61) Organto Lady
…
{3rd Pov}
The interior of the luxurious carriage was designed to be spacious and comfortable. It had enough room to accommodate its original occupants with ease, featuring cushioned seats on both sides and even a small table placed between them. On that table rested a neatly arranged tray containing tea and a selection of cookies, clearly prepared for a refined and relaxed journey.
However, that sense of space had now completely disappeared.
What was meant for two people was now occupied by five.
As a result, the carriage felt noticeably cramped, the comfortable atmosphere replaced by an awkward and slightly tense environment.
On one side, seated with composed elegance, was Masdura the thirteenth princess of the Empire accompanied by her maid, Akari. Both of them maintained proper posture despite the limited space.
On the opposite side sat Ember.
And, as if following some unspoken rule of the universe, he found himself in a position that resembled that of a typical harem protagonist.
He was flanked on both sides.
To his left sat Athena the so-called “rogue” Goddess of Wisdom who appeared far too comfortable with the situation.
To his right sat Merina, whose expression still carried the lingering frustration of being repeatedly ragebaited throughout the day.
Athena looked relaxed.
Merina looked like she was one step away from snapping again.
And Ember?
He simply sat there, caught in the middle, silently enduring the situation.
Of course, to make matters even more ironic, all parties involved were currently using their fake names.
They were, in a sense, operating under disguise.
A princess pretending not to be a princess.
A goddess pretending not to be a goddess.
And two individuals pretending to be nothing more than ordinary travelers.
“My name is Mathy, and this one’s my maid, Athy,” Masdura said with a smile adorning her beautiful face. Her red hair cascaded smoothly down her shoulders, catching the light in a way that made it seem almost aflame, while her green eyes sparkled like polished emeralds, carrying both warmth and calculation in equal measure.
Meanwhile, the three sitting across from her reacted almost instantly, their thoughts aligning in perfect unison despite their different personalities.
‘These names are so fake!’ Each of them came to the same conclusion without needing to exchange a single glance, the absurdity of the introduction too obvious to ignore.
The giveaway was not that Masdura had chosen to call herself Mathy, which by itself might have passed as a harmless alias, but rather that she had lazily reused a fragment of her own name for her supposed maid. It was such an unimaginative and careless lie that it practically announced itself, lacking even the basic effort one would expect from someone attempting deception. The simplicity of it made it worse, not better, as though she did not feel the need to try.
It was so transparent that even Merina, who was widely regarded as the least perceptive and least intelligent among the three, was able to notice it immediately. That alone spoke volumes about how poorly constructed the lie was.
“Is that so? M’Lady Mathy, allow me to introduce ourselves. My name’s Tet, the woman to my right is Art, and the one on my left is Mary,” Ember said, stepping in smoothly as he introduced the group with practiced ease. His tone remained polite and controlled, giving away nothing of what he actually thought about the situation.
Masdura, or rather “Mathy,” maintained her pleasant and composed smile, her outward demeanor perfectly befitting that of a noble lady engaging in casual conversation.
However, beneath that calm exterior, her thoughts were anything but refined or restrained. Her mind had already wandered elsewhere, vividly imagining what it would feel like to have Ember beneath her, or to indulge herself with the other two women in ways that were far less proper than her posture suggested.
As a self-proclaimed and well-aware secret bisexual, it was hardly surprising that she had already explored such relationships in the past, particularly with her own maid. There was familiarity there, an unspoken understanding that blurred the line between servant and companion in ways that others might find inappropriate.
At the same time, she was undeniably a pervert at heart, someone who found herself drawn to beauty in all its forms and who did not shy away from indulging those desires whenever the opportunity presented itself. Attractive people, regardless of who they were or where they came from, naturally caught her attention and stirred her interest.
Perhaps the only real distinction between her and the slave traders she so openly disdained was the method she employed. She did not force anyone into submission or strip them of their will. Instead, she relied on her charm, her allure, and the weight of her status and power to tempt others, offering them a taste of something they might find difficult to refuse.
If someone accepted, then it was simply mutual indulgence. If someone refused, however, she did not grow angry or resentful over it. She would let it go without complaint, moving on as if it had never mattered in the first place, her interest shifting just as easily as it had arisen.
“Then, Sir Tet, may I ask, are you enjoying the city?” she asked with a gentle, composed smile, lifting her teacup with practiced grace before taking a small sip. Every movement she made, from the way she held the porcelain to the way she set it back down, carried the unmistakable refinement of noble etiquette, something that could not easily be imitated without years of habit.
“We have only just arrived here, so we have not had much time to properly explore the city yet,” Tet replied truthfully, keeping his tone polite and neutral while offering just enough information to satisfy the question without revealing anything unnecessary.
Masdura’s eyes immediately lit up with visible excitement at that answer, her expression brightening in a way that seemed almost too eager. “Wonderful! That means I can have some company with me to explore this beautiful city!” she said, clearly pleased by the opportunity that had just presented itself, as if their lack of familiarity with the place was exactly what she had been hoping for.
Merina, meanwhile, found herself at a complete loss for words, her reaction far less enthusiastic than Masdura’s. From her perspective, the description of the city as “beautiful” felt somewhat exaggerated.
Compared to the city of Rosemade, which was known for its aesthetic charm and well-planned flower gardens, Morten appeared far more like a fortified stronghold than a place of beauty.
Its imposing walls, defensive layout, and practical design gave it a more rigid and utilitarian atmosphere rather than something pleasing to the eye.
However, she also understood that such a viewpoint was shaped heavily by personal experience. For many people in this world, especially those coming from rural or less developed areas, any prosperous city could easily be considered beautiful.
The presence of large markets filled with goods, the weight of history embedded in its streets, and the sheer scale of the place all contributed to a sense of awe.
To someone seeing such a city for the first time, it would naturally feel grand and impressive, even if others might not see it the same way.
Ember, on the other hand, was more focused on something else entirely. He could not help but feel confused by Masdura’s eagerness, or rather Lady Mathy’s, to have them accompany her. The enthusiasm she displayed did not quite match what he would expect from a noble casually inviting strangers, and that discrepancy made him cautious.
He began to wonder whether she intended to take advantage of them in some way, perhaps using her status or influence, or if she had some other ulterior motive that had yet to reveal itself. The situation did not sit entirely right with him, even if there was no immediate sign of danger.
‘It does not really matter,’ Ember thought to himself after a brief moment of consideration.
‘Whatever the truth is, I doubt she can prove to be any real threat.’
His confidence came from his own strength. As a Level 2, and a Limit Breaker on top of that, there were very few individuals within the city who could pose a serious danger to him. His abilities placed him well above the average person, and even among adventurers, he stood out.
The only real exception among those present was Merina, who was a high level adventurer with capabilities that he acknowledged surpassed him of what he was capable of what. However, she was firmly on their side, which only reinforced his sense of security and made him less concerned about whatever Masdura might be planning.
‘Still, I will remain careful. Not to mention, I should take this opportunity to gather whatever knowledge I can from here. My understanding of the Empire is still far too shallow, and that is not something I can afford to ignore. It will not be a major issue for now, considering Athena was already planning to stay here for a few days anyway,’ Ember thought to himself, keeping his expression calm and unreadable as his mind worked in the background.
As someone who had already made up his mind to travel across the entire world, he knew it would be nothing short of foolish if he continued forward without properly understanding the regions he stepped into. A lack of detailed knowledge was not just an inconvenience, it could very well turn into a fatal mistake depending on the situation. The Empire was not some minor territory that could be dismissed with surface level awareness. It was vast, powerful, and filled with complexities that could not be grasped through assumptions alone.
Back in Alf’s Royal Library, the amount of material related to the Empire had been surprisingly limited, at least from his perspective. While there were indeed records and references scattered throughout the archives, they were either outdated, overly general, or lacking the kind of depth he had been searching for. Ember had considered diving deeper into the library’s collection at the time, but the reality of the situation had made that impractical.
Searching through thousands upon thousands of books in hopes of uncovering finer details would have taken an unreasonable amount of time, and time was something he simply did not have in abundance. He had already been juggling multiple priorities, each of them essential for his survival and growth.
Most of his time had been dedicated to improving his capabilities, focusing heavily on magic, archery, and swordsmanship. Alongside that, he had also been working on acquiring the fundamental knowledge necessary to survive outside the relative safety of structured environments, something that demanded its own share of time and focus.
When he later gained access to Altena’s Public Library, he had initially hoped to find more detailed information regarding the Empire. However, the situation there had not been much different. The public library, while extensive in its own right, did not contain much strategic or sensitive information about external powers like the Empire.
That kind of knowledge was deliberately restricted and preserved within the Royal Library, kept away from general access due to its potential importance. It was not something that could be freely browsed by anyone who happened to walk in, and that limitation had once again prevented him from gaining the depth of understanding he wanted.
Even after he had effectively gained access to what Altena’s Royal Library could offer, his attention had been pulled in other directions. He had spent a significant portion of his time studying Magic Tools, trying to understand their construction, usage, and limitations in a practical sense.
At the same time, he had also been learning about the methods used in preparing Magic Grimoires.
And beyond all of that, there was Athena. Spending time with her had not been something he considered a distraction, but it had undeniably taken a portion of his time and attention.
Still, it was not something he regretted.
Even so, when everything was taken into account, it became clear that his knowledge of the Empire had remained incomplete, and now that he was finally here, he had no intention of letting that gap remain unaddressed.
“M’Lady, you still have not heard their answer,” Athy, or rather Akari, said from her side in a calm but pointed manner, reminding her that the three of them had yet to respond to the invitation.
Merina, meanwhile, shifted her gaze toward Athena. On the surface, Athena maintained a gentle and composed smile, one that would not raise suspicion to an outside observer.
However, beneath that carefully maintained expression, her thoughts were far from pleasant.
‘Fucking pervert. The lust in her eyes is as clear as day. I would have gouged those filthy eyes out if this were Altena,’ she cursed inwardly without holding back in the slightest.
As the Goddess of Wisdom and a Virgin Goddess, Athena held a deep and unwavering disdain toward individuals who openly indulged in such behavior.
It was not merely a matter of personal preference or discomfort, but something she viewed with genuine disgust. To her, there was no meaningful distinction between different types of perverts.
It did not matter whether the individual in question was a man or a woman, whether they were young or old, or whether their preferences leaned toward men, women, or anything else.
In her eyes, all of them were the same, equally distasteful and equally unworthy of respect in that regard. The nature of their desire, or the form it took, did not change her judgment in the slightest.
“No, I think we should take our leave. I already have plans for a date with my darling Tet, and it would be unwise to let someone else interrupt it,” Athena replied, her tone calm and controlled, as if she were simply stating an ordinary decision.
However, the content of her words told a very different story.
Her response was not just a refusal, it was dismissive, bordering on outright rude, leaving little room for interpretation or negotiation.
Masdura’s smile froze the moment those words reached her ears.
The pleasant and confident expression she had been maintaining faltered for a brief second, caught off guard by the bluntness of the reply.
It was not something she had expected, especially not for the individuals who were currently presenting themselves as nobles.
At the same time, Akari’s reaction was far more immediate and visible. The subtle snapping sound of her knuckles tightening broke the stillness, a clear indication of her irritation.
Even she found it difficult to believe that someone would speak to her lady in such a manner, directly to her face without any attempt at restraint.
Regardless of their current disguises, they were still presenting themselves as nobles, and within the Empire, the status of nobility carried significant weight, often more than it did in many other kingdoms.
Respect toward nobles was not just expected, it was enforced through both social norms and authority.
For someone to disregard that so openly was not just bold, it bordered on outright disrespect in a way that could easily escalate if not handled carefully.
Merina herself was genuinely surprised by how rude the Goddess had been.
Even if she had no intention of staying with this so-called Noble Lady, a polite and measured rejection would have been the obvious and more reasonable choice.
There had been no real need to respond in such a sharp and dismissive manner.
It made her wonder, not for the first time, whether love had actually dulled her Goddess’ wisdom to some extent, or if this was simply another side of her that she had not seen before.
“I see, it seems we are not welcome here,” Masdura said, her voice carrying a faint but noticeable hint of anger beneath its controlled surface.
Despite that, she maintained her composure, her posture still refined as her gaze shifted toward Akari. “Athy, escort them outside of the carriage.”
The maid gave a small nod without hesitation. “As you say, M’Lady.”
After a short while, the three of them were escorted out of the carriage without any further exchange.
The process was handled with formal efficiency, and soon enough, they found themselves standing outside as the carriage began to move again.
From its direction and the path it took, it was fairly obvious to anyone paying attention that it was heading toward the large mansion located near the center of the city.
“I do not think that was the right way to handle things,” Merina said with a quiet sigh, clearly bothered by how the situation had unfolded. “I would rather not have them throwing a tantrum or causing unnecessary trouble later.”
“You choose to decline politely when you want to avoid a bad situation,” Athena replied calmly, her expression unchanged. “But for me, I have never been afraid of a bad situation or its outcome.”
She paused briefly before continuing, her tone remaining steady. “As long as you keep fearing things like that, you will never be your true self. Fear only has as much control over you as you allow it to have.”
Ember looked at her with a hint of surprise, clearly not expecting that kind of response. ‘When did she become so philosophical?’ he thought to himself, though he could not deny that her words did carry a certain level of truth.
Meanwhile, Merina felt a small sense of relief, almost as if she was witnessing the return of her Goddess’ usual wisdom, something she had been worried about just moments ago.
However, before she could say anything else, Athena suddenly grabbed Ember’s hand, interlocked their fingers without any hesitation, and immediately began running off at a pace that made it clear she had no intention of slowing down.
The speed and suddenness of her action left no room for reaction, especially from someone who had clearly decided that she wanted to avoid being stuck with a third wheel.
“G-Art!!” Merina shouted after them once again, her voice echoing with a mix of frustration and disbelief as she was left behind.
...
“How insolent those three were,” Akari said, her tone carrying clear irritation as she poured more tea into Masdura’s cup with practiced movements. Despite her composure, the displeasure was evident in the slight stiffness of her posture.
The Princess simply hummed in response as she lifted the cup and took another sip, her expression thoughtful rather than openly offended. After a brief pause, she spoke again, her voice calmer than one might expect. “I have been thinking about why that woman spoke in such a manner, and now that I consider it more carefully, could it be that they are people disguising themselves as well?”
“Why would you come to such a conclusion, M’Lady?” Akari asked, both baffled and slightly surprised by her Princess’s line of thinking. The idea seemed abrupt at first, and she could not immediately see the reasoning behind it.
Masdura adjusted her posture, crossing her legs with a composed elegance before continuing.
“Their confidence… that is what stood out to me the most,” she said, her tone measured as she pieced together her thoughts.
“Now that I think about it, not once did they appear truly intimidated by the guards. At most, they seemed mildly frustrated. And if we take into account how they showed no visible discomfort when I invited them to converse, it suggests that something about them was unusual.”
Akari listened carefully, her earlier confusion beginning to shift into understanding as Masdura continued her reasoning.
“That means they either possess a high social standing that allows them to remain unaffected in such situations, or they simply have no fear of us at all,” Masdura added, her gaze steady as she reached her conclusion.
Akari’s eyes widened slightly at that statement, the implication becoming clearer. “M’Lady, you mean they were adventurers?”
“Yes, and not just any adventurers, but most likely upper ranking adventurers, meaning individuals above Level 1,” Masdura said without hesitation, sounding confident in her deduction.
Akari could not help but feel surprised at that conclusion.
Within the Empire, adventurers who had surpassed Level 1 were relatively rare, making up only a small portion of the total.
If Masdura’s assumption was correct, then encountering such individuals so casually was far from an ordinary occurrence, and it made the earlier interaction seem far more significant than she had initially thought.
“How interesting, this brings quite a few questions to mind,” she said with a faint grin forming on her lips just as the carriage came to a smooth halt.
The timing only seemed to deepen her curiosity rather than interrupt it.
A moment later, there was a firm but respectful knock on the window near the front seat of the carriage.
Akari moved without delay, reaching over to open the small window as the driver spoke from outside. “Please inform M’Lady that we have arrived.”
“Thank you, Albert. It seems it is time to meet the Lord of this place,” Masdura said with a pleasant smile, her tone carrying the same composed elegance as before.
She was already considering how she might pressure or manipulate the Lord of this place into supporting her, weighing possible approaches even before stepping out.
‘That human trafficking issue might prove to be the key here. After all, illegal slavery is still… illegal,’ she thought with a hint of amusement, clearly finding the irony of the situation entertaining.
In this world, slavery itself was not universally condemned.
It was an accepted institution under certain conditions, such as when an individual was declared guilty of a crime and sentenced accordingly, or when someone willingly entered into a contract as a slave.
Such contracts were often made out of necessity, either as a means of survival or in exchange for compensation or opportunities that their current social standing would never allow them to achieve.
Even so, Masdura could not help but question the reality behind those so-called voluntary contracts.
‘Though I do wonder how many of them truly enter such contracts willingly,’ she thought, her curiosity lingering as she stepped out of the carriage.
She was soon guided inside by attendants, her movements once again returning to that of a composed noble.
Two soldiers stood ready at the entrance, receiving both her and her maid with formal acknowledgment before leading them further into the estate.
...
“So, she has arrived, has she?” a man with a short frame and a stout build remarked as he stood by the window of his private meeting chamber, his gaze directed downward toward the courtyard below where the Princess and her maid had just arrived.
His eyes remained half narrowed, carefully observing their movements as if trying to read more than what was visible on the surface.
“Lord Optos, what do you think is the reason for their visit? Do you believe they have come to secure your support for the throne?” the man standing behind him asked, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity.
He was clad in armor from head to toe, the polished plates reflecting faint light from the room, and a sword rested at his waist, sheathed but ready.
“You jest, Addison. Do you truly think they would come here for any other reason?” Optos replied, a faint grin forming on his lips as he continued to watch from the window.
“The Thirteenth is one of the strongest contenders, standing just behind the Second, Sixth, and Ninth. These four are the only realistic candidates in this struggle for the throne. Anyone else is merely a distraction in comparison.”
He paused briefly, his expression sharpening as he continued. “However, even with her strength, the Thirteenth still carries the disadvantage of being born last among the big Four. That alone has limited her influence, and her current support remains inferior to that of the other three.”
Optos let out a quiet chuckle, the sound low and controlled. “And yet, she believes she can persuade me to betray Lord Alaric. That is nothing more than a fool’s dream.”
His eyes glinted with a dangerous edge as the smirk on his face deepened, revealing a clear sense of confidence in his position and a lack of concern for whatever intentions the Princess might have brought with her.
“But we shall let her believe she is in control, that she has me completely under her grasp. However, the reality will be very different once she ends up buried beneath this very land,” he said, his grin widening further as his tone carried a quiet but unmistakable malice.
“Lord Optos, what exactly is the plan?” Addison asked, unable to hide his curiosity any longer as he looked toward him expectantly.
“Still a mystery,” Optos replied without any hesitation.
“You know Lord Alaric well enough. He never leaves loose ends behind, and he certainly does not share details unless it is absolutely necessary. We will only come to know the full extent of the plan when it is already in motion, and by then, it will be far too late for anyone to interfere.”
Addison let out a short breath, though his confidence did not seem shaken in the slightest.
“It should not be too difficult regardless. I mean, all she has with her is a single maid. I cannot even begin to understand what she was thinking when she decided to come here like this,” he said, openly mocking the situation.
“She was thinking exactly what she wanted others to think,” Optos responded with a knowing smile.
“Appearing weak, almost vulnerable, so that her enemies would overthink and ultimately trap themselves. It is a tactic meant to create hesitation and miscalculation. However, that is the one aspect we do not need to concern ourselves with for we never do the thinking,” he added, his smile widening as if he had already accounted for such a possibility.
A knock echoed through the room just as the conversation reached that point, breaking the flow of their discussion.
A soldier’s voice followed shortly after.
“My Lord, the Noble Lady from House Organto has arrived.”
The two men exchanged a brief glance, both understanding the significance of the moment without needing further explanation.
“Oh? Then why not meet our Lady of Organto,” Optos said with a faint, amused tone, as he turned away from the window.
He gave a simple order to the servants, instructing them to escort their guests to a private lounge where the meeting would take place, ensuring that everything proceeded under controlled conditions.
Outside, the city remained completely unaware of the quiet storm that was beginning to take shape within its walls. Life continued as usual, with no sign of the schemes unfolding behind closed doors.
Somewhere else, a certain High Elf would undoubtedly be less than pleased upon realizing that what was supposed to be a simple visit to a random city had somehow entangled him in a scheme that did not directly involve him, yet still managed to affect him regardless. It was almost as if he had become some unintended third protagonist, the kind who inevitably stirred trouble wherever he went, even without actively seeking it.
However, this so called storm was insignificant when compared to what fate truly had in store for them.
Those who believed themselves to be in control, carefully moving their pieces and outsmarting one another, were in truth nothing more than pawns themselves.
To be continued…