In a dimly lit room, two men sat across a small, long table.

“Do you have anything to say?”

Duke Lerosen sighed as he spoke, tied to a chair. It was a sudden night raid, and the untrained militia had no choice but to be helplessly defeated by the mercenary group. The fact that there were almost no casualties was the only consolation.

The faint lamp on the table was the only source of light. The light was burning its last fuel, casting deep shadows across Lebel’s face.

Lebel, who had been maintaining silence in front of the Duke, finally spoke.

“I have no intention of attacking Rosen.”

It was an unexpected statement. It couldn’t be Cledius’s will, so was it a personal belief? But he had never heard of beliefs that surpassed orders. There was no way a life-risking insubordination could exist.

“However, if I follow the Emperor’s orders as they are… it won’t pass quietly like last time.”

The Emperor had ordered the immediate execution of the rebellion’s leader and the transport of the entire merchant group that supported the rebels to the capital.

Lanford Merchant Group. A fairly well-known merchant group actively trading centered around Rosen. A group leader who dedicated his entire fortune for Rosen’s independence rather than profit and loss calculations.

It was incomparable to some nobles of the Empire who readily sold off their own country and only cared for their own prestige.

Lebel recalled the captured militia. They all shouted the same thing.

‘I am the leader, it’s me!’

‘What are you saying, this person only helped at the very end. If you just take my head, it’s all over!’

Everyone claimed they were the first to lead the rebellion. This included Duke Lerosen. He looked straight into Lebel’s eyes and said.

‘I am the one in charge of this affair. His Majesty the Emperor must have ordered to behead the leader. The walls of the mansion are clean, so that’s good. Hang it so it can be seen properly from afar.’

Can someone facing death be this composed? Lebel silently seated him back at the table.

“Won’t my death alone suffice?”

The Duke’s tone showed no resignation. Rather, it was dignified and calm, as if he had prepared for what was to come. Hearing his words, Lebel quietly shook his head.

“This time too, you will follow the Emperor’s orders ‘as they are.'”

“What power does a mercenary have who lives off the money of high-ranking people? However…”

The trailing words gradually faded. But not his eyes. The straightforward and solemn gazes of the two men clashed once over the table.

“I intend to help Rosen.”

“What? Why on earth…”

Duke Lerosen blinked with a bewildered expression. Does this mean he won’t follow orders? But how can a mere mercenary refuse the Emperor’s command?

“I don’t understand. It’s an order from your lord who you’ve contracted with, not someone else. It would be beneficial for your well-being to carry it out.”

“I have a separate lord, so there’s no problem.”

Lebel flatly rejected. The contract with Cledius was nominal. He naturally flowed into the imperial palace as per Ilarid’s hidden wish and finally faced her, whom he had only dreamed of.

To Lebel, his only lord was Ilarid.

Suspicion flashed across the Duke’s face. Is this man thinking of betraying the lord he serves?

“…The fact that you didn’t cut me down alone could cause you trouble.”

“I’m not fighting an army right now. Most are militias who haven’t even received proper military training, and I haven’t sold my conscience enough to commit one-sided slaughter against them.”

“That’s not an appropriate thing to hear from a mercenary’s mouth.”

Duke Lerosen clicked his tongue lightly. Lebel seemed to have no intention of following Cledius’s orders from the beginning.

What purpose does this person have in trying to save those who have rebelled against the Empire and help Rosen?

He was well aware of the rumors about Lebel. From the northern region, belonging to the Likas Mercenary Group. Stories of him ruthlessly sweeping through battlefields grew like weeds in a field.

It was even doubtful whether the person in front of the Duke now was the same as the source of those rumors. Perhaps those who were thoroughly defeated by Lebel exaggerated non-existent events?

It could also be the work of worthless individuals trying to tarnish his reputation and cause problems with contracts. The Duke continued to press on one point that had been bothering him.

“…Is there something else you want?”

Otherwise, there was no way to explain why he was keeping them alive like this. Lebel, as if he had been waiting, smiled faintly and pushed a piece of paper across the table.

Duke Lerosen’s face gradually hardened as he checked the paper.

“As the ashen hawk flaps its wings in the dying flames…”

Unfamiliar words came from Lebel’s mouth. It was the phrase used by members of the Ashen Hawk to identify each other. The Duke recited the following sentence with trembling eyes.

“…Raise your head, light the fire, and soar towards the world.”

“I understand that what the Ashen Hawk pursues aligns with what Your Excellency desires.”

Rosen’s independence was only possible with Cledius’s permission.

But as long as he was alive, he would never allow such a thing. Even if someone else were to succeed to the throne later, would they readily let Rosen become independent? If so, all the surrounding small countries would rise up demanding independence as well.

It was one of two things. Either Cledius dies, or the Empire is completely overturned. Perhaps Duke Lerosen also secretly hoped for Cledius’s downfall.

Now, the Ashen Hawk had the goal of driving out Cledius and the corrupt nobles.

And it aligned with what Ilarid wanted. Everyone moved in unseen places for Cledius’s death and ruin. Lebel had to prepare for Ilarid to be able to join the Ashen Hawk at any time.

If he could recruit Duke Lerosen, things would become much easier. From Lebel’s standpoint, it was too valuable a card to let the Duke die just like that.

He was someone who could handle commercial and fishing unions and had connections with the Eastern Continent. He might become an important key to help Ilarid in the future.

“Will you help us?”

“In return, promise me one thing. Guarantee the safety of those being transported to the capital.”

“I will ensure they don’t suffer severe hardships at least in the capital.”

“It sounds like you’re saying you won’t send them to Tamiel, is that right?”

“Yes.”

“Can you prevent it? Those transported will be sent straight to the prison tower.”

Even in Rosen, there was no one who didn’t know about Tamiel’s evil deeds. Although all those being taken away had prepared for death, they would be gripped by fear from the moment they faced Tamiel. The Duke wanted to prevent the members of the Lanford Merchant Group from suffering at Tamiel’s hands.

Sensing his concern, Lebel spoke first.

“We will take care of Tamiel on our side.”

Is it time now? Lebel quietly clenched his fist. He couldn’t touch him carelessly, but he had been planning to deal with Tamiel alone someday if necessary.

He was the one who had tortured Limless brutally. For years, he had been determined to pay him back in exactly the same way.

‘It’s rather fortunate.’

Strangely, dizziness overwhelmed him and his vision swayed unsteadily. Was it due to the fatigue accumulated over several days? Lebel closed his eyes tightly and opened them again to suppress the throbbing in his head.

“I didn’t expect to join hands with a mercenary… but I look forward to working with you. My appearance makes a handshake impossible though.”

The Duke shrugged his shoulders while still tied to the chair. Lebel stood up, steadying his swaying vision. Then he took out a dagger from his breast and cut the ropes binding the Duke.

“I look forward to working with you as well.”

Lebel extended his hand first. The Duke accepted his handshake without hesitation.

Duke Lerosen. A person who would become a strength for Ilarid when striking Cledius later. All his actions were ultimately directed towards Ilarid.

There was a mountain of tasks to handle. Starting with returning to the capital immediately, to resolving issues related to Tamiel.

“Captain! Did the talk go well?”

“…Yes.”

As he came out after negotiating with the Duke, Lailo and other members gathered around Lebel.

“We will transport the leader of this incident and those who assisted to the capital. And one more thing…”

Lebel, who was speaking, lost his balance and staggered. Surprised by the unexpected situation, the members fumbled to support him.

“Captain!”

“…I’m fine. There’s one more important message left. Luth, come here.”

Lebel barely managed to steady himself with the support of the members. He had felt something wrong with his body for a while, but he hadn’t expected it to worsen to this extent. Then there was no choice but to use the trump card. He forced a smile towards Luth, the youngest member.

Contrary to his expression, Luth approached Lebel with a stern face.

Soon, Lebel lowered his voice and whispered something to Luth. It was such a small voice that even those gathered around couldn’t hear properly. When the captain finished speaking, Luth bit his lip hard and looked at Lebel.

“…Understood.”

“Lailo.”

“Yes, Captain.”

“If anything happens to me… you’re the temporary captain. You know that, right?”

“Why are you suddenly saying such ominous things!”

The following words didn’t continue. Lebel’s body slowly collapsed downwards. Confusion erupted among the gathered members for a moment.

The last sound Lebel heard was the urgent voices of members looking for a doctor. He tried to put strength in his legs, repeating to himself that he shouldn’t lose consciousness yet.

‘…Ilarid.’

Is this really the end? If so, he should have kept her in his eyes longer, more, on the balcony.

Should he have grabbed the one shining brilliantly before his eyes and confessed? That the child you saved finally survived and came here. He should have at least said that.

Before losing consciousness, he wanted to utter Ilarid’s name at least once. But no sound came from him.

A few days later, most of the Empire’s newspapers carried articles about suppressing the rebellion in Rosen. There was also Cledius’s stern speech about severely punishing the traitors, including Duke Lerosen.

And the news of the injury of Lebel, the mercenary captain who was in charge of suppression, was dealt with in one line.

**

Why do only ominous predictions always come true?

Ilarid slowly rose after hearing the bad news brought by Lynette. She needed to call Letitia to check on Lebel’s condition, but strangely, even moving her body was exhausting.

“Lynette, call Letitia right now and… send her to Lebel. No, where is he now? Is he in the hospital? Which hospital…”

“Your Majesty the Empress, please calm down first. Composing yourself is the priority.”

Lynette held Ilarid’s hand. She was visibly trembling.

It was the first time seeing her like this since hearing the news that the Melpiram family was under investigation for treason charges. Lynette continued speaking as calmly as possible.

“According to the doctor, Captain Lebel is currently showing symptoms of high fever. It doesn’t seem to be for a simple reason, and they suspect an endemic disease from the Rosen region.”

“…I’m scared.”

“Pardon?”

“Lynette. Perhaps I’m being punished?”

Ilarid began to spill out words she had only buried inside.

She embraced Lynette’s shoulders to support her collapsing body and buried her head. Lynette, startled, patted Ilarid’s back.

“Your Majesty…”

“I tried to use Lebel to strike at Cledius. I thought… if I could make him completely my ally, I could use him. I was arrogant. Why did I do that? I shouldn’t treat people as tools, why…”

The guilt that had been swimming at the very bottom rose up through the cracks of despair. The words about trying to use him were a lie.

From the moment she first faced Lebel, Ilarid had unknowingly taken him into her heart beyond imagination.

She wished he was safe.

She wished he would stand up impressively and look at her warmly as usual.

She wanted to hear Lebel’s low voice reciting, “Your Majesty the Empress.” She feared that his kind words and actions that comforted her might gradually disappear.

It wasn’t because she needed Lebel. Now, it was okay even if he just remained by her side.

Ilarid’s arms holding Lynette gradually tightened. Although she had vowed never to cry again, the tears once shed remembered their path and flowed easily.