Although it was late at night, Sandra, with her haggard face, still couldn’t fall asleep. The thick stack of papers in her hand was filled with detailed information about Onyx. She read aloud the last sentence of the report.

“He is considered the most likely candidate to become the next guild master among the five vice guild masters.”

That little lump of flesh not only survived alone on the cold streets, but is now even recognized as a potential candidate for the next guild master of Ashmore, considered the best among information guilds.

“…He grew up well.”

After putting down the finished report, Sandra looked up at the window. The pitch-black night sky without stars or moon seemed to reflect her own heart.

Just as she was about to stand up to go to bed before it got any later, a maid approached with quick steps and whispered in Sandra’s ear. Sandra’s face crumpled as she listened to the maid’s voice.

“What? The Emperor at this late hour?”

The carriage carrying Tate stopped in front of the gloomy Oaks mansion.

Tate got out of the carriage and looked up at the massive burned-down mansion. Once a splendid imperial villa, it was now little more than ruins.

As he carefully examined the building, he noticed a faint light in a second-floor window.

‘So he was here after all.’

Tate’s narrowed eyes flashed sharply. It was the signal agreed upon between Tate and the dark guild Kalmadi. They had completed their mission and were standing by.

‘Those vicious bastards! They actually went through with it!’

His clenched fist trembled, unable to contain his anger. Tate spoke to the knights.

“Five of you wait here, and five follow me. We’re not going to the main building, but to the annex.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Tate led the way, crossing the backyard towards the annex. The modest two-story building was where the employees used to lodge and dine.

“What? Why is no one here? This is definitely the right place.”

According to their prior agreement, the gang and the child should have been in the annex, but for some reason, they were nowhere to be seen.

“What the hell is going on? Damn it!”

Frustration welled up at the incomprehensible situation. Just then, the front door opened and an armed group walked in. Tate’s gaze fixed on the woman at the lead.

“It’s been a while, Elder Brother Tate.”

It was Veronia. Behind her were Killian, Onyx, and about a dozen Ashmore Guild members.

“…Veronia!”

Tate’s eyes widened at the sight of Veronia before him. Lush golden hair and red eyes. The woman before him was indeed his sister Veronia, who had died five years ago.

“You… You’re really alive.”

Tate blinked repeatedly, examining Veronia’s face here and there, as if unable to believe what he was seeing.

In contrast, Veronia’s gaze towards Tate was unbearably cold. She felt a strong urge to grab Tate by the collar right then and there.

“We’ll catch up later. First, I need to hear the whole story.”

“The whole story? What… do you mean?”

“What do I mean? I think you know better than I do, Elder Brother?”

“…”

Flustered by Veronia’s fierce demeanor, Tate unconsciously took a step back. His head was spinning from the unexpected appearance of one variable after another.

‘This is… a complete disaster! The Kalmadi guys and the kid who were supposed to be here are gone, and instead Veronia shows up! How did she even know about this place?’

Moreover, Veronia was already suspicious of him.

‘Could it be… Was it Elder Brother Jonathan’s trap? Damn! I’ve been had!’

It was a stupid mistake. He shouldn’t have blindly trusted Jonathan’s letter. He should have doubted and doubted again. But it was too late for regrets now. Tate tried to maintain a calm expression as he spoke.

“Veronia, you see, it’s not what you think. I mean…”

That’s when it happened. There was a commotion outside, followed by a booming voice.

“We know what you’re doing in there! You treacherous lot plotting rebellion, come out at once and kneel before His Majesty the Emperor!”

What was this now? Plotting rebellion? The Emperor was here? Everyone inside the annex froze in place with wide eyes, as the voice continued to be heard.

“If you lay down your weapons and surrender, your lives will be spared!”

Assessing the situation was the priority. Killian sheathed his drawn sword and said,

“I’ll take the lead. Everyone, lower your weapons and follow me.”

“Killian…”

“It’ll be alright.”

Exchanging glances with Veronia and flashing a slight smile, Killian walked out of the building. And he let out a gasp of surprise at the scene before him.

“Oh no…”

Dozens of Imperial Knights had surrounded the modest annex. Veronia and Tate, who followed behind Killian, were equally shocked by the sight of the Imperial Knights in formation.

At their head was Jonathan. Mounted on a horse, he shouted down at Killian and Veronia’s group.

“Killian Drea! What are you plotting, dragging Veronia and Tate into this?!”

Killian, Veronia, and Tate were all bewildered by Jonathan’s sudden outburst, which seemed to come out of nowhere. Jonathan, looking at them with contemptuous eyes, scattered the documents he was holding into the air.

“To think you’d dare plot rebellion, taking advantage of the unstable domestic situation! Such shameless scoundrels!”

Killian picked up one of the fallen papers and checked its contents. It was a document requesting an investigation into the connection between the evidence collected from the orphanage director’s study and the epidemic that broke out in the south. One corner of Killian’s mouth twisted upwards.

‘To present such flimsy evidence of treason. It seems they’re trying to deal with us all at once with a forced pretext.’

The smile on Killian’s lips made Jonathan’s blood boil. How dare that cornered rat maintain such a composed expression. Jonathan had always hated Killian’s smug look.

He thought the arrogant expression of someone blessed with all sorts of outstanding abilities was detestable. He wanted to plunge a sword into Killian’s chest right then and there, but he held back and shouted at the top of his lungs.

“How dare you fake the death of Princess Veronia and spirit her away! Conspiring with the nobles behind my back to slander me, the Emperor? And even dragging Tate into this!”

Jonathan’s enraged voice rang out.

“I’ve always held your abilities in high regard! To think you’d try to stab me in the back like this, admit your crimes at once!”

Perhaps feeling wronged by the false accusation of participating in Killian’s rebellion, Tate ran forward and pleaded.

“Thinking of another world? It’s a misunderstanding, Elder Brother!”

But just as Tate tried to approach Jonathan, an arrow flew and struck him in the chest.

“Ugh!”

With a dying scream, Tate collapsed on the spot. Everyone watching, including Veronia, was shocked to see Tate fall, bleeding. Jonathan coldly declared.

“I have no desire to hear any more excuses from criminals! Seize those traitors over there! You may use force against those who resist!”

No sooner had Jonathan’s order been given than the Imperial Knights began their attack. Arrows flew from all directions, and knights with drawn swords were closing in.

Killian also drew his sword and stood in front of Veronia.

“Everyone, come out and protect Her Highness Princess Veronia!”

At that moment, soldiers who had been hiding everywhere revealed themselves all at once. There were over 100 of them, including not only Ashmore Guild members but also the knights of House Drea who had gone south, the allied noble knights, and even the Holy Knights.

Jonathan, who had brought at most 50 men, was taken aback by the unexpected numerical disadvantage.

Killian pointed his sword at Jonathan and shouted again.

“Jonathan Boinson is a criminal who killed the previous Emperor and ascended to the throne himself! We have already completed our investigation and have secured sufficient evidence and witnesses!”

Killed the previous Emperor! A son killed his father! Everyone’s mouths fell open helplessly at the horrific statement. It sounded preposterous, but if the speaker was Killian, the national hero, it was a different story.

How on earth did he find that out? Jonathan was equally surprised.

Killian’s words didn’t stop there.

“That’s not all! Jonathan Boinson is also the one who caused the epidemic that spread in the south! Not content with killing Prince Caspian, whom he feared might become a political rival, he now seeks to kill Prince Tate and Princess Veronia as well!”

The Emperor also killed Prince Caspian! And he caused the epidemic? As Jonathan’s crimes were listed one by one, the Imperial Knights began to stir.

Can someone who killed the previous Emperor and ascended to the throne himself be called an Emperor? The Imperial Knights rolled their eyes in bewilderment.

“Arrest Jonathan Boinson, who committed all manner of vile deeds behind the scenes to ascend to the throne and consolidate his position! We will hold a trial and reveal his crimes in detail before all the people!”

With a great cheer, the knights following Killian charged forward and began their attack. The Imperial Knights, caught off guard, surrendered without much resistance.

Realizing he was cornered, Jonathan shouted.

“Stop! I have Princess Veronia’s son in my hands. If you want to save the child, stop now and lay down your weapons!”

For a moment, all movement ceased and silence fell. Following Jonathan’s gaze, a shadow appeared on the top floor of the building. A burly man was holding a child.

“Mama! Mama!”

The frightened child cried out for his mother.

“Oh my God… Jediel! Mama’s here! It’s okay! Mama will save you soon!”

Veronia darted forward.

But Jonathan didn’t miss that moment. Taking advantage of everyone’s attention being focused on the child on the building, he lunged at Veronia and plunged a knife into her stomach.

“Ugh!”

Feeling excruciating pain, Veronia clutched her stomach and collapsed. Her body, caught in Killian’s arms as he rushed over belatedly, was rapidly growing cold.

“No! Veronia!”