TFLMLD 70

Chapter 70 Evelyn’s Provocation and Macaron’s Strategy

For a moment, Evelyn’s blue eyes sparkled and shone.

“So, this was information I didn’t know after all.”

Shufen smiled meaningfully.

“Isn’t this entertaining enough?”

“Is what you’re saying true?”

By this point, more than half of the truth had already come through. Shufen drove the point home.

“Do you think I’d come all this way just to lie for the face you want to see?”

Evelyn nodded as if acknowledging his words. She smiled faintly at the interesting revelation but felt a strange sense of unease as she looked at Shufen. The odd question that had been circling her mind finally began to take shape.

‘Shufen deliberately came here to connect me with Macaron?’

There was no benefit for Shufen in connecting Macaron and Evelyn. After thinking it through carefully, Evelyn quickly concluded her reasoning and hardened her face coldly.

“Exactly.”

Just as Shufen was about to stand, Evelyn blocked his path and smirked.

“But I’m curious.”

“……”

“Why would you bother coming here and teaching me this when I didn’t even ask?”

At that moment, a rare crack appeared in Shufen’s eyes. He hid it quite skillfully, pretending to be nonchalant, but Evelyn wasn’t oblivious.

“Well, of course…”

“……”

“I’m saying this because I hope you and Macaron get along well.”

There was an unusual impatience in Shufen’s demeanor, unlike his usual self.

“So… why?”

His low whisper was tinged with a sinister temptation.

‘What could you possibly gain from going this far?’

There were only two potential benefits Shufen could gain by provoking Evelyn: influencing Macaron to become emperor, or… Evelyn’s lips curved into a subtle smile.

“Could it be… you like that woman?”

“……!”

Someone with whom he exchanged gifts, someone he revealed himself to after ten years, someone Shufen’s desperate feelings had reached—and that expression. Evelyn quickly processed the entire situation.

What was even funnier was Shufen’s flustered expression. Evelyn had never seen him like this before. The Shufen she knew was playful in everything, sometimes cunningly scheming to take what was his. But…

‘Shufen actually likes that woman?’

Evelyn couldn’t comprehend it at all.

‘I never thought the day would come when Shufen desires Macaron’s wife.’

The tangled relationships left Evelyn utterly speechless, and she let out a quiet laugh.

“Interesting. Really interesting.”

The more she looked, the funnier it became.

‘Playing around with Shufen while keeping Macaron by her side?’

A woman who wasn’t superior to her in wealth, status, or appearance was doing such a thing. Evelyn was exasperated. Of course, among the formal nobles of the empire, it wasn’t uncommon for a lower-status woman to be kept as a mistress. It was also common to discard them after being captivated by a brief ‘novelty.’ Evelyn concluded that Macaron was only temporarily enchanted by her.

As the departure date drew near, only a few nobles had reported for duty. At this moment, what came to mind painfully was Duke Evelyn. Her heart sank with unease. All she could do now was act nonchalantly as usual.

She prepared some fragrant black tea and headed to the west annex. She assumed the meeting had ended, but given the circumstances, it seemed the meeting was prolonged. As she hesitated, ready to turn back, a serious voice came from inside. Lord Momont’s voice was far more agitated than usual.

“Evidence shows that Reiner’s side has sent letters to the nobles. They must have done something. Otherwise, why would the nobles suddenly turn like this?”

“……”

“Even now, we should postpone the departure and inform His Majesty of everything.”

“It was already anticipated. No need to panic.”

A brief silence followed, then Lord Einth joined in.

“Departing as it stands would be tantamount to suicide.”

“……”

“Please reconsider, Your Majesty.”

Macaron’s feelings were obvious without needing explanation. Watching the pale Macaron through the door gap made Evelyn’s chest ache. She quickly left the annex, fearing Macaron might see her. It seemed as if she were at the root of all this chaos. Thoughts kept digging deeper, unresolved, wandering in her mind.

Staring blankly at the clear sky, she gradually turned her gaze to the trade map of the Mitnut Kingdom, obtained through Lady Marie with great effort. After a while, raindrops pattered against the window. The sound grew stronger, resonating quietly in the room, until a slightly louder knock sounded against the glass. Looking up, she saw a letter left by a summoned familiar she had never seen before.

‘A Reflair seal?’

The only one who could send letters from Reflair was Evelyn herself. Upon opening the envelope, as expected, there was a short letter from her:

“I would like to meet just the two of us once. Contact me when your decision is made. I will be waiting. – Evelyn Reflair –”

Evelyn had a good idea of the purpose behind the meeting.

‘Macaron won’t change his mind easily, so she must be asking me to leave now.’

Recently, the west annex rarely saw its lights go out. Sleep was a luxury for those risking their lives in the upcoming war. Everyone knew how many lives were in the hands of these people. Not only Lord Einth and Momont, but also the retainers of Craide, would follow Macaron to battle even if it was suicidal.

Even if the outcome was grim, Macaron was always considered righteous, and his intentions were clear. Their loyalty stemmed from that. They followed Macaron even knowing the war’s high likelihood of defeat and that death might await at the end. Momont, however, was puzzled by Macaron’s calm demeanor, unwavering from beginning to end.

‘Does His Majesty have a strategy? If it’s Macaron, there must be a method. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so composed.’

But as days passed with no orders, Momont grew uneasy. For now, the strategy proposed by Lady Calips at the palace seemed the most practical. The retainers, who had only seen her as the lady of the household, developed exceptional respect upon hearing she devised such a plan.

However… even such an excellent strategy required sufficient troops to execute. In this situation, as urgency grew, Evelyn Duke kept coming to mind. Momont was slowly losing hope about this war, when Macaron issued his first order:

“The Shadow Knights are to depart today for three locations in the Mitnut Kingdom’s canyon area, ‘Saint Mountain.’”

The points where Macaron placed the flags were the three supply line areas Calips had previously mentioned.

“Your Majesty, why here…”

It was natural to question the decision to divide troops when their numbers were already small. Cutting supply lines would have made sense, but Saint Mountain was located behind them.

“The kingdom’s army will send troops there.”

“…Meaning?”

Momont quickly realized Macaron’s intent and nodded.

“You mean Prince Reiner leaked the supply line blockade strategy to the Mitnut Kingdom?”

Macaron nodded, eyes sharp as he continued:

“This war is a race against time. If Mitnut’s reinforcements do not enter the valleys and we hold out for just fifteen days, we have a chance of victory.”

Momont’s eyes brightened as he exchanged a glance with Einth. Einth nodded in understanding.

“Then we must prevent their wagons from entering the supply route.”

“Exactly. Their numbers will not be small. Will shadows alone suffice?”

Einth grasped his sword and brought his hands together.

“Leave it to me. Not even a single ant will pass through.”

“After completing the mission, Einth will hand the task to the deputy commander and withdraw.”

“Then should I rejoin the main base?”

At that moment, Macaron’s eyes sharpened as he produced something.

“You have a separate task.”

Macaron handed a potion that shimmered with a mysterious color. Einth, holding the tiny vial carefully, examined it.

“Take this up the Mitnut canyon and pour it into the waterway.”

There was only one waterway through the Mitnut Kingdom canyon. Momont clapped his knee, eyes shining.