“Why a messenger at this late hour? Identify yourself properly and state where you came from!”

It could be an enemy disguised as a messenger. Without verifying his identity, the knights aimed their swords at the messenger who had rushed into the camp.

“I bear the command of His Majesty!”
Even though the messenger unfolded a decree stating that he had received the Emperor’s command, the knights did not sheathe their swords. Until the authenticity of the decree was confirmed by the commander, they couldn’t afford to let their guard down.

“What’s going on?”

Upon hearing the commotion, Hugo stepped outside the barracks, and the messenger immediately bowed. Since the news was difficult to deliver, the messenger bowed deeply and loudly reported to Hugo without looking at his face.

“Your Excellency, it’s an attack!”

“The Imperial Palace?”

“It’s the Ducal Manor! Two demons…!”

Before the messenger could finish the report, Hugo, without uttering a word, immediately mounted his warhorse and spurred its flank. Simultaneously, Agares’ divine beast disappeared.

Arkan was no different from Hugo. However, as he was about to ride his horse, he quickly reconsidered his position.
He was the commander of this army. Even if he left, the delegation of authority had to take place. Without hesitation, Arkan commanded the leader of the most trusted Artina Knights.

“Captain Edin, return to deal with the wounded. Those who can move swiftly, follow immediately.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Arkan’s warhorse galloped forward, closely followed by Ludwig.

“Milady… Miss…”

Similar to Harold, Alec, and Dwen, who were busy gathering loot to present as a gift to the young lady chick, the majority of them, excluding Edin and some knights staying behind to care for the wounded, rode their horses at the maximum speed.

Whether they belonged to the Artina family was not important. If demons attacked the Ducal Manor, there was no guarantee of the safety of the families they belonged to.

This urgency was undoubtedly unprecedented.
I don’t know in what state of mind I moved through space. However, incessant prayers, not knowing to whom, echoed in my mind.

The Ducal Manor, where I used to come and go familiarly. The partially destroyed gate was the first thing that caught my eye. The messy garden and the scent of blood that had not dried.

Agares was afraid. He realized keenly that this was the emotion called fear. He was afraid to open the gate of the Ducal Manor and step inside.

What if something happened to his little friend… Something he couldn’t even bear to think about.

There was no sign of another demon. Either they had disappeared or they had achieved their goal and left.

Agares entered slowly. His fingertips trembled slightly.

“Eve…”

My friend. My only sanctuary.

Even when he scrutinized every corner with his eyes, there was no sign of her.
She was not on the living room sofa where she always sat, nor was she on the stairs from the second floor where she used to run down when he visited. The Ducal Manor was excessively silent. The warmth that used to prevail was as if it had never existed.

“Ah…”

A negative sensation engulfed him. Whether it was anger, sadness, despair, or loss, he couldn’t discern the feeling churning from within.

“Ugh…”

His heart was aching, and he clenched his fists, bending at the waist. He didn’t know how to swallow the overwhelming emotions welling up. Though his young friend had taught him all the emotions he possessed, this was something he hadn’t learned.

The vivid purple, reacting to the surging emotions, flickered intensely for a moment before finally bursting out.

“Huh? It’s a rabbit!”

A clear voice abruptly suppressed the tumultuous energy. Agares’ eyes immediately focused on the one holding the rabbit’s leash.

“Rabbit! Welcome back! Why did you come alone? Where is everyone?”
Dadada, rushing in quickly, warmly embracing and asking if he had been well with short arms.

“Are you hurt? Is it difficult?”

Concern for others, even when it should be their own injuries and hardships.

Agares covered his eyes with strong hands.

Ah, thankfully. Truly fortunate.

“… As?”

With a hand that didn’t come down for a while, Ibelia looked at him with a worried expression.

“…Are you crying?”