Chapter 124

The Imperial Palace of Gran Orden, carved like a gloomy work of art from blood-red marble.

At the head of the round table sat the Emperor, with his hair turned white and his skin spotted with age. Across from him and on both sides sat men in black robes.

Their faces were so pale they had a bluish tint, and their eyes were a pastel silver.

“Since Barzenka betrayed us, we must make them pay with blood.”

“Twelve legions have already set out for Chen.”

“If the Rift mages turn all those slaves into monsters, our army will be strong enough to fight both Barzenka and Yucubis. If that happens, our chances are…”

“Damn it, this war started too soon.”

Wrinkles of worry creased the Emperor’s forehead.

Everything was going against their plans.

If Etias von Clyde hadn’t succeeded in his revolution, if the weak previous emperor was still on the throne, there would have been no united alliance of nations to oppose Gran Orden.

Even their attempt to track Etias’s movements and kill him, using information given secretly by the chairman of Agria, had failed.

The new government Etias built after his flawless revolution had tightened security and uncovered the threats and evidence of the Western side.

Barzenka, who once promised cooperation with Gran Orden, suddenly turned and allied with the Empire when they realized the situation was hopeless.

Even a prince, the fifth son, was already locked away in Oswell’s prison.

Not one thing had gone as expected.

“At least, if those cursed people had discovered us just one year later, we could have won for sure.”

Back when they killed the Marquis of Barzenka who leaked secrets, and when they heard that Duke Elemore had learned about the Western war preparations, they had felt relief.

But now—

“Damn it.”

How could everything turn out this badly?

The men bowed their heads, ashamed.

“Think of something, all of you.”

But none dared to answer immediately.

After a long silence, one man’s dark eyes lit up.

“Oswell’s head is Etias von Clyde. If we capture someone important to him as a hostage and force him out, then maybe we can strike him down. For example…”

A woman’s name slipped from his lips.

“Duke Katrin Elemore, the greatest contributor to the revolution.”

The Emperor ground his teeth.

From what he had heard, she must be the one who ruined all of their plans.

“I hear she is being considered as empress. How about we capture her?”

The Emperor frowned.

Etias could have any number of women. Would this really work?

But if there was even a chance, it had to be tried.

“Do it. You must succeed, no matter what.”

Good news soon came — Barzenka’s army crossed into Chen in time and barely blocked Gran Orden’s invasion.

That meant Gran Orden would not be able to grow their army with countless new monsters.

“Milady…”

Agnès’s worried voice reached me as I stood before the mirror, my long pink hair tied back in a ponytail, wearing light women’s armor.

“Can’t you stay in the capital? His Majesty asked the same.”

Etias had told me to remain safe at the Elemore mansion and wait for him to bring back victory.

But I refused his request.

I’ll go with you. And staying in the Empire might actually be more dangerous.

Etias had listened silently as I explained.

If they are cornered, they might try to kidnap me, Your Majesty’s weakness, as their last desperate move. Once the Imperial army leaves, the capital’s defenses will weaken. And the Rift mages use clever tricks too.

Etias had gazed at me with dark eyes, sighing unwillingly. Then he had warned me:

Stay close by my side instead.

Of course. That was my plan.

‘After all, I’m going to protect Etias.’

That vision I had seen still weighed on my heart.

“Agnès, I’ll return just fine as always. Keep the house safe.”

“Milady…”

“Don’t cry. Why are you tearing up again?”

She was overreacting.

When I walked downstairs, even the servants and maids were looking at me with teary eyes.

‘Why are you all like this?’

As if I were going off to die.

But Marquis Karon’s calculations said we had more than a 90% chance of victory.

When I opened the mansion gates, a man was standing there.

“Duke?”

It was Duke Lancelot Obier of Montella, his red cape fluttering as he looked at me.

On this bright day, his silver hair shone even more, his green eyes clear, his strong body filling the uniform perfectly.

“His Majesty asked me a favor.”

“A favor?”

“To protect you in this war. So I’ve come to take you personally.”

“Ah…”

“He said he would take care of you himself, but feared he might be too busy leading the war.”

My heart wavered at his words.

This makes me feel like such a burden!

“But for me, it was a welcome request, so don’t worry.”

Lancelot smiled faintly, the same man who had once confessed to me at the ball.

Of course, I had rejected him.

“I won’t make things uncomfortable. I’m not the type who can’t accept rejection and clings.”

“….”

“I’ll only stay by your side to protect you.”

I nodded.

“Thank you. But I can take care of myself, so please don’t worry too much.”

He chuckled lightly and handed me a document.

“This.”

It was a permit to dispose of Montella’s mines.

“I heard from your secretary you needed this.”

“Yes.”

When I received it, I saw his signature.

Back when he confessed, he had asked for a chance for Montella, and I feared this might cause trouble. But as he said, he wasn’t a man to pester.

“Assign someone to handle it before leaving. When you return, huge profits will be waiting.”

“Thank you.”

Its value was forty million den — equal to four hundred billion won.

Money always made me happy.

I called Agnès and gave her the document.

“With Marquis Karon’s help, I’ll handle it, Milady.”

Without Heros, Karon’s help would make it easier.

“Are you ready?”

At Lancelot’s voice, I nodded.

From the distant palace, a roar rose like the ground itself was trembling.

They were ready too.

It was time to march.

On my shoulder, Piyo chirped happily.

All the small nations gladly opened their roads to let us pass toward Gran Orden.

They welcomed us, gave us food and comfortable lodging.

News came that Yucubis had already subdued two vassal states of Gran Orden.

Gran Orden was now isolated, and victory was one step closer.

Still, war was war. Danger lurked everywhere.

At the border of Barzenka and Gran Orden.

Early morning, I stood high on a rock and drew my bow without hesitation.

A bluish monster was creeping toward the Imperial guard post.

Its body looked like mud, revolting to see.

Twang—

The arrow flew fast and pierced the shadow’s center.

The shadow melted and collapsed.

If it had been an ordinary arrow, it would have been useless.

But these arrowheads had been coated with a special deadly solution, created from the fluids of Rift monsters.

Heros had hurriedly given me these before departure.

‘That makes three today.’

I smiled and turned—when suddenly something coiled around my foot.