Lucius thought it would be more profitable to quickly resolve the timekeeper’s matter and finish what he was doing.

“Your Majesty! Please, I implore you!”

The timekeeper urgently knocked on the office door, shouting.

As soon as Lucius granted permission, the office door creaked open. Rushing inside, the timekeeper said,

“Your Majesty, a big problem! We’ve received news that the Basquerk army has occupied the square!”

“……!”

Lucius and even Eshika were left dumbfounded.

“Tell me in detail. What does that mean?”

“After the execution ceremony of the Empress and Siren Marquis ended, the Basquerk army…”
Lucius shouted before the timekeeper’s words were even finished.

“Why are you revealing such important information only now?”

“W-Well, Your Majesty, it’s because you were occupied with other matters…”

The timekeeper replied with hesitation, and Lucius retorted without giving him a chance to respond.

Meanwhile, he glanced briefly at Lucius and Eshika, who were still intertwined.

Lucius picked up his jacket strewn on the desk and handed it to her, then stood up.

The timekeeper quickly brought a gown and helped Lucius put it on.

Lucius, with only the thin gown loosely draped over him, frowned.

“Report the situation.”

“We haven’t fully assessed the number of troops yet, but the Knight Commander believes they came through the west towards the capital.”

“…The west?”

Conflicts in the western border region had diminished over time, indicating that Basquerk had become quieter compared to before.

While some nobles expressed concerns about an impending storm, the prevailing opinion was that it was for the improvement of relations with Paradion.

Lucius thought the same.

However, to attack on the day of the execution of Siren Marquis was unexpected, as if they had been waiting for this day.

“That cunning fox!”

“Your Majesty, what should we do now?”

“Your Majesty, what do we do now?”

Not only the timekeeper but also Eshika nudged Lucius.

“Close those mouths for a moment.”

Lucius closed his eyes tightly. He took a deep breath and exhaled.

“Hoo…”

Regaining composure quickly, Lucius asked the timekeeper, “Where is the Knight Commander?”

“He went to investigate the situation. It’s been a while, so he should be coming this way soon…”

At that moment, footsteps could be heard beyond the office.

“Ah… Looks like the Knight Commander has investigated and returned.”

The timekeeper said so.

However, those who entered the office were not the Knight Commander but knights dressed in black armor.

“…!”

Upon arriving at the Paradion Palace, Dehan helped Kyle dismount from the horse.

‘He wasn’t kidding about going home.’

The relief was short-lived.

The route to the palace was filled with corpses of knights and palace servants.

Kyle stopped in his tracks, staring at the gruesome scene.

“A bit surprised, aren’t you…”

Dehan glanced down at Kyle with a perplexed expression.

Kyle, who had been alive just a while ago, now looked at the lifeless bodies, his mouth finally moving.

“…No. I’m not surprised.”

“Then, that’s a relief, but…”

Dehan smiled awkwardly and continued walking, and Kyle followed suit.

Even in the corridor leading to the Great Hall, there were still bodies scattered around. Kyle walked, trying to avoid looking at them.

…!

Arriving at the Great Hall, Kyle gasped.

Inside, the Emperor of Paradion, his government officials, and the children of the government were all kneeling.

“Surprised, aren’t you…”

Dehan looked down at Kyle with a puzzled expression.

Kyle, who had been alive just a while ago, finally spoke while looking at people who were not alive now.

“…No. I’m not surprised.”
And knights in black armor surrounded them, pointing their swords at them.

Even the emperor was not properly dressed, and his government officials were wearing revealing attire.

“Ah… this is…”

Dehan sighed softly, trying to cover Kyle’s eyes quickly. However, Kyle turned his head abruptly and said,

“I also… know everything.”

“You knew, Your Highness?”

Dehan quickly signaled the knights with an embarrassed expression.

Only then did a quick-witted knight provide Eshika with clothes enough to cover her body.

Kyle didn’t know the details of the adults’ affairs.

But he had heard the courtiers muttering behind the emperor and his officials.

They ridiculed the empress, saying that they couldn’t control the emperor’s heart alone.

So, Kyle poured hot tea over the head of the courtier who insulted his mother.

Because of that, he received a severe scolding from the emperor for his violent behavior.

He was forbidden from going out for a few days and forced to fast.

When his mother asked why he had done such a thing, he couldn’t say anything.

He couldn’t say that the courtiers insulted his mother.

It was when Kyle, feeling gloomy, recalled that memory.

Eshika muttered, “How could the Second Prince be with them…”

“…Kyle?”

The emperor also looked at Kyle with a bewildered expression.

And the gaze of both of them went to Dehan and Kyle’s hands.

“Kyle! What on earth happened?”

The emperor shouted.

However, Kyle had no reason to answer them. Even Kyle didn’t know why the enemies were doing this to him.

At that moment, the Basquerk knights inside the Great Hall bowed their waists.

Kyle turned straight back.

The emperor of Basquerk, leading a group of knights, was walking into the Great Hall.

And behind him, a large knight carried the corpse of the Imperial Knight Commander on his shoulder.

Looking at his relaxed expression and leisurely pace, Kyle thought.

He seemed like a predator thinking about how to play with his prey, putting it in a corner.

It felt like time was flowing slower only around him.

Kyle stood still, staring at him as he walked into the Great Hall.

When the emperor of Basquerk, who approached Kyle, asked,

“Kyle, tell me your thoughts. How would you like me to deal with those who killed your mother?”