The private audience hall of the Magenta kingdom was always crowded, either by court officials or nobles who came to meet with Arkadion. But this time, the room was only occupied by two people. King Arkadion sat on his throne, and Cecilia stood straight in front of him, with her face hidden behind her new mask.
Arkadion's gaze was sharp and slightly hardened when he was watching Cecilia's every little movement. His daughter was too different from the Cecilia he knew. It was unknown when the girl who was always spoiled had changed into a brave fighter.
There was something mature and dangerous in her. Cecilia looked like someone who had seen many deaths with her own eyes.
"I hear you want to propose something," Arkadion finally said, his voice heavy but filled with curiosity. "Tell me, Cecilia."
Cecilia took a deep breath, then spoke calmly but firmly.
"I propose to open a new trade route that goes directly to the West Coast without having to rely on the Blaine Kingdom anymore."
Instantly, the room felt colder.
Arkadion frowned, then leaned back. Both his arms folded across his chest. After the shock of 'Cecilia's' death, now his daughter had come to give him another surprise.
"Do you know what lies between here and the West Coast?"
"The Forest of Erebos," Cecilia answered without hesitation.
Arkadion took a deep breath as if speaking to a child who did not understand the harsh realities of the world. "The Forest of Erebos is not just an ordinary forest, Cecilia. It is a land of death. We cannot control the wolves that live there. They are too numerous and savage for us to open a trade route through the forest."
He looked at Cecilia as if he wanted to end this discussion. "You want to open a path through that cursed place? That is the same as sending our people into the mouth of a hungry wolf."
But Cecilia did not back down. She lowered her head for a moment before looking straight at her father again.
"Therefore, I propose to hire a group of mercenaries. They are experts in fighting wolves and conquering dangerous areas."
"And you think this kingdom has the money for that?" Arkadion raised his eyebrow. "Our treasury is nearly empty. We don't have enough gold to pay allies, let alone mercenaries."
Cecilia smiled slightly behind her mask. This was the part she had been waiting for from Arkadion.
"That's why I propose a solution," she said confidently.
Arkadion frowned.
"I will send a letter to the Landis Kingdom. I will offer cooperation. They will help us open a trade route through the Erebos Forest in exchange for priority purchase of rare plants from our territory."
Arkadion sharpened his gaze. "Rare plants?"
"Plants that only grow around the edges of the Erebos Forest," Cecilia continued. "Like Nerva's Blossom and Mira Root, the basic ingredients of Elixir."
What Cecilia had just said was supposed to be a secret because what she knew happened once in her ninety-nine lives. The Landis Kingdom managed to become the strongest because they were the only kingdom that could create Exilir, a potion that could cure any disease or poison. The main ingredients of the potion were Nerva's Blossom and Mira Root. Coincidentally, the natural habitat of both plants came from the Erebos Forest.
In her 96th life, Cecilia tried to side with the Landis Kingdom after she was betrayed by the Blaine Kingdom in her previous life. Landis accepted her proposal at that time. But in the end, Cecilia knew they were only good because they wanted the rights to the Erebos Forest and all its contents.
Damian Landis learned about the rare plant's natural habitat when Cecilia was 22, which was still a year from now. Cecilia had no idea how Damian could know more about the Erebos Forest than she did. But while Damian had yet to find out, Cecilia would use it as an opportunity to fill the royal treasury.
"Landis is short of that ingredient. They charge three times the usual price on the black market. If we offer legal access, with priority and special pricing, Landis will be willing to disburse funds and even send their experts to help us."
King Arkadion sighed deeply, disappointed that the name of the plant Cecilia had mentioned was a poisonous plant that could not possibly be an ingredient in the legendary Exilir.
"How can you be so sure?" Arkadion asked.
"I know," Cecilia replied confidently. "I know because I have done my research on the news I bring. I am also ready to take responsibility if the information I have is wrong, Father."
Arkadion did not answer immediately. He looked at Cecilia for a long time as if searching for the truth in every word she said.
Believing Cecilia's words concerning the future of a kingdom was too risky. Even so, Arkadion could not possibly ignore Cecilia when she had done so much lately.
Arkadion had heard it from Nina. About Cecilia's hard work, about how she sacrificed her sleep for a plan. Cecilia could not possibly face him with an unthoughtful plan. Arkadion wanted to believe that. Therefore, he decided to trust his daughter once again.
"I can't believe you thought of all this by yourself," Arkadion finally murmured, his voice heavier than before. It was not Arkadion's intention to burden Cecilia with the kingdom's problems.
Cecilia simply bowed respectfully. "I did not kill my own identity to just keep quiet, Father."
"Very well," he said heavily. "You said you did all this to protect this kingdom. I believe you. I have always believed in you, Cecilia."
Cecilia bowed low. She tried to hide her feelings from Arkadion, who never stopped supporting her.
"I know."
Cecilia's voice was small, barely audible to Arkadion. Arkadion sighed. He wanted to get up from his sitting position to hug his daughter tightly. But as a king, he could not do that.
As Cecilia turned and walked away, Arkadion let out a long sigh. He wished his late wife was still alive to see how heavy a burden their daughter had to bear now.