At that time, the Empire and the Kingdom of Gillenua had completed negotiations on mining rights and had begun full-scale mining operations.

Moreover, there had been no particular disturbances at the border in the past two or three years, so the Empire’s attack had virtually no justification.

It was a conquest war against a small country that started without even a declaration of war. It was a cowardly act that did not befit the actions of a great empire.

However, even in the midst of the confusion, Princess Camilla cast a defensive magic spell on the entire Gillestin Castle to prevent the imperial army from entering.

“Activate the magic circle that defends the castle! All soldiers, retreat from the castle walls and maintain your positions!”

It was a high-level magic of remarkable caliber, created by combining her magical power with the ancient magic circle that was placed on the castle.

It could even deflect flaming arrows flying through the air, so a siege was out of the question.

The magic of a single person, Camilla, had rendered an army of thousands powerless.

The imperial army was bewildered by this unexpected development and spent more than half a month in vain.

“Find a way somehow! How can the Emperor’s dignity be upheld if we can’t even capture a measly castle like that?”

Emperor Ramon, who was in the third year of his reign at the time, had decided to start a war of conquest, believing that he needed an opportunity to display his might across the entire continent.

And in the eyes of the young and energetic Emperor, the Kingdom of Gillenua seemed like easy prey that could be conquered without much effort. The rich mines that the kingdom possessed were an added bonus.

It was his clear mistake not to examine why the previous Emperors had ignored the existence of this troublesome small country.

Of course, there were those who advised him about the magical bloodline of the Gillesus dynasty when he pushed for this war.

However, by that time, the authority of magic had already fallen to the ground.

Even the few magicians remaining in the magic tower were mostly incompetent folks who manufactured love potions and sought the pocket money of noble ladies.

So he did not heed some of the anxious, loyal advice, and he was now paying dearly for that hasty judgment.

“How is such magic possible in this day and age? Wasn’t that something that only appeared in ancient myths?”

Looking at the sturdy castle walls that were repelling every attack the imperial army could attempt, Ramon exploded with anger. His brother, Grand Duke Osilote Philip, who was sticking close by his side, clicked his tongue, pretending to be serious.

“That’s right. I’ve heard the absurd story that the first King of Gillesus made a contract with the devil, but looking at that, it doesn’t seem entirely unbelievable.”

“Devil, my foot….”

Ramon gritted his teeth.

If they continued to be thwarted from even entering the castle, the Emperor’s authority would clearly fall to the ground. No, in fact, it had already fallen to the ground and shattered into pieces.

The Emperor was willing to resort to any cruel and wicked means to restore that shattered authority.

“Everyone, use your brains! There must be some way! Do you all think I brought you here to play around like that?”

As the Emperor’s anger reached its peak, several nobles, including the knight commander, bowed their heads and shrugged their shoulders.

Count Lyuschino Malik, who was standing alone in the corner of the tent, also hardened his face at those words.

Having suddenly inherited the title of Count due to his brother’s death, he was forced to participate in the war after being summoned by the Emperor.

Since most of his territory bordered the Kingdom of Gillenua, he had no choice, as he could have been suspected of collusion and immediately beheaded if he did not participate in the war.

The new Emperor was sensitive to trivial matters and easily branded those who displeased him as traitors.

However, despite all those inevitable circumstances, the thought of Marquis Mathias and his family beyond those castle walls left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Malik had attended the wedding of the Princess and Marquis Mathias. As the groom’s best man, no less.

Even after Malik inherited the title of Count, their interactions continued due to the proximity of his territory to the Kingdom of Gillenua.

Princess Camilla, who heard about his concerns as a novice lord, gave him practical and wise advice on managing his territory.

‘Since it is not easy to cultivate crops in the Count’s territory, it would be better to focus more on animal husbandry. Coincidentally, the quality of the cheese produced in the Count’s territory is very good, right? If you raise many cows and increase cheese production, you can actively consider selling to other regions as well.’

In fact, her advice was spot on, and from the following year, his territory was able to escape chronic poverty.

And that’s not all. Malik was also the godfather of the Princess and Marquis’ adorable daughter, Kasha.

‘The Princess must have many high-ranking nobles among her relatives or friends, so why make such a request to me, a foreigner?’

‘If something happens to me, isn’t the godfather the one who will take on the role of Kasha’s father in my stead? You are the only one who comes to mind to entrust with such a heavy responsibility.’

The two had become friends, transcending their superior-subordinate relationship, after leaving the knighthood due to their respective circumstances.

There was no way he could refuse when Mathias said such things. Malik attended the baby princess’ baptism and vowed to become her godfather.

Cradled in his arms, Kasha, with her pale pink eyes, was so lovely and delicate, like a doll made of sugar, that he had to tremble his arms for fear of dropping her.

Her presence was quite different from his bold and steady son Daril, who was waiting for him at home.

Just half a month before the war broke out, he had gone fishing with Mathias at the Pechali River.

They had a common point of being unwillingly pushed into positions they had never coveted in their lives. Sometimes, when everything felt overwhelming, each other’s presence became a great strength.

At that time, Mathias mentioned that he was planning to leave in a few days to tour the mines being mined within the kingdom.

‘The reserves of rare minerals, including aiton, are much higher than expected. I’m thinking of actively fostering weapon manufacturers at the royal level from now on.’

‘…Weapons?’

‘There is a need to enhance our military power. Even though Camilla’s magic is great, it is not desirable for the entire kingdom to depend on her. It is too much of a burden on her, and later, that burden will be passed on to our Kasha.’

‘That’s true.’

‘Don’t worry, Malik. Even if our military power becomes strong, it will not threaten your territory. I just want to maintain peace. So that our children can respect each other and live together even when they grow up.’

Mathias’ eyes were filled with hope as he said that. He probably never dreamed that a situation completely opposite to his hopes would unfold just a few days after he left.

‘Mathias… What should I do about this? What should I do?’

Sighing, Malik suddenly felt an unpleasant gaze and turned his head. Philip was looking at him with a cunning look in his eyes.

Suddenly, Philip whispered something in the Emperor’s ear. The Emperor’s furrowed brow was seen slowly relaxing. Malik felt his throat go dry with a bad feeling.

“…Oh, I see. Hmm, well, I think the meeting has gone on too long. Everyone, return to your tents now. You’ll come up with good ideas once you rest, won’t you?”

As they were driven out of the Emperor’s tent by the sudden dismissal, Malik let out a long sigh of anxiety.

Currently, Camilla is holding out well, but the stored food in the castle will soon be depleted.

There is said to be a secret passage connecting to the outside of the castle, but it is a space where even one person can barely pass through, so it would be impossible to supply food. No matter how outstanding a magician she is, there is no way to solve starvation.

‘I can’t just sit still. I have to do something.’

That night, Malik sent out a homing pigeon. It was a method he had created to communicate with Mathias since three years ago when Mathias settled in the kingdom.

If Mathias was at the place Malik thought of, there might be a way to resolve this situation.

Time passed anxiously, and exactly two days later, the homing pigeon returned. With Mathias’ letter tied to its leg.

“It will be dangerous…”

Malik frowned.

At that time, there were more than a few suspicious parts in the homing pigeon’s message.

If Mathias wanted to meet Camilla in secret, he would have contacted her directly somehow, not through Malik.

It was an extremely dangerous act for both Malik and them to meet Malik, who belonged to the enemy forces, at the secret passage leading to the castle.

The usual Mathias was not someone who would endanger his friend like that.

Yet, why did he so easily believe the contents of that letter? Was it his desperate situation that led him to make such a blind choice?

That afternoon, as usual, letters were exchanged between the two camps through the only small hole in the castle wall where the magic circle did not work. Most of the contents contained sharp criticisms, threats, or ridicule of each other.

The main purpose of these letters was to provoke and taunt the other party to reveal their weaknesses.

Fortunately, the one in charge of delivering the letters today was a loyal soldier under the Lyuschino family. Malik inserted the letter containing Mathias’ message into the letter he was going to deliver.

And that night, Malik pretended to enter his tent and fall asleep, then snuck out before midnight.

Except for a few soldiers chatting around a bonfire, everyone was asleep and the surroundings were quiet.

Malik carefully avoided making even the sound of footsteps as he slipped out of the imperial army camp and headed towards a nearby village.

In the middle of the village, which had already been devastated and burned down by the imperial army, there was an old well.

He cautiously approached the well, keeping watch of his surroundings.

As he headed towards the well, Malik suddenly realized that his condition was strange. His body sensations were becoming numb and his thoughts were intermittently disconnected, as if he were floating in the air.

His reason sent out a danger signal, and he hesitated for a moment. However, now that he had come this far, he thought he should at least confirm the faces of Camilla or Mathias.

It was another foolish judgment, to say the least.

He threw three pebbles he had picked up in advance into the well while peering into its pitch-black darkness.

Tok. Tok. Tok.

Then, after a while, the sound of slowly climbing up the wall from inside the well was heard, and two pale pink eyes appeared.

“Malik. Where is Mathias?”

Camilla’s face was haggard, but her eyes were still sharp.

The moment Malik opened his mouth to answer her question, his vision swayed hazily and at the same time, he felt the pain of someone striking the back of his head.

Malik lost consciousness without much resistance.

When he opened his eyes again, it was three days later.

After the Kingdom of Vanua had fallen and Gillistin Castle had been burned down.