Navia explained the reason for her confidence.
"The Emperor Ulrich can smell the magic of Creed."
"Ahh... Indeed. But what if he lies?"
"That won't happen."
Lark also agreed with her statement.
"The magic scent of Creed is the same as that of Ulrich's late brother who died trying to save him. As they were brothers who had a strong bond, he will be more lenient to Creed."
Especially after the humiliation he had faced today due to a flaw in Ares, it was certain that Creed would more easily accept him.
Erkin, trying to follow the confusing conversation, spread his palms out and said,
"Ha... We should not go about this in such a way. We need to properly plan a strategy."
As Erkin suggested, they set the stage as if they were war strategists preparing for battle.
Lark's 10-year absence was not a simple issue. If he had stayed within the mansion as before, it would have been one thing, but now it was different.
In such circumstances, if Lark suddenly secludes himself, there would surely be people spreading rumors.
They needed a proper discussion on how to mitigate this and divert the surrounding attention.
"This is the time when..."
"During this period, Agnes..."
"Now, Wood has gone to the academy..."
Based on Navia and Lark's memories, they organized the upcoming major events.
"Oh, and."
Lark suddenly remembered something.
"War will break out within three years."
War?
Navia showed a surprised expression, not expecting such an event.
'There was never a cycle where a war had occurred before.'
Lark, with a slightly embarrassed expression, said,
"Because of the magic amplification technology I handed over to the Magic Association, we'll be at war with the Sand Empire Bakia and the Magic Kingdom Kaladis."
Both were nations with military power not inferior to the Eden Empire.
"The first war will be with Bakia, and we will win that one. The next will be against the Kingdom of Kaladis, where the Eden Empire will suffer a significant defeat."
Lark was supposed to have lived only one year in this cycle and then end it.
So, without much thought for the future, he sold the magic amplification technology to the president of the Magic Association to ensure a prosperous life for Navia.
Whenever he had sold this technology to the president, war always broke out.
So, in this life, there was more than a 90% chance that war would erupt.
"It's better to be prepared."
The first war will be a victory.
But the second war will be a defeat.
At that time, the imperial family would request the deployment of the Titan Knights.
"There were times when I asked for the participation of Suleiman and Margaret. When it was possible to go out, I just swept away those nonsensical talkers."
Nero, who had been silent until now, spoke up.
"I will do my best to handle it within my capabilities."
At that statement, Lark chided him.
"You are my daughter's escort; where do you think you're going?"
Nero glanced at Navia with a complicated look.
He had felt she was an extraordinary person, but never imagined that this small, fragile girl would be a regressor...
Navia, seemingly lost in thought, remained expressionless and silent for a while.
Three years until the war starts, and knowing which countries they would fight against.
Even knowing the outcomes of the wars.
'This is too... an opportunity to turn the tables in our favor.'
"We should take advantage of the war boom."
Everyone's gaze swiftly turned towards Navia.
"War consumes resources like crazy. Since the first war is in three years, we'll use our capital to gather resources by then. After the war, Eseled might have wealth comparable to that of Agnes."
It wasn't just a matter of wealth.
'This opportunity can be used as a stepping stone to massively publicize Eseled's formidable military strength.'
Navia's gaze briefly shifted to Nero.
"……."
Nero, caught off guard by her gaze, looked visibly flustered.
Navia, not paying much heed to his reaction, was immersed in her thoughts.
'Then, it might be possible for Commander Nero to even receive a title, and while at it, it would be good to refresh some of Eseled's vassals.'
A plausible blueprint swiftly organized itself in her mind, quickly forming into a grand plan.
"In the meantime, it would be best for Eseled to lay low and conserve strength as much as possible. The same goes for the Vladina Family. Our two families have always had a strong image of seclusion, so it won't seem odd if we don't engage in external activities."
This, in fact, might even fuel people's curiosity and add a mysterious aura to the families.
Nevertheless, it wasn't possible to avoid showing themselves outside entirely.
'We need people who can recognize me and Dad.'
A suitable number of high-ranking nobles who would spread the word about them.
"In about two years, there will be a reading group hosted by Sara Lucia. It might be a good idea to make an appearance there."
Lark and the others listened intently as Navia, holding a pen, simply outlined the plan.
Navia put down her pen.
"What do you think?"
The vassals all nodded with excited expressions.
"We will follow the decision of the head of the family."
* * *
The meeting continued late into the night.
Navia wanted to stay until the end, but Lark spoke firmly.
"It's time for the child to sleep."
Indeed, Navia's eyelids were already heavy, and she had been secretly rubbing her eyes several times.
"Nero."
Lark, who had been silent with his mouth shut until now, called Nero. It meant to take Navia to her room.
Navia shook her head.
"I can go alone."
'I don't want to bother someone who doesn't like me.'
Then Nero abruptly stood up.
"I will escort you to your room."
Navia stared at him for a moment. It seemed that their conversation earlier in the day had an effect.
'He seems to be trying not to show his dislike for me in front of my father.'
The two left the room and began to ascend the stairs to the third floor.
The lamps illuminated the surroundings, but the walls and floors of the mansion were so dark that it wasn't very bright.
Moreover, Navia was already sleepy, and her eyes were blurry.
Stagger!
"Oops...!"
That's why she stumbled on the hem of her long cape over her nightgown while climbing the stairs.
When Navia thought she was about to roll down the stairs, she tightly closed her eyes.
Swoosh!
At that moment, Nero, who was walking behind her, quickly caught her in his arms.
"Are you alright?"
Confusion was evident on his face, which had been expressionless and motionless.
Navia slowly opened her eyelids, assessed the situation, and then said awkwardly.
"Ah... thank you. I almost tripped over my robe..."
Nero carefully set Navia down and then hesitated before extending his hand.
"It's dangerous."
So, take my hand.
Navia paused for a moment at Nero's awkward kindness and then smiled slightly.
'Maybe he doesn't completely dislike me.'
She felt that they might get along not too badly, living under the same roof.
Navia didn't refuse but firmly grabbed his hand.
Instead, Nero shuddered slightly.
'...She's so small.'
Nero started to climb the stairs slowly, holding Navia's hand.
It had been really a long time since he last held a child's hand.
He often held his siblings' hands when he thought they were his real siblings, not knowing the truth about the Sylas family.
'Of course, this child isn't really an eight-year-old little kid.'
Nero felt oddly restless.
It was hard to believe that this small child was actually a regressor who had lived much longer than him.
'So small.'
Round eyes, soft-looking white cheeks, and her excessively lightweight small frame.
Her physical age was definitely more than ten years younger than his.
Their steps stopped in front of the heir's room.
"Goodnight, Commander."
Navia waved her hand lightly and was about to enter her room.
"...Nero."
As Navia looked back in surprise, Nero spoke again.
"Just call me Nero."
Since he was now Navia's escort knight, it was appropriate for his master to call him by his name.
Technically, if they were to follow proper titles, it would be most accurate to call him 'Sir Sylas,' but that surname was not his.
Navia nodded obediently.
"See you tomorrow, Nero."
Thud.
The door closed, leaving Nero alone in the corridor.
He should return to the conference room, but Nero couldn't move as if he was glued to the spot.
Navia had no magical power. So she wouldn't know how much magic was laid here.
He felt Lark's concern and love in this place, covered with an overwhelming amount of protective magic.
During the day, it only felt like Lark had somehow become twisted.
But now...
"Isn't it insufficient...?"
Such a small child could be in danger even with a gust of wind.
Nero sighed as if he had no choice and leaned against the wall next to the bedroom door.
Just doing what an escort knight should do. He repeated this to himself.
* * *
The next day, newspapers, as if coordinated, all carried stories about the House of Eseled.
The royal family acknowledged the marriage of Lark and Camilla and declared Navia as the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Eseled.
They also reported the engagement of Ares and Vivian.
After checking the newspapers, Navia took out a letter she had prepared in advance and handed it to Erkin, who was drinking coffee in the dining room.
"Please send this letter to Lady Flysher."
Navia followed the same strategy her father Nikan had used to reduce Diana's influence by making the emperor's mistress a noble.
That was to win over the Flysher family.
"Flysher? Seems like a provincial noble."
Navia nodded and explained why she was aligning with them.
"Lady Flysher sent her daughter to a monastery when she learned she wasn't healthy. She then paid the monastery a large sum of money to pretend her daughter hadn't died."
That way, if her husband died, the inheritance wouldn't pass to his family, as she had a child.
"Ahh, it's rare, but there are ladies who adopt such methods."
Erkin, who had almost pulled an all-nighter in meetings, rubbed his tired eyes. However, his eyes sparkled with an unprecedented vitality.
He stroked Navia's head.
"Having you as my family is the fortune of my lifetime, Navia."
Navia smiled bashfully.
"I feel the same way, uncle."
Erkin, called uncle, made a poignant face.
The thought of such a beautiful child having to part ways with her father in two years already made his heart ache.
Navia wasn't overly lively, but she was spirited. She firmly held her ground, unshakable like a solid fortress.
She just diligently prepared for the future.
'My family.'
To protect them, Navia could become stronger than anyone else.
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