The mask covering the man’s face split and fell down.

Clint, after confirming the face, smirked and forcefully pushed the sword.

“How great of an assassin are you? Your reaction speed is slow.”

The face was also familiar to me.

‘That man is…’

The man shown by Raven in the montage.

He was the assassin who killed Raven’s brother on Lord Riranef’s orders.

“Get lost. My master wants that bastard’s head.”

“Do as you like, but I also have to protect the master I serve.”

“Then, there’s only death.”

“You call yourself the empire’s strongest sword. It doesn’t seem that impressive.”

“I’ll show you directly.”

Clint mumbled resolutely. Without waiting for the assassin to reply, he fiercely swung the sword.

The clash of swords was on a different level.

It was a sword for murder that aimed solely for vital points, showing no sign of mercy.

Clang! Clang!

The assassin bit down on the sword to avoid being pushed back, but it seemed challenging to block all of Clint’s fierce attacks.

Several subordinates protecting Jenerba simultaneously approached Clint.

However, Clint, who had experienced countless battles, swiftly cut down all the subordinates in one breath.

The sound of swords colliding resounded loudly.

“Our empress has a large distribution. Shouldn’t we fight here instead of running away?”

Jenerba, turning his body to climb onto the carriage, laughed.
“Save me, plead for your life, or beg to be spared—those are not my words but yours.”

Even though I wasn’t injured, I felt familiar pain all over my body. I gritted my teeth, endured it, and stood up, putting weight on both legs.

“Daring to wander the streets under the subject of heinous crimes, and even being confident in front of the empress?”

Jenerba shrugged his shoulders. However, his eyes, looking at me, clearly showed interest.

But unlike when he was initially relaxed, his now quite hardened face seemed uncomfortable with me treating him like a criminal.

Swish! Swish!

“I didn’t come here to fight, and yet you’re pushing your sword. Empress, you’re intense despite your elegant appearance. … Which makes you even more charming.”

“You were the one trying to kill me with a sword.”

“Oh, right. True. Wasn’t that what happened? Our children liked it so much.”

Jenerba laughed as if embarrassed.

“Then how about compensating in return? Hmm…”

Jenerba pondered, tapping his chin. Then, with a bright smile, he clapped his hands.

“So, how about sparing the man known as the strongest sword in the empire? I’ll let him live! Is that acceptable to both parties?”

Finding the proposal almost sarcastic, I burst into laughter. Unable to contain the laughter pouring out, Jenerba asked with a concerned expression.

“Empress, did you… hit your head when you were rolling around earlier?”

“Too funny.”

“I’ve never told you a funny story… Your sense of humor is different.”

“Are you saying this confidently because there are more people protecting you now?”

I wiped away the tears forming in my eyes.

Then, erasing the smile that had appeared on my face, I stared at Jenerba with a cold, indifferent gaze and said with discomfort.

“What do you think of the man referred to as the empire’s strongest sword? How dare you.”

At the same time, the laughter disappeared from Jenerba’s face.

The situation continued like walking on thin ice.

In Jenerba’s eyes, there was a clear, immediate intent to kill me.

“…This is interesting.”

Jenerba slowly opened his lips. Although he used a playful tone as usual, the innocent smile was hidden.

“Did I underestimate you?”

“…”

“The man known as the strongest sword in the empire. I already know what he’s like. Do you think I’ll be foolishly pushed by numbers?”

I wiped away the tears from my eyes.

Then, taking something out from his waist, Jenerba shook it as if to show off. The sound of liquid rustling reached my ears.

“Instead, let’s use our heads. You probably know what this is.”

Indeed.

It was a familiar item to both me and Clint. The moment it was pulled out, I was so surprised that I even stopped breathing.

“What will happen if I use this? Would you like to see it with your own eyes?”

Jenerba shook the familiar vial he held in his hand.
It’s the same vial that was used during the Dae Sinjeon incident, and that vial presented to Empress Lysa of Esteria.

“See? Since I’m offering to spare you, it seems like I’m the one trying to gain favor.”

Jenerba looked around and laughed as if enjoying the situation.