“Magic is light.

At times, it was darkness, but fundamentally, it was light. No matter how corrupt a wizard might be, they dealt with light.

A light melody filled the banquet hall, and Ru, now accustomed to the steps, gazed at the sparkling lights.

“Do you like the chandelier?”

Melphias asked Ru as if talking to a child. Considering his age, it was natural for Ru to be treated like a child.

“Yes, it’s quite sparkling.”

“It’s a very old item. People here will boast that it’s a national treasure. It has remained untouched for 430 years because no one has visited this place.”

I see. Ru turned around and examined the banquet hall, which retained a sense of charm due to its age.

“Your Majesty was kidnapped 430 years ago?”

“That’s right. At that time, I was a distant heir with a great distance from the throne.”

“It doesn’t suit you at all.”

Hayden seemed like a person born to ascend to the throne just by standing still. He still overwhelmed the audience and was simmering the Svenya Marquis, who looked even older than him.

“The boy considered himself fortunate to be a distant heir. Seeing the Emperor suffer so much and manage people was burdensome. He didn’t like it. Being a distant heir was a position with plenty of wealth, and as long as he received some admiration, he could live as a ‘patron of the arts,’ as the saying goes.”

He laughed as if finding it amusing.

“He knew the responsibilities and struggles of those in power since he was young. He was peculiar, occasionally attaching strange titles to himself, which annoyed me greatly.”

It was quite interesting to hear about Hayden’s childhood, which Ru knew nothing about.

“Anyway, I should have recognized it at that time…”

As Ru’s eyes turned upward, Dragon Lord’s words were abruptly cut off. The twinkling mass of light began to gather slowly above people’s heads. As they gathered in groups of threes and fives, they elongated, and when Ru saw it, the Dragon Lord’s hand was released.

“What’s that?”

People who were casually looking up wondered. It wasn’t lighting, so what was that light?

Ru felt that the elongated light resembled an arrow. No, it was undoubtedly an arrow. Then, where was the point the arrows were aiming at?

As if pulling a bowstring long, numerous arrows of light extended their bodies further. Without further observation, Ru ran towards the point where the arrows were flying.

“Aaah!”

Someone screamed. The hundreds of arrows made of light flew toward the throne, and at that moment, Hayden saw a pearl hair ornament fluttering in front of him.

A woman with her arms outstretched fully, yet unable to cover him, stood in front of him. The lights were rushing toward her.
Soon, they would reach. Ru closed her eyes, striving not to avoid it, and intricately wove the already unfolded defensive magic even more tightly. The thin heels of her shoes twisted uncomfortably due to the inconvenient attire for guarding the emperor. Splatter, blood overflowed from her mouth.

“I’m going to fall backward.”

Even if she fell, she had to fall completely, covering Hayden completely.

In less than a second, Ru finished her judgment and, swaying, looked ahead. Even if the back of her head were to break, she had to prevent it. Those surging lights were undoubtedly aimed at Hayden.

It wasn’t ordinary power. If hit, one would undoubtedly die. Ru could already feel the power contained in the light. It was very ancient magic and incredibly sophisticated. Anyway, in the short time she had, that was all she had figured out.

“Hayden, seriously, they’re underestimating you in the East!”

Even if he was a young emperor who was almost immature and looked blue, wasn’t there anyone willing to fight for him? Ru spread out her defensive shield and fell backward.

She continued to gaze forward until the end. Her breath was shallow, and her chest rose and fell. The fingertips of her outstretched hand trembled. The arrows of light were attached to the shielded fingertips.

People who belatedly grasped the situation stepped back in shock or hesitated. The densely lined arrows were all directed at Hayden, whom Ru was protecting, and they stopped without piercing the defense shield.

It seemed as if time had stopped.

“Everyone, remain silent.”

The voice of the dignified Dragon Lord organized the situation. He kept the nobles who were either screaming or trying to run in their places.

Imperialle quickly began blocking the entrance. Only then did Ru realize that she was breathing heavily, and her feet were hovering in the air.

“What do you want to do?”

Hayden’s voice sounded much closer than she had expected. Unconsciously, she tried to look at him, but he grabbed Ru’s wrist and blocked her.

“You should look ahead, Knight.”

“Your Majesty, are you okay?”

“If you’re talking about my physical condition, I’m perfectly fine. But my mood isn’t.”

A strong arm was around Ru’s waist. That was why she hadn’t fallen. A few Imperialle who had drawn their swords approached, confronting the arrows of light together with her.

“Shall we leave it like this?”