The Isolated Kingdom

Early morning, before sunrise can be seen, inside Kirana's Workshop.

Cien, who had completed his transaction with Reiss, did not sleep like the others to rest. Acquiring various new materials from Reiss's hunting spoils rejuvenated his energy.

After confirming the various materials stored in the cave, Cien returned to the workshop to write and sort each material.

Once sorted, Cien checked the recipes on his phone and determined the plan for the next item to be crafted.

True to his promise, Cien had given Reiss a Fire Glove and also provided him with the route out of Death Valley. As a result of this transaction, Cien obtained several new unique materials.

In addition to the Inferno Bear, he obtained another Blackwood Stag and two Blue Tongue Lizards. The rest were different monsters: two Fire Eagles, one Phantom Tiger, one Rotten Rodent, three Fighter Bunnies, and one Big Eater Worm.

Combined with the various materials he purchased in Wynteria, along with a Silver Wolf and the skeletal remains of a Lesser Earth Dragon he acquired during the journey home, Cien could be considered very satisfied with the materials he now possessed.

A contented smile couldn't be wiped off Cien's face.

He couldn't wait to process all of the materials immediately. However, he still had to restrain himself. The majority of the materials were still in the cave where Reiss slept. He didn't want to disturb him.

As for the materials he brought from Wynteria and the carcass he obtained during the journey home, Cien had already stored them in the storage room. So, his current task was complete.

Cien closed his book, stretched his body, and thought about lying down for a while before getting up at sunrise.

However, it was at this moment, when all the problems of his shop were resolved, that Cien remembered the story of Blackwinter from Reiss and Princess Sravati.

"An assumption, huh…"

For Cien, the reason he didn't disclose his assumption to Princess Sravati was not because he was unsure of his own assumption. On the contrary, Cien was convinced that his assumption was most likely correct.

Based on the geographical location of the Huntara Kingdom, Cien believed that the true objective of those behind these problems was to isolate this kingdom.

Huntara's current position was quite troublesome. With Blackwinter falling into enemy hands and the Kingdom of Farnodt closing its borders, any aid from the western region of Kastia would be unable to reach Huntara.

The western part of Huntara directly bordered Mount Lokoya, and beyond Mount Lokoya lay the Death Valley. Whether seeking assistance or attempting to flee, the western part of Huntara was a dead end.

Then this situation was worsened by Farnodt. The actions of Farnodt Kingdom effectively sealed off the southwestern part of Huntara.

Not only was Huntara affected, but other kingdoms from the west that wanted to help Huntara would also be rendered helpless due to the blockade by Farnodt.

As for the northern and southern parts of the Kingdom of Huntara itself, the north was a vast ocean, while the south was the city of Blackwinter, which had fallen into enemy hands, along with the Abyss territory located to the south of Blackwinter.

The north, west, and south. All roads to Huntara had been closed off.

"Only the east remains. If my assumption is correct, later when the civil war in Blackwinter happens, those planning this scheme will attack the cities in the eastern part of Huntara.

"Due to the civil war, most of the kingdom's power will be concentrated to the south. The eastern part will be weakened. If the enemy successfully occupies the eastern region, then Huntara is finished."

Cien is aware of the crisis that Huntara was currently facing, but he also knew that he couldn't share his assumptions with Princess Sravati.

Based on the stories he had heard, Cien could already conclude that there must have been infiltrators or spies within the central government of Huntara.

For now, he didn't know who was behind all this. Is it the Abyss or is there another faction?

But one thing is certain: if Cien explained his assumptions to Sravati and the Princess intended to relay this assumption to the King and the high-official, Sravati's life would be at stake.

Intruders in the kingdom will definitely try to reject the Princess's assumption, they might even kill the Princess to eliminate the unexpected factor of this little girl.

The mere presence of Sravati in the kingdom would raise the wariness of any intruders.

"Yes, it's too dangerous to let the Princess know about this."

In Cien's eyes, Sravati is still a little girl. It wasn't her responsibility to bear the burden of the kingdom's current problems.

Furthermore, Cien also believes that there are parties in Huntara who have reached the same conclusion as himself. It's just, given the development of the situation, those parties must have been blocked or hindered by the intruder's heavy influence in the kingdom.

Sighing, Cien let out a long breath. His mind was exhausted from thinking. He got up from his chair and walked to his room on the second floor.

The problems of Huntara and Farnodt were not his concern, but unexpectedly, Cien found himself pondering over them deeply.

Lying on his bed, Cien could only smile in resignation.

"Maybe it's because Sravati reminds me of Kirana."

Kirana is a few years older than Sravati, but in Cien's eyes, they are both still little girls.

Seeing Sravati brought forth a slight sympathy in Cien. Somehow, Cien didn't want Sravati to lose her life in the midst of the absurd conflict currently taking place.

But alas, he was just a shop owner. Cien didn't possess the strength to change the situation like a hero in a fiction story.

'Is there any other way to help this little girl?'

That question echoed in Cien's mind until he fell into a deep sleep.

.

.

.

As the noon approached around ten in the morning,

Cien opened his heavy eyes. Seeing the sun's rays shimmering through the window, he immediately knew that he had slept for too long.

"I overslept..."

Clang clang!

Cien then heard a sound coming from outside his room. Specifically from the kitchen. With a still stiff body, Cien got up from his bed and walked, rubbing his tired eyes.

As soon as he stepped out and looked towards the kitchen, he saw Princess Sravati busy cooking. Along with Legia and Reiss, who were sitting nicely at the dining table.

'She's the Princess, right? Why is she the one working while her subordinates are sitting?'

Cien glanced at the slightly nervous Legia. It seems that this is indeed the wish of the Princess.

Cien approached them. As the owner of the place arrived, Legia and Reiss greeted him. Sravati did the same.

"Ah, Mr. Millard! I apologize if the sound of my cooking disturbed your sleep."

"It's not a problem, Princess. But... Why are you cooking?"

"Why? Because we're hungry?"

'Why are you uncertain about your own answer?' Cien thought, his mind still not fully awake.

Sravati continued, "Umm, because Mr. Millard has helped us. I just thought of helping with the cooking. Mr. Reiss provided the ingredients he hunted. I apologize if my actions offended you."

"Oh, no, not at all. I actually appreciate your gesture, Princess. But..."

Cien looked over at Legia, who appeared nervous. It seemed like she wanted to help the Princess, but for some reason, she could only sit there anxiously.

"Oh, Legia does want to help. But she's not my subordinate. Just like you, I owe a lot to Legia and Jamie for accompanying us to Huntara. So this meal is also a small token of my gratitude to her, which is why I declined her help."

"Hoo~"

Cien was slightly amazed, then shrugged and left Sravati in the kitchen, no longer paying attention.

Cien then sat with Legia and Reiss.

"So, you're not from Huntara?" Cien asked Legia.

Legia shook her head. "I'm from Westya, specifically from the Ethyria City army."

'Westya!'

Upon hearing that kingdom name, Cien's tired eyes suddenly sparkled.

Someone from Westya! Not only did he want to know many things about Westya over the past ten years, but Legia's presence might also help with the current issue at hand.

Cien stared at Legia as if she were a precious prey, causing Legia to shiver under that gaze.

'What's wrong with the Shop Owner?!'