The ministers of the Empire reacted with serious faces when they heard these words.

“The kingdom where the princess married will not remain silent, Your Majesty.”

“Doesn’t Leanne have any faults that can be used against her? They will use that as an excuse.”

“Even so…”

“Then you are suggesting that we give the kingdom to Leanne’s husband?”

The Emperor, who had long turned a blind eye to Leanne’s faults, finally recognised her shortcomings and swiftly stripped her and her future children of their right to the throne. As she had already become queen of another nation, recognising her right of succession would have effectively put the Empire at risk of being absorbed by that kingdom. 

Public opinion quickly soured, especially as Leanne had once been one of the few Imperial princesses to be held in high esteem, even before her marriage.

“Did the Emperor really do that?”

“The Princess is so pitiful.”

“But she’s not entirely wrong…”

“Still, for the empire to be absorbed… it’s a bit much.”

Ironically, as the Empire waged war against Seor, its relatively young citizens developed a stronger sense of national identity. More people than ever were unwilling to accept the idea of their homeland being absorbed by another kingdom. 

The King of Leanne’s new kingdom strongly objected to the Emperor’s decision, but did not abandon her. After all, the future heir to his kingdom was already growing in Leanne’s womb – the result of her deliberate and heartfelt seduction, much as Elliope had once ensnared Theodor.

In response to the Emperor’s decree stripping her of her right of succession, Leanne quickly declared her complete separation from the Kartan Imperial Family. Her announcement was made with remarkable speed, leaving little room for opposition. 

As a result of these events, the honour and prestige of the Imperial Family crumbled to nothing. Yet the Emperor clung to what remained, driven by a desperate need to preserve the Kartan name – even as everything else fell apart. 

It was the last, irrational hope that consumed him.

“What will happen now?” 

“Has Heaven abandoned the Empire?” 

“Wait! No, there are still members of the Imperial Family!” 

“Ah!” 

With that, Elliope found herself unexpectedly at the centre of attention. Public opinion was in chaos, and ministers were engaged in heated debates and careful calculations. 

By this time, the Emperor – now incredibly old and frail – spoke in a weak voice, 

“…I hereby pardon all charges of treason committed by Kallian Elsen against Duke Theodor of Ilmos, and they shall be forgotten.”

***

“Vera! Push forward!” 

“Waaaah!” 

The sky burned with fire, and the earth tore beneath them. The Seor army surged forward, driven by unwavering determination. This was their perfect chance to advance and take the Imperial Capital. A strange, electric excitement spread through the soldiers. 

“Finally, we can end the war!” 

In truth, however, the war had put an immense strain on the invading forces of the Seor Crown Prince. 

Seor’s homeland was gradually losing its ability to support them. Though they had dealt a devastating blow to the Empire, the invasion remained a significant gamble – one that had been taken despite the fact that their own nation had not yet fully stabilised.

Furthermore, the whereabouts of the second prince remained unknown. If he were to reappear, public opinion in Seor would change completely. 

“Don’t back down!” 

“Don’t miss this opportunity!” 

The Crown Prince of Seor became increasingly agitated. 

“D*mn it! If that hunting dog shows up now…” 

In truth, his bold attack on the Empire had been prompted in part by a provocative letter – sent to him in secret by none other than the hunting dog himself.

[Theodor of Ilmos will soon die. Exactly six months from now, I will impose a blockade on the Grand Duke’s territory. If you leave the Grand Duke’s lands untouched, I have no interest in whether you decide to attack the Empire or not. Six months from now, I will enter the battlefield. Will you seize the opportunity or won’t you? If you don’t, you are a fool.]

At that time, the Seor Crown Prince had been secretly working with both the Empire and Duke Ilmos. But he could sense how quickly the situation was changing. 

If he attacked now, he wouldn’t just take Nahir – he could take the whole Empire. There was no real obstacle to attacking from the back. 

But it had to be done, if possible, before the hunting dog returned. Facing him head-on was too great a risk. 

During their last clash in Nahir, the Crown Prince had barely escaped death after sustaining a grievous wound to his neck. Even now, the memory of that battle haunted him, and the lingering sting of the wound served as a constant reminder of the hunting dog’s sheer, overwhelming strength—of how effortlessly he had been subdued.

He couldn’t let this opportunity pass him by. 

So he pressed on with the invasion, knowing that if he failed now, it would be his downfall.

“D*mn it! Push forward!” 

The Crown Prince roared, his eyes wide with urgency. 

Boom, boom, boom. 

The deep, resounding blast of trumpets echoed across the battlefield, stirring the nightmare of the Nahir Plains once more. 

“Hah.” 

“It’s the Hunting Dog of Ilmos!” 

Panic spread like wildfire. Many of the Crown Prince’s troops had either come face to face with the Hunting Dog, or had heard the terrible tales of its ruthless reputation. 

“Form up!” 

“Do not retreat!”

The very words once shouted by the Imperial Army were now shouted by the commanders of Seor. 

A sharp pain flared in the Crown Prince’s neck – a reminder of the scar he had left behind. 

His bloodshot eyes fixed on the horizon, fear creeping into his chest.

“……”
Was he really there? 

Against the backdrop of the burning sky, a lone figure loomed on the horizon, towering like a giant astride a black steed. The firelight cast his silhouette in stark relief, his piercing blue eyes flashing like lightning in the shadows. 

A mocking smile curved his usually impassive lips, a silent challenge that sent a chill through the battlefield. 

Even in the chaos of war, his chiseled features seemed almost unreal – too sharp, too perfect, like something out of a legend.

Behind him, the crimson sky burned like a vengeful spirit, casting an eerie glow over the battlefield. 

The wound on the crown prince’s neck throbbed violently, as if it might burst at any moment. He pressed his lips together to keep the taste of blood at bay. 

“The Hunting Dog of Ilmos!” 

He bellowed the name, almost as if trying to drive out his own fear. But the man standing before him – still, unmoving – remained perfectly calm. 

Then, at last, Kallian stirred. 

His lips parted, forming the first words of his reply.

“No.”
Even though he could only read the movement of his lips, despite the considerable distance between him and the Crown Prince… it felt as if the deep voice the Prince had heard before was echoing in his ears.

“The name Ilmos has already been erased.”

“……”

“Shall I erase you now?”

The hunting dog that had finally torn at its master’s throat said these words.

“Are you going to attack me like last time?”

The moment the Crown Prince read these words, he took a deep breath and charged forward.

“Kraaah!”

Cold sweat ran down his face. Sweat continued to collect in his gloves.

“Get back!”

“Ahh!”

“Get out of the way! The horse is getting caught!”

“Crown Prince!”

The crown prince began to crush his way forward, disregarding allies and enemies alike. His horse trampled his own troops, causing them to fall and spill blood. But even that no longer mattered.

What mattered now was killing the hunting dog. His blood was boiling wildly, as if his whole body was consumed by madness.

“Hunting Dog!”

Clang!

The wrist he had struck with the sword throbbed in pain. It felt as if he had just struck a massive wall, and the overwhelming shock shook the Crown Prince’s body. The hunting dog, however, stood motionless and smiled.

The Crown Prince cried out into the cold atmosphere. It was a desperate, almost boastful cry.

“A hunting dog that tore its master’s throat out!”

Kakang!

“Do you think I’m afraid?”

“Shouldn’t the second prince be the one to be afraid?”

“What?”

Bang!

In an instant, the sword he had been wielding with all his might was suddenly knocked away. As the Seor Crown Prince stared blankly at his hand that had lost its grip on the sword, he slowly turned his gaze.

Before he realised, the hunting had closed the gap. 

“And yet it was you who tore your master’s throat out.” 

“……” 

“You should speak clearly, Crown Prince.” 

Crack.

A searing pain ignited in the Crown Prince’s neck – an unbearable, searing shock. 

And then… nothing. 

His vision blurred, his world tilted. 

With a low murmur, Kallian spoke his last words. 

“My master was never Theodor of Ilmos.” 

The Crown Prince’s head fell to the ground. 

The war was over.

***

“Madam Viscountess.” 

Elliope, who had been staring blankly out of the window, turned at the sound of her name. 

“I have come to bid you farewell before my departure.” 

Seor’s ambassador, the Cylon, bowed his head politely. Elliope nodded slightly in response. 

“So you’re really going back home.” 

“Yes. Thanks to your generosity, Madam Viscountess, both the second prince and I have been able to remain safely in hiding. The second prince has asked me to express his gratitude.” 

“My generosity, you say?” 

“Yes. Without your kindness, we wouldn’t have been able to survive unnoticed.” 

“My kindness?”

Elliope was well aware that this had all been part of Kallian’s plan. Before his final departure, he had shared most of the strategies he had devised for his usurpation, including the decision to hide Seor’s second prince. Only Elliope, Ruben and a handful of trusted allies knew the full truth. 

“I’m glad to hear you’re all right,” she said calmly. “What do you intend to do when you return?” 

“First, I intend to eliminate the Crown Prince’s faction within Seor and secure the release of the imprisoned members of the royal family.” 

“Then the war will end, won’t it?” 

“It certainly will. Even if they wanted to continue, they no longer have the resources to sustain it.” 

“……”

“As for the peace negotiations… they will proceed according to the framework you established, Madam Viscountess.”

Cylon acknowledged this calmly, his gaze lingering on Elliope for a brief moment.

During the weeks of Kallian’s absence, Cylon had often observed Elliope and had had the opportunity to speak to her at close quarters. 

In truth, Elliope hadn’t simply waited idly at the Duke’s residence. While Kallian Elsen had drawn up the general plans for diplomacy and policy, it was Elliope who made the final decisions. She stayed on to mediate future relations between Seor and the Empire, ensuring a smooth transition. 

She also worked closely with her staff to discuss policy for the Grand Duke’s territory. It was as if she had been the Grand Duchess all along – handling matters with remarkable competence and authority.
“Truly.”

She was a hard woman to leave behind. 

Unaware of the ambassador’s lingering thoughts, Elliope quietly held out her hand. With practiced formality, he placed a light kiss on the back of it. 

Cylon, making a conscious effort to suppress his lingering emotions, slowly raised his head. 

“I guess it’s time for me to say goodbye.” 

“……” 

“Your husband is on his way.” 

With that, Cylon quietly stepped back and left the room. 

Then… 

“…Madam.” 

A familiar voice – one that had been waiting – called out. 

A man entered, carrying with him the fresh air of the outside world. His sharp, clean-cut features showed no trace of the brutality of the battlefield, as if he had never set foot on it. His deep black hair, slightly longer than before, framed his face, adding to the striking presence that always left a mark on her heart.

Amidst the slightly longer strands of dark hair, the blue eyes that always made her heart ache shone with an unwavering brilliance. It was a gaze that had never strayed, one that had always been fixed on a single person. 

As she met those eyes, she could almost smell the lingering scent of smoke and feel the embers of the fire still burning. 

Her avenger – the one who had never let that fire die – stood before her. 

“This victory is yours.” 

Elliope listened to his words in silence, then stepped forward and kissed him.