Cledius flipped through the documents brought by Viscount Diobe with an indifferent expression.

“This is the foundation we established recently in collaboration with like-minded nobles. We named it ‘Gloria’ to commemorate the infinite glory of His Majesty the Emperor and the prosperity of the empire.”

How is it? The viscount anxiously awaited the result of his work, carefully observing the emperor’s reaction.

After Selina ascended to the position of empress, nobles who held positions came to Viscount Diobe one after another like candy.

After offering their congratulations, they hesitated for a while before saying they wanted to entrust him with the role of chief executive of the newly created foundation.

Thus, the ‘Gloria Foundation’ was born, sponsored by the imperial family and nobility. The process flowed smoothly, including the emperor’s signature on the verified documents.

“We plan to create welfare facilities for the poor. We’ll start with orphanages and nursing homes, and we’re also considering support for artists.”

Viscount Diobe quickly added, moistening his lips.

It looked plausible on the surface. By putting forward the pretext of helping the poor, newly wealthy individuals interested in charity would readily open their wallets.

However, the viscount and the nobles had a different agenda. They planned to secretly divert funds allocated to the foundation.

The emperor would probably turn a blind eye even if he knew. After all, weren’t the nobles the greatest force supporting the emperor? Viscount Diobe barely suppressed a smile as he imagined his soon-to-increase wealth.

And it was a ‘welfare foundation’ of sorts. It was also suitable for suppressing bad rumors about Selina circulating among the people. It would be excellent for erasing the negative image by putting forward his well-packaged second daughter.

‘Yes. The empress doesn’t hold charity events like bazaars for nothing.’

The public tended to believe the image they saw on the surface. That made them easy to manipulate. Even the empress wouldn’t act solely out of pure goodwill.

With the support of the imperial family behind him, Viscount Diobe felt like he could fly at any moment. Filled with satisfaction, he left the office, and the still grim-faced mercenary captain was waiting in the same position.

Unlike their encounter in the corridor, Lebel surprisingly bowed his head in greeting. Viscount Diobe laughed incredulously and waved his hand dismissively. It was so perfunctory that it looked like he was brushing off lint from his clothes.

Lebel, without even glancing at the retreating Viscount Diobe, requested an audience with the emperor from the attendant.

“Ah, come in.”

In the office, not only Cledius but also the captain of the imperial guard, Kailem, was present. Cledius briefly turned to look at Kailem standing behind him.

“You’re probably already acquainted. The captain of the imperial guard himself went to meet you.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Kailem looked down at the pitch-black man kneeling before the emperor with his head bowed. His attitude was markedly different from before.

When they first met at the inn, Kailem had worried that he might not be docile and might even refuse orders, but it seemed those concerns were unfounded. Kailem’s expression was noticeably softer than before.

“You may rise. You must have come with some business, and as you can see, I’m busy.”

Cledius crossed one leg and sneered at Lebel. Lebel slowly rose to his feet. Watching this, the emperor smiled like a snake while maintaining his crooked posture.

“I have come with a request for Your Majesty.”

“What, are you in a hurry to make achievements?”

He became so obedient and knelt down when promised a title. Despite acting so virtuous and noble, he was just as honest about his desires as anyone else.

“I wish to recruit more members for the mercenary group.”

“The current number should be sufficient.”

Cledius indirectly expressed his refusal.

It was troublesome in many ways. If he granted one thing to the mercenary group, they would likely demand others as a matter of course. It was obvious that issues would grow, from minor matters like accommodation to contract money, becoming a headache.

‘More than that… I wonder if there are people who want to join?’

Kailem, standing behind, read the emperor’s discomfort. Although they were mercenaries contracted with the imperial family, once the term expired, no one could guarantee what would happen afterward. Who knows if they might fall back into a wandering life again?

A blue light flashed once through the hair covering Lebel’s forehead. Cledius didn’t miss that moment.

“You seem to have something to say. Speak.”

“If I may dare to guess, Your Majesty must be looking at the vast northern part of the western continent.”

It was accurate. Cledius’s eyebrow twitched as he was hit right on the mark, but he quickly regained his composure.

“Among the mercenaries currently active in the northern region, there are many who are proficient in information, including geography. I will select them and have them receive separate training.”

“Isn’t the current mercenary group sufficient?”

“It’s not enough.”

“Lebel. You are making excuses now.”

Cledius glared at Lebel with a hardened expression. The sharp gazes of these formidable individuals clashed in mid-air.

“I know that you have contracted and interacted with countries located near the northern region. That’s also why I took notice of the Rikas mercenary group. I naturally expected you to have ample experience.”

It was true. But Lebel didn’t back down and quietly waited for Cledius’s next words.

“It would be faster to train the existing members. And if the budget increases any more, it will be difficult for the imperial family.”

“The majority of the current members, except for the advance team, mainly use heavy weapons. The advance team, including myself, excels in mobility and disrupting enemy lines, but the rest do not.”

“So?”

“I want to separately train members who can quickly infiltrate enemy lines.”

Was he planning to form some kind of special forces? It sounded quite plausible just by hearing it.

But Cledius hadn’t completely removed his suspicious gaze yet. To erase the last remnants of distrust, Lebel pulled out another of his cards.

“Your Majesty. If I may be so bold, could I spread out a map?”

**

Even though quite some time had passed since sunset, the emperor sat in his office, having dismissed everyone except Kailem.

After Lebel’s visit, Cledius had remained quiet. Lost in thought, he continued to stare at the map Lebel had laid out, with his arms crossed.

“Kailem Western.”

Finally, Cledius spoke in the dimly lit office. As if anticipating that he would speak around this time, Kailem slightly bowed his head towards the emperor.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“What do you think?”

Despite the lack of a subject, Kailem Western immediately understood what the emperor was talking about.

“It’s not unreasonable.”

Kailem glanced at the small X marks on the map.

The strategies that came from Lebel’s fingertips and mouth were more specific than expected and had a certain degree of feasibility.

And when Cledius’s permission was granted, Lebel immediately knelt on one knee and bowed his head. It was an attitude that dispelled any last hesitation Cledius might have had.

‘I pledge my utmost loyalty to Your Majesty.’

What would the look in his eyes, hidden by his bangs, have been like? Kailem blamed his own slow observation for not having checked.

People like Lebel tended to have a different look in their eyes in the moment they bowed their heads and stood up. Would he also throw away his pride for the next move?

“I’m concerned that he might have other intentions.”

“Didn’t that stiff man kneel down and swear loyalty?”

Cledius recalled Lebel’s attitude at the recent banquet. How he immediately became docile after being promised a title and territory. Handling him seemed easier than expected.

But Kailem had to forcibly suppress the instinctive unease rising within him. Loyalty existed only in words. People were beings who could easily swear false loyalty and kneel if it meant survival.

“To get what you want, you have to show that much sincerity.”

Cledius let out a deflated laugh as he rose from his chair.

The emperor’s pride was high, and he did not bow or kneel to anyone carelessly. For Cledius, lowering one’s posture meant death.

“People don’t lower themselves so easily.”

When Cledius looked to the side, Kailem’s face was still hardened with worry. Noticing his furrowed expression, Cledius deliberately patted the captain of the imperial guard on the shoulder.

“Don’t worry. It’s no good for the captain of the imperial guard, who protects and serves the emperor most closely, to be so chicken-hearted.”

“But…”

“It’s about time we deploy ‘that’.”

Kailem felt the emperor’s red aura flashing in front of him. He could guess everything Cledius wanted and was planning.

“I will proceed without any hitches.”

It had to be carried out as naturally as possible. Living normally, then gradually weakening and leading to death. Such things were Cledius’s specialty.

In any case, the existence of mercenaries was like disposable items to Cledius. Like pawns that wouldn’t be greatly missed if lost.

‘This one we’ve just gotten our hands on is a bit of a shame to use up right away, but…’

So he planned to use him as much as possible until the end. Only Cledius could smile calmly while imagining that someone’s future was shrouded in death.

**

“Captain, are you really going to put an ad in the newspaper?”

“Yes.”

“Will people really come because of that…?”

They will definitely come. Lebel was certain. Large newspaper companies would put appropriate box ads in their advertising sections if paid. He sealed the envelope containing the mercenary group recruitment text he had written last night.

“Oh, you wrote a letter to Lady Turgel too.”

“It’s a greeting. I should let her know if I’m alive or dead.”

It was a very Lebel-like thing to say. But there was more than just news of life or death in the envelope.

When Turgel opens the envelope, she will immediately move for the flight of the ‘Gray Hawk’.

[Combat-capable personnel should apply after seeing the imperial mercenary group recruitment ad that will be published on day X.]

And one more condition was added. Everyone should pretend not to know each other when they gather. It wouldn’t be good to carelessly mention ‘Gray Hawk’ out loud.

Lebel planned to quietly bring the members of ‘Gray Hawk’ into the imperial palace.

‘The first flight will be the imperial palace.’

As he was thinking about whether he should go out to mail the letter, the outside scenery caught his eye.

It was a clear day, although there were many clouds. On a day like this, it would be perfect to take a peaceful walk among the trees.

‘No, it’s going to rain soon.’

Animals were always one step ahead of humans. Lebel carefully observed the low-flying birds.

While he was changing into his outdoor clothes, Lailo came limping over and greeted him.

“Captain, are you going out? Oh, my aching bones… It’s sure to rain today. Judging by how my leg wound is throbbing, there’s bound to be a downpour, so just send one of the others.”

“I have to do it myself. I have one more place to stop by anyway.”

“Take an umbrella, an umbrella. Or at least a raincoat.”

A moment later, when Lailo returned, he found that both the umbrella and raincoat were gone. Who could have followed the captain out? He just scratched his head, not thinking much more about it.

**

The sound of rain hitting the window grew stronger. Just a moment ago, the blue sky was visible with sunlight, and it seemed like the weather would be good all day, but that was a mistake.

Ilarid blankly looked up at the sky outside the window. The hazy sky and pouring water. Would it be a passing shower, or would it be rain that would continue for days?

“Ah.”

For some reason, Ilarid suddenly stood up. This startled Lynette, who was selecting embroidery thread next to her.

“Your Majesty, what’s wrong all of a sudden?”

“The toy.”

She had forgotten the most important thing. Ilarid’s face turned pale.

Her child’s birthday was immediately followed by the anniversary of their death.

A grace period of only 3 days. Because the period between the birthday and the death anniversary was short, Ilarid placed the child’s gift on their birthday and took it back to burn on the death anniversary.

Thinking that it would reach the child’s hands as smoke rising up.

How could she forget the death anniversary? Despite Lynette’s attempts to stop her, Ilarid rushed out with a pale face.