Having passed through the long corridor and headed toward the building entrance, I froze stiff.

About ten knights wearing the imperial red cloaks stood in a line, blocking the entrance.

What, what is this? After days of quiet, now you send your subordinates to grab me?

As I shrank back under their intimidating presence, Ruben took a large step forward, positioning himself in front of me.

“Please step back a little.”

Fortunately, at Ruben’s words, the imperial knights stepped back one pace.

Though even then, their oppressive aura remained unchanged.

The knights bowed politely to me, then stared as if they had something to say. Under their collective gaze, I lightly cleared my throat and asked,

“You were looking for me? What is it about?”

“Lady Latieana Merigold.”

“Yes.”

The knight standing at the center approached me and handed over a white envelope.

The envelope, bordered with gold foil, was sealed in the middle with a red sealing wax.

“It is an invitation sent by His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Killian Dietrich.”

An invitation? What invitation could there possibly be between us? After what you did to me!

No—wait. Could he perhaps be thinking of apologizing…? Is that even possible?

So baffled that question marks practically floated above my head, I nonetheless maintained my composure as best as I could and opened the envelope.

Do not be late.]

The message was so bland it bordered on absurd.

I lifted my head to look at the knight, who added an explanation.

“He insists you attend the dinner gathering.”

He clearly knew exactly how his arrogant master had delivered the invitation.

I let out a hollow laugh.

This isn’t an invitation—it’s a notice.

Glancing up at the cathedral’s clock tower, I saw it was only 3 p.m.

One might think I had plenty of time. But the other party is the Crown Prince. Proper preparation is essential, yet this invitation came so abruptly—and without even specifying where to go.

“…What if I refuse?”

Sending ten knights was clearly a declaration of intent: they would take me no matter what. Still, I deliberately threw out the question, already knowing the answer.

“You must go.”

“Can it not be another day?”

“No.”

“Why specifically today?”

“….”

The knight closed his mouth, apparently deeming the question unnecessary.

I narrowed my eyes slightly as I studied him.

If he truly wanted to dine with me, he could have sent a proper invitation to the Grand Duke’s estate, couldn’t he?

Of course, there had been friction with Edan, but if proper etiquette had been observed, as a command from the Crown Prince, I couldn’t very well refuse.

Killian Dietrich. Suspicious beyond compare.

He had concealed my identity as High Saintess from the imperial court—and now, as if deliberately waiting for me to come to the cathedral, he’d sent his subordinates to deliver this invitation.

“Wait here.”

I directed them to wait in the garden, then swiftly turned around and headed toward the library I had originally intended to visit.

Ruben and Maxim followed quickly behind me.

“L, Lady Latieana, are you really going?”

Maxim glanced back nervously as he asked.

“I have to go.”

“But considering what happened last time, wouldn’t it be better not to…?”

Maxim, remembering the last moment I’d met Killian, trailed off with a worried tone.

“I don’t want to go, but in our current situation, refusal is difficult. Isn’t that right, Sir Ruben?”

Ruben, walking calmly beside me, gave a small nod.

“It seems he planned this deliberately to prevent you, Lady Latieana, from leaving the cathedral directly for the Grand Duke’s estate—he even sent the knights.”

“So even if I stubbornly refuse, it’ll be useless. I have no choice. What else can I do?”

“I will send word to His Grace the Grand Duke to inform him of the situation before departure, and I will accompany you.”

“Very well. Sir Ruben.”

It was a confrontation I’d have to face sooner or later.

It just happened to be today. No need to lose heart. As long as Killian knows I possess the power of the High Saintess, he won’t dare treat me carelessly.

I deliberately walked down the corridor with bold, determined steps.

Yet, a part of my heart remained bitter.

The unresolved mystery I’d heard before—about the tangled relationship between Ciela, Killian, and Edan—still knotted tightly in my mind.

Did Killian know Ciela had lied?

Judging by the current situation, he likely didn’t.

“Lady Latieana. This way.”

I, walking ahead, heard Maxim’s voice from behind guiding me, and lightly shook my head from side to side.

Forget it for now.

The place we arrived at was located past the central section of the library, tucked into the farthest corner.

“This area was prepared so High Saintesses could freely read books. Previous High Saintesses enjoyed reading. Ivy Violet, that witch, however, loved jewels and dresses so much she never used this space—she was always out shopping.”

A modestly sized room, cheerfully decorated in white tones, with matching furniture.

Beneath the window stood a desk, flanked on both walls by bookshelves neatly arranged with a few volumes. In the center of the room sat a square table.

Though supposedly unused, the space was well maintained—dust-free, with even a vase of fresh flowers placed neatly on the immaculate desk.

I lightly inhaled the floral scent, then swiftly turned to face Maxim.

“By the way, Maxim, what’s that you’ve been holding since earlier?”

I’d intended to ask sooner, had it not been for Killian’s subordinates—the mysterious rolled-up paper.

“Ah! This?”

Maxim, apparently having forgotten amid the chaos, looked down at the tightly rolled paper clutched against his chest and opened his mouth.

“Lady Latieana, look at this.”

Maxim placed the paper on the table and began to unroll it.

“You remember when I told you about the story concerning demons I found in the Archmage’s book, back when you were captured by the witch?”

“I remember.”

I nodded. That had been the reason Maxim came to the fortress to see me on the day I was seized by Killian.

“This is exactly that.”

As the paper kept rolling back up, Ruben held one end firmly while Maxim unrolled the rest downward, revealing a large, aged map, its surface mottled brown in places.

What’s this map?

As I tilted my head in confusion, Ruben spoke.

“It’s a map of the Empire. It’s rare to see one drawn with such detail. Where did you find it?”

“I finished reading a book I’d taken from a secret compartment, and noticed the back cover was unusually thick. When I examined it, I realized it was double-layered. I peeled it back—and this came out.”

I stepped closer to examine the map.

It meticulously marked not only the capital but even tiny, easily overlooked villages and mountain locations. As I studied it slowly, I noticed markings absent from ordinary maps: the indestructible Northern Wall and the location of the Grand Duke’s estate.

And the most conspicuous thing—

“What is this?”

From the northern ice mountain range, straight to the center of the southern desert—and irregularly scattered across the Empire—were X marks.

“I was curious about that too, so I looked into it. And…”

Maxim swallowed audibly, seemingly trying to build tension, but Ruben calmly continued for him.

“These mark locations where demons have appeared.”

What?

“…Yes! Exactly. These positions are precisely where demons have been sighted.”

Maxim nodded vigorously, looking disappointed he’d missed his dramatic timing.

“And that’s not all. Look here.”

Ruben and I followed the direction of Maxim’s pointing finger.

“The Archmage’s sigil?”

“Yes.”

Ruben and I exchanged glances, then turned our eyes back to the map.

In the center of the southern desert, where Maxim pointed, a shimmering square sigil stood conspicuously marked.

The south was the region the Archmage loved most.

Thanks to that, magic flourished there far more than in other regions of the Empire—and when the Northern Wall collapsed, Dante’s assistance in bringing the artifact protecting the southern city walls proved immensely valuable.

What could this mean?

“Still… this map feels familiar somehow.”

I looked at Ruben.

“Where?”

Ruben frowned, studying the map intently, then squinted one eye.

“I don’t recall precisely, but I’m certain I’ve seen it somewhere. His Grace the Grand Duke might know.”

“Alright. Maxim, may I take this map with me?”

Maxim nodded emphatically.

“Of course!”

The map was neatly folded and tucked into the inner pocket of Ruben’s jacket.

We exited the cathedral and boarded the carriage prepared by Killian.

“The Imperial Palace.”

The Imperial Palace…

After traveling via portal in the carriage Killian had sent, we gazed out the window and let out a small sigh.

Before our eyes stood enormous palaces so magnificent they felt overwhelming.

The carriage wove its way through layer upon layer of palaces—too many to count—and after passing the central garden, arrived at its destination.

“I will wait here by the carriage.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

Leaving Ruben, who was barred from entering the Imperial Palace, I walked alone, following the servants.

Though the Grand Duke’s estate’s interior was admittedly plain, it was never truly dull—but this place was on another level entirely.

They say the Emperor and Empress are likened to the sun and moon—and indeed, the palace where they reside felt truly like the center of the world.

As the sun sank beyond the mountain ridges, the world slowly dyed itself crimson.

Even the sunset glow spilling through the windows seemed like lighting designed for this place—the Imperial Palace was breathtakingly beautiful.

“Lady Latieana Merigold has arrived.”

As the servant opened the door, I saw Killian, his back to me, gazing out the window in the softly lit dining room.

The moment I entered, the door closed immediately behind me.

Click. Hearing that insignificant sound, I was suddenly engulfed by a sensation of complete isolation from the world.

It felt… unnervingly silent. As if this were a specially soundproofed chamber, ensuring nothing spoken here could ever leak out.

I glanced briefly at the closed door, then straightened my gaze.

In that brief moment, Killian had turned to face me.

The glow of sunset settled atop his neatly combed, jet-black hair.

That face, subtly resembling Edan’s—if judged by looks alone, he was an extraordinary handsome man. But perhaps due to his rotten personality, he didn’t appear handsome at all.

I lightly gathered the hem of my dress between my fingertips and bowed my shoulders.

“I greet His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince, Star of the Empire.”

“You’re late.”

This man, truly…

“I had to prepare hastily, given the suddenness of your invitation.”

I lifted my head swiftly and replied coldly to Killian. (It was my roundabout way of saying: You were the one who first discarded courtesy and sent this absurd invitation!) But the arrogant, haughty Crown Prince paid it no mind.

“Sit.”

“Yes! I shall!”

Who’s going to lose? I’ll devour every last delicious-looking dish on this table as greedily and disgustingly as possible—so you’ll never dare summon me again.

The moment I sat down following Killian and grabbed a piece of bread with my bare hands—

“I wish to make a deal with you.”