The situations in Burschker and Paradis differed as the vast distance between them allowed for swift movements.

For this reason, in terms of information transmission, Paradis was always a step behind Burschker.

Icarus considered the possibility that the assassination plan of Lord Siren might not have been communicated to the southern nobles yet.

Given the gravity of the matter, it was only a matter of time before the news reached them, but Icarus didn’t know if the assassination plan had been thwarted.

In such a situation, upon receiving Reneve’s letter, Lord Siren would have started to be cautious of his surroundings.

If there were any disruptions to the assassination plan?

It would be the cleanest resolution if Lord Siren were to locate and eliminate them first, but there was also a possibility that the assassins had altered their original plan.

Regardless of the outcome, Icarus would feel at ease only after seeing Lord Siren safely return to the west.

Afterward, he planned to inform Reneve of this fact.

Holding her soft and slender body, kissing her passionately…

Thinking of Reneve’s unique sweet scent, Icarus chased after the flames of light.

When he approached the bustling streets of the ongoing spring festival, he saw people standing a little away from the festival grounds.

Icarus slowed down the horse and approached them, asking, “Is that a crowd gathered for the spring festival?”

A middle-aged woman turned to look at him.

For some reason, the middle-aged woman’s mouth dropped open in surprise, and she stared blankly at Icarus’s face.

‘Can’t she speak?’

When Icarus thought that, the middle-aged woman answered.

“Pirates from the sea came up and took hostages, occupying the chapel. On such a good day, what on earth is happening…”

A middle-aged man walking towards them added, “Lord Siren led the knights to the chapel quite a while ago. I wonder what will happen…”

“Lord Siren?”

One of Icarus’s eyebrows raised slightly.

“Yes? Yes, that’s right.”

The middle-aged man urgently gathered his hands politely and replied.

“When exactly was that?”

“I’m not sure, but it seems like several hours have already passed.”

“Thank you for letting me know.”

Icarus gave them a brief thank you and pulled the reins. Then, he directed the horse toward the gathering crowd.

“Hey, why does your way of speaking sound so awkward?”

“Did it seem awkward? You need to have conversed with nobility like me at least once in your lifetime.”

“It looks like you’re a noble from outside.”

“I came to enjoy the spring festival. But your traditional clothing seems unfamiliar.”

“Is it a style trending in the capital, maybe. …But which family’s young master could you be?”

“What do you care?”

“You look incredibly handsome! Your eyes are having a feast today.”

“Well, you too.”

As their conversation picked up speed, naturally, their voices gradually faded away.

Finding Lord Siren’s location wasn’t challenging. Many spectators had gathered around the chapel.

‘What could have happened?’

Seeing Lord Siren walking into the chapel with his wrists bound, Icarus furrowed his brow.

At that moment, a voice reached Icarus.

“Em, Emperor… Your Majesty…?”

A young knight in Siren’s Knight Order armor looked up at Icarus with a bewildered expression.

It seemed Icarus had seen him before when he went to the west to seek permission for marriage.

“Halt.”

Icarus quickly brought his index finger to his lips, then gestured for the knight to come closer.

Understanding his intention to avoid unnecessary disturbance, the knight hesitated but obediently walked toward Icarus.

“Ho, how did we end up here?”

“Explain why Lord Siren entered the enemy’s territory alone without any weapons.”

Icarus got straight to the point.

Fortunately, the knight was quick-witted.
He quickly reported the situation as if Icarus were the emperor himself.

“Then who is currently in charge?”

“It’s the vice-captain. I will inform His Majesty the Emperor that you have arrived.”

The knight, who had nodded vigorously, hurriedly approached the tall and imposing officer.

The vice-captain, who came closer to Icarus, bowed respectfully and said, “Considering the situation, I apologize in advance for not preparing a proper greeting.”

Rather, Icarus immediately spoke up because this side was more favorable.

“What was the plan after the hostage exchange?”

“We were planning to wait for Lord Siren’s signal at an appropriate time to enter through the side gate.”

“Where is that side gate?”

Icarus asked, surveying the structure of the chapel with his eyes.

Was it because of Icarus’s momentum, which seemed like he would burst into the chapel at any moment? The vice-captain cautiously spoke.

“…Until Lord Siren’s signal is given, would it be alright to wait here…”

Icarus silently nodded his head.

It was because he couldn’t shake off a foreboding feeling.

“It will be too late by then.”

The Siren Knight Order would prioritize Lord Siren’s orders.

However, Icarus was not only the subordinate of Lord Siren but also the Emperor of Burschker, not Paradis.