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A bluish moon hangs above the window of the audience chamber.

The cool moonlight shines on a girl seated on the throne—Luna Meikhael.

Known as Lucy Meikhael, but when the moon rises, the ideal emperor’s persona, ‘Luna,’ awakens.

Luna rested her chin on the back of her hand and spoke.

“Do you know why I summoned you separately?”

At her question, the two figures kneeling below the throne raised their heads.

The white-haired old man was Mondri Cremont, the Chancellor of Meikhael University and head of the prestigious Cremont family.

Known as the closest to a sage among active mages, he had served as a Royal Court Magician for a long time, dedicating himself to the imperial family.

Beside Mondri was Ariel Rizeute.

A senior professor at Meikhael University and the younger sister of Colin, the head of the prestigious Rizeute family.

As Mondri’s disciple, she was also one of those who supported the imperial family.

“Mondri. You answer first.”

At Luna’s command, Mondri smiled kindly and spoke.

“Hoho… How could an old man like me fathom Your Majesty’s intentions? But if I may venture a guess, it might be about the man at the center of the northern expedition… Count Ruelberta, perhaps.”

“Yes. It is because of that man.”

The covert struggle between the imperial family and the Ruelberta family was a well-known story among those in the know.

The Ruelberta Count Family possessed power too vast for a mere noble family—strong private soldiers, vast territories, and wealth rivaling the national treasury.

Such power inevitably posed a significant threat to the imperial family.

The Ruelberta family’s relentless expansion and the imperial family’s attempts to check them had been ongoing.

But the appearance of the Hero changed the situation.

The Hero’s emergence was proof of the Demon Lord’s arrival.

To prevent the darkness looming over this world, the imperial family and the Ruelberta family set aside their long-standing feud and joined hands.

Their first move was the joint recapture of the northern region, the Northern Garden.

Before the Demon Lord’s appearance, they aimed to reclaim the northern region, which had been on the border of the demonic realm, and handed over the command of the expeditionary force to Count Ruelberta.

Handing over the army to a lifelong enemy.

It was truly an unpleasant task for Luna, but it was unavoidable.

Unlike the Imperial Army, which had grown complacent in long peace, the Ruelberta family’s private soldiers were seasoned warriors with extensive deployment experience. Even Luna acknowledged that they were the best in the nation at exterminating monstrous beasts.

Though it was confirmed that the number of monstrous beasts in the north had significantly decreased, Luna judged that reclaiming the north without their help was impossible.

It was a blow to her pride to seek help from a sworn enemy, but there was also a silver lining.

If the Imperial Army went on the expedition, the capital would be left vulnerable, so it was more convenient to appoint Tristan as the overall commander.

Moreover, if the expedition failed, she could hold him accountable, so swallowing her pride wasn’t entirely a loss.

Mondri and Ariel, trusted by the Emperor, understood her feelings to some extent.

“Do not worry, Your Majesty. Even in the north, I will monitor the Count’s every move. Your Majesty will be able to safely observe all developments from the Imperial Palace.”

“Reliable as ever, Ariel.”

Luna smiled softly.

Though they had temporarily joined hands with the Ruelberta family, they couldn’t be fully trusted. Therefore, someone to monitor and report Tristan’s actions during the northern expedition was essential.

Mondri recommended Ariel for this role.

As a senior professor at Meikhael University, Ariel’s cool judgment and unshakable mental fortitude made her the perfect candidate to keep an eye on Tristan.

“If the Count engages in any suspicious activities, I will report them immediately.”

“Good. It never hurts to be cautious. But…”

“…?”

At Luna’s hesitant demeanor, the quick-witted Ariel reassured her.

“It’s alright, Your Majesty. We are prepared to gratefully accept any request from you.”

“Hoho… Indeed, Your Majesty. Please speak freely.”

“No. It’s not a request or anything like that. It’s just… I’m a bit curious.”

“Curious about…?”

Luna hesitated before speaking.

“What do you think of the Count?”

“Pardon?”

“Huh?”

The unexpected question froze the expressions of the two. Seeing this, Luna quickly added an explanation.

“Ah, I hope there’s no misunderstanding. I merely wish to hear your thoughts on Count Ruelberta. Nothing more, nothing less. Understood?”

“Ah, yes…”

“Good. Then speak.”

It would be troublesome if misunderstandings arose. It was better to clarify things outright.

Ariel cleared her throat and answered.

“Your Majesty, to speak of Tristan, we must first speak of the Ruelberta family. The Ruelberta family has long been notorious. Not only for their inhumane acts but also for their deep connections to the underworld. Once, there were families comparable to the Ruelberta family, but their silent downfall was no coincidence.”

Barax, Swellark, Zenhaive… Families that once wielded power in the empire, though not as much as the Seven Stars. They fell into ruin, either burdened by massive debts or with their heads dying under mysterious circumstances. And their commonality was that they all opposed the Ruelberta family.

Yet, it couldn’t be proven that the Ruelberta family was behind it.

Perhaps if the Seven Stars hadn’t united around the Emperor, things might have been different.

“The Ruelberta family is a group that has meticulously committed atrocities without ever revealing their presence. Tristan, the current head of the Ruelberta family, is no different. His disrespectful attitude and remarks towards Your Majesty also suggest he is not of good character.”

Ariel bore a grudge against the Ruelberta family. Yet, she set aside her resentment to convey only objective facts.

Mondri nodded.

“Hmm… As Ariel said, he is certainly not of a kind disposition. His arrogance and refusal to bow to anyone are traits he shares with his father, Count William.”

“Hmm…”

“But… since becoming the Chairman, he’s been…”

Mondri hesitated before continuing.

“It’s more like he’s been committing eccentric acts rather than evil ones. He does things that others can’t understand. Of course, the possibility that these eccentric acts hide evil intentions cannot be ruled out…”

At the mention of eccentric acts, Luna also recalled something.

That man’s arrogant… no, sinister gaze.

The way he almost snatched away her gloves and socks, still bearing her scent…

‘Ugh!! That pervert…!’

Overwhelmed by unbearable shame, Luna had to cover her face.

“Your Majesty? Are you alright? You look pale.”

“I… I’m fine.”

“If you’re tired, perhaps you should retire to your chambers…”

“No. I’m fine. It’s just a momentary dizziness. Anyway, Mondri. Continue.”

“Yes… I believe Tristan is different from the vicious William. That much is certain. Hoho… In fact, he’s so different that it’s suspicious.”

In truth, Mondri’s feelings had also changed.

When Tristan became Chairman, Mondri couldn’t help but worry.

Not only was it unpleasant to serve the son of the man he so disliked, but the thought of being interfered with by someone so much younger was disheartening.

Mondri had prepared himself. If Tristan interfered with him as Chancellor, he was ready to use all his influence and status to completely remove Tristan’s position in the university.

But surprisingly, Mondri never clashed with Tristan.

Tristan actively participated in the university’s operations, more so than the previous Chairman, Arthur. But only to the extent that it didn’t conflict with Mondri. Moreover, he seemed to implicitly acknowledge Mondri’s abilities.

Even the old Mondri, being human, couldn’t be harsh to someone who recognized his worth. Though his disciple Ariel might be disappointed, Mondri’s hostility towards Tristan had significantly softened over the past few months.

Of course, he still considered Tristan a figure to be wary of.

“Hmm… I see.”

After hearing their answers, Luna seemed lost in thought.

Mondri decided to turn the question back to her.

“But what does Your Majesty think? About Tristan, I mean.”

Though the question was sudden, Luna’s answer came immediately.

“I don’t know.”

“Pardon?”

“I don’t know what kind of man he is. I can’t fathom what he’s thinking, what’s going on in his head.”

Recalling Tristan’s arrogant face, Luna felt inexplicably irritated.

He was a man whose true intentions were unknowable.

Perhaps, as Mondri said, he was just a man who enjoyed eccentric acts.

But to Luna, he was undoubtedly a bad man. A man who disrespected the Emperor, an arrogant man… and an endless pervert…

Though she had no choice but to entrust Tristan with the command of the northern expedition, she couldn’t just leave him be.

Who knew what eccentric acts… no, what evil deeds he might plot when she wasn’t looking.

Finally, Luna made up her mind.

“The reason I summoned you today is to make a request.”

“A request, Your Majesty?”

“Yes. I’m already indebted to you, so I apologize, but will you help me once more?”

“Of course. We would be honored to fulfill Your Majesty’s request.”

“Please speak. Hoho… If this old man can be of any help…”

“Thank you. What I wish to request is…”

Upon hearing Luna’s request, the eyes of the two couldn’t help but widen.

Even the usually composed Ariel couldn’t help but ask again.

“What?! Y-you plan to go to the north yourself?!”

 

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