"I hope this doesn't sound strange." I smiled at her. "But you're an Awakened, aren't you? That's why you came here, isn't that correct?"

I had taken an educated guess.

Chase Daylan's existence and explanation on identifying other Awakened had clued me into the possibility of Sedna being one herself. She had golden eyes and had requested an audience with me despite not having any reason to at this point in time. Also, she had contributed toward the war effort in my original life; perhaps she was awake by then and knew of the impending fall of Adovoria.

"Yes," she replied and settled comfortably into her seat. I noted that she appeared slightly on edge before but, at my question, had finally relaxed.

I suppose she was testing to see if I was Awakened as well, and by me asking her instead, I confirmed I was one as well.

I beamed at her response.

This made everything so much easier if this Sedna was the same one from my original life. It sped things up as I wouldn't need to provide as much explanation. As I did, she knew something needed to be done about the Kobar Empire's eventual invasion.

"Ah," I turned my head toward the maid that entered with the vegetable platter.

To my surprise, it was Denise.

Whatever training that she had to undergo must have been completed.

"You're working again?" I asked.

"Yes, young master Luca," Denise replied as she placed the sliced vegetables on the table. "However, due to what happened, I will be working in other parts of the manor. A new primary maid will be assigned to you soon."

I nodded.

I had requested Micah to spare her, but obviously, she could no longer serve me in the same capacity as before.

Shame. She was perfect at her job, apart from the tea incident.

"Denise, please inform Henry not to let anyone else inside the room and interrupt our conversation," I requested after she finished setting the table.

"Very well, young master Luca." Denise bowed and closed the Rose Room doors behind her.

I sighed and turned to Sedna.

"She was an excellent maid, doing the work of two. But it turns out she had been poisoning my tea each morning. She had even poisoned my primary attendant in order to take over his role of providing me my morning tea," I explained. It felt nice having another sane human that could understand the complexity of having lived multiple lives. "She actually got him killed in a previous round. But he's alive and recovering in this round."

Sedna's golden eyes widened.

"But she's still employed here? You didn't have her killed?" she asked.

Crunch.

She and I looked down at Leona, who had begun nibbling away on some carrots.

I smiled at Leona, who looked as happy as can be.

"No," I replied. "There's no need. She won't harm me again. And I'll ensure everyone else I care about isn't harmed either."

The Spider tattoo had been scrubbed off of Denise, and the reason she was manipulated to do the Spiders' bidding was living safe and sound within the Frey Manor walls, training to be a mage.

Crunch.

"I understand," Sedna replied. Her eyes gazed squarely into mine.

"Now, back to the main subject at hand. I was going to come to see you eventually, but as you are here now and are a fellow Awakened, we can discuss the funding that will be needed." I asked. "I'm sure you also don't wish to see a losing fight unfold."

"Of course." Sedna solemnly nodded.

I beamed at her.

It was refreshing talking with an Awakened like Sedna. I didn't have to explain the context. She knew what I was referring to immediately. And unlike the lunatic prince, she was clearly on the same page as me. She cared about the Adovorian Kindgdom's future not because it was "entertaining" to help me but because it was her home.

"How much were you looking for from me to make things right?" she asked. "I will make the necessary arrangements immediately and have the payment in your hands within a few days."

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I blinked in surprise.

The war wouldn't begin showing signs of strain until a couple more years. But Sedna was suggesting that she was already willing to start bankrolling the operation? I was still busy figuring out how to keep my family alive and had barely touched the surface of the eventual war.

I picked up my cup of tea and took a sip, relishing the rich and bold flavor of the Keemun tea from Zarez that washed over my taste buds. A smokey aroma of fruit, honey, and flowers filled my nostrils.

No. It was I who was foolish. Why wait for things to show signs of strain before making the necessary changes? By supplying The Order with the needed funding early, we could ensure our armies are sufficiently sized, are well trained, and have the equipment required to fight off any invasion in the future.

I gazed over my tea at Sedna, who was looking at me expectantly. She brushed her short wavy hair that was beginning to show shades of a blueish tint. It looked lovely, but it was a visual indicator of the strange disease eating away at the little time she had remaining for her mobility and life.

I took another sip of tea and gazed down into the dark amber liquid as I gathered my thoughts.

It was a tad embarrassing that she had so much faith in me and was turning to me for the sum needed. I suppose Sedna had the impression that I knew what needed to be done in this lifetime as I had gone with Grandov to request funding in my original life and had lived beyond her passing.

The trouble was that aside from being the future brother-in-law to Princess Evelyn, I had no connection to the kingdom's resources and army. And I had little context about the current affairs and political maze. Sure, I had an inkling of the grim state of The Order from my original life, but I had no idea what they needed now.

But Father's advice from Round 7 sounded in my head.

"Don't ever leave money on the table. If there's an opportunity, you have to take it. Because the next time around, there won't be such an opportunity."

I couldn't show Sedna that I was still figuring things out. She was offering funding and was willing to provide it right away. I couldn't squander such a generous offer.

"Rather than a lump sum, a monthly investment would be best. I'm sure that would also be easier on you," I said.

By spreading out the payments, I would also have enough time to figure out where to invest. And if I looped Micah in, I was confident that he'd know what to do. Also, didn't Princess Evelyn agree with me several rounds back that the kingdom needed to be in a better state against any possible invasion? I could meet with her and figure out where funding was most needed.

"How much and for how long should I make do on the payments?" Sedna asked.

I set the cup down.

"Three hundred phoenix eyes a month," I replied. "And unfortunately, the payments might need to be made throughout your whole life."

Sedna Ozeryn had passed away before the invasions began after all. As for the amount, in my original life, the Ozeryn Dukedom had supplied the equivalent of 50,000 phoenix eyes to The Order. It was an incredibly generous amount, and after doing some quick math of spreading it over the next seven years, I had come to a reasonable 300 phoenix eyes a month. Technically it should have been almost double, but given that we had an extra four years before the original Game's start, I suspected that less funding spread over a more extended period was sufficient.

"Of course, that might change," I quickly added, seeing the shock on her face. "Or rather, it is my intention that all is squared away sooner than later. But honestly, it might take a few loops to set things straight."

The System had informed me that I was in the most difficult of all Games, and that all of the veteran Players had quit because of how hard protecting Adovoria was. Given this knowledge, I suspected that it would take me more than a single round to beat the Kobar Empire.

Crunch.

Leona's munching on the vegetable continued to sound from the table between us.

"I understand," Sedna replied. "And I hope to set things straight sooner than later too."

I smiled.

Of course, she wanted to see her home nation thrive as well.

"If I may pose a question…" Sedna picked up her cup and took a small sip. "In the previous round, I understand you had Chase Daylan hunted down. What did he do to anger you?"

I blinked.

Her intel was better than I expected. I didn't think anyone knew I had anything to do with his disappearance back then. Heck. Even I didn't realize then that I was the one that brought about his disappearance.

"Are you aware that he's an Awakened as well?" I asked. Even if she didn't know so yet, I was happy to share this insight with her.

"Of course," she replied. "And he is a shapeshifter. I've seen him turn into a cat before."

"Well, let's just say he had provided me with a bath that was a tad unexpected in the round before that," I replied.

Sedna's cup clanked down to the saucer. "I–I see."

But now that I thought about it, it was probably the most peaceful way I had died. Taking the purple needle provided a quick death, but had I had whatever poison Chase had put in my bath alongside it, it would have been a more pleasant death too.

I should ask about his source and have Kathy create a new needle for me.

"And what about this round?" Sedna asked. "What was it that Chase Daylan was apologizing to you for with that cake?"

I blinked. "You heard about that?"

Sedna nodded. "The whole capital city has heard about the giant apology cake he presented to you."

"Peep!"

So that's where that cake was from?

Leona turned to stare at me.

I don't really mind as it was a most delicious cake. But I must say, the next time you apologize to me, I prefer you not repurpose someone else's apology cake.

<< I'll keep that in mind. I'll source you a new cake next time. >> I replied.

"So what did he do that he was apologizing for?" Sedna asked again.

"He tried to force me to answer questions I did not want to answer at the ball," I replied.

"Ah, I see," Sedna said.

A silence floated over the table, broken only by Leona's continued munching.

"Well, I thank you for your understanding. I will be off now," Sedna reached over, grabbed her crutches, and attached them to either arm.

"No, thank you," I beamed at her.

Her visit was entirely unexpected but most rewarding. And unlike the lunatic prince whose actions I could not fully comprehend, it was nice to have an Awakened like Sedna who had her head on straight and had a heart of gold.

Click.

"Ah, I apologize. I must respond to this," Sedna pulled out a looking glass similar to the one that my brother used.

However, the language that she used was not one I recognized.

It was perhaps impolite to listen in, but I was curious what she was saying. And given the recent mishap with Kathy and Denise, I realized that being too trusting of those around me wasn't doing me, nor those I cared about, any favors. So even with someone like Sedna, whom I had the utmost respect for, I needed to be vigilant.

<< System, please translate what she is saying. >>