The Emperor responded to Duke Astra with a stern expression.

“That matter is already under investigation within the palace.”

“It is currently handled by the Internal Affairs Bureau. I suggest transferring the investigation authority to the Security Agency.”

The chief chamberlain serving the Emperor flinched.

The Internal Affairs Bureau is basically the Emperor’s secretariat.

In contrast, the Security Agency is the department responsible for national security.

Duke Ishiron, the eldest duke, widened his eyes.

‘He intends to firmly charge whoever attacked Erilot Astra with treason.’

Duke Astra fixed his gaze steadily on the Emperor.

“The assailant violated the Imperial Palace. If mercy is shown, it will set a precedent for future attacks.”

“At that time, the Outer Palace was open to invited guests. Not only guests but also their attendants had access.”

“So?”

“If it was friction between guests, it cannot be deemed treason.”

Duke Châteaubriand cleared his throat.

“Indeed, Your Majesty. It is unclear whether the assailant was a rogue or a noble holding a grudge against Countess Astra.”

Duke Astra’s mouth twisted.

“Your Majesty, my granddaughter belongs to the Imperial Guards. How can you confidently say that the one who attacked your Imperial Guards bears no ill will?”

“You exaggerate, Astra.”

“And you, what is your reason for protecting the assailant?”

“Protecting? Do not make baseless accusations.”

“Rumor has it your daughter was the recent attacker. Is that why?”

“What nonsense! Do you believe the idle gossip of busybodies?”

“Your daughter’s attack on my granddaughter {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} is not unprecedented. The White Knights witnessed it.”

“Astra—!”

The Dukes Astra and Châteaubriand sharply confronted each other.

The Emperor frowned.

“Enough.”

“But, Your Majesty—!”

As Duke Châteaubriand shouted, the Emperor slammed his fist on the table.

The duke flinched and fell silent.

The Emperor sighed and spoke.

“The matter will be fully handled by the Internal Affairs Bureau. Consider yourselves informed.”

“Your Majesty, the New Year’s meeting of the Central Tower is soon.”

The Emperor hesitated at Duke Astra’s words.

“So?”

The Emperor’s voice dropped ominously.

Yet Duke Astra stared at him unwaveringly.

“I intend to place this matter on the agenda.”

“Astra.”

“Four dukes have already agreed.”

The Emperor glared at the dukes.

Duke Jermo chuckled and looked away slyly.

Dukes Trang and Biferi smiled oddly.

Jermo, Trang, Biferi, and Astra.

‘So they’ve all been recruited—those snake-like bastards?’

The Emperor stiffened, and Duke Châteaubriand looked at the dukes with betrayed eyes.

The Emperor spoke with a voice sharp with anger.

“Having secured the majority of the six dukes, why come to me first?”

“To avoid the appearance that the nobles’ decision body is overriding Your Majesty’s will.”

“...!”

He implied he was confident he could overthrow the Emperor if the dukes united.

‘That old man...’

Duke Astra bowed slightly.

“I will await a wise decision, Your Majesty. Glory to the Imperial Family.”

“Glory to the Imperial Family.”

“Glory to the Imperial Family.”

All dukes except Châteaubriand bowed simultaneously.

The dukes left after concluding talks with the Emperor.

Only Duke Châteaubriand and the Emperor remained.

The Emperor silently stared out the window.

Duke Châteaubriand cautiously spoke.

“Y-Your Majesty...”

Clang!!

A sharp sound rang as a drinking cup flew from the Emperor’s hand and hit the wall.

“Y-Your Majesty...!”

The duke stared in shock.

Such an agitated appearance had only been seen when the Emperor was a prince.

The Emperor swept his fallen hair back and asked,

“Stefan. I remember when we were comrades.”

Back when they were heirs of the throne and dukedom, they called each other by name.

“Thinking of old times, I ask one last thing.”

“...”

“Was it your daughter?”

“Y-Yulius!”

Duke Châteaubriand, even calling the Emperor by name, hurried to him.

“I admit my daughter acted foolishly. But you know she’s not the type for reckless deeds!”

“So it was not her?”

“That is... well, um...”

“Answer me.”

The duke’s eyes trembled.

Since the Year-End Festival ended, the Châteaubriand household had been turned upside down.

“You foolish girl...! It was disgraceful enough at the extermination, but she even attacked the Western Wonhwa!”

“B-But father... no, sire! She provoked me deliberately! She tried to create that incident...!”

“You’re foolish to believe that!”

“W-Why would you say such a thing to me...?”

“Strange rumors about you circulate everywhere. And most actually happened!”

“That is... so...”

“Was it really you who attacked Erilot Astra at the eve party?”

“...”

“I asked!”

“That was, well, um...”

“Silin—!!”

Silin never uttered a word.

But she knew.

‘Silin is the likely culprit.’

Otherwise, she would have cried and screamed with her temperament.

Moreover, the huge funds withdrawn from her private assets...

Duke Châteaubriand closed his eyes tightly.

Then knelt before the Emperor.

“P-Please resolve this matter.”

“Unbelievable.”

“Considering old times... and the loyalty the Châteaubriand family has shown...!”

The Emperor grabbed the duke’s collar.

“You foolish—!”

His eyes blazed red with rage.

But then he threw the duke’s collar away.

‘This man is the core of my power. I cannot lose him now.’

Clenching his teeth, the Emperor glared at the duke.

“Immediately recruit the nobles of the Central Tower.”

“Yes, sire!”

“We will also hold large-scale military training.”

“Yes, sir. That will intimidate the nobles in the Imperial Capital.”

“This training will be your daughter’s last chance. Win the Wonhwa duel and claim the command seat.”

As Duke Châteaubriand’s expression brightened, the Emperor glared.

“This time, no accidents.”

“Of course.”

Five representatives from each army would compete.

To limit numbers, monsters or summons are forbidden.

‘Then this is already Silin’s lost game.’

Duke Châteaubriand hurriedly left.

The Emperor’s chamberlain spoke anxiously.

“Will the Châteaubriand mother and daughter succeed? Or will they fail again...?”

“If they fail, they must be cut down.”

This was truly the last chance.

If they failed again, the Châteaubriand house would fall.

Torchlight Palace.

The knights swallowed dryly and focused on me.

The Northern Wonhwa said anxiously,

“Who is it?”

Sebastia chuckled.

“Worried there’s someone the Northern army wants?”

“Isn’t everyone feeling the same...? Four knights can be taken regardless of others’ consent.”

They could take not only first-class knights but also Grand Generals.

So it was natural everyone was extremely tense.

The Southern Wonhwa frowned and studied me.

“Since we’re talking about it, let’s each name one knight we don’t want taken?”

They seemed to think if I understood their wishes, I might leave some.

The Southern Wonhwa quickly added,

“I want Marqui!”

The Wonhwa all looked baffled.

Who would want Marqui, just your lover?

The knights’ expressions were also awkward.

Only Marqui smiled wryly and winked at the Southern Wonhwa.

The Northern Wonhwa hesitantly said,

“I want Rius. We lack knights for rear support...”

Sebastia hummed and said,

“I hope they don’t take the Grand Generals. It’d be hard to coordinate again.”

Silin crossed her arms and sharply turned away.

She didn’t want to plead with me.

I wasn’t very interested, so I shrugged.

“First, I want Kazin.”

“Kazin? Our Grand General Kazin?!”

The Southern Wonhwa’s eyes widened.

Other knights also stirred greatly.

They weren’t the only ones surprised.

Kazin, who had worn a composed expression, opened his eyes wide and looked at me.

“Yes, Kazin.”

“W-Well, Kazin... yes, take me!”

The Southern Wonhwa seemed fine with anyone except Marqui.

Probably grateful.

They wanted to promote Marqui to Grand General, but the current one was an obstacle.

I continued.

“And I want Jowick too.”

“...!”

Jowick snapped his head up.

“Me?!”

“Don’t you want that?”

“No! Of course I—!”

—He started to say, but noticing the knights, quickly changed his words.

“I’ll comply. It’s the rule, after all.”

‘Seriously.’

His ears turned bright red as if delighted.

I smiled inwardly.

“Third, I’ll use as defense rights. The Central Wonhwa can take one knight regardless of festival results.”

That was the Central Wonhwa’s privilege.

Of course, the Central Wonhwa’s expression soured.

‘You wanted to take Iseze? No way.’

Worried about losing the only sacred knight?

“I’ll consider the last one later. I have no intention to trade anyone else. Then I’ll leave the meeting.”

“Oh, well...”

“Yes! Please do!”

The Southern Wonhwa smiled brightly.

She seemed fine as long as she didn’t lose Marqui.

I stood up.

Since then, I handled Western army affairs.

There was much to organize.

‘Who should be the Grand General? Kazin? Jowick? Ku (current deputy Grand General) is also highly trusted...’

I was pondering while spinning a fountain pen.

Knock knock.

A knock sounded.

Then—

“Ah, I’ll go in first!”

“Those guys in front of their superior...”

“Who cares about superiors? Lord Châteaubriand might become the Western Grand General next year or not...!”

It seemed to be knights.

I frowned and flung the door open.

“What’s all the noise?”

The young knights were tangled, about to fight.

Jowick said,

“Ah, we came to greet you. From next year, I’ll be a Western army member, haha.”

Other Central army knights were present.

“I’m Sham, Wonhwa. The last seat! Give it to me!”

“Dickfero, at your service.”

I waved my hand.

“If that’s your purpose, go back. No need for greetings.”

The knights looked dejected.

But when I was firm, they began to leave reluctantly.

Jowick hesitated.

“Miss, don’t you have a real sister?”

“I have many cousin sisters.”

“No, a blonde with red eyes...”

“I’m the only minor with blonde hair and red eyes.”

“Oh, she was really pretty. Just my type...”

Why do you keep talking nonsense?

‘Jowick canceled. If he becomes Grand General, he’d stick around and annoy me.’

Kazin was excellent, though... huh?

Among the departing knights, I noticed Kazin silently watching me.

“Kazin?”

“I came to say something.”

“You said no greetings needed.”

“It’s not a greeting... Please let me stay in the Southern army.”

The knights looked surprised.

Dickfero, the Central army’s staff officer, snorted.

“Isn’t that guy crazy? Everyone’s desperate to leave, and he’s causing trouble?”

Sham frowned.

“He’s trying every trick to get the Western Wonhwa’s attention.”

Others seemed to think so too.

I stared intently at Kazin.

“He’s sincere.”

Kazin bowed deeply.

“Please.”

“The Southern army will replace the Grand General this year. Marqui will be promoted, and you’ll be pushed out.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

His composed face was full of determination.

‘Maybe because he’s from the Imperial Guards, the Emperor’s face.’

Anyway, there are so many handsome ones.

As famous as the Astoras for their beautiful men and women.

His calm dark blue hair seemed to absorb light, sharp eyes, and pure blue irises neatly aligned.

A stoic, ascetic-looking pretty boy.

Kazin bowed deeply again.

“Please.”

“No.”

“...Yes?”

“This is a prize won by risking one’s life in the mission. If you want to stop my reward, bring something that justifies it.”

Then I heard chuckling in my head.

[Yes, trades must be profitable.]

It was Awen.

Kazin looked flustered.

“I don’t have much money, but if it’s okay, I can offer the salary I’ve saved...”

“Do I look poor to you?”

I’m the daughter of Daymond Astra, who controls the continent’s mercantile jade distribution. What is this?

And my grandfather is Duke Astra, the richest among dukes.

Kazin said, “Ah...” embarrassed.

The knights were uproarious.

“If you don’t want that guy...! I have some tactical talent too—!”

“Quiet, Sham.”

“You remember my name? Yes, I’m Sham—”

“Quiet.”

“Silence—.”

Sham quickly shut his mouth.

I looked at Kazin.

“Hmm? Anything else?”

“...If you want something, please say.”

“Well. If we trade, you should have thought it through.”

“Wonhwa... I cannot leave the Southern army.”

“Why not—”

Then—

Clatter!

A noisy sound came from around the corner.

This time it was the Western army.

Ku, deputy Grand General, hurriedly chased two knights.

He was chasing Iseze and Liam.

I frowned.

I hurried to them.

“What’s wrong with your faces?”

They had bruises and traces of blood as if they’d been beaten.

“Who hit you?! Who dared to strike my soldiers—!”

Liam knelt before me.

“Leave the guard to me.”

“What?”

“I love this army the most, so I can guard it best—”

...I’m ten years old.

I tilted my head in confusion.

“You pervert.”

Liam’s eyes went wide. Flustered, he said,

“No! I mean not like that between sexes, but love meaning loyalty, respect, and trust combined...!”

I rapped Liam on the head.

“Then say it like that! I almost assassinated you thinking you were a pervert!”