“Have you made a decision, Master of the Tower?”

“Yes. Cecil, prepare five High Circle search mages immediately. I’ll take personal responsibility for this request.” 

“Pardon? You’re going to handle this yourself, Master of the Tower…” 

Cecil asked again, sounding as if he had misheard, but Aster’s answer remained firm. 

“That is correct. Make sure everything is ready before I arrive. Anyone who’s late will have their research funds cut.” 

“Understood, Master of the Tower.”

As the communication ended, Aster rose from the bed. He turned to Seoden, who was still wearing a conflicted expression. 

“Seoden.” 

“Yes?” 

“Stay with Lady Blante while I’m gone. If she regains consciousness, let me know immediately.” 

“Understood.” 

Seoden exhaled deeply, as if resigned to the situation, and looked up. 

“Thank you. And… I’m sorry.” 

“Ugh, that’s disturbing.”

Seoden muttered, shuddering at Aster’s unexpected sincerity. 

Aster smiled weakly before leaving the room. It was only when the door closed behind him that Seoden’s true feelings showed on his face. 

“When will you finally let go of that moment…?” 

With a worried look, he stared at the door where Aster had disappeared, then turned his attention to Lady Blante. 

“…I’m sorry, but I still think you need to return. So… please wake up soon.” 

Seoden sat down beside her and let out a heavy, conflicted sigh. 

Hoping the situation wouldn’t escalate any further.

* * *

Cascade Sea, Pentium Empire

The coastline had been cordoned off with restricted access lines, and temporary shelters had been erected.

Royal guards and knights of Grand Duke Seyerd’s estate moved swiftly along the beach and harbour, diligently performing their duties.

The cause of the commotion that had begun early in the morning was clear.

Lady Blante’s disappearance.

The Imperial Palace had officially announced the previous night that Lady Blante had disappeared in Cascade. 

A large search party had been sent out to find her.

Access to the area was strictly controlled, with nobles and reporters drawn by the news strictly forbidden entry.

But despite the restrictions, the crowds grew as time went on.

After all, it wasn’t just anyone who had disappeared – it was Lady Blante, the most talked-about figure in the Empire.

The only daughter of a founding family, once destined to become a Grand Duchess.

A life that had seemed flawless and unshakable, now ended so tragically and humiliatingly.

The crowd pretended to sympathise with Lady Blante’s downfall, but in reality they were there simply to watch – to witness the spectacle of someone else’s misfortune.

To witness the tragic end of someone else’s life.

Speculation was rife. Perhaps Lady Blante’s private life wasn’t as spotless as it seemed. Could she have deliberately thrown herself into the sea?

People spread unfounded assumptions as if they were truth.

These cruel whispers even reached Deryl, captain of Grand Duke Seyerd’s knights, as he took a moment to deal with the chaos around the restricted area.

“This area is under the direct orders of His Majesty and is strictly restricted. Let me remind you that spreading unnecessary rumours or causing a disturbance may result in punishment under Imperial law.”

Deryl said firmly, his eyes fixed on a group of noblewomen who were gossiping with great enthusiasm.

Realising they were being singled out, the noblewomen exchanged uncomfortable glances, cleared their throats awkwardly as they opened their fans and fell into silence

Just as Deryl was about to turn away, the sharp sound of galloping hooves shattered the relative silence.

At the entrance to the coast – where only knights and guards were allowed to use horses or carriages – someone had dared to violate the Imperial decree.

Deryl’s expression darkened as he turned towards the commotion. A horse came to an abrupt halt just outside the restricted area.

The rider dismounted without hesitation and crossed the border as if it didn’t exist.

“What do you think you’re doing?” 

“Stand back! This area is restricted by order of His Majesty!”

The guards shouted as they moved to confront the intruder. 

The guards moved to block the man with the hilts of their swords, but before they could make contact, Deryl intervened.

“Stand back.” 

The guards hesitated, startled by the sudden order, as Deryl continued firmly. 

“Let him pass.” 

“But, sir…” 

One of the guards hesitated, glancing nervously at Deryl, unsure if he should obey. But Deryl’s gaze remained fixed on the man before him, who was still catching his breath after his hurried arrival.

After a moment of tense silence, Deryl spoke, his tone heavy with meaning. 

“He’s a member of Lady Blante’s family.” 

The man who had so brazenly violated Imperial orders and crossed the restricted line was none other than Lady Blante’s cousin, Jedran. 

As the guards, now understanding the situation, quietly stepped aside, Deryl approached Jedran, who was seething with barely contained anger.

Deryl remembered Kylance’s words to him.

“If Ariel’s family shows up, don’t stop them. Just tell them where I am.”

“But, Your Grace, they’re likely to be unreasonable…” 

“Deryl. I’m the one who drove Ariel to the edge of the cliff.”

“……” 

“I must face the consequences.”

Deryl couldn’t argue. He had seen with his own eyes how Kylance had backed the Blante Marquisate into a corner.

Before the angry Jedran could get a word out, Deryl spoke calmly but firmly.

“His Grace is in the command tent.” 

Jedran let out a sharp breath and shoved Deryl roughly over his shoulder before striding quickly towards the command tent.

Deryl watched him go.

Judging by the rage that had overtaken Jedran, it seemed likely that he intended to throw a punch at his master.

But Deryl couldn’t stop him. No, he wasn’t supposed to stop him.

“I must face the consequences for this.”

“Consequences…” 

Deryl murmured Kylance’s words to himself and turned his gaze to the vast ocean.

The sea, now calm and serene, made the storm of the previous night seem like a distant memory. Yet its serene beauty was overshadowed by a lingering sense of despair.

The image of Lady Blante plunging from the cliff’s edge remained etched in Deryl’s mind, casting a shadow over the idyllic scene. 

The image of their last moments burned vividly in Deryl’s mind and he closed his eyes tightly.

‘If I hadn’t stopped my master at that moment… If he had jumped into the sea, could Lady Blante have been saved?’

The thought crossed his mind more and more as time passed.

But… even if he could relive that moment, his decision would remain the same.

He was a knight, sworn to protect his master.

Deryl took a deep breath and opened his eyes as he smoothed over the guilt etched into his face. Turning to the guards, he focused on the task at hand.

He started with the ropes marking the restricted area, which had been loosened during Jedran’s chaotic arrival.

“The ropes are loose – tighten them again…”

His words were cut short as a sudden commotion erupted from the gathered crowd, their voices rising in excitement.

Deryl turned to see the people parting to either side, clearing a path for someone to make their way through. 

A noblewoman walked down the newly cleared path, her steps confident and calm.

“Just perfect.”

Deryl murmured, his face tightening with a look of despair as he recognised her.

* * *

Thud! Thud!

The sharp sound of blows echoed through Kylance’s command tent.

But it wasn’t Kylance who struck. Jedran, consumed with rage, had stormed into the tent and struck at Kylance the moment their eyes met.

Not once, but twice.

Kylance could have easily avoided the blows. To him, a veteran of countless battles, the attacks of Jedran – still a newly minted knight – were nothing more than the desperate flailing of an inexperienced cub.

But he did not move to avoid him.

Even as his already split lip reopened, blood trickling down, Kylance remained still, silent.

“I’m sorry.”

The words came out in a voice heavy enough to crush the air around him. They were the only words he was able to say.

For there was nothing else left for him to say.

He had pushed Ariel to the brink, only to fail her utterly when it mattered most.

He had promised to bring her back – he had sworn it. And yet he had failed to keep that promise.

Kylance’s thoughts drifted to another promise, one made long ago.

It wasn’t a promise to Ariel’s family.

“I will devote my life to your happiness. Your joy will always be mine.” 

Once he had made that promise while holding her hand.

Now both promises were broken.

Kylance lowered his gaze, silently resigning himself to taking any blow Jedran might throw at him.

Jedran raised his fist again, but then let out an anguished cry, clutching his hair in frustration.

He had realised that no matter how hard he hit Kylance, it wouldn’t change anything.

With reddened eyes, Jedran grabbed Kylance by the collar, his voice trembling with rage.

“You bastard! You said you’d bring her back alive! You promised you’d find her! And now this? Missing?! What the hell does that mean?!”

His voice, raw with grief and anger, echoed through the tent. Kylance couldn’t bring himself to meet Jedran’s tearful gaze

The weight of his guilt was crushing. Even the words “I’m sorry” felt meaningless now – too hollow and shameful to utter. 

“……”

Words alone could never be enough to atone for the weight of his sins.

Kylance’s lips moved as if to speak, but instead he bowed his head deeply, his voice dry and hollow.

“It’s… all my fault.”

Jedran’s face contorted with rage and fear as he looked at Kylance. He grabbed him by the collar and pulled him closer.

“That’s right! It’s all your fault! Why is Ariel the one who had to suffer like this? If anyone deserved to go missing, it should’ve been you! Get out of here! If you have a shred of decency, throw yourself into the damn sea!”

Just as Jedran began to drag Kylance towards the tent’s entrance, the flap suddenly flew open.

At the same moment, a sharp, commanding female voice cut through the tension and echoed through the tent.