When people become too perplexed, it seems they forget what to say.

With her lips wide open, Rione stared blankly at Vercheria and Gruby.

In a situation where, if things went wrong, she could be falsely accused of being the murderer of the Empress and imprisoned in an underground dungeon, her lips still didn’t easily part.

Even though the voice didn’t come out, declaring that the child she abandoned at birth was the criminal.

The minimal conscience remaining within her didn’t allow her lips to open.

“I…”

At that moment, the nearby Imperial Guards rushed towards Rione.

Arresting the culprit who killed the Empress at the scene was their duty.

When they grabbed Rione’s arms from both sides, a bewildered Rione began to struggle.

Just then.

“What nonsense is this!”

Gerard’s voice echoed.

Suddenly intervening, the Imperial Guards surrounding the Empress quickly parted on both sides.

He, who had been absent-minded just a moment ago, was stumbling towards Vercheria.

“He killed her! I saw it!”

Gerard’s fingertip was pointing exactly somewhere between Gruby and Vercheria.

It was clear that it wasn’t Rione.

“What are you doing! Quickly arrest those things!”

As Gerard protested loudly, the Imperial Guards twitched.

They exchanged glances, pondering what to do.

The immediate situation was that Rione was claiming to be the murderer, but the Emperor suddenly ordered them to arrest Vercheria and Gruby. Unable to grasp the situation, they were at a loss.

“Do you all want to die for disobedience?”

As Gerard grabbed one of the Imperial Guard’s hair and shook it, they reluctantly approached Vercheria.

Vercheria was observing all of this with an expressionless face.

Kurung.

The full moon, which had been illuminating them instead of the collapsed portal, suddenly emitted a faint light covered by thick clouds.

A misty rain began to fall over the shoulders of the Imperial Guards.

At the moment they were about to capture Vercheria.

“That seems to be enough.”

Along with a low-pitched voice, long shadows stuck to the backs of the Imperial Guards.

It was Lachrahan and the Knights of the North.

Lachrahan walked through the mist and approached Gerard.

His appearance seemed exceptionally dignified, beyond reach.

His Knights were the same.

Some were wearing nightwear, or even not properly dressed, but their current atmosphere was one that even Imperial Guards dressed for conquest couldn’t dare to approach.

“I can’t stand seeing you making unreasonable demands anymore.”

Approaching Gerard, Lachrahan, without hesitation, brought a long sword to Gerard’s throat.

“What is this, nonsense!”
Gerard’s eyes, who had never experienced such humiliation, widened as if they were about to tear apart. In his congested eyes, a blood vessel burst, staining the whites with a reddish hue. Lachrahan looked down at Gerard, who had a sword against his neck, with indifferent eyes. The arrogant gaze made veins on Gerard’s neck bulge.

“Do you even know who I am? Doing such a thing! This is treason, you foolish Northern man!”

Despite Gerard’s loud voice, Lachrahan showed no particular reaction. After Gerard ranted for a moment, he spoke with an unwavering and slow voice.

“After all, hasn’t the war already begun?”

“…!”

“Aiming for the enemy leader’s throat in a war situation is the most basic of basics. Emperor Gerard.”

“This, you madman!”

“If you aimed, executing it immediately is the most natural development; you should know that without me telling you.”

With a sharp sound, Lachrahan, holding the sword, turned it aside, exposing the blade. As the cold blade touched Gerard’s throat more deeply, Gerard’s shoulders trembled.

Desperately raising both hands, Gerard said, “Wait, just a moment!” Gerard, who was breathing roughly, was relieved that the sword stopped, even if it was just for a moment. Then he looked up at Lachrahan with his pupils contracted.

“I have a wish before I die.”

As if telling him to speak, Lachrahan raised his chin. Suddenly, Gerard raised the corners of his mouth and laughed.

“I want to become a deity right now.”

Gerard pulled out the final card he had hidden. He spread both hands wide and raised them to the sky.

“O, deity! Please come to your senses and save me!”

In the Emperor’s actions, the surroundings fell eerily silent. Everyone was looking at Gerard as if some agreement had been made.

“…”

Still, as the deity did not come to his senses, Gerard shouted loudly again.

“O deity! Now!”

Amidst the silence so quiet that a pin could drop, a mocking sound, “Pfft,” was heard. Gerard, with congested eyes, looked around as if trying to find who had mocked him.

There was no need to find out who it was.

Vercheria stepped forward and looked at Gerard.

“Even seeing with your own eyes, you can’t believe it.”

Perhaps Gerard didn’t even realize he was denying reality.

“Emperor Gerard, you have failed.”

Gerard, with his thin lips trembling, shouted as if having a fit, “What are you saying? Have you gone mad?”