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Rose immediately summoned Park Jeongjae to the Royal Family’s secret meeting place. Given the trouble he had caused, Jeongjae had already anticipated Rose calling for him. Initially, Jeongjae had thought to send Bernard directly back north, but after receiving Rose’s summons, he changed his mind and headed to the location Rose had indicated, with Bernard accompanying him.

Facing the furious Rose Caprice one-on-one was a terrifying prospect. He had never been this tense even when meeting his parents, academic advisors, or randomly bumping into local government heads. Comparing those people to Rose was itself an insult to her.

Bernard agreed readily to Jeongjae’s offer to accompany him. The place where Rose had summoned Jeongjae was one of the old tavern buildings in the quarantine zone. Walter’s prohibition on alcohol was still in effect, and this street was not only failing to resume business but also lacked proper maintenance for the dilapidated buildings.

Although reports indicated improvements in food conditions and the military’s grievances regarding the prohibition and abstinence measures occasionally transcended the food shortage issue, the Parliament was far too busy to deal with such trivial matters.

Thanks to this, Rose had managed to secure a meeting place that she could use at her convenience. As Jeongjae passed through the desolate streets, he observed the remnants of the fight that had occurred between Jenis and Rose.

“When I heard that those two faced off back then, I never thought it would turn out like this.”

“How fortunate it would be if it ended with merely a test of strength! Usually, after exchanging a few punches, friendship blossoms.”

“I’m not so sure about that. In the world I lived in, even children getting into scuffles would force an adult committee to be summoned.”

“Sounds like a rather dull world.”

Jeongjae wanted to respond with “a more civilized world,” but he ended up stopping himself with a small laugh. It was easy to guess Bernard had had a rough youth. He probably didn’t connect all scuffles to the birth of friendship either.

Walter and his friendship were exceptional cases—even for the Empire’s top human hunter.

Jeongjae opened the door and stepped into the building designated by Rose. Rose Caprice was already waiting for him, having arrived early.

Jeongjae noticed Rose was wearing armor and flinched. In fact, Rose was someone who needed armor less than anyone else. The fact that she wore it implied a battle-ready stance or a mindset prepared for confrontation.

For her, the uniform was a marker of her status. Clad in a red jacket, Rose was in a state of focusing on somewhat political affairs. The armor she wore was a symbol displaying her strength. With armor on, it was clear that Rose was prepared for war.

Rose slowly turned to Jeongjae and said, “You brought a guest, Grand Mage.”

Rose’s voice was cold. Jeongjae tried his best not to show his fear as he replied.

“It’s not like Bernard is some guest. Why treat him like one?”

“Even if it weren’t Bernard, whoever you brought would be a guest in this matter. I heard your fervent speech. Was it Jenis Harker’s honest feelings represented in that… or your own thoughts?”

Jeongjae did his best not to avoid Rose’s gaze. Standing in the dark corner of the building, the Crown Princess looked more like a boss of the dark guild than a royal of the Empire. Bernard, who had a long history in the underground, perhaps sensed a familiar scent from Rose’s demeanor and made a grimace.

“Can we discuss this somewhere brighter? There’s no one around outside anyway.”

“That’s a short-sighted thought, Bernard.”

Rose replied. “I wonder if this mage could even look me in the eye in a brighter place. If you’re not going to answer that question from earlier, I will: Park Jeongjae, I don’t think you’re the kind of person who would say such things about yourself. You don’t have the guts to openly sabotage me in front of Rose Caprice. The times you muster up courage are when you launch attacks against enemies, when you sacrifice yourself while getting hurt. You lack the courage to stand against those you consider friends. At least we’re not friends yet, are we?”

“I hope we can remain friends for as long as possible, Rose.”

“And that’s how I know. You wouldn’t be able to do such a thing. Because, even at this moment…”

Rose slightly frowned.

“I can see the signs of fear in your eyes.”

At these words, Jeongjae’s head turned cold. A sneer formed at the corner of Rose’s lips. Her tone seemed to accuse him of being a mere immature fool swayed by emotions, provoking Jeongjae’s anger. Bernard, standing beside him, instinctively sensed Jeongjae’s shift and took a step back.

“Hey, dude, maybe take a moment to cool your head…”

“Fear is something noble.”

Jeongjae said. “It’s not like I’ve never been hurt. I heard you had suffered from a serious injury before. Didn’t you feel death come knocking at your door then? Didn’t you realize why fear is necessary back then? If you almost lost your life and couldn’t learn fear, that’s a matter of intelligence, Rose. Even a five-year-old wouldn’t recklessly leap in front of a carriage after nearly being trampled by one.”

“Is all that really what you yourself believe?”

“I respect your authority. I also respect Walter’s authority. When you lead, I follow. So, do I still appear to you as a puppet who can’t move without orders? Even now?”

“I never said that. I never thought about you that way. But frankly speaking, Park Jeongjae, can you deny that you’re the kind of person who gets swayed by anyone?”

“Who’s to say whether being swayed by anyone is worse than being someone who doesn’t listen to anyone?”

“I am Rose Caprice!”

Rose slammed her fist against the wall. The fact that the old plank wall didn’t shatter indicated that she had controlled her strength.

“There is only one Empire on this continent, and there is only one house that governs that Empire! The name of the Empire is Audrich, and the name of the house is Caprice. Those who attempt to shake this will not be forgiven. So, are you trying to become one of those? You, who have only been in this world for four years and dare to oppose me, who was born with the blessings of my house? You dare to shatter the values I protect?”

“The sovereignty of the Empire belongs to your house. I don’t deny that.”

“I study too.”

Rose shook her head. “I don’t only learn the history of our continent. I have some knowledge about your world’s history as well. And can you count on your fingers the number of cases where a power that dominated a region, a country, or even a world was overturned by a force that grew in strength while taking advantage of an invasion? You might run out of fingers and toes to count!”

“But Jenis…”

“What? Do you think hearing that guy’s feelings will make me understand and back down? Do you think that giving me empty promises or negotiation terms would convince me? If you’ve come on behalf of her, go and tell her clearly! Unless it’s an unconditional surrender, Rose Caprice will not accept it!”

“I can’t convey that. That’s my personal choice. I’m sorry, Rose.”

Rose’s face began to redden as much as her hair color. Jeongjae was still struggling to suppress his anger due to Rose’s blatant disdain.

His tone was calm, and his gestures were composed. But his heart was pounding with tension mixed with anger, and his ears were slowly turning red.

Bernard watched the two with a worried expression, his teeth clenched. Rose lowered her head slightly and spoke in a whisper.

“Samasa ji sim, rôin gae ji ra…”

“How do you know that saying?”

The heart of Samasa is known even to passersby. This is not a phrase for a person from this world to utter. Rather, Jeongjae thought that if there hadn’t been a very specific international situation before coming to the Audrich Empire, he might not have heard it at all. When Jeongjae asked, Rose nodded, as if to say she had explained it just earlier.

People crossing over from Earth to this world often appear. It wouldn’t be strange at all if some ancient Chinese masters who were well-versed in Chinese classics crossed over as well. Jeongjae was unable to hide his astonishment as he recognized how vast and profound the knowledge of the Audrich Royal Family was, beyond his expectations.

Rose continued, bitterness in her smile. “Then, knowing that phrase, you still support that force.”

“That’s a different case.”

“To the Emperor, it’s all the same.”

Rose drew her sword from her waist. Bernard instinctively took a defensive stance, but Jeongjae, whose anger had yet to subside, maintained a calm posture and glared at Rose.

Noticing the fear in Jeongjae’s gaze had dissipated, Rose shook her head. The Crown Princess pointed the sword squarely at Jeongjae and said.

“If you won’t obey, it’s treason. Must I make you understand by force?”

“Contradicting the Royal Family’s will is a momentary sin, but if you stir up discord among those powers that should unite, that will leave an unerasable sin even a thousand years from now, Rose.”

“Establishing an empire governed by the Royal Family is the only way to unite! Has the decaying republic made your brain rot?!”

At this point, Rose showed no signs of concealing her rage. As her voice resonated with the protection of the Iron Wall, each shout reverberated throughout the entire building. Bernard, merely a human, was tormented just by withstanding her shout, but Jeongjae maintained his calm state as if nothing were happening, smoothly slipping one hand into his robe.

“Not going to lower the sword? I’m not one to offer multiple warnings nicely.”

“Arrogant little brat.”

Jeongjae pulled out a blue robe marked with a red VR sign from within his garment, lightly draping it over himself. At the same time, three blue magic circles emerged simultaneously around the Grand Mage’s hands.

Realizing each of those three magic circles was the magic circle for “Star’s Flare,” Rose’s eyes trembled with surprise.

“If you want a contest of strength, I’ll grant you your wish. But remember, I’ll be stronger than any enemy you’ve faced.”

Bernard stepped back in shock.

“You’re serious, aren’t you? This is really bad.”

The three magic circles simultaneously unleashed blue beams toward Rose. It was the moment when the world’s strongest destructive force collided directly with the world’s most solid shield.

 

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