My instincts were speaking. Something was definitely off.

A teacher trying to force someone to drop out of a well-functioning academy.

The identity of the ‘bigger waters.’

And…

“I smell something suspicious.”

I sniffed, wrinkling my nose.

Certainly, there was a foul smell behind. It also smelled like the disappearance of long-standing peace.

At the same time, in the Crown Prince’s palace.

“Did it move properly?”

“Yes, it moved properly…”

Prince Baal chewed on his lips, even biting his nails until they turned blue, then nervously shouted.

“Find something worthy of a ball.”

“Well, the budget allocated to the Crown Prince’s palace is decreasing every year…”

Baal grabbed the aide’s neck with trembling hands. It was after several futile attempts. Without caring about the sounds of the aide choking, he grumbled sourly.

“Sebastian Duke is receiving Father’s favor. We’re being pushed back, and he’s saying that.”

The Emperor might not have given his sons much favor to call them the king’s chess pieces.

However, as the budget entering the Crown Prince’s palace decreased, Sebastian Duke, who owned no mansions in the capital, was dazzlingly rising.

In the past five years, Sebastian Duke, who made a deal with Mirmode and eventually gained a piece of the Emperor’s trust, was now flaunting his wealth and building political connections.

Compared to that, he had nothing. Since the incident with Mirmode’s young daughter regarding the ‘Kin Inspection’…

“That bastard like a leech, that son of a bitch X, is taking my place… Is that all you know how to say?”

The aide didn’t make a single sound, shaking all over. With a merciless expression, Baal, holding his neck firmly, said.

“You don’t have to come out from tomorrow. There’s no need for waste in the position of my aide.”

Unfortunately, this aide only lasted one day as the prince’s anger management tool.

Dozens of limbs were cut off every day just to serve as Baal’s outlet for anger.

He didn’t care about the sounds of the aide choking. Baal, with a cold gaze, looked at the aide, who was once a high-ranking official but was now crawling with his limbs entangled, and spoke.

“I need Melodia’s tactics.”

Melodia’s tactics fascinated the Crown Prince, Baal, at once.

That was understandable. While Melodia kicked Sebastian Duke out of the capital and strengthened the position of the Crown Prince, she had also charmed Baal during their love affair.

During the time he was dating her, Baal was doing well, dazzlingly rising in the Emperor’s eyes.

Until the incident with the ‘Kin Inspection’ occurred.
“I still believe in you, Melodia. But where are you now?”

Unfortunately, Melodia had already cut off contact with him after leaving for the ‘Path of Light.’

He had given up the hope of receiving a letter from her. Despite facing pressure from all sides to get married, he was still preserving his innocence toward Melodia.

“Melodia, when you come back, you’ll give me the power of the temple. In my eyes, insignificant and foolish noble ladies won’t matter.”

He had expectations that when she returned, he could easily crush figures like Sebastian Duke, who looked down on Mirmode.

But she didn’t return, and a whopping five years passed.

He clenched his fist, applying so much force that blood dripped from his fingertips.

And…

As if in a fantasy, a small and beautiful blue bird appeared at the window he had been glaring at.

He blinked his eyes as if in doubt, then looked back at the window.

It wasn’t an illusion.

Clearly, a small blue bird with exquisite feathers was perched at the window, knocking with its beak.

A bird with such blue feathers, which he had never seen in the past five years…!

“Melodia!”

The blue bird was the messenger of Melodia, who used to send him letters during the time they were deeply in love.

Even the apricot-colored beak and the slightly bent feathers were the same as back then.

Feeling deeply moved, he forcefully opened the window and caught the bird’s wing.

Attached to the bird’s beak was a note that clearly came from Melodia. He released the bird onto the floor and took out the note.

The contents of the note were surprisingly what he had been expecting.

I’ll be back soon. Just wait a little. Oh, and… through the priestesses, I’m gathering children. It seems the Hwangnip Academy has been contaminated by Mirmode.

So, I want to gather only wonderful children separately and do something good.

It’s overwhelming for us alone, so please help a little with gathering the children.

Oh, dear Baal!

I’m preparing something wonderful. I want to see you soon. I hope you are doing well.

P.S. I’ll be back in a few months, and within that time, would you gather many wonderful children?

If that happens, Baal, the day you defeat Sebastian won’t be far off.]

The prince who read the note flashed a triumphant smile.

“Of course, Melodia.”

He delicately folded the note in his hands.

“What’s the big deal? You and I will become the emperor and empress.”

The Crown Prince, Baal, had no reason to ponder further.

Melodia, the woman he loved, would gladly shed blood for him.