“… It’s entirely my fault. I requested the Duke of Effenberg to allow me to apologize directly to you, Your Highness. Please punish me.”

Ikael dropped to his knees, bowing deeply on the floor.

“Hm,“ Helia murmured, fixing her gaze on him. Feeling as if her eyes pierced through his very core, Ikael was overcome with unease. Yet he accepted this as part of the process. He endured her unrelenting gaze in silence.

“Alright. What kind of punishment shall I impose?”

Even now, Ikael lied to himself, claiming he had personally requested this meeting through Ruben. What mattered, however, was his willingness to bear guilt and fabricate lies for his people. It was Ikael, after all, who had taken on the role of the villain by poisoning Helia. If she had died then and Xeroth had investigated her death, Ikael would have confessed to protect Ruben and the revolutionary army from any fallout. He was, at the very least, devoted to that extent.

This meant that Ikael was willing to sacrifice himself for those he pledged his loyalty to. If Helia could secure his allegiance, he would throw himself into the fire for her—no matter how flawed his methods might be. That unwavering devotion was precisely what Helia appreciated most. A strategist who wouldn’t hesitate to devise ruthless schemes for victory—he was a figure she couldn’t afford to lose.

Indeed, she couldn’t let him slip away. Helia allowed a smile that Ikael couldn’t decipher to surface as she spoke again.

“I’ll give you a question.”

Helia rose from her seat and took measured steps toward him. With each step, the sound of her approaching footsteps heightened Ikael’s tension, parching his throat with nervousness. When her shoes finally came into his view, he pressed himself even lower against the floor.

What kind of question would it be? He couldn’t fathom it. Was it about how she might t*rture or kill him? If so, what death could preserve even a shred of his honor? With such thoughts, Ikael grappled with the fear closing in on him.

“We’re going to strike Bailey.“

“Pardon?”

“How should we attack it?”

The unexpected question left Ikael momentarily stunned. Why was she asking him this? Was it to test his abilities? Yet he was in no position to gauge her intentions. All he could do was give the answer that came to mind.

“I believe directly targeting the capital is the most prudent strategy.“

“Why?“

“The major territories in the south and north are already controlled by nobles aligned with the revolutionary army. In the south especially, the key figures have sworn loyalty to you and the saintess. They’ll persuade the other southern territories to surrender.“

“In the north, the terrain is rugged and the land vast, which delays communication. However, with Marquis Veron Caros ruling the region, none local lords would dare make a move.“

“And the East? It’s close to the capital, and we’ve secured fewer allies there.“

“That’s why a swift *ssault on the capital is necessary. If we advance quickly from the western territory of Effenberg to the capital, reinforcements from the west won’t arrive in time. The East can be dealt with afterward—either by demanding their surrender once the royal family collapses or engaging them post-conflict.

“But most importantly, the public sentiment has already turned against the royal family. Those capable of rallying the people are already on our side. If we take the capital and execute the king, everyone will follow you, Your Highness.“

“If you launch a sudden attack on the capital, won’t it provoke a backlash from the Empire and the neighboring nations?“

“Externally, we can make it appear as an internal conflict. Moreover, Your Highness is the rightful heir to the Bailey Kingdom, the sole descendant of the founding King Arphon. Even if you decide to erase Bailey’s name from history and establish a new kingdom, there is no logical flaw in claiming Bailey’s territory on the grounds of legitimacy. The neighboring nations won’t be able to easily refute this.”

Helia smirked, curling one corner of her lips. It was the answer she had wanted. However, no one dared to openly speak of such an audacious plan—declaring war and launching a sudden *ssault on the capital where the royal palace was located. Yet Helia knew this was the fastest way to minimize losses. There was no reason to turn back, even if the method was wrong. If they could disguise it as a civil war, as Ikael suggested, it wouldn’t pose significant issues in their relationships with other nations. Besides, the current King Xeroth had already lost the trust of the surrounding countries. Even if the method was unconventional, it was something they could turn a blind eye to.

“Rise.”

Helia, satisfied, ordered Ikael to stand. He rose with a somewhat bewildered expression. Compared to Ruben’s robust and manly build, Ikael had a slender figure overall, but he was tall enough that Helia had to tilt her head back to look up at him.

“You may greet me.”

A spark of astonishment lit up in Ikael’s eyes. During their previous encounters, Helia had never allowed him to greet her. Now, granting him permission implied that she was willing to forgive him.

Ikael looked at Helia with trembling eyes. She smiled at him—a provoking smile as if challenging him to try his best. Overcome with emotion, Ikael fell to his knees again.

“Your Highness, please forgive me for failing to grasp your profound intentions.”

Finally, the words he had longed to express spilled out. If she would only forgive him, he was prepared to kneel before her a hundred, even a thousand times. If cutting out his tongue or offering his hand was what it took, he would do so willingly. His only fear was that even such measures might fail to earn her forgiveness. Yet Helia, as if it were nothing, gave him a chance that he considered a boundless honor.

“There is one task you must carry out.“

“Command me, and I will obey.“

“Lette is not a saint.“

“What?”

At the unexpected words, Ikael asked again, but Helia had no intention of waiting for him to understand. Ignoring his confusion, she continued.

“She is a witch, and when the time comes, I plan to make that fact public.”

“….”

Ikael could not conceal his shock. Merely comprehending Helia’s merciless and unreserved words was overwhelming. His head spun. It couldn’t be a lie. Just yesterday, Lette had sworn allegiance to Helia. He had arranged a meeting to share this news with the revolutionary forces. For Helia to reveal this to him now meant that this knowledge was already shared among Helia, Lette, and even Ruben.

‘Why on earth would she tell such a blatant lie…?’

Helia believed Ikael wasn’t dwelling on the fact that Lette was a witch but rather on the issues her being a witch might cause. Her assessment was precisely correct.

“If this becomes known, the revolutionary forces will fall into chaos. Some are gathered solely out of devotion to the saint…“

Ikael’s face showed near despair, but Helia found his practical considerations pleasing. He was indeed the right person for this task.

“Still, it’s not something we can keep hidden forever.“

“With all due respect, Your Highness, it’s fortunate that you secured her allegiance in time. Had her status as a witch been revealed after being declared the leader, the foundation of the revolutionary forces would have been shaken.”

Helia nodded.

“It’s best to delay the revelation as long as possible. Even if Lette loses the title of saint, Your Highness’s position within the revolutionary forces must be solidified first.“

“That depends on you.“

“Pardon?“

“Capture those who have yet to pledge loyalty to me and make them swear allegiance by any means necessary—whether through persuasion, coaxing, or threats, it doesn’t matter. Even if they choose to follow Ruben or you instead of me, that’s fine. In the end, following either of you means they follow me. However, from this moment onward, if even one person defects, you will not be forgiven.”

Helia declared coldly. Ikael instinctively swallowed hard. He now understood this was the true mission Helia intended to assign him.

It was undoubtedly a daunting task, but not an impossible one. Ikael quickly counted the names of those who remained neutral or silent. Not a single defection was permitted. That essentially meant that rather than allowing them to defect, it might be better to eliminate them entirely. Ikael interpreted Helia’s orders in his own way. After all, as long as no one defected, he was following her command. Moreover, dealing with any defectors would serve as an example to others.

Having completed his calculations, Ikael bowed his head and responded.

“It is an honor to be entrusted with such a critical task.“

“Do your best and try to earn my forgiveness once more.“

“I will ensure everyone bows their heads before Your Highness without exception.”

It was a most reassuring reply. Helia nodded silently.

***