At that moment.
In the heart of the Arcmenes Empire, within the imperial palace.
Deep inside the massive palace, where the imperial family resided, the Imperial Knights were stationed with strict security.
The Emperor was the sun of the empire, and his children were the stars of the empire.
Protecting them was the greatest honor and duty of the Imperial Knights.
Moreover, the atmosphere had become even more sensitive due to the recent competition for the throne.
Not only at the entrance, but everywhere, knights with sharp eyes were stationed.
In the room, a knight clad in strikingly blue and white armor reported to a blonde man seated between two beauties.
“Your Highness. The search party sent to the Elfen Forest has discovered the body of Sir Gladrock. It seems he was killed by someone unexpected.”
Gawain, the captain of the Imperial Second Knight Order.
A man who stood at the pinnacle of the Sword Graduate and was counted among the top ten strongest in the empire, reported indifferently.
The blonde man, who had been staring at him, opened his mouth with an expressionless face.
“What do you think about this matter, Sir Gawain?”
“My apologies, Your Highness Albireo. It is entirely my fault.”
“No, no. What I want is not an apology.”
The second prince of the empire, Albireo, waved his hand dismissively.
Under his sacred golden hair, symbolizing the imperial family, his sapphire eyes, inherited from his mother, shone brightly.
“I have no intention of blaming you, the superior, for the defeat of your subordinate. He was just a weakling. Now, let me ask you again, Sir Gawain. What do you think about this matter?”
“There seem to be several strange points.”
“Oh? In what aspects?”
Thud.
“Ugh!”
As he asked the question, Albireo forcefully stomped on the back of a woman lying at his feet.
A naked woman with a slender frame, wearing a collar, lay flat on the ground.
Her eyes trembled with fear, and her back was covered in fresh blood.
Using slaves as playthings was one of Albireo’s favorite hobbies.
After a few more kicks, Gawain slowly began to speak.
“After our plan to use elf slaves to sway the nobles supporting the first prince was disrupted, Orbit’s forces were simultaneously attacked. It seems someone is deliberately trying to hinder our expansion.”
“Correct. But what’s important now is to find out who dared to interfere with me. Who do you suspect, hmm?”
Thud.
Albireo kicked the woman lying on the ground again.
The women sitting beside him flinched.
The woman, kicked in the chest, twitched and then stopped moving.
‘Another lowborn slave has died today.’
Gawain glanced at the woman’s corpse and quietly lowered his eyes.
The second prince, who had topped the magic department during his academy days, possessed not only exceptional talent but also outstanding political acumen.
However, he often displayed a violent and greedy nature.
Having sworn loyalty to him long ago, Gawain was accustomed to such scenes.
But when Albireo killed a slave, it meant he was extremely angry.
And when he was this angry, even Gawain could be at risk.
Choosing his words carefully, Gawain answered Albireo’s question.
“If I may offer my opinion, the recent series of incidents seem to be the work of the first prince, His Highness Maximilian.”
“Is that so? Our knight captain has a bold opinion. Please elaborate.”
“First, the forces Your Highness had in the underground city were not something just anyone could easily touch. We even sent Sir Baskers, one of the top knights in our order, to establish control there.”
“Ah, now that I think about it, it was you who recommended Sir Baskers, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, it was.”
“And so?”
Under Albireo’s cold gaze, which seemed to blame him for the poor choice, Gawain swallowed dryly.
“Considering that Sir Gladrock and the slave hunters were all killed in the forest, it must have been the work of at least a vice-captain level knight. It’s clear that His Highness Maximilian has acted to counter you.”
“Hmm.”
Albireo narrowed his brows, deep in thought.
There was nothing wrong with Gawain’s reasoning.
But something felt off.
There was a sense of something hidden, something not quite right.
Lost in thought, Albireo draped his arm over the shoulder of the woman beside him and spoke.
“It seems my brother is behind this. There’s circumstantial evidence, but no concrete proof.”
“I agree. It’s a very meticulous operation.”
“Still, I need to reevaluate my brother. He acts all high and mighty, but he’s quick to stab his younger brother in the back.”
Squish.
“Ah…!”
Albireo roughly grabbed the breast of the woman beside him, eliciting a thin moan.
As he kneaded her ample breast, Albireo continued.
“With His Majesty’s health deteriorating day by day, the appointment of the crown prince is imminent. Before an all-out war with my brother breaks out, we need to solidify our power base. What news do we have of Justia?”
“She still shows no intention of joining Your Highness.”
“Then she must be killed.”
A decisive answer.
The declaration to kill a member of the imperial family without hesitation made Gawain’s eyebrows twitch.
“She is known as the Empire’s Treasure. Are you sure about this?”
“That’s exactly why she must be killed. If she ever turns against me, it would be a headache. We’ll stage an accident during the upcoming Sword Demon Festival and eliminate her.”
After releasing the woman’s breast, Albireo picked up a glass of wine from the table.
“Dafhausen 30-year-old. A premium whiskey, considered the finest of the finest. Nothing better to soothe the heart of a brother who must send his sister away.”
Gulp.
“Ah.”
Albireo downed the strong liquor and exhaled deeply.
Gawain knew.
Albireo felt no guilt about killing his sister.
This was just a performance.
And as such, it was to be appreciated.
However, care must be taken to ensure no disruptors enter the stage.
“Your Highness, I recommend being cautious of Duke Behirith Develion.”
“The Grand Duke?”
“Yes. You must have heard the news that he publicly humiliated Sir Lucius, who was assigned as Her Highness Justia’s escort.”
“The second son of the Count Grendal family, right? Yes, I heard. I don’t know why he went to the academy, but he certainly made a scene.”
“But after that, there have been several sightings of him meeting alone with Her Highness Justia.”
“Oh?”
Albireo’s eyes sparkled with interest.
“Has the Duke joined hands with Justia?”
“It seems so. Whether he was captivated by Her Highness Justia’s beauty, known as the Empire’s Treasure, is unclear, but they are definitely deeply involved.”
“Haha. The so-called Iron-Blooded Duke, who has reached the level of a Sword Master, has fallen for a mere love affair?”
Albireo swirled his glass, the ice clinking inside.
He pierced through with a sharp gaze and said.
“He must be aiming to become a member of the imperial family through marriage with Justia. He plans to make her the Empress and then wield the real power himself.”
“!”
Gawain was startled by Albireo’s words.
If that were true, a major player had entered the competition for the throne.
Just when they were already struggling with the first prince…
“To use Her Highness Justia, known as the Empire’s Treasure, for his own gain. He is truly a terrifying man.”
“I agree. It seems I must meet him.”
“Your Highness, are you planning to meet the Duke in person?”
“I heard he is currently staying in the capital. To meet a dragon, one must go to its lair. I need to confirm even the slightest possibility.”
Tap.
Albireo set the glass down on the table and stood up.
Gawain followed him and asked.
“What possibility are you referring to?”
“If the Duke has indeed joined hands with Justia, then it’s possible that he is the one who interfered with my plans.”
“That…!”
If that speculation were true, it would be the worst-case scenario.
Leaving the shocked Gawain behind, Albireo said.
“It’s not certain yet. I need to meet him in person to confirm. Prepare for my departure.”
“Yes. Understood.”
Gawain bowed deeply.
As Albireo walked out the door, his sapphire eyes gleamed sharply.
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