The day of Cassis’s public execution.
A great crowd had gathered in the central square of the ecliptic.
On a large dais, Cassis, bound by the shackles that bind Mana, bowed his head.
Beside him stood the Second Prince Descartes, the executioner, and his special inspectors.
“From now on! Cassis Lenokhonen, you are hereby condemned to death for treason against the security of the Rogino Empire!”
Thump!
Descartes Rogino drew his sword from his waistband.
The hilt crackled with golden magic.
It was the sword of judgment, the sword of the first Sword Master of Rogino.
“Cassis Renokhonan not only targeted the life of Count Rahardt, who could have saved not only the Empire, but a continent plagued by the Maguul, but he also attacked and took the life of a group of officials tasked with scouting for the Maguul!”
The blade of the sword pressed against Cassis’s throat. The golden magic crackled even more. The fury of all the people responded, intensifying the sense of judgment.
“Sinner, raise your head.”
Cassis slowly raised his head. He wore no expression. Rather, his purple eyes glowed with a vicious fleshiness.
“That bastard, he never shows a single expression!”
“How much damage has he done to us?”
“Look at those fierce eyes!”
“Die, you bastard!”
The anger of the people watching the execution was palpable, and the issue of Magul was a sensitive one. So many lives had been lost, so many resources had been damaged.
“Say the last thing you want to say.”
Descartes said in a low voice and raised his blade. The golden, energized sword of judgment rippled with magic, as if it wanted to strike his throat at once.
A hush fell over the crowd. Everyone pursed their lips and remained silent, as if they were waiting to hear the last words of the Great Criminal.
“…”
The crowd’s gazes were drawn together. Cassis, who had remained expressionless the entire time, lifted one corner of his mouth. It was a sneer.
“Fools…”
That was Cassis’s last words.
“Oh.”
Descartes narrowed his eyes.
“Are you done talking?”
“Finished.”
“Good.”
The golden sword was raised high.
The blade was aimed squarely at Cassis’s throat.
The blade fell in a straight trajectory. The blade flashed with golden energy as it cut through the air, and for a moment, all sound was lost.
A moment of silence.
thud.
Cassis’s head rolled back. Blood spurted from his neck, splattering into the air and forming a red river down the dais.
The people held their breath for a moment, and then–.
“Waaaaah!”
“Die, you damned bastard!”
“Go to hell!”
The explosive cheers that followed shook the square.
“…”
Yohan, who had watched the execution from afar, let out a deep breath. The pent-up tension in his chest eased a little.
“It’s over.”
The two men who had been tormenting Francis and himself were dead.
Though the Archbishop and the Archmaster still lingered, they had no need to be wary.
‘We never met them.
Now that Fedelian and Cassis are gone and Francia is confident, she doesn’t need to go to the Tower. She doesn’t have to flee to the castle.
No more involvement with them.
Jab.
Yohan turned away, his face set.
His footsteps echoed in the hallway.
* * *
A Night Bathed in Gentle Moonlight.
Inside the carriage, Francia tilted her head in curiosity.
“But why are they holding a banquet now?”
The two were on their way to the imperial palace to attend a banquet hosted by the royal family.
“There have been too many unfortunate events in succession. Despite that, the imperial family wants to show that they remain strong, which is likely why they organized this banquet.”
The death of Crown Prince Fedelian, disgraced by treason, was hardly a favorable incident. However, the imperial family opened the treasury as if nothing had happened.
A move befitting those with royal blood.
“They will probably reward me for executing the traitors, in front of everyone at the banquet.”
Francia blinked.
“To showcase the relationship between the imperial family and you?”
“Exactly.”
It wasn’t difficult for Yohan to guess the imperial family’s intentions. After all, he currently held the greatest power in the empire.
It was only natural for the imperial family to act accordingly.
“Well… things are going smoothly, so there’s no need to worry about it.”
“Yes. Let’s just enjoy ourselves tonight.”
Yohan smiled lightly and turned his gaze out the window.
This was a grand banquet, attended by nearly all the central nobles. However, the families that had supported the crown prince were not invited.
Neither was Rudella, who had severed ties with Bismarck.
‘That’s for the best.’
With the recent unrest surrounding Fedelian, lying low was the right choice.
Of course, she couldn’t remain hidden forever, as she was bound to become Yohan’s wife one day.
“We’ve arrived at the palace!”
At last, they reached the imperial palace.
Yohan stepped out first and extended a hand to Francia.
“Thank you.”
She smiled sweetly as she took his hand, allowing him to escort her.
“There are so many people…”
“Indeed.”
Standing before the palace, Yohan and Francia glanced around. A long line of invited nobles stretched out like an endless wave.
“Do we have to wait in line too?”
“Hmm…”
As Yohan stroked his chin in thought, a knight clad in golden armor approached.
“Pardon me, but are you Count Rahardt and Lady Ferbache?”
“We are.”
“Please follow me. There is a way for you to enter first.”
“Very well.”
The knight led the way. Francia glanced at Yohan with a puzzled expression.
Yohan merely shrugged—this was news to him as well.
But the mystery was soon solved.
As they walked, the knight explained,
“His Majesty has been watching closely and has ordered that Count Rahardt and Lady Ferbache be admitted first upon arrival.”
A special privilege, it seemed.
Well, they were practically the stars of the night.
Yohan nodded in understanding.
The two followed the knight to the entrance of the banquet hall.
“Presenting Count Rahardt and Lady Ferbache!”
Clunk!
With the knight’s announcement, the grand arched doors of the imperial banquet hall slowly swung open.
“Count Rahardt and Lady Ferbache…!”
“They make such a striking pair.”
“The future center of noble society…”
“Oh my, he’s so handsome…”
“And Lady Ferbache is simply stunning.”
As the two made their appearance, the nobles in the banquet hall halted their conversations. Even the lingering echoes of their words vanished, and for a moment, an unusual silence enveloped the space.
All eyes turned toward Yohan and Francia. The men gazed at them with a mix of admiration and envy, while the women looked on with curiosity and longing.
The dazzling light of the chandeliers surrounded them, their presence dominating the banquet hall.
Hand in hand, Yohan and Francia slowly stepped forward, unfazed by the attention pouring onto them.
“Everything went quiet the moment we arrived.”
Francia murmured, her crimson eyes sweeping across the many gazes gathered in the hall.
“Naturally. After all, we are the stars of this banquet.”
Yohan smiled as he gently squeezed her hand.
“Hmm, I feel like you’re the real star here, not me.”
A faint curve formed at the corner of Francia’s lips.
“Well then, shall we go and greet a few people?”
“Should I come with you?”
“Of course. We’ll be family soon, after all.”
Arm in arm, the two strolled through the party.
“I’m glad to see you in good health, Count Rahardt.”
“Thank you for your concern. And you are…?”
“Viscount Harens.”
It was only natural that many nobles approached them.
“It is an honor to meet you, Count Rahardt…!”
“I am Musina Maybell!”
“I-I’m Lante Brans!”
Most of them were merely struggling to make their names known and forge connections.
“Yes… thank you, everyone.”
Yohan responded with a polite but indifferent smile, barely acknowledging their greetings. After all, there was no need to remember them—they were only drawn in by Rahardt’s influence.
Once the whirlwind of introductions finally settled, Yohan and Francia found a moment of respite in a quiet corner of the banquet hall.
“No one seems interested in me.”
“That’s not true. They simply wouldn’t dare.”
Yohan swept his gaze across the hall. He could see the impure stares directed at Francia.
“Look at that. I’m not the only one attracting attention.”
“Hmm. You’re right.”
Francia smiled softly.
“I was too focused on you to notice.”
Even as she exchanged pleasantries with others, her gaze never strayed from Yohan. If any other young ladies so much as showed interest in him, she looked ready to intervene.
Yohan stroked his chin.
“Have you had a change of heart?”
“A change of heart?”
“Yes.”
“…I don’t think so?”
Francia absentmindedly adjusted her hair and smoothed out the hem of her dress.
“Not your appearance.”
“Then…?”
“Just now, you spoke quite boldly without hesitation.”
Yohan chuckled lightly. Francia blinked as she retraced her words, then finally realized what he meant.
“Ahem. I’d say we’re past the point of blushing over such things.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“What a shame.”
Yohan smiled mischievously as he brushed a strand of hair from Francia’s face.
“I rather enjoyed seeing you blush.”
“You’re being impure. And teasing.”
“I can’t help it when you’re so adorable.”
“Hmph…”
Francia averted her gaze and covered her mouth with her hand. The tips of her ears were turning red.
“Haha.”
Yohan chuckled, but before he could say more—
“His Imperial Majesty, the Sun of the Empire, is arriving!”
It was time for the banquet to truly begin.
* * *
At the center of the grand banquet hall, where nobles had gathered, the emperor raised his head with solemn dignity.
“Yohan Rahardt, step forward.”
As if he had been waiting, Yohan advanced and knelt on one knee.
“Not only did the count eliminate a traitor, but he also apprehended a great criminal and ensured a rightful judgment was passed. For this, I commend your contributions and shall grant you a reward befitting your merits.”
At the emperor’s gesture, the chancellor stepped forward and presented an official decree. The scroll, adorned with the imperial seal, unfurled as the emperor continued.
“I bestow upon you the title of duke. From this day forward, Count Rahardt shall become Duke Rahardt and assume the position of director of the newly established Purification Bureau, which will stand above the existing administrative offices.”
A duke.
It was a declaration that the emperor now recognized him as the ruler of Rahardt.
And by creating a higher administrative institution and appointing him as its head, the emperor was ensuring his authority would be unmatched.
“A dukedom…?”
“So he will become the second duke of Rogino?”
“His already immense power will only grow stronger.”
The nobles murmured amongst themselves, their eyes filled with awe and admiration. It was only natural this was a historic moment, the birth of a new duke.
“I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s grace.”
Yohan bowed respectfully. The emperor stepped forward, placing a firm hand on his shoulder, his gaze unwavering.
“I shall be counting on you, Duke Rahardt.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Thus, Yohan became a symbol of the empire the second duke in its history.