The Price of Breaching the Contract - Chapter 44

As Angela delivered the news, Yulania’s conviction about the Saintess solidified into fact.

“Nutswood is indeed owned by the royal family.”

Yulania’s eyes sharpened at Angela’s words. The short sentence fit into place like the final piece of a long and intricate puzzle.

“Since when?”

“About three years ago, to be exact. The royal family registered the entire forest around Nutswood as private property and began restricting access to outsiders. It didn’t attract much attention at the time, as it wasn’t particularly important or fertile land.”

Yulania inhaled slowly. Three years ago. The timing was subtly aligned with her marriage and the beginning of the demons’ resurgence.

“Angela, you’ve done a great job.”

Yulania placed her hand on the desk and gripped it slightly. A small tremor could be felt in her tightly clenched fingertips, but her expression remained calm. A small spark of joy flickered in Angela’s eyes, as if a light had been turned on. Ever since they lived together in the capital, Yulania had never overlooked her. She praised even the smallest efforts and didn’t harshly scold mistakes. For Angela, staying by Yulania’s side was the most natural choice.

“That’s not all.”

Angela turned the document in her hand to the next page for the following report. Her long, slender fingers flipped to the next page without hesitation.

“You know the contraceptive pills that a woman named Samantha had been taking? The ones made from Aboli flowers? It seems… they actually originated from the Devil’s Land.”

Yulania’s hand stopped moving. She fixed her gaze silently and waited for Angela’s next words.

“You remember Samantha’s husband, right? He’s a member of the Makari Knights. He’s participated in expeditions beyond the wall several times, though not many.”

“So someone…”

“Yes, must have transplanted it. Probably that knight. He wouldn’t have had malicious intent. There’s been talk for a long time that plants touched by the blood of demons have special properties. Everyone dismissed it as superstition, but some people have secretly tried it.”

Yulania pursed her lips and nodded slowly. The Devil’s Land was a symbol of terror in itself, but it was also a land where mysterious powers existed. A place where danger and mystery were mixed. That’s why no one dared to set foot there, and that’s how the secret could be kept for so long.

“I suppose it wasn’t forbidden to bring something from that land.”

“That’s right. There were no regulations. It’s just an ethical issue.”

Yulania smiled quietly at Angela’s words. Sometimes, small disorders can be clues that reveal greater truths. Someone’s whimsical curiosity and impulse had explained the reality of the Saintess to her.

“So that’s how the drug flowed to the southern part of the capital.”

“It’s quite a distance from Makari to the southern capital, but Samantha is originally from there. She must have traveled there often.”

Yulania leaned back slowly in her chair. Her mind was complicated by the newly received information, but the core was clear.

‘Father.’

She held the name that made her heart ache every time she called it, inside.

Before long, the large-scale expedition was only awaiting the final meeting.

The temporary conference room in the west wing of Makari Castle began to bustle early in the morning. The number of people was considerable, including the Makari Knights led by Santia, the northern knights led by Hylon, and the investigation team dispatched by the royal family, so it was impossible to fit everyone in the original conference room. In the end, a large hall was emptied, long tables were brought in, and key figures representing each region gathered in one place.

The quiet space was filled with the sound of leather rubbing against military uniforms, the whispers of clerks unfolding documents, and voices concealing tension.

Santia bowed politely and announced the start of the meeting.

“Today’s meeting is for finalizing the personnel and allocating roles. First of all, thank you for coming such a long way.”

The briefly chaotic atmosphere settled down, and after everyone took their seats, the meeting began in earnest. Santia briefly summarized the reports on the unusual signs of the Holy Stone’s reaction and the reappearance of demons, and continued.

“This expedition is not a simple reconnaissance. The goal is to enter the enemy’s center, confirm, and if possible, eliminate the source. Since the strange mana vibrations detected on the outskirts of the wall last month, the demons we observed in the previous surveys have become peculiar.”

As he finished speaking, low sighs flowed from various places around the table. Their faces were filled not with simple fear, but with a shuddering sense of disgust. In particular, the Makari Knights’ faces clearly showed their familiar feelings of hatred.

Diego crossed his arms and raised the corners of his mouth.

“If you take down the boss this time, you’ll be an even greater hero than the Devil Slayer.”

The meeting room was briefly filled with laughter at those words. However, the atmosphere quickly became tense again. Then Yurban slowly raised his hand and spoke.

“The royal family can’t be left out of such an important fight.”

All eyes turned to him. Yurban had been attending the meetings, but had been quiet without making any particular comments. Following Diego’s remarks, he was now expressing a clear opinion for the first time.

“I think the royal family should now share the burden that Makari is bearing. I will also lend my strength.”

In an instant, the air in the room changed subtly. Santia looked straight at Yurban. Outwardly, it was a good thing. The royal family’s cooperation, with the prince’s direct participation, would solidify the justification for the expedition and promote the integration of each force. But personally, Santia did not fully trust Yurban.

“I gratefully accept your offer.”

Santia replied concisely. Yurban smiled slightly and nodded. His words caused a stir throughout the meeting room.

Next, Mireya rose from her seat. As the knight representing the North, she continued her report in a calm tone.

“Forty elite members from various northern knight orders will participate in this expedition. Half of them are riders skilled in long-distance tracking. The rest are specialized in defense and can respond flexibly even in small-scale engagements.”

Following Mireya’s words, the representative of the royal investigation team stood up. He was a middle-aged knight who was relatively old, and spoke in a voice filled with experience.

“We will also follow the instructions of His Excellency the Duke of Makari, who will serve as the commander-in-chief of this expedition. Please understand that the safety of the prince must be prioritized in emergencies.”

As each person’s role and preparations were reported, Santia took notes and responded calmly. The numerous conversations he had with Yulania filled his mind. This expedition was not a simple battle. It was a matter of the survival of the North, and further, the entire kingdom, and it would be a turning point in history.

Finally, Diego spoke again.

“I’d like to add one thing. The demon we have to face now is not just brute force. It is clearly protecting something, and a terrible presence is lurking beyond the demon horde.”

In an instant, the hall fell silent. Everyone became solemn as the existence of a new demon approached as an imminent reality.

Santia concluded the meeting by saying.

“I don’t know what outcome this expedition will bring. But at least, the best we can do now is to unite and confront them. No demon has survived standing in my way. I can confidently say that much.”

At those words, everyone sitting at the table nodded with determined expressions. The determination of those with the same goal quietly filled the space.

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