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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐰𝐨
“That scoundrel!”
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Sir Wilfred, visibly angry, slammed his hand on the table.
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“So this was your aim from the start!”
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“Otou-sama, please calm down!”
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“How can I calm down! I would rather take them down myself than hand you over to such filthy people!”
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Alma tried to soothe him, but he continued to pace the room, visibly seething with anger.
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“Sir Wilfred, that’s exactly what they want. Their goal is to provoke your anger and cloud your judgment.”
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“But. . . what should we do then!”
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At Luke’s words, Sir Wilfred slumped into the sofa, burying his head in his hands.
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“They will surely work behind the scenes to prevent the sale of chimera blood. It’s impossible to sell it to other countries without the permission of the Minister of Commerce. . . even if we have it, what use is it!”
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Sir Wilfred, frustrated, was about to sweep a bottle off the table, but Luke stopped his hand.
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“Please calm down. There’s still a way.”
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“Is there really a way in this situation?”
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“Yes.”
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Luke nodded.
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“Can I handle this matter? We still have a week. That’s enough time to prepare ten thousand gold coins.”
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“But how will you. . .”
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“Sorry, I can’t say. But I promise you this, I have no intention of handing Alma over to them. I’ll stop them by any means necessary.”
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Luke’s voice was calm, but the fierce anger emanating from him made even the raging Sir Wilfred take a step back.
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Sir Wilfred, gazing into Luke’s determined eyes, eventually took a deep breath and bowed deeply.
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“If you say so, I’ll leave it to you. I’m sorry to rely on you again, but please take care of it.”
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Sir Wilfred bowed his head, and Luke knelt in front of him.
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“Please raise your head, this is also for me. Alma is an irreplaceable friend. I won’t let her fall into their hands.”
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“Luke. . .”
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At those words, Alma’s posture softened.
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Luke continued, hesitantly.
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“So, we’ll be leaving immediately. . . and, it’s difficult to ask, but can Alma come too?”
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“Alma? But why. . .?”
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“Otou-sama, I will go.”
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Alma declared before waiting for a response.
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Taken aback by her determination, Sir Wilfred hesitated.
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“No. . . but. . . yes, that might be best.”
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Initially hesitant, Sir Wilfred eventually nodded decisively and extended his right hand to Luke.
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“You have saved us many times, I can entrust my daughter to you. Please protect her.”
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“I promise. We will return safely.”
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Luke stood up and firmly shook his hand.
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As soon as Luke and Alma arrived at the mansion, they quickly set off on their journey again.
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“I will definitely return in a week!”
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Luke, carrying a bottle filled with chimera blood, promised Sir Wilfred.
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“Yes, I’ll be waiting. And remember. . .”
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Sir Wilfred leaned in and whispered in Luke’s ear.
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“Don’t worry if you don’t find any gold coins. If that happens, take my daughter and flee the country. I’ll take care of the rest.”
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“It will be alright.”
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Luke mounted his running dragon with a wry smile.
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Alma was already riding on another running dragon.
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“I promise, I’ll bring back both Alma and the gold coins!”
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With that shout, the two of them ran off towards the forest.
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“They’re gone. . .”
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Sir Wilfred muttered softly as he watched them disappear into the forest.
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“Just a hunch, but I’m sure that man will keep his promise.”
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Tyrone, who was watching alongside, nodded confidently.
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“Yes, I believe so too.”
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The expression on Sir Wilfred’s face was no longer that of a father sending off his daughter, but that of a lord ruling over Rampart.
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“Let’s start our preparations too! We must be ready to respond to whatever Trinal might do!”
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“Luke, where are you planning to go?”
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As they made their way through the dense forest, Alma asked.
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The two of them had been relentlessly heading east along the forest road.
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“We’re heading along the border with the demon realm. I think we can get there by tomorrow.”
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“The demon realm? Why are we going to a place like that?”
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It was no surprise that Alma was astonished.
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The territory of Sir Wilfred’s Rampart was adjacent to the land governed by demons, known as the demon realm.
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Including the Kingdom of Arrogas, the human nations had a history of conflict with the demon realm, and even after a peace treaty was established, tensions continued.
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Therefore, few dared to approach the border with the demon realm, which was feared as a dangerous area infested with demons and demon beasts.
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Luke opened a map and pointed along the border with the demon realm.
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“To be precise, it’s not the demon realm, but within the Rampart territory, around here.”
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“Around here. . . but there’s nothing there?”
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The spot he pointed to on the map was blank.
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“Yes, nothing is drawn there. But that’s where our destination is.”
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“Understood.”
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Alma nodded significantly.
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“If Luke is going there, I’m going too! That’s enough for me!”
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“Thank you, Alma.”
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Luke smiled at Alma.
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“Sorry for bringing you along without saying anything. I’ll explain everything once we reach our destination.”
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“It’s okay. I trust you, Luke.”
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Alma said this while squirming atop the running dragon.
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“So. . . about what you said earlier. . . is it true? That I am irreplaceable to you, Luke?”
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“Of course.”
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Luke nodded firmly.
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His words pierced Alma’s heart.
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(Really? Is that true? Luke. . . does Luke feel the same about me? Otou-sama, Alma will be happy!)
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Her grip on the reins loosened, and her body swayed unsteadily.
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“Alma is my best friend. That’s been true since our school days and it’s still true now. That’s why I will protect you no matter what. Alma, what’s wrong? It’s dangerous if you don’t hold the reins properly?!”
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The running dragon continued eastward, carrying the unsteady Alma and Luke trying to steady her.