Merche did not answer.

Therese’s question alone had strung together the scattered pieces to form a plausible picture.

Last night, it was Fondo who attacked Merche. The assassins sent by Fondo, and his successor Diego Fondo.

However, the assassination attempt failed, and Diego Fondo returned empty-handed without taking Merche’s life.

All other assassins, except for him, succumbed to snakes and poison.

Then what about the prince? What thoughts must have crossed Prince Magnus’s mind upon receiving such a futile result?

“He suffered harm for failing to offer my life as a sacrifice.”

Prince Magnus, who had become the new master of Werner Fondo, executed him for failing his assigned task.

As punishment for his failure. Because Fondo could not offer Merche as the promised sacrifice.

“…Did you know that Fondo was targeting you?”

“That night, I met Lord Diego. He told me directly that he had to take my life.”

Therese’s eyes widened as she swallowed a gasp.

It seemed she hadn’t anticipated that Merche would be fully aware of the entire situation.

Suddenly, a curiosity mingled with anxiety rose like flames within Merche. She hastily asked, with a hint of urgency:

“What of Lord Diego? Is he safe?”

“…Yes. The lord is safe. By now, he’s probably pledging allegiance to Prince Magnus. As the new head of the Fondo family.”

Therese appeared considerably displeased as she said this.

Her sharpened gaze burned fiercely, as if her eyes were tinged with a red glow.

“Lady Merche. I believe Prince Magnus should not become the next king.”

Therese knew Diego well.

Given the close cooperation between Aquila and Fondo, the heirs of both families often met and had many opportunities to converse.

Thus, even if not deeply, she could gauge what kind of person Diego Fondo was.

He was one who loved his family. He loved Fondo, his father who led the family, the sea of Fondo, and their divine beast.

Such a man had lost his father.

The one who caused his father’s death was a prince who had gained irresistible power, and knowing this prince to be his enemy, he was forced to bend his knee in submission.

“A king, the king who rules us… should not be like that.”

What was the first king, Iker, like?

King Iker did not threaten the six family heads by wielding his power as a weapon. There was no need for that.

Everyone recognized King Iker’s greatness, and although there might have been some resentment and frustration, they ultimately submitted themselves and pledged loyalty.

In that process, there was never, not even once, any bloodshed.

“My mother has sworn allegiance to Prince Magnus, but I have not. That is only my mother’s loyalty, not Aquila’s.”

Therese loves her mother and respects her as the family head. However, in this matter alone, she set aside that love and respect.

Although her mother still holds the position of Aquila’s head, it will not be long before Therese takes it.

Therefore, she cannot stand by and watch as Aquila’s honor and name fall.

“Lady Merche. I implore you. Please lend us your strength so that Aquila does not trample Sano. This is something only you can do.”

Therese pleaded.

It was a plea, a begging, made by setting aside all pride and high self-esteem as a noble and heir to a prestigious family.

Therese’s fervent gaze focused on one point.

Merche, who had been absorbing her words one by one, finally answered with a face devoid of hesitation.

“I will do so. I will help ensure that Aquila does not bear disgrace, and that Sano does not fall unjustly.”

“Ah! My goodness, Lady Merche. Really…, thank you so much.”

“There’s no need for thanks. I’ve merely decided to do what must be done.”

Along with the dry response, a drawn smile spread faintly across Merche’s neat lips.

“Considering your words, it seems we should hasten our journey. Might I borrow your family’s divine beast?”

“Umm…, actually, I secretly brought only one of my divine beasts when I came here. That one alone won’t be able to handle a large group.”

It would be an all-out attack from Aquila’s family knights and eagle corps.

Even for Merche, as she herself was aware of her incomplete control, an appropriate number of supporting troops would be absolutely necessary.

Looking troubled yet trying to maintain a noble posture, Therese once squeezed her damp, sweaty hands.

If it had been Karla, she would have already stomped her feet several times and then, not satisfied with just that, circled around.

For some reason, the contrasting image made Merche want to laugh out loud, but sadly, there was no time for that.

For the impatient Therese, Merche immediately offered a solution.

“For now, I’ll borrow your divine beast and go to Sano first. How about having the support troops join and help as soon as they arrive later?”

Ah, that would work! Therese, her face brightening, quickly agreed.

She was so delighted to have received a definite answer about the help that she failed to closely observe the expression of the person sitting across from her.

“……”

Merche blinked calmly to one side as Therese’s gaze shifted away.

Protecting Sano from Aquila’s attack. By choosing this, she would immediately find herself in direct conflict with Prince Magnus.

For whatever reason, Magnus desires the annihilation of Sano.

And if Merche intervenes to prevent this, she can no longer plead for mercy from him with promises to live quietly.

……But Sano. Her precious family was there. Christine, the child who had just regained her sight, was vigorously stretching her wings there.

If Sano falls, Christine there will also be in danger.

In the worst case, she could lose her life, swept up in Aquila’s attack.

To prevent such a tragedy, Merche had to protect Sano at all costs.

−No matter how I look at it, you seem to be the protagonist of the prophecy. What do you think?

−I want to kill you. I have the power to do so.

−Indeed. I wonder what you need to do for this murderous intent towards you to subside…

Magnus, unable to suppress his murderous intent towards her.

Magnus, who killed Werner Fondo for failing to kill her, even after he had sworn allegiance.

In fact, reflecting on his words and his actions so far, what he desires is clear.

Merche’s death.

As long as that goal is not achieved, Magnus will continue to threaten her. Not just her, but also those she cares about.

Then. If she has to stand in his way at least once, even if it’s to protect Christine.

Merche, having finished organizing her thoughts, smiled emptily.

I have no choice but to die.

After stopping Aquila’s attack, going to him to volunteer for death, and begging to save others in exchange for it. That is the only path left for me.

“Lady Merche. Thank you for so readily deciding to help. When I become the head of Aquila in the future, I will surely repay this debt.”

Not knowing what to say to Therese, who was expressing gratitude with an oblivious face, Merche simply offered a gentle smile.

Beneath the clear face smiling faintly in the name of courtesy, sadness and resignation seeped in as lightly as watered-down paint…

Therese could not read those dark emotions, resembling storm clouds, until the moment she rose from her seat.

“Rude.”

The man who had been lying carelessly on the couch as if asleep sprang up.

From the moment he heard the distant footsteps, any trace of drowsiness vanished as if it had never existed.

He was indeed similar to his divine beast, able to distinguish whether a sound belonged to his master or not just by hearing the slightest noise.

Rude narrowed his eyes slightly as he sat with his back against the plush cushion.

Merche, who had been approaching him steadily, reached right in front of him at that moment.

“Did that redhead bark insults at you?”

Rude asked before Merche could utter her first words.

Merche regretted for a moment. She should have checked her condition at least once before coming here.

She should have found a small hand mirror on the way to see what her face looked like, but she had been too focused on hurrying her steps to do so.

She wondered if she should compose her expression even now.

As she pondered, Rude’s gaze grew even sharper. He asked, now almost certain:

“Why, did she say she’d kill you too? Now that the Fondo bastard failed, are they calling in another lapdog to do you in? …Yeah, that’s just the kind of trick that prince would pull.”

How to catch and punish that damned weasel. Rude racked his brains over and over.

A weasel pretending to be king.

A creature that must be killed, constantly bothering his master with its undeserved greed plastered all over.

The sudden use of ‘weasel’ was because Rude had recently decided to refer to Magnus as a weasel.

It was just a few days ago. He realized that the face of the man who kept smiling at inappropriate times resembled a small animal he had seen before.

Rude, who originally formed mostly unpleasant relationships with both humans and beasts alike, had an unforgettable bad experience with weasels in particular.

In the past, when he was a slave in the arena, a weasel belonging to some young noble climbed over the iron bars and bit his arm while he was sleeping.

What happened next was predictable.

Rude, his rare moment of rest disturbed, lashed out in his typical manner, and the weasel, having misjudged its opponent, paid the price excessively.

Unfortunately, far too excessively.