Lily (1)

"Every wrong has its source, every debt has its owner..."

The Imeloo family's business spans the entire northeastern part of the Empire and the central Imperial Capital, so Amice's daily duties are no less demanding than mine; she even has to travel around to inspect operations.

Amice stayed in my mansion for a few days, arranged to meet me at the Harvest Festival, and then led her retainers and guards away from Ferbenley City.

On the same day, all the materials I needed arrived from the Old Man. He truly lives up to his reputation as the Empire's top dark merchant. I gave him four days, and he completed it in just three. That supreme dog collar was truly a valuable gift.

(New Green Emerald, Triton's Protection Ring, Wind Earrings, Golden Pearl, Super E Steel are mine!)

(Titanium alloy dog collar, thirty thousand gold coins paid!)

I summoned Amice to my office and entrusted all tasks to her.

"Amice, starting today, I'll be in the laboratory for about three days. The internal affairs of Ferbenley will be temporarily in your hands."

Amice gently brushed her soft golden hair. Her beautiful face showed a hint of resentment, and she spoke in a slightly reproachful tone: "Master, you are the most irresponsible lord I have ever seen. How can you abandon your work for a woman? Furthermore, the three great foreign tribes to the north are showing abnormal behavior. At this critical juncture, you should personally oversee the situation."

"My Lady Amice, from the first day you met me, when have I ever been responsible? If I were truly responsible, I'd probably have a house full of wives and concubines by now. As for the three great foreign tribes, you needn't worry. I've already made arrangements. I guarantee, with my little brother, that they won't invade the border."

She smiled wryly and shook her head, but she also knew that I wasn't someone who disregarded important matters. In a life-or-death situation, I would always be the calmest and the first to lead the charge. However, she also knew that I wouldn't disclose military decisions to her.

"Master, when will you change your bad habit of being a smooth talker and a philanderer? Otherwise, you'll be stabbed in the back by a woman sooner or later."

"Hahahahaha~~ As the saying goes, 'a man who isn't a lecher in his youth lives in vain.' Being stabbed to death by a woman is even my lifelong ambition. At least it's much better than those foolish ideas of dying on the battlefield and having one's body wrapped in horsehide. I don't see anything wrong with it."

Amice's expression subtly changed, a look of awkwardness, wanting to laugh but holding it back, which was truly amusing.

"If you want to laugh, just laugh. You're just too stubborn."

Amice shook her head and smiled bitterly once again, but she knew she couldn't win an argument with me. When it came to talking, I was invincible.

After arranging all the work, I entered the underground laboratory to do my part for that beautiful and captivating fairy warrior.

When I emerged from the laboratory again, the setting sun's rays were blinding and uncomfortable for me, who had been hidden in the darkroom for three days and three nights.

For three days and three nights, I had tirelessly used medical and alchemical arts to treat the female fairy. Although it was hard work, everything went smoothly. Now there were only two things to do: first, let her wake up naturally, and second, I needed to crawl back into bed and completely pass out for a day or two.

In my bedroom, I slept soundly for a full twenty hours.

Just as I was still tossing and turning in bed, there was a knock at the door.

"Who is it~~ Come in!"

To my surprise, it was Amice, who never entered my bedroom, who opened the door and came in. I couldn't help but be curious. Even if the sun rose from the west, it probably wouldn't change her habit. What on earth had happened?

Amice looked anxious. Without any embarrassment, she sat on the chair by my bed and began to report. It turned out that two major events had occurred outside since I entered the laboratory.

"I apologize for disturbing your rest, but two days ago, there was a cave-in at a mine. Four workers died and eleven were injured. However, this is not the most important thing. We found some strange metals and carvings at the collapsed site, so I felt it was necessary to report to you."

"Carvings?"

"Yes, those carvings seem to be ancient writings, but I cannot read them. I believe they are some ancient relics. I have handled this matter secretly; only a very small number of people know, and I have dispatched guards to seal off the area to prevent unauthorized entry."

Suddenly, a series of images, seemingly strange yet familiar, flashed through my mind. Among them, a beautiful face flashed by, and this face strongly stirred a certain desire within me, as if compelling me to immediately go and investigate. However, in an instant, the images disappeared without a trace. Under Amice's curious gaze, I gently shook my head, calming my inner turmoil.

"Hmm, well done, but this matter can be dealt with later. Is the second matter you wish to report about the combined forces of the Dark Elves and Orcs attacking the Holy Elves?"

Amice was greatly surprised, seemingly astonished by my foresight.

"Oh? Yes... yes, I received news yesterday confirming that the allied forces of the two races are attacking the Holy Elves. They are currently camped about 150 miles outside the Silverleaf Forest. It's estimated that they can pass through the forest within five days and directly target the Holy Elves' holy land—Gaia's Ridge. According to the news, the two races have dispatched over 400,000 troops this time. It seems they are truly planning a war of extermination."

I wasn't surprised by the news. Ever since I rescued that female fairy, I knew this incident was initiated by the Dark Elves. Amice looked at me with a serious expression, while I stretched lazily and gently patted the soft edge of the bed, gesturing for her to sit up.

As Amice's expression drastically changed, I leisurely said, "How can there be mosquitoes even by the bed? Hmm, never mind. Have you reported to the Imperial Capital?"

"It has already been reported, but it will take at least two days for the message to reach the Imperial Capital. The Holy Elves have been allied with our country for fourteen years, and the war is imminent. If we sit idly by, the royal family might hold us accountable in the future."

"They won't. They've sent 400,000 troops, and Ferbenley City only has 30,000 defenders. Does the royal family expect me to lead 30,000 garrison soldiers to defeat their 400,000 strong army? But I must thank you. You reported the news to the Imperial Capital ahead of time, and now I have an excuse to travel to the Holy Elf territory."

Amice's already wide eyes grew even wider, and she stammered, "Travel? Now?"

"No, not until she wakes up."

"She? Master, do you mean..."