The journey to the Holy See proved far smoother than Dianna had anticipated, largely due to the meticulous preparations orchestrated by Revius. Yet while the roads were clear, the people proved troublesome. First and foremost, Leonie was so thoroughly incensed with Dianna that she barely uttered a word to her. Glaring at Dianna as though nursing a deep sense of betrayal, she nevertheless chatted and laughed freely with the maids, who found her the most approachable. I tried t

As expected, the Pope's reply arrived a few days after Dianna dispatched her letter concerning the grain crisis, requesting an immediate audience. Reviewing his response, she exhaled a sigh of relief. Crossing his arms with a displeased expression, Adelheit spoke up. [Adelheit] "You are traveling there? At a time like this?" Dianna nodded quietly, while the dragon observed her with wide, curious eyes. [Adelheit] "Regarding the grain, did the Pope offer definitive support?" Sh

The food supplies stored away during winter needed to be sufficient to sustain the kingdom until the barley harvest. Given Lodbrog's barren environment, agriculture had never properly flourished, resulting in a chronic shortage of stored grain for years. Compared to Panborough, the harvested yields were severely deficient. Even now, several nobles subsisted on rye black bread rather than white bread. Merely a few years prior, people starved to death around this season. Only a

How could such a thing be possible? Learning about Herya had been shocking enough, but Fafnir was Guiscard's grandmother? Did that mean he had slain his own grandmother? [Dianna] "Is that why he was able to kill the dragon?" At her question, Tarascus replied with uncertainty. The hatchling, appearing excessively indifferent, felt strangely distant, like an ancient being. [Taras] "What do you mean?" [Dianna] "Fafnir was his grandmother, so she wouldn't have been able to resist

Dianna couldn't comprehend it. Why was this dragon taking such an immense interest in her? She was merely an ordinary human, aside from having returned through time and possessing the ability to command spirits. She was thoroughly ordinary. Yet whenever Tarascus awakened, he looked for Dianna, lingered by her side, and spoke strictly to her. Judging solely by his appearance, he resembled a child trailing after his mother. Knowing that this seemingly harmless child had struck

The dragon stared at Dianna for a long while after she unlocked the restraint collar. Though still bound by chains, a sharp crackle echoed a moment later as the iron links and shackles binding his arms snapped apart. Flexing his wrists, he spoke in a low voice. [Dragon] "Lacking strength though I may be, I possess ample power to sever mere iron. I sought to kill thee." [Dianna] "..." [Dragon] "Yet thou hast set me free." [Dianna] "..." [Dragon] "Why? Why place thy trust in me

[Dianna] "Why... why is he wearing this collar?" She stared at the dragon, whose eyes remained closed. Adelheit responded with a puzzled tone. [Adelheit] "Is there a problem?" [Dianna] "Did you... turn the dragon into a slave?" A wave of nausea washed over her at the sight of the restraint collar around his neck. The bloody, bound state of the child echoed memories of herself and Guiscard, making her head thrum with dizziness. [Adelheit] "Dian, that dragon tried to kill you.

Revius wore a baffled expression. Dianna's reprimand seemed meaningless to him. Coming here, she had been forced to endure all manner of humiliation as a noble from a defeated nation. This marriage was never something she had wanted; they had been forced into wedlock. In a marriage forged through Guiscard's tyranny, she held absolutely no say. Yet, this time was different. Dianna had returned of her own free will. Her dynamic with Revius had shifted from before. He no longer

The Blake ducal house had served the royal family loyally for generations. On the surface, that was true, and until Dianna's death in her past life, Grand Duke Blake and Guiscard Lodbrog had never clashed openly. Yet, there had been a moment when they nearly came to blows. Exhausted by the monster waves in her past life, the kingdom desperately required reinforcements. Though archers provided long-range suppression, arrows relied on precise hits and proved hopelessly insuffic

The dragon stared intently at her with mysterious eyes. Though clearly possessing the form of a child with lingering baby fat, those inorganic eyes belonged to something non-human. Why? Why does this dragon know about me? Is it because it's a messenger of the gods? Come to think of it, it mentioned a rift. A rift... Does it mean I shouldn't exist in this time? A swirl of chaotic thoughts overwhelmed her mind. [Dragon] "I came to restore order." Her question caused the onlooke

The following day, Guiscard was dragged away to Gren Brienne, that despicable man. [Gren] "In truth, I recognized you from the very first moment. Your eyes were far too similar to hers." At first, Guiscard resisted. He refused to kneel before that vile creature. Yet, brutal beatings broke him. Once his battered body was patched up, the brand followed. A harsh sizzle echoed as flesh seared, and Guiscard writhed in agony. [Gren] "Why such distress, Guiscard? Your mother died en

Guiscard didn't clearly remember those times. However, he remembered Herya's sharp voice. The forest was vast, and they slept with cave ceilings for roofs and piles of grass for beds. Having grown up in human civilization, Guiscard found it harder than expected. Grumbling, she gave him berries or mushrooms, managing to stave off starvation to some degree, though it was never enough. Yet, Herya survived effortlessly on just a couple of fruits. Unlike Guiscard, who grew increas