I slammed Eldrigan under the desk in the study, then quickly raised my head to look around.

The wind blew in through the window, but it wasn’t natural.

‘Magic…’

The wind contained magical energy and moved with direction.
In an instant, the sudden gust of wind plunged the study into darkness, extinguishing the light of the candles.

I focused on tracing mana, detecting those hidden in the darkness.

Five in total came through the window.

I could feel an intense magical aura emanating from each of them.

The Imperial Palace, from the beginning, was the most heavily guarded place in the Empire.

There were knights capable of lifting me with one hand and bodyguards wielding swords so fast they were barely visible.
Even if they took advantage of the chaos to infiltrate, they wouldn’t have sent amateurs.

“Eldrigan. Do not come out from here under any circumstances.”

Eldrigan nodded silently.

Even this seemingly incompetent man knew how to handle a sword.
After all, the position of Emperor valued military prowess as much as intelligence.

But those were not opponents Eldrigan could handle easily.

They were assassins trained to the extreme to kill someone.

They were skilled not only in using potent poisons that could melt marble floors but also in precise memory skills to accurately target where I had been.

‘I might be in danger, too.’

Fleeing was one option, but it was not to be considered.
Although Eldrigan was a detestable brat, until yesterday, he was a symbol of the mighty Empire.

If he died suddenly, the Empire would be thrown into uncontrollable chaos.

“Come out!”

Even after I shouted, they didn’t come out.
Why would they?

Assassins are fundamentally different from knights.

Knights are warriors who fight where the sun shines.
Assassins are nimble predators lurking in the darkness, aiming for the enemy’s throat.

So I knew how to deal with them.

“Light.”

I drew out magical energy and floated beads of light in the air.

The dazzling beads of light illuminated the darkened study.

Then, I saw the figures of the enemies.

“…!”

At that moment, I couldn’t move, as if paralyzed.

The faces of the five I had thought were assassins felt strangely familiar.

I realized that familiarity immediately afterward.

The tear-shaped tattoos beneath their eyes.

” Nexod Assassins….”

An assassin group employed by a noble in the Northern Kingdom as their personal guard.

If that was the case, the implication was clear.

The collaboration between the anti-imperial faction and the Northern Kingdom meant an unstoppable wildfire of war would soon engulf the Empire.

“Ania…”

I tightened my grip on the sword.

I wasn’t worried about Eldrigan.

If they were involved, then the safety of Radner Territory would also be compromised.

I needed to go back quickly.

As soon as possible…

***

Cough… Cough….

I struggled to breathe. The wounds all over my battered body throbbed unbearably.

But I wasn’t dead yet. That alone brought some comfort.

“Is it over?”

Five assassins lay dead in the bloodied study.

Eldrigan, hiding under the desk, cautiously emerged, his breath trembling with fear.

“Eldrigan.”
“Edward. You’re injured…”
“Forget about that. Immediately order the knights to protect you! And inform them that the Northern Kingdom intervened in your assassination!”
“What…?”

Eldrigan gasped in disbelief, and I slapped his cheek forcefully.

As his head whipped around, he stared at me with dazed eyes.

“War… War is coming.”
“No way…”
“No way? Look at reality, Eldrigan. Those people are assassins from the Northern Kingdom. They’re trying to kill you and seize the Empire.”

Finally coming to his senses, Eldrigan moved.

I followed behind him as he pushed open the door and stepped out of the study.

“Oh no…”

As we entered the corridor, knights and assassins seemed to have already engaged in battle, blood staining the scene.

“Now you see. Can you understand how significant your actions were?”
“…”

Eldrigan nodded silently.

“Do whatever it takes. Give it your all.”
“Who am I to…”
“Just do it. You’re the Emperor of this Empire. With great power comes great responsibility.”

Several knights rushed towards us at that moment, their faces grim and desperate.

“Your Majesty!”

They were breathing heavily, their armor shattered, and wounds were visible.

I shouted to them.

“Protect Eldrigan! The Northern Kingdom is invading the Empire!”
“What?”
“Assassins from the Northern Kingdom tried to kill Eldrigan. Immediately protect Eldrigan and inform all the noble families and cities of this!”
“What are you going to do?”
“I have to return to my territory.”

There was no time left for words.
I jumped, landing on the window ledge and leaping down below.

It was a two-story drop, but there was no time to hesitate.

“Protect him at all costs!”

As expected, the Capital was not unscathed either.

Soldiers from somewhere were chasing the nobles, and the city guards were clashing with them, wielding their spears and swords.

Screams and shouts echoed throughout the city.

“Ania…”

If the Capital were under attack like this, it wouldn’t be long before the estates were targeted.

Radner Territory was as large as seven of the Empire’s cities combined, so there was plenty for the Northern Kingdom to covet.

I ran.

I had no idea where my car was. They might have fled already.
Or… they might have already been stabbed to death.

The thought overwhelmed me with confusion.

Ania.

What if everything was already over when I returned to the estates?
What would I do if her life had already been taken?

My heart raced, and my mind was about to burst with anguish.

“Ania!”

Amidst the tumultuous thoughts, I ran.

Through the blazing buildings, I cut through the knights aiming their blades at me with a swift stroke, and raced towards the city gates.

Then, someone grabbed my arm.

Instinctively, I went to swing my blade, but I pulled back halfway.

“My Lord!”

It was Lorendel.

“My Lord, you’re hurt!”
“Lorendel!”

I gripped her arm tightly.

“Is the estate… has the estate been attacked?”
“I’m not sure! Knights suddenly stormed in, and we fled!”
“Damn it.”

It was an urgent situation, but I couldn’t leave Lorendel behind.

At that moment, I saw a horse wandering nearby without its rider, so I quickly mounted it and took Lorendel with me.

“Where is the car?”
“Even if we find it, I won’t be able to drive it!”
“But riding a horse will take more than half a day to reach the estate!”
“Can’t we just go to the nearby factory?”

Yes, there was a checkpoint nearby.

It was about an hour away, so if we rode there, it would be enough.

As we rode on horseback for some time, suddenly, my body lurched forward.

The horse abruptly fell, throwing me and Lorendel off.
A dull, heavy pain spread throughout my body momentarily.
Still, I gathered my senses and got up to check on Lorendel, who was now unconscious.

She seemed uninjured, but I had to carry her with me.

“Damn it… an arrow.”

An arrow was lodged in the horse’s leg.

Fortunately, the city gate wasn’t far away.
If we could just make it out there… somehow, everything would be fine.

With that thought in mind, I hoisted Lorendel onto my shoulders and took one step forward at a time.

Against the backdrop of the burning Capital, I simply walked on.

Ania.

I must save her life.
Even if it costs mine.

***

“Ugh….”

As Ania opened her eyes, she furrowed her brow at the throbbing pain she felt in her ankles.

Fortunately, the pain helped clear her mind.

Instantly, she got up and surveyed her surroundings, her expression hardening.

“What in the world…”

She recollected her memories.

She had clearly arrived at the Capital by carriage.
Even though it was already late at night, a crowd was bustling in front of the palace.

From those shouting for the abolition of the monarchy to the nobles clamoring to see the Emperor…

Amidst the chaos, Ania, who had been wandering, was suddenly startled by an explosion.

And when she looked toward the source of the noise, she saw smoke billowing up black.

There was a gaping hole in the Capital’s walls.

Simultaneously, screams could be heard.

“Save us!”
“Enemy attack!”

Ania was a sharp woman. Instead of panicking in the sudden situation, she was someone who acted.

But the attack was too swift.

Before the crowd could even flee, knights on horseback swiftly attacked them with their swords…

Caught in the chaos of countless people scrambling, Ania lost consciousness on the spot.

And when she woke up…

The Capital was already ablaze.