Agitated.
The restless Marinda paced in her study, with a pipe perched on her lips unlit—the taste of tobacco was her attempt to calm her anxious heart.
But it was useless.
No tobacco could soothe Marinda's agitated heart at this mont.
After all...
The Old Lion had arrived!
The Old Lion had entered South Los openly and aboveboard by dusk yesterday.
There was no warning.
So sudden.
With the Old Lion's arrival, the atmosphere of the entire South Los turned eerie.
Everyone who knew about the Old Lion's arrival in South Los was clueless about his intentions but well aware that if he appeared, he was fully confident in controlling the situation—sothing even the Countess of South Los could not deny.
Because—
The Countess felt the Old Lion's fierce fighting spirit and...
His elusive power.
The intense fighting spirit was striking.
And that elusive power?
Even more astonishing.
In that mont, the Countess confird that the Old Lion ca for battle, more so to reclaim his honor.
With the Old Lion aging and the Countess growing, the whole South County believed that in the near future, the Countess would replace him.
In fact, many thought that the current Countess had already surpassed the Old Lion.
There was a mont when the Countess thought so herself.
But clearly, the Old Lion did not think so.
As the Pioneer Era's initiator, he did not wish to exit the stage like this.
This brought ample trouble to the Countess.
'I will prepare for the war with all my might.'
This was what the Countess told her subordinates.
No further words were spoken.
But the intelligent could sense from this simple phrase that the Countess was not fully confident.
And if the Countess lost?
South Los would return to the early days of the Pioneer Era: becoming the blood bag of the Inner Bay.
Forget about controlling the docks, the majority of South Los's fleet would beco the Golden Lion Family's, naturally including Marinda's.
Or rather...
As a relative of the Countess.
Seen as a staunch ally of the South Los House, Marinda could only retain a tiny bit of dignity at best.
For instance: an estate in the suburbs, one or two respectable shops in South Los.
Anything more?
None.
Moreover, in the decades to co, Marinda would likely have no opportunity to host salons.
Because, she would need to stay behind closed doors.
That estate would be her place of activity, and after her death, it probably would beco her resting place.
And this, was the Noble Agreent.
Marinda absolutely did not want to face such a situation.
This lady more than once thought about simply setting sail.
However, if she set sail at a ti like this, she wouldn't just beco a pirate, but she'd entirely betray the South Los House.
By then, given the Mother Tigress's temperant, she would certainly pursue her desperately.
As for leaving so people behind?
Impossible.
Because, if caught, she'd lose her last bit of dignity.
'Do I leave it to fate?'
Marinda thought silently, filled with a sense of powerlessness.
This feeling of powerlessness heightened this lady's anxiety.
Then, this lady picked up a communication crystal.
This communication crystal was her link to overseas forces—once South Los was controlled by the Golden Lion Family, this power would beco her trump card.
Therefore, she had to make this trump card even more hidden.
She couldn't stay near the sea.
Then go to the open sea.
Upon touching the communication crystal, Marinda instinctively thought of Arthur.
'With such an obvious hint, that guy should be able to guess what's happening, right?
With his smarts, he'd definitely figure it out.
Maybe, he'd already started escaping by now.
Just, he might be more annoyed?'
Thinking of Arthur's long-laid plans, seemingly going smoothly at first but failing now, filled Marinda with deep regret for Arthur.
What pained her more was the high likelihood they wouldn't et again in this life.
This thought made Marinda catch her breath, her chest aching faintly.
Unlike her relations with the South Los House, Arthur was just an ordinary Minor Noble, let alone the friction with Little Lion post-departure; even during his ti in South Los, he had repeatedly thwarted the Golden Lion Family's plans—Arthur would certainly not survive.
Even with the Noble Agreent.
But, a scapegoat was necessary.
And who better suited than Arthur?
No one.
Marinda was clear about her cousin's character.
Thinking of Arthur being pushed out as the scapegoat, Marinda couldn't help but bite her lip.
She didn't want to see this outco.
But she couldn't change anything.
In fact, in so respect, she herself was not in a safe position.
'How about running away with Arthur?
South County can't stay.
Then head to North County.
Avoid the cities in North County and head to the Extre North, even with the Old Lion's power, he couldn't find us there!'
A sudden impulse surged in her heart.
Instinctively, Marinda picked up the communication crystal between her and Arthur.
However, this lady did not imdiately connect.
Because she was unsure of Arthur's thoughts.
If...
If Arthur was unwilling to retreat?
If Arthur had other plans?
In hesitation, this lady who should have been decisive started to fear gains and losses—not only considering Arthur might have other plans but also her status.
She realized she was just his partner.
Those seemingly intimate behaviors were rely a show for others.
How had she taken it seriously?
How could one take such a thing seriously?
Ridiculous.
What kind of fool is that!
Marinda struck a match.
But still, did not light the pipe—Arthur disliked her smoking, she had quit unless absolutely necessary.
'Why am I thinking of that jerk again?'
Marinda frowned.
Then, gave a self-mocking smile.
'Indeed, the Old Lion's sudden arrival has disrupted my plans!'
Marinda thought to herself, beginning deep breathing exercises.
She needed a quick adjustnt.
She needed to stay calm.
If not, in the ensuing great battle, the already tilted scales of victory would completely tip in the Old Lion's favor, leaving them with not a tiny bit of a chance.
'If leveraging my father's and mother's power...
Only a ten percent chance!
And I would undoubtedly perish!
Making it easy for that dwarf, I am not resigned!
How about getting that dwarf to sign a contract with ?
But if I'm dead, what use is such a contract?
Is the inheritance for Arthur?
Damn it!
Why am I thinking about that guy again!'
Marinda slapped her cheek hard.
This lady was about to correct her thoughts once more.
At that mont, the communication crystal flickered.
Instinctively, Marinda connected it.
Imdiately, Arthur's voice echoed from within—
"I miss you, Marinda."
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