Tie did not even notice when her body began to tremble.

Cold sweat broke out beneath her uniform.

"To be honest, I was curious when I would finally see you."

The voice she had missed echoed in her ears.

Right now, Papa stood just a few steps away from her.

If she just ran—she could reach him.

If she wanted—she could hug him tightly, burying her face in his chest.

"You still have that stupid look on your face."

But Papa... was not Papa.

His expression was different.

And he looked different.

Tie took a deep breath.

"I must not cry."

She tried to steady her breathing, suppressing the tears that were rising with all her strength.

And yet, beneath her uniform, her hands trembled.

"Were you born this brainless?"

The voice was icy.

The gaze—cold, like a stranger’s.

Tie’s eyes slowly lowered.

The corners of her eyes reddened, and just as tears finally began to fill them—

"Tie."

Lucarion quietly took her hand.

Tie swallowed, holding her breath, and turned to him.

Lucarion spoke with his eyes:

"It will be fine. We expected this."

Her heart pounded.

"...Kkamani was right."

Meeting Papa did not mean everything was over.

Tie’s plan had only been completed halfway.

If anything, from this point on was the most important part.

Tie had just reconnected the severed thread that tied her to her father.

Now she had to make sure that fragile connection would never break again.

Tesetan smirked.

"It’s almost impressive how shamelessly you stand there, King of the Dead, after taking away our bread."

Tie raised her gaze to Papa.

He stood with his chin slightly lifted, lips pressed together.

His expression was angry. But—

"That’s good."

The plan to cut off Papa’s livelihood had worked.

That was truly a good thing.

That was why he had come to Tie himself.

Although...

"I’ll say this right away—I have no intention of giving you this state mission. It was mine from the beginning."

...there were still side effects.

"Listen."

At that moment, the manager of the Sorrie Association, who had been silently observing, stepped forward.

She looked at Tesetan with clear bewilderment.

"What kind of behavior is this? The delegation has already been completed. Your actions constitute a serious crime—interference in state affairs."

But Tesetan did not even blink.

He only smirked and lazily looked around.

His gaze stopped on the Luminel family standing at a distance.

His eyebrow twitched slightly, but he immediately returned to an indifferent expression.

"Interference? That’s funny. I haven’t done anything yet."

The manager let out a faint, involuntary laugh at the absurdity.

Tesetan slowly scanned the surroundings, assessing the situation.

"I didn’t know this was a joint operation with the Luminel family."

It seemed that the state mission Agavert had taken from him had turned out to be one involving them.

If he had known in advance, he would not have come here.

Or he would have contacted the Association and demanded the exclusion of the Luminel.

But now that he was here—

"I can’t just leave, not after coming this far, leaving Agavert alone."

In truth, this was not only about the state mission.

Recently, Agavert had been suffocating Trevaga.

They had been taking away their private clients.

And as if deliberately, they had been conquering magic crystals across the Empire, provoking them.

Tesetan’s gaze lowered.

"With that innocent expression."

On the face of the King of the Dead overlapped the pitiful childish look he had seen at the docks of Pearlcity.

Why had that expression bothered him back then?

The King of the Dead had clearly planned all of this to mock him.

"The Association only needs to answer one question. Was this mission originally meant to be assigned to me or not?"

The manager turned around in confusion.

Behind her stood Ardiana in a blue cloak.

In the end, she stepped forward.

"Why should the Association answer that question to you?"

Tesetan smirked.

"Wrapped up like that... you must be the head of the Association. Good. Then say it right here."

"..."

"If you don’t answer, then starting today, Trevaga will withdraw from the Association."

Ardiana’s pupils widened.

She swallowed.

Yes, the Association had not been giving Trevaga state missions.

But that was because they were doing perfectly well without them.

Ardiana had created the Association to stabilize the mercenary market.

If the market was stable, more mercenaries would work, making both the Empire and themselves safer.

But she had not expected Trevaga to harbor such strong dissatisfaction.

"...In the near future, we will provide Trevaga with a worthy state mission. Today—"

"Anyone can talk. That’s the easiest thing."

Ardiana fell silent.

Yes.

There was ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) another reason Trevaga had not been given missions.

"...How bold. I am trying to treat you with respect, yet it seems you have no intention of doing the same."

Tesetan laughed.

He took a step toward Ardiana.

"You and I are not in a relationship where we speak of mutual respect. You’re not my girl."

"...What?"

Ardiana let out a short laugh.

She looked at him coldly.

The situation was serious, yet he was making jokes.

And that arrogant smirk...

"Not at all like the King of the Dead from Agavert."

Unlike him, the King of the Dead was calm and magnanimous.

Even after learning her identity, she had not tried to bargain or threaten.

Ardiana sighed, closed her eyes, then opened them again.

"...First of all. As the head of the Association, I do not permit Trevaga to withdraw. For now, you are still at the top of the Empire."

She deliberately emphasized "for now."

Tesetan’s eyebrow twitched.

Without giving him time to respond, she continued:

"And answering your question is not difficult. Was this mission originally meant for Trevaga?"

Beneath the mask, she smiled.

"Yes. But at the last assembly, you were pushed to second place."

Silence hung between them.

After a moment, Tesetan’s crooked smile cut through the tension.

"So that’s how it is. Second place... which means there’s still a chance?"

Ardiana flinched.

"A chance? What do you—"

"Fight me, King of the Dead."

But Tesetan had already turned away from her.

He now stood directly before the King of the Dead.

"I’m tired of this. One fight. The loser leaves and doesn’t interfere again."

Ardiana hurried toward them.

"Wait. What fight?"

She looked at Tesetan in confusion and said to Tie:

"Don’t agree. Under no circumstances!"

Duels were something from the past, for knights.

Why was he challenging a mage?

"He’s provoking the squad leader. And the condition—the loser leaves—is absurd!"

Ardiana shot a sharp look at Tesetan.

"You want to force the King of the Dead to give up the mission. But sorry—that won’t—"

"Didn’t my existence bother you as well?"

But Tesetan was already ignoring her.

He leaned forward, staring intently at the King of the Dead.

"This is your chance to get rid of me. You won’t get another one. The winner takes everything from the loser. Isn’t that tempting?"

The situation was becoming dangerous.

Bale rushed forward.

"Kid—no, squad leader. He’s insane. Don’t get involved."

"Right!"

The others’ faces also turned pale.

But at that moment—

"Yes!"

Tie answered.

Bale grabbed her by the shoulder.

"Hey, what are you doing?!"

But Tie, as if enchanted, stared at Tesetan without looking away.

"Let’s do it. Fight. With Tie."

And then she added, looking straight at him:

"But."

"..."

"The loser fulfills any wish. ...Just like before."