The Emperor.

Barrack.

“What is the reason for the summoning?”

Her heart was pounding as if it might burst at any moment, but strangely, Jillian, who was asking the question, had a rather casual tone. Ironically, the one who seemed at a loss was the royal guard knight who came as a messenger. He constantly glanced at Jillian, showing an apologetic attitude.

“What is the reason for the summoning?”

“They said there will be an inquiry at the Solar Hall regarding the responsibility for the mismanagement of the castle and the ability to respond to the waves.”

“Solar Hall!”

Bianca, who had softly exclaimed, covered her mouth.

If it was the Solar Hall, it was where Cylarus Barrack had been executed. Just hearing about it made Bianca feel like her mind was distant, but Jillian was casually supporting Bianca and talking to the knight.

What should she do?

She thought she had enough time until spring, but the sudden summons from the Emperor made Bianca extremely anxious. For now, she needed to delay the announcement of the end of the waves and buy some time…

“What is the date of the inquiry?”

“Two days from now, at noon.”

“Understood.”

Bianca’s witty tricks came to an abrupt end with the knight’s words. Two days later. Instead of postponing, she had to move at full speed to meet the tight schedule for the inquiry. Moreover, there was only one wave left.

She had barely survived three waves. Among them, she had defeated two, and now there was one more left. She had to return before the demons emerged and stirred up Barrack. The thought of what to do made her mouth dry.

However, even though the conversation seemed to be over, the royal guard knight did not leave. Instead, he continued to speak with an even more embarrassed expression, as if he had more to say.

When the knight, who looked awkward for a long time, finally added a word with a subdued voice after restraining himself, Bianca became puzzled.

“The summoned… are the Duke and Duchess.”

“What did you say?”

For the first time, a faint sense of caution appeared in Jillian’s voice, which had been indifferent all along.

“You didn’t call just me?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Because His Highness referred to the ‘two owners of Barrack,’ the Duchess must also attend.”

Jillian didn’t respond to that.

The knight, who continued to glance at Jillian with a suddenly cold look, finally turned around after a long time, politely expressed his caution, and left.

Even after the knight left, the atmosphere in the mansion was eerily silent.

“Jillian.”

Bianca called Jillian, who seemed lost in thought and was staring into the distance.

Summoning during the wave was something she had never thought about, so she was quite surprised. But when she thought about it, the Emperor was not someone particularly rational. Wasn’t he always distorted because of Cylarus Barrack?

This summon might also be related to him.

Organizing her thoughts, Bianca felt relieved at the thought that she was fortunate to be summoned. What always angered the Emperor was the unique arrogance of Barrack. Since he said ‘the two owners of Barrack,’ even if she came forward and begged, this inquiry could be smoothly passed.

“Jillian.”

“…Yes.”

“Are we leaving right this afternoon?”

There was a pile of snow, so even if she rushed immediately, it would be insufficient since the distance to the warp was considerable. The palace wasn’t a place she could go with just her body. She had to attend dressed in appropriate attire from clothes to accessories. Everything would be on trial.

If she dressed modestly, they would criticize her for wanting sympathy. If she dressed properly, they would blame her for not knowing her sin.

Once again, Bianca deeply felt relieved at the fact that she was also accompanying. Since she was familiar with such situations, she knew exactly what to do.

“Will you be alright? I can go alone. Don’t overburden yourself.”

Jillian said that he would go alone, but Bianca replied by jumping up and making a firm resolution.

“Please leave all the preparations for the capital and attire to me.”

“Yes, I will do that.”

“If it’s alright with you, I’ll accompany you to the inquiry as well.”
Having to attend the Solar Hall in the appearance of a ‘sinner,’ everything from clothing to accessories will be on trial. All of it will be presented on the judgment stage. If she dresses modestly, people will criticize her for seeking sympathy. If she dresses properly, they will blame her for not acknowledging her guilt. Bianca once again deeply felt relieved at the fact that she was also accompanying.

She was familiar with such situations and knew exactly what to do.

“Are you okay? You can go alone. Don’t overburden yourself.”

Jillian seemed to have said he would go alone, but Bianca responded by jumping up and reassuring him.

“Leave all the travel luggage and attire to me.”

“Yes, I will.”

“If it’s okay with you, the inquiry as well.”

“…Why? The contents of the inquiry are actually things I should bear. Calling Bianca was a hindrance.”