‘An illegitimate son, Theo Ragnar, who brought down the Third Consort and the Director of the Central Intelligence Bureau... Quite the buzzworthy feat. Julius was clever to pull it off this way.’

A black lark flew swiftly across the sky, its wings cutting through the air.

‘Though he can’t provide extensive support for Theo to avoid issues with the other members of the Black Steel Vanguard, he’s placed Theo right in the center of attention… essentially endorsing Theo as the successor for the position of Vanguard Captain. That’s what he’s getting at.’

This was why Julius had growled at those trying to encroach on "his kid."

Even Black Dragon and the Plum Blossom Palace Master, close friends of his, showed immense interest in Theo.

‘Knowing that, when the Patriarch calls for Theo privately after this mission is done, Julius will be even more flustered.’

When the four sworn brothers gained control of the family, they gradually drifted apart in the following years. Their hearts remained close, but closeness no longer came as easily. They could no longer share carefree drinks or laughter as they once did, as their every move affected Winterer, the North, the Empire, and even the world.

But recently, ‘That kid has subtly been bringing us back together.’

Julius and the Plum Blossom Palace Master had grown closer again, with Black Dragon now in the mix. Even Kyle had started to take an interest in Theo, forming a connection, however tenuous.

Despite harboring distrust and resentment toward regressors, even Kyle seemed to be softening slightly. And that, in itself, was a remarkable step forward.

‘So, Theo. No, nephew.’

The black lark reached its destination and, surrounded by a halo of light, began to transform.

‘I hope you don’t make any wrong choices, forcing my hand to cut you down.’

Flash!

In the spot where the black lark vanished, Black Dragon landed, his masked figure solidly touching down.

*Fwoosh*

His cloak fluttered in the wind.

*Thud!*

Cleve and the agents of Black Snow, already stationed and waiting, bowed their heads respectfully.

Black Dragon acknowledged them with a slight nod, his gaze drifting toward the cliff below.

A small, dilapidated cabin sat nestled there, an inconspicuous hideout of the Central Intelligence Bureau.

“The Director is there?”

“Yes. Using an operation targeting the dark sea as pretense, we managed to lure him out with the cooperation of House Ranke. The Director currently believes the head of the Ranke family is coming to meet him.”

“What kind of force did he bring?”

“Twenty first-class agents.”

Black Dragon sneered.

First-class agents from the Bureau were all elite senior swordsmen, each formidable and capable of commanding other strike units. Ed Troyban was clearly paranoid, surrounding himself with such heavy security. But Black Dragon couldn’t care less.

*Swish*

To him, they were merely parasites that needed to be eradicated.

"Let’s go."

As soon as Black Dragon’s command fell,

*Whoosh!*

The agents sprang from the cliff in unison, descending into action.

---

*Tap-tap-tap*

Theo, along with Erica and Holcus, Evelyn, and Hazel, raced swiftly across Winterer.

Behind them, twenty soldiers from the Black Steel Vanguard and thirty reinforcements from Plum Blossom Palace followed. With over fifty soldiers, the force bore Ragnar’s banner flying high above them, signifying the authority of the Patriarch’s executors.

Naturally, the residents of Winterer were alarmed.

"What in the world… What’s going on?"

"Yes, they seem to be in a hurry. Something serious must have happened..."

"The Black Steel Vanguard and Plum Blossom Palace… Is it a rebellion?"

"Hey! Don’t jinx it by saying such things!"

"Oh, sorry. That was thoughtless of me."

The word “rebellion” was practically forbidden in Winterer. Each time a rebellion had struck, it brought a storm of bloodshed to the North, regardless of its outcome.

However, the ferocity of Theo’s entourage made the people scatter from their path. Swordsmen who witnessed the group hurried back to report what they saw to their own units.

‘When should I bring this up...? This is really not the time to ask…’

Holcus stole a glance at Theo’s back, sighing inwardly. Theo’s fame was skyrocketing to such an extent that even Holcus could feel it. He wanted to broach the subject of aligning himself with Theo, but no opening appeared.

*Not today,* Erica’s telepathic voice chimed in, catching Holcus off guard. *If you bring it up now, it’ll only ruin the mood.*

*Why not?*

*You don’t know the history between Theo and that bastard Axion, do you?*

*Isn’t it just that things weren’t good? Axion’s dead, and the Third Consort’s furious about it.*

*You really don’t know anything. How do you plan to become a knight if you’re this clueless?*

*Ah, damn. Just tell me already!*

*Listen closely. The Third Consort, no—*that woman*—did unspeakable things to Theo and his mother.*

Erica then recounted the wrongs inflicted by Axion’s mother on Theo and his mother. Holcus’s face flushed red with rage.

*Are they insane? Acting like that with human faces?*

*Exactly. That’s why Ragnar harbored prejudice against Theo, treating him as an outsider all along. And Cecilia was labeled as a mere fox.*

*Axion, that filthy bastard! I should’ve cracked his skull myself while he was alive!*

Still seething, Holcus looked back at Erica.

*But how do *you* know all this? Weren’t you busy training all this time?*

*Foolish little brother, those who seek crowns must be able to bear their weight.*

*What’s that supposed to mean? Is the crown heavy enough to break your neck?*

*Conversations with fools go nowhere. Honestly…*

Erica sighed, giving up on enlightening her thick-headed brother.

She wasn’t merely after the head position of House Ranke. Her ambition went beyond that.

To make House Ranke the foremost house of the North—no, the world.

Supporting Theo and observing him closely was part of her plan. Initially, she wanted to assess Theo’s character, but after learning his entire backstory, her perspective shifted entirely.

‘I was right. Theo is a lifelong partner.’

Not romantically, but as a trusted comrade, someone she could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with on any battlefield.

‘With the fall of the Third Consort and the Director, Theo’s name will shine brighter than ever. And by his side, there should be me.’

This was also why she’d warned Holcus not to act impulsively.

*All we need to do is stay by his side. If you try to console him right now, you’ll just ruin the atmosphere.*

*Do you think I’m an idiot? I know that much.*

*I worry because you are an idiot, little brother.*

*Gah!*

Though Holcus grumbled, he understood Erica’s point. So he fell silent, following Theo’s lead.

Before long, the group reached the residence of the Third Consort, the Rose Palace.

Theo’s eyes darkened as they approached. It was a place he knew intimately, a place where he had spent years across two lifetimes. And now, he had returned to reclaim it.

"Executors."

Theo raised the banner high.

As ordered by Julius, he was the current commanding officer of the operation.

"Apprehend the traitors."

At that command, the elite soldiers of the Black Steel Vanguard and Plum Blossom Palace leaped into action.

*Woosh!*

*Crash!*

With Erica and Holcus leading the charge, their magical energy blasted through the front gates, shattering them with ease.

*Boom!*

As the gates exploded, fifty elite soldiers stormed into the palace.

"W-What is…?"

"Ragnar’s flag? Why here…?"

"Ahh!"

The maids and attendants in the palace turned pale, frightened out of their wits.

"Locate the traitor, Emil Troyban! Those who resist may be killed on sight!"

Evelyn’s booming voice echoed throughout the palace.

"T-Traitor…?"

"The Third Consort, a traitor…?"

On the first through third floors, soldiers moved in squads, scattering through the palace. Suddenly, they were blocked by a group led by Morgan, the Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Bureau, and his men, whom Ed had stationed to keep tabs on Emil.

"What is the meaning of this! This is the residence of the Third Consort, a part of the Patriarch’s harem! Show some respect!"

Morgan’s words were cut short as a blade-wind tore through his throat.

*Clang!*

He parried it just in time, staggering back a few steps. Evelyn glared at him with a deadly expression.

"I told you, anyone who defends the Third Consort will be treated as a traitor. Given the Central Intelligence Bureau’s involvement in the plot, there’s no difference."

"W-What…?"

Morgan’s eyes trembled as he processed her words.

‘How… How did they find out?’

Ed and the Bureau had long schemed to use Troyban’s hidden blade to further their goals. But in their minds, they were simply restoring order, righting wrongs. They had never seen themselves as traitors.

They had been preparing meticulously over time.

‘Could it have been… Black Dragon?’

As confusion took over, only one thought consumed him.

‘The Director! He’s in danger!’

“Enough with the excuses. Your plea will fall on deaf ears. The crimes you’ve committed won’t be taken lightly, and there will be no mitigating circumstances.”

Whoosh!

Evelyn advanced, launching a fierce blade-wind at Morgan.

Clang, clang, clang!

Morgan barely held his ground, his movements growing frantic.

“Agents of the Bureau, protect the Third Consort with your lives—!”

Boom, boom, boom!

Explosions reverberated throughout the palace as agents used every ounce of their strength, triggering their latent abilities in a deadly last stand. The sound of combat intensified as the palace turned into a raging battleground, with explosions, clashing swords, and fierce shouts filling the air.

“For Troyban’s honor!”

“For the truth!”

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!

Amid the chaos, Theo advanced steadily through the battle, the banner held high in his hand. Erica and Holcus stayed at his side, fending off any attackers who dared approach. Despite the brutality of the battlefield, they fought with unwavering dedication, determined to protect Theo and aid him in his quest for justice.

‘There aren’t many places where Emil could be hiding.’

Theo knew the layout of Rose Palace better than anyone. Step by step, he pushed forward, cutting down opposition and heading to the last place he knew she could be.

KABOOM!

One final door shattered before him, revealing the room beyond.

Inside, Emil Troyban, clutching a framed portrait of Axion, sat surrounded by terrified attendants. Her eyes held a vacant stare, her mind seemingly broken.

“Oh, my sweet child… Are you hungry? Don’t worry, Mother will prepare something delicious for you soon…”

‘Completely deranged.’

Theo felt a surge of revulsion and contempt. The woman who had tormented his mother, who had schemed so cruelly against him, was reduced to this. He raised his sword, his eyes cold.

Swish

With one swift motion, Emil’s head fell to the ground.

Thud

Theo closed his eyes, feeling a torrent of emotions churning within him.

At long last, the past was beginning to rest in peace.