The procession of knights led by Parnes Escalo was now on the verge of entering the canyon, passing through the vast sequoia forest.

The forest was aglow with a crimson radiance, bathed in the light of the setting sun sinking into the western sky. The armor of the knights marching in formation gleamed blood-red.

Parnes, riding at the forefront, held the reins and glanced back briefly.

It was already the fourth day of their march. Since the group consisted mainly of elite imperial knights, they didn’t appear noticeably fatigued, but with a water source nearby, it seemed wise to take a break.

“Let’s rest for a while.”

At Parnes’s command, the knights responded in unison with a “Yes” and dismounted their horses.

The squires busily tied their masters’ horses to tree trunks, while others washed their faces and quenched their thirst at a nearby stream.

Parnes instructed a few knights to keep watch over the surroundings, then moved to a sunny spot.

He pulled something from his pocket—a small ring adorned with a beautifully deep blue lapis lazuli. It was prepared to confess his feelings and propose to Kasallin.

He had originally planned to give it to her before leaving the imperial palace. But when he faced her on the stairs, he hesitated without knowing why.

For some reason, it didn’t feel like the right time yet. He wanted to wait until the situation settled and he could see her smiling face.

Parnes gazed quietly at the ring, still unclaimed by its intended owner, resting in his palm.

It was at that moment. Snapping out of his thoughts, Parnes tucked the ring away and turned his head in a certain direction.

“Someone’s approaching.”

At Parnes’s words, the knights, who had been catching their breath, sprang to their feet and assumed a defensive stance.

As if by unspoken agreement, they held their breath and listened to the sounds around them. But all they could hear was the peaceful rustle of the wind and the chirping of birds.

Even Sir Antonio, renowned for his keen senses, looked puzzled, unable to discern who or where someone was approaching from.

“Is it a group?”

“No. Just one.”

Parnes calmly surveyed the forest, then fixed his gaze toward the western mountains in the distance.

“It’s coming from that direction. Felix, go check.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Felix, Sir Antonio’s adjutant, drew his sword in one hand and cautiously stepped toward the path.

Just then, from far in the distance, the sound of hooves pounding the ground grew closer, and the figure of a man in familiar armor came into view.

“What? Isn’t that Sir Nigel?”

A few knights with sharp eyesight recognized Nigel’s face and began to murmur.

Nigel, riding swiftly toward them, pulled out a silver identification badge from his waist and held it high for all to see.

The emblem symbolizing a knight of the Rnel Empire gleamed in the sunlight. Only then did the knights slowly relax their tense stances.

Nigel’s appearance was a mess. His greaves and gauntlets were splattered with mud, his face was drenched in sweat, and leaves and twigs clung to his hair.

His sturdy warhorse, evidently ridden hard, was snorting and breathing heavily.

“Why are you here when you should be at the Empress’s side?”

Ludwig, who had been resting under a tree trunk protected by the knights, approached his grandson as if he had seen something unpleasant.

Nigel, as if he had no time to explain to his grandfather, walked straight to the Emperor.

Parnes, his expression stern, spoke to Nigel.

“Is something wrong with the Empress?”

“No, Her Majesty the Empress is safe, so please don’t worry. I’ve come to urgently deliver a message from Her Majesty.”

Nigel, his throat parched, struggled to speak and kept swallowing dryly. Parnes signaled to a nearby knight with a glance.

After drinking some water, Nigel wiped the stream running down his chin and continued.

“Her Majesty the Empress says there’s a high chance that spies from the Khan Kingdom are lying in ambush somewhere in the canyon. Details like their numbers or location are unknown, but she advises avoiding the canyon and taking the northern plains instead. It will take longer, but the open view there ensures safety.”

The knights murmured upon hearing Nigel’s words. Parnes quietly furrowed his brow and raised a hand, silencing the surroundings.

“How does the Empress know this?”

“Someone sent a secret letter to Her Majesty. She suspects it came from the Queen of Khan, but she’s not certain.”

“The Queen of Khan?”

Ludwig, Sir Antonio, and others around them wore expressions of disbelief. Sir Antonio, in particular, shook his head vehemently.

“Your Majesty, it’s possible the Queen of Khan is deliberately sowing confusion with some scheme. Why would she betray her king to help us?”

“She probably thought the same. No, she likely doubted it more than anyone.”

Parnes spoke, his narrowed eyes gazing at the canyon faintly visible beyond the sequoia forest.

“But the fact that the Empress moved Nigel Ludwig to deliver this message to me means she calmly judged the Queen’s letter to be true.”

“You’re going to trust the Queen of Khan?”

“I’m not trusting the Queen. I’m trusting the Empress’s judgment.”

Parnes turned, as if further deliberation was a waste of time.

“Please take care of the palace while I’m gone.”

Kasallin’s gentle gaze met Loren Logia’s. Loren, assuring her trust, still had a tense expression.

Kasallin looked at her and let out a soft chuckle.

“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen. The aides in the Emperor’s palace are staying behind, and I’ve made preparations to handle any situation immediately. All you need to do is pray for the safety of His Majesty and the knights.”

“I understand. But I’ll pray a little more for Your Majesty the Empress. I mean…”

Loren trailed off, her voice trembling. Vincent, standing by the carriage, looked at her, puzzled by her tears.

“Don’t go to dangerous places, and stay somewhere safe. Please come back unharmed.”

“I promise.”

Kasallin firmly clasped Loren’s hand before boarding the carriage with Vincent’s help. A group of knights led by Vincent mounted their horses, surrounding the carriage protectively.

Vincent, seated across from Kasallin, tapped the coachman’s window twice to signal departure. The carriage wheels slowly rolled forward, leaving the palace behind.

Kasallin remained silent until the surroundings shifted to quiet suburban scenery, then quietly turned her gaze to Vincent.

“Honestly, I thought you’d block my way to the end. Why did you suddenly change your mind?”

“…I’m confident in my skills, and I’ll protect Your Majesty even at the cost of my life.”

Vincent paused in thoughtful silence before continuing, carefully choosing his words.

“So, with me by your side, Your Majesty will not come to harm. But the possibility of His Majesty the Emperor being injured by an unexpected trap from the Khan King is higher. That’s why I judged it better to accompany Your Majesty and assess the situation.”

“You’re a true knight. I want to learn that composure of yours.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I didn’t mean it as something to apologize for.”

The conversation paused. Vincent seemed to have something on his mind. Kasallin, reading his thoughts, spoke first.

“Yes, if His Majesty knew I left the palace, he’d be furious.”

Kasallin murmured as if to herself. Vincent hesitated, unsure if he should respond, then quietly nodded.

“But there’s one more reason I decided to go to where His Majesty is.”

Vincent’s gaze, previously lowered, fixed on Kasallin. His eyes held a mix of curiosity and doubt.

Kasallin looked out the window, her face showing complex emotions. Trees passed by, leaving green afterimages. Her fists, resting on her lap, silently tightened.

After days of marching, Parnes and the knights arrived without issue at their destination, the northwestern great plains.

Also known as the Red Plains, the northwestern great plains appeared drenched in blood at sunset, as the dry grass caught the glow of the twilight.

Standing in the grasslands, where the scent of blood seemed to linger, Parnes gazed at the Khan Kingdom’s camp, where small lights flickered.

The knightly orders of both nations had set up camps in the west and east, respectively, with a temporary tent for negotiations erected exactly in the middle.

Five hours had passed since the delegations of both nations entered the tent under heavy guard and surveillance. Sir Antonio approached Parnes, who had been silently awaiting the outcome, and knelt on one knee.

“Your Majesty, I report. The negotiation results…”

“They’ve collapsed.”

Before Sir Antonio could finish, Parnes muttered as if he had expected it. Antonio bowed his head silently, confirming.

Parnes’s grip tightened slightly on the hilt of his sword.

“I didn’t expect it to end with talks anyway. Neither did they. We need to set a date for battle. Prepare.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Sir Antonio hurriedly dashed off. Soon after, Ludwig approached Parnes.

“Your Majesty, it’s getting cold. Please come into the tent for now.”

“…”

“Your Majesty.”

Despite repeated calls, Ludwig sighed silently at his lord’s unresponsive back.

As dusk settled over the plains, Parnes had been standing in one spot for hours, staring at the enemy camp.

His darkened eyes seemed to eagerly await the moment to cut down “that man.”