"Weird, isn't it? For whatever reason it is, these noble lords have been purchasing our potions in bulk. And it's not like they're trying to screw Merchant by crashing the market either." Followed Clara, peering sideways.

I could feel the gravity of the upcoming premonition hanging at the precipice of my tongue. "Have you found out anything?"

"Guess what the Harpers found out last month when we went for a play~?" Teased Clara.

I waited in silence.

"It seems people have been burning money to stockpile not only potions but also weapons. What's more, they've begun to build granaries in preparation. I think someone is gonna move..."

'Granaries? But that's usually for a line of supplies...' I pondered, squinting narrowly. "Not a simple war...But a conquest?"

"I know. It doesn't make any sense to me either. Why do they go out of their way to do something so ambitious when the kingdom is still split in two? But the question is, are they really that stupid and blind?" Commented her, kicking her feet lightly.

"Are you trying to say the power struggle is about to end?" I guessed.

"The movements of the other parties seem to think so." Sounded Clara in accord.

'A war...'

It was a topic still foreign to me and something I needed to prepare for sooner or later.

"What do you want to do, Shepherd?" Queried Clara somberly.

"...It smells fishy. Why a conquest out of the blue? It's like we're missing something. It also feels like they don't even care if the kingdom breaks into a civil war, or they're sure it won't be somehow..." I remarked softly and voiced again. "How about the movement from the two factions?"

"Same as usual. Neither of the princes is backing down." Shrugged Clara.

I tapped my finger. "I assume both sides have also been stockpiling potions and weapons in secret?"

"Full investigation will be hard since there's too much ground for us to cover, but yes. Some have been showing quite strangely." Added Clara.

'Damn it...my head hurts...' I mused.

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Neither Clara nor I said anything after that.

I just sat there in silence, wallowing in my thoughts. And Clara, in turn, had resumed feasting on her grapes once again, plucking whichever one caught her fancy.

"I think we need more information before we do anything...I don't like the smell of this. It feels like we're about to jump head first into a fog, not knowing whether it's a cliff or a steady ground waiting for us." I shook my head.

Clara wiped her hand and traced her steps forward, wearing a light smile on her mug. "That for sure~ It's a relief that you've been growing steadily, Shepherd. I'm begging you to be a bit more careful before deciding something from now on rather than acting like a brainless brute like someone we know."

"But...?" From how she moved and the way her tone fluctuated, I could tell that she wasn't finished with her words yet.

"But, we can't relax and play the waiting game. Right now, the players have made their move. They're one step ahead of us. It might be too late to act by the time we get to see the whole picture coming together." Summed Clara.

'You're telling me not to move recklessly but also do something?' I scowled quietly.

My head pounded from the frustration and the thinking I was doing. I've even cursed all the pricks and the two princes dozens of times inside my heart.

Still, I hang on. It sucked, but I need to familiarize myself with all this. In a way, it could be seen as a way to train myself, too, and when I changed the perspective from which I see the problem, it kind of helped.

I took a deep breath and, piece by piece, constructed my scattered thoughts. 'Calm down...I think she's on to something. Like she was trying to guide me...And if she is, that means there's a hint somewhere. It's a puzzle with complete pieces, and I just need to arrange them...Take your time, Alex.'

I recalled our interactions right from the very beginning, and fortunately, Clara seemed keen on giving me all the time I needed.

'Someone...She said someone. That's the keyword!'

Using that as my starting potion, I began to put the pieces she laid out carefully inside my head.

"The Saint...? That old man isn't the type to do something when asked, but If he is the one who wants to wage conquest, then it all makes sense. His words are law in this kingdom, after all..." I studied the lines on Clara's face as she said nothing. "That also explains why the two princes can be so bold in preparing for a conquest rather than dealing with the succession of the throne. Because, in the end, the one who's able to have the Saint's favor will get to sit on that throne..."

'Damn! Can't you just chill and live out your retirement with beauties in your hands or something? Must you kick up crazy fusses like these, you senile old man!?' I cursed the hateful man inside. 'Shit! Who knows when this whole thing will break out or when it will end...In the first place, just the implication alone from what a conquest spearheaded by a damn Saint is something I can't afford to deal with...'

"Ha...We need to prevent it, Clara. By any means necessary."

We couldn't afford a war, much less a freaking conquest...

Why?

Because I needed to enter Rockfelle...