The next morning, Ressa headed to City Central with Theodore, Gabriel, and the accompanying guards. Despite the early hour, the streets were already crowded with people waiting for the soldiers to pass through. As Ressa wondered how she might make her way to the front, a familiar voice called out, "Ressa, over here!"
It was Lady Evelina Ravensdale, daughter of the Marquis of Ravensdale. The Marquis and the Earl of Evans were family friends for generations. Since childhood, Evelina often visited to play with Ressa, even during the period when Ressa was in a state of intellectual disability, Evelina never minded—it was quite the opposite. She treated Ressa like a sister.
"Evelina ! You're back? Did you come to see the Duke too?"
"Yes! He's usually away in the territory or off at war, so it's rare for him to return. I couldn't miss the chance to see him!"
After Ressa regained her clarity of mind, she originally thought she'd have to work hard to befriend Evelina. But to her surprise, from the moment they met, it was as if they had known each other for a hundred years. They talked endlessly, never running out of things to say, and wished they could spend every day together. Even the system couldn't help but wonder if the two were just face-cons and cake-lovers, which might explain why they found each other so fascinating.
However, since Evelina had to return to school, they couldn't meet as often. Ressa didn't have many friends in either world, and aside from her family, Evelina had quickly become one of the most important people in her life.
"There's a two-week school holiday, so I can go and play with you every day~"
"Really? That's great! Aunt Ruby recently made your favourite strawberry mousse cake, I'm sure you'll love it!"
"Then I'll come over to your house tomorrow."
Theodore watched as Ressa ran ahead, leaving them behind. He felt a bit anxious, but his worries eased when he saw that Evelina and her guards were there. Their guards knew Ressa well, and he trusted they wouldn't leave her alone if anything happened.
"Theo, what are we going to do? Ressa's up front by herself, and with so many people here, it's impossible to get through."
"It's fine. Miss Evelina is right up ahead, and there are guards around her too, so don't worry." He had only just been reassured, but the thought of Ressa's inner voice made his heart race again. He just hoped Ressa wouldn't be talking to her system ; if anything happened, he'd be ready to act and take her away immediately.
"Ressa, I just realized we've collected 35 points!" Theodore didn't know that the worry he had just felt would come true in the very next second.
"35 points? Did I do something? How did we get 35 points?"
"I don't know, I only realized I had 35 points when the beep went off!"
"So I don't have to start a talk show by the fountain right?"
"Ressa, you only have 35 points now, not 3.5 million."
Hearing Ressa's voice, Evelina initially thought she was talking to someone. But when she noticed that Ressa's lips hadn't moved—and heard the voice more clearly—she realized she was hearing Ressa's thoughts!
"Ressa, I think I just heard your xxx."
"You heard what?"
"!!!" Evelina froze. She realized those two words weren't just unspoken—she wasn't even able to say them if she tried!
"+5"
"+5"
System and Ressa were both startled when they heard the sudden beep.
"I didn't do anything just now! System, did you crash?"
"Crash? Impossible! I just updated to the latest version yesterday. I'm the most advanced system across all worlds!"
Evelina noticed eyes slowly turning toward them. When she saw the guards nodding at her, she realized it wasn't just her—everyone had heard Ressa's heartfelt words.
She had wanted to stop Ressa from speaking, but luckily, the sudden sound of hooves from the front shifted everyone's focus. Even she and Ressa instinctively looked ahead with anticipation
At a glance, flower petals drifted down with the wind, and the sound of the Empire's military music soared through the sky—a glorious salute to welcome the returning conqueror.
Duke Cornwall was clad in his military uniform, his cloak billowing in the wind. Behind him marched a perfectly ordered cavalry unit, every soldier stood solemn, like statues in motion—silent, steady, and unshakable.
Seeing this scene, Ressa felt her heart stir deeply. It was a moment she would never forget, even years later.
Meanwhile, Evelina had long since forgotten all about maintaining her image and was shouting at the top of her lungs, "Duke!!!!!! Look over here!!!! Ahhhhhhh!!!"
And it wasn't just her—Ressa and the other noble ladies were equally excited.
"Ressa, I'm not kidding! He's the most handsome man in the entire empire!" the system said, and the crowd around them nodded in agreement, all echoing the praise. Soon, Ressa joined in, her voice even louder than everyone else's.
Looking at the crowds on both sides of the long street and feeling the enthusiasm of the people, the Duke, who had been in the spotlight since childhood, was already used to it. However, his subordinates were all very excited, each one tilting their head back, hoping to catch the crowd's eye.
Hearing Ressa's voice comparing everyone to her, Augustus looked over, although every noble lady's appearance is not bad, but seeing Ressa's face that compares everyone to her, Augustus couldn't help but take a look at her more, how come he didn't hear that there is such a beautiful lady in the imperial capital.
"Ahhhhhhh! System! Did the Duke just look at me? He did, didn't he? I saw it! He was definitely looking in my direction!!!"
"Yes, Ressa, he looked at us!" Although it's just a system, it can't help but like anything that's good-looking—even the system itself isn't an exception. That's why every time the system sees Ressa's face, it chooses to stay silent instead of arguing back.
Hearing those words, Augustus' lips curled slightly as he looked in their direction. It was then that he felt a sense of surprise. If he wasn't mistaken, the lady who had the beauty to rival all others seemed to have not moved her lips when she spoke. He couldn't be wrong—that was definitely her voice, just like before. Looking around, he couldn't find any sign of the system's presence either.
Suddenly, the one thing Ressa thought would never happen, happened. A group of people in black robes appeared in front of them, casting a spell that struck towards the Duke and his group. As they appeared, one name flashed through everyone's mind: "Dark Mages!"
"Ressa!" Seeing the sudden appearance of the Dark Mages, Theodore and Gabriel immediately teleported to her side, trying to get them to safety. However, in the chaos of everyone rushing to flee, they were far away from Evelina and Ressa.
From a distance, Evelina saw the Dark Mages standing behind Ressa, preparing to attack her. "Ressa, watch out!" she yelled.
But it was too late for them to act. At that moment, Augustus swiftly grabbed Ressa and chanted a spell at the Dark Mages, "Mortem Luxaria." In an instant, the Dark Mages were disintegrate into ashes. The soldiers behind Augustus fought the remaining Dark Mages, protecting the people as they did. The leader of the remaining Dark Mages glanced at Ressa before retreating.
Looking at the black magicians vanishing one after another, Augustus's adjutant, Alaric, asked, "Marshal, shall we chase them?"
"Give chase."Augustus replied.
Though Ressa had once walked the edge of death, fear still gripped her the moment it came for her again.
"Ressa, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?" The system's voice was filled with worry as it sensed her fear, anxious that she might be injured.
Hearing the system's voice and feeling the trembling girl in his arms, Augustus lowered his voice and asked, "Are you alright?"