Route 1: Preparations Part 1

**Scarlet Aubrielle **

After a few minutes, I have already finished analyzing the blueprint of the dungeon that Helios sent to me which I also requested. And now that I have completely analyzed it, I already got the gist of it and I am indeed correct with my hunch.

This dungeon that appeared in the west part of the empire is actually the same dungeon that the Imperial Family and the knights had much trouble in subjugating in the game. It was only cleared the moment that Helios and the female lead have already formed a connection with each other - well, specifically it was the female lead who actually offered that she will go with the team that will try to clear the dungeon again and that she will ensure that everything will go smoothly and that no one will actually going to lose their lives again and that no family member of the imperial knights will suffer or mourn because of it.

Well, at first Helios in the game was skeptical if there is really something going to change if the female lead was with the team but then again, he also chose to believe because he had seem determination in her eyes but in one condition, he is going to come with the team and that he will also be the one to lead the subjugation.

Now that, I have known that the two dungeons are the same then if I am able to clear it in this timeline then there will be no problems in the future - imperial knights that are destined to die will have their fates altered. Well, I need to do this because in the original story line, I can remember that it was mentioned by Helios himself that none of those tragedies would actually happen if and only if the Elvois agreed to clear the dungeon because they- or rather we are the ones with expertise in the field.

But of course, Calyx in the original story line decline what Helios is ordering the Elvois to do and he was still about to decline if I didn’t stop him from doing so. Well, it is only natural for Calyx to decline in the first place, knowing the fact that there is really no benefits from what the crown prince is proposing.

Anyone would also decline with such a proposal because they are literally putting their lives and their people’s lives on the line yet they are not going to have just compensation. Of course, what would we give to those families of our knights that could lose their lives during the expedition? Just condolences? Of course that is kind of not appropriate.

“Elisha, can you gather the knights for me, tell them that I am going to meet them right now” that is what I said as I closed the letter that Helios sent. Elisha immediately nod her head and left to follow what I ordered her to do.

The moment that she left I also walked towards my closet and I started to look for clothes that is going to be suitable for me as I talk to the knights, of course I cannot just go there to meet them wearing a dress. I want to connect with them as much as possible and to make them see and realize that I am not just a lady of the house and that I am also able to contribute something to the family.

It took me about twenty minutes to prepare and right now, I am simply wearing jeans and a nice white blouse and a pair of nice boots. These are the things that I actually got the family’s seamstress make for me. Well, it was not that hard for her to actually tailor such clothes because they are pretty much similar to what men use in this place, she just made it a little but womanly by putting ruffles and a little bit detail such as to ensure that the bust will not be that tight so that I can still breathe properly and that the jeans are flexible enough as well.

“My lady, the knights are already positioned at the training grounds. Sir Theo is also there making sure that there will be no fuss among them” that is what Elisha said and I nod my head and said my thanks to her for doing a job well down.

Now, the only thing that is left for me to do is to actually move my ass to the training ground so that I can finally meet those knights.

*

I have already arrived at the training grounds and I have seen the knights positioned properly. They are forming a straight line and all of them are really waiting for me diligently. Well, of course just one wrong move and that will be considered as a disrespect not only to me as the daughter of the duke and duchess, but to the Elvois in general.

“Welcome Lady Scarlet” Theo first greeted - obviously leading the group and right after he bowed, the knights behind him did the same thing - they also greeted me lively and they bowed. Well, those are natural gestures in this world as a sign that they respect the person that is right in front of them because of the position that person holds.

Again, they cannot just do anything they want if the person right in front of them is part of the nobility. Unlike in my previous life as Isabella Red, wealth does define your status in the society but the citizens has always the freedom to act how they want towards these people, they can determine to themselves if that person is indeed worthy to be respected. However in this world, disrespect always ends up to death.

“You may now raise your heads” that is what I said and they all raise their heads just like what I ordered them to do so. And with that I am able to fully see the look on their faces and some of them still has that look in their faces - the skeptical look, the look that gives a hint that they are judging me greatly and that they are questioning every bit of my abilities.

It is not that I am hurt of how they view me but they should at least be discreet about it.

“Let me get straight into the point.” That is what I said, using a serious tone and I saw how Theo looked shocked right now. Well, I guess he didn’t expect me to be able to pull off such a tone but to be honest, he should have already expected it in the first place because I have always been the mature type in the family - that is how Scarlet Aubrielle is programmed to be.

“I know that you all have heard the news about the appearance of a dungeon in the west part of the empire and the fact that the crown prince, himself visited the duchy the day before yesterday ordering the Elvois to subjugate the dungeon. Well, I know that you guys were curious when suddenly you received a memorandum that you will be participating in the subjugation because my brother, Calyx naturally will not allow that to happen” I said and I just looked at the knights straight at their eyes.

Well, looking straight at their eyes will mean that I am not lying and that I am only spitting facts about everything that happened the day before yesterday. They need to know what happened, even if just a summary of it and it is for me to be able to gain their trust.

“The reason why the Elvois got suddenly involved and ended up in being the ones to subjugate the dungeon is because of me. And I know that some of you may seem pissed off with that decision of mine but both my brother, Calyx and our parents have said that it was a decision that will indeed benefit the Elvois greatly.” I continued and I saw the shock look on the soldiers faces. It seems like they cannot believe what I just said, well do they really not think that I will not realize what they think about me sooner or later and what they feel about suddenly going to an expedition when in fact Calyx doesn’t like a single bit such a thought.

Well, in this way I will be able to filter out those people who are really willing to be of service not just for me but to the Elvois in general.

“First before anything else, I want to show you something and after seeing it you decide for yourselves whether or not you will join me in the subjugation of that dungeon” that is what I said and Theo, the personal knight of my brother and the lieutenant of the knights was that shocked maybe because of what he heard from her.

Well, of course she doesn’t want to push them to join her in the subjugation the dungeon and she doesn’t care if she is going to go alone. But then, she thought that even if she will not push them it is only right that she is going to give them as well a good reason why they will and they will not join in the expedition.

“My lady -

“I am going to be fine, Elisha. Just stand back for a while, I am afraid that I might hurt you since you are quite close to me” I cut Elisha off before she could even say something. Well, Elisha is not dumb not to realize what I am actually about to do and of course, because she already realized it through the words that I have said, it is normal for her to actually try and stop me from doing whatever I have on mind.

But then again, I won’t be stopped by her or by anyone. If I want to gain their trust in this expedition then I really have to do that - without their trust this expedition is going to fail and I don’t know what will happen next.

“My lady have you actually asked the duke’s and duchess’ permission? You still remember what they have told you right?” Elisha still said which made me heave a sigh.

Elisha is really persistent in making me stop in whatever it is that I am about to do, however the thing is that I will not be stopped. And I know that I may be scolded after this but I also want to show my parents and my brother that it is about time that I will have to receive proper training from them - that they shouldn’t keep me out of the dark this long.

It is really about time that I learn to use magic properly.

Elisha is still right beside me, obviously pleading not to do whatever it is that I am thinking that I should do. I heave a sigh and I opened the palm of my hand and a magic circle appeared on my hand - a dark blue magic circle. My mother, an ice mage has a sky blue magic circle however, I am different. The first time I summoned a magic circle in this body I am shocked because I know that mine is different from my mother however, I am not completely oblivious of the reason why it is of different shade compared to my mother and the reason is simple

It is because of the power stagnant inside of me.

“I hope you will forgive me for this Elisha, but I really need to do this” I said and I automatically casted magic that will create a transparent barrier around her. The barrier will basically prevent her from not only getting hurt even if she is still close to me but also to prevent her from suddenly running towards me and stopping me for whatever it is that I am about to do.

Elisha at that moment looked shocked because of what I did but the only thing that I have said or rather mouthed to her is “Let me do this”

I then looked at the knights and I could see that they are pretty astonished because of what they just witnessed. But seriously? It all takes that to make them shocked? What more if I showed them something even more interesting?