The Max Level Hero Has Returned!-Chapter 997

"A report on the appearance of green smoke has arrived. Multiple sightings have come in from the eastern region of the Rowane Kingdom, where it has already caused significant damage. The royal family has formally requested a technological partnership with us to address the issue."

Green smoke—a phenomenon that occurs when a special type of mana, radiation, and water combine, turning the water into a fluorescent green hue.

Though not overly common, it wasn’t exactly a rare occurrence either.

Once green smoke appeared, the affected region had to be completely sealed off for at least fifty years due to toxicity, rendering it uninhabitable.

"The Pallan Empire abandoned a massive diamond mine because of this happening, didn’t they?"

"Yes, Your Highness. The contamination there was so severe that experts estimated it would take at least two hundred years until the site became recoverable and inhabitable."

"Don’t worry too much about this—I’ve already started working on a solution."

Baris was smart. He immediately recognized that Davey would have a way to deal with this, and sent the request accordingly.

"Still, the timing is quite convenient... Royal Attendant?"

Davey called out to Royal Attendant Bernile, who had been standing nearby in a daze. The man jolted, startled by the sudden mention.

‘This behavior isn’t like him,’ Davey thought. The man had been zoning out far too often lately.

"Are you even listening? You seem completely out of it."

"My apologies, Your Highness. Perhaps my age is finally catching up to me."

"Hah. So your tell really is that obvious."

Bernile blinked in confusion.

"Per is quite good at noticing things, you know. She told me that whenever you lie, your left eye twitches slightly."

"Haha. It seems I can’t hide anything from the madam."

"For now, let’s wait. Aeonitia and Lady Tiara are already working on the green smoke problem. Once it’s solved, what kind of benefits are we looking at?"

"Even considering the Pallan Empire alone, the royal family would be willing to pay an exorbitant amount to reclaim that diamond mine. It’s one of the most valuable properties under their ownership, after all."

Davey smirked, imagining how Emperor Sullivan himself would send a letter the moment he heard about a possible solution.

"But more importantly... Are you troubled by something?"

"Well..."

"Tell me. I can’t help if I don’t know what’s going on."

Bernile hesitated before bowing slightly.

"I apologize, Your Highness."

"I won’t force you if it’s something you truly can’t talk about."

‘Has Bernile ever hesitated to speak like this before?’

Davey sighed, setting down the documents and getting up from his seat.

"What about the festival celebration?"

"It’s proceeding smoothly."

"Though, I can’t say I’m thrilled about those muscle-bound lunatics being included in the festivities...”

He assumed that it must be just what he remembered the monster’s castle in the Demon World looking like.

Davey still felt a bit sick whenever he pictured the multiples of Killer Rabbit flexing their bulging muscles in every corner of the castle.

"Then, if that is all—"

Bernile gave a short bow and turned to leave, but Davey stopped him.

"Wait a moment, Royal Attendant."

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"Have there been any tea parties or banquet invitations sent to Heins Territory recently?"

"Yes, quite a few. However, the madams only attend social gatherings about once every three months at most."

When Davey first established himself, they had diligently participated in high society gatherings, seeing it as a way of supporting him.

But he had eventually put a stop to that, assuring them that they didn’t have to go if they didn’t want to.

"Sift through some invitations we've received and select a few events for them to attend. Also, send word to some of the salons. I want dresses, jewelry, and a few designers brought in to help them get ready for the parties."

"For what purpose, Your Highness?"

"We need to find a husband for Amy. She’s of marriageable age now."

"But Your Highness, Amy is still..."

"Young? Sure, she only recently reached adulthood, but there’s no harm in making preparations early."

Rather than forcing her into a hasty marriage later down the line, Davey wanted her to meet different people and explore her options.

And more than anything—

"I owe Amy. I want to do something nice for her, at least."

For years, she had stayed by his side, asking for nothing in return. He couldn’t help but feel bitter, thinking that this was the only thing he could think of to offer her.

He wished that she had been more demanding; he would’ve gladly granted her every wish.

However, even Perserque had admitted that she couldn’t figure out what Amy truly wanted.

"Your Highness..."

"Royal Attendant, you agreed on this.”

“Your Highness, how about we give her some more time?”

Davey looked at Bernile with a rather confused face.

“Is something going on?”

“No, Your Highness... It’s just that...”

"I thought you were the one who wanted Amy to get married the most, right? Unless..."

Davey widened his eyes in realization.

"Wait. Don’t tell me..."

Royal Attendant Bernile started sweating.

"Does Amy... have someone she likes?"

"Pardon?"

"Bring him to me. I don’t care if he’s a commoner or whatever else—if Amy likes him, I’ll support the match as long as he’s a decent person."

Status meant nothing to Davey.

But if her suitor was someone who’d make her suffer, then it was his job to cut him down beforehand.

Bernile let out a long sigh.

"Your Highness, Amy still has a long future ahead of her. Even among the nobility, early marriages have become quite rare these days."

"..."

"So, perhaps... you should give this more thought and time for consideration."

"If you insist.”

‘Liar.’

Davey could tell that he was lying to him right now.

Some habits truly never changed: Davey had caught the slight twitch in his left eye.

As soon as Bernile left the room, Davey turned his head.

"Aina. Rinne."

The window swung open, and Rinne poked her head inside.

By the time her head poked around, Aina, the dark elf and older sister of Yuria Helishana, was already standing silently at his side.

"Investigate the Royal Attendant. I don’t know what he’s hiding, but a sudden change of heart like that usually means something serious."

"Are you sure? If we leave any traces..."

"That’s why I’m asking you specifically. And since this involves Amy, it wouldn’t hurt to investigate matters on her side as well."

"..."

"I have a bad feeling about this. He’s hiding something big, but it’s like... he just can’t talk about it."

There were plenty of reasons why Bernile might hesitate to speak, but Davey felt something different this time.

"By the way, Aina, how’s your sister?"

"Same as always," Aina replied matter-of-factly before vanishing.

Rinne stared at Davey for a moment, blinked, then flapped her wings and disappeared as well.

There was nothing more to be done for the moment.

Her marriage project couldn’t happen unless she truly wanted it.

The reason Davey had even considered it was because she had been buried in work for so long, never really living for herself.

He wasn’t going to force her into it. But if she was holding back because of him, then he’d fire her outright if that was what it’d take for her to find happiness.

Just then—

"Your Highness."

Someone had interrupted his thoughts.

"What is it?"

"Count Gobaal has arrived from the capital."

"Count Gobaal? I didn’t schedule any meeting with him."

‘What a rude dude.’

Davey wasn’t exactly one to talk about manners, but visiting so late at night without prior notice was strange.

"Um... He says it’s an urgent matter..."

"Fine. If it turns out to be nonsense, I’ll make sure he pays the price. Let him in."

Davey signed the last document in front of him as the doors opened.

A man with an impressively long mustache slowly walked in. Davey could tell he was nervous but doing his best to suppress it.

Many nobles in the capital still feared him—for good reason.

But Count Gobaal sure had some nerve, showing up like this.

"Count Gobaal, is it?"

"Yes, Grand Duke.”

"Grand Duke is a title I’ll only receive after I turn twenty."

“...”

"And what can I get you? Coffee? Tea? Wine?"

The count hesitated, clearly struggling to remain composed.

"C-Coffee will be fine."

"Alright. Take a seat and wait a minute."

Davey gestured toward the guest couch. The count stiffly walked over and sat down.

"So. Count Gobaal?"

"Yes. My family is from a place not far from Heins Territory.”

"Right. I seem to recall Gobaal Territory being somewhere nearby...”

The count’s face brightened at the acknowledgment.

"You know about us?"

"I know most things that matter. So, Count, what’s so urgent that you had to visit this late without an appointment?"

"That is..."

Count Gobaal hesitated for a moment before cautiously speaking and pulling an object out from his bag.

"I came to deliver this to you."

“What is this?” Davey asked as he took the item. "A... diary?"

"Yes. It belonged to my daughter."

It was the journal of a lady-in-waiting.

"A diary... Count, why should I be the one to receive your precious daughter's personal writings?"

The count let out a bitter smile.

"My daughter once served someone dear to you—your mother, Queen Lennie Alishad.”

"...!"

Davey’s eyes widened slightly.

"My mother?"

"Yes. And this diary... I’m delivering it not by my own decision, but because of my late daughter’s dying wish. I only discovered her will a few months ago, seeing the request. After much contemplation, I decided to bring it to you."

Davey quietly accepted the diary, flipping through the neatly written pages.

"Thank you for this.”

“Of course.”

The count stood up, turning to leave.

Davey was a bit surprised to see him leave so quickly. But he pushed the thoughts aside, instead turning his focus to the diary.

It recorded the life of a young lady-in-waiting assigned to the palace.

It detailed his mother’s daily routine—but it was also a glimpse into the parts of her life that he never knew. This diary, filled with stories about his mother, was indeed precious for him.

“Guess I’ll have to properly repay Count Gobaal later.”

It seemed this lady-in-waiting had cared deeply for his mother.

Even in death, she had ensured this diary remained, for whatever reason.

"Baroness Silran, Count Gobaal’s second daughter, the third daughter of House Fusiam..."

Four ladies-in-waiting had once been devoted to his mother.

As far as Davey knew, none of them remained in the palace.

The diary was filled with warm memories—

- XXX Year, XX

- Ena Fusiam volunteered to tend the garden today... but accidentally disturbed a beehive. Her face swelled up terribly, and Her Majesty personally applied medicine for her. We all laughed so much, but in the end, we made poor Ena cry."

Davey couldn’t help but smile as he read.

There were even stories from before he was born—stories he had never known.

- XXX Year, XX

- His Highness, the Prince, was born today, a small baby with black hair and red eyes. He wriggled his tiny fingers, and for the first time, I thought... I want to get married and start a family someday, too."

But then, the tone began to change.

Lynesse Bariatta had started making moves, and his mother was slowly being isolated.

Queen Lynesse didn’t stop there, either.

She frequently interrogated his mother’s ladies-in-waiting. There were even records of beatings written down.

Davey already knew she had been ruthless, but the obsession described in the diary was disturbing nonetheless.

As he continued reading, the diary entries became increasingly sporadic.

And then, on the final page, he read the last entry.

- XXX Year, XX

- Lynesse Bariatta summoned me today. I thought she would slap me, but she instead simply questioned Baroness Silran and me about various matters... then just let us go. Nothing unusual.

- Or so I thought.

- One week later, Baroness Silran poisoned Her Majesty’s tea. It was horrifying. The young prince wailed, and Her Majesty... all she did was repeatedly tell Baroness Silran that it was okay.

- Why? Why did Her Majesty comfort Baroness Silran?"

Davey’s face hardened.

He had always known that his mother was poisoned by one of her own ladies-in-waiting.

The aftermath was brutal—an intense investigation led to the mass execution of numerous servants and ladies-in-waiting.

Still, the actual culprit had never been confirmed.

Yet, according to the diary...

"Baroness Silran...?

“Viscountess...?"

Davey repeated the name, his brows furrowing.

"Wait a minute... Silran?"

Davey shot up from his seat, immediately grabbing a book containing familial records of the royal nobility.

He remembered something, but he desperately hoped he was wrong.

Flipping through the pages, his eyes scanned through the names.

“...”

The diary suddenly slipped from his hands.

"Baroness Silran had a daughter?"

And that daughter’s name was—

"Amy Silran..."

Silence filled the room.

* * *

"Baroness Amy."

Professor Banian, a young instructor at Heins Academy, called out to Amy—who had recently captivated his heart at first sight.

"Ah, hello, Professor."

"You're here again today."

"Yes..."

Banian hesitated for a moment before gathering his courage.

"I... Please accept this."

He held out a bouquet of flowers toward her.

"Would you consider officially dating me?"

At twenty-two years old, Professor Banian was still young. Amy was a bit younger than him, but their age difference was hardly an issue.

Yet she simply gave him a gentle, apologetic smile and shook her head.

"I’m sorry, Professor."

"Amy..."

He addressed her differently—no longer calling her Baroness, but simply Amy.

"You really won’t accept my feelings?"

"I made up my mind a long time ago to spend the rest of my life by His Highness’s side,” she said, smiling wistfully. "I need to dedicate myself entirely to him... until my body withers away. So, I’m sorry."

"Why?"

His voice was tinged with frustration.

"I beg your pardon?”

"I understand that you've served Prince Davey for a long time. But no servant... no one... gives up their entire life just to follow someone."

At his words, Amy smiled.

"This is... the only thing I can do for His Highness."