As Winterer buzzed with tension from the brewing conflict with the Troyban family, a new rumor spread through the estate.

- Theo Ragnar has been bestowed a half-sword by the Patriarch.

This wasn’t just a mere training match like before.

A bestowed half-sword.

It signified that he had been granted a sword from the Half-Sword Graveyard, an extraordinary honor.

For those unfamiliar with its significance, it seemed like a simple sign of Kyle’s favor toward Theo, but the elite fighters and senior warriors grew tense.

- Could the Patriarch truly be considering making Theo a sixth candidate among the five great contenders?

Everyone knew that, at the height of their rising reputations, each of the current Five Great Candidates had been summoned to the Half-Sword Graveyard to meet with Kyle.

Since Theo had also been summoned, it was only natural that he would draw attention.

Especially in these near-wartime conditions, Theo’s name carried even more weight.

"Is this the feeling my older siblings had when I first appeared?"

Torkel Ragnar was one of those who pondered this question.

He was the commander of the Black Iron Cavalry, a nearly indomitable force comparable to the White Armor Dragon Corps.

As the youngest of the Five Great Candidates, Torkel’s reputation had rapidly grown, yet this latest rumor was not something he could easily ignore.

“To think he’d do this while I’m still here… what could he be thinking…!”

But Torkel’s thoughts were interrupted.

A voice came from below.

A middle-aged man, bloody and battered, stood facing him.

"Oh, I forgot I had a visitor. Sorry about that, old man,” Torkel said with a mocking smile.

The man’s face twisted with rage, but he said nothing, knowing that voicing his anger would be futile.

Throughout the entire fight, he hadn’t managed to land a single scratch on Torkel.

The gap between them was insurmountable.

“Why… why are you doing this? At least tell me the reason…! Why is our loyalty of centuries to the Ragnars being repaid like this?”

The man, Evan Bacchus, the head of the Bacchus family, felt a wave of rage rise within him.

Just an hour ago, the Black Iron Cavalry had stormed in, decimating the Bacchus family.

“You haven’t heard about the Ceres Trading Company yet?”

“Ceres…?”

Why would he mention his in-laws here?

Evan’s eyes widened with confusion.

"You're behind on the news. Ceres conspired with the Troyban family to launch a rebellion, and the Bacchus family tried to kill the Ragnar enforcers sent to punish them."

Torkel scoffed as he looked down at Evan.

Evan’s eyes shot open in shock.

"T-There must be some misunderstanding! We have no connection to the Ceres Trading Company…!"

“Then why did you draw your sword?”

“That’s…!”

“There’s no need to drag this out.”

Torkel cut Evan off, pulling on the reins of his ironclad steed, which neighed sharply.

Snort!

“The main family has already made its decision on Bacchus.”

Evan’s eyes trembled violently.

“Out of respect for the Bacchus family’s centuries of loyalty, they will not be wiped out. But you, Evan Bacchus, and the other key members will be held responsible. You’ll be taken to Winterer for trial, with Naban Bacchus serving as interim head.”

“…!”

“Make your choice, Evan Bacchus. Will you accept your sentence, or refuse it?”

Evan clenched his fist.

He finally understood the gravity of the situation, but merely being accused of treason left him with no options.

‘That illegitimate brat will be the end of our family’s history… I should have dealt with him long ago.’

Bitter with regret, Evan bowed his head in surrender.

“Seal off the aura channels of all the criminals and transport them to Winterer.”

In the end, Evan and the Bacchus family's leading members were bound and dragged off as prisoners.

“Aiyan.”

“Yes, Captain.”

The vice-captain, Aiyan Soso, nodded as he approached.

“You said Theo Ragnar impressed you, didn’t you?”

“I’ve mentioned it more than once, Captain. You’ll love that kid’s personality. He’s the real deal. Shame we couldn’t bring him along.”

“Is that so? Now I’m even more eager to see him.”

With a smirk, Torkel lowered his helmet’s visor back down.

“Alright, everyone, let’s return!”

The Black Iron Cavalry’s hooves thundered against the ground as they rode off.

Thud, thud, thud—

* * *

Theo looked at his reflection in the mirror, feeling strange.

“Ah, my precious son! You never cease to amaze me! You look so dazzling it’s almost overwhelming! Many noble ladies would look dim next to your beauty!” 

Cecilia's effusive praise made Theo feel even more uncomfortable.

‘Good grief… by now, I should be used to this, but somehow, it’s still…’

Theo was dressed in formal attire.

His robe was a rich navy blue, like the clear depths of the ocean, with a design that complemented his features.

The outfit was one of many Cecilia had made for him while he was away.

‘How many suits does this make…?’

He had worn so many that he’d lost count.

“The earrings and ring you found are quite useful too. They’re not overly rustic but add just the right touch of refinement, so they go with almost any formal wear. You said they’re artifacts?”

Cecilia inspected the ring and earrings Theo was wearing, which he had retrieved from the Ceres Trading Company.

Theo nodded.

‘At least these relics have quieted down completely.’

Since absorbing the sphere from Kyle, Theo hadn’t left the house.

He had been busy processing the memories that occasionally surfaced in his mind and carefully studying the relics’ functions.

This gave him a better understanding of his enhanced physical condition.

‘The most valuable gain was the hint I found regarding aura.’

As a satisfied smile crept onto Theo’s face,

“But I feel that the details on these sleeves could be refined. We might move the seam further in and adjust this line so it falls better…”

As Cecilia spoke, a maid nearby rapidly jotted down notes.

‘When will this end?’

Theo endured a few more rounds of fitting, finally reaching the last set of clothing.

‘Finally…!’

He could finally relax.

With this thought, he reached for his jacket when—

Bang!

The dressing room door burst open.

It was the head butler.

“We have urgent news!”

“What is it?”

Theo and Cecilia turned to him.

The head butler, pale as a ghost, spoke up.

“The Troyban family has refused to respond to our demands!”

The Ragnars had given Troyban 72 hours to respond to the situation involving Ed, and Troyban had rejected it.

That could mean only one thing.

“…It’s war.”

As Theo muttered to himself, a chill swept through the dressing room.

* * *

"Isn’t there going to be a war? Don’t these people have better things to do?"

Julius grumbled as he looked around, bewildered.

♬ ♪♩♪♪

The orchestra, one of the largest in the capital, played on as elegantly dressed men and women danced or gathered at tables spread across the garden, chatting and laughing.

The Plum Blossom Lady next to him chuckled.

"That’s exactly why we need to show composure. Whatever you all may be planning, we must convey to the people of Winterer that we aren’t worried, that we’re unbothered.”

They were at Water Lily Palace.

Known as one of the most beautiful among the Ragnar palaces, its garden was bustling with people dressed in fine attire.

“And you know how much the Water Lily Lady adores her daughter, right? Considering that her daughter has now grown into a healthy young woman—she was once thought to have only a few years to live—what better time to celebrate her than with everyone here?”

Julius nodded, though his expression remained disgruntled.

This was the fifteenth birthday party of Rae Ragnar, the only daughter of Water Lily Lady Niel Ragnar Ton.

Many of the Nine Dragons, including Julius and the Plum Blossom Lady, were present, underscoring the party’s importance.

Water Lily Lady, herself a member of the Nine Dragons, held significant weight in Ragnar, and the event’s importance drew a large gathering.

When Julius was younger, he had once reveled in such social gatherings, but as he got older, he found them tiresome.

‘I doubt Evelyn will come either.’

He had invited her, figuring she’d be bored alone, but he doubted she’d come, as she disliked crowds.

That was yet another reason why Julius felt he had no reason to be here.

“And above all…”

The Plum Blossom Lady lifted a wine glass, continuing,

“Isn’t it obvious that everyone’s attention isn’t really on Lady Rae?”

“…Ugh. That’s precisely what bothers me.”

Julius grumbled.

The topic on everyone’s mind.

There was only one.

Theo Ragnar.

The young man who had repeatedly stirred up Winterer recently.

"I can’t just lock him away somewhere where no one can see him… ugh! When Theo arrives, I’ll just stick to him the whole time."

Julius was muttering to himself when the Plum Blossom Lady tilted her head, confused.

“What do you mean? Why would you think of keeping someone else’s son so close? I’ll be the one to stay with him.”

“…?”

“I’m sorry, but White Armor

 Captain, perhaps you should make use of the next opportunity. I’ve already reserved him for this evening.”

Julius looked dumbfounded.

“Reserved…? Have you already discussed this with Theo?”

“How odd. Why would I need an appointment between a mother and her son?”

“That’s… you’re not really his mother!”

Julius shot up from his seat, about to protest, when—

Flap, flap, flap!

A powerful flapping of wings sounded above their heads.

A chill ran down Julius’s spine as he looked up and saw the Black Dragon descending gracefully to the ground.

“I’m afraid I’ll be taking my nephew. I need to show him how to use the token I gave him.”

A faint chuckle came from behind the mask.

Julius’s face twisted in annoyance.

“So you gave him that token just for this…?”

“I’m afraid I don’t follow, Captain Julius.”

“Come on, are we really going to do this?”

“This is an official gathering. Captain, let’s keep personal feelings aside.”

“I agree with the Intelligence Chief.”

"See, Plum Blossom Lady understands perfectly."

The Black Dragon and the Plum Blossom Lady exchanged a glance.

“Argh…!”

Julius clenched his fists in frustration as he muttered under his breath,

“The Lady Cecilia of Camellia Palace and Theo Ragnar are here!”

At the head butler’s announcement, all three of them turned their gazes toward the entrance.

Instantly,

“…”

“…”

“…”

The garden fell into a deep, expectant silence as everyone turned to look.