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Chapter 320

Several years after the fierce battle between the ancient apex of the dragon species and the new apex, which humans remained unaware of, Lenia of the Arkrest Kingdom had become a notorious troublemaker known to anyone involved in magic.

Her overwhelming combat abilities, demonstrated at the Magus Tournament during her student years, rivaled or even surpassed those of the strongest mages from various nations. Her highly combative and arrogant personality, coupled with her willingness to cruelly oppress the weak, also contributed to her infamous reputation.

However, she only tormented the weak when necessary and preferred to crush those who thought highly of themselves, reducing them to tears and snot while breaking their spirits. This meant she refrained from abusing her noble status for unreasonable acts, which was somewhat of a relief.

After graduating from the Magic Academy, Lenia had seriously considered taking a position in the Bern territory where Dran, whom she revered as her soul’s father, resided. However, to meet the expectations of her human parents, she returned to her homeland, the Blaster Baronial Domain.

Despite her petite and delicate frame, her glossy raven-black hair, and her fairy-like adorable appearance, her time at the Magic Academy hadn’t changed her cuteness. But the people of the Blaster Baronial Domain knew well that she was a troublemaker, both ferocious and violent.

The encounter with Dran during her second year at the Magic Academy had softened her somewhat, though her first instinct when facing an adversary was still to kill them. Despite her combat prowess, Lenia, being a divine beast created directly by the great evil god Karavis, possessed numerous other extraordinary abilities.

Her intelligence, for instance, allowed her to comprehend all phenomena occurring in the universe from a single gust of wind—a ridiculous ability. To live as a human without these distractions, she limited her thoughts to her human brain, yet still maintained a level of intelligence that could be considered genius.

In summary, while Lenia’s behavior and personality were less than ideal for a noblewoman, her administrative skills were exceptional. During her school breaks, she astonished her parents and vassals with her intelligence by providing highly useful strategies.

Now, having returned home at the age of twenty, she was trying to be useful to her parents while they eagerly anticipated grandchildren from her.

「Irina!」

Lenia’s voice boomed through the mansion established in a corner of the domain’s capital. She had practically abducted—rather, forcefully recruited—her classmate Irina upon graduating from the Magic Academy. Irina, a lower-ranked noble without land and living on a stipend, was overjoyed by the opportunity, and as Lenia’s irreplaceable best friend, she followed without regret despite the challenges.

「Coming, coming! What’s up, Lenia-chan!」

Lenia summoned Irina to the office within their three-story mansion filled with refreshing air. Lenia wore a black, highly mobile uniform adorned suitably for a noble’s daughter, while Irina wore a similarly styled but less ornate uniform.

「What’s the status of the report on that matter?」

「I was just about to bring it to you. Here you go.」

「Hmm.」

Receiving the documents from Irina, Lenia quickly skimmed through them while seated at her desk. The two of them, now back at Lenia’s family home, were engaged in duties akin to those of police officers rather than bureaucrats. In this era, the police force also served as the military, with knights and soldiers fulfilling these roles in the barony.

Leveraging her abilities and status as the lord’s daughter, Lenia established an independent police force and assumed the role of its head. Besides the house servants who handled cleaning and meals, Irina was the only formal staff member, essentially creating a workplace for just the two of them.

「As I thought. The improved transportation network to Bern has increased the flow of wealth and people into our barony, but it’s also attracted more petty criminals,」 Lenia stated.

「You can tell that just from this information? It’s just a list of people and goods passing through the territory, isn’t it?」

「That’s enough. The time taken to pass through the barony, what they acquired and discarded, there’s plenty of information here,」 Lenia said, placing the documents neatly on her desk, a testament to her parents’ strict upbringing. She then stood, her displeasure evident, and began striding purposefully. Irina, understanding that Lenia wouldn’t stop until her task was complete, followed suit.

「What are you planning to do, Lenia-chan?」

「There’s a matter that needs immediate attention before it’s too late. Smuggling of moonshine and poached goods can be handled by other officers, but human trafficking is another story. Those bastards think they can conduct their filthy business in our barony. I’ll make them regret it.」

With a fierce expression that would terrify even seasoned warriors, Lenia’s determination was palpable. Despite being used to it, Irina still felt a slight fear.

「There have been rumors of criminal organizations from the Goulat and Thudang Kingdoms infiltrating our territory. Could it be true?」

「Both countries have been cleaning house before and after the war. Those fleeing the purges and those sent with government support are likely responsible. They might also be investigating the Bern military’s capabilities, especially Dran’s forces, displayed during the war with the Demon King’s army. Any crimes they commit here are probably secondary. It’s infuriating.」

Though Lenia had no solid proof and had to be restrained since Goulat and Thudang were ostensibly friendly nations, she was seriously contemplating attacking and annihilating them. Unable to do so, she instead focused on eradicating criminals operating in her backyard, a continuation of her efforts during school breaks when she discreetly dealt with violent criminals.

「I’m off.」

「Take care.」

「I’ll be back by noon.」

With that, Lenia left the mansion alone. Although one might worry about her safety, Irina knew such concerns were unnecessary.

Lenia, embodying destruction, attacked a criminal organization involved in human trafficking. Their hideout was a stylish mansion hidden by a lakeside on the outskirts of the domain’s capital.

Beneath the mansion, people from the Arkrest Kingdom and neighboring countries were illegally gathered and auctioned. Lenia’s assault led to the mansion’s significant destruction and the apprehension of the criminals, who were left barely alive, awaiting the arrival of the knight order dispatched by Irina.

Having freed the captives and provided first aid, Lenia called a large man among them to the mansion’s backyard for questioning. The man, clad in travel-worn attire with a greatsword on his back, looked like a mercenary or adventurer.

His striking appearance combined beauty, valor, and overwhelming masculinity. Despite his capture by the criminal organization, Lenia, who knew his true identity, found the situation absurd.

「What were you doing, getting yourself caught like this?」

The man laughed, answering Lenia’s irritated inquiry.

「With the troubles in the west settled, I came to see this interesting country. Despite the official abolition of slavery, such transactions happen behind the scenes.

It’s amusing to see someone like you providing such a straightforward solution,」 he said, his back adorned with the divine sword Garandine.

This man was none other than Yaharm, the Demon King, who had terrorized the Arkrest Kingdom and Romar Empire years ago.

Disguised as a human, he claimed to be sightseeing and got himself captured by the human trafficking organization, likely to see where he would be sold.

「The Demon King himself, disguised and infiltrating our kingdom. Planning to start another war?」

「Only you know I’m Yaharm. Just keep it to yourself,」 he said casually.

「You say that lightly. I could kill you right here and now, causing internal strife in your kingdom without a Demon King. It would prevent them from attacking us,」 Lenia threatened, her killing intent rising.

「No need for hostility, Lenia. I genuinely don’t intend to start a war now. You all are quite strong. It would take more preparation to fight you properly. And besides, I’m confident I could escape if needed. Laughable as it is,」 Yaharm laughed.

「What’s so funny?」

Lenia seriously considered killing him on the spot, but Yaharm seemed unfazed by her internal struggle and murderous intent.

「I’m facing the woman who attacked our stronghold and made me taste dirt. It’s amusing. Besides, though disguised, I’m respecting the laws here. I haven’t done anything to warrant such hostility.」

「Illegal entry is enough of a crime.」

「But you’re not planning to apprehend me with force, are you? It would take more effort than when you attacked this mansion, bringing unnecessary trouble your way.」

「Tch, cunning as ever. If you appear on the battlefield again, I’ll tear out your heart and soul. If you don’t want that, stay hidden in the north for a hundred years!」

「Haha, I’m honored you’d personally handle me. I’ll be sightseeing here for a while. Take care.」

「What!?」

Lenia reflexively tried to summon her psychic dragon to crush Yaharm, but the arrival of the knight order arranged by Irina interrupted her. As declared, Yaharm stayed in the Blaster Baronial Domain, occasionally showing up during Lenia and Irina’s investigations, much to Lenia’s irritation. It seemed the Demon King was not skilled at romantic pursuits.