Chapter 54: Butterfly and Jewel
YalyYfRAfter the Grand Council ended, the celebration that followed began.jgPQ9Ej
3E6vIMThe atmosphere felt even more tense than before the meeting.YZg
S3rXb2oIf earlier they had been relaxed exchanging information, now the groups displayed their internal cohesion.kyvrtfk
FXNLO‘They look like children.’Bo3B
h92A0VHIt was no different from fighting and then splitting into sides.zhm24M
KIMThe only difference was that they held swords capable of mobilizing countless people.tBvWc
FxLp3HPThe Empire was no exception.Dhc2YS9
1TWuj2As a great empire, even among those of ducal rank there were more than thirty.fX1T2dL
qk4But they did not act as a single entity; instead, they grouped themselves into internal factions.Oar5QZv
kca8Alexander, who had shown so much interest, found Perda and approached him familiarly.ItV
MIw4“Did something happen?”IurLwUQ
D7j3“I just talked a bit about the proposal.”pU06
7zLv“Ah, I see. I didn’t think you would say with such ambition that you would conquer the Far East. If you need anything, just say it. I’ll do everything I can to help you.”aq5XbT
igmt6“Thank you.”PQ3Uo
K7duDGWith that, the conversation ended, and Alexander returned to acting as the leader of his group.f3F
jWNHqHZed, who quickly understood the atmosphere of the nobility, noticed the change.ZnV
EHsQEl“Did you have a falling out with the first prince? Before the council it seemed like everything was going well…”K1R0gN
EW8vm“He’s simply ignoring me because I’m not useful to him.”9fKzR
s5Z5EPerda left the group without hesitation.UQiXS
eQGDFrom the beginning, he had no intention of mixing with them.fpAe
ZNNSoon another man approached, bowing at the waist.4gV3k
diZQ“It is an honor to meet the consort of the incarnation of great power. I am Bernard Wayne, rector of Escolea.”zof
cOmKB0I“It is an honor to meet the director of humanity’s greatest center of knowledge.”mUxx
Hj0nYBThe man who had proposed the topic of demon followers.aOZrKfo
FGTXgPerda frowned unintentionally.xfhU84f
ZNAA“Is something wrong? Your expression…”2QQzq
uXqHW“No…”ATf
NbSHDBernard’s shiny head reflected the chandelier’s light.SWNqHUE
zBVRqbW“It’s just that your head shines too much.”agW
iYwL“Ahem… let’s leave that aside. Thank you for today.”X5wCZ2
WK5“Thank you?”OBodD
nySqVei“When the imperial prince intervened, the topic almost went off track. Thanks to you speaking, I was able to finish.”eJA3
HaHuAh, that.hFo
00UPS“Don’t worry. I hate those who play politics with monsters. I like capable people.”Lgq93m
MBvkJ95“It’s not easy to deal with others with conviction. I think I’ll be able to get along well with you, Regent Valdrova.”YVC88JB
GM9z1Bernard smiled awkwardly.xICp
BuNHe seemed like someone plotting something, but that wasn’t the case.Q0R
xMR8jLHe was simply too diligent and responsible.s8Y
fEfR40“Do you have something to say?”kYnZwg
6i3x“I was planning to present a technology based on what I explained today. But seeing how the meeting went, I couldn’t find the right moment.”IUeFc
GiHU“Technology?”96Gh
bfraSy“Something I’ve dedicated my life to. The monster appearance prediction mechanism.”F62VCh
hzF5hgO“A prediction system… it sounds familiar.”spgz50H
Fkcb6“Impossible. Escolea has been developing it in secret.”dGG
0TprSIOIt might have been secret, but Perda already knew it from the future.Fdf5xn
8p4bfX‘Tesalos Wolcher.’PZLTV2d
PR34hXHe had mentioned it.ZIk
eTH5JhHe said it was close to completion, but it disappeared.6KBt
JhXThat with it, the workload would have been reduced by half.FmRdYW
ZlFPerda had considered that obsession ridiculous.LJr9
XkKf0FRBut now—tkkX6Vc
i5ZyThe ridiculous one had been him.2Hs
80G“Rector.”xOrfM7
o1Uf“Yes.”VIsS
41C“When do you plan to reveal it?”g8u
P7FuBP“Soon. Do you know Hallim? We rented a hall there and will gather merchants for an exhibition and presentation.”jRBp8eH
vy9HThen, looking around, he whispered conspiratorially.jo1
KJMCXQ“And also to relax a bit.”1xeD
D4Tp“Then I’ll have to stay alive until then.”XSq
M5u“Of course. It would be unfair to die without enjoying it. If you can, Regent…”IPI
avuz“If you invite me, I will attend.”HzlnDoa
gbfRU“Heh, like a true man.”Lvd0sj
BIyThe rector gave him a knowing look.hLG
UEJv“Then I’ll send you an invitation. I must greet others, excuse me.”PFW9Y
N21p0J“Take care.”QnL7
UYNHThe conversation with the rector was a great gain.4JN0TB2
UcNJ0RAn exhibition in Hallim with merchants.r8kkTnw
mutzThe monster prediction system already existed.I0PcvIj
riDcLjm‘And I can also put him in my debt.’hjdj
i0ZX13Perda hated politics.GSHi
KKSTtOnBut if he needed something, he would obtain it no matter what.lEsM
Y3TThat was why he had attended the Grand Council.lTcoFs
7EP9“Zed, Arwen.”78X
HWT“Yes?”S2Xkns
66EjotB“Yes!”FWhl1
M3zbSame response, different tone.5bSb75y
dk4c“From now on, keep an eye on the rector of Escolea in secret.”jsunJ6k
OvkkHu“That bald guy? What did he do for you to assign that?”F4XyCwV
6EvgKi“He’s someone who could die at any moment. Watch that he doesn’t do anything strange and stay alert for any suspicious signs. It’s a priority.”cBs
FTemN9“Understood.”DH6nTC
j9TSm0gUnlike Arwen, Zed did not respond immediately.KpjUZG
Tl5QY“I’ll do it, but why?”ZBtkpT
LjpdXZ“You talk too much for a knight.”wRYS
LTMSgaG“I’m a fake knight. And the lord I swore loyalty to didn’t even hold my ceremony.”Zco187
SRDwW8“Do it and you’ll receive your reward.”zq6q
FrJgO“Blah, understood.”slRu67o
rk3VTiAt the word “reward,” Zed calmed down instantly.C9w
Mf6yoHe had probably complained just to get to that.ICNz
zORNroAfter sending them off, Perda observed the surroundings again.LhDj
mUISE7hWhile analyzing the factions, he saw Olivia.zeXtK
KM7PEShe was with priests dressed in white with golden edges.4Jai
zeT‘The side of the Holy State of Odograsa?’95JRHE
IKuqIt was strange.1lVE
ZyZMkKfThe Arken Empire and the Holy State of Odograsa did not coexist.SUB1Sk
X2BnTwo suns could not shine together.pmu
jFwE26And yet—GEim
DYOA woman in a dress that clearly revealed her cleavage was talking with priests.tjvL70j
O0hOv89At that moment, as if she had noticed his gaze, she met eyes with Perda.Mzn7nmG
N5dO0MTShe smiled with her eyes and made a subtle gesture for him to come closer.q9cr
dmd9gUncomfortable.X71wy7
twuBut if he had to mingle with someone, Olivia was not a bad option.YW2
2PKThinking that, Perda walked toward her.dPKQ1XE
3IBVOlivia’s eyes, fixed on him, shone with her usual perfect smile.QTzoo
zP5She placed her hand on Perda’s shoulder.MQS
MIfD“Allow me to introduce you.”AXhnmEb
Ha0There were two men.uv26K
AFTAAn elderly man of frail build with a crown, and a middle-aged man with scars on his face, standing like a soldier.9mtD
Zd2S“This is Regent Perda Valdrova, future consort of the great red dragon Valdrova. You already know him, right?”NSw23T
RmiuC“Heh, of course we do. It would be impossible not to know him.”7612ft
NGsThe old man stroked his white beard as he laughed.IORZj
JAKWFrom his sleeve protruded an arm so thin it seemed like bone and skin.eAZUN
GuDDespite wearing high shoes, he was much shorter than Olivia.YfUj
4tdHis figure looked so fragile that even his clothes gave the impression they might crush him.d5IY
N7EHowever, when looking into his eyes, everything changed.9L68
Ma64kF0In his golden gaze, a divine light seemed to burn.B1At
bg6QL3Even Perda, who had burned away all faith within himself, felt the presence of a god in those eyes.Qj4DVbf
RFvLwdPerda showed respect.P4yRn
gAWW“It is an honor to meet the Son of Miracles, Father of the Holy State, His Holiness Gregorio.”nNXG
gFAdKT“The pleasure is mine, Regent Perda. I heard it is your first time at the Grand Council.”o4dbmxV
rzS“That is correct.”ub6Bi
8zyhmVe“For it being your first time, it was quite bold.”yxedp
uCMv1“I imagine you did not like it.”9vdgE
QTlxGregorio shook his head.9XNO8O
9M5“No. It is a question that this old man has also asked himself at some point. Whether the evil dragon Valdrova is not, in fact, the guardian of the east.”Srf3
6DN“Really?”5mJKU
QWclX“I speak on behalf of Odograsa. That is why I must be cautious. I cannot support your position immediately.”ZTkZWo
tTl9WSzHe gave a light pat on Perda’s arm.nVs
VSRdy“But if you demonstrate your will to clear up that misunderstanding, I will not be able to avoid supporting you in the name of the golden scales.”WYk957C
jsUZyThe name of the golden scales.SRK
pFTQEAn absolute oath among the followers of Odograsa.Isrr
V3R7CpGSpoken by the religious leader himself, it implied genuine intent.sZl
6F83ltAt least on the surface.obkp
27SBut Perda did not fully believe it.3jV
lF1fNWEven that leader prioritized interests.uE2T4Eu
BnzDU“I appreciate your words.”boR9lxW
G0l“Follow your path. If you believe in the god in your heart and move forward, you will surely receive an answer.”mNoyiM5
5xjcFWhen he finished, Olivia intervened.T0j3Yf
rxfPSDr“Then we will take our leave, Your Holiness. Take care of your health.”eU9u51I
8z43WF“May the golden blessing accompany you.”HdH4
abgE2xAfter the formal greeting, Olivia naturally clung to Perda’s arm.8IR3ELJ
rjhjM6She did not give him time to refuse.KK1E2up
Yzec“Let’s go.”p1H4J
rX2With subtle movements, she guided him as if he were leading her.prq9H7
MTlXvcSWhen they had moved far enough away, Olivia spoke.p7X
Vx5uZ0“I heard what happened at the meeting.”kShpf
9bMuZc3He did not like her gaze.tlOHn
x9CGtlu“Was that proposal your idea?”ckrXRn
7d2“Yes.”ev6b
ejBmlM“It was foolish.”faN34
pD5V29MDespite her cold words, Olivia smiled sweetly.dlr587o
BiRa7fFrom her expression, no one would imagine the content of the conversation.TffUFT6
Ydc5Fw“It was necessary.”d6Gr
jFQza“It was not something to say in your debut. It could bring negative consequences. The image of the Far East could have been poorly defined.”aQk4
jWBmoKHer tone was sharp, nothing like someone raised among luxuries.CXlhJK
Yg2Qs9“A princess who speaks with the leader of another country comes to scold me?”weMD
Vx3Dtos“Excuse me? Do not compare me. I am always like this. I am like a butterfly.”lDMbh
hiReOj“A butterfly?”0SFcltv
5bQW5SOlivia smiled.4YMLPy
gNeShe released his arm and walked—no, floated—with her dress fluttering.PkAJ
cRq“I fly from one place to another, surrounding everyone. It seems like they can catch me, but they cannot, and they end up following me. Neither too light, nor too unreachable.”wVbNwSU
K6bSRp2She truly was like a butterfly.Srj7V
lS4d4A perfect balance.tiM
lRnl0lvThen she gently returned to Perda.FyhhVeu
ZnyYJdK“Even so, it was not entirely bad. Your declaration to conquer the cursed land did not leave only a bad impression.”e1rI1
uc8kIR“Is that so?”mKAB
pnoXi“Look at those old and cowardly faces. It means they clearly remember your face, even though before you were just an extra.”B1CU
gfntPerda had noticed it as well.85OGapb
2TB0utN“You have no allies now, but if you prove your ability, they will soon bow to you. Even with just a 1% chance.”6m9lXa
bxod“Why are you so sure?”dCjfPI
xpWvQP“Because the great Valdrova has a unique privilege. Territorial expansion.”HvPKxCr
3aYThere was only one place to expand.xUMwO
XFTaAt1The Far East. The cursed land.FOiw7fc
vy7Db9A territory no one desired.7uqNxX5
eX0But if said out loud, it would sound like a joke.aujXYin
9syShEBecause in reality, her territory was shrinking.gNGWU
U4Riz“If you manage to purify that land and turn it into ours, it will become a second capital.”fMHi
WfDtgGG“A second capital…?”EvYq5
z3sBif“The empire is saturated. Many young people leave their lands seeking success in the capital. They call it the imperial dream.”Jq1oQB
yKCTP“Having dreams is not bad.”glROd
qyT“No, it is not. But in the current empire, they are worth nothing. Do you know how many arrive and die?”oBfcs
ntvDOyd“It is not something that interests me.”OH9InC
eZ8OUS“In any case, if you prove the value of that land, the Far East will cease to be a wasteland and will become a land of opportunity. More territory, more population, more power.”3gpZ0XO
mKhlrPThe east would grow.6UIlnji
fcrPerda asked.ZbbCmnh
eV2Ae“Do you think the empire will just stand by?”IKLFX
cSV0Olivia replied.VbSL
eopS“Of course not. They will suppress it as if they do not care what happens to Valdrova.”vuDO
J6PBEB1The Arken Empire would not abandon the power it holds in the capital.t3f
ZSkYfFEven if someone had to die.Dhz
U0zU“That is why you must help me.”kQFi
ZkCHer tone became heavy.shEf
Z8pXpoAs if what she would say next was the important part, Perda focused his attention.1wk9
5TpOr“What do you mean?”esCPrG
ktFuqU“I am a butterfly, but at the same time I am also a jewel placed at auction. A jewel that sooner or later will be sold to the central nobility.”SqrI
omEDCIXThe title of princess that elevated her was, at the same time, a chain.1wc
YTtYSBIt was nothing surprising.Ga5
sE7JIt was not a tragedy exclusive to Olivia.0m55G
FB54In strict noble families, most daughters lived the same way.EXqhq0
Db5pThe better they were educated and the more beautiful they grew, the higher the chances of being given to even more influential families.cLPgiHt
VVcMen rose in their own way, women in theirs.3ys
eW5A princess was the ultimate card the emperor held.Iwv
Pl0Then Perda understood.1eD0
TdMQJWUWhy she maintained relations with the Holy State of Odograsa.Gkk3Y
9i50sF“I must become a saint.”R7tDatx
MbP10Olivia smiled deeply.Tr4vOa
9QnJ“If I become a saint, I will be able to free myself from the price of being a princess.”Lry
Ut3“No one will want to claim a devout saint and provoke the wrath of the gods and the faithful.”X0ED7
fAcLZ“Exactly.”KCN0WU
x69A0pOlivia possessed every symbol of oath, devotion, and recognition.SQpYlu
XxnNY07But she lacked something crucial.Mx0DKo
z1d6CHer condition as a princess.q4nB
SjSwIDv‘If she stops being a princess and becomes a saint…’Azd
QY2eShe would cease to be a tool of the emperor and become a figure with power of her own.WuaSik
yzGSNot just a beautiful flower, but a savior.E1z
SSyGfShe would gain religious support.uxLkyD
7nVAnd she would stop being a “jewel at auction.”G1VLO
XXiA4She would form a stable base of power.h9LvNd
1no9EK6It sounded good.zIz
lv8lvBut Perda already knew.vobPs
cdrMx‘Olivia will not succeed in becoming a saint.’mMq5
fYK0AYThat was why she broke her oath.MxplO2H
R4D0zShe seduced her own blood, became a femme fatale who led the empire to ruin, and in the end took her own life.mlBF
oFdtPerda remembered it clearly.wA6v
A8oOG5I“Can you do it?”AXno
wWTIn her eyes there was a hidden message.0YSydR
gZK77yFor me.Wxd2TP
02LHer delicate voice stirred protective instincts.rUOC
JHp5xPerda looked at her directly.3mIf4ho
MdfOu“I will do it.”Qnbt
fzeqBut not for you.RbZvYrI
Tpdw“If you cooperate enough.”13TKxl
nUFw0But for my fiancée.hM0PGUK
iGXoThis was nothing more than an agreement.E0Vk
aOkFa3j“Of course.”MB4uK
CPofb5Olivia, upon looking into his eyes, was surprised for an instant.1w5FiO6
McGSaHer voice trembled ever so slightly.IvulTcb
MFZbOyHer face almost flushed, but Perda did not notice.oO9BDn8
CMzPerda released her arm.Qyja
26bey2“Then I will take my leave.”dDvcQd
LeL“Where are you going?”Rui
0HwOJ“I feel like it is time to look for a lost girl.”TY7l
9rRWcL“A lost girl?”V012
FLg2gPerda let go of her hand and left.xig
vRB3PThe men who held Olivia’s hand were always the same.pAI
I8nxbXIn their eyes there was a desire to possess.8n87GCZ
9fZ5qAnd they never let go—she had to release them.4cEGMc
6pfBut Perda was not like that.dct
ioxHe left without looking back.hQMvfme
UIH02EnAs if the most beautiful woman in the empire did not matter to him at all.5difVKr
y1MkRather, Olivia could not take her eyes off him until he disappeared.KQE
h5O‘An ally who is not swayed by emotions.’drDO
hvx6SSomeone who eliminates unnecessary variables and acts logically.CxHByPf
0y0That was exactly what Olivia needed.t0AFCnj
OD6‘And yet…’SXEym3x
OSgXNot being looked at was not as pleasant as she thought.aQX9
3qC0tNA faint disappointment washed over her.2GoDAPa
nquBut she had no time for that.sVnFmg
U5eMbHThe nobles began to surround her.4iJMR6
jfRSZH“It is an honor to meet the princess of the Arken Empire, Lady Olivia.”bYjT
WKzlBp“I am Ken, son of the Duchy of Huse…”uPRS
7DIQjv9As soon as Perda disappeared, the flowers gathered around the butterfly.aLZx7hx
kO6oNo—FoQg
R9MBeasts with dirty money trying to buy her.xUbPFZ
POvMtOlivia smiled at them.OLU
0py8ZqLike a precious jewel.XkhGEdr
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Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationI don’t know what to say for her.