that.
In reality, there is a trigger for an 'event' to occur, and for Rachel, our meeting was the trigger itself.
– Sometimes it happens like that. It's what you might call fate, an 'absolute trigger' that must happen.
And now, I can only agree with what he said.
Well, anyway.
Somehow, it turned out like this.
Rachel met me again this time, and in some way, she developed her talent.
So, I should make use of it.
Unlike before, I know how to use this talent now.
"Let's think about that 'truth' freely."
I'll arrange the process well on my own and make use of it.