"Yes. Tell me—what do you know about the kingdoms of our world?" he asked, his voice casual, almost as if the question carried no deeper meaning.

The sudden shift in topic caught Louisa off guard. She could not help but feel a flicker of suspicion.

Why is he asking about the kingdoms now? she wondered, her thoughts racing. Is this another test? If so... then I will play along.

Taking a slow breath, she composed herself before answering.

"There are four major kingdoms," she began steadily. "Although we remain largely isolated from the others, we are still aware of their names. Ares, Apollo, Hades... and, of course, our own Hermes."

She continued.

"Hades is the strongest and largest, known for its vast territories and overwhelming military might. Ares is formidable in its own right, famed for its warriors and its inclusive culture. Apollo, while the smallest, is renowned for its intellectual prowess and advanced magical research, often surpassing others in knowledge rather than force."

She paused for a moment and studied his face to gauge his reaction. He was listening intently to her words as if the questions were genuine. There was no obvious sign of a trap, but she remained wary regardless.

When he gestured for her to continue, she did so, choosing each word with even greater care.

She paused for a brief moment, studying his face carefully in an attempt to gauge his reaction. He listened intently, his focus unwavering, as though her words genuinely mattered to him. There was no immediate sign of a trap, no flicker of deception in his expression—but even so, she remained cautious. When he gestured for her to continue, she obliged, choosing each word with deliberate care.

"Aside from this, we know very little about their rulers, their internal power structures, or the depth of their magical understanding," she continued steadily. "However, it is widely believed that in many aspects, they surpass us. Hermes has always been more... self-contained. We have locked ourselves for ages. The other kingdoms, on the other hand, are entangled in alliances, rivalries, and conflicts that rarely reach our borders, leaving us largely in the dark."

Julian nodded slowly. Much of this aligned with what he already knew, but hearing it spoken aloud confirmed the inconsistencies and omissions within the official records.

"And aside from these four kingdoms..." he began, his tone shifting slightly, "are there others as well?"

Louisa raised a brow, genuine surprise flickering across her face at the unexpected question. She fell silent for a few seconds, her thoughts drifting as she searched her memory.

"Other kingdoms?" she repeated softly. "Perhaps in the distant past... but not anymore."

Her expression shifted, turning thoughtful... almost distant as fragments of long-forgotten stories surfaced in her mind.

"There are ancient records... very old and very obscure... that speak of fallen realms," she said slowly.

"Kingdoms that existed long before the current four rose to dominance. Gaiward was one of them, a northern realm spoken of only in passing. There were rumors of others as well—lost empires swallowed by time, by war, or perhaps by something far darker. But such topics are not discussed openly. The royal historians have ensured that much. It is almost as if acknowledging their existence would invite misfortune... or perhaps reveal truths the crown has no intention of letting surface."

Her voice grew quieter toward the end, and her eyes instinctively flicked toward the door for a brief second, as though even here she feared being overheard. After that fleeting glance, she turned back to Julian.

"Why are you asking about this?" she questioned, her tone now edged with suspicion. "These are not subjects that typically interest someone in your position. Or... is there something specific you are searching for?"

Julian remained silent for a moment, studying her closely.

Should I tell her...?

In the end, he chose to reveal only a partial truth. The woman before him was already desperate, and Julian understood well that desperation could be shaped, guided—even bound. Offering her just enough insight into his curiosity might draw her even closer without exposing too much.

"I am simply curious about the world beyond our borders," he said smoothly. "And I believe the crown is trying very hard to conceal something."

Louisa reacted immediately. She lowered her voice further and gestured sharply for him to do the same.

"You cannot say such things so openly," she whispered urgently, her eyes darting once more toward the door before returning to him. "You remember Count Aisfard, don’t you?"

Julian gave a small nod, despite having no real knowledge of the man. His expression remained neutral, allowing her to continue.

Louisa leaned in slightly, her voice barely above a breath.

"The entire county vanished in a single night... simply because the count dared to ask the same question you just did. Now you understand how serious this is, don’t you? Words like that can get all of us killed."

Julian’s brows drew together subtly. Was it truly that severe?

Beneath the table, his hand curled into a tight fist, hidden from sight. If entire noble territories could be erased without a trace, then uncovering the truth would be far more dangerous than he had anticipated. The crown... or whatever force stood behind it was willing to erase existence itself to keep its secrets buried. If they could make a county disappear overnight, then even his own standing was far from secure.

He leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice to match hers.

"Do you know of any other kingdoms?" he asked quietly.

Instead of answering immediately, Louisa stepped closer. She leaned in, her breath brushing faintly against his ear as she whispered directly to him.

"You are asking about the southern kingdom, aren’t you... the one that was devastated during the Great Campaign. Kingdom Valthor."

Julian’s eyes widened. At last he had found a lead.

Excitement surged within him—but before he could utter a single word, her hand moved swiftly, covering his mouth with surprising firmness.

"Do not speak," she hissed, her eyes wide with unmistakable fear. "I cannot talk about that here.