The Grand Duke’s Fox Princess

Episode 44: When the Princess is Away, the Bad Guys Come Out to Play (I)

‘Maybe this…’

Heinricion’s eyes narrowed. 

‘I think I’ve found a clue.’ 

His fingers moved quickly. Checking each letter to see if there was anything missing.

He had figured it out after reading it all. This was a keepsake left by his father.

His green eyes turned to the book that was still open. There were a few lines that caught his eye.

‘There must be a way.’

How to get Eristella back to her original form. The clue was in here.

Albeit uncertain.

*******

Heinricion returned to the office as it was.

He had no time to hesitate. He had to calculate several possibilities as quickly as possible.

As soon as he entered the office, he sat down at his desk. He didn’t even notice who was around. He was completely engrossed in his calculations.

‘What are you so focused on?’

Although suspicious, Eristella decided to watch quietly for the time being.

It was when Heinricion, who belatedly noticed Eristella’s existence after some time, tried to open his mouth.

Tun tun tun tun–!

The intense presence felt outside the mansion made Heinricion’s and Eristella’s heads turn at the same time.

With this kind of echo…

‘I think something happened.’

Again, the sound of urgent footsteps rang out. The door burst open and Rowen entered.

“There’s big trouble!”

It was confirmed. Something unusual had happened.

“The black wizards have moved! They made a surprise attack on the knights who have been dispatched to the Prouthu region.”

Indeed, things exploded.

The empire was in shock. It was the effect evoked by the words ‘black magic’ that had once popped out of the world.

“What is the current status?”

“One is dead and three are in critical condition. Doctors and wizards are all being mobilized to treat them.”

“Any chance of recovery?”

“I can’t say for sure.”

Creases formed on Heinricion’s forehead. Rowen was answering with the utmost caution, but it meant that those who were seriously injured were less likely to recover.

“How serious is it?”

“That is… Everyone is on high alert, so we can’t establish the exact situation, but it seems like there was only one black wizard who attacked.”

“……!”

‘You mean one person made four people like that?’

Eristella’s face darkened even more. The black wizards seemed stronger than what she knew.

‘Did they continue to develop their strength in the meantime? At this rapid rate?’

Still, this was much faster than expected.

“And of all things, the place where the incident took place… It’s Prouthu.”

“…….”

It was the place where Princess Eristella disappeared. Of course, it wasn’t just a coincidence. It meant that they were moving with a clear purpose and intention, not merely attacking unplanned.

“This is a declaration of war.”

“It’s obvious.”

The incident was committed like a show of grace.

It was a signal that they were going to be aggressive from now on because they couldn’t hide anymore.

This was only the beginning. More things were in store.

So the empire had to come up with a plan to respond to their provocations.

“What is the reaction of the Imperial Palace or the Wizards Association?”

“They are gathering as much information as possible, but they are more helpless than previously thought. That’s why I’m here to ask you to attend the meeting right now, because they have to discuss it with Your Excellency.”

Again, it was as expected.

“I will go.”

Whatever was said there, it was necessary to go and check it out in person because this was something at the imperial level.

It was when Heinricion was about to head to the Imperial Palace.

Eristella, who had been quietly listening to the conversation until now, tugged the hem of Heinricion’s pants.

When Heinricion turned around, Eristella expressed her opinion as if she had been waiting for an opportunity to do so.

‘There will surely be someone involved in black magic.’

Eristella was convinced. There would definitely be a spy in the wizard’s meeting.

‘You have to be careful.’

“Okay.”

Heinricion patted the fox’s head a couple times, noticing its concern.

He was saying to not worry and just wait.

*******

Wizards protecting the empire gathered. They were pouring out arguments without hiding their embarrassed faces.

“There is too little data on black magic.”

“It’s been the same since research was cut off a hundred years ago.”

“In addition, a lot of the data that had been studied before that was lost.”

There was not much data left due to fire or negligence in management.

Moreover, the data was so old that reliability was a problem.

“It’s a problem right now, but there’s no information we can use to prepare.”

It was frustrating, and no solution could be perceived. Without a doubt, this situation was the worst.

“At least, information from the Grand Duchy of Adelasia will be helpful.”

“Your Excellency the Grand Duke, I would like to ask you a favor on this matter.”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Heinricion.

In fact, from the beginning, it was revealed from their attitude that this meeting was nothing more than a request to lean on Heinricion.

“I have to do what I can to cooperate.”

Heinricion replied as if it were a matter of fact. Only then did relief appear on the wizards’ faces.

In the end, Heinricion was expected to solve all the problems.

“Do you know this story? It’s said that materials related to black magic have been released from the princess’s palace, have you heard of it?”

“……?”

As Count Wessler spoke, one of Heinricion’s eyebrows rose.

It was something Heinricion hadn’t heard of. He glanced at Rowen, who was waiting outside the door, and tilted his head slightly.

It meant to go find out right away.

Count Wessler’s story continued as Rowen left the meeting room for a moment.

“I know, and the place where the problem occurred this time… Isn’t that a bit strange?”

“Come to think of it, there’s something weird from the start.”

Then Count Brooks responded as if he had been waiting, adding strength to the misgivings.

“Even if you don’t want to admit it, isn’t it the magic of the princess?”

The princess’s vast magical power was like an absolute truth that no one dared to refute. Since Princess Eristella could not be surpassed, he dared not even show his inferiority complex.

“I wonder what happened that threatened the life of Her Highness the Princess.”

Baron Fabrian, who had been quietly staying in his seat so far amid the suspicion that was pouring in due to the critical situation, cautiously opened his mouth.

“It’s more realistic that it’s a self-written play rather than assuming she had been tricked or beaten.”

“…I agree with that opinion.”

It was a doubt that stemmed from recognition of Eristella’s ability.

It was ridiculous.

Heinricion, who had not said a single thing so far, opened his mouth.

“Is this place a place to harm other people?”

“That…”

“You must be quite free.”

It was uselessly boring.

“No, we don’t mean…!”

At Heinricion’s fleeting glance, the count’s face turned red. They wanted to claim their innocence one way or the other.

Without knowing that the more they did, the uglier they looked.

“First, we need to analyze the countermeasures, so let’s get to them.”

Heinricion did not want to stay in this place any longer. He got up and kicked the door without looking back.

*******

While Heinricion was in the Imperial Palace.

Eristella learned of another incident.

The fox was staring at Sonia and Charlotte alternately. Then she asked Sonia.

[What the hell happened? Why have you been deprived of everything you should have?]

“It was something I didn’t have to begin with.”

[No way. I gave it to you because it would be your strength. And it’s something you need right now.]

“…….”

Ever since Eristella reunited with Sonia, there was something she had been wondering.

While she was still strong as a princess, Eristella praised Sonia for her contributions and promoted her to a stable position.

It included wealth and honor.

But now Sonia had nothing left. And she finally found out why.

It all went to those led by Greta Lateran.

[Why didn’t you tell me?]

“…….”

Eristella realized without hearing anything.

It wasn’t something that could be said. Sonia was like this because Eristella suddenly disappeared and reappeared late.

Sonia couldn’t have been able to appeal to her own unfair situation when Eristella couldn’t help being a fox right now.

‘But it’s the only thing I’ve done for you.’

[Sonia. Don’t lose what’s yours. No matter what it takes, I have to get it back.]

“It’s not urgent right now, we can take it back slowly later…”

[No. There is no later.]

There was no end to putting things off by considering priorities.

When the problem to be solved was at hand.

Eristella now knew that it was the best time to do something.

‘Because I couldn’t deliver it to you properly. I’ll get it back.’

Eristella made a promise to Sonia.