The knight recommended by Count Benning still kept her face hidden beneath a helmet. Not even raising her visor, she was met with a low, menacing voice from the Captain of the Royal Guard.

“…How dare you not show your face when facing His Majesty? Such disrespect.”

The knight stepped forward and answered the Captain’s rebuke.

“My face is too unsightly to show before His Majesty. I will accept any punishment, but I beg your forgiveness.”

Her voice, muffled by the helmet, was delicate and distinctly feminine. The Guard Captain’s expression shifted slightly at the unexpected softness and the sudden emergence of a female voice. However, he did not waver. Instead, he lowered his voice further, growling like a beast as he reprimanded her.

“Even if your face is hideous, not revealing it before His Majesty is an act of irreverence. So, will you accept the punishment for such disrespect and reveal your face, or will you remove that helmet willingly?”

He looked as if he was about to draw his sword. With a sigh, the King raised his hand, prompting the Captain to withdraw.

“Enough, Hugo. I have bigger matters to worry about than this minor issue. This knight’s appearance and name are not of pressing concern.”

“But, Your Majesty—”

“It appears my knight has shown disrespect. I apologize, Your Majesty. I did not teach her to respond in this way.”

It was Count Benning who interrupted, adopting a surprisingly humble posture, which only made the Guard Captain frown. Benning turned to his knight and commanded,

“Adeline, remove your helmet.”

The knight’s shoulders trembled. Under the Count’s cold, sharp gaze, she raised her hands and slowly reached for her helmet.

Click.

As she removed the helmet, revealing her face, the knights around her couldn’t hide their shock. The King raised an eyebrow, and the Guard Captain clicked his tongue.

Her hair, long and dark, fell down her back in a deep blue hue, almost as dark as the sky just before dawn. Her small face, with delicate lips and nose, was far from unattractive—quite the opposite. However, what caught everyone’s attention was something else entirely.

“…Blind?”

A black cloth was wrapped around her eyes beneath her forehead. Maxime realized why he hadn’t noticed her gaze before. How could she have one, if she couldn’t see?

“It’s unfortunate that she’s blind, but how can you bring such a person to investigate the Tower?”

Dennis, standing beside Maxime, voiced his concerns.

“Even if her combat skills haven’t suffered, it’s impractical to assign a blind person to an investigative role. Perhaps another knight would be more suitable.”

The Count’s lips curled into a smile.

“While she lacks sight, Adeline possesses a heightened ability to sense mana—far superior to most. She’s more than capable of assisting in the Tower investigation. Would you care to test her?”

“…No, that won’t be necessary.”

Continuing the debate would only waste time for the King’s side. They couldn’t afford to squander their chance to weaken Benning’s power.

“A wise decision, Sir Dennis.”

The Count waited for the King’s next words, though the King’s expression showed his continued displeasure with both Adeline and the Count. The word “opportunity” echoed in the King’s mind.

“Let us establish the investigation team. Three of my knights, Count Benning, one knight of your choosing, and two auditors from the Treasury. As for command of the investigation team… Count Benning, you shall lead it.”

Count Benning had proposed the investigation and volunteered his participation in exchange for providing information on the Tower’s corruption. The King inwardly lamented his position, forced to swallow this bitter pill.

“Of course, Your Majesty. I agree.”

The King closed his eyes and tapped the arm of his chair. Before him sat a man who aspired to usurp the throne. Each hid a dagger behind their back, poised to sever the other’s strings.

“Let us adjourn. Count, you may leave. Have the team ready to act at dawn tomorrow, and as for the matter at hand…”

The King gave the Count a piercing look. The Count, maintaining his composure, bowed.

“Yes, I will take responsibility.”

Maxime could feel the Count’s gaze returning to him. He tried to ignore it, though it was too blatant to miss. Maxime suppressed a rising sense of dread.

“Let’s go, Adeline.”

The Count bowed to the King and left the hall with a confident stride, his knight following in his wake. Their presence faded down the central corridor.

==

“Isn’t it dangerous?”

“The Tower has overstepped.”

With Adeline trailing behind, Count Benning addressed his other knight, who had joined him from their house. They walked toward the Second Prince’s residence, and Adeline, unconcerned with their conversation, merely followed.

“We’ve funded them, turned a blind eye to their activities, but now they dare shake the foundation of the grand plan? That crosses a line.”

The knight cautiously voiced his concern.

“So, is this investigation…?”

“A warning, as well as an actual probe. We need to find out what they’re hiding behind closed doors. And, we need to establish who’s in charge.”

A nuisance arose just as he was securing his legacy. Count Benning let out a low growl of frustration.

“If the King suspects anything…”

“I didn’t bring her along just for show.”

Count Benning glanced briefly at Adeline, the ‘puppet’ trailing behind him.

“Are you sure it’s wise? Showing our hand so early…”

“This operation must succeed. It’s not like the mishap with the agent in the east. This time, there’s no room for failure.”

Shrugging off his knight’s concerns, Count Benning continued. His slow approach had been too sluggish after all.

“It’s time to act.”

His footsteps, calm yet filled with violent intent, echoed through the halls. The storm of war was brewing around the throne room.

==

As soon as the study doors closed, Dennis’s face twisted in anger.

“That bastard.”

“Dennis, mind your language, especially in His Majesty’s presence.”

The Guard Captain’s chastisement was mild, as if understanding his frustration.

“My apologies.”

“Don’t worry. I have other matters to discuss with you.”

The King looked more weary than usual, his face heavily lined with fatigue. He glanced up at the knights.

“Do any of you have insights on this investigation? Speak freely.”

Maxime stared at the spot where the Count had stood, recalling the gaze that had lingered over him. That cold, lifeless look he remembered from four years ago, when he had lain bedridden. If it was Count Benning, that calculating, cowardly man…

“I have two thoughts.”

“Two?”

As Maxime raised two fingers, the King and the knights focused their attention on him.

“The first possibility is that this investigation is merely for show. Even with the ledgers they claim to have, Count Benning could control the outcome, making it appear that no serious wrongdoing was found.”

The King nodded slowly.

“That was one of my considerations as well. A staged investigation to preemptively counter any accusations against the Tower.”

“Yet, the timing of this investigation is odd. While the Tower’s activities have been monitored, there was no particular suspicion voiced until now.”

“And the second possibility?”

The King prompted Maxime, who took a deep breath and lowered his middle finger.

“Benning may genuinely want to rein in the Tower.”

“Consolidation of power within?”

The King drew an immediate conclusion, and Maxime nodded.

“Even though the Bennings have allied with the Tower for years, they haven’t completely subjugated it. This might be Benning’s way of sending a warning shot.”

The King exhaled sharply.

“Yes, he might even want to bring the Tower entirely under his heel. That would be far more troublesome.”

Dennis, his face clouded with doubt, asked,

“Would that even be possible, with us in the way?”

“Indeed, your presence in this investigation is a significant obstacle for Benning. That’s why I must urge you to exercise caution.”

The King’s voice was firmer than ever.

“Be careful. If Benning or the Tower tries to harm you, I expect you to abandon the investigation and return immediately. Consider that a royal command.”

Maxime, Dennis, and Charlotte knelt in unison.

“We understand.”

“Revealing the Tower’s secrets is not worth your lives. Your loyalty is shown best by staying alive to protect me.”

I won’t lose my people again, not after that day.

The King murmured to himself before dismissing the knights.

==

After Dennis and Charlotte left, the King stayed behind with Maxime and the Guard Captain to discuss their covert mission.

“The Margrave’s men will arrive tomorrow. Fortunately, it seems their journey wasn’t delayed.”

The King’s tone held relief that there hadn’t been a lapse in security around the First Prince.

“You shouldn’t have any trouble resuming your duties immediately.”

“I was surprised to see Louis taking such an interest in the sword. Had I known of your talent as an instructor, I would have appointed you much sooner. I hear he’s made considerable progress.”

Maxime modestly shook his head.

“He has the aptitude. He just needed time to find his interest.”

“That’s thanks to your excellent teaching. If you’re willing, I’d like you to instruct Princess Michelle in swordsmanship as well.”

Maxime didn’t ask why the Second Prince wasn’t mentioned. The King was too weak, too distant to be a father to them now. Maxime simply nodded.

“It would be an honor. I would gladly do so.”

The King, perhaps lost in thought, paused before continuing the conversation.

“Yes… Now, onto the next matter.”

The King glanced at the disorganized documents on his desk, full of trivial details about the Tower.

“Black magic.”

Maxime nodded. After the battle with Behemoth, he had encountered magicians using dark magic, a close relative of black magic.

“Finding evidence of their study of black magic would be the best outcome of this investigation.”

Maxime nodded firmly.

“Yes. If we can capture a black magician, it will substantiate Your Majesty’s suspicions.”

The King’s expression softened with guilt.

“I’m a hypocrite, aren’t I? I order my knights to protect their lives, yet I assign you this dangerous mission.”

“Allowing me to search for my lost comrades is enough, Your Majesty. I’m merely an outsider, a mercenary in your service. Use me as you will.”

Maxime received the King’s words with calm resolve.

“Even so, you are still a knight of my Guard. How could I not feel troubled?”

“I swear by my sword, the fears you hold will not come to pass.”

The King looked into Maxime’s eyes, seeing the unquenchable fire of vengeance.

“If you find clues about your comrade, what do you intend to do?”

Maxime’s shoulders trembled. The King seemed intrigued by his rare display of emotion.

Christine.

The name conjured a blaze within him. He suppressed the murderous intent with the inner blade he had sharpened for this very purpose.

‘Senior…’ ‘Don’t… cry….’

He remembered her frail hand touching his cheek, the coldness of her fading emerald eyes, and her sunlit golden hair, all from that painful, rain-soaked day.

“With your permission, I will go to rescue her.”

Permission? Maxime would cut down anything in his way to rescue his old comrade, with or without permission.

The Guard Captain looked uneasy at Maxime’s words, and the King’s eyes glinted. After a long silence, the King spoke.

“You have my leave.”

Maxime bowed deeply.

“Your boundless mercy will be repaid with my utmost loyalty.”

“You understand well. Don’t forget that to rescue her, you’ll need the investigation’s findings to back you up.”

The King watched Maxime, who kept his gaze lowered. Benning was making moves, and the King had shown his hand. The day of reckoning approached, and the palace’s eerie calm was but the calm before the storm.