After we reached the Imperial camp, Josef constructed a temporary tent camp next to the main garrison to house the surrendered soldiers. While he prohibited weapons and assigned part of his forces to monitor the area, he refrained from imposing any additional restrictions or hardships on the prisoners.

Yet, as I observed, Josef was steadily deploying troops outside the camp. It was clear he had his sights set on the Kingdom of Rus.

Now, my next steps were straightforward.

Upon confirming our surrender, Josef would have immediately sent word to the capital.

The Emperor, who had once attempted to win me over even after ordering my execution, would likely try to reverse her decision. However, with the aristocrats following their own interests, achieving that reversal wouldn’t be simple.

The moment news of our surrender reached the Imperial Palace, the nobles would convene to decide my fate. To have any influence over that outcome, I needed to reach Reinesburg before they came to a conclusion. Moving quickly would also help gain the Emperor’s favor.

On the way here, I’d used Phlegethon, giving me plenty of time to overtake the messenger. However, without its assistance on the return, I’d have to rely on the Emperor’s token to secure fresh horses along the way. It would be a challenging journey.

“Anna, Alexandrov. I leave the soldiers in your care.”
“Understood, sir.”

I entrusted the soldiers to the two Corps Commanders and headed to Reinesburg without delay. Several gray dots appeared on the mini-map, likely a surveillance detail Josef had assigned to me, but they gradually dropped off as I pushed forward without stopping.

…Once I arrived and met with the Emperor, it would be a turning point. Though I felt a thrill of anticipation, the plan was set.

All that remained was to execute it.

---

After Josef’s letter detailing Viktor’s surrender arrived at the palace, Emperor Luise and her nobles debated his fate for several days.

“Your Majesty! Now is the time to demonstrate your mercy by sparing him!”
“His influence could turn the strength of the Rus Kingdom into an asset for the Empire!”

The Emperor’s supporters urged her to reverse the execution order.

The loyalists understood that Luise harbored ambitions for Viktor, while others saw value in keeping him alive for future use, to manage the Kingdom of Rus once it fell under Imperial control.

“The execution has already been decreed!”
“Viktor is a threat! Once the Rus Kingdom is annexed, his influence will likely become too powerful!”

The aristocratic faction, however, insisted on pushing forward with the execution.

They believed that the Kingdom’s surrender was imminent, especially with news of an internal rebellion. As soon as the truce expired, or perhaps even before, they expected the kingdom to capitulate.

As it was nearly the Emperor’s decision alone that allowed Viktor’s return to the Rus Kingdom, the aristocrats saw the large-scale surrender of the Rus forces as a victory for the Emperor’s faction. They anticipated that if Viktor became part of the Empire, he would become a powerful asset to the Emperor’s camp with the backing of the Rus Kingdom.

Moreover, executing Viktor to diminish his influence would ensure that the surrender of the kingdom and its 20,000 prisoners would be credited to Josef on the battlefield, helping to reinforce the aristocrats' power base.

“The decision to execute him was Your Majesty’s own decree!”
“Flexibility in response to circumstances is what’s important here!”

In most discussions, Theodore led the way, but sensing the Emperor’s growing discomfort, he remained silent this time. With the leader of the Emperor’s faction holding back, the two factions clashed fiercely despite the power disparity.

Observing the nobles shouting before her, Luise pressed her fingertips to her temples. Exhausted by the unproductive debate, she had allowed them to argue without intervening.

Her initial curiosity in ruling had stemmed from meeting promising individuals and watching their actions unfold.

However, the role of Emperor had turned into a problem.

While her supporters were now voicing her preferred stance, just yesterday, they had opposed several of her other proposals, including the construction of additional Phlegethon. The Emperor’s faction felt increasingly less like her own force.

As for the aristocrats, they seemed to exist solely to counter her every move.

In the end, both factions were obstacles to her, preventing her from accomplishing even half of what she had originally envisioned.

“If only you lot had managed to win this war, we wouldn’t even be here,” she muttered.
“What did you say?”
“Ah…”

Luise felt her enthusiasm wane, half-listening to the discussions, and debated channeling her ambition elsewhere.

Perhaps she should step back and meet promising individuals without the constraints of an empire.

Just then—

*Bang!*

“Your Majesty!”

A messenger burst into the room and knelt at the doorway.

“Viktor has arrived at the palace!”
“Viktor?”

Luise, who had been slouched in her chair in boredom, sprang to her feet at the mention of the man who had dared defy her.

“Where is he now?”
“At the main gate of the Imperial Palace!”
“Excellent.”

Excited by news of the most intriguing human she’d met, she declared, “This session is adjourned! We’ll reconvene in one hour—no, three hours!”
“Your Majesty!”
“As Her Majesty wishes, the session will resume at 5 p.m.!”

Before the other nobles could protest, Theodore, who had been quietly observing, quickly voiced his support, sensing her intent.

Knowing precisely where she intended to go, he followed closely behind.

“Heh…”

Only Viktor had ever faced down the Red Dragon’s force and met her gaze unflinchingly. Though it had been nearly twenty days since he left the palace, she hadn’t forgotten the thrill he inspired.

Walking briskly, Luise was trailed by her ladies-in-waiting and nobles hastily falling into step behind her.

“What’s going on?”
“Is something happening?”

As they neared the palace entrance, they encountered several servants rushing around.

“We need to report this to… Your Majesty?”
“What’s all the commotion?”
“Viktor is causing a scene at the palace gates!”
“Oh? And the guards haven’t intervened?”
“He bears your insignia, Your Majesty, so we thought it best to await your orders…”

“I see. Maintain the current situation. I will handle this personally.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”

With a faint smile, Luise quickened her pace.

Eventually, she came upon a wall of guards stationed near the entrance.

“Stand aside.”
“…Yes! Understood! All guards, clear a path!”

With a single command, the soldiers who had been standing tensely facing the gates parted.

And there, holding the insignia she’d given him, stood Viktor.

He looked quite different from when he’d left. His hair was disheveled as if he’d ridden hard, his head drooped slightly, his eyes half-closed from exhaustion. Sweat soaked his entire body, and his cracked lips were dry and parched.

“Viktor.”

But when Viktor raised his head at Luise’s call—

“…”

“Interesting.”

She noted with satisfaction that, despite his fatigue, his gaze remained intense, filled with unyielding resolve.

Before she could say anything more, he suddenly knelt before her.

“Empress Luise Zainburg. I humbly ask for your mercy.”

Viktor’s unexpected action caused a ripple of murmurs among the crowd.

“The soldiers who surrendered with me are simply those forced onto the battlefield by greedy nobles. Take my life if you must, but please, allow my men to choose their own paths.”

“…”

“They have families waiting for them, and homes to return to. I beg you, extend your generosity to them alone.”

For the first time, Viktor spoke to her with a humility and desperation she had not seen before.

“Mercy…”

Luise paused, intrigued by his heartfelt appeal, and observed him thoughtfully.

Theodore, who had been watching from behind, sensed that the situation was taking an unexpected turn.

Apparently, Viktor had caused quite a commotion at the palace entrance before Luise arrived, attracting not only guards but also a large crowd of citizens. The nobles who had followed her also witnessed his fervent plea.

If Viktor had entered quietly and awaited his fate, his appeal could have been easily dismissed.

But Luise Zainburg was known for her occasional acts of mercy. With Viktor publicly pleading for mercy before an audience, she couldn’t ignore his request.

Given her past interest in Viktor, her answer was already clear.

“Amusing. What do you all think?” she asked.
“We will follow Your Majesty’s decision.”

Theodore anticipated her response but dared not voice any objections.

Although the nobles held significant power, they were technically the Emperor’s subjects. Opposing her decision, especially in public, would be risky regardless of one’s influence. For Theodore, a leader among her supporters, there was no option but to side with her now.

Viktor surviving, with his soldiers also pledged to follow him, was a challenge Theodore would address later. For now, he maintained silence and considered future countermeasures.

“Very well.”

Luise approached Viktor, who was still kneeling before her.

“It was a clever idea to appeal to my sense of mercy.”

She stepped closer, bending slightly to look down at him.

“But didn’t you once tell me you didn’t fear death? It seems your life alone isn’t worth enough to meet your request.”

She wasn’t entirely uninterested in matters of state; she understood how best to leverage this situation.

“So, would it be correct to assume that you’d do anything for the sake of your men?”

“Of course.”

Viktor responded immediately, his voice firm despite the vulnerability in his posture.

“Then pledge me your eternal loyalty, and prove that you’re worth

 far more than the losses the Empire has suffered because of you. Only then will I grant you mercy.”

She offered her proposal in a tone that brooked no dissent.

“I swear it, with all my heart.”

Viktor answered resolutely, his voice laced with suppressed fury.

“Good. Then, here is my first command: Rise and receive it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Viktor stood slightly, bringing his hands together respectfully.

“Visit the Rus prisoners personally, and ask their intentions. Then, act accordingly based on their wishes.”

This show of mercy toward Viktor’s soldiers was not only a testament to Luise’s generosity but also a way to empower him while subtly countering the aristocrats and even those within her faction.

“…Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Viktor’s shoulders trembled slightly, and he bowed his head deeply in gratitude.

“Further details can wait. You there! Take him to quarters and ensure he’s cleaned up!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

With that, Luise ordered her attendants to escort Viktor, who allowed himself to be led toward the palace guest rooms at a slow pace.

Beneath his bowed head, a twisted smile remained fixed on his lips.