“There was a silent beauty who was previously unknown and suddenly rises like this? That’s suspicious. It seems more credible to think someone is behind her.”

“Someone who doesn’t want to reveal their identity… could it be Duke Echerzen?”

“I recall that when she suddenly disappeared at the ball, she was with him.”

It seemed they had conveniently forgotten the multiple lights that once hovered over her head.

“After all, rather than the young and timid young lady suddenly exerting her abilities to become a hero overcoming trials, it might make more sense to think that there’s someone putting forth the ordinary young lady as if she has special abilities.

‘There’s even an appropriate figure to blame in the background.’

She could understand that logic.

After returning from another world after 18 years, both her personality and abilities had completely changed.

However, Cassis seemed angry just at the existence of such controversy.

“What are you talking about? Do you even know how hard that trial was back then…?”

He clenched and unclenched his fists repeatedly. Seeing a brief blue aura from his fingers, it seemed he had no intention of controlling his abilities.

Everyone else seemed equally furious.

“That’s right! If it weren’t for Lady Roshanak back then, all of us here might have died. Isn’t that right, Sir Joel?”

“Yes, that’s probably true. This chamber might not have even existed.”

“Hey, why are you just standing there? Do something.”

Cassis grabbed Rosha’s arm and shook it.

Even Duke Feriel suggested to her, ‘Isn’t it better to show them your abilities?’

That’s indeed a good piece of advice. But…

‘Showing just my abilities isn’t enough now.’

Something more impressive was needed.

And she knew from years of experience that a show of force often worked better than expected.

After all, the world after the trials was dominated by the law of the mighty.

The members, seeing Roshanak cornered, smirked in victory. She stared back and smiled at them.

Then.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, a noble spotted something moving in the sky.

At first, it seemed like an ordinary bird, but as it approached, it became clear that this blue figure was no ordinary bird.

It was a phoenix, engulfed in blue flames.

“Wh-What is that?”

“It’s a monster! A monster has appeared!”

Though its body wasn’t that large, the blue flames extending from its wings were incredibly large, casting a shadow over a third of the chamber.

The phoenix, flapping its brilliant fiery wings, extended them fully as if showing off. Then it swiftly dove towards the chamber.

“Ah!”

“Run!”

Thanks to the people who thought it was an attack by a demonic beast, the conference room instantly became noisy.

Some were paralyzed with fear, while others rushed towards the exit, pushing others away.

But none could escape from the phoenix’s fiery embrace.

Kuaaa!

The blue flames brushed over everyone.

Expecting to be burned, they closed their eyes.

But.

“…Huh?”

The flames were not hot at all.

Rather, they felt like being submerged in lukewarm water, and then it swayed from the sky before naturally shrinking in size and fading away.

Warm blue flame…

It naturally reminded people of the ‘Sea of Fire’ they had witnessed during the trial.

Those who turned to look at Roshanak saw the phoenix gently landing beside her. In contrast to its ferocity from earlier, it walked around her, flaunting its feathers.

“What… What just happened?”

“This is the age of gods and magic, isn’t it?”

Rosha said with a smile, stroking the phoenix’s feathers.

“I would’ve preferred a more productive conversation instead of accusing me of boasting without abilities.”

Revealing the true form of the bird was an idea she had from the moment she was invited to this council meeting, in as dramatic a way as possible.

The goal was to clear any doubts about her and to re-emphasize the importance of the trials.

People, stunned by the sight of her skillfully handling the phoenix, couldn’t say a word.

And supporters of Rosha among the council members and those with abilities spoke up.

“Lady Roshanak was indeed the biggest contributor in the last trial. The remarks earlier were utterly disrespectful. We demand a public apology.”

“Those present at the Month of Abundance Banquet would know. We all volunteered to face the trial. But now, there’s no support or agreement for the next trial, only being told to manage on our own.”

“We only have one life. How can we risk it without anything?”

So far, things were going well, as some voices of reason began to emerge.

However, the phoenix, Koko, suddenly speaking was unexpected.

“Could you humans, who carry your heads just for decoration, shut up for a moment?”

“…”

“…”

“A phoenix… spoke?”

Seeing people’s shocked faces, Rosha awkwardly smiled, thinking that this wasn’t part of her plan.

* * *

As the meeting somewhat concluded, Koko, transformed into a white parrot and perched on Rosha’s shoulder, people seemed to accept that the bird spoke. Parrots sometimes imitate what those around them say.

“Miss Roshanak… Your words are more harsh than I thought.”

“Haha…”

Although it was misunderstood by Lysithea.

“Is the bird you keep smart? I heard parrots are intelligent.”

“Yes, very smart. Good memory too.”

Cassis looked at the bird with newfound curiosity. Koko, who already disliked him, puffed up and glared, but fortunately or unfortunately, Cassis didn’t notice.

At that moment, Duke Feriel, who had greeted the council members, approached with light steps.

“You were impressive just now. Did you set this up?”

“Well… yes.”

“Ha, I’m very pleased. Why didn’t I notice someone as exceptional as you before? I’m regretful.”

Duke Feriel seemed delighted that the meeting had gone well.

No wonder. People were so overwhelmed by the visual effects of the phoenix that they easily accepted most of the demands.

-The material damage caused by the trial is unavoidable, so we will try to solve it individually.

-Yes? Of course, we should take the byproducts from the trials.

-Renting a sacred relic? Hmm… Let’s put it on the parliamentary agenda.

She didn’t say she would give up on the upcoming trials, so the negotiations were quickly settled. Especially renting sacred relics was a big gain.

‘Of course, it still has to pass through the council…’

She got everything she could from the noble meeting.

But there was still one more obstacle.

‘…Cedric.’

He, dressed as an imperial aide, was climbing the stairs with a stern face. He looked very confused as all his siblings had gone to face the trials.

But it couldn’t be helped.

Rosha firmly cut off Cedric, who was trying to deter her.

“Rosha, just now…”

“Brother. I need to face the trials.”

She had to. She might be the only one who knew about the next trials in this world. Only by stepping forward could she save her beloved family and this world.

She gave Cedric, whose green eyes were full of swirling emotions, a faint smile.

If she could keep seeing him and Cassis alive and well, she could bear any trials.

And in fact, there was another reason she faced the trials.

‘I can’t miss that reward.’

The reward the God of Prophecy gave her and Froy for freeing the princess from brainwashing.

It was none other than a ‘compass leading to the secret store’.