"Are you planning to attend the banquet this time, Commander?"

The question came from Rione Becker, the last remaining mage of the Raven Knights. The stormy summer had passed, and the cool winds of autumn swept through the streets of the royal capital.

"...A banquet?"

Teodora muttered the words weakly. Rione looked at her with pity. Since that battle, their commander had changed so much.

The Raven Knights had changed significantly as well.

They had lost their vice commander, who was known for his skill, kindness, and certainty in battle.

They also lost a member who had been closest to the vice commander, a knight whose swordsmanship rivaled Teodora’s own. Both had disappeared without a trace.

The cheerful, hook-nosed knight who wielded violet aura was gone, along with several other members. Some, like the others, were missing, while others had been found as cold, lifeless corpses.

“I’ll send someone in my place.”

“If you don’t attend again, who knows what they’ll say at the palace. You’re already…”

Teodora closed her eyes tightly and pressed her fingers against her temples.

“There’s no need to worry about causing any problems for the Knights.”

The Raven Knights had become heroes to the people living in the borderlands, and as their commander, Teodora’s reputation had risen along with them. Rione’s expression turned even gloomier upon hearing Teodora’s words.

“I’m not worried about the Knights right now.”

Rione let her long orange-red hair fall over her shoulders as she spoke reproachfully to Teodora. However, Teodora simply let Rione’s gaze pass over her without a response.

“I’ll be fine, Rione.”

Rione stared at Teodora for a moment before shaking her head. It was a gesture that, from anyone else, might have been considered disrespectful. However, Teodora didn’t reprimand her.

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

“Yes. Take it easy tomorrow, it’s the weekend.”

With a faint smile, Teodora bid Rione farewell. Rione’s expression remained worried until she finally stepped out of the commander’s office.

Clunk.

As the door closed, Teodora let out a long sigh. She slumped back into the hard chair of the commander’s office.

"...Hah."

Despite the frown on her face, Teodora couldn’t help but recall the events of a few evenings ago, when she visited her family home and was confronted with the faces of her loathsome relatives.

“Go back, young lady.”

The knights of her family had said. Teodora looked at them with confusion, alternating between their determined expressions as they blocked her path. Their stance was firm.

“The daughter of the house wants to see her father. Why are you stopping me?”

“Young lady... If you continue to exude such a fierce aura, what will the Count think?”

A middle-aged knight spoke on behalf of the others.

“I don’t want to use force against my family’s knights.”

“We don’t want that either, young lady.”

“Then let me through.”

“We can’t, not knowing what might happen.”

Teodora spoke firmly, but the knights, despite hearing her warning, didn’t step aside. They hesitated, some taking cautious steps backward under the weight of her overwhelming presence, while others reached for their sword hilts.

“If you draw your weapons, you’ll regret it.”

Did they know?

Teodora wondered.

Three years ago, when Leon Bening extended his claws, did they know?

“Ugh…”

One of the younger knights, unable to withstand the pressure, involuntarily half-drew his sword. Teodora’s gaze fixed on the blade. Under her fierce eyes, the sharpness of the sword instantly seemed to transform into a worthless hunk of metal.

“You idiot…!”

Before the older knight could finish his reprimand,

Bang!

The young knight who had drawn his sword was now on his knees. Teodora glanced down at her clenched fist.

“Young lady.”

The middle-aged knight’s voice carried tension as he addressed Teodora.

‘…She’s grown even stronger.’

Teodora observed the knight who now seemed to be pleading for mercy, and a single question, like that of a judge, escaped her lips.

“Did you know?”

She didn’t miss the flicker in the middle-aged knight’s eyes. He searched for a reply but couldn’t find the words, lowering his head in shame.

“As someone who has served the family the longest, surely you knew.”

“…I hope you don’t misinterpret my loyalty to the family.”

“Loyalty to the family… You’ve chosen your words well.”

I have no more ties to this family.

Teodora moved swiftly, her legs kicking out, leaving the knights lying behind her. A trembling servant stepped in her path as she approached the main house.

“T-T-Teodora… young lady…”

Teodora didn’t respond. She walked forward as if the servant were no more than a pebble on the road.

“Young lady… Please, just hear me out…”

The servant’s attempt to stop her was futile. Teodora finally looked him in the eye, her voice carrying the weight of her command.

“Move.”

Her words held an overwhelming force. The servant felt his very soul shrink in terror.

Damn it, this isn’t how it was supposed to go.

Despite the Count’s assurances that nothing would come of it, the young lady of the house had returned, brimming with quiet rage.

“Young lady, the Count has his reasons—”

“Shut your mouth.”

Teodora’s voice sliced through his words like a freshly sharpened blade, and the servant’s gaze froze under her stormy, thundercloud-like glare.

“Choose your words carefully.”

He was no longer just a servant; he was a mouse before a cat. Or perhaps a mouse before a tiger. He prayed that her anger wouldn’t turn on him next.

He knew. He knew full well that he was merely following the Count’s orders, playing a part in the plan. But should he plead that he was only obeying orders? Or should he simply shut up and step aside?

The decision didn’t take long. Teodora took a step forward, and the servant let out a pathetic squeak as he moved aside. Had she not been armed, perhaps she would have struck him down on the spot.

“Ugh… Ugh…”

Leaving the terrified servant behind, Teodora stepped into the mansion. No one else dared to stop her. Calmly, but without hiding her seething fury, she pressed on.

She climbed the stairs. The Count’s newly built mansion in the royal capital was luxurious.

Step. Step.

As she passed through the corridor, she saw the dining room lit by crimson lamps.

Step. Step.

Before she knew it, Teodora was standing at the end of the dining table, facing Leon Bening, who sat at the opposite end, calmly sipping his wine.

“Sit.”

Was he trying to appear calm, or was he genuinely unbothered?

Teodora looked at her father’s impassive face and idly ran her fingers across the surface of the table.

“If you plan to make a scene, at least do it downstairs.”

“You’ve grown more fearful.”

Was that an attempt at provocation?

Leon Bening raised an eyebrow, as if to say she could think whatever she liked. Teodora pulled out a chair and sat down. Her father’s cold, dispassionate gaze bore into her, making her frown slightly in discomfort.

“You’ve grown quite bold, haven’t you, daughter?”

A meal had already been prepared and laid out, waiting for her.

“Why are you here, uninvited?”

“I’m more curious as to why you’re asking that.”

“If you’ve come to talk about that ex-lover of yours, I have nothing to say. I don’t care, and I won’t listen.”

Clang.

The sound of Teodora reflexively dropping her spoon shattered the quiet atmosphere of the dining room like a sudden snowstorm. Yet even in the face of her intense presence, which could freeze anyone in their tracks, Leon Bening merely swirled his red wine in his glass, unconcerned.

“…Are you still consumed by anger?”

This will be the last time I see my father’s face, Teodora decided. She would cut all ties—to her bloodline and to the life she had known until now. For this final supper, she had only one thing to say to Count Bening.

“You know my anger is directed at you and this cursed family.”

There was no sword at her waist. Even so, as she lowered her hand beneath the table, her posture shifted, as if preparing for battle.

“You are still young, Teodora. So very young.”

Her father’s voice was filled with feigned regret. Teodora’s lips twisted in response.

“You’re as shameless as ever.”

Leon glanced at his daughter. She had grown considerably since the incident three months ago. She had become a commander with heroic achievements. But her public image wasn’t what mattered to him.

“Those who look to the top must be shameless, Teodora. And I’ve climbed high enough.”

“Are you still trying to lecture me?”

Her heart.

Teodora, once confused and fragile, had grown mentally and emotionally after surviving the Behemoth battle. Leon Bening internally clicked his tongue. It was clear that Teodora’s newfound resilience was why she could stand against him now, able to meet his gaze without flinching.

He didn’t like it. Through the dark red wine, he saw her face ripple as if reflected in a pool of blood.

Leon Bening set down his glass. At the same time, Teodora rose from her seat, leaving the meal untouched.

“When you return, there will be a mission for you.”

Teodora’s steps halted.

“You’d be wise not to interfere with our Knights again.”

“Why would you think it has anything to do with the Knights?”

Her face briefly reflected confusion before returning to its usual cold expression. Her silence demanded an explanation, but Leon Bening didn’t provide one. He remained unnervingly calm under the gaze of his daughter, who regarded him as an enemy.

“It would be unwise for you to harbor other thoughts regarding the Knights.”

“Are you scared?”

Even as Teodora’s voice turned icy, Leon remained unfazed.

“Consider it a warning.”

Leon Bening.

Once a mere local noble, he had risen to the rank of royal minister by his own hand.

A man who wielded enough power to control the royal court with his sword and oversee the Mage Tower while surveying the capital from its peak.

The weight behind Leon Bening’s words three months ago and the weight behind them now were worlds apart. Even when speaking to his only child.

It wasn’t just a father and daughter facing off, but a kingdom’s hero and a political schemer.

Cold sparks flew between their locked gazes. Leon Bening took another sip of his wine.

The only reason Teodora hadn’t openly sided with the king and rebelled against her father was because of the burden she bore as commander of the Knights and the unresolved presence of her former lover.

“We’ll meet again, Teodora.”

And because he knew what she was thinking, Leon added those words. But they did nothing to stop her.

The chandelier lights flickered.

Leon Bening’s growing irritation subtly distorted the atmosphere of the room.

“Maxim... Apart.”

Crack.

The rim of the glass fractured, and shards of glass scattered. It was rare for Count Bening to display his emotions, and he hurriedly reined in the aura that had unconsciously flared. The flickering chandelier lights settled.

Should he kill him now rather than capture him?

No, no. That was a decision that could be made later, if necessary.

“Antoine.”

At Leon Bening’s murmured command, a servant rushed to his side.

“You called, sir?”

“I’ll be going to the main hall.”

Leon Bening closed his eyes. His thoughts, desires, and anger coiled like heat waves, then dispersed into the wind.

“For what reason are you going?”

The servant asked.

“I must meet with His Royal Highness, the Second Prince.”

 

Teodora was jolted from her reverie by a knock at the door. She straightened her posture and sat up.

“Come in.”

The door opened to reveal a scarred knight with a stern expression.

“Commander.”

“…Vice Commander.”

Paola pulled over the chair Rione had been sitting in earlier and took a seat. Despite all that had happened—members missing and dead—Paola’s attitude remained largely unchanged, her tone still mild and indifferent as she made the usual formalities.

“We’re planning a large-scale equipment inspection. I think it would be best to allocate an entire day tomorrow for the task.”

Teodora frowned slightly. Her mind went back to the meal with Leon Bening and the words he had said.

‘There will be a mission for you soon.’

“Is this because of a long-term mission?”

“Yes. It’s been about three months since the Uncharted Territory incident, so it’s about time we receive another major assignment this quarter.”

“…It’s best to be prepared.”

Paola nodded.

“The more time we have to prepare, the better. I plan to procure any equipment we deem necessary or outdated ahead of time.”

Paola waved the paper in her hand as she spoke.

“What’s that?”

“It’s an equipment list. I thought you might want to review it.”

“We might need to appoint someone specifically to handle supplies.”

Teodora took the paper as she spoke. Paola chuckled and shook her head.

“It’s fine. The other members often help out with these tasks.”

Paola’s casual tone shifted as she glanced at Teodora. It was as if she had something else on her mind.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“Commander, about the banquet…”

“I’m not going.”

Teodora’s reply was firm. Paola smiled awkwardly, scratching her head.

“Still… if you continue to avoid them, I’m worried about what might happen.”

‘Them.’

The group that had taken control of the royal court during the Behemoth expedition. Teodora sighed.

“It would benefit them little to mess with me.”

Paola shrugged, resigned.

“Then, I’ll arrange for someone else to attend on your behalf again.”

“Thank you, Vice Commander.”

Just as they were about to conclude their conversation, the door opened once more. Teodora and Paola looked up in unison to see Rione standing there, looking troubled.

“Commander, Vice Commander.”

“Rione?”

Rione glanced outside the door as if someone was waiting.

“The royal personnel officer is here…”

Is this about the long-term mission? Teodora pushed aside her growing concerns.

“Let them in.”

Before Rione could pass on the message, the royal personnel officer walked stiffly into the commander’s office.

“Greetings.”

The officer, looking exhausted, scanned the faces of the gathered knights. Vice Commander Paola stood up.

“There’s no need. Please, remain seated. I only have a brief notice and a document to deliver.”

The personnel officer cleared his throat several times before glancing at the official document he held.

“The Raven Knights will be cooperating with the royal palace’s security forces for an upcoming royal event.”

The mention of the palace security forces caused the knights to exchange confused glances.

“The palace...? So, we’ll be joining the royal guard?”

Paola asked, and the officer nodded.

“Yes. Specifically, the Third Royal Guard, which falls under…”

At the officer’s next words, the knights’ confusion turned to dismay.

“…His Royal Highness, the Second Prince.”