30 minutes after Renya had left, Paul was hunched over his desk, deep in concentration as he sketched the design of a mechanical horse. Suddenly, he paused, blinked twice, and muttered,
"Ah… I forgot."
He sat up straight, looking left and right—realizing the room was now empty. Letting out a small sigh, he stood and mumbled to himself,
"There's no other choice…"
He began walking toward the other side of the room, heading toward Anna, who was quietly monitoring the radio station in the corner.
"Anna—" Paul began, but before he could say more, the door suddenly burst open with a loud clack.
"I'm home!!" came the cheerful, booming voice of Greta, stepping inside with her arms overloaded with freshly hunted prey—rabbits, birds, and some boars slung over her shoulder like it was nothing.
Trailing behind her was Liselotte, slightly red-faced from the effort but still carrying a respectable load of her own.
While looking at Greta, Paul said, "Welcome back, Greta," with a smile.
Hearing that, Greta nodded quickly, "Oh, Prince… you look so handsome with that look…" with sparkling eyes while walking towards Paul.
Hearing that, Paul scratched his cheek with a slight smile, "The Countess came here, so I have to take off my exo-armor," in an embarrassed tone.
While looking at the many prey being carried from behind by Greta and Liselotte, Paul said, "Isn't it too much?" in a confused tone, while tilting his head.
Hearing that, Greta looked at Paul in confusion and says, "Prey?" while looking in the direction Paul was looking. When Greta saw Paul nod, Greta replies, "Oh… There are so many people here… Don't we need more food..." in a happy tone, while holding her chin with her finger.
Hearing that, Paul came to his senses and slapped his forehead, "Oh yes… I forgot about the people outside…" while looking at the prisoners who were working under the supervision of the assassin from the window.
While looking back at Greta, Paul says, "But, you didn't hunt in the forest excessively, right?" narrowing his eyes at Greta.
Hearing that, Greta—who was previously cheerful—immediately turned her gaze toward the window, "N-No… still in moderation, in moderation…" with a face that immediately sweated.
Seeing Greta's behavior like that, Paul sighed and ignored the issue while looking at Liselotte, who was carrying some of Greta's prey, and says, "Liselotte…" with a firm tone.
When called, Liselotte immediately stood up straight, "YES…" with a serious tone.
Seeing that, Paul's face immediately changed to confusion, but he still says, "Call the people who can control the drone with their mana… I have a mission for them…" with a serious tone.
Hearing that, Liselotte immediately walked out, "Okay, Prince…" in a panic.
While Greta muttered, "Mission…" with a happy face while looking at Paul.
When Paul saw Liselotte about to go out, Paul's eyes widened, immediately says,
"WAIT!!" quickly and loudly.
Hearing that, Liselotte immediately stopped while looking at Paul. At the same time, Greta noticed Liselotte about to head out, her face was immediately shocked. She quickly pointed at the prey in Liselotte's arms and shouted,
"Hey... bring that to the kitchen first!! So, it can be finished quickly!"
Her voice was loud, and her face looked shocked, as if realizing it only just now.
Hearing that, Liselotte's face turned confused and panicked as she glanced back and forth between Paul, Greta, and the prey she was carrying.
Seeing this, while massaging his forehead with his left hand, Paul sighed and says,
"Go to the kitchen first…" while waving his hand dismissively.
He continued,
"After finding someone who can help Greta prepare the food, call and bring the person I just asked for. Understand?"
while looking confused Liselotte quickly nodded and replied,
"Understood…"
Paul gave a final wave with a sigh and says,
"Okay, go."
Liselotte immediately rushed toward the kitchen with walking heavily, because of the weight on the back.
.
When Paul turned his attention to Greta, who was still standing there silently—now staring at him with starry eyes—he asked,
"What's wrong? Don't you want to cook your prey?"
His tone was genuinely confused, along with his face looking confused by Greta's behavior.
Greta perked up excitedly and says,
"Prince, Prince… what mission is it…? Can I come along…?"
Her eyes sparkled with uncontainable excitement.
Hearing that, Paul slapped his forehead and let his shoulders drop as he exhaled.
"It's just a reconnaissance mission… and you'll definitely be bored."
He looked at Greta seriously and asked,
"Do you still want to come along?"
Without hesitation, Greta nodded enthusiastically.
Paul sighed again and With a lazy face, says,
"Okay, put your prey in the kitchen first…"
His eyes shifted to the large number of animals hanging from Greta's body.
"Someone else will take your place later…"
He said it with a tired tone and a resigned expression.
Greta responded with a cheerful, "OK!" before heading off toward the kitchen.
After everyone had left, Paul walked toward the table in the living room—but was suddenly startled by a soft voice behind him.
"Prince…"
It was Anna, speaking in her usual quiet tone.
Paul turned around and says with a shocked face,
"Ah… you just surprised me, Anna…"
He exhaled slightly to calm himself, then asked,
"Anna, what's wrong?"
His face showed slight confusion.
Anna smiled warmly and said with enthusiasm,
"Prince… I can also use a drone…"
Hearing that, Paul looked confused and says,
"Anna, you better monitor the radio first…"
His tone was serious but calm.
He continued,
"Because the notes and recordings are more important. Understand?"
He ended with a gentle smile toward her.
Anna's expression turned gloomy as she nodded and replied,
"Okay…"
Her tone was tired, and she quietly returned to monitoring the radio.
Ten minutes later, Liselotte returned, bringing Hilda, Ursula, and Edeline with her. After Edeline was exchanged for the radio monitoring duty, Liselotte brought Hilda, Ursula, and Anna to stand before Paul.
"Prince…" Liselotte said respectfully, giving a proper maid salute.
Paul looked at her, nodding once. His gaze then shifted briefly to Anna, before returning to Liselotte.
"Is there a replacement for Anna as the radio monitor?" he asked with a confused expression, glancing at Anna again.
Hearing that, Liselotte gave a small, reassuring smile.
"They are the best when it comes to using drones," she said confidently, and then turned her eyes to Anna with a proud smile.
"And Edeline has replaced her. She's quite skilled at radio monitoring and recording."
While Anna nodded too.
Paul nodded, now reassured.
"Okay, you can go help Greta again," he said in a relaxed tone while waving his hand.
"Yes, Prince…" Liselotte replied with a smile and turned around, heading back toward the kitchen.
Once Liselotte had left, Paul turned to face Ursula, Anna, and Hilda.
"Now, I have a task for you three…" he said in a serious tone.
He reached down and picked up three drone remote controls, placing each one carefully on the table. Alongside them were three drones, each equipped with compact coilguns mounted beneath their frames, and several packs of ammunition magazines and bullets laid out neatly beside them.
Paul met each of their eyes and, with a steady voice and a serious face, said:
"The mission is…"