“Can you believe this?”

Summer, Year 1025.

Across from Eldrian, who was quietly reviewing documents, Amaranth fumed in frustration.

“I’m so angry, Brother.”

Knowing his sister’s temper, Eldrian didn’t send her away. He simply let her vent.

“How dare he send me a proposal?” Dominic — that man! Everyone in the Empire knows he’s passionately involved with Luciel!”

Dominic was currently in a well-known relationship with Luciel, a celebrated actress. He had tried to keep it secret, but a hero’s romance cannot be contained.

The love story between Dominic Blackwood, the Empire’s hero, and Luciel, the daughter of a fallen baron who endured great hardship before becoming the Empire’s greatest actress, captured the hearts of the people.

If any other noble heir had done the same, they would have been mocked. However, heroes were praised no matter what they did, even when their love was for a stage actress.

Now, the House of Blackwood had gone so far as to send a marriage proposal to Amaranth Sunray, the distinguished daughter of the Duke.

“This isn’t just an insult to me, it’s an insult to our entire house!”

Amaranth was right. There was no doubt that Blackwood had intended to provoke House Sunray.

The Empire now effectively belonged to him.

Although Dominic had not achieved anything particularly notable since becoming vice-commander of the Golden Lion Knights, the glory of a hero does not fade easily.

Recently, he had led a company of knights and Blackwood’s private soldiers to subjugate a labyrinth that had long troubled a small domain.

The imperial court had ignored the labyrinth, but Blackwood had funded the campaign from their own treasury.

Naturally, the people’s affection for Dominic and his house grew even greater. No one suspected what lay behind such generosity.

While Eldrian remained silent, Cassandra, the knight standing beside him, glanced at the papers in his hands.

“They say a Helros appeared in the labyrinth Dominic cleared.”

Helros was an extremely rare herb found only in labyrinths. Any dungeon known to contain it could be sold for a fortune.

Eldrian hummed quietly in agreement.

“So that’s why he suddenly decided to clear a labyrinth after doing nothing for so long.”

Two years earlier, after being appointed Vice-Commander of the Golden Lion Knights, Dominic Blackwood abandoned all his former heroic pursuits to dedicate himself entirely to serving the Emperor.

Similarly, the House of Blackwood withdrew from active military campaigns, stating that they were now focusing on strengthening the Empire’s internal stability.

So, when Dominic and his house suddenly volunteered to lead an expedition to clear a labyrinth far from the capital, it was clear that their motive was profit.

Whenever a labyrinth appeared, it became the property of whoever defeated its master. Through this conquest, the Blackwoods secured a labyrinth that produced Helros, a rare and highly valuable herb.

To outsiders unaware of the truth, it appeared to be another noble act — a hero tending to even the most remote territories out of pure goodwill.

Listening with growing irritation, Amaranth finally cut in.

“Helros or not, I’m not marrying Dominic Blackwood.”

“What’s wrong with Dominic Blackwood?”

The voice came from behind.

Amaranth whirled around, glaring sharply.

“Be quiet, Leonel.”

“There you go again. You call our elder brother ‘Brother,’ but me by my name?”

“If you want to be called Brother, act like one. Look at you, really, what did you just say? Dominic’s not so bad?”

“Since he took off that mask, there are too many women chasing after him to count. He’s received dozens of formal proposals already, and I bet there are even more trying to seduce him in secret. But despite all that, his only known affair is with Luciel.”

“He’s probably just good at keeping their mouths shut.”

“Maybe. But whether it’s discretion or loyalty, it means he manages himself well. Not bad husband material, if you ask me.”

“That’s it!”

Amaranth smacked Leonel’s arm.

“Is that something you should say to your only sister?”

“It’s hard to find a nobleman without a lover.”

“Our eldest brother doesn’t have one!”

Leonel shot a sidelong glance at Eldrian, then crooked a finger for Amaranth to come closer. Scowling, she leaned in, and Leonel bent down to whisper.

“He likes men.”

Without lifting his eyes from the papers he was reading, Eldrian said evenly.

“I can hear you, Leon. And you too, Ara—stop fussing. I have no intention of sending you to House Blackwood.”

“Fussing? Do you think this is about me? The moment those rumors about Luciel spread, they sent me a proposal. It’s a direct mockery of our house!”

“If you lose your temper over every provocation,” Eldrian replied coolly, “you’ll be playing right into Blackwood’s hands.”

The situation was growing worse.

The Emperor had brought Dominic and Isabella Blackwood into the imperial palace to buy time, time for the imperial faction to tarnish Blackwood’s spotless reputation.

Yet, as Leonel had said, the Blackwoods managed their affairs well. The only rumor ever to touch Dominic’s name was his romance with the actress Luciel, and even that hardly counted as a scandal.

“Soon enough, Isabella Blackwood will become the Crown Princess.”

Although the Emperor had selected Isabella as the Crown Prince’s bride, he delayed the wedding despite the constant pressure from the Duke of Blackwood.

Until now, he had justified the delay on the grounds that it was part of the palace education required for a crown princess. But after two years, even that excuse was wearing thin.

The Duke of Blackwood had publicly expressed his deep dissatisfaction, criticising the imperial household in front of the court.

If the Emperor delayed any further, public opinion would turn sharply against the throne.

“The palace tried to find some flaw in Isabella,” Eldrian said, “but it seems they haven’t found anything worth mentioning.”

Even while living in the Imperial Palace, Isabella conducted herself impeccably, displaying the behavior expected of a noblewoman from a distinguished house.

Not even the agents sent by House Sunray to observe her could find fault with her behavior.

However, once she became Crown Princess, Duke Blackwood no longer restrained himself from interfering directly in state affairs.

“When the duke starts involving himself in governance,” Eldrian continued, “the first thing he’ll demand is full autonomy for the provinces. And if that happens, it won’t be long before the Lunaris Empire fractures into pieces.”

Amaranth, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.

“Whether the Empire breaks apart or falls entirely, I’m not marrying into House Blackwood just to spy for you.”

Leonel muttered under his breath,

“Selfish girl.”

Eldrian merely let out a soft laugh.

“As I said, I have no intention of sending you there anyway. Cassandra, have you received a reply from the Mercenary King?”

“Yes,” Cassandra answered. “It arrived just a short while ago.”

Eldrian tore open the envelope, thinking of Lesta, the woman known as the Mercenary King.

He already knew of the mercenary company Ides, based in Revron City, a coastal town in southern Sunray territory.

Ides was among the most well-established mercenary groups, once led by a man named Nestor.

Then came a woman named Lesta, who proved her skill so completely that Nestor stepped down and joined as her subordinate. At the time, Eldrian’s only thought had been, Impressive.

But what came after had truly caught his attention.

Under Lesta’s command, Ides began clearing labyrinths with astonishing speed. They formed alliances with other mercenary groups, seized control of Revron’s trade, and forged ties with several lords.

Despite not owning any territory, Ides possessed an impressive seven labyrinths. Even House Sunray, the second most powerful house after Blackwood, only had eleven.

Ides was conquering labyrinths at a rate faster than any other noble house in the Empire.

Their progress was nothing short of miraculous, even with alliances among the mercenary companies.

Rumor had it that Lesta did not use swordsmanship or magic. She simply swung a massive black blade — as large as her own body — and any monster struck by it exploded as if cut through by an invisible force.

Because of this, people began calling her not only the Mercenary King, but also the Black Sovereign.

Recently, Eldrian had come to a decision: to break this suffocating stalemate, he would have to join forces with her.

The question was whether the Mercenary King would be willing to oppose the renowned Dominic Blackwood and his house.

Eldrian had sent her a letter to test the waters: a polite invitation commending her for maintaining peace and prosperity in Revron City and inviting her to the Duchy of Sunray.

Now, her reply had arrived.

Although the Ides Company was based in Revron, it did not belong to any noble house. Of all the free mercenaries, Lesta was said to be the freest.

Eldrian wondered what kind of answer such a woman would send.

He broke the seal and read the short, unadorned message. Despite himself, he let out a small laugh.

[I’ve been rather busy lately. If you have business with me, come to Revron.]