At Duke Asili’s residence.

Ferdin sat beside the sleeping Erin, gazing down at her. The First Knight Order, Duke Asili, and the mages from the Magic Tower had joined forces to eliminate all the monsters remaining in the imperial palace. The operation concluded smoothly since the monsters were confined to cages, except in the area where Ditrion had been.

Upon arriving at the mansion, Duke Asili immediately headed toward Princess Asili’s room. This left only Alexis and Lilia by Ferdin’s side.

“Truly appalling. To think they hid monsters beneath the imperial palace,” Alexis remarked, unleashing his criticism.

“Had we not acted quickly, the area around the palace would have been devastated. Black magic corrupts both the character and soul of its caster. The First Prince must have been using black magic for quite some time.”

“…”

“Lately, His Majesty has been speaking nonsense so frequently one might think he’s become senile. His disappearance with Corelia… perhaps it’s also due to using black magic.”

Lilia nodded at his words. She relayed to Alexis what they knew, speaking on behalf of the silent Ferdin.

After hearing Lilia’s explanation, anger flickered in Alexis’s eyes.

“I see. So a man much younger than me has gone mad with black magic, not senility. He hardly deserves to be called His Majesty anymore.”

Alexis was a completely different type of sharp-tongued critic than the Princess. While Princess Asili insisted on saying whatever she wanted to the end, Alexis ruthlessly tore down the Emperor.

“Tower Master, the elders have been complaining about stomach pain lately. No matter what, he’s still the Emperor, so you should restrain your words…”

Alexis frowned with displeasure. Then he addressed Ferdin.

“Lately I’ve been thinking about resigning from my position as Tower Master. It’s frustrating not being able to speak my mind freely.”

After saying this, Alexis moved closer to Erin.

“Looking at her condition, she seems to have accumulated significant fatigue in a short period. There’s no need to worry so much. She’s strong—merely sleeping from exhaustion. She’ll wake before evening.”

“I know.”

“What will you do now? Ditrion is currently imprisoned in the basement of the Duke’s residence.”

Ferdin didn’t answer his question, instead brushing Erin’s hair behind her ear. Isis and Hellix, whom he had summoned, were on their way to Duke Asili’s residence.

Ferdin recalled Princess Asili, who had fallen into a deep, unbreakable sleep. Upon returning to the Duke’s residence, he had immediately noticed something unusual about her condition. Had she been well, she would have rushed out faster than anyone, distressed by Erin’s injuries.

‘You knew everything all along…’

He felt both apologetic and grateful toward her. Too many people had been hurt because of the Emperor’s cruel desires. People who shouldn’t have died had perished. Yet those who deserved punishment were still living comfortably.

Ferdin couldn’t tolerate this fact. Looking at Alexis, he said, “I’m going to see Ditrion.”

* * *

Ferdin and Alexis headed to the basement of the Duke’s residence. Ditrion was imprisoned in an underground cell made of mana control stones.

His face was completely drained of color since his shoulder wound hadn’t been treated, but his eyes remained fierce when looking at Ferdin.

Upon seeing him, Ditrion shouted in anger, “Ferdin… what is the meaning of this? How dare you imprison me?”

Beside Ferdin, Alexis sneered. “We’ve merely imprisoned a black mage found where monsters were kept.”

“Tower Master Alexis, I knew you spoke carelessly, but this is excessive.”

“I never dreamed the royal family member I serve would be a black mage. Isn’t it you who’s being excessive?”

“…”

“This isn’t a choice a sane person would make. To use black magic…”

Ditrion raised his voice at Alexis’s words. “Where’s your proof that I’m a black mage?”

“We found potions where you collapsed, and they happen to be identical to what we’ve been researching. What do you make of that?”

“…”

“We’ve discovered evidence that Hitachia, an ingredient in this potion, was continuously purchased by the imperial palace. You know better than anyone what this means.”

Ditrion’s face contorted instantly. Alexis gazed at him with cold eyes—a hostile look that seemed impossible to direct at the Empire’s Crown Prince.

“Tower Master, I have matters to discuss with Ditrion.”

At Ferdin’s words, Alexis bowed respectfully. Ditrion let out a bitter laugh.

“You’re acting like you’ve become Emperor, Ferdin. If Father knew about your actions, he wouldn’t stand for it!”

Alexis didn’t respond to his words and left the prison—a clear dismissal. Ditrion gritted his teeth in frustration watching him leave.

“Ferdin… you’re doing something foolish.”

Ferdin asked Ditrion, “Why did you do it?”

Ditrion frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“Did you really have to kill people like that? Did you have to use black magic?”

“…”

“If you had just lived normally, you would have become Emperor. I never desired that position.”

“Why do you and Erin ask such strange questions?”

Ditrion couldn’t comprehend it. “What meaning is there in the deaths of such beings? Worthless humans might as well die.”

“…”

“I simply tried to kill you because you were in my way. I don’t understand why you attach so much meaning to their deaths.”

Hearing Ditrion’s words, Ferdin made his decision right then. In truth, there was nothing to consider.

“Ditrion… what do you think is the most painful death?”

“What?”

“Do you remember when we were children?”

Ditrion tilted his head curiously at Ferdin’s words.

“You might not remember.”

“…”

“You once locked me in the palace stables.”

Ditrion frowned. He clearly didn’t remember. Ferdin continued slowly, undeterred.

“It was cold and truly terrifying. No matter how much I screamed, no one came to get me out.”

“So what are you going to do? K*ll me? Do you think Father would forgive you for that?”

“…”

“I know many things you don’t. Do you think the monsters under the palace are the end of it?”

Ditrion thought about the monsters he had helped the Emperor create. His monsters weren’t just under the imperial palace. He had heard that recently they had even created monsters strong enough to face Sword Masters.

‘When I get out of here, he won’t stand a chance…’

Ditrion looked at Ferdin with a contorted face. Ferdin was staring back with a faint smile—a face of delicate beauty.

Ditrion rarely felt fear. He had always been superior to others and held a respected position. But why?

Looking at Ferdin’s smile, Ditrion felt an inexplicable chill. He didn’t want to admit that he felt afraid of Ferdin.

Ditrion clenched his fists and glared at Ferdin.

“While trapped in those stables, I had a thought. The most frightening thing is to die forgotten by everyone…”

“…”

“More than the cold and misery… what scared me most was being forgotten, remembered by no one.”

“…”

“I wondered if I would just die there, in a place no one knew about. I still remember trembling at that thought.”

Ditrion’s face turned pale. He realized what Ferdin intended to do.

“Ditrion, I’m going to use you. I plan to take you hostage. But… you know what kind of person our father is.”

“…”

“Perhaps Father will discard you more easily than expected. He’s a ruthless man. Even if you’re his favorite son, he won’t spare you if you stand in his way. Then you’ll become a hostage with no value.”

“Ferdin… you…”

“You said worthless humans die. I’m returning your words to you.”

Ditrion stumbled backward. His trembling legs could no longer support him, and he fell.

Ferdin quietly observed Ditrion with a gaze reserved for something insignificant. He had no intention of forgiving him. He planned to give Ditrion the most terrible end possible.

“Ditrion, if you lose your value, you’ll be abandoned here.”

“…”

“Duke Asili gladly gave his permission. He said it would be a fitting end for you.”

“How dare you, with your tainted blood…!”

“Die realizing how terrifying it is to meet your end in a place where no one will ever come for you.”

With those words, Ferdin turned around. Ditrion tried to grab him but struggled to reach out because of the iron bars made of mana control stones.

Ditrion screamed Ferdin’s name. “Where are you going! Come back, you filthy b*stard! I’m not finished talking!”

But Ferdin didn’t look back. Without hesitation, he left the underground prison.

Ditrion couldn’t believe Ferdin had left. ‘He’ll come back.’

There was no way Ferdin would leave like this. He still had so much to tell him. Ferdin would return, if only to extract the information he possessed.

But as time passed, Ditrion began to dwell on Ferdin’s words. He wasn’t supposed to be here. He had never once imagined such an end for himself.

Ditrion screamed at the top of his lungs. “Ferdin! Come back!”

No answer came from Ferdin. Only his desperate cry echoed hollowly through the underground chamber.