It was another ordinary morning.
Outside the window, the bitter wind swept through the mist, while the room was comfortably warm, like a soothing sleeping draught.
Louis woke early, not because the cold had disturbed him, but out of habit.
Ever since he had crossed into this world, every day had felt like balancing on a climber's rope. He could neither relax nor stop.
He turned onto his side and glanced at the girl sleeping beside him.
Her silver hair lay loose, her features soft. Sif, normally as cold and fierce as a wolf, now slept like an unguarded little fox, her brows faintly furrowed as though a nightmare had caught hold of her.
He quietly pulled over the blanket beside him, carefully covered her, and tucked its edge around her shoulders.
"Mmm..." Sif murmured, curling up a little without waking.
Louis chuckled softly and sat up without a sound.
There were seven days left until the Commandery Governors' Meeting he had personally established.
It would be a gathering to settle the distribution of power-and a feast of political struggles that were certain to erupt.
Over the past few days, the system seemed to have sensed the approaching contest as well. All its daily intelligence had concerned the "Snowpeak nobles."
Most of it, however, consisted of domestic trivia and inconsequential secrets.
Whose steward had eloped with a cook, whose wine had been stolen, who had drunk a couple of extra glasses at a banquet...
It technically counted as "inside information," but to Louis, it fell far short of having any "strategic value."
Could you give me something useful today, you useless system?
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he gave a light wave of his hand. "Let's have it!"
As always, a translucent screen silently unfolded before him, its