A few days after visiting the orphanage, for some reason, Ascan came to see me with an unusually serious expression.

Just one look told me the atmosphere was far from normal, and I tensed up, wondering what he was about to say—but the words that slipped from his lips surpassed all imagination.

“I’m thinking of making a brief trip to the Karlua Empire.”

“What? What did you say?”

I couldn’t understand why he’d want to return to the Karlua Empire so soon after barely escaping it.

Moreover, that place was surely teeming with people intent on taking Ascan’s life.

I shook my head firmly, as if the idea wasn’t even worth considering.

“I don’t know what you mean by saying that, but no. Absolutely not.”

“This is a decision I made after serious contemplation. And the biggest reason I reached this decision… is because of you.”

“Because of me?”

Offended at the suggestion I’d somehow pushed him toward certain death, I widened my eyes and demanded an explanation. Ascan answered with a faint smile.

“You told me to reconsider causing the world’s destruction, didn’t you?”

“That’s true, but…”

“I realized your words made sense. And lately, I’ve had new realizations that have shaken my resolve.”

Back when we’d had that serious conversation, Ascan had said he’d think it over.

The more I heard, the happier I became, thinking things were moving in the direction I wanted—but I never expected him to say he’d actually go visit the Karlua Empire.

“What does that have to do with needing to go to the Karlua Empire?”

“…Revenge isn’t solely my goal. It’s something I’ve planned with Bill for a long time—I intend to go there and discuss it with him.”

“With Lieutenant Commander Bill?”

Somehow, I felt uneasy.

In the novel, Bill had been fiercely loyal to Ascan, but now, with the original plot twisted, he’d already betrayed him. Honestly, I couldn’t trust him.

Bill had been the greatest obstacle when we fled the Karlua Empire—who knew what dangerous situation might unfold if they met again?

Perhaps my discomfort showed on my face, because even though I hadn’t said anything, Ascan gently reassured me as if to say not to worry.

“Don’t worry. Bill won’t harm me. Even if he tries… I can’t just leave him there.”

Hearing that, I thought I understood what he meant.

Ascan’s original goal had been to use the Karlua Empire to start a war and destroy the world.

But if that goal of world destruction changed, then Bill would have no reason to remain in the Karlua Empire.

I knew that—but seeing Ascan willing to risk danger just to meet him made me realize how deeply he cared for Bill.

“…”

I was speechless. I desperately wanted to stop him, but the words wouldn’t come.

If it had been Orland or Noxia Brellof in Bill’s place, wouldn’t I have made the same decision?

Putting myself in his shoes, I couldn’t bring myself to tell him not to go.

I didn’t want him to face any danger, but at the same time, I understood his feelings.

“…Even if I try to stop you, you’ll still go, won’t you?”

Ascan merely smiled faintly. He looked so composed it was hard to believe he was about to head into a perilous place.

Perhaps it was just to put me at ease.

“You have nothing to worry about. You know what abilities I possess. And I’ll also have Karlsfeliver with me, so don’t be concerned.”

I knew Ascan was the strongest character in this world. I knew few people existed who could truly endanger him.

But that didn’t mean I wasn’t worried.

We’d already spent ten years apart.

I was afraid something like that might happen again.

For a long time, I’d blamed myself for failing to protect Ascan back then. Even though my mind understood the situation now, the words of permission still wouldn’t come easily.

“…When will you leave?”

“If you’re okay with it, I plan to leave right away.”

“Meaning you’ve already finished preparations.”

If he was using Adel Trading’s ship again, just like when we fled to the Largent Empire, returning wouldn’t be too difficult.

“Haa.”

I took a deep breath to steady myself.

I was terribly anxious, but I couldn’t hold him back. It was the same as how I couldn’t abandon my family just because I loved Ascan.

Realizing there was no stopping him, I stood up from my seat. Then I opened the luggage bag containing magical engineering weapons and began rummaging through it for something.

Surprised by my sudden action, Ascan asked with a puzzled expression.

“What are you doing?”

“Wait. There’s something I want to give you before you go.”

Since the Eternal Flame and Karlsfeliver were already so powerful, he likely wouldn’t need any other weapons.

I found the item I’d hidden deep inside the bag and lifted it up.

Cha-r-r-rlk. In my hand was a silver armor, forged from unbreakable Blutanium, thin enough to be concealed beneath clothing.

Refining Blutanium—whose name meant “unbreakable”—was extremely difficult, making this armor truly one-of-a-kind in the world.

Outwardly, it looked like a thin shirt, but its durability was exceptional. Most importantly, unlike steel plate armor, it was incredibly light and imposed no restrictions on movement.

Ascan, with his sharp eye, seemed to instantly recognize its purpose.

“I can steel-ify my body, so I don’t really need armor…”

“You never know. Lieutenant Commander Bill knows all your abilities—wear it.”

This was the only thing I could give him right now.

Ascan, sensing my desire to help him in any way possible, accepted the Blutanium armor without protest and nodded.

He gazed at me with affectionate eyes and whispered,

“I’ll be back soon.”

For some reason, I felt my voice might fail me, so I forced a smile instead.

Ascan departed toward the Karlua Empire. Judging by the fact he was riding a horse toward the harbor, he clearly intended to travel via Adel Trading’s ship again.

The moment I saw him off, I immediately turned around.

“Zen.”

At my call, Zen, who’d been standing behind me, approached and spoke.

“You called? I was just about to report what I’ve learned regarding the Arwen royal family…”

“No, first, let’s go to Cain Trading.”

“You mean… you intend to leave our lodging?”

“Yes. I need to meet Dekain right away.”

I stared at the empty space where Ascan had been and steeled my resolve.

I couldn’t just stand by helplessly and watch him fall into danger again, like I had ten years ago.

To ensure I’d never repeat that mistake, I’d worked myself to the bone. Becoming known as the continent’s greatest arms dealer was a direct result of that effort.

Though Zen looked confused, he bowed his head and accepted the order.

“Understood.”

I gathered all the magical engineering weapons from our lodging. Then, with Zen, I boarded a carriage heading toward Cain Trading.

Though it was late and the trading house’s gates were closed, I possessed an old identification token from our long-standing business relationship, granting us entry.

Dekain, having heard I’d arrived, came out to greet me with a surprised expression.

“Tanashia, what brings you here at this hour?”

“Sorry to disturb you. I came because I need to ask you a favor.”

“Is it about sending letters? I heard from Kevin—you asked him to send another letter to House Brellof…”

“No, it’s not that. I need you to lend me a ship bound for the Karlua Empire right now.”

Dekain’s eyes widened at this unexpected request.

Zen, standing beside me, looked just as shocked. He opened his mouth, voice trembling.

“Miss…?”

I didn’t answer him. Instead, I looked seriously at Dekain and repeated my request.

“I know it’s a difficult favor to ask. But I’m in a hurry. Is it possible?”

Dekain ran a hand through his hair, clearly bewildered. He stared at me with an expression of disbelief.

“Wait—didn’t you escape from the Karlua Empire? Now you want to go back? Do you realize how dangerous that is?”

“Of course I know. Better than anyone… but I couldn’t stop him.”

I simply couldn’t bring myself to tell Ascan not to go.

Therefore, I had only one option: to chase after him to the Karlua Empire.

If, by any chance, Ascan found himself in danger, I would save him.

And if he were to die…

This time, I’d die with him.

I hadn’t told Ascan—he’d surely oppose it—but my decision was already firm.

Dekain, still utterly baffled, asked again.

“What are you talking about? Explain it in a way I can understand.”

“Ascan has crossed over to the Karlua Empire. This time, I won’t just stand by and watch.”

Dekain’s expression crumpled. Even without knowing the full details, he seemed to grasp roughly why Ascan had gone.

“…Tanashia.”

Dekain’s voice grew deeper, more solemn. But no matter what anyone said, nothing could shake my resolve now.

“I know what you’re going to say. But not this time. If you refuse, I’ll find someone else. So just tell me—can you lend me the ship or not?”

Dekain fell silent. His expression alone revealed he was deep in thought.

After a moment spent organizing his thoughts, he spoke softly.

“You know, without me even saying it, how dangerous it would be to seek anyone else in the Largent Empire besides me.”

“I know.”

Because of the enormous bounty Helsion had placed on my head, many people were hunting for me.

I knew revealing my identity to others could put me in danger—but the moment I decided to follow Ascan, safety was no longer an option.

Seeing my determined expression, Dekain seemed to intuit that dissuading me would be futile.

“As I’ve said before, I won’t hesitate to do terrible things if it means keeping you alive.”

“I remember. That’s exactly why I came to you. I knew you wouldn’t want me revealing my identity to anyone else.”

Ten years ago, after sacrificing Ascan, Dekain had never even offered empty words of regret.

I knew he’d oppose me following Ascan to the Karlua Empire again.

But once he realized he absolutely couldn’t stop me, he’d help me reach the Karlua Empire in the safest way possible.

We’d known each other for a long time. We understood each other’s personalities better than anyone—even the kind of understanding born from mutual annoyance.

Dekain smiled crookedly, as if annoyed.

“Tanashia, sometimes I hate how clever you are.”

I glanced at the clock. I had to hurry—if too much time passed before Ascan arrived in the Karlua Empire, I might lose him.

“I can’t delay any longer. If your deliberation takes too long, I’ll go elsewhere.”

At my words, a cold shadow passed over Dekain’s handsome face.

“What if I forcibly kept you here? What then?”

“That’s not something I haven’t considered.”

I gripped the luggage bag packed with magical engineering weapons. I had no intention of letting Dekain detain me without resistance.

“Go ahead and try. But know this—whether you succeed or fail, we will never meet again.”

I’d forgiven Dekain exactly once—and that was the end.

No matter how he framed it as being for my sake, if he caused me to lose Ascan again, I’d never look at Dekain’s face again.

Seemingly sensing my sincerity, Dekain raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.

“Whoa, whoa—I get what you mean, calm down. Even if I tried to stop you by force, there’s no guarantee I’d succeed, and your threat of cutting me off is pretty scary, so… I guess I have no choice.”

Dekain gestured to Kevin, who was standing at a distance. In a displeased tone, he quietly issued an order.

“Find me a ship that can depart for the Karlua Empire immediately.”

“Yes, Master Trader.”

Kevin bowed respectfully and hurried off to locate a ship.

Seeing how things had unfolded, Zen, who’d been silently observing, finally spoke as if he could no longer hold back.

“Miss, going to the Karlua Empire now is far too dangerous.”

“Zen, I know you’re Father’s man. I know his word matters more to you than my orders.”

If a truly dangerous moment arrived, Zen would prioritize my safety above all else without hesitation.

After all, Orland’s command to him had been to protect me.

“But you should also know this—if you interfere with me this time, you won’t remain by my side any longer. I have no need for a bodyguard who ignores my wishes.”

“…!”

Zen fell utterly silent, as if he’d lost his voice.

He knew my personality well enough to realize I wasn’t bluffing.

Watching me firmly shut down even Zen, Dekain shook his head hopelessly.

I looked at Zen and Dekain in turn and spoke clearly.

“Yes, I’ve steeled myself for death—but I’m not going there to die. My goal is to bring Ascan back alive and safely, by any means necessary.”

Since I was secretly following Ascan, I’d have no reason to reveal myself unless a dangerous situation arose.

If nothing happened, I’d quietly return.

Of course, I intended to prepare thoroughly, just in case the worst occurred.

“Dekain, do you happen to have any magical engineering machines here?”

At my sudden question, Dekain looked puzzled.

“Why?”

“I don’t want to waste time waiting like this. Maybe I can build something aboard the ship heading to the Karlua Empire.”

“The journey won’t be long, and is it even possible to build anything on a moving ship?”

Instead of answering, I simply smiled, lifting the corners of my mouth. Declaring myself a genius aloud was getting old—they’d figure it out soon enough.