Of course, in the beginning, most didn’t believe it and thought it was just a baseless rumor. However, before long, people claiming it was true began appearing here and there.

“No, is it really true? My friend’s son works as a servant at the Aper estate, and he clearly saw Lady Roshanak being aided by a maid as she descended the stairs.”

“Didn’t I just mention that my wife’s cousin’s brother is a knight of the Aper estate? Well, apparently Lady Roshanak has been using a cane like blind people do.”

They would appear at opportune moments, fanning the flames of the issue, only to quietly disappear like shadows with their secretive movements.

Oblivious to this, the people split into two broad groups, buzzing with chatter.

“So what happens to us? If the next trial suddenly arrives, aren’t we all doomed?”

“But at least she hasn’t lost her abilities.”

“Alas, heaven is so heartless. Is there no way a miracle could occur?”

Those hoping for Rosha’s recovery and worrying about their own fates.

And then:

“I knew this would happen. She got lucky awakening an ability, but I could tell from the way she kept sticking her nose everywhere. Wouldn’t it have been better if she had just stayed quiet?”

“The era of Roshanak Aper has come to pass. It set sooner than expected.”

Those who had subtly looked down on Rosha.

As they gradually raised their voices, stirring up chaotic public opinion, the rumor spread like wildfire throughout the capital.

Upon hearing it, Lysithea immediately went to the Count Aper’s estate, accompanied by Joel.

“Tia, it’s improper to just barge in like this…”

“Propriety is not the issue now. We need to find out the truth!”

Strangely, there was no one stopping them inside the mansion – it was in disarray.

With a foreboding feeling, Lysithea clutched her dress and hurried upstairs.

In Lady Roshanak’s room, physicians dispatched from the imperial palace were present.

It seemed they had already completed a thorough examination, as they were filling out documents, all shaking their heads solemnly.

“This is…”

“Umm…”

“All we can do is leave it to heaven’s will…”

They murmured as they filed past Lysithea with bowed heads. Once they returned to the palace, everyone would likely learn the truth behind the rumor sweeping the capital.

‘This can’t be.’

Lysithea’s gaze fell upon Roshanak, seated limply on the bed, looking remarkably haggard.

Approaching her, Lysithea asked in disbelief,

“I heard the rumors. That you’ve lost your sight… Is it true? I had a feeling something was amiss ever since Count Cedric barred visitors…”

Yes, come to think of it.

It’s not that Assistant Cedric disliked her, so he wouldn’t have any reason to do that unless Roshanak had truly lost her sight.

Catching a glimpse of Lysithea’s reddened eyes, she continued haltingly:

“Wha-what should we do…? Could this be because I didn’t participate in the last trial?”

She took quite a pride in her ability.

The power to absorb vitality from living beings and bestow it upon others.

‘With that power, I might have been able to help Lady Roshanak to some extent if she was injured.’

That minuscule possibility tormented Lysithea deeply.

On the other hand, Rosha thought to herself.

‘Just how long have we been together for her to feel this familiar?’

Strictly speaking, she hadn’t known Lysithea for that long.

Which is why Lysithea’s face, on the verge of tears, seemed peculiar. Her peach-pink hair made her eyes and cheeks appear flushed, as if they might burst at the slightest touch.

‘…She seems to be quite the sentimental type.’

Lysithea Belice.

As the only daughter of Marquis Belice, raised with abundant love, she was exceptionally affectionate. Of course, she had her quirks, but in every aspect, her warmth shone through.

Without realizing it, Rosha smiled brightly and said:

“Don’t cry. You’ve dressed up so prettily, you’ll ruin your dress if you cry.”

“But, but… Huh? Can you see me by any chance?”

“A little, yes.”

She could see that Lysithea was wearing a pale cream-colored dress.

The change in her vision had occurred right after receiving the thorough examination from the imperial physicians.

‘I thought it would gradually return, but the timing was perfect.’

For now, her sight was blurry, but it would rapidly improve over time. The fact that she could already make out Joel’s wide-eyed expression proved it.

“Ah…!”

Relieved by Rosha’s words, Lysithea’s body swayed. Then, without warning, she embraced Rosha and burst into tears.

“Huhuhu…”

“Ah, please calm down, young lady.”

Taken aback, Rosha had to awkwardly pat Lysithea’s back for a while to console her.

It was around then that:

“How long will you keep this up?”

A chilly voice tinged with faint displeasure reached her ears.

Rosha lifted her head and spotted Froy, gazing down at her as if he had been there all along.

It had been a while since she last saw his face, but it was still beautiful. Although blurred like a low-quality video, his handsome features remained unobscured.

However, Lysithea boldly responded without any regard for his looks.

“What’s wrong? I’m crying right now, Your Grace.”

“You may do so. But since Rosha’s sight has returned, I should also congratulate her, so please step aside for a moment.”

“Then… wait just a bit longer.”

The impolite exchange left Joel looking pale.

Regardless.

After the composed Lysithea reluctantly stepped back, Froy approached Rosha and whispered:

“As you requested, I’ve sufficiently spread the rumor. At this point, even those confined to their homes should have heard the news.”

Indeed, the rumor of Rosha’s blindness that had swept the capital since that morning was Froy’s handiwork.

Anyone could start a rumor, but only he could disseminate it so rapidly. In fact, had it not been for this, Cedric likely wouldn’t have allowed him into the mansion.

It was then that the man, leaning his upper body forward, asked in a subdued voice:

“But is that miracle truly possible?”

“Yes. All preparations should be complete by tomorrow, I believe.”

Rosha answered with a solemn expression.

Her mana had recovered, and she had more or less met the necessary conditions. All that remained was for the opportune moment to arrive.

It was something she had been waiting for, so she felt a little tense.

At that moment.

“Miss…”

Berri, who had just arrived at the mansion, trailed off as she brought an official document. Even without seeing it, Rosha could guess its contents.

It was likely a council summons ordering her to attend within a short period.

* * *

The council’s irregular meetings were only convened when there were matters of great import that could significantly impact the Empire.

Among them, this particular issue was so crucial that thirty-one of the thirty-three council members were in attendance.

‘Well, well, to think Lady Roshanak Aper’s health would become such an important matter.’

Marquis Lycaon grumbled as he took his designated seat.

While the official reason for this meeting was to inquire about the second trial, no one was unaware that it was due to Roshanak Aper’s blindness.

“For Lady Roshanak to have lost her sight, what a shocking turn of events…”

“Could it just be an unfounded rumor?”

“It’s unlikely, given how widespread the rumors have become. And after reviewing the reports from the imperial physicians who were dispatched, it seems certain.”

The constantly murmuring council members glanced towards Duke Feriel, seated nearby.

The elderly man, who seemed to have aged several years in just a few days, filled one of the seats with a stony expression alongside a few others.

It was almost a relief, considering how they had been obstructing the ongoing discussions about ability users.

‘In any case, since their numbers are so lacking, their momentum should wane after today.’

While he had incited the council’s elderly members to suppress the emergence of this new force of ability users, Marquis Lycaon had his own misgivings.

He recalled the private audience with His Majesty the Emperor two days prior.

-The second trial unfolded a bit differently than expected. It would be better to discern Lady Roshanak’s thoughts and swiftly bring her to our side.

-What would you suggest, Your Majesty?

-For now, we must corner her while she’s exhausted from the trial. She may have handled the last nobles’ council well, but given her youth, she’s likely weak in political matters. I’ll step in around that time.

Following the Emperor’s advice to utilize the necklace of suggestion, Marquis Lycaon had brainwashed a maid from the Aper estate.

The goal was to lure the secluded Roshanak Aper out, and he judged that an assassination attempt would be a natural way to achieve that.

Her loss of sight had been unexpected, but he welcomed it.

‘Among the magic tomes passed down through my family, there are spells to substitute for lost sight. If I offer one of those, she may even accept a marriage proposal.’

Marquis Lycaon still hadn’t given up hope for a marriage.

Eventually, the one everyone had been curious about arrived.

“The Empire’s Guardian Knight, Lady Roshanak Aper, is entering.”

The council members who had wondered what state she would appear in all turned towards the entrance at once.

They likely imagined her entering in a pitiful attire, bandages over her eyes and relying on a wheeled chair.

However, their imaginations did not match reality.

“…Huh?”

It wasn’t the Guardian Knight’s formal attire, but Rosha appeared in a similar uniform.

Sweeping her gaze across the assembly with her vibrant crimson eyes, she entered with unwavering strides.