Reina.
The disciple of Ilian Sigurd and a candidate to become the future Divine Archer shocked everyone with her actions the moment she received her graduation diploma from Ark Academy.
Though unspoken, everyone assumed that she would follow Ariel Volkanov, whom she was inseparable from during her first year, into the Imperial Knights.
‘Having absorbed the archery skills of the Heretic of the Great Forest, who defeated the Demon God, she must have maintained perfect practical scores. Even her written exams were excellent, right?’
Unless there was a major flaw in her character—though there wasn’t—Reina could have easily entered the Imperial Knights as a free pass if she wanted.
Of course, if someone had to find fault, it could be that she was of common birth.
’But that’s not a big issue. After all, there are plenty of commoners among the legends of the Imperial Knights.’
The great knight Kaien, who retired a year ago after resigning from his role as academy instructor, was also of common birth.
The first Imperial Knight Commander, Alex Volkanov, known as the First Sword who safeguarded the Kallos Empire, was likewise of commoner status.
The Imperial Knights had originated from legends of commoners.
Naturally, they would welcome Reina with open arms, not belittle her and say, “You cannot join us.”
“Yes… She could easily secure a great position. So why on earth?”
Oliver glanced at the woman seated at a small desk in his office, reading over documents.
Ignoring offers from remarkable organizations, including the Imperial Knights, Reina had chosen to inherit Oliver’s job: managing the Volkanov family’s agricultural affairs.
“Hmm? Is there something you’d like to say?”
“No, please feel free to ask if anything is unclear.”
“Hehe. Understood.”
Watching her quickly notice even a fleeting glance, Oliver shifted his gaze back to the pile of documents on his desk.
‘Rejecting prestigious workplaces just to learn farming. Why would she make such a choice?’
To be honest, Oliver already knew that Reina wasn’t going to join the Imperial Knights.
He had heard rumors that Ian Volkanov would take her as his third wife.
When she headed to Volkanov after graduation, Oliver assumed she was aiming for the Northern Winds Lions Knights.
‘They may lack the prestige of the Imperial Knights, but ever since being annexed into a Duke’s household, they lack nothing. Plus, she could see the family head every day.’
The Imperial Knights, on the other hand, wouldn’t let even senior officers leave the Imperial Capital without permission.
Compared to that, the Northern Winds Lions Knights seemed like a better fit for Reina.
Not leaving Volkanov had its own merits—staying with a beloved husband was no small luxury.
‘Look at Lady Ariel. She graduated early a year ago and hasn’t been able to take a single day of leave yet.’
Given all this, Oliver was certain Reina had chosen the Northern Knights for Ian.
“Excuse me? What did you just say?”
“I said Reina will be taking over your role, and she’ll visit for the handover in a few days.”
Until Ian’s unexpected announcement.
Hearing the shocking news spoken so casually, Oliver felt faint.
“Wait, my lady? Why…?”
“Hmm? Didn’t you ask me to find someone to manage the crops so you could focus on sales?”
“That’s true, but… Lady Reina is an exceptional archer. Are you saying she chose farming?”
To refuse countless offers from prestigious knight orders to take up farming?
It’s a job that leaves your hands covered in soil and your heart anxious over the weather.
Moreover, Oliver knew Reina’s parents were farmers.
If anyone understood the hardships of farming, it was her. Why would she voluntarily walk such a thorny path?
He wished he could ask for her detailed reasons, but interrogating the head of a Duke family was out of the question.
That’s why—
“Hmm. I don’t know the full details, but she said it’s been her dream since childhood. Try to understand. She’s bright, so she’ll learn quickly.”
“…Understood. I will do my best to hand everything over.”
To have the lady of the house as his successor was enough to make Oliver feel the heavens had turned against him.
Still, perhaps there was a silver lining.
‘She’s definitely smart. Teach her one thing, and she understands ten—and even applies them.’
Thanks to her intelligence, Oliver was spared the horror of being bombarded with questions at all hours.
‘Yes, I’m managing well, Oliver. If you just finish this job, it’ll all be over. This is the final trial!’
With that thought, Oliver turned his gaze back to the remaining handover documents.
***
Reina, born the daughter of a poor farmer, knew better than anyone how hard their lives could be.
‘Some say it feels like their blood is drying up. Others say it’s like raising another child.’
Worrying about whether crops would fall ill, whether the weather would be too cold—farmers inevitably poured immense care into their crops.
Because of this, they would sometimes vent these feelings.
Even in the midst of already tough lives, they couldn’t help but think all day, ‘Are the crops okay? The weather’s cold, isn’t it?’
But what was even more frustrating was that, no matter how much effort was put into cultivation, there was never a guarantee the crops would grow well.
‘At least with something like potatoes, it’s manageable. But wheat? The slightest trouble and it’s ruined, isn’t it?’
It wasn’t about making mistakes; sometimes bad weather or natural disasters could erase all of one’s hard work in an instant.
That was the reality of farming. Yet, unfortunately, no one ever seemed to care about those struggles.
Instead, they would reprimand the farmers: ‘Why didn’t you foresee the problem beforehand?’
‘Even though Brother has greatly improved the farmers’ treatment since taking charge of the family, I still can’t forget the harsh words and oppression from before.’
‘Just work hard, and everything will grow fine.’ Or: ‘Shouldn’t you be able to predict natural disasters?’
Reina never forgot those words. At the same time, she believed those remarks stemmed from the absence of anyone with deep agricultural knowledge among the higher-ups leading the territory.
That was why—
‘I can’t just wait forever. Instead of hoping for a miracle, I’ll bring one myself.’
The reason Reina had rejected offers from illustrious knight orders and chosen to manage Volkanov’s agriculture was because she wanted to solve the problems she had seen since childhood and lead the territory toward a better future.
‘Of course, being in Volkanov means I can be with Brother after work… Hehe.’
For a happy future, she needed to complete her handover training and prove her value.
Fortunately, Baron Oliver, the former agricultural manager, was a competent man, so Reina had been able to learn the ropes comfortably.
‘According to Baron Oliver, the handover is almost complete, so it’ll be over soon.’
If she could endure just a bit longer, she would finally achieve the dream she had longed for.
Reina clenched her fists, firming her resolve, when—
Knock, Knock!
“Reina? Are you in there?”
“Huh? Bianca?”
“Ah! You’re there! Is it okay if I come in for a moment?”
The slightly trembling voice of Bianca reached through the door.
Reina froze. Bianca’s voice never trembled unless something serious had happened.
Worried, Reina rushed to open the door.
“Sister? What’s wrong?”
“Well, um…”
Bianca, her hands nervously clasped against her chest, shifted anxiously.
Reina tilted her head, puzzled, as Bianca hesitated before finally speaking.
“There seems to be a big problem preparing for Lady Leticia’s memorial…”
“What?”
Bianca’s unexpected words made Reina’s eyes widen in shock.
***
There was a problem with the memorial preparations.
The moment she heard that, a certain name flashed through Reina’s mind.
‘Don’t tell me… Is it Neltalion again?’
Neltalion Volkanov.
The girl had first appeared a year ago when Ian and Bianca were married.
Though she looked like a 10-year-old child, Neltalion wielded the powers of an ancient god and was, without exaggeration, a core asset to Ian Volkanov.
At first, no one but Ian, as her contractor, and Bianca, who could see spirits, had known of her existence. However, when Ian married Bianca, Neltalion gave up her immortality—one of the ancient gods’ privileges—to live as Ian’s daughter.
While it might have been a decision she would later regret, Neltalion adored Bianca as her mother and loved clinging to Ian, so there had been no issue.
But that wasn’t the important matter here.
Reina, pushing aside her thoughts of the past, looked at the trembling Bianca and asked:
“Sister. Did Neltalion do something? Like last time when she ate the cake meant for Brother’s birthday or nearly set the carpet on fire while playing with candles?”
Despite her adorable appearance, children’s curiosity was no small thing.
Neltalion, with her boundless curiosity and mischievous nature, often got into trouble if left unattended.
Just a few days prior, for Ian’s birthday, she had snuck out at dawn to nibble on the cake that had been carefully prepared and stored in the fridge. She had been caught sleeping in the dining room with cream smeared all over her mouth.
‘If it’s something like that again…’
Reina resolved to give Neltalion a stern scolding.
It would hurt her heart to do so, but this time she couldn’t let it slide.
But at that moment—
“No, it’s not that! Neltalion hasn’t done anything wrong. After being scolded last time, she’s been behaving so well….”
“Then what happened?”
“Well…”
“Don’t be nervous. Tell me. If I can help, I will.”
Reina didn’t know what the problem was yet, and even if she heard it, she might not have a solution. Still, it would be better for Bianca to talk it out instead of worrying alone.
Understanding this, Reina encouraged Bianca to speak, creating an atmosphere of reassurance.
Thanks to that—
“…Hah. Listen carefully. It seems like there’s a ghost in the mansion. And not just any ghost… a very powerful wraith.”
“What? A wraith?”
The secret Bianca had been hiding was finally revealed.
Reina clenched her fists, caught off guard by this completely unexpected issue.
