Route 1: The DREAM 8.0

"I am not comfortable with the honorifics, my lady. It would be best if you'll just call me sir Cain or Cain instead of Duke" - he said which almost made me let out a small chuckle, well, just like the usual I did my best to keep it to myself. Well, I already know that he will feel uncomfortable when I bring the news about him being a duke, especially the world 'loyalty' because he is not loyal to the emperor, he is rather loyal to the empire's people.

Well, I have to commend the team who made him because they were on point with that aspect, that a hero is never loyal to the emperor or any royalty but he is loyal to the people of the empire, to the citizens. The only thing that I hate about his character is that he is too overpowered, the team who conceptualized him really went too far and yet it was not shown in the game.

Him being too overpowered was overshadowed by the romance he has with the female lead. Anyway, it is not my business anymore if he will still fall in love with that crappy woman who knows nothing but to look nice and pretty to gain the sympathy and love of the people.

"I am afraid I cannot do what you are asking me to do Duke Cain." - I said and he looked even more uncomfortable than he was a while ago. Well, I really can't call him the same as before since our status is way different from each other now. Not to mention that I believe that one should not make exceptions for him or herself. "Anyway, I'll be on my way Duke. It's nice seeing you again after a few weeks"- I said and I was about to walk pass him when he suddenly grabbed my arm which made me stop from my tracks and I immediately looked at him.

"Yes?" - I asked and as I said those words I can feel the adventurers looking at our direction. Well it seems that this is some kind of drama to them that is worth watching.

"Actually Lady Mila, I came to this guild because I am looking for you" - he said which made me frown. Looking for me? What the heck? So he came by the guild just because he was looking for me, he could have just went to the house and left a message to Alarick and Aesir.

He suddenly heave a deep sigh which made me frown deeper.

"I shouldn't be saying this in such a public place so can we move to somewhere more private?" - He stated. What? Is what he is going to say that serious that he cannot speak of it here in the guild? Damn-- I already want to go to the dungeon to kill some monsters but I am also already quite curious of what he is about to say.

"Then if that's the case, let's go"





*



So, because he said that we should move into somewhere private. We both decided to just go to my house since it is quite near than his duchy. The two of us are now inside my office and he is sitting on the sofa right across me. Aesir and Alarick are both shocked to see that I came back and not to mention that Cain is with me.

Well, yes I could have informed them before hand that I will be returning and Cain is with me but I choose not to because I want to see their reaction and I am really quite entertained when I saw the look they have on their faces. Anyways, I need to start the conversation with this man in front of me so that we could finish early and so that I can proceed with my adventure.

My whole body is aching for some action already, a f-cking bloody action.

"So, Duke Cain, what is it that you want to tell me?" - I asked as I took a sip of the tea that Aesir prepared.

"I will be direct to the point" - he stated and I just nod my head. Well, that's what I actually like about this man, he does not make things complicated and I really hate it when people are not direct to the point, it makes me want to cut their tongue, honestly.

"I know that you are hiding something Lady Mila. The moment we've shook hands I have seen you, I knew that you have the potential to be one of the great mages here the empire. But also I know that you have your own reasons for doing so and I am not planning to pry on your business" - he said which instantly made me stop drinking my tea and I slowly put it down on the table.

I knew it. My hunch is right that he also felt that spark when I shook hands with him the moment we first met but I did not expect that he will bring that up right now. It makes me wonder where the heck is this conversation leads to.

"I also know that you where at the forest two days ago. You have seen me fought with the black dragon and you even saw me --

"You should shut your mouth Sir Cain. You shouldn't be saying those reckless words without even giving proper warning" - I cut him off and he immediately closed his mouth. Damn. I never thought that he would say those things and what I cannot believe is that he f-cking knew that I was there.

"Let's just erase his memory." - Aesir and Alarick synchronously said

"Let him be. He'll find out sooner anyway. tsk It is not my fault that he is too overpowered for a Hero" - I replied as I let out a deep sigh. I snapped my fingers and automatically a barrier was created around my house which prevents people from eavesdropping from our conversation and it cancels out any magic that is used to do so.

"Now that I've created a barrier you can talk." - I said and he looked quite confused on what I just said, however that confusion did not stop him from talking once again.

"I knew that you have also seen my familiar and I actually hope that you will keep that a secret." - he said and I immediately nod my head because I am not really planning on telling that to anyone, well unless he will go against my plans then I will totally would. "And because you have already known my secret, I will be asking you to help me with something" - he added which made my curiosity rise up again.

"What is it?" - I seriously asked and the next thing he said made me grin like how a devil would grin.

"Help me oust the current emperor"

"Help me oust the current emperor" - He said, which made me grin like a devil would. Well, it is really such a great choice that I put up a barrier around my house because if I haven't and someone is using magic to eavesdrop on our conversation. It is not only him that would be charged of treason, but also me. Well, but that is so unlikely to happen because mine, Alarick and Aesir's senses are quite strong and we will immediately know whether someone is spying on us. We can also immediately track them down and then erase or alter their memories just like what I did to those spies who have seen my face on the first night we had arrived in this town.

They will never regain the memories that I have erased, even if a mage forcefully do so. No mage can counter an ancient and improved forbidden magic.

"You already know that I am hiding my potential and the reason for that is I want to live peacefully in this town and just be an adventurer to earn for a living for me and for those two outside, and technically the favor you are asking me to do is going to ruin the peace that I want. Have you even considered my safety if just in case the empire found out what you are planning?" - I said as I crossed my legs and I even crossed my arms in front of my chest. What I have said is the truth. He only knows that I am hiding my potential, what he doesn't know is what the potential actually is. And because he is clearly asking for a reason why I chose to hide it, of course I gave him an answer way different from what I want and had planned.

Of course, although he knew that I wield a power that is also extraordinary, I am not planning to tell him more information about myself, especially the fact that I am the long lost daughter of the Bicester family who are very loyal to the emperor and that Aesir and Alarick, the two persons outside are the guardians of the spirit realm and they are my familiars.

I am just stating the fact that what he is planning is dangerous for me because surely there are going to be a lot of people who will wary of him after causing the death of one of the Dukes in the Empire because he was able to find out the dirt he is hiding. And if he is planning to be the 'good' heroic duke, of course a lot of people will try to get rid of him.

I am not saying that he cannot handle those bastards but he should have at least taken into consideration the people who is very close to him that will also undergo persecution and that their safety will not be assured, just for example the Franceschi duchy. Those people will surely target that duchy first since technically Cain is loyal to them.

"I can protect you Lady Mila" - he firmly said which made me let out a chuckle that immediately shocked him. Of course, this is the first time I chuckled openly when he is around, why did I chuckle? Because he is funny, rather what he just said is quite hilarious.

After a minute I finally stopped laughing and my expression turned back to being serious and I looked at him straight in the eye.

"Yes, you can protect me but can you protect the Francheschi duchy at the same time? Even with your extraordinary powers and strength, we both cannot deny that you cannot protect both at the same time. Not to mention that you cannot risk letting other people know this early that you have the legendary dragon inside your body as your familiar. Not to mention that you are just a newly titled Duke, do you think that someone will support you?" - I said and at the moment I saw him waver and I know he is starting to rethink. What I just said is nothing but the truth, before he should have asked me to help him to oust the current emperor, he should have drafted a plan to ensure that he will surely get the upper hand and win.

This world is just like a game, well it is a game for me but anyways if he really wants to be successful in ousting the emperor and take the throne then he should also be prepared to be the manipulator and the deceiver. Being a goody hero is not going to help him.

"If you really want me to help you with your goal, then you have to follow what I am about to tell you" -I added and I saw how that wavering he had on his face a while ago slowly disappeared and he is back to having this stoic yet anticipating expression on his face.

I snapped my fingers and both a paper and pen appeared on top of the table in front of us. There is no point in not using magic when he is around because he already knew that I am capable of doing so and of course, I bet he heard how I used magic yesterday to knock down those big asshole adventurers at the guild.

"You are no longer a knight, Cain Khalid you have gained the title of a Duke. And being a Duke, you are already considered as part of the nobility, the high society. You can do the things that a simple knight couldn't, you have access to everything yet you also need to managed your duchy. People shouldn't be looking down on you and they are also not allowed to speak ill of you , criticize you because of your jet black hair because you are in a higher position than them. But such respect is quite long to earn" - I started and I saw him clench his fingers. Of course, he know the fact that I have said, he is not stupid anyway and I bet he already thought about this the moment he was given the title of a duke. Why would the empire immediately give a title to a knight with jet black hair? Of course, the emperor has hidden motive for that.

"So, the first thing that you need to do so that I will surely help you achieve your goal is to strengthen your position as a Duke" - I said and the pen on top of the paper started moving on its own and it wrote down what I just said. Of course, it will because I just embedded motion magic on it. "How exactly are you going to strengthen your position as a Duke? It is simple" - I paused and I cannot help but to grin.

Well, having knowledge about this world is really helpful because I have a clear idea of what is about happen in the future especially the things that concern businesses. Well, those are the things that I immediately recalled when I was still young because duh? Money is technically everything.

"Start up a business and I am willing to be your investor"