Chapter 73 – Did You Threaten Her?
- So, how is the plan to attack the Elven capital going?
A deep voice echoed through the hall. No one could see its owner, yet its presence was undeniable. Imposing and sharp as steel, it made it clear that this was not a question, but an order.
- My lord, we have already sent the fifty men to attack the Spirit Sanctuary. That also includes those we infiltrated into the academy this year.
...
The voice fell silent for a moment, analyzing the words of one of the men standing in the hall.
- Have the students already departed?
The owner of the deep voice asked, now with a hint of curiosity.
- Yes, my lord! They left earlier this afternoon. They are heading toward the Empire's port city; they will arrive tomorrow night.
- Hm!
The unknown voice nodded in understanding.
- Excellent. Just as planned, they will attack as soon as the students are within the sanctuary's area. After causing chaos, everyone must withdraw, and all the blame will fall upon the academy students.
Then, a dangerous female voice agreed, clearly amused.
- Hihihihihihi… and after that, the relationship between both sides will become terrible. And well… those two bitches will be left in a rather complicated situation.
Another voice spoke up with a question.
- Won't that bitch of a headmistress interfere when the attack happens? What if she has a way to travel from the Human Empire's academy to the Elven capital to help them? If that happens, we'll be in serious trouble.
The hidden voice made a sound of denial, strongly disagreeing.
Tsk, tsk.
- I don't believe she has such a method. Remember! From the academy to the Elven Empire, the distance is ridiculously long. Even if the headmistress discovers our attack and leaves to provide support, by the time she arrives, it will already be too late.
The one who had asked nodded, but another doubt quickly surfaced.
- My lord, I have another question!
- Ask.
- How will we make the relationship between them worsen if we are the ones attacking? They will see that the attackers are different people; they won't blame the students for that.
The voice answered calmly.
- We will use some of our infiltrators as students. They will assist once the attack begins and make sure everyone sees that they are academy students.
- I understand, my lord.
- Good. Enough talk for now. For our cause!
- FOR OUR CAUSE!!!
Voices roared throughout the hall, ferocious and malicious.
Returning to the train heading west through the Empire, Evo was now calmly reading a book in his seat.
Soon, someone sat beside him while eating a few sweets and asked a question.
- Evo, I didn't know you liked reading.
Lívia asked with mild curiosity. She had always thought that Evo, coming from a family of swordsmen, would care only about swords. Seeing him so serene, reading quietly, was a striking contrast to what she had imagined.
- Hm! Is that so strange?
He asked, raising an eyebrow.
- No… just unexpected. Of course, it's not a bad thing. I just didn't expect it.
...
An awkward silence settled between them. Evo remained completely absorbed in his book, while Lívia seemed restless. She glanced at him several times, as if wanting to ask something.
Evo noticed the girl's unease out of the corner of his eye, sighed softly, and decided to break the strange atmosphere.
- What do you want to ask?
His voice was calm and gentle, making her flinch slightly, not expecting him to take the initiative. She looked at him; he was still focused on the book, but clearly waiting for her question.
- You know… on the first day of class…
- Blanch probably tried to befriend you because she wanted to bring you into her faction.
- Hm!
Evo nodded in agreement.
- And what about it?
Lívia continued.
- She was acting very strangely. She was extremely frightened—something like that wasn't normal. So, thinking about everything she did with you, I came to the conclusion that the reason for her fear was you… or something you did.
Lívia turned her full attention to Evo, who continued reading calmly, seemingly unconcerned. She felt a bit irritated by his attitude but pushed it aside. As long as he was listening, that was enough.
She needed to know what Evo had done to make Blanch so terrified. It was strange. Blanch was rarely scared of anything. Whatever he had done must have been serious enough to shake her to the core.
- So, with all that in mind, I'll ask you directly, Evo Eylam… what the hell did you do to her to make her that afraid?
- I threatened her!
- I warned her that the moment they tried to put a collar on me—placing my freedom at risk—I would become an enemy of the Empire without hesitation, if necessary.
Lívia stared at Evo with primal fear. Her eyes widened as she looked at the man beside her, who had just said something bordering on insanity.
- You threatened her?
Lívia practically roared in shock. He had threatened the Empire's princess. Not only that, he had openly stated that he would become an enemy of his own Empire if needed. She didn't know whether Evo was insane… or simply a foolish madman.
How could someone have the courage to threaten their own Empire? And what if Blanch decided to tell her father? The consequences would be catastrophic. Even with Evo's family being influential, this was no trivial matter.
Feeling her shocked gaze, Evo could only sigh inwardly. It wasn't as if he didn't understand her reaction. What he had done that day was risky—but honestly…
- I'd do it again!
Evo muttered as he closed the book and leaned against the window. Soon, his thoughts drifted to what the Elven capital would be like. And there was something else as well…
- Damn it. Why do I have such a bad feeling?
- I should've asked those five to come with me… it would've been enough to ask Freya for the favor and let them go.
- Ah… why is it that wherever I go, annoying things always happen?
Evo grumbled like an old man. Seeing him muttering repeatedly, Lívia asked about his unease.
- Evo, why are you like this? Grumpy and clearly irritated?
Evo sighed and answered without turning to her.
- Lívia, I think something is going to happen in the Elven capital. I just don't know where… whether it'll be at the Elven Academy or somewhere else.
She raised an eyebrow and began playing with her red hair.
- A bad feeling?
She asked, and Evo nodded, his head resting against the glass.
- Yeah. Be careful there. Don't let your guard down!
For the first time, his voice carried a serious tone. Noticing the change, Lívia nodded. Things like premonitions had to be taken seriously—especially in a world like theirs. This wasn't something to treat lightly.
Still leaning against the window, Evo took his pocket watch from inside his suit and stared at it, gently brushing his fingers over its cold glass, as the train continued its journey toward the continent of the Elves.