Judging by Hector’s nonchalant reaction, he seemed to have a plan, but it was impossible not to worry about the situation.

‘Why am I, a Diamond, a saintess?!’

That’s right.

Charlie’s holy power was Diamond.

Originally, the title of saintess could only be received after being certified to have Master-level or higher holy power.

Although it hadn’t been properly measured, Hector’s prediction wouldn’t be far off.

That’s why Charlie hadn’t expected to become a saintess at all.

‘This is driving me crazy.’

She felt like going mad, jumping up and down, or even doing a somersault.

But she couldn’t ask Hector, “What are you trying to do? Please share the plan in detail.”

That was because Noel, Cedric, the palace servants and maids were following behind, and the imperial army was lined up on both sides.

In the current state, she wasn’t foolish enough to ask cheerfully.

‘Nothing serious will happen. I’m just a Diamond anyway.’

Hoa- Hoa.

She tried to calm herself down, taking several deep breaths, but she couldn’t help feeling her throat tighten.

“…….”

Hector quietly moved his eyes to look at Charlie.

In fact, Charlie’s holy power was indeed Master-level.

However, since it was only during intimate moments, Hector didn’t tell Charlie.

Before they knew it, the two had arrived in front of a massive door.

“Charlie.”

Hector looked down at Charlie intently.

The red eyes reflected Charlie without a hint of wavering.

“There’s no need to be nervous.”

Hector added in a voice so low that only she could hear.

“Stay behind the shield.”

At his quiet words, the corners of Charlie’s mouth turned up.

Just like reciting a magic spell, the tense sensations that put her on edge melted away.

As Charlie nodded, Hector carelessly gestured with his chin towards the servant.

Finally, the doors opened, and an intense light poured out.

* * *

Indeed, it was befitting of the Graham royal family that boasted centuries of history.

As expected of an empire that had wielded power for nearly seven hundred years, the audience hall was incomparably grand and luxurious.

Midday sunlight streamed in through the large windows that filled the walls.

As if that wasn’t enough, densely placed chandeliers added to the light.

At the center of the dazzling hall’s end,

A massive imperial throne, as large as the entrance they had come through, gleamed golden, flaunting its majesty.

Gulp.

Overwhelmed by the imposing atmosphere, Charlie swallowed hard.

Hector gently guided the hesitant Charlie.

Neither hurrying nor hesitating.

It was a walk typical of Hector, moving forward leisurely while focusing straight ahead without a single misstep.

Following him, small footsteps landed on the red carpet.

One step, one step.

The sound of footsteps was buried in the dense carpet.

“……”

Charlie had been trying hard to empty her mind since the doors opened.

It was natural for someone with the ability to read others’ thoughts.

But now, facing Kaisis, she realized there was no need for that effort.

Her mind had gone completely blank, unable to form any thoughts.

‘Huh….’

In the pouring sunlight, Kaisis’s golden hair and blue eyes sparkled with brilliant light.

The phrase you read in novels when they describe someone like they were sculpted by God was indeed true.

Like a living sun, perhaps?

Truly, Kaisis had the appearance befitting the master of light.

“May you enjoy the empire’s glory under Areis’s blessing.”

* * *

Kaisis waved his hand at Hector’s dry greeting.

The graceful gesture, almost like a dance move, cut through the air.

“No need for such formalities now.”

The clear, beautiful voice echoed through the audience hall, bouncing off the ivory marble.

Except for Hector and Charlie, everyone else was in a bowing position in the center of the hall, with their heads lowered.

It was the boundary line for those who weren’t qualified to approach without permission.

Kaisis looked down at Hector, who had brought Charlie beyond that line.

“Isn’t that right, my friend?”

The marks from his armor, not yet faded, were clearly visible on his slightly tilted noble nape.

As if he had no intention of hiding it in the first place, Kaisis’s shirt was unbuttoned as usual.

Hector’s lips twisted slightly.

“Since you came out to greet us personally, a greeting is the least we can do.”

It was an utterly irreverent statement to make to an emperor.

But no one seemed surprised or tried to stop Hector.

Kaisis didn’t seem displeased either. Rather, he seemed quite amused, with a smile on his lips.

This was the relationship between the Hunt family and the Graham imperial family – a symbiosis as both allies and adversaries.

“Because you’ve been in seclusion, using poor health as an excuse…”

Suddenly, Kaisis’s sharpened gaze turned to Charlie.

“You have no idea how bored I’ve been.”

“……!”

Charlie hurriedly turned her face away.

Like it was chasing her, a familiar chill wrapped around Charlie’s spine as she tilted her head.

Hector stepped in front of Kaisis and said,

“You seem to have been too busy to be bored.”

“Being busy with public and private affairs, isn’t that always the case?”

Despite their casual exchange, the looks they exchanged were fierce.

As a result, it felt like the surrounding temperature had dropped by several degrees.

“No matter how busy, I still have time to appreciate a friend’s efforts, so I prepared a gift for you…”

Water and fire.

Light and darkness.

Two seemingly incompatible elements intertwined.

“Well, do you like it?”

“I can see you put some thought into it.”

Kaisis’s lips split into a chilling smile.

Charlie unconsciously shrank her shoulders.

“Oh, come now. You shouldn’t be satisfied with just that.”

At that moment, a golden glint flashed in his blue eyes.

“……!”

* * *

Inside the Sun Palace’s banquet hall.

Despite the crowd filling the massive hall, only the movements of maids and servants were busy. Not even the clinking of cutlery could be heard.

The atmosphere around the Wilkins Knights was especially reminiscent of a funeral home.

Leon, who had been quietly observing this, picked up a knife.

The highest quality lamb steak was cut with a crisp sound.

“What are you all doing, not eating?”

Leon said, looking around at the knights.

Following that, a heavy chunk of meat was pushed into Leon’s mouth.

“This is all made with my blood-like taxes.”

Luke, who smiled at the mumbling that was unclear what was being chewed, picked up a spoon.

“That’s a salad fork.”

“Salad?”

“The large fork on the left is the dinner fork.”

Despite Luke’s words, Leon didn’t change his fork.

“You can eat with anything.”

Leon stabbed the lamb with the salad fork.

Percy smiled and picked up a knife.

“Then, you can cut with anything.”

But what Percy held was none other than a fish knife.

Whether it was intentional or he just grabbed the closest thing, it was unclear.

Luke, who was about to say something, closed his lips and exhaled softly.

Soon, the roast turkey in the center of the table was cut appetizingly and placed on Percy’s plate.

“Want some too?”

Percy turned to Gerard.

“I’ll take the wing part.”

Following them, the Hunt Knights, who had started moving one by one, were soon all enjoying their meal.

Along with the relaxed atmosphere, lively chatter ensued.

Although it was mostly boastful tales like “I almost lost my head when I swung the toy axe and missed,” or “The goblin I caught while trying to catch a deer.”

Still, it was perfect for the knights’ trivial conversations.

“Mr. Mateo’s baked potatoes are better.”

Derek said, wiping his mouth with a napkin. Sam, who was nearby, nodded in agreement.

“The potatoes Mr. Mateo gave us were chewy and sweet…”

“Actually, didn’t he just sprinkle sugar on them before baking?”

“Hey now, that’s all technique.”

Mateo puffed up his chest and boasted.

Only then did Leon put down his fork and reach for the water glass.

Normally, he would drink wine, but today he didn’t touch a drop.

The same was true for all the Hunt Knights.

“Eat.”

Logan, sitting at a distance, also reached for the food.

Like a wave, the Edwards Knights also started eating one after another.

However, the table of the Wilkins Knights, crossed by a blue table runner, remained quiet.

* * *

Kaisis’s eyes trembled as he looked at Charlie.

After the initial golden flash, his beautiful blue eyes flickered with light several times.

However, unable to achieve the desired result, his face gradually twisted.

A smile flashed across Hector’s face as he watched Kaisis.

Hector’s dark ability could block the light ability.

He could create a shield, not only for himself but also for others.

So the night before, Hector had placed a dark ability on the sleeping Charlie.

However, it was a limited shield that only applied to a very small part.

It only covered the fact that Charlie had signed a contract with Hector and matters related to the Grand Master.

Although Hector had never revealed to Charlie that he was a Grand Master, it was necessary because he had used his ability in front of her.

But clearly, Kaisis’s reaction was not about that.

‘What’s going on, why is he like that.’

Charlie glanced at Kaisis, trying to gauge his mood.

Although she tried not to think about anything, this was a situation where she couldn’t help but think,

‘Why does he keep using his ability?’

From his narrowed eyes to his contorted face as he looked at her.

Moreover, it wasn’t like a flash was going off, but the golden light flickering in his blue eyes was suspicious no matter how you looked at it.

“Ha……”