A banquet should be joyous and boisterous, filled with noise and laughter.

The scene unfolding before Ilarid was exactly that. In the gradually heating atmosphere of the banquet, people had become quite amiable thanks to the appropriate amount of alcohol consumed.

The sharp resonance of string instruments became harmonious, repeatedly colliding with the chandelier on the ceiling and falling to the floor.

The sounds coming from all directions accumulated and descended upon Ilarid. She wanted to cover her ears and return to the Empress’s palace immediately.

Lebel had not arrived yet. Perhaps he intended not to attend at all. Maybe Cledius hadn’t even invited him.

Ilarid quietly closed her eyes and gently brought the glass she was holding to her lips. The glass had long since lost its chill.

Up ahead, Cledius and Selina could be seen, looking quite pleased. Despite this being a somewhat official banquet, he hadn’t even glanced at Ilarid since the start of the event.

“Tsk tsk, to show such blatant favoritism.”

“The Empress looks pitiful.”

“How unfortunate. The person is just like a statue. There’s not a single trace of warmth to be found. I noticed it since I was the Crown Princess.”

“She’s the daughter of Keira Rowen Melpiram, famous for her fierceness.”

Words from the people attending the banquet reached Ilarid’s ears.

Go ahead and chatter all you want. Ilarid’s eyes narrowed. She was not so weak as to be swayed by a few words from ignorant people.

Most of the attendees were high-ranking officers and their wives or family members.

The sight of them dancing in pairs, wearing neat uniforms, swirled and gathered in the center before dispersing again. The splendid atmosphere that the lowly could never be part of filled the banquet hall.

Cledius was patting Kailem’s shoulder beside him, wearing a satisfied expression. At every gathering of people, the words “bloodless conquest” popped up here and there.

But is a conquest without a single drop of blood possible? Even in this invasion, there were surely victims on the Empire’s side. Does it mean that the blood shed by a minority doesn’t matter?

The current tranquility was nothing more than a deferment of blood to be received in the future.

“By the way, it should be about time.”

“Your Majesty, surely not…”

“I deliberately invited today’s guest of honor a bit late. Is there a problem? As the one who played a major role in the war, I intend to congratulate and encourage him.”

Cledius continued speaking slowly as he emptied his glass. As soon as he finished his drink, one side of the banquet hall began to stir. Everyone’s gaze turned in that direction at once.

Hundreds of eyes moved towards a spot with a grayish-blue light. Ilarid, who had been sitting in the Empress’s chair, unconsciously rose and turned towards Lebel.

“You’re quite late. I thought you hadn’t been invited.”

As soon as she saw his face, all the tension melted away. If this hadn’t been a banquet hall, she might have grabbed his hand out of joy. Ilarid barely managed to calm her pounding heart.

“Did you come alone? The other members…”

“They’re enjoying themselves separately. It seems everyone finds this kind of gathering uncomfortable.”

“Finally, our most distinguished guest has arrived.”

Cledius approached where Ilarid and Lebel were facing each other. Selina beside him still had a wary look towards Lebel, but it didn’t affect Lebel in the slightest.

“Everyone, look here. This is the leader of the Rikas Mercenary Group, who single-handedly infiltrated enemy lines and captured the Grand Duke of Lerosen.”

Perhaps slightly drunk, Cledius casually draped his arm over Lebel’s shoulder. While it was a common gesture between close friends, it only exuded awkwardness. Lebel remained motionless, focusing his gaze on one spot.

Ilarid detected his subtle gaze. Ignoring the many people in the banquet hall, Lebel was looking only at her.

“Will you raise your glass? I’d like to propose a toast in your honor.”

“It’s an honor.”

Lebel’s voice was so dry that no trace of gratitude could be found.

Cledius slightly furrowed his brow at his bland attitude but didn’t add any further comment. The people gathered in the banquet hall chanted Lebel’s name and clinked their glasses, following Cledius’s lead.

Is there some ulterior motive? Ilarid glanced sideways at Cledius, who was sticking close. Has he gotten carried away by the atmosphere and become drunk? The reason for inviting him here certainly didn’t seem pure.

People in the banquet hall began to gather around Lebel one by one. It was closer to beasts rushing towards new prey rather than simple curiosity.

“This man didn’t behead the Grand Duke, did he? Lerosen, such an arrogant fellow. Whether it’s because he’s been handling money lately or because he’s been associating with those with strange ideologies. What confidence made him try to betray the Empire’s grace?”

“Indeed. We should have beheaded them immediately and hung their heads on the city walls.”

“Surprisingly, our mercenary here seems to dislike harming people. It doesn’t match the title of ‘Beast of the North’. Why not live up to your name? Or did you want to live like a decent person now that you’ve come to the Empire? Despite being a vulgar mercenary.”

One of the higher-ranking officers among them spewed out words recklessly. Despite being quite rude, no one restrained him. Here and there, blatant sneers towards Lebel could be heard.

In fact, the path that the Rikas Mercenary Group was walking was an unusual one. In the Western Continent, mercenaries were pitiful beings who couldn’t settle down and wandered here and there.

Those who would lick dust off a carpet if paid enough. Materialistic bastards who valued money more than human life. This was the widespread perception of mercenaries.

But they had found their humanity and acted accordingly. Even during the invasion of Rosen, they didn’t plunder civilians.

The sight of them struggling to become better humans when they were no different from street thugs.

Cledius was irritated by their attitude. He stood askew, glaring at Lebel. Even his height, which seemed oddly taller, slightly grated on Cledius’s nerves.

“There’s a reason I enjoy war. It’s quite livable when holding a sword and aiming a gun. Watching those who wriggle like minnows in a stream trying to survive is… quite enjoyable too.”

He pressed the empty glass against Lebel’s chest, tilting it as if aiming a gun. Though it didn’t even make him budge, let alone shake, Cledius didn’t care.

“You seem to value people’s lives quite a bit. Planning to save them up for some good use?”

“…I intend to save them for the future.”

A chilling voice laced with sarcasm was heard. Lebel slowly closed and opened his eyes, looking from the floor up. Then he carefully observed each of the figures surrounding him.

Everyone either covered their mouths and sneered or frowned and glanced at Lebel. Despite the vast difference in status, he was audacious.

As royalty and nobility, they should have shown generosity to this vulgar thing that didn’t know etiquette. Amidst the endless murmuring, Cledius once again sneered at Lebel.

“What’s wrong with being a bit vulgar and materialistic? Isn’t it fitting for your background?”

“Your Majesty.”

Finally, Ilarid stepped in. Had they decided to take turns hurting someone standing there? She was not only tired but even disgusted by their languid behavior.

“It’s each person’s life and the path they’ve walked. I believe it’s a great disrespect to Lebel to speak carelessly about it.”

“…The Empress is no fun, being so serious even at moments like this.”

“Oh my, Your Majesty. It’s all just a joke meant to be laughed at.”

The gathered people burst into laughter. There’s nothing as terrible as the mockery of a crowd.

From the moment one starts to belittle and despise the other, jokes lose their original meaning and turn into violence. Jokes mixed with laughter become knives and bullets, cruelly tearing a person from head to toe.

To them, Lebel was just an ant that could be despised and trampled without care.

In a situation where no words could come out due to the absurdity, Lebel’s low voice blocked out their laughter.

“Then, would Your Majesty, the exalted Emperor, grant one request from this vulgar mercenary?”

Lebel’s words were clearly heard, but they contained obvious mockery. Along with an arrogant look that seemed to say, let’s see if you can even do this.

How dare a mere mercenary try to confront the Emperor. Just how far can this lowly being climb? Cledius lifted his chin and spoke in a skewed posture.

“Speak.”

“Please grant me a title and territory.”

A short, thick silence descended upon the banquet hall. Why did even the sound of the string quartet stop abruptly at that moment?

Ilarid prepared to restrain the surrounding nobles and Cledius if necessary. Judging by their attitude, they might lash out with violence, calling him a lowly being who doesn’t know his place.

Whether aware of her urgent feelings or not, the music soon started again. At the same time, laughter erupted among the gathered people.

Among them, Cledius stood out prominently. He started laughing while noisily slapping Lebel’s shoulder. The forced laughter, bending his waist awkwardly, fell to the floor.

“Right. You should have such vulgar ambitions. It would be no fun if you came to the Imperial Palace without any thoughts.”

Lebel remained unshaken. It seemed that no matter what insults or injuries these people inflicted, he would never yield.

“If you achieve merits again, I’ll grant you the title of Margrave of the border.”

The surrounding laughter subsided, and a faint murmur arose. A title for a mercenary? It was radical, but not particularly surprising.

In some parts of the continent, noble status had already become something that could be traded for money. Honor was created in a moment of transaction and could disappear like dust.

Cledius raised his head and looked straight at Lebel. Blue and red eyes met in mid-air.

“Tell your subordinates as well. We’re extending the contract with the Rikas Mercenary Group.”

It was the posture of a generous philanthropist bestowing charity. Lebel didn’t seem greatly moved, as if he had expected it.

Contract extension. Ilarid, standing beside him, clasped her hands holding the glass to stop them from trembling. It was what she had wished for, but an inexplicable uneasiness washed over her.

Lebel, the person in question, immediately knelt on one knee and expressed his gratitude to Cledius.

“I express my infinite gratitude for Your Majesty’s endless grace.”

He was one who knew how to prostrate himself properly when needed. The corners of Cledius’s mouth showed the satisfaction of a hunter who had just caught his prey.

Knowing his place and crawling around on his own, he seemed like quite a loyal dog.

However, Cledius failed to see Lebel’s eyes as he stood up.

The sharp gaze under his long eyelashes looked as if he might pull out a dagger and aim for his solar plexus at any moment.

When Lebel rose, the gathered nobles were already scattered. The main topic had already shifted elsewhere. People moved busily as if they didn’t even remember a person named Lebel.

Only one person remained by his side.

“Lebel…”

Ilarid’s body was trembling slightly. She couldn’t bring herself to look up at Lebel.

Bringing him to the palace was a mistake. She had brought in a complete stranger, someone unrelated to her revenge, and made him suffer insults and injuries.

The difference in status didn’t matter. No person should be able to disgrace another. Whether born on the street or in a warm mansion, everyone was human living under the same sky.

“I’m, I’m sorry.”

Even the words of apology couldn’t come out properly. She stood still like a statue, covering her mouth with one hand.

If she had known this situation would occur, would she have stopped him from coming? No, she would have prevented him from entering the Imperial Palace. She could think of other ways for revenge. She should get him out of here first…

“…Your Majesty.”

The surrounding noisy clamor seemed to wash away, becoming quiet. It was still loud, but hearing Lebel’s low voice immediately put her at ease in a strangely comforting way.

The glass in Ilarid’s other hand was nowhere to be seen. Had someone taken it away? Startled, Ilarid quickly came to her senses and lifted her head.

Lebel had already approached right in front of her, making eye contact. As always, his kind eyes were shining brightly.

And from Lebel’s mouth came unexpected words.

“Shall we leave together?”