"Well, this is a surprise, such an illustrious guest has graced us with their presence."

"You must have known I would come, yet you jest so well."

Myra El Herne retorted coldly.

"No, truly, I had no idea. Knowing this is the Herne's front yard, I anticipated someone from your side would come, but to have the First Princess herself as the first visitor, and unannounced at that, changes the story."

Kishiar's words slightly moved Myra's eyebrows.

"I regret not being able to inform you before my visit. But considering the Duke himself stirred a massive storm in Charloin without any forewarning, a bit of rudeness on my part might be understandable, don't you think?"

Her words were cleverly crafted. While acknowledging her own fault, she subtly referenced the sudden turmoil caused by Kishiar and the Cavalry. The word 'storm' she deliberately chose seemed like a reprimand but actually conveyed admiration, softening the mood.

That single phrase gave Yuder much insight about her.

Firstly, she was certainly not just a delicately raised noble lady.

Her demeanor felt more direct than expected.

And most importantly... it seemed she bore no anger or malice in her approach.

'So this is the kind of person she is.'

Previously, there hadn't been a chance to understand her character, making this interaction surprisingly refreshing.

"So, you're saying you're here not because of that 'storm'?"

"Officially, yes. Among the idiots caught by the Cavalry was a relative of mine."

Myra used the harsh term 'idiots' nonchalantly, her expression unchanging, showing her sincerity.

Kishiar's eyes deepened with interest.

"And unofficially?"

"Frankly, what the Cavalry does with that idiot is none of my concern. My urgency stemmed from feeling the need to meet and converse with the Duke and the Cavalry before the Second Prince."

"If it's just a family issue, it seems unnecessary for our Cavalry to intervene. Why must we have this conversation now?"

"Hern is currently deliberating how to handle the Cavalry in light of this incident. While some believe we should use this opportunity to eradicate the troublemakers in the South, others strongly oppose such action. I am among those who advocate for cooperation."

"Hmm. All I did was destroy one fighting ring that mistreated the Awakeners, and yet everyone is taking it so seriously. We're already busy recruiting new members. Why not just leave things as they are, as we have been? I'm not particularly concerned about the 'troublemakers in the South' or anything of that sort."

Kishiar shrugged nonchalantly, laughing like a carefree man, seemingly uninterested in the serious matter Myra presented.

Myra's eyes fleetingly showed surprise, perhaps not expecting such a response. It seemed she expected her straightforward offer of alliance would be immediately welcomed.

'She's not adept at hiding her intentions or political maneuvering. Considering her age, that's expected.'

Among the young nobles of the four great ducal houses they had met so far, Pruelle and Priscilla from Tain house were the smartest and strongest in cool-headed responses. The Apeto brothers were mostly emotional and sinister, except for the gentle and kind Revlin. And Diarca's Kiolle... was embarrassingly foolish compared to the others.

‘But showing just enough of her intentions can sometimes make it easier for us to understand and deal with the situation.’

Yuder thought this as he scrutinized Kishiar's face.

It seemed unlikely that Kishiar intended to reject Myra. If they could cooperate with Myra, it would be beneficial for their future endeavors.

However, from Myra's words alone, it appeared as though Herne and Cavalry weren't collaborating, but rather, Herne was subtly offering a hand to let Cavalry handle their long-standing problems. That probably was the issue.

Cavalry couldn't appear as merely assisting Herne. Cooperation should be a process where both parties present their desires and work together as equals. The young First Princess of Herne, desiring to cooperate with the Cavalry, needed to realize this first.

Now, how would the not-yet-twenty-year-old First Princess of Herne react? If she was driven by emotion, she would leave in a cold huff. If reason prevailed, she would make a different decision. Yuder gazed intently at Myra's face.

"...I don't think that's what Cavalry wants."

After a moment, Myra's response leaned towards the latter.

"Hmm? How would the Princess know what Cavalry wants?"

"Before coming here, I researched how Cavalry handled this incident. You must have realized from the trapped Awakeners that this wasn't the only fighting ring. Considering Cavalry's past actions, it's unlikely you would stop after just one. You must be planning the next move, aren't you?"

Despite Kishiar's seemingly casual counter-question, Myra answered confidently. Her arrival here in less than a day was impressive enough, but having also grasped Cavalry's operations in that time was quite a feat. And her assumption about their next plan was correct.

"Then?"

"This time, no one suspected Duke Peletta's presence here, so you could resolve it through infiltration. But now that everything is exposed, others will try their best to hide. Without the cooperation of someone well-acquainted with this place, it might be difficult for you to proceed as you wish. If you give me the chance to cooperate, I swear I will do my utmost to assist."

"..."

"Let me be more frank. The truth is, if Cavalry steps in and I can assist, it would be a great benefit to me personally. Dealing with the nuisances of the south is what I've been most diligently working on as a potential heir of Herne."

Myra was no fool either. Clearly stating that this situation was definitely beneficial for her implied, 'there's no need to suspect any ulterior motives for my offer to cooperate.' She also decidedly lowered her stance, positioning herself as someone assisting Cavalry, not the other way around.

"But I'm not the only one thinking this. My biggest competitor, the Second Child Ashrav, likely has the same idea. If he collaborates with Cavalry first, it wouldn't make much difference to Herne and the south, but it would be a fatal loss for me personally. Therefore... I am determined to cooperate with Cavalry first in handling this matter."

"So, in essence, you want to aid Cavalry's efforts to gain an advantage in the succession competition."

"That's right."

Having said that, Myra bowed her head.

"I assume you are already aware, having heard from the owner of the Dawn Palace, but the succession struggle of Herne has been ongoing for a long time, ever since I was born. I have long hoped for her support, and we have been in contact for a while, yet I have not received a clear answer. I cannot hide the fact that my eagerness for this cooperation to succeed partly stems from the hope that it might also secure her support."

She hadn't told everything, but what she had shared was enough for one to infer her circumstances.

'It seems the issue of succession is a problem everywhere.'

Kishiar looked at Myra, her face wrapped in a cold tension, and smiled inscrutably.

"Hmm... I have just one question."

"Yes?"

"What if, even after hearing all this, we decide to cooperate with the Second Child, who might come seeking us later, instead of the First Princess?"

For a moment, Myra's expression hardened. She looked at Kishiar with a gaze sharp enough to pierce, and spoke coldly.

"A truly sad hypothesis. Even so, if it benefits Herne and the South, I must endure it. However, I doubt there is anyone else who knows this place better than I do. Perhaps, for a task that could have been easily resolved, the Cavalry will end up taking a very long and roundabout route."

Her voice was almost threatening. The atmosphere turned icy, and a silence ensued.

It was Kishiar's laughter that broke the silence.

"Hahaha, they say the First Princess of Herne, born for the first time in 35 years, is full of the true spirit of a daughter of Herne. Indeed, it seems so. I understand. May I take a day to think it over and then contact you?"

Myra looked at him, her eyes filled with astonishment, but soon she nodded.

"Yes. I will be waiting."

She seemed to regard Kishiar as a very strange man. Yet, her demeanor remained unchanged until she left.

"Commander, a guest has arrived."

'A guest? Who could it be?'

This was right after the literal destruction of the betting arena. Those who would visit had already frequented the soutHerne branch of the Cavalry, marking their presence.

Among them were prominent figures: the head of Charloin's security, the haughty servant sent by the Lord of Charloin, those who protested for the release of gamblers caught on-site. Especially noisy were the representatives from the families of these VIPs. Countless others had knocked, seeking an audience with Commander Kishiar La Orr, who had suddenly appeared.

However, most were turned away under the pretext that the Commander was 'exhausted after a big task'. It was frustrating, but what could be done? They couldn't afford to offend him, especially when their weaknesses were now in his grasp.

This tactic had been effectively used by Kishiar previously at the illegal auction in Tainu in the West, quieting the protesting nobles. It seemed even more effective now.

'I guess they saw what happened to Baron Willhem of Tainu. One wrong move and they could end up utterly destroyed, just like him.'

Baron Willhem, once the lord of Tainu, had faced utter ruin. Despite his long service to the Duke of Tainu, he was abandoned in his most desperate hour.

Yuder knew that Willhem had been stripped of his title, noble rights, and his properties confiscated. He faced 15 years of imprisonment, 30 years of forced labor, and a fine of three million gold coins.

With no other way to reduce his sentence, Willhem turned to implicate others, including his brother, family, surrounding nobles, and the Duke of Tain.

Such actions were disgraceful for most nobles, but Willhem was cunningly persuaded by the first and second children of Tain, Pruelle and Priscilla.

'They'll promise a lighter sentence and his family's safety in exchange for a definitive end to their father. Not a bad strategy. Beneficial for both Tain and the Emperor, as well as us.'

Despite his vile life, Willhem hoped for his daughters' safety. Hence, their trial was still ongoing.

Initially, the entire nation was abuzz with a noble Duke, one of the four ducal families, being on trial before a judge. However, as the situation evolved, it was perceived as an internal power struggle within the Tain family.

If the Emperor and the Cavalry were seen attacking the Tain family, the nobility would resist. But if it seemed like an internal dispute gone awry, the story changed.

The longer the trial dragged on, the more the public would lose interest. This would give Priscilla, the heir, time to solidify her support. When the time was right, the Duke of Tain would face severe punishment without anyone to defend him.

This was the outcome of a political agreement between Pruelle, Priscilla, Emperor Keilusa, and Commander Kishiar. The trial might take months or years, but the wait was worth ensuring their victory.

‘But ordinary nobles would not know so much.’

In the minds of the nobles of Charloin, only Baron Willhem, who had met his downfall at the hands of the Cavalry, would have left a lasting impression.

‘So, the more they have to hide, the more likely they are to turn back when they hear from Kishiar that he’s tired... The fact that they sent a notification of a guest's arrival means the other side didn't care about it.’

"Even though I sent word that I was too tired to see anyone, they still wish to see me?"

The Kishiar by Yuder's side asked with a look that shared the same thought. A response came from beyond the door, breaking the brief silence.

"Yes. They insist on seeing you right now."

"What is their name?"

"They said they couldn't tell us. Only that you would know them if I mentioned the 'Owner of the Dawn'."

Kishiar's eyes sparkled briefly upon hearing these somewhat cryptic words.

"It must be someone from the House of Herne."

"The House of Herne, you say? Why... Ah."

Just as the question was about to be asked, the answer dawned.

‘The House of Herne is the family of Her Majesty the Empress. The Empress Palace is known as the Dawn Palace... So that's why they used that term.’

"Let them in."

"Understood."

Kishiar straightened up from leaning on Yuder's shoulder, while Yuder himself stood up and moved a step back to his rightful place behind the man. Kishiar clicked his tongue in apparent disappointment.

"I thought I might get a little rest, but it seems there's no time for that."

"Could it be someone from the Herne family... Did the Lord of Charloin summon them?"

"Although the Lord here is of the Herne family's collateral line, I doubt that's the case."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because they mentioned the 'Owner of the Dawn'."

As Kishiar spoke, the door opened and a person entered. Removing their luxurious traveler's robe, platinum blonde hair, nearly identical to the Empress's, cascaded down.

At first glance, the lady appeared nobly raised. Her strong features could intimidate the viewer, yet the freckles around her eyes and lips softened the harshness. The riding outfit she wore under her robe suited her perfectly.

Yuder recognized her immediately upon her arrival.

'Myra El Herne.'

Yuder had seen her in his previous life. She was the candidate for Empress from the Herne family, proposed to Emperor Katchian.

Emperor Katchian, an adopted son, had ascended to the throne unusually quickly after only a few years as the Crown Prince, becoming Emperor without having had an Empress to be. Of course, there were whispers during his time as Crown Prince, but Emperor Keilusa's early demise reset everything to a blank slate.

The four great ducal houses fiercely contested who would sit beside the Emperor. The Diarca family naturally proposed someone from their line, while the other three houses openly criticized Diarca's excessive greed and nominated their own candidates.

Among them, the Herne family boldly proposed a direct descendant, with clear logic.

'The previous Empress was not truly our making. Herne suffered greatly due to her extravagance and various incidents, and we have struggled to cope ever since, so it is only right to give us another chance.'

Despite various events, it seemed Diarca eventually stepped back, allowing Myra El Herne to become the Empress. Naturally, her marriage to the Emperor was anything but smooth.

For reasons unknown, Emperor Katchian had suffered wounds on the night of his wedding in the Empress's Palace, similar to those of claw marks. Hushed rumors circulated the palace, suggesting a physical altercation between the two.

Thereafter, he never visited the Empress's Palace again. Whenever advised to produce an heir, he would erupt in anger, accusing the adviser of harboring treasonous intentions due to his youth.

The House of Herne was displeased, but the House of Diarca and other families were quite satisfied. This situation allowed them to propose their own candidates for the position of concubine or legal wife.

After Emperor Katchian began to cunningly assassinate or manipulate the power holders of other families, including the House of Diarca, Empress Myra's situation worsened. Since she was out of favor with the Emperor and virtually exiled, no one dared to visit her.

The Empress's Palace was always famously quiet, as if empty.

No one knew how she lived there.

Yuder, too, had almost never seen her until his death.

'I never expected to see her here again.'

To be honest, until just moments ago, he had nearly forgotten her name. But upon seeing her face, the memories of her from the wedding resurfaced vividly.

Kishiar, noticing Yuder's subtly furrowed brow and blinking, glanced at him discreetly yet keenly before turning his head with a smile.

"Well, this is a surprise, such an illustrious guest has graced us with their presence."

"You must have known I would come, yet you jest so well."

Myra El Herne retorted coldly.

Check out the new project 1:

[BL] Bermuda

Leonardo Blaine, the true war hero of the Raina Logia Empire and the commander of the Armsilver 11th Squad, is dishonorably discharged for disobeying orders during the final battle that could have led the Empire to victory in the territorial war. People criticize and point fingers at him, and after being released on parole from prison, he disappears without a trace.

Three years later, his name has been forgotten by the world. The Council has been persistently pursuing him, but he has proven difficult to capture. Frustrated by this, Hugo Agrizendro, the commander of the Council's army, decides to personally apprehend him.

"Since when have you been watching me?"

Leonardo was calculative and astute, so it wouldn't be surprising if he had been observing Hugo for some time now. However, Leonardo's answer was something that even Hugo had not anticipated.

"From the very beginning."

Check out the new project 2:

[BL] Cloudless Sky

Jin Soram, the top-ranked hunter representing South Korea's Rift Phenomenon Management Headquarters, is stronger than anyone else and lazier than anyone else. As soon as he arrives at the office, he buries himself under a blanket and falls asleep. When he goes out on a mission, he causes accidents and returns to the office, often shirking his duties.

"Do you know how it feels to play a game that's already messed up? ...Anyway, the next round will come, so this time, I'm just going to play it recklessly."

In fact, his true identity is someone who has regressed through three lives, trying to save the world from the Great Rift but failing each time. After repeating a life where he couldn't sleep peacefully even for a day, he became completely exhausted before this life even began.

"I know. You worked hard, Jin Soram."

And then there's Han Tae-un, the man who saved Soram and died in all three previous lives. As he did in every life, he comes to Soram's side once again. The Great Rift is approaching soon. It's impossible to resolve it in this life without any preparation. Soram vows to save Tae-un in this life and die himself. At least, he won't let Tae-un save a failure like himself again.

"For now, until then, let's sleep..."

As Soram sluggishly lives his life waiting for that moment, a gradual change occurs in his heart.

'I thought this was a messed-up round... but I want to live a little longer here.'