“After all the hostages have safely exited, give the signal. That’s when you let the knights in through the side gate of the wine cellar.”

At that moment, just as the pirates behind him shouted, “What are you whispering about?”

Lord Siren sent a reassuring look to the vice-commander.

In the brief moment he should be amidst the pirates, the vice-commander seemed concerned. Still, he nodded slightly, exhaling softly.

Lord Siren exchanged places with the hostages and entered the chapel.

Just as all the hostages were leaving the chapel, Lord Siren tried to signal the vice-commander.

However, at that moment, a pirate who had hidden in the shadows suddenly rushed at Lord Siren with a dagger.

Lord Siren instinctively moved his body and thought, ‘Was this their goal from the beginning?’

The spring festival was not yet over.

So, the threat from the pickpocket was not yet resolved.

“Your Majesty, I have something to report.”

Icarus, in response to Dehan’s words, took his gaze away from the documents.

“The Emperor of Paradis has ordered the Imperial Knights to head south after imprisoning the Empress and her maids.”

Icarus nodded approvingly.

“Now, if the Emperor only suspects treason, this matter should finally be resolved.”

Bain and Dehan nodded in agreement.

When Reneve mentioned going to the Emperor with classified documents, Icarus had prepared one more security measure besides spreading rumors.

He had manipulated some of the correspondence exchanged between the Empress and the Duke during the period and secretly stored it in the Duke’s mansion.

If the Emperor was imprisoning the beloved Empress to such an extent, searching the Duke’s mansion was only a matter of time.

The Duke would deny it, but with undeniable evidence, the Emperor had no reason to believe him.

In the end, it would go as Reneve wished.

As the sky began to darken, Icarus stood up from his seat.

“Are you planning to end your workday like this today?”

Dehan, taking his gaze away from the documents, looked up at Icarus.

“Yes.”
Putting on his jacket, Icarus responded casually. Bain, stretching lazily like a cat, spoke.

“Please give my regards to Lord Siren, witness to Lady Reneve, that they are well.”

It seemed that he thought Icarus’s punctual departure was to convey his regards to Reneve.

At first, Bain and Dehan were amazed at Icarus, who rapidly completed his work and left punctually like clockwork.

The power of love is indeed great.

Usually, Icarus didn’t set a predetermined amount of work to accomplish in a day. His approach was to do as much as possible, tackling whatever came his way.

Even with such dedication, documents from all over the Burschker Empire flew to him every day.

As long as Reneve didn’t return to Burschker, Icarus couldn’t see his face.

“No, today, I should go to the south of Paradis.”

Icarus spoke briefly and tried to leave the office.

“When you say the south…”

“Are you saying you’ll go to visit Lord Siren?”

Both Bain and, surprisingly, even Dehan were astonished and asked.

“Yes.”

“Do you have to go yourself to calm your irritation?”

Rarely, Dehan strongly opposed. Icarus looked at Dehan emotionlessly, without saying a word.

Though Dehan’s shoulders twitched under that gaze, he seemed unwavering.

Watching the situation unfold, Bain got up from his seat and intervened between Dehan and Icarus.

“Your Majesty, I’ll go personally. Please entrust this matter to me.”

Icarus blocked their way and alternated his gaze between Dehan and Bain. He said nothing, but an uncomfortable atmosphere was evident in his expression. Dehan added a comment subtly.

“If you must go, take some knights with you.”

“Step aside.”

They were determined to stop him, even if it meant trampling over themselves. But when Icarus furrowed his brow, they reluctantly moved aside.

Before leaving the office, Icarus paused for a moment and added.

“I’ll return right after the spring festival is over. …And I’ll take care of myself more diligently than anyone else, so put away unnecessary worries.”

Dehan and Bain watched Icarus’s broad back as he quickly moved away from the office.

And soon, their eyes met.

Having traveled throughout the continent during his mercenary days, Dehan had never encountered a stronger individual than Icarus.

Moreover, he was always lucky enough to believe that there was a god helping him.

But it was a precarious situation. On the battlefield, one never knew when an unexpected accident might happen.

As Icarus turned the corner of the corridor, completely disappearing from the sight of the two, Dehan sighed lightly and shook his head.

At that moment, Bain lightly slapped Dehan’s buttocks. A fairly crisp sound echoed from his muscular buttocks.

“…!”

Startled, Dehan jumped up.

Then, with an expression of disbelief, he glared at Bain.

…Is he really insane?

Dehan’s inner cry burst out without filtering through his mind.

“Bain, are you crazy?”

“Let’s get back to work. Besides… His Majesty knows well that he’s no longer alone.”

It meant that he wouldn’t expose himself to danger recklessly, as he used to.

Reneve said it was a dream.

The story she told Icarus about the death she faced as the Empress of Paradis was a dream.

But strangely detailed and fitting, Icarus couldn’t just dismiss the story as a dream.

Originally, Icarus was inclined not to believe things he hadn’t seen with his own eyes.

However, one thing was certain: Reneve couldn’t prevent the death of her family at that time.

As it was Reneve’s personal history, he couldn’t provide detailed explanations to Dehan and Bain.
However, Icarus instinctively felt that he must somehow prevent the death of Lord Siren.

If not, Reneve’s heart might crumble.

That was the entire reason why Icarus, despite the danger, was heading to the south of Paradis.

When he arrived at the southern coast, the sky was completely dark, and the thickly laid darkness made it difficult to distinguish anything.

Nevertheless, there was no slowing down in the speed of the horse.

“This must be it. The place where the assassins are preparing for the decisive moment.”

Icarus, looking down from the high cliffs as if they were carved out, murmured, illuminating the brightly lit spring festival street below.