The former crown prince’s faction was quickly swept away like reeds before a storm.

The emperor, knowing the truth, calmly extracted everything Frederick had hidden until now, one by one. As a result, new crimes were added every hour.

Whether they were former crown princes or high nobles, the group of traitors were all locked up in the underground dungeon. They all groaned in the harsh environment they had never experienced before in their lives.

In the dark and cramped prison, crying sounds echoed every day.

“Sob, sob, it’s all over. My family and I will all be beheaded for treason……”

“Oh, mother. I should have listened when you told me not to be greedy, I’m sorry.”

“Please tell His Majesty that I would be grateful even for exile to the north, as long as my life is spared. Won’t someone convey this message?”

While everyone shed tears of regret anticipating death, Frederick alone sat motionless on the damp dirt floor, leaning against the wall.

In the pitch-black dungeon where not even a speck of moonlight entered, his ruby-red eyes shone brightly.

Unlike when he was dazedly dragged away during his arrest, he became wide awake as soon as he was imprisoned.

‘Not yet…… It’s not over yet.’

He kept muttering those words to himself inwardly. It wasn’t for nothing. Frederick really did have a final measure left.

He waited patiently for that final measure to arrive.

Even when the noble imprisoned in the next cell wailed, blamed him, or showed signs of insanity while reciting prayers, he remained unshaken.

And two days after being imprisoned, the person Frederick was waiting for came.

Creeeeak.

Taking advantage of the quiet dawn, someone carefully opened the underground prison door. The man who led the way holding a lamp in one hand was none other than Joseph Miller.

“Your Highness, it’s me. Joseph Miller.”

He whispered in a hushed voice as he reached the iron bars where Frederick was confined.

“I have brought Her Majesty the Empress.”

Frederick’s eyes, which had been closed as if tired, snapped open. His pupils flickered vividly, filled with a strange heat.

“Mother, you’ve come?”

“Oh my, what a sight this is.”

The empress, who had secretly followed Joseph wearing a robe, took off her hat with tears in her eyes. Her hand touching her son’s cheek, who had grown thin already, was affectionate.

But what was important to Frederick now was not his mother’s tears.

“You came prepared, right?”

“Of course, silly. How could I come empty-handed when you might die!”

“Thank you. I’ve been counting on you, Mother.”

A bright smile spread across Frederick’s face. The empress ordered Joseph to release her son.

Clank.

Joseph, who opened the door with the stolen key, handed Frederick a black robe. The three of them quietly slipped out of the underground prison.

Their footsteps moving under the cover of night were hurried. By dawn, they barely reached the outskirts of the capital. There, knights wearing uniforms with owl emblems were lined up densely.

“Ha, my legion has gathered!”

Frederick muttered in a voice filled with joy. Before entering the court meeting, he had asked his mother in advance to summon the owls if he were to be captured.

The final measure he had in mind was to actually start a real rebellion.

After receiving news of her son’s arrest, the empress quickly summoned Joseph Miller to gather the owls and bribe officials to leave the north gate of the imperial palace empty.

It was possible because no evidence of their involvement in the rebellion had been discovered yet. However, knowing it would soon be exposed, they moved as quickly as possible.

“We are ready to follow Your Highness and change history.”

Joseph knelt on one knee and said solemnly. Frederick laughed heartily and patted his shoulder.

“Indeed, that’s the loyalty and spirit befitting the future captain of the imperial knights.”

“I am deeply moved, Your Highness!”

“Well then, shall we go claim the crown?”

Frederick swiftly mounted his horse. This was why he had collected private soldiers and weapons. As the moment he had been both dreading and anticipating approached, he felt rather refreshed and elated.

Frederick’s hand gripping the reins tightened. He would invade through the north gate, seize the imperial palace, and change the imperial authority.

‘It’s a bit unfortunate not to have the forces of Duke Lester’s family……’

He abandoned that without regret, knowing it would already be in ruins. The boldness of casting aside the nobles who had plotted rebellion together also gave Frederick another chance.

If he had tried to bring them all out, the chances of being caught would have been high.

“Your Highness, receive this sword.”

“Very well.”

With a sword now at his waist, Frederick led the owl legion at the forefront. Joseph Miller stood firmly by his side like a right-hand man.

The empress, who would not be of much help in the fight, had promised to return to the imperial palace first and pressure from within when the rebel army invaded.

Before the sun fully rose to illuminate the earth, Frederick set out for the imperial palace. The owl legion followed silently. They advanced very quietly and stealthily.

‘I’ll prove it myself. That I am the rightful owner of the throne, and that I am qualified for it!’

Gritting his teeth, he urged his horse to run faster. The sun, which had gradually revealed itself, sent down sacred rays upon his shoulders.

In the early morning, the empty north gate without guards could be seen in the distance.

Frederick smiled with satisfaction and commanded.

“Everyone, prepare for battle!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The owl legion drew their swords. It was the moment they were about to trample down the gate and start the war for the throne.

Rattle, thud.

Suddenly, the north gate opened.

“……?!”

Frederick was startled and pulled on the reins. Everyone stopped abruptly, following his lead.

A warm breeze blew, announcing the arrival of spring. Beyond the hazy dust obscuring their vision, threatening black silhouettes could be seen.

Frederick’s expression instantly hardened. As the dust settled, the faces of those who had opened the gate and appeared were revealed.

Prince Lucas in the center, Demian Vandermir on the right, and Ben Dyke, the captain of the imperial knights, on the left.

Behind them, the imperial knights and the Red Hawk knights were lined up. On a much larger scale compared to the owl legion.

“I never thought you would make such a foolish choice, Your Highness the former crown prince.”

Ben Dyke said in a thunderous voice. Joseph Miller’s complexion turned pale at the sight of his superior.

“How did you……”

“Oh my, Frederick. Did you think I couldn’t see through your shallow scheme?”

Lucas clicked his tongue as if in disappointment. The final choice Frederick would make when cornered was all too obvious. So they had been watching the empress closely from early on.

It was clear that Frederick’s last lifeline would be his mother.

When she showed suspicious movements, they sensed the rebellion and prepared, waiting for it.

“If you surrender now, I’ll spare your life. Of course, you’ll never be able to set foot on this empire’s land again.”

Lucas raised his chin and bestowed his last act of mercy. Unlike his previous frivolous demeanor, he now possessed the dignity befitting the next crown prince.

The image of him wearing the crown and ruling over the world as emperor in the future seemed to shimmer before their eyes.

‘Damn it, that was supposed to be my place!’

Frederick bit his lip hard. It should have been his role to look down on others and show generosity. Although that was right, the situation was going awry.

Frederick couldn’t hold back and shouted.

“Don’t be ridiculous, elder brother! You seem to have forgotten your place in your arrogance, but you are not capable of bearing the weight of the throne!”

“I don’t know since when my younger brother became so good at introducing himself. Isn’t it adorable, everyone?”

Lucas responded leisurely, looking at Ben Dyke and Demian on either side. Suddenly, laughter erupted from their side.

Feeling mocked, Frederick’s face turned bright red.

“I’ll say this for the last time. Those who surrender now will be spared, but those who don’t will be executed on the spot!”

Lucas solemnly called out to the owl legion. A slow but clear wavering began to spread. Sensing this, Frederick frowned deeply.

“Don’t waver! It’s death for treason anyway! Just think about defeating them and seizing victory! That’s how you’ll survive!”

“His Highness is right! Everyone, steel your resolve!”

Joseph also supported Frederick’s words, trying to maintain the knights’ discipline.

Watching this scene, Lucas muttered.

“No matter how many times they steel their resolve, they’ll still lose. What a waste of effort.”

“Shouldn’t we wrap this up soon, Your Highness? We have another court meeting scheduled this morning, don’t we?”

At Demian’s words, Lucas nodded. It was a signal granting permission to engage.

At their superiors’ signal, the imperial knights and Red Hawk knights drew their swords. Simultaneously, the owl legion charged forward with battle cries.

“Eliminate the rebel forces threatening the future of the empire and the safety of the imperial family!”

“Take down every single one of them without exception!”

Ben Dyke and Demian each led their subordinates to face the rebel army.

Clang! Chaaang―!

The sharp sound of blades clashing echoed from all directions. The knights who had been fighting on horseback soon dismounted and crossed swords.

Frederick swung his sword wildly and shouted advance with a hoarse voice.

“Advance! Advance no matter what!”

“Protect His Highness the Crown Prince and move forward!”

Joseph issued additional orders while guarding his side. The owl legion roared as they fended off attacks and took steps towards the north gate.

The evenly matched battle at the beginning soon began to tilt to one side.

Not only were they outnumbered, but the opponents who had been working together for a long time also overwhelmingly outmatched the newly established owl legion in skill.

“Don’t fall back! Take at least one down with you when you die!”

Frederick panicked as he saw his knights being noticeably overpowered. He was trying desperately to boost morale and find a way out when…

A man stood tall among the entangled knights, staring at Frederick.

A beautiful appearance contrasting with a large, solid body, and a sword emanating the aura of a sword master.

As their eyes met, Frederick gritted his teeth and growled.

“Demian Vandermiiiiir―!”

Frederick leaped down from his horse and charged like a beast. Demian didn’t even dodge, standing still in that spot, gazing at him with calm eyes.

That detached attitude made Frederick even more furious.

Frederick’s life had started to go wrong since that man appeared. If only Demian Vandermir hadn’t taken his woman…

The resentment built up inside boiled like lava. Frederick swung his sword with all his might.

“Die……!”

“You’re too slow for that.”

To Demian, who was a sword master and had been through countless battlefields, the sword of the former crown prince who had learned swordsmanship like a hothouse flower was too easy to read.

Demian smirked and lightly twisted his body. Frederick’s sword cut through the air, and he lost his balance, tumbling forward with a crash.

“Aaaagh―!”

Frederick, who had fallen ungracefully, burst out in frustration. At this rate, he felt like he might die from anger before being executed for treason.

He sprang up and charged at Demian with a terrifying momentum. Gritting his teeth, he swung his sword. But without landing a single effective attack on Demian, he fell face-first onto the ground again.

“Huff! Huff!”

“Are you tired already?”

Demian asked leisurely, hands behind his back like an uncle playing with a young nephew. He was deliberately toying with his opponent by not countering Frederick’s attacks.

“Shut, up! You dog……”

Frederick used his sword as a cane to shakily stand up. However, even he seemed to sense the clear difference in skill, gradually losing confidence in his attacks.

If Demian were to change his mind and counterattack, he would be a dead man. Realizing this fact, he couldn’t recklessly charge in either.

As Frederick was panting with an indignant expression, a familiar person caught his eye.

“It looks like it will be over soon.”

At some point, Arasila had arrived and was watching the battle on horseback next to Lucas.

Her face shone brightly, wearing the uniform of the magic tower with her hair tied up high. She looked serene, without any trace of worry or concern.

‘……Who am I doing all this for?’

Frederick, overcome with emotion, called her name with resentment.

“Arasila Hugooooo―!”

Arasila, who had already been looking at Demian, easily shifted her gaze to Frederick.

Her friend, who was once famous for being brilliant and gentle, had lost his human appearance, wallowing on the ground, consumed by greed and arrogance.

Arasila elegantly opened her mouth towards him.

“It’s Vandermir, Your Highness the former crown prince.”

“……!”

Unable to bear her words that scraped at his insides even at this moment, Frederick shouted, filled with resentment.

“It’s all because of you, Arasila!”

“Me?”

“Yes, because you didn’t look at me, I went this far!”

Arasila, who had been pointing at herself with her index finger, let out a hollow laugh. What fresh nonsense was this now?

But Frederick seemed sincere, pounding the ground as he vented his own brand of grievances.

“You should have never said that stupid thing about not dating anyone because you were going to become the head of the magic tower at the academy. If you hadn’t said such things, I wouldn’t have chosen rebellion……”

“……”

“I wanted to become emperor because I wanted to have you. I thought if I did that, I could possess you!”

On the surface, he respected Arasila’s intention to become a celibate magic tower lord, but his true inner feelings were completely different.

Knowing that if she really became the magic tower lord, even the crown prince couldn’t have her, he became impatient to inherit the throne as soon as possible.

That impatience led Frederick to choose the wrong path. Frederick suddenly raised his head, looking straight at Arasila, and confessed desperately.

“I just loved you, that’s all!”

Arasila looked down at him with eyes that couldn’t hide her contempt. She was feeling that there was no end to the depths of human depravity.

Sighing, she dismounted and strode towards Frederick. Stopping at a suitable distance, she gestured to Demian not to intervene as he tried to step forward out of concern.

“I see, Frederick. I understand your feelings well.”

Frederick’s shoulders trembled at the gentle voice he hadn’t heard in a long time. Arasila continued calmly.

“But you know what? If in this world, there was only one man, you, and one woman, me?”

“……”

“I would rather die than be with you.”

“……!”