“It’s been a while, Olivier Alway.”
“Yes, it has.”
“I apologize for the sudden visit today. However, I was ordered by Cassandra to come and hear her reply to the letter.”
Olivier ushered Crysta into the drawing-room and sat down on the sofa opposite her, her guard still up.
If Rasmus’s story was true, this adorable girl, who looked like she wouldn’t harm a fly, had defeated even Wahash. She was one of the few opponents Jared, who had defeated any formidable enemy, had lost to.
This meant that if Crysta so chose, Olivier would be taken to Cassandra, regardless of Olivier’s own intentions.
Pfeil was waiting outside the room. He seemed unusually and overtly flustered, as he hadn’t expected the opponent who had defeated his master to be such a young girl.
“A reply, you say? What would you do if I rejected Cassandra’s offer?”
“Ideally, I would prefer you accept. I do not wish to resort to forceful measures.”
“So, in the worst-case scenario, you intend to take me by force.”
“I am sorry.”
Olivier found herself curious upon seeing Crysta apologize with her body seemingly shrinking.
“… Are you, by any chance, reluctantly following Cassandra’s orders?”
“I do not oppose the Progenitor’s revival. My older brother also desires it. However, I dislike involving others. Especially Jared and the others.”
“I hate to say this, but I’ve heard your combat abilities are considerable. Why don’t you use that power to defy Cassandra?”
“I cannot.”
“I see. There’s a reason for that, isn’t there? Very well. You have a reason to obey Cassandra. I have a reason to resist Cassandra’s scheme. That is sufficient.”
The two met each other’s gaze, neither looking away. Both seemed to be gauging the other’s next move.
“Let me be clear, if you try anything forceful, I’m prepared to bite off my own tongue. Jared would be sad, but I am also a noble of the Wethered Kingdom. With the Progenitor potentially reviving and the kingdom in jeopardy, I don’t want to be taken away without understanding Cassandra’s scheme.”
More than anything, she didn’t want to be a hindrance to her beloved fiancé. She had held Jared back numerous times before. If she were captured or in danger, he might have defeated enemies more easily if she weren’t there. No, there was a possibility he wouldn’t have been involved in the battle at all.
Her fights had always been reactive, always disadvantageous. Now, already on the defensive, Olivier didn’t want to become any more of a burden to her fiancé.
Even if it meant earning Jared’s resentment.
“Th-that… that would be problematic.”
“I don’t care if it’s problematic. You must have your reasons, but I cannot become a hindrance to Jared either. I’d rather die than be an obstacle to the person I love.”
Crysta was visibly thrown off by Olivier’s blunt declaration.
Whether she had intended to take Olivier by force or not, if she resorted to strong measures, she might end up driving her friend’s fiancé to her death. She couldn’t afford to do anything rash.
“We’re at an impasse here. So, I have a proposal.”
“A proposal?”
“Yes. If you’re willing, could you tell me why you obey Cassandra? If possible, please tell me about the scheme you know of.”
“… If I tell you, will you listen to what I have to say?”
“That depends on what you say, but you’re Jared’s friend, and I promise not to treat you unfairly.”
As Crysta bit her lip, showing hesitation, Olivier continued.
“It’s not just Jared. There’s Pfeil, who was Wahash’s subordinate that you defeated. And my daughter, Rosa. There’s also Luzer, who possesses the power of a Court Mage, and Laurentz Herring. These are the people who will stand with us.”
“Laurentz too.”
“If you are reluctantly obeying Cassandra, I will help you. So, tell me everything.”
The girl pondered Olivier’s plea.
After much deliberation, she revealed why she obeyed Cassandra Hagedorff.
An hour later.
Olivier Alway decided to meet with Cassandra Hagedorff of her own volition.
