Vrooom– Hector’s black demon horse snorted and came to a stop.

Cedric, who had gone ahead, was already preparing to disband.

That’s when it happened.

Boooong–

The sound of a double-horned trumpet shook the air, vibrating eardrums.

The grand reverberation lifted Charlie’s eyelids from deep slumber.

Then, a flash of golden light glimmered.

“I offer my greetings to Your Grace the Grand Duke. May Areis’s blessings always be with you.”

“……!”

Miller suddenly emerged from among the imperial soldiers surrounding the expedition.

In his hand was the Emperor’s decree bearing the sun emblem.

* * *

Miller’s appearance threw the entire expedition into confusion.

The victory ceremony after the monster subjugation was an annual protocol.

But never before had the imperial army come out to greet them directly.

Especially not bearing the Emperor’s decree.

“By the order of His Majesty the Emperor, the sun of the empire…….”

Miller’s voice cut through the tense air as he recited the decree.

Cedric’s eyes flickered. Despite being the commander-in-chief, he hadn’t been informed of the imperial army and Miller’s arrival.

“According to the covenant…….”

While reading the decree, Miller glanced sideways at the stiffened Cedric, observing Noel and Hector.

It was difficult to discern Noel’s thoughts from his characteristically languid face.

Hector merely watched the situation unfold with a calm demeanor, without the slightest movement.

“Therefore, to each ducal house…….”

The content of the decree was impeccable.

It praised the merits of the three houses for subjugating monsters and protecting the empire’s safety.

Up to this point, it was the usual repetitive content.

“Given the gravity of this subjugation due to the unusual behavior of the monsters.”

Miller’s voice gained strength.

“Thus, rewards are also bestowed upon the knights of each house.”

The faces of the Hunt Knights, who had been on alert, immediately contorted.

They were well aware that the monsters’ unusual behavior was Kaisis’s doing.

However, they only had circumstantial evidence, no concrete proof.

No. Even if they had concrete evidence, there was nothing they could do.

Whatever they did, the conclusion would be war.

The veins on the knights’ hands bulged as they gripped their swords in humiliation.

On the other hand, Hector appeared indifferent, almost bored.

“Moreover, the casualties from each house will receive honors equivalent to the Imperial Guard Knights…….”

“……!”

Noel’s lips twisted at Miller’s words.

The funeral of the Imperial Guard is conducted under imperial supervision, and their remains are interred in the national cemetery.

The bereaved families of the meritorious are also classified as imperial affiliates, with all processes from compensation to treatment managed under imperial jurisdiction.

In other words, Noel would lose not only his fallen subordinates but also their families and relatives.

Moreover, most of the Wilkins Knights were children of collateral lines.

Who would believe if he told grieving parents, “Your child was the Emperor’s spy”?

Even if it were the truth, they would side with the Emperor’s version: “They died honorably protecting the country.”

Furthermore, both Noel and Kieran were trapped by the victory ceremony, unable to move.

In the end, there was no other way but to watch helplessly until all procedures were completed according to Kaisis’s plan.

“All participants in the expedition are…….”

What could be happening?

Charlie, who was in the carriage, gently lifted the curtain to peek outside.

The imperial army, fully armored in silver, surrounded the expedition.

Their massive longswords were wrapped in golden aura, boasting a dazzling radiance.

The helmets, which showed neither hair nor eyes, instilled fear in the onlookers.

‘This is strange…….’

Hector was usually a man of few words.

Especially when it came to himself, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he didn’t speak at all.

But he always gave advance notice about major movements or upcoming events.

This means that even Hector hadn’t foreseen this situation.

Could it be because Josh’s identity as a spy was discovered?

Just as Charlie’s worried gaze was scanning the imperial army.

“……!”

Swish–

Charlie hurriedly closed the curtain after making eye contact with a helmet that had a small breathing hole.

Among the unwavering imperial soldiers, one head was slightly tilted, as if observing Charlie.

A chill ran down her spine, almost seeing the mockery of the person inside.

“W-What’s going on…….”

Just then, Miller finished reading the decree and stopped his recitation.

“Therefore.”

Miller’s shoulders flinched at Hector’s frosty voice.

In the time they hadn’t met, the aura he exuded had grown even more intense. Tremble– His fingertips barely held onto the decree.

At that moment, Leon approached Hector.

“Your Grace.”

Clearly, the soldiers surrounding the expedition must be the Emperor’s personal guard.

Even without Leon’s animal-like intuition, the killing intent permeating the air was undeniable.

Moreover, going to the imperial palace like this was tantamount to walking into the Emperor’s trap of their own accord.

“Leon.”

Hector’s cold gaze stopped Leon.

“They say they’re holding a banquet…….”

No matter how grand a duke he might be, he couldn’t defy an imperial order based on the covenant.

Especially not to their faces.

“We should enjoy it.”

A sneer curled on his slightly drooping lips.

Leon couldn’t say anything.

The flash of anger that momentarily crossed Hector’s face, masked by an expressionless facade, was chilling enough to make one’s guts freeze.

Hector stroked his black demon horse once as it snorted– Vrooom–, then straightened his back.

“Let’s go.”

At Miller’s signal, the imperial army surrounding the expedition spread a barrier.

Soon, an intense flash of light engulfed the expedition.

* * *

Kaisis’s warp instantly dropped the entire expedition into the outdoor banquet hall of the imperial palace.

The imperial army that had surrounded the expedition was no longer visible.

Instead, dozens of waiting servants and maids greeted the expedition with orderly gestures.

“May Areis’s blessings always be with you.”

Golden flags that seemed to pierce the sky fluttered under the pouring sun.

The Emperor’s head servant stepped forward.

“Grand Duke Hector Hunt, Duke Noel Wilkins, Duke Cedric Edwards, and Saintess Charlize Frazer…….”

“……!”

At that moment, Hector’s eyes narrowed.

Others couldn’t hide their shock either.

“There is an imperial order to escort you to the Sun Palace.”

At the head servant’s signal, the servants and maids quickly lined up in front of Charlie’s carriage.

Then, a footboard and red carpet were laid out, completing the preparations to welcome the one who would disembark.

Finally, the Emperor’s head servant stood in front of the carriage door.

“Please step down, Saintess.”

It was unmistakably the treatment of an honored guest.

Watching this scene, Hector ran his tongue along the inside of his cheek.

The Hunt Knights exhaled a sigh of disbelief.

The gazes of Noel, Kieran, and Cedric also focused on the carriage.

What situation is this now?

Charlie, sitting inside the carriage, frowned.

Saintess?

No, I mean… Saintess?

Although she wished to become a noble lady or a saintess, or even a villainess, suddenly becoming a saintess was too much.

At first, she thought she had misheard.

However, the word ‘Saintess’ that was shouted in front of the door very clearly pierced Charlie’s eardrums.

‘Has Kaisis gone mad?’

Her head, already dizzy from the teleportation magic, felt like it had been hit with a blunt object, ringing– dong dong.

How much time had passed?

Just as her churning stomach began to settle, a low, deep voice was heard.

“Charlie.”

Soon after, the door opened, revealing Hector.

The hand extended towards her and his impassive face were no different from usual.

Rather, his slightly raised eyes were softly relaxed.

“…….”

In contrast, her face, peeking out slightly, keenly observed the surroundings.

Rustle– Her rolling eyeballs were so agile that Hector’s lips gently curved into a smile.

“Are you alright?”

“Well…….”

Although she felt nauseous, it wasn’t to the point of death.

Charlie mumbled.

Just as she was about to take Hector’s hand.

“We will escort the Saintess…….”

One servant approached Charlie.

In an instant, Hector’s powerful aura crushed the servant.

“Ugh–!”

The servant, suddenly prostrated on the ground, groaned.

The head servant, as if expecting this, stretched his brow and avoided Hector’s sharp gaze.

“…….”

Hector gently pulled Charlie’s hand, which had frozen in an awkward posture.

“We won’t change clothes.”

Hector said, wrapping his arm around Charlie’s shoulders.

A maid standing behind the head servant was startled.

“But the robe……. Kugh!”

The maid who opened her mouth also ended up prostrated on the ground.

“…….”

With the servant who had just been crushed before their eyes still in the same state,

Leon shook his head, thinking how foolish it was.

“Leon.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Leon hurriedly handed Hector’s winter cloak.

Hector draped the cloak over Charlie’s shoulders and then unfastened the robe she was wearing.

The robe that fell to the floor was quickly picked up by Leon.

Only then did Charlie sense the cold wind brushing against her.

‘That’s right. The Blessing Period was in winter.’

Hoo– White breath formed as she exhaled.

Hector securely fastened the cloak to prevent it from coming undone, then placed Charlie’s hand on his arm.

* * *

On the black cloak…

The red emblem symbolizing the Hunt family covered the white marble of the imperial palace.

Charlie was considerably shorter compared to Hector’s height.

As a result, Noel and Cedric, who were following from behind, had to walk several steps away to avoid stepping on the long trailing cloak.

The inside of the thick cloak was lined with fur, wrapping around the neckline like a scarf, preventing any feeling of cold.

Or more accurately, there was no time to feel the cold.

Why on earth were they calling her a saintess, and why were they going to meet Kaisis?