It had to be said, Diere was incredibly bold. Knowing the Imperial Capital was enemy territory and that the information about the “horn” came from the enemy, with its veracity unconfirmed, she still dared to come alone, infiltrating noble houses and even the Imperial Palace. It was incredibly reckless.
Shien also thought so, but he understood her actions.
First, Diere had the Goddess of Fate’s Blessing, giving her strong intuition. If the information was false, she would have sensed it. Since she believed it, it must have been a premonition from the blessing.
Second, Diere had complicated feelings towards her mother, neither hate nor indifference. Learning that her mother cut off her horn, causing her power to go berserk, she probably felt she should handle it herself.
Third, Diere had always been wary of the “demon” power within her, having been treated as a monster because of it. Now, knowing there was a solution, she naturally wanted to find it.
Moreover, Mara, the Imperial Consort, targeted her for some reason, and the Raifurut family was also involved. These factors combined led her to come to the Empire alone.
She didn’t want to ask Shien or anyone else for help.
As she said before, she had always been helped by others, never solving anything herself.
In the Royal Capital, Lucy, Vivian, and Riley secretly protected her. Even her decision to go to Larmigion was influenced by Vivian’s invitation.
In Diere’s world, there were only two types of people: those who selflessly helped and protected her, and those who wanted to harm and exploit her.
Her life was full of dramatic ups and downs, love and hate.
This shaped her solitary, independent, cold, and competitive personality, making her eager to prove herself, become stronger, and handle any danger without needing others’ protection.
This was why she didn’t immediately meet with Shien after sensing his arrival in the Imperial Capital.
She felt ashamed to see him. Despite coming to the Empire alone, she still needed Shien’s help, and he had even arranged for her protection, saving her life multiple times.
“You…” Shien sighed, “I don’t know whether to say you’re blessed or cursed.”
Even Leisha agreed. Diere faced much malice, yet she was also incredibly lucky to have people selflessly helping and protecting her. This extreme kindness and malice surrounding her were hard to describe.
Perhaps this was Diere’s fate.
The “demon” within brought her misfortune, but the [Goddess of Fate’s Blessing] protected her, bringing her good fortune and encounters.
If Shien’s Unique Skills and Special Skills combined created an unbelievable cheat, then Diere’s life was a mix of good and bad, her future uncertain, depending on whether she would be consumed by misfortune or change her fate.
Perhaps Diere had already realized this, which was why she wanted to become stronger, to become independent, refusing others’ help, and gambling everything on Shien when she discovered he was a Hero, hoping to awaken her own potential as a Hero descendant.
Diere’s life wasn’t easy.
Shien didn’t know whether to blame her, feeling conflicted.
Diere, however, remained calm.
“Don’t worry,” she said, looking at Shien, “This just means I’m not strong enough yet, not independent enough.”
She touched her forehead.
“That’s why I want to retrieve that horn no matter what.”
Shien understood.
“Will retrieving it solve the problem with your Unique Skill?” he asked, getting to the point.
“I don’t know,” Diere replied honestly, “I just have a feeling that it’s the first step towards my true strength.”
That was enough. Since Diere, with the [Goddess of Fate’s Blessing], said so, they had to retrieve the horn.
“Did you find it?” Shien asked the crucial question.
“No,” Diere shook her head and sighed, looking tired, “I searched all the noble houses that had my horn, but I couldn’t find it.”
“What about here?” Leisha looked around, “This is the Raifurut treasury. Your horn should be here, right?”
“I thought so too,” Diere said, “But it’s not here either.”
Diere had already searched, but to no avail.
Only one place remained.
“The Imperial Palace?” Leisha murmured, realizing the implication.
Only the Imperial Palace might still have Diere’s horn. Since even the nobles had it, the Imperial Palace must have had it as well. And since the Raifuruts swore loyalty to Mara, and Mara targeted Diere, the possibility of her horn being in the palace, or in Mara’s hands, was very high.
Diere must have thought of this before, otherwise, she wouldn’t have infiltrated the palace. Unfortunately, that was a trap, and she almost died.
“It seems we have to confront that venomous Consort to find your horn.”
Shien realized this.
Diere didn’t object, and neither did Leisha.
This was the obvious next step.
And it meant that Shien and Mara had another score to settle.
“Let’s go,” Shien said, holding Diere’s hand, “We’re leaving this place.”
“Where to?” Leisha asked immediately, “The Bigusler residence?”
This young lady was indeed paying attention to Shien’s movements in the Imperial Capital.
“That’s our base in the Imperial Capital for now,” Shien confirmed, “We’ll go back and discuss our next move.”
“Alright,” Leisha sighed, “I thought I could finally relax after you arrived. It seems I can’t rest yet.”
“What are you afraid of?” Shien rolled his eyes, “You’re good at hiding. I’m not asking you to fight on the front lines. Just do some behind-the-scenes work, support us, and disrupt their plans.”