“Will they be all right?”

Michelle Loire asked for the fifteenth time. Before her loyal vassals, knights, and adventurers, she displayed such a commanding and strong demeanor. Yet, once she returned to her quarters, she seemed like this—vulnerable and uncertain. Watching her closely was Marion, whose expression mirrored the same shadowed concern. Still, Marion chose not to voice those worries openly in front of Michelle.

“Your Highness, I believe you should take a moment to collect yourself,” Marion said softly.

She placed a steaming teacup before Michelle. Worrying about Maxim consumed her as well, but if there was anything she could do to lighten the burden he carried, it was to focus on the tasks only she could manage. For now, Marion’s most reliable skill was being the steadfast aide to the First Princess.

“I’m sorry, Marion. You must be equally worried about your fiancé, yet here I am, clinging to you like this,” Michelle murmured apologetically.

Marion forced a faint smile and shook her head.

“How could I compare the weight of my concerns to the immense responsibility pressing down on Your Highness’s shoulders? Please, take small sips of the tea and try to calm yourself.”

Michelle nodded and accepted the cup. Despite everything, the tea had a pleasant aroma, likely brewed with fine leaves. She sipped a few times, her breathing steadying with each sip. A hint of color began to return to her pale cheeks, evidence of the tea’s soothing effect.

“It was my decision, and I must bear the responsibility,” Michelle said quietly. “But no matter how many times I resolve myself, sending them off while I remain here, waiting for news, is suffocating.”

“Who wouldn’t worry, Your Highness? That you’ve managed to hide it from your subordinates is already a remarkable feat,” Marion reassured her.

Marion’s vivid blue eyes locked onto Michelle’s. At this moment, there was no room for doubt. She had to serve as the pillar supporting Michelle’s wavering resolve.

Michelle met Marion’s steady gaze, scrutinizing her as if searching for imperfections in a jewel. Eventually, she closed her eyes and exhaled a shallow sigh, a gesture of surrender.

“…Marion, you’re such a strong young woman,” Michelle admitted.

“That’s not true, Your Highness,” Marion replied immediately.

Michelle chuckled bitterly.

“How could I not know your heart? Even without reproaching me, just standing beside me like this gives me great strength.”

Michelle reached out, taking Marion’s hand. Both their hands were as cold as ice. There was no warmth exchanged, only the comfort of another’s touch serving as a fragile support.

“I must trust them. Even if a part of me worries deep within, I must remain unwavering before everyone else and believe in their success without question.”

It was as if she were casting a spell on herself with her words. Michelle’s grip on Marion’s hand tightened, and Marion bowed her head slightly.

“Your Highness, I won’t offer you sweet words of comfort.”

“That’s loyalty,” Michelle said firmly. “Right now, sweet words would be no better than poison—a waste of energy we can’t afford.”

Michelle spoke with certainty, as though it were the most natural truth.

“Just remember, Your Highness, that when you feel overwhelmed, I’ll always be here behind you,” Marion added gently.

Michelle turned to Marion, studying her most cherished maid. Marion’s lips were set in a determined line, her expression resolute like that of a knight pledging loyalty.

“…Thank you.”

Michelle turned her gaze toward the window. The streets of the royal capital were eerily silent, devoid of their usual bustle. The citizens, fearful of being drawn into the palace’s power struggles, kept their heads down and avoided attention. Even so, the private soldiers of the Benning family circled the Adventurer’s Guild like vultures waiting for a dying animal, unable to outright invade.

Maxim, please… return safely.

Marion followed Michelle’s gaze out the window, silently offering the same prayer. She hoped with all her heart that her plea would guide Maxim back to safety, back to this place.

 

"Let’s move."

Christine broke the silence, glancing around at her companions—Hugo Bern, herself, Theodora Benning, and Maxim Apart. A mix of confidence and unease flickered within her as she assessed the group. The four of them stood at the edge of a long avenue leading straight to the royal office. The palace, once as familiar as home, now loomed before them like an enormous labyrinth.

“Dennis and Charlotte have already left to rescue the First Prince, and the other knights have scattered to divert attention. Now all that’s left is to head for where Leon Benning is waiting.”

Christine’s voice carried the tension of the moment as she recapped their situation. Hugo’s eyes remained fixed at the avenue’s end while she spoke. Bloodstains streaked the long road ahead, a vivid reminder of what had transpired.

“Let’s go.”

Hugo Bern took the lead. There was no point in hiding their intrusion; they had already been discovered. Hugo exuded an oppressive aura, brimming with killing intent, as he strode forward, as if to warn their enemies to prepare for their end. Christine, Theodora, and Maxim followed, carefully watching their surroundings. Yet, it seemed Leon Benning had indeed deployed most of his forces elsewhere.

“They really sent out nearly all their troops,” Hugo muttered after they had advanced a fair distance unchallenged. He turned toward Maxim, his expression one of begrudging acknowledgment, as though admitting that Maxim’s predictions were correct. Maxim shrugged modestly, disclaiming any credit.

“It’s thanks to Her Highness’s decision to concentrate our efforts and deploy only the core team. Without her strategy, sneaking in would have been impossible,” Maxim explained.

“Even so, you deserve at least part of the credit. Personally, I thank you,” Hugo said, his usual blunt tone softening momentarily before he quickly reined in his expression, banishing the brief trace of a smile.

“…I failed to protect His Majesty. Aron died defending him, and all of it is my fault. I should have disobeyed orders and stayed by his side,” Hugo growled, his deep voice laced with fury.

“How can I call myself the kingdom’s strongest knight when I failed to safeguard my lord and allowed the kingdom to fall into chaos? My only goal now is to fulfill the duty I abandoned and set things right.”

As they spoke, the group reached the palace’s central hall, the door leading to the throne room standing before them.

Hugo was the first to sense something. Theodora and Maxim noticed it simultaneously, halting mid-step. Christine, lagging slightly behind, stopped as well when the others froze.

“…It’s him,” Theodora whispered.

There was no need for Maxim to ask whom she meant. Hugo’s killing intent surged violently, causing the pavement beneath his feet to crack as though slashed by an invisible blade. He bared his teeth in a low growl.

“You stayed behind, then.”

Bernardo Lennon, Leon Benning’s knight, appeared as if he had materialized out of thin air. Beside him stood Leon’s puppet knights, swords drawn. Their collective presence was overwhelming, exuding a power that could crush most opponents. It was clear these were the remnants of Leon’s elite forces that had battled the Border Duke.

“You shall go no further.”

Though a predictable line, its weight was undeniable. Bernardo’s eyes, empty and detached, nevertheless captured each of them in his gaze. Maxim felt his stare shift toward him, sharp and unyielding.

“The Count asked me to deliver a message: ‘You’ve won.’”

Leon Benning’s words weren’t a concession of defeat. They were a sardonic acknowledgment of Maxim’s unexpected maneuver. Maxim’s lips twisted bitterly at the thought.

“Even on death’s door, he wouldn’t admit he lost,” Maxim muttered, his hand moving toward his sword.

If he and Hugo attacked together, they might be able to break through. But just as Maxim prepared to draw his blade, Hugo stopped him, pressing down on the hilt. Maxim looked at Hugo, his expression hardening in protest. When his gaze met Hugo’s calm, impassive face, he hesitated.

“Go ahead,” Hugo said firmly, addressing not only Maxim but also Theodora and Christine, whose expressions mirrored Maxim’s defiance. Maxim shook his head vehemently.

“If we break through together, we can win. Leaving you behind would only give them an opportunity,” Maxim argued.

“I can’t allow that. Even if we break through, dragging this out would give Leon Benning time to prepare,” Hugo countered.

Maxim tried to push Hugo’s hand away and draw his sword, but he couldn’t match Hugo’s sheer strength at full power.

“Commander…”

“Maxim, don’t act on emotion. Focus on achieving our goal,” Hugo said, his tone unyielding.

“I can’t accept that. Didn’t you say you regret not staying by His Majesty’s side to the end?” Maxim shot back.

“That’s exactly why I’m sending you ahead,” Hugo replied, his voice steady despite Maxim’s frustration.

Maxim clenched his teeth, his words catching in his throat.

“Can you guarantee that no one will die if we all fight here?” Hugo’s gaze was deep and unwavering.

Maxim faltered, his hand falling away from his sword.

“Even if we succeed in escaping, if one of you dies, it will be our loss. Go now and complete the mission. There’s no point in wasting energy on this argument any longer.”

With that, Hugo shoved Maxim forward.

“I’ll create an opening. Go through it.”

Hugo Bern unleashed his aura. A deep, resonant hum, like the growl of an ancient dragon, filled the air as a storm of mana erupted around him. Maxim stumbled backward, pulling Theodora and Christine with him.

“The fact that they’ve held back until now doesn’t mean they’ve been gracious, so I won’t thank them,” Hugo declared, raising his sword. The destructive energy wrapped around its blade seemed capable of tearing the world apart.

Bernardo’s sword, shrouded in crimson aura, responded in kind. His power, astonishingly, did not falter before Hugo’s overwhelming force. Without a word, Hugo swung his sword downward with unrelenting might, shattering the ground with its impact.

“Go!” Hugo roared, his command piercing through the chaos like a dagger.

The resulting explosion was devastating. The area in front of the throne room turned into a massive crater, scattering the weaker knights like leaves. Even the stronger knights, though still standing, trembled visibly.

“Chase the ones who entered the palace!” Bernardo barked to the surviving knights.

But before they could react, Hugo’s sword struck again. The palace entrance collapsed, blocking their path.

“No one gets through,” Hugo declared, amplifying his aura. The destructive whirlwind surrounding him grew fiercer, forcing even the puppet knights, devoid of fear, to sweat nervously.

All except Bernardo Lennon, who stepped forward, his crimson aura surging as he prepared to face Hugo.

“Then let’s begin,” Bernardo said in his flat, emotionless voice, as the two forces clashed.

 

With a deafening crash, the entrance to the palace was completely sealed. Maxim shut his eyes tightly and turned away. It would be fine. What they needed to focus on wasn’t Hugo’s safety but capturing Leon Benning—or ensuring his death.

“Let’s go.”

Maxim took the first step forward, followed by Theodora and Christine. The palace was unnervingly quiet. As they had suspected, there seemed to be no forces left to block their path to Leon Benning. The three walked silently, each lost in their own thoughts, moving steadily toward the throne room.

“Sir, Theodora,” Christine said, halting the group at the end of the corridor.

The large ivory doors leading to the throne room were tightly shut. Shadows flickered across the crimson carpet leading up to the door. Slowly, the shadows stretched upward, taking on a human form.

Red hair as vivid as flames, violet eyes. Maxim recognized her name from the martial arts tournament. He also recalled where that unsettling familiarity came from—a rainy day, a wounded Christine, and the witch who had pierced his limbs without a moment's hesitation.

“Judging by your expression, you seem to remember who I am, Maxim Apart. I should have taken you with me then, even if it meant cutting off all your limbs,” she purred.

Her voice was smooth and seductive, yet it grated on Maxim’s nerves like nails on metal. His hand hovered near his sword’s hilt, ready to draw it at any moment. The instant he did, the battle would begin.

“You don’t honestly think you can handle the three of us alone,” Maxim replied coldly.

The witch, Lilia, smiled charmingly and tilted her head.

“Are you so sure?”

As her lips curved into a sly smile, the crimson carpet beneath them rippled unnaturally. With a flick of her fingers, the floor of the throne room glowed red, revealing a massive magic circle etched into the stone. A powerful wave of energy surged through the space. In this world dominated by her spell, only shades of red seemed permitted to exist.

“This place is my dungeon, in essence. Didn’t they teach you at the knight academy never to fight a mage on their own turf?”

“Well, I’ve smashed through a few mages’ domains before, so I wouldn’t say I’m unfamiliar with it,” Maxim retorted, extending his senses.

He had to stay calm. At most, she could only have had a week to fortify this space. No matter how skilled a witch or mage, a fortress couldn’t be built in such a short time.

Maxim exchanged a glance with Theodora. She nodded and gripped the hilt of her black wolf sword. As Maxim turned to signal Christine, he saw a bitter smile playing on her lips.

“I never imagined I’d have to send you ahead like this, Sir. I really wanted to see that damn Count beaten with my own eyes.”

“Christine, you…” Maxim started.

Bang!

Golden mana flared amidst the crimson hue. Beneath Christine’s feet, a counter magic circle began to form, opposing Lilia’s spell.

“While I hold this witch here, finish the mission and come back safely, Sir,” Christine said firmly.

“Not again, Christine. I can’t…” Maxim protested.

Christine raised her hand, silencing him. He saw her green eyes gleaming with determination.

“I won’t die. Not a chance. Trust me like you trusted Commander Hugo. I’ve made a promise—there’s no way I’d die before seeing it through,” she declared.

Christine clenched her fist, and golden cracks began to split the crimson space. Before Maxim or Theodora could intervene, Christine forcibly ejected them from the witch’s domain. She knew that if she let the argument drag on, she might falter. So, she acted decisively.

Lilia didn’t bother chasing after the vanished Maxim and Theodora. Instead, she seemed intrigued by the fact that her magic was already being disrupted. Her gaze sharpened as she focused on Christine.

“The troublemaker from the Tower has grown up,” Lilia remarked with a smirk.

“Don’t act like you know me. I’ll fight you here and now, with every intention of killing you. After all, by the time Sir Maxim returns from killing that Count, you’ll already be dead,” Christine replied, forming a golden magic circle above her hand.

Lilia shrugged her shoulders with a coquettish grin. Around them, roses and thorny vines, pulsing with malice, began to writhe and grow. Glancing briefly at Maxim and Theodora as they disappeared into the throne room, Lilia chuckled.

“Well then, let’s see how it turns out, shall we?”