Chapter 79: Aftermath, Grand Duke Ogden’s Fury, Amelia’s Decision

A suggestion?

Hearing Verna’s words, Amelia immediately asked, “Verna, have you thought of a solution?”

“Lily, you’re not worried about standing against the Red Moon Society itself, but rather that the Red Moon Society will attack you from the shadows, catching you off guard and leaving you at a disadvantage, correct?”

“That’s right. If the Red Moon Society learns about my situation and I know nothing about them, then I’ll be forever on the defensive. They could strike at me secretly at any time, but I can’t maintain a state of constant high alert. If that’s the case, I’ll have no choice but to abandon this identity.”

“In that case, the only option is to change your residence.”

“Change my residence?”

Amelia looked thoughtful.

Verna smiled and said, “Ordinary residential areas are indeed difficult to defend against a criminal organization like the Red Moon Society. But things would be different if you were at White Maple Academy.”

Hearing Verna mention this, information about White Maple Academy immediately surfaced in Amelia’s mind.

It was the most renowned academy in the Luban Duchy, teaching knowledge covering all aspects: the Culture Department, Mathematics Department, Industry Department, Art Department, Economics Department, Medicine Department, and more. Each department covered multiple subjects; the Culture Department, for instance, included history, foreign languages, geography, and other topics.

“Due to its importance, White Maple Academy has a very strong security force. If you lived within White Maple Academy, you wouldn’t have to worry about surprise attacks,” Verna said with a smile.

“I see. So you want me to enroll in White Maple Academy as a Student?”

“Exactly. In fact, I’m also a Student at White Maple Academy. Once you enroll, it will be more convenient and safer for us to meet and communicate in the future.”

“I understand. I’ll give it some thought.”

Amelia didn’t agree immediately. But if there truly were no better options, enrolling in White Maple Academy might be a good choice.

As for now…

Amelia looked at Eileen. “Dispose of the bodies.”

Eileen nodded, taking out the Corpse-Dissolving Fluid she had prepared long ago to deal with Dwight and Mord’s bodies.

This would prevent Dwight’s death from being discovered immediately.

Of course, the main reason for disposing of the bodies was to conceal the traces left by Amelia’s Wind’s Sigh. For that purpose, any damage caused by Wind’s Sigh at the scene also needed to be carefully handled.

Eileen had ample experience in this area and began working with practiced ease.

Seeing that her help wasn’t needed at the scene, Verna thought of another matter. Her eyes held a trace of complexity as she said, “Lily, I never imagined you were a Half-Elf.”

Amelia raised a slender, pale finger to her lips and smiled. “You must keep this a secret, you know.”

Verna nodded. “Of course. The Contract we signed states we cannot reveal each other’s secrets. Even if I wanted to tell about yours, I couldn’t. But Lily, you hid it deeply.”

Amelia understood this as well. It was precisely because she knew Verna couldn’t reveal her secrets that she had confidently displayed her Apostle identity.

“How can one survive in this world without holding a few hidden trump cards?” Amelia said mysteriously.

Verna looked thoughtful.

She felt Amelia was absolutely right.

In Verna’s understanding, Amelia’s goal was to restore her kingdom. For that, she naturally needed to hold sufficient power. And since she was also a Half-Elf, could the Elves become a source of her strength?

Thinking of this, Verna felt more and more that her decision to cooperate with Amelia was the correct one.

It wasn’t long before Eileen finished handling Dwight and Mord’s bodies, along with any traces left at the scene, and returned to stand behind Amelia.

“Everything taken care of?” Amelia asked.

Eileen nodded.

“Good. Then we can go back, too. Today is the music festival, after all. Let’s enjoy the celebration,” Amelia said with a smile.

[Jumping straight to enjoying the festival after just killing someone. Amelia’s mentality has grown quite a bit. She wouldn’t have been so composed before.]

[Only a few scenes passed for us watching the anime, but for Amelia, she’s already experienced a lot.]

[The journey to Bild City was just a few frames for us, but for Amelia, it was rich life experience.]

[A smiling Amelia is the prettiest. Quick, take a screenshot!]

[Why just screenshot? Don’t just stand there!]

At that moment, Verna glanced at Eileen.

Earlier, when Amelia had only sent Eileen to deal with Mord, Verna had been worried, even thinking Amelia was being irrational. But Eileen had now proven herself through the result.

Mord was dead, and Eileen was completely unharmed.

Although Mord’s swift defeat and death were partly because the sight of Dwight’s death shattered his focus and created an opening, even then, if someone else had been Mord’s opponent, they likely couldn’t have capitalized on such an opening so easily.

‘Both are Mid-Rank Apostles, but Eileen is far more capable than others at the same stage. And she’s so young. I wonder where Amelia recruited such a person. Truly enviable.’

Verna mused to herself.

Typically, someone who was strong compared to their peers in one realm would maintain that advantage in the next. Combined with Eileen’s youth, she had immense room for growth. Her potential was undoubtedly enormous, which was precisely why Verna felt such envy.

Next, Verna dispelled the Barrier around the area. The three of them quietly left.

When they reappeared, Amelia was already in the Red Maple District, heading home.

Verna didn’t follow. She still had some matters to attend to and left first. Only Amelia and Eileen returned together.

The two strolled leisurely down the street, surrounded by a bustling flow of people.

Furthermore, a medley of various musical sounds drifted continuously on the wind, making it impossible for anyone to ignore today’s festival.

Passing by an instrument shop, Amelia paused in thought for a moment before going in to order a Harp. After paying a sufficient amount of Kerr, she arranged for the shop to deliver it to her residence later.

The original owner knew how to play the Harp, and her skill level was quite good. Amelia had naturally inherited this ability. Being the music festival, she felt a bit inspired and decided to give it a try.

By the time Amelia arrived home, the Harp was swiftly delivered by the instrument shop, with commendable efficiency.

The Harp, the color of natural wood, stood as tall as a person. Placed in the living room, it looked like a large bow, its strings arranged in orderly fashion.

Amelia walked up to the Harp and gently plucked the strings with her slender, pale fingers. As her hands touched the instrument, a familiar feeling naturally welled up inside her.

‘Hmm? I thought my strange affinity for the Harp was because the original owner was familiar with it, but it seems there’s more to it. It feels like my very bloodline is stirring.’

Amelia pondered this thoughtfully.

Elves in this world seemed very skilled in the musical arts. And since she possessed an Elven Bloodline… could it be that her bloodline was what gave her this natural resonance with an instrument like the Harp?

Amelia began to play slowly, performing a piece from the original owner’s memory called “The Returned Maiden.” The slightly melancholic melody drifted away on the wind.

Dwight’s death didn’t remain hidden for long.

Four days later, on October 7th, all the major newspapers published the news that Dwight had been attacked and died unexpectedly. As for who the killer was or how he died, those details were not printed.

Even so, the news sent massive shockwaves throughout the entire Luban Duchy.

After all, the deceased was a Prince!

Amelia didn’t know how Grand Duke Ogden could confirm Dwight’s death so quickly. Regardless, Grand Duke Ogden would never suspect her.

In the eyes of others, she was still just an ordinary girl, living an ordinary life.

“With Dwight dead, the situation in the Luban Duchy has become unpredictable. I wonder how things will develop from here.”

Amelia sat at the dining table, eating an egg pancake and drinking some milk.

She seemed to be talking to herself, but in reality, she wanted to see if the viewers would reveal any information through the bullet comments. However, scanning the comments, she didn’t find anything useful.

The viewers didn’t know what consequences Dwight’s death would bring, because Dwight hadn’t died this way in the original plot.

Seeing no results, Amelia didn’t mind and continued reading the newspaper.

Ding-dong!

The doorbell rang.

Eileen immediately went to open the door. A short while later, someone entered the dining room.

“Lily, are you only eating breakfast now? You woke up a bit late today.”

The person appearing before Amelia was a charming girl with aqua-blue hair styled in low Twintails—none other than Vera Hicks.

Ever since Amelia had rescued Vera, Vera’s attitude towards her had changed. She now considered her a close friend.

Before Dwight’s killing, because they had to cooperate with the Security Office investigation, Vera and Madam Beryl hadn’t had time to visit Amelia in person to thank her. It wasn’t until October 4th that the mother and daughter had found the time to meet Amelia and express their gratitude.

In the two days since, Vera had often dropped by Amelia’s place.

“It’s only eight o’clock in the morning. I don’t think that’s particularly late.” Amelia glanced at the clock on the wall and smiled in reply.

“Alright, that’s not important.” Vera sat down next to Amelia, swinging her feet. “Lily, the matter you asked us to handle—getting you into White Maple Academy—has mostly been arranged. You can start classes tomorrow.”

Verna had suggested Amelia enter White Maple Academy to avoid potential ambushes. After thinking it over, Amelia decided to go with this method. After all, there was no better choice available.

However, she didn’t ask Verna to handle her enrollment. Instead, she had the Hicks Family help. It was just enrollment, a very easy task for the Hicks Family.

“Tomorrow? That’s fine. Please convey my thanks to Madam Beryl for her help.”

“You don’t need to thank us. You saved me, and you’re family of the Hicks Family. Helping you enroll is no problem at all. But why did you choose the Art Department?”

Vera looked at Amelia curiously.

The Art Department covered many areas, including music, sculpture, painting, dance, drama, and more.

Amelia chose the Music Department under the Art Department, specifically the Harp Course within the Music Department.

“I chose the Harp Course in the Music Department of the Art Department. As for why the Harp, it’s simply because I like it,” Amelia replied with a smile.

Her primary reason for joining White Maple Academy was to use the academy to ensure her safety, not truly to study. Therefore, picking a familiar subject was crucial; it would allow her to bypass much of the learning process and coast through without trouble.

After answering, Amelia asked, “Vera, is the accommodation issue sorted out?”

Enrolling in White Maple Academy wasn’t enough; she needed to live inside the academy.

Vera nodded her head. “Of course, it’s resolved. You can prepare the things you want to bring. You can start bringing them over today.”

“I understand.” Amelia relaxed.

Besides herself, Eileen could also enter White Maple Academy with her.

White Maple Academy was, after all, no ordinary place. Even Princes and Princesses studied there. Bringing a Maid or Guard was very common.

“Lily, you know what? I’m actually part of the Music Department, too,” Vera said, her eyes sparkling.

“Oh? What’s your main instrument?”

“I study the violin. My usual classroom is right next door to the Harp classroom.”

“It seems we’ll be very close to each other even within White Maple Academy.”

“Right? Heehee.”

Vera chatted happily with Amelia.

The Grand Duke’s Castle was located even further east of Bild City’s East District. It was a castle built in a flamboyant and ornate architectural style, with all its structures featuring domed roofs. Moreover, the security here was extremely tight. Guards in armor, holding long spears, could be seen patrolling back and forth everywhere.

Deep within the castle’s interior, Grand Duke Ogden sat upon a crimson chair.

He was no longer young; his face was etched with deep wrinkles and his skin was exceptionally loose. Yet, he sat ramrod straight. His head of red hair blazed like fire, and he wore a crimson, double-breasted, elegant outfit. His somewhat cloudy red eyes gazed down at the person before him.

“You said the investigation into Dwight’s matter has made significant progress? Speak. Let me hear it.”

Mid-sentence, Grand Duke Ogden couldn’t help but cough.

His health was deteriorating more and more. He knew this himself. How much longer he could gaze upon the scenery of the Luban Duchy, even he didn’t know.

But regardless of whether his sun was setting, the murder of his son in the capital of the Luban Duchy, right here in Bild City, was absolutely unforgivable. The murderer must pay the price!