397,

Time flies by, and in the blink of an eye, it's already November.

"Lord Daniel, I'm coming in," a young girl entered Daniel's study.

"What's this? Oh..."

However, as soon as the young girl entered, she began sighing.

"If you don't want to, then don't do it anymore~"

Although Daniel greeted the young girl in a joking manner, it was evident that both of them were ignoring each other's wishes and simply focusing on their own tasks.

"Sir, is this last week's wages?"

"Yes."

The girl picked up the wages on the table, a heavy bag of coins.

This bag of wages was the reason why the girl worked here.

"Alright! Let's get to work!"

Rolling up her sleeves, the girl stepped into the abyss of hell.

This was Daniel's study, and the girl's job here was one: sorting.

But this job was not something everyone could do well, especially in Daniel's home.

Every day, there were large amounts of documents to handle, and the room was filled with notes and letters.

Not only ordinary national projects, but also diplomatic receptions planning, regional development programs, everything would converge here and be categorized.

Some matters were not even Daniel's responsibility, but the person in charge would still send a draft over.

As the right-hand man of King Allen, and currently the strongest and most famous strategist under Allen, everyone who aspired to fulfill their ambitions wanted to get close to Daniel.

However, the real reason that kept Daniel busy each day was his own desires.

After the end of the demon war, what was most needed for the recovery of peace was this desire for upward development.

Only when desires continued to multiply would society progress continuously.

As a result, whether it was grand construction projects, urban development, or livelihood policies, as long as King Allen nodded, Daniel would do everything in his power to accomplish them.

And the most dreadful situation would be the arrival of certain days.

For example, the upcoming week-long alliance celebration that would begin tomorrow, just this event alone was enough to increase the workload for Daniel tenfold.

"This?! Not again?!" the girl shouted angrily.

"Don't waste your energy, it's not the first time," Daniel replied.

"But this merchant has sent fourteen proposals in a week, and they're all exactly the same!"

"Everyone wants to maximize their benefits, you know~"

"Just because there are more proposals doesn't mean there's a greater chance of being accepted."

Daniel didn't reply, he just looked at the girl.

"Yuki... you're not thinking of treating all of these as garbage and throwing them away, are you?"

"That's exactly what I'm going to do! New ones will be sent tomorrow anyway!"

Without even looking back, the girl named Yuki took a pile of waste paper outside.

"Really... even though I know you're looking forward to tomorrow's celebration, work is still work, you know~"

Upon hearing this from Daniel, Yuki finally turned to look at him.

"Tsk!"

"..."

Having expressed her determination, Yuki pushed open the door with a heap of trash and left.

"This... really reminds me of someone..."

"Who might that be?"

"Huh?!"

As soon as Yuki left, another person entered.

With golden hair swaying in the air, dressed in noble lady's attire, a straight-backed young lady walked up to Daniel's desk.

"Who knows~"

Daniel did not give a direct answer.

"Daniel, why did you call me here today?"

"Oh!! Lady Sonja!!"

Just as Daniel was about to answer, Xiao Xue ran back holding a pile of garbage.

"Sa-Sonja!! Congratulations!!"

Seeing Xiao Xue's innocent and happy smile, Sonja nodded with a smile.

"When is it? Next month? Or..."

"It, it has not been decided yet..."

"Is that so? True, after all, it's a once-in-a-lifetime event~"

"....Mm."

"Oh?! Xiao Xue, I have to work hard!! Work, work!"

After Xiao Xue left, Sonja did not immediately turn around.

Not because she wanted to see Xiao Xue off, but because she did not want Daniel to see her face at that moment.

However, even so, Daniel had already seen through everything.

"Congratulations~"

"Don't mock me, Daniel."

"This is not mockery, it's sincere."

"Do you also have such sincerity?"

"Is that so..."

After Sonja spoke her mind, Daniel put down the document he was holding and picked up another letter.

Sonja looked at it but did not reach out to take it.

However, Daniel smiled and said, "Some time ago, I sent a special letter out. Do you know how that person replied to me?"

"... "

Sonja still did not respond.

"Damn it! Did I say I wanted to go?"

When Daniel said this in a voice that did not fit him, Sonja did not feel surprised, but rather a bit disappointed.

"I don't know what the end result will be. But..."

Daniel handed the letter over again, waiting for Sonja to take it.

After hesitating for a moment, Sonja finally took the letter from Daniel.

However, Daniel did not let go immediately, forcing the two of them to hold the letter together.

"This is your final task~ Infiltrate there and find out the Archbishop's weakness..."

Before letting go, Daniel smirked.

"Good luck~ Future General's wife~"

In the end, Sonja did not respond to Daniel's teasing.

She just took the letter, turned around, and left.

It was only after the study returned to being Daniel's alone that he quietly said,

"The path of love... and the way of the knight, which one will you choose in the end~"

Daniel looked at the sky outside the window and voiced his inner question.

***