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“……”

Count Kaiman smiled softly.

And then—

Swish!

Without a hint of killing intent or hesitation.

Without any preparatory movements, as if it was second nature, he unleashed his sword aura. It seemed as natural as breathing.

His target was clear.

‘Face.’

Clang!

In an instant, my sword clashed violently with his aura. The resounding crash echoed around us like thunder.

“You…… Blocked that?”

Even the usually composed Count Kaiman widened his eyes in disbelief.

“It seemed like you were planning to carve a scar identical to yours on me, as a keepsake.”

A sharp jolt ran through my hand, still trembling from blocking his attack. As much as I hated it, I had to admit that this lunatic was absurdly strong.

Stronger than most Masters, by far.

‘……Is this what makes the Empire different?’

My expression hardened.

In some ways, Count Kaiman was a prime example of the Empire’s current power—a standard by which to measure it.

‘I might have to give everything I’ve got here today. If only I had a little more time……’

As that thought crossed my mind—

“Aaah…… No. I must resist. I have to.”

True to his lunacy, Count Kaiman muttered to himself in a strange tone. Then, to my surprise, he sheathed his sword.

“There may be three heavens, but only one to carry on the will of the Great Hero…… I can’t mess up such a monumental show before it even begins, can I?”

“What are you even yapping about?”

“You are currently fourteen, Your Highness, right? Just four more years until you’re of age. If I wait just a little longer, your death will be so much sweeter…… I should wait, of course.”

Everything became clear then. Why he let me live, and why he hadn’t reported this to the Emperor.

‘He doesn’t want anyone else taking what he considers his.’

Despite the gravity of the situation, I felt a strange sense of relief.

‘He doesn’t plan to kill me. Not here, anyway.’

Without hesitation, I slid my sword back into its sheath.

“If we’re not going to fight, just say what you came to say and leave. I’ll lose my mind, too, if I keep talking with a lunatic like you.”

“Hahaha.”

“Dragging me out here at this hour—what’s your real intention?”

“There’s just…… Haha, one thing I wanted to ask.”

A grin tugged at my lips.

“You think I’ll answer your question in this kind of atmosphere?”

“If you don’t, I…… Can’t kill you, but I could always set fire to the guest palace instead.”

As expected.

Reasoning with a madman is impossible.

“Anyway, my question is simple. You’ve met Trevor, the Swordsman of Illusions, haven’t you?”

“……”

“Ah, I knew it. I suspected as much when the Mask of Night failed to capture him. They said they were on his trail just days ago.”

Count Kaiman’s smile deepened as he nodded repeatedly.

“Hahaha, I see. So, you did meet him. It seems our prince truly intends to follow the will of the Great Hero. Taking his name and even seeking out his old companions……”

“What’s wrong? Are you scared?”

“Scared? No. I’m excited!”

At my provocation, Count Kaiman clapped his hands gleefully.

“Here’s an idea! Convince Duke Serin for me.”

“What?”

“I also need a reason to withdraw. If two of the three of this country’s dukes oppose the joint investigation, I can say we have no choice but to call it off.”

I shook my head in disbelief.

“So this is all for your twisted entertainment?”

“It’s not entertainment……”

Suddenly, a wide grin spread across his face.

“It’s my entire life, Your Highness.”

***

Duke Herman made sure his family’s top knights followed at a steady pace.

Two hundred in total.

With the addition of the Marquis’ elite knights, the number swelled to four hundred.

“There are four of them…… If you take one and I take another, the younger ones can handle the rest.”

“Stay sharp. We may outnumber them, but they are Imperial Masters.”

Duke Herman furrowed his brow as he muttered.

“Heheheh. We don’t have much time, so I’ll make the first move.”

“……Then I’ll cover your back.”

Just as their energy was peaking—

Step, step, step.

“……!”

Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.

The oppressive tension shattered by the sound of footsteps. Even Duke Serin turned around, puzzled.

The sound had come from behind him.

“Count……?”

But before Duke Serin could finish his question—

Flash!

Marquis Foltaine vanished from where he stood. He charged like lightning towards the summit.

“You insolent bastard!”

His enraged roar followed.

Everything happened so quickly that no one had time to react.

Claaang!

Steel met steel with a deafening clash.

Sparks flew everywhere, briefly illuminating the surroundings.

“……Interesting.”

Count Kaiman raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

“So…… You’ve been hiding your strength, Marquis Foltaine.”

“Where is the boy!?”

“The boy? Ahh……”

Still locked in a clash, Count Kaiman gave a sly smile.

“Could it be that you’re this upset because of the prince? Enough to reveal a secret you’ve hidden for so long?”

“Answer me!”

“Hahaha. This keeps getting more interesting.”

Bam!

“……!”

Marquis Foltaine’s eyes widened. Count Kaiman had kicked him square in the stomach.

“Ugh……”

Marquis Foltaine groaned.

The move might have seemed easy enough, but he knew better—it was far from it.

They had been locked in a clash of strength, each using their full force to maintain balance.

With both legs firmly planted, their focus was entirely on the weapons they held.

And yet, in the midst of that struggle, Count Kaiman had managed to lift one leg and strike.

‘It’s like removing a key pillar from a building mid-construction.’

Despite that, Count Kaiman had lost no ground.

In fact, he had pushed the marquis back. It meant his physical strength and balance were perfect.

‘……This fight…… might not go as planned.’

Marquis Foltaine, shaking off his thoughts, gave a relaxed smile.

“Heheheh. Perhaps I should’ve already kicked the bucket. It sure is good to be young.”

“I myself have no desire to torment a powerless old man. Let’s leave it here—go on, head up the mountain.”

“What?”

Marquis Foltaine blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected statement. But what came next left him even more baffled.

“You three over there! We’re heading straight back to the palace!”

“……”

A suffocating silence descended.

Count Kaiman’s words were not empty, he acted upon them. At that very moment, the Imperial forces vanished, one after another.

“What in the world……!”

Just then, Marquess Foltaine’s eyes widened.

He had just caught sight of me, who had just happened to be coming down from the summit.

“You! Are you unharmed?”

“Of course. Whose foster son do you think I am?”

As his expression brightened with relief, I turned my gaze to another person.

“More importantly, I think we have something to discuss.”

“……”

Duke Serin, meeting my eyes, narrowed his gaze. He didn’t say anything aloud, but his expression said it all:

-What happened with Count Kaiman? How did you walk away unscathed?

I gave a casual shrug.

“Curious about what we talked about up there?”

“……”

“The curiosity will keep you up at night, won’t it?”

Duke Serin brushed his hair back with a sigh.

“……Well, if things were resolved smoothly between those involved, I guess that’s all that matters. My job was just to ensure he met with Your Highness in the first place, after all.”

This meant he now had a solid foothold within the Empire.

Even if everyone knew his true motives, no one could afford to sever ties with Duke Serin.

Especially not when the palace’s political landscape was already so unstable.

If Duke Serin were to align fully with Duke Kairos at this point, things would escalate for the worst.

From Duke Serin’s perspective?

Even if the Empire took full control of the palace, it wouldn’t matter to him. With this favor, he had secured a clean slate.

‘A true politician, through and through.’

Watching Duke Serin, I couldn’t help but think he seemed like the kind of man willing to do anything—no matter how underhanded—to secure his position.

And I already knew why.

“Shouldn’t people, as human beings, avoid causing harm to others just because they were once harmed?”

For the briefest moment, Duke Serin faltered, then gave a dry laugh.

“If you feel wronged, then get stronger. The only reason others walk over you is because you’re powerless. You’d do well to learn that now, Your Highness.”

“I was walked over because I was powerless…… I see. So that’s why it happened to me, too.”

“……?”

Count Kaiman raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

-Walked over? What are you talking about?

His expression seemed to be asking me.

“Well, it’s a bit embarrassing to say this myself, but……”

“……?”

“Duke Serin, after you left, Count Kaiman started stripping in front of me. His pants, too.”

“……!”

Duke Serin’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Wh-What nonsense are you spouting now?”

Even Marquis Foltaine, standing nearby, couldn’t keep his voice from trembling.

“What I’ll say from now on is the absolute truth. I swear it on my honor and my mana.”

“Th-Then what?”

“He trembled as he looked at me and told me he couldn’t hold back any longer.”

“That lunatic……!”

Marquis Foltaine whipped his head around, scanning the mountain path below.

Of course, Count Kaiman was already gone.

“He said he wanted to raise me a bit more before enjoying me properly. He even tried to brainwash himself to endure it. And that’s why he let me live.”

“……Ugh……”

Duke Herman, who had been listening quietly, closed his eyes tightly.

In moments like these, my newly acquired face came in handy. It gave credibility to my words that words alone couldn’t.

“If you don’t believe me, you can confirm it with Count Kaiman yourself.”

“……”

A suffocating silence settled over the group once again.

I hadn’t told a single lie. However, I also didn’t given any further explanation.

That was for what came next.

“Duke Serin, what do you think?”

“……”

“Do you feel even the slightest bit of guilt toward me now?”

There was no need to hear his answer. The way his pupils trembled uncontrollably told me everything.

***