An encampment was set up at the heart of the fallen western district. A makeshift watch post was also built by the outskirt where the ruined walls stood before to keep an eye for the dwarven army. The sun is ready to set from the horizon in about an hour when we finished.

We built a temporary encampment for Lady Hinoki’s forces, an encampment for the rebelling dwarves, and an encampment for Merissa’s crews which they really don’t need as they have the ship.

Daisy was taken to rest in one of the cabins in Merissa’s ship. I also told Casablanca and Hibiscus to tend to Topaz and stay inside the ship for a while. Currently, I am walking around the ruins of the city with Merlin following me behind.

“I’m surprised you still have the energy to stroll around even after what happened earlier. I’m sure that was taxing for both mind and body.”

“Things happened to me in that past…a lot happened…”

“Oh? Are you some kind of a heroine in a tragedy novel?”

“I do hope not.”

I’m a little stoked that this guy is now sticking to me like a honeybee…

“I know what you are thinking just by looking at me with those disgusted eyes of yours.”

“Pretty much…won’t you just, you know, get away from me?”

“You look like a person who attracts unwanted trouble and it gives me unending pleasure to watch someone struggle.”

“……”

I know…this kind of fate follows me around that it brings trouble to people around me. I always dive into these problems myself. I don’t regret my actions as long as I know that I’m the only one getting the brunt of the problem, however…

I tend to pull my friends into it. Everyone got hurt today and still, in the back of my mind, I could have done better. I always nag myself about it but I can’t do everything I wanted to do…

I still have to reflect on my recent actions too. It may be circumstantial, however, I know I could have dealt with it better…

This shows my immaturity and it hurts…

“You’re crying?! Hey!”

“I can’t help it…it just flows…I know there are things…that I could have done better. I really don’t think bad of you and your decision not to fight. I’m just well…angry that I can’t find a solution to things by myself…”

“That’s quite arrogant if you think you can solve everything.”

“I’m not saying I can…but there are things that I could have done better…”

“Solving this. Doing better that. Allow me to give you a piece of advise, young lass.”

He places a hand on top of my head strokes it sideways a little force.

“There are times where you don’t even need to solve the problem. There are problems that are solved in overtime. Humans and humans-alike take the extreme way to solve a phenomenon in which will be solved by nature itself. This desire to solve is also the desire for satisfaction and people are addicted to it. In some ways, dealing with a problem corrupts people most of the time.”

“But when a problem arises, that’s where people pull their will and motivation to work. We take things with our own hands because waiting isn’t in nature of people, humans especially when they know they will fade faster than the time can recognize them.”

“If it is about the values of humans alone, I cannot comprehend it. Even for other races, I cannot. I am a unique case and I know you know what I am talking about.”

“……”

“You are not even a creature that can walk together with everyone. I know for sure that you will continuously walk and leave everyone behind. You, at one point, shall know how you are disconnected with mortals. Your woes may greatly differ than theirs.”

“Don’t take me as a fool. I am well aware of what awaits me, everything that I will suffer and everything that I suffered. Don’t belittle me. But, I admit that I tend to overthink stuff so your words calmed down. Thank you…”

“Ahahaha! I am quite troubled when you don’t take my subtle provocation seriously.”

Merlin’s words sounded outright absurd for me. I am living in the present and I do not look too far in the future. I dwell on the past from time to time but I try my best to keep my feet on the ground.

I disagree with everything that Merlin said. I frowned at his words but I can definitely fill into his words about not understanding each and everyone’s values. It is a given fact that beliefs will clash and people may not see each other eye to eye, however, that is what interests him in the first place about the current events.

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I am the fool and he is the wise. One may also take things upside down and I am the wise and he is the fool.

Will I end up like him in the future? Does his eye see nothing but creatures to be observed?

“I guess, when I think back about what happened earlier, I really didn’t have much choice. Brooding over something I don’t have control is definitely a waste of time.”

“I supposed this is what they call a character growth.”

“Not…quite close…”

“Are you sure?”

“Stop that! Anyway, I think it’s time I head back. I have a lot of questions in my head that I need clarification and answers.”

“You are too young to be thinking like that. A wrinkle is bad, just saying.”

I ignored Merlin’s last statement and turn my heels towards the encampment. The sun started setting down and I need to be there for the upcoming meeting about what happened earlier, about the battle that we barely survived.

For about five minutes, we arrived where Lady Hinoki together with some of her in-command knights and the rebel dwarves sitting around a huge table inside an open tent. There was a clear hostility coming from the elves but the dwarves are all nothing but humble.

As soon as I entered the tent, Lady Hinoki’s eyes immediately latch on me with visible surprise. She opened her mouth a bit but immediately closed it. She seems like she wanted to say something to me, however, retracted it.

The dwarf, Gordio, sees me and wave his hand in which I wave back.

“Little miss, what might you be doing here? We are about to talk about something.”

Before I could lay down some words, Lady Hinoki interrupted.

“This here is Asagao Lionheart, the current and sole owner of the Center Continent. She is here also as a representative of the Center Continent.”

“Yes, I’ve heard about her from King Osthorio and how she claimed the sole ownership of the Center Continent with a huge inheritance from the Wise Dragon Mrothgir. I still can’t believe the girl in question is this young.”

Murmurs started flying inside the tent between the elves and the dwarves. The tough and robust dwarves with Gordio and the elves wearing tough looking steel armors starts going pale as seconds go by.

The clamor of the meeting immediately shifted to whispers and murmurs with eyes directed at me. Lady Hinoki is glaring at me with eyes telling me I told you so.

One of the elves behind Lady Hinoki speaks up.

“My queen, you never mentioned anything about this…We never heard much of what happened in the Center Continent, about the congregation reaching a unanimous decision.”

“Well, it is as I said, Asagao Lionheart has the financial power to actually buy and build cities and such in the Center Continent. I figure she also has the financial power to invest for the restoration of the western district.”

“That much wealth…and connections…this is really bad…”

“Of course, this is bad. She is favored by the Fairy King, the Demon King, the current and standing representative of the Dragon Kingdom, as well as the summoned heroes, one of the last two disciple of the White Dragon Sage, the hero of the war against the devil, the favored girl by the current Beast queen, and the little sister of King Ashfon Astlan Lionheart.”

“…My queen, why did you leave such figure running freely?”

“She is also my daughter’s friend. I cannot admonish each and every action she does. I gave her a little leeway for this war, to be honest, and that led to my mistake of her getting dragged into this mess.”

Uwaah…

The atmosphere feels so heavy right now. Even the dwarves have a complicated countenance as they look at me. Lady Hinoki gives me half-closed stares like I did something really bad and so, I also started that I really did something bad.

Merlin then kneels with one knee beside me and cock his head closer to my ear and starts whispering.

“That’s a natural reaction, my dear. If I had known you hold so much influence, I would have warned you sternly. You shoulder so many titles and responsibilities and the last thing you do is think about your next actions.”

“I just only want the best out of things…”

“Think about it. If you went to a kingdom at your whim and you were badly hurt, the kingdom will take a huge blow on their reputation. Import and export will slowly start to slow and their people will receive and treated less outside of their lands just because everyone knew you were hurt inside their land. You also own a growing kingdom and it will also affect future economic trades and diplomatic relations. Your position is not a joke, remember that.”

“……”

“Even I wouldn’t want to get on your bad side now.”

Thus, Violetta and Lady Hinoki’s reluctance on letting me run loose. The scales in which my actions affect things are on a large scale, much larger than I realized.

Lady Hinoki knew and let me have a fill of my participation in this war when it hasn’t escalated into this hot mess yet. When the dwarves started invading with cutting edge technology, it raised her concern not only for me but to what her kingdom may face the repercussion of jeopardizing my life.

“You are no mere girl. It’s not even an exaggeration to say that you are the center of everything now. You just realized such fact and now, you are in a pinch.”

“Still…I can’t turn a blind eye on everything! Merlin…”

“Ah, yes, I will do you just one favor. Remember it forever that this Merlin has helped you in this situation.”

“You mean…”

Merlin snaps his finger.

I was immediately bathed in blue light and before I knew it…

“What…what the heck?!”

“Such a high standing personage needs fitting attire, no?”

I immediately found myself wearing an elegant light blue dress with flower ornaments and a morning glory brooch attached at the strap of the dress. There are frills attached on the hem that extends up to my knees. I also noticed the comfortable heels under my soles engraved with tiny trinkets.

After that, Merlin fashioned my hair in a beautiful braid and bun. He handed me a bouquet of roses and held my hand.

“This is…”

“A lady needs her escort”

At a snap of his finger, an elegant chair made of ceramic with beautiful engravings appeared in front of me and the table in which the elves and dwarves gathered became a beautiful table with candles and flowers.

Before anyone knew, the tent became an enclosed house with open doors and chandelier hanging on the ceiling that the whole place was illuminated in bright light. The interior of the small house looks exceedingly expensive as the walls are made out of painted walls and the floor covered in velvet carpet.

“This is Merlin’s 101 of pleasing ladies. I may be a womanizer and alcoholic but I still know my manners and elegance.”

The wizard, Merlin, winks at me before walking me towards the table.

“This should be at least the minimal reception to receive you, right? Now, all we need to do is everyone to welcome you befitting of your position and influence. As such, your decision will now greatly affect the course of this meeting.”

“I see.”

As long as they are confused about how to deal with me, nothing will proceed. Both the elves and the dwarves became troubled of my presence and the display in front of me, which I really don’t mind. However, the simple answer to this is to present a place suitable for my position.

…Is what Merlin is saying.

If that is the case, I have cleared the hurdle of making my way into this meeting with the help of Merlin.

From now on, I should keep these formalities in mind wherever I go as not to put people in trouble.

I sat down at the table presented to me with Merlin pulling it up for me. Everyone’s attention is still directed towards me but this is fine…

“I am going to make myself clear. I will hold no one liable for my own safety, however, any deliberate actions towards my safety shall be seen as faulty. Keep that in mind.”

“We fully acknowledge such decision. We knew of your power and ability to lead, however, on what ground or basis do you think you have to be involved in this war.”

Lady Hinoki answered with a serious tone.

“I will say it. The Ethers are a threat and I shall present this case with the need for immediate action. As such, I will officially declare my alliance with this side.”

“…Well said. If that’s how you want things to happen, then so be it.”

I got the acknowledgment from Lady Hinoki, however, I can still feel that she’s still uncomfortable.