Chapter 28: Brand New Day

“A gift from Concubine Anne,” Joan’s eyes widened as she stared at the grimoire in Ryan’s hands.

The assassin remembered Ryan's beautiful mother.

Concubine Anne was a woman born with a noble bloodline, albeit with much humbler beginnings compared to Concubine Elizabeth and Queen Catherine.

While Queen Catherine was the daughter of Duke Ingris and First Concubine Elizabeth was from the family of Marquess Oswal, Concubine Anne was from a mere Barony, and thus, she was less respected in the court.

However, this only made her much bolder as a result. And even though the Barony of Luxem was considered lesser… they were able to form the assassin group where Joan hailed from.

Most of Barony Luxem's resources were invested in nurturing powerful assassins… so it was surprising that Concubine Anne was able to give a powerful gift such as the book in Ryan’s hands.

“This is able to help you, Ryan? You mean with the Kobolds?” Joan whispered in a hushed voice.

“Yes, that’s right.” Ryan nodded.

“I did not think that the Barony of Luxem would have the resources to afford something as powerful as this book... Does it draw power from your mana? Or something else?” Joan was immensely curious and also in awe. “It must be some relic-grade…”

“I am one of a kind!” The Grimoire bursted out of Ryan’s hands and floated in front of Joan. “There is no book like me! Tch, to even call me relic grade is beneath me. I am unique—”

At the sudden movement of the Grimoire, Joan’s body instinctively moved and did a round-house kick, sending the Grimoire flying into one of the walls.

It fell onto the floor with a heavy thud.

Ryan’s eyes widened and Joan panted heavily for a moment. She tossed Ryan a gaping look. “It… it talks? The book can talk? Wait, was that your book, Ryan—I’m so sorry! It moved so suddenly that I was shocked.”

“Ugh. The impudence of these people…” the Grimoire let out a weak groan as it lifted itself from the floor. “There was more respect for powerful Grimoires such as myself in the old days.”

Ryan stifled a chuckle and patted Joan’s back tenderly.

“No need to apologize, Joan. My reaction had been similar to yours. I did not expect that it would move and talk as well, but it really works that way. As far as I know, the book doesn’t get any mana from me. It has its own powers, capable of creating miracles such as Instilling Loyalty to the Kobolds. And this book actually has a name. He likes to refer to himself as the Kingdom Building Done Right Grimoire, but I just call him, Builder.

”

“I… I see. My apologies to you, powerful grimoire, Builder.” Joan curtsied lowly in front of the Grimoire. “I did not mean any harm to you.”

“Hah! Such a feeble kick would not damage me in any way.” The Grimoire said. “Think nothing of it… but don’t do it again. I’ll forgive this insolence only once.”

— — — — — — —

A new day dawned, and Ryan woke up early.

When he left the bed, he couldn't find Joan anywhere and the Grimoire was also gone from the bed stand where he had left it last night.

"...Had it been anyone else, I would have worried that they stole the Grimoire and left the village to sell it as a valuable relic, but it's Joan," Ryan muttered to himself as he got ready for the day and descended the stairs.

As expected, he found the lovely maid in the dining room. Her flowing pink hair draped over her shoulders as she set a plate of food on the table, her back turned towards him.

Joan got off the bed way earlier than him and prepared breakfast beforehand.

Ryan had planned to sneak down and surprise her with a hug, but she immediately noticed his presence.

“Good morning, sleepyhead.” Joan greeted with a smile, her dazzling emerald green eyes looking at him full of love and adoration.

“It’s quite early, Joan… did you get any sleep?” Ryan asked as he approached her and greeted her with a kiss.

When he looked at their meal, he saw some eggs and even some meat skewers from last night.

Seeing the eggs reminded Ryan of how they first ended up together, which made him smile a little… until he realized that he hadn’t really told her about the lack of salt.

Unaware of Ryan’s thoughts, Joan smiled and replied to him. “Yes, I did.” Joan nodded. “I just wanted to wake a little earlier to prepare better for what might be in your itinerary today. I cooked extra in case we are going to Ironcross Mountains again. There's enough for a packed lunch if you wish to stay there longer.”

“That’s an excellent idea,” Ryan said. “I’m glad that you read my mind.”

"Well, now that I know that Builder can make Kobolds loyal to you and that the Ironcross Mountains are abundant in resources, it makes sense to think that we'll spend most of our time there."

Joan had made an incredible recovery after their conversation with the Grimoire the previous day, accepting things as they were.

As for the Grimoire itself, the book floated out of the kitchen, leaving a trail of smoke behind it.

“You! You—” the Builder looked defeated for some reason.

“I learned something new from Builder, and I applied it into cooking,” Joan said with a pleased smile on her face.

“Is that so? I didn’t know Builder was a Cook Book too.”

“I’m not!”

“Shall we eat now? But let’s invite the Kobolds too. They must be famished as well,” Ryan said.

Joan grimaced a bit, but she still nodded reluctantly.

Soon enough, the five Kobolds stepped inside the mansion, their eyes filled with awe and curiosity as they glanced at their new surroundings. Living in caves and other natural areas, the concept of a house was entirely new to them.

“Good morning, everyone. I intend to head back to Ironcross Mountains and locate your home.” Ryan said.

“The home of Kobolds?” Joan asked with widened eyes.

“You only have 810 Grimoire Points, and that means you can only get 40 Kobolds.” The Grimoire said.