When Ilyin arrived, Knight Delrose Emil did not ask what the purpose of her visit was or whether she needed anything.
Because if Ilyin, a person from the warm region, had traveled here in the cold, it already meant that she had some kind of very important business in mind.
This was the first interaction and the first order that Ilyin was giving to the Knights.
He was nervous.
“I'm sorry for intruding like this,” Ilyin lifted Blue North's cloth a little and smiled warmly at them, the knights bowed deeply to her.
"No need, ma'am.
We are always at your disposal, be it dawn or dusk," he replied with a slight bow.
“It seems there is a problem with the Mansion’s defense.”
"… Forgiveness?"
If what Ilyin said is true, this was a real emergency for the Delrose knights.
Not only will their Master personally reprimand them for not guarding Ilyin properly, but also for putting her life in danger.
Emil and the knights who were behind him turned white as a sheet, these were the knights who were entrusted with the job of protecting the mansion while Aden was away.
“I’m not sure I understand, ma’am,” Emil replied calmly despite his racing heart, “Which part of the Manor…?”
This came as a shock to him, as the knights of Delrose always performed their duties with the utmost sincerity and it was the main reason why Aden had entrusted them with the security of the mansion.
Emil was quite confident that there was no hole in his defense.
However, Emil did not let his confidence in Delrose's ability discount Ilyin's words.
“Elo’s territory,” Ilyin answered carefully.
“Oh.”
A myriad of emotions crossed Emil's eyes before finally disappearing, Ilyin was able to read him sensitively.
She realized it was a mixture of relief, but he was also a little disturbed.
“Is it a bit much to ask the knights of Delrose to guard Elo’s territory?” Ilyin didn't know everything about winter politics, so she had to ask carefully.
Emil shook his head, "No ma'am.
This is also a Knight's duty."
“But not from Delrose.”
Emil wasn't sure how to express this to Ilyin.
It was clear that Ilyin was not informed nor aware of the situation.
Even Aden, who had the duty to protect all Biflten, showed displeasure at Elo's request for reinforcement.
‘If the Elo weren’t able to deal with the Yesters, they wouldn’t have placed their fortress there.’
As Emil thought about it, he realized that Aden wasn't worried about Elo even when they were leaving for the hot region, despite it being the season when the Yesters were most active.
Despite his attempt to weaken them by increasing the region's winter temperature, the Yesters were still very active.
‘The temperature is now high for April.
With the strong northwest wind, it is difficult to carry out even a small invasion when the fortress is to the northwest.'
Aden had said before going to the hot region.
Instead of believing Elo, he said it coldly, as if it were a fact, an unwritten rule.
Den did not agree with the way each of the families tried to save their own soldiers at the risk of others and more than anything, it seemed that there was an unwritten rule in winter that families did not interfere in other families' affairs.
Even an outsider could see the clear division in Biflten and how even the territories were clearly divided by families.
"I understand.
I understand how difficult it must be to see the families as allies of Delrose," Ilyin spoke, his voice full of sympathy and sincerity, "but the Delrose knights I know are brave and benevolent."
The knights looked at each other, Ilyin's praise catching them off guard.
Ilyin tilted his head a little and his soft silver hair, with Blue North cloth, bounced lightly on his shoulder in the process.
“Delrose, because of her master with Divine Power, has an unspoken responsibility to protect Biflten.”
Unfairly, Ilyin's eyes seemed to be saying as she petted Emil, who was trying his best to hide his displeasure.
His small, fragile-looking hand surprisingly contained so much strength and protection.
“Fortunately, they have become the only family that can naturally enter the empty and knightless territory of Elo,” said Emil after feeling inspired by Ilyin's kind heart as he gave him a small smile.
“Isn’t that right?” Ilyin laughed, his heart swelling with pride at his words.
***
There was life in Biflten Manor once again.
It was thanks to Ilyin, who ordered the Knights to work to fill the hole left in the Manor's defense by the absence of the Elo knights.
While expanding their defense, the Delrose knights were never strong.
This was thanks to Ilyin's constant reminder for them to never make any of Elo's maids feel threatened.
She had also given a secret order known only to the Delroses.
‘Investigate the Links that are inside the Mansion.’
Ilyin was sure to make it clear that she didn't want the use of any force and if it couldn't be done naturally then it was okay to just protect them.
This whole situation could have been misinterpreted as an invasion of another family's territory, but Ilyin skillfully used the rumor of her being spread to his advantage.
She was now popular as the lady who was so kind that she cared about the defenses of the families fighting the Yesters in April.