With Rose and Rocco temporarily missing, Efergan became worried. He took Rose from the base to the lord's office, claiming a package had arrived. He seemed to have realized Rose's tears were a lie but didn't say anything.
Perhaps Rose was bad at lying. Or perhaps Efergan was very sensitive and sharp. Either way, Efergan wanted to keep Rose within his reach. Rinka was in Olefa's arms, still in cat form, flying next to her.
When they arrived at the lord's office, a desk set was prepared near Efergan's desk. It seems Kerzek, who was at home alone, had prepared it. On the desk, a package and ink set were also prepared. When Rose opened it, she found the package from Follett, which contained textbooks, reference books, and several assignments prepared by the school teacher. There were also two boxes of candy neatly placed in a box. There was also a box of baked goods. Efergan's wet nurse, the cook at Jade Castle, made the baked goods. Efergan happily ate one and went back to work.
In the end, Rose understood he was telling her to study here. Although Efergan didn't say it directly, the fact that everything was prepared meant that she should stay there quietly. Rose felt very uncomfortable. Because now was not the time to study.
The cat Rinka had already gone somewhere since arriving and had not returned. When she asked Hattie, who brought hot water, she was told he had no clue where Rinka was.
In the end, Rose decided to pick up a book and read it.
"Hmm, it's difficult."
Rose said no matter how many times she read it. She thought that she couldn't understand this book if she did not sort out her feelings. She felt uneasy, so she went to the window and looked outside. A nice breeze blew through the slightly open window, which felt good. The townscape that could be seen from there was very beautiful. It was a tropical landscape. This island is surrounded by the sea and should be bustling with tourists, but the past few days have caused the number of tourists to decrease dramatically. It has become difficult to enter and leave the island.
Efain, standing near Rose, watches her actions in silence. Kerzek, standing near Efergan, is also silent. Efergan is quiet, and currently in work mode.
"Can I go outside?"
Rose called out to Efergan. Efergan stopped working and stared at Rose.
"Where to go?"
"I want to go to the roof."
"Why?"
"I'm in the mood right now."
"As long as you go with Efain, it's fine."
"Okay."
Rose took her book and climbed onto the roof with Efain. The afternoon breeze felt so good. Even if she tried to study, her head was full of thoughts of Rocco.
She couldn't concentrate at all.
In the end, Rose just sat there with her book in her arms, doing nothing, staring blankly, at the roof for over an hour.
"Rose, are you okay?"
Suddenly, Efergan's voice came from behind. He was worried about her and came up.
"Hmm? Yes."
"It doesn't look like it."
"I'm fine."
"Is there something you can't tell me?"
"..."
"Are you thinking about Rocco?"
"Yes."
"Did something... happen?"
Efergan asked.
"No."
"Did he say something?"
"Yes."
"Did you feel sad when you heard that?"
"..."
"Are you crying...?"
"..."
Efergan sighed and thought for a while.
"I guess I'll have to ask Rocco directly."
"No."
"Then tell me the reason for those tears."
"Sending people away..."
"Okay. Efain, Kerzek, leave us alone for a bit."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Efain and Kerzek went off somewhere.
"Now that I've sent people away, let me hear what you must say."
"Rocco has a mission from my father."
Rose began to speak.
"What mission is it?"
"I don't know the details, but I was told it's to protect me... and that it's a perilous mission."
"I see. Are you worried?"
"Yes."
"Rocco is strong, so I think it'll be fine."
"But it doesn't change the fact that he'll end up suffering because of me."
"Did he say he's suffering?"
Efergan listened gently, looking at her.
"He didn't."
Rose shook her head.
"Then he must have understood and accepted the mission."
"But it's a mission that could cost him his life?"
"He's a man. Just like Rose said, he's a man among men. He has his own ideas and will take on the challenge."
"How can you say that when you don't know Rocco?"
"I found out from our conversation last night. He's like me."
"Rocco said the same thing."
"I see."
Efergan smiled.
"Why do you look so happy?"
"Well, sort of..."
Efergan looked at her and answered.
"Efergan, I hate the idea of someone having to go through hardship because of me, and I don't think I'd be able to forgive myself if something were to happen to him."
"Do you not believe in Rocco, Rose?"
"Do you believe in him...?"
"Yes, I do. I believe in his strength. He's a powerful person, both in body and mind and I'm sure he'll return safely."
"Once the mission finished, he might officially start dating me."
"That's a problem..."
"Really..."
"But I won't lose. If he does it proudly, I'll protect you with dignity and open the door to your heart."
Efergan replied and brushed the hair off Rose's face.
"I don't know what to do."
"Just do what Rose wants."
"Umh."
"It doesn't have to be right now, you can take your time to think about it. Accept anything you feel, and you'll know which direction is best for you."
"Yes."
"Okay, wipe away your tears."
Efergan took a handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to her. Rose took the handkerchief and wiped away her tears.
"Shall we have a birthday party for Rocco for dinner tonight?"
"Yes."
"But you didn't say anything yesterday. If I had known yesterday, I would have prepared a gift."
"I decided today."
"What?"
"Birthday."
"Huh?"
"Rocco said he didn't know his birthday, so I gave him a birthday. From today, this day is Rocco's birthday."
"I see. That's typical of Rose. So, what did Rocco say?"
"He looked troubled. But he said thank you."
"I see."
Efergan smiled.
"Hmm. Maybe I'm weird after all."
"No. I'd be happy to accept it if I was him."
"Hmm, but I couldn't do anything for Efergan's birthday."
"Just having Rose nearby makes me happier than anything."
"Thank you."
Rose smiled and thanked him.
"Yes. How's it going? Feeling a little better?"
"Yeah. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Shall we go inside now?"
"Yeah. Ah, Efergan..."
"Yes."
"About my birthday..."
Rose hesitated to say it.
"When?"
Efergan asked.
"Oh, no. Don't worry about it."
"If you don't tell me, I'll ask daily."
"Mm... ten days from now."
"I thought it would be further in the future, but it's so close that preparing a gift is a pain."
"It's fine. I don't need a gift."
"That's not possible."
"Hmm, then... I want you to spend a day with me without work."
Efergan stopped. He stares at Rose.
"I understand. I'll try my best to get that day off."
"If that's impossible... well, I guess there's no other way. Sorry for being selfish."
"No. It's fine. Let's go inside. It's about time for Etule and the others to come back."
"Yes."
When they returned to the room, Etule and the others had returned as expected and reported the results of their investigation today. All of these seemingly separate incidents were connected.
The former lord's son and his comrades kidnapped women who seemed to have relatively high magical powers, did whatever they wanted with them, and sold them off to people called 'human sellers'. The human sellers sold the women to several magicians as experimental tools. Some turned into magic stones, while others suffered even more tragic fates. Several died in experiments on the effectiveness of drugs. Several people also lost their lives in magical experiments. Just by comparing the records and looking at the list of missing people, it was said there were at least sixty people. Only about half of them survived, and the rest either died or were sold as magic stones, and the investigation is still ongoing, the Black Ops said. Some Black Ops members looked gloomy at the reality that it would be difficult to find out because there was no sales record. So far, almost everyone involved in the human and magical item sales, as well as the counterfeit drug sellers and manufacturers, have been arrested. Efergan ordered the Black Ops to continue the investigation and interrogation.
Then a report came in from the capital. The lord who ruled the island and his family were conclusively suspected of embezzlement. Numerous acts of extravagance, abuse of power, and bribery became indisputable facts. Much evidence was found, and even the names of people connected to the central government appeared. Such fraud had not been exposed until now and seems to have been due to the cover-up with bribes, which had successfully deceived the Emperor. Efergan said that this act was a serious crime worthy of a thousand deaths.
Numerous pieces of evidence were gathered and neatly organized. Evidence of construction fraud in schools and hospitals was also found. Efergan read the report and the evidence, nodded to himself, and ordered the investigation to continue.
After a while, Galey and Rocco appeared. Rocco was no longer wearing Suzukinoyama's military uniform but was now wearing traveler's clothes. He was carrying a small bag in one hand. His face was very gloomy. Galey reported the results of Jen's interrogation to Efergan.
The summoning of terrorist acts of Alhatross and the surrounding countries was an act to expose Rose. He also said that he had attacked many villages and towns to turn them into magic stones to power his magical power. After hearing from his informant in Alhatross that Rose was studying abroad at Suzukinoyama, Jen decided to go there. He then said that he intended to provide the summoning formula to the rebels and carry out a terrorist attack. He also confessed that he was involved in the incident with the monsters in Banada Village. Rose wondered how Rocco and Galey had made him confess, but decided not to ask because she was scared.
And his connection with the Morgs was clear. He received huge funds from the Kingdom of Morg and acted according to instructions. Now, more and more people worldwide are involved with the Morg. Efergan and his men were shocked that so many people had fallen into the sweet trap of money. Rocco said that the name of the Morg minion related to Jen has also been revealed. Her name is Bilina.
Rose was surprised when she heard that. Because it was Rose who helped Bilina. The woman trapped in the magic stone pendant that Rinka had stolen was Bilina, a tourist from the country of Dwipa, and she was weak. She did not look like a minion of the Morgs. However, Jen said the name, so he needed to confirm the facts. So Rocco went to the capital and prepared to go to the embassy of the country of Dwipa. Rocco explained that if Bilina had already returned to her home country, he would need to follow her to Dwipa. It was an important mission, so Rocco had to leave the island. Even though Rose understood that she was still lonely. Because she would have to part ways with him again.
"I understand. We will also make arrangements within the country and track down her whereabouts. Are you heading to the capital now?"
"Yes."
Rocco nodded.
"You can go after dinner. Rose told me that today is your birthday so we'll have a party..."
"I appreciate your kindness. But we need to track down Bilina as soon as possible. This country will be in danger if Rose's identity is revealed."
"Why is that?"
"Rose was announced as the most dangerous person in the Kingdom of Morg. They may send assassins or bounty hunters behind the scenes to attack her, or they may openly bring about a war."
"That would be a big deal."
Rocco nodded when he heard Efergan's words.
"That's why we must find Bilina and capture her as soon as possible."
Efergan nodded. Indeed, he thought, this was a big deal.
"Okay. I'll make arrangements to go to the capital. Etule, I know you're tired, but please guide Rocco to the capital. You can return after you're done. Anyway, fully cooperate with Rocco's search in the capital."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Etule said.
"Thank you."
"Rocco, this may be rude, but I think you'll need it from now on, so could you please accept this travel money to help with the investigation?"
Efergan put the money bag on the desk and handed it to Rocco.
"I got the travel money from my master."
Rocco said, refusing.
"This is my personal feeling. You'll need a lot of money from now on, as you may be crossing the sea."
"I'll be grateful for your feelings."
"You really won't accept it?"
Efergan looked at him and asked.
"If you can give it to me... well, give me one of those thunderbird stones."
Rocco pointed to the unpolished thunderbird stones in the bag. Efergan took the bag and put it in front of Rocco. Rocco picked up one at random.
"Then I'll take this one."
"Is that all you need?"
"Yes. This one is enough. Thank you."
"Alright."
Rocco nodded.
"Your Highness, please take good care of Princess Rose, the First Princess of Alhatross. I entrust her safety and smile to Your Highness."
Rocco bowed his head and politely requested. Efergan responded, looking straight at Rocco and answering.
"I will protect her with all my heart and soul."
"Thank you."
Rocco put out his hand and shook hands with Efergan. He had a look that said it was a man's promise.
Rocco came in front of Rose and knelt down. Tears were welling up in Rose's eyes again. Her tears were something he hated.
"Don't cry."
"I can't."
"You told me that before."
"..."
Rose was staring at Rocco.
"I will definitely come back, so please believe me."
"You will return safe, healthy, and with all your limbs intact."
"That order is still valid, and I have sworn to fulfill it."
"I have no intention of retracting it."
Rocco smiles as Rose says this.
"I understand."
"I will miss you though..."
"Me too."
"But when we meet again, let's talk a lot..."
"Of course I will."
"Because we are friends."
"That's right. Rose is Rocco's friend."
"Yes."
Rose now realizes that it is not Rocco in front of her. He is Felto.
"Will you smile for me?"
"Just a little."
"That's enough. I will definitely come back alive for that smile."
Rose smiled at him as best she could. Tears flowed on their own, but her lips overflowed with a smile. Rocco wiped her tears with his fingers and gently kissed her hand.
"I'm off, Rose."
"Good riddance, you two. Good luck."
Rocco smiled and stood up. He bowed to Efergan, who was watching Rose and Rocco's conversation, and left the room with Etule. He set off for the capital. To protect Rose, he will now take on a life-risking mission.
One of those missions is the assassination of Akbar Morgan. Rocco has a long, difficult road ahead of him, but Rose doesn't know it.