With a surprising look, Ascan looked at Zen. The feeling of naturally joining forces when Tanashia was in danger was strange.

After organizing his thoughts for a moment, Ascan spoke in a subdued voice.

“A while ago, you said Tanashia couldn’t move or say a word alone. Did you confirm which palace she is staying in?”

“Yes. I can guide you there.”
“Okay. Move the people of the Brellof family, and come along. Let’s go to the palace together.”

“Understood.”

“And while you’re at it, tell the steward my words. I think I should abandon this mansion.”

Ascan was planning the destruction of the world. Therefore, he was prepared to escape at any time in case problems arose.

However, Zen, who was unaware of this fact, asked with a surprised expression, “Is it enough to just tell the steward like that?”

“Yeah. The rest, the steward will take care of it.”

“Understood. I’ll convey it like that.”

After finishing the reply, Zen, like Kaltun, quickly left the room. There was no time to hesitate as there were things to do.

Thus, only Ascan and Bill remained in the room.

Looking at Ascan with a betrayed expression, Bill said, “Hyung, is this really going to happen? Not long ago, you told me that you wouldn’t forget the revenge of the experimental children. Was it a lie?”

Ascan looked at Bill with abyss-like eyes. It always felt like sincerity wasn’t getting through, but there was no other way but to speak honestly.

“Bill, I’ve never once thought of giving up revenge. I won’t now or in the future.”

“Then why! Why would you want to save Brellof’s daughter?”

“I regret that I’ve watched the experimental children die one by one without knowing anything. But now, the emperor is taking away even my woman?”

“That’s… a bit different.”

“What’s different? I’ve built up strength because I don’t want anyone taking away what’s mine. The reason for revenge is the same. Since they used and harmed colleagues who grew up with me, I want them to pay a corresponding price.”

Bill lowered his head. He couldn’t sympathize with Ascan’s words at all.

“How, how are Brellof’s daughter and the experimental children the same? She’s an outsider, and we’re a family.”

“Bill, Tanashia is more precious to me than my life.”

Now, the truth in Ascan’s words could be felt. However, Bill couldn’t understand. No, he couldn’t accept it.

“For just one woman, will you abandon us and the experimental children?”

Ascan sighed quietly. Then, looking at Bill again, he opened his mouth.

“Bill.”

With a firm voice, he grabbed Bill’s shoulders firmly.

“All my words are sincere. I’ll never abandon you and the experimental children. I was going to step down from the position of the head of the bodyguards anyway to observe the movements of other empires. I’ll rescue Tanashia, understand the Arwen Empire, and then leave.”

“It may be difficult to come back to the Kalua Empire because of Brellof’s daughter. What about your vacant position…?”

“You’re here. You can fill it sufficiently. There won’t be any disruption in our plans.”

“I don’t want to go with such a risk.”

Ascan let out a bitter smile. It felt like the gap in thinking between him and Bill couldn’t be bridged.
As Bill said, rescuing Tanashia naturally involved risks. However, it wasn’t a choice that would completely ruin the plans made so far.

Even though there was enough room to turn in a different direction, Bill wouldn’t accept that either.

Ascan patted Bill’s shoulder for the last time and gently let go of his hand.

“If I go today, it’ll be hard to see each other for a while. Take care of yourself.”

“Hyung, please, don’t go.”

Bill’s expression seemed like it was about to collapse. However, this was something Ascan couldn’t compromise on.

Helcion had announced that tonight, Tanashia and he would spend their first night together. There was no time to argue with Bill here anymore.

With a determined heart, Ascan turned his back on Bill. Then, step by step, as he left the room, he spoke in a low voice.

“Trust and wait for me. I’ll rescue Tanashia and ensure our revenge succeeds.”

“Hyung, hyung…!”

No matter how desperately Bill called, Ascan didn’t look back.

In that firm back view, Bill felt that he couldn’t hold onto Ascan any longer.

Bill twisted his eyes as if in torment. Soon after, an unstoppable tear fell from the corner of his eye.

“Hyung… is a liar.”

Bill could no longer believe Ascan.

For Ascan, someone more precious than Bill and even the experimental children had appeared.

With the sleeve of his clothes, Bill wiped away the tears. Then, as he looked up again, his gaze was different from before.

In his ash-colored eyes, there was a cold venom that made his gaze colder than it had ever been.

“From now on, revenge will be carried out by me alone.”

It was the moment when the content of the novel “Beloved Saint” started to distort completely, like gears going out of alignment.

Kaltun gathered the bodyguards who would follow Ascan tonight, and Zen sent the people of the Brellof family in the mansion to the border first.