“……What in the world is that?”

The gatekeepers guarding the palace entrance collectively gaped at the unprecedented sight before them.

It resembled a swarm of ants.

An enormous army, so vast that its end vanished beyond the horizon like a storm cloud covering the sky, had arrived before the imperial palace.

At the forefront of the army clad in black armor stood Ileon Gredrick, proudly wearing radiant white armor.

The palace knights could do nothing but panic.

They never imagined Ileon would command a force so vastly superior to the palace’s own military.

They knew Ileon had subordinates, but no one had ever heard he possessed an army of such magnitude.

Even though Ileon was the emperor, the palace knights had already fully pledged their loyalty to Dietrich Calypso, the Imperial Knight Commander.

These knights tightened their jaws, determined to guard the palace gates, believing it better to rebel against the emperor than to oppose Dietrich.

“So you insist on spilling blood before you retreat?”

Ileon smiled faintly as he spoke to the palace knights.

His soft voice carried a calmness entirely unbecoming of someone who had fled the palace in disgrace.

“We cannot let you pass. My lord is not His Imperial Majesty, but the Imperial Knight Commander……”

The palace knight continued, his voice strained and tense.

But he never finished his sentence.

At the very moment Ileon raised his chin, the knight beside him slashed down with his sword like a bolt of lightning.

A crimson fountain erupted from the speaking knight’s neck.

Hot blood sprayed in every direction, splattering even the cheeks of his comrades nearby.

Just minutes ago, this knight had been exchanging casual words with them.

Thud!

His comrades stared, faces turning pale, as he collapsed without even a scream.

“There’s no reason to spare a dog who doesn’t even know who his master is.”

Ileon spoke calmly, his tone leisurely, as if out for a stroll, not a single drop of blood staining his body.

The knight was shocked on multiple levels.

His comrade’s death was horrifying, but what shocked him more was finally seeing Ileon Gredrick’s true nature.

When Ileon first ascended the throne, his reputation had been excellent.

Compared to Arthur Servantes, who was lost in his own world, and Balt Portman, whose harsh words made his thoughts impossible to read, Ileon Gredrick had always worn a gentle smile, putting people at ease.

Everyone believed that with the most capable of the Three Dukes seated on the throne, all would go smoothly.

“So everything written in the reports was true? You killed countless people, fed the Crown Prince a poison that disfigured his face on purpose, and seized the throne for yourself……”

The knight’s voice trembled like a leaf, tangled with resentment and fury.

Ileon tilted his head slightly toward the knight.

“Does the truth really matter? What changes now if you insist on questioning it?”

The knight felt all strength drain from his body at Ileon’s bold, unrepentant voice.

“What are you doing?”

The instant Ileon spoke, the knight pierced by a sharp blade collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

“Disaster! His Imperial Majesty has arrived at the palace with a massive army!”

The knight gasped, breath ragged, as he reported to Dietrich Calypso.

Dietrich didn’t flinch, his expression unchanged.

He had expected Ileon’s attack from the beginning.

Dietrich fastened his black armor securely and strapped his well-worn sword to his waist.

At the thunderous footsteps shaking the ground, Dietrich’s gaze slid smoothly toward the window.

Seeing Ileon’s massive army surrounding the mansion, a mocking smirk slipped through Dietrich’s teeth.

“To gather a force that large, he must have paid quite a heavy price.”

Dietrich pulled on gloves as black as his hair.

His gaze shifted from the window to Anderson, who stood ready to follow him at once.

“You stay here and protect Celia.”

At Dietrich’s order, Anderson’s eyes widened as if they might pop out.

“My lord! Even if you are my lord, facing such overwhelming numbers……!”

“Silence. His target isn’t me—it’s Celia.”

Dietrich cut him off, grinding out the words in a dry, emotionless tone.

“Therefore, no matter what it takes, Celia’s safety comes first.”

Dietrich glanced briefly toward the room where Celia was likely asleep, lowering his voice as much as possible.

Celia had passed out completely after Dietrich had exhausted her the previous night.

Thanks to Dietrich’s healing abilities, Celia’s body—once filled with rotting blood and severely damaged organs—had recovered as if nothing had happened.

But it wasn’t fully healed yet.

Once the immediate injuries were mended, another problem surfaced.

Someone had artificially damaged Celia’s womb—she could no longer bear children.

It was due to Hariel Brillion, who had disliked Celia and secretly fed her a drug over time to prevent pregnancy.

“I should’ve killed her when she had the nerve to walk into my estate.”

Dietrich gritted his teeth.

Everywhere he looked, there were people tormenting Celia.

In frustration, Dietrich poured even more of his healing power into Celia than usual.

Celia, gasping under his beast-like movements, eventually fainted from sheer exhaustion, unable to withstand his stamina.

Dietrich had just been gazing at Celia, who moments ago had fallen asleep murmuring softly in his arms.

Not a single part of her was anything less than endearing.

Even to someone as emotionally barren as himself, she was captivating—surely she would appear so to others as well.

Outside the palace, there were still those who called Celia a witch.

Dietrich had planned everything, even what to do after killing Ileon—but the size of the army Ileon brought was far greater than anticipated.

“If anything happens to me, take Celia and leave this empire.”

Anderson’s pupils trembled violently at the unbelievable words.

“I trust no one else. Only you.”

“My lord……”

“Do you understand? You must protect Celia at all costs.”

It was an order leaving no room for refusal. Anderson lowered his head deeply in response.

“……Yes, I understand. Please come back safely.”

Without answering, Dietrich stepped outside the mansion.

Anderson’s gaze followed his retreating back.

It was a back he had known for ten years.

Anderson recalled the moment he first saw Dietrich.

The boy, handling with ease a warhorse even adults struggled to control, exuded the aura of an old man who had lived through a lifetime.

Anderson began teaching Dietrich swordsmanship purely out of curiosity.

What kind of past did this youth, standing between boy and man, carry? Though curious, Anderson never voiced his questions.

Dietrich was not only quiet, but also never revealed anything about his past.

Excessively taciturn and expressionless, yet he grasped ten concepts for every one taught.

Just ten days.

In only ten days, Dietrich surpassed Anderson, his swordsmanship instructor.

Watching Dietrich effortlessly surpass skills Anderson had spent a lifetime mastering, Anderson felt an indescribable thrill.

—Ah, this is the person I must serve.

Dietrich’s origins meant nothing. Anderson, who had no ties to any imperial faction, valued ability above all.

Anderson had never once regretted his choice.

‘But still, even so, isn’t that army just too large……?’

Anderson struggled to suppress the tears welling up as he stared at Dietrich’s broad back.

He had been ordered to protect Celia—he had no choice but to obey.

Anderson clenched his fist tightly and carefully opened Celia’s bedroom door.

Celia, whom he expected to be asleep, sat upright in the bedroom, back straight.

Even in her negligee, she showed no sign of embarrassment.

If anything, Celia radiated an imposing aura.

When their eyes met, Anderson belatedly realized his impropriety.

He quickly lowered his gaze.

“I, I heard everything.”

Celia’s gentle voice settled softly into Anderson’s ears.

“Wh-what did you hear, my lady?”

“That Ileon’s army has invaded? And Dietrich is trying to fight alone again.”

Celia’s voice was thick with dissatisfaction.

“Sir Anderson, take me to Dietrich.”

Anderson cried out in alarm.

“Absolutely not! It’s too dangerous! Ileon is after you!”

Celia’s eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at the stubborn Anderson.

“Sir, if I wear armor, no one will recognize me.”

Celia slowly rose from the bed.

Her long silver hair shimmered in the noon sunlight.

“Take me. I won’t say it twice.”

“……M-my lady, I can’t. My lord sent me here to protect you.”

“Are you refusing my request?”

“My lord gave me a direct order—to protect you.”

Celia let out a deep sigh. Blinking, she spoke apologetically to Anderson.

“I’m sorry, Anderson. I’ll borrow your armor for a moment.”

The scent of hyacinth bloomed from Celia’s hand and instantly enveloped Anderson.