A fortune-telling princess Chapter 128

“Fortunately, the number of beasts shouldn’t be too high. Unlike in the past, only those that can withstand extreme cold would have survived.”

“Even so, if just one of them reaches a village, it’ll be destroyed in an instant.”

“That’s true.”

The three men—Duke Escra, Count Althon, and Jaynor—continued their discussion.

“Schultz Mountains…”

The name rang a bell for Camilla. The Schultz Mountains were a recurring topic whenever the Gracia Empire was mentioned. Known for their rugged terrain, the mountains were infamous for another reason.

At her muttered words, all three men turned their attention to her.

“It’s called the Paradise of Beasts,” Jaynor said helpfully.

“But long ago, the climate shifted, and ice walls formed around the Schultz Mountains.”

Camilla nodded, already familiar with this history.

The ice walls had kept the beasts contained, ensuring the surrounding regions’ safety. But now…

“Those ice walls are melting rapidly.”

“Is it the weather?”

“Exactly.”

This was an angle she hadn’t considered. The recent warming, aided by the prolonged absence of the Winter Spirit King’s wrath, had unintended consequences.

“I’m really curious about why it’s gotten so warm all of a sudden,” Jaynor said, his gaze fixed on Camilla.

“Aren’t you curious too?”

“…It’s unusual.”

“That’s all?”

“What else should there be?”

“Good question. Why do I feel like there’s more to it?”

‘Does this guy know something?’ Camilla wondered, frustrated. Why was he directing such comments at her?

“Anyway,” Jaynor continued with his signature calm smile, “could I ask for your help with something?”

“My help?”

“To be more precise, I’d like the help of your mystical beast.”

Following Jaynor’s gaze, Camilla looked at King.

[Gyuu?]

With an apple still in his mouth, King glanced at her as if to say, What’s going on now?

“Historical records often mention mystical beasts being used to combat monsters,” Jaynor explained.

Camilla vaguely remembered reading about this. Long ago, before the Gracia Empire became covered in snow, mystical beasts were sent to the Schultz Mountains to assist in hunting beasts as a gesture of goodwill.

“And we happen to have a mystical beast right here,” Jaynor added, his smile widening.

“Rejected.”

The response came from Duke Escra, who didn’t even let Jaynor finish his thought.

“What could that tiny thing possibly do?”

“It’s small, but it’s still a mystical beast. I’ve heard they possess extraordinary power against evil creatures and monsters. Why not test it?”

Duke Escra frowned.

“Using a mystical beast without the approval of the Sorpel Duke could cause international issues.”

“Surely Camilla could get permission,” Jaynor suggested smoothly.

“Besides, mystical beasts don’t follow just anyone.”

“I’m aware of that.”

“Which means if the mystical beast goes, she has to go too.”

“That’s probably true.”

“Then it’s a no.”

Duke Escra ended the conversation firmly, leaving no room for debate. Jaynor, knowing the Duke’s resolute nature, didn’t press further.

***

“You want to go with Jaynor?”

“Yes.”

Jaynor had been selected to lead the reinforcements heading to the Schultz Mountains. Though he had only recently returned home, there was no time to rest. The situation there was dire.

If the beasts trapped behind the melting ice walls broke free, chaos would ensue.

“Why?”

“I don’t think I’d sleep well otherwise.”

“What?”

Camilla’s response seemed like a joke to the Duke, whose brow furrowed deeply. Seeing this, she gestured toward King.

“He wants to go.”

[Gyuu?]

King looked up from playing with a ball as if to say, When did I say that?

“As Jaynor mentioned, he might be helpful.”

“It’s not your concern.”

The Duke tossed aside the documents in his hand and pressed his temples as though warding off a headache. He looked exhausted, likely from another sleepless night.

Rustle.

Camilla pulled something from her bag and placed it in front of him: a piece of candy.

“Sugar helps with fatigue,” she said. It was a habit from her past life as a busy celebrity when candy had often been her go-to meal replacement.

“…”

The Duke stared at the candy, then at Camilla, before letting out a soft chuckle.

“Still no.”

“Still going.”

“Camilla.”

The sound of her name caught her off guard. He rarely addressed her directly like this, and it gave her a strange feeling.

“The Schultz Mountains are dangerous.”

“I know.”

“And you still want to go?”

“I might be able to help.”

Camilla repeated her earlier statement, though she wasn’t entirely sure herself. She didn’t expect King to do much against the beasts, given he was still young and far from fully developed.

But something about this situation didn’t sit right with her.

‘I’m partly responsible.’

If she hadn’t interfered, winter would still dominate the region, and the ice walls wouldn’t be melting. Spring was a blessing, but the chaos it caused made her feel obligated to help.

‘And Jaynor…’

She needed to figure out what he was up to. His cryptic comments had left her unsettled. If she let him leave for the Schultz Mountains, she’d be left stewing in her unease.

“I don’t plan to fight.”

“No one expects you to.”

The Duke raised an eyebrow, looking unimpressed.

‘He has no idea I can handle myself.’ Camilla thought, recalling her experience with Zeno’s borrowed strength.

“I’ll just check if King can be of help and then stay out of the way.”

After a long silence, the Duke relented.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Thank you.”

Camilla scooped up King and stood, giving a slight bow before leaving the room.

***

“Miss Camilla, you were here,” Count Althon said as he entered.

“I was just leaving.”

“So soon? Stay a bit longer.”

“Maybe next time.”

Ignoring his disappointment, Camilla exited the room.

“Did you speak with her?” Count Althon asked as he turned to the Duke.

“Hmm.”

The Duke didn’t reply, instead drumming his fingers on the armrest, lost in thought.

“It’s probably safer with Jaynor there, but…”

“You’re not thinking of going yourself, are you?”

When the Duke didn’t reply, Count Althon’s expression darkened.

“You have too much work to leave! Where would you even go?”

“Schultz Mount—”

The Duke’s words froze as he turned to see Count Althon popping a piece of candy into his mouth.

“What are you eating?”

“Huh? Candy. It’s delicious. Where did you—”

The Count’s grin faded as he noticed the Duke’s menacing aura.

“Spit it out.”

“What?”

“I said spit it out!”

“Why? It’s just candy!”

“Just candy?!”

Moments later, Count Althon found himself held by the collar, thoroughly shaken by the irate Duke.

****

“Ugh, it’s freezing!”

“Indeed.”

“Why is it still so cold here?”

The Schultz Mountains were supposed to be warming, enough to melt the ice walls.

In the end, the Duke had given in to Camilla’s insistence. She was now part of the group heading to the Schultz Mountains, armed with an absurd amount of teleportation stones.

“If anything happens, use them immediately!” he had ordered, stuffing her bag with the expensive magical items.

“Miss Camilla?” Dorman asked.

“What?”

“Could I have one of those stones?”

Dorman had been eyeing the teleportation stones since they departed.

“I’ll need one if things get dangerous.”

“Then you shouldn’t have come.”

“But I couldn’t let you go alone!”

“Dorman.”

“Yes?”

“A shield isn’t for running away. It’s for protecting.”

“…”

“Keep me safe until I can use my stone to escape.”

“Wow, really?!”

Watching him pout dramatically, Camilla chuckled under her breath. ‘What a funny guy.’