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The capital of Estellia, Ruden, boasts a history spanning a thousand years.

As the unique capital of an empire in the current continent, its scale set it apart from the capitals of other nations. The imperial palace, where the current emperor resides, was simply incomparable to the castles of other kingdoms.

Moreover, the significance of the imperial palace extends beyond merely being a residence for the royal family. As descendants of the divine, it served as a sort of sanctuary for the citizens of the empire who believed in Divine Lord Altair.

Functioning as both the monarch’s residence and a temple, this was why the imperial palace’s size was excessively grand compared to those of other countries.

Thus, for all the citizens residing in Ruden, the magnificent view of the imperial palace represented a sense of pride in the empire, but like a shadow cast by light, there were those who despised it.

“Why does Father always stay in this distant palace instead of the main estate…?”

Heaving a sigh, a man walked down the long corridor leading to the palace. Orcus Estellia was one such individual.

Unlike other buildings that maintained close proximity to the main estate, the separate palace where the current emperor resided was distanced like the sun from the moon.

While there were several separate palaces within the imperial palace, the one Orcus was heading toward was notably smaller and called Sun’s Rest.

It certainly bore the title of a palace due to its location but was more akin to a modest residence, yet oddly enough, the current emperor spent more time there than at the main estate.

Since all administrative tasks were handled at the main estate, it was typical for the monarch, who possessed ultimate decision-making authority, to reside there for efficiency and safety. However, the emperor had begun relocating everyone responsible for his safety, including the captain of the royal guard, to the separate palace and settled there instead.

As a result, only the bodies of the nobles making the long walk to the separate palace suffered. Consequently, the nobles had repeatedly requested the emperor to return to the main estate, but each time, his response remained the same.

Orcus was likewise unhappy that his father was at the separate palace, as he found his father’s decision to remain so far from the main estate difficult to understand, especially since he always prioritized efficiency and results.

Yet, despite his discontent, he had never once asked the emperor to return to the main estate.

Although he couldn’t comprehend his father’s eccentric behavior, Orcus was well aware that his own insight paled compared to his father’s wisdom. Thus, he believed there must be some hidden intent behind it and chose to follow that purpose.

“But still, I can’t help but wonder why I was summoned today.”

As he neared the end of the corridor, a knight standing guard at the door to the separate palace caught Orcus’s eye.

The yellow sun emblazoned on his full-plate armor revealed his affiliation. Upon noticing Orcus approach, the knight relaxed his rigid posture and bowed his head gently, saying,

“Lowly Behelot. I greet the small sun of the empire.”

“Ah, Sir Behelot. You’re on entrance duty again today, I see? Have you joined in a betting pool or something?”

“Hahaha… Not at all, but please do come in. His Majesty is waiting.”

Laughing heartily and denying it, Behelot’s demeanor appeared off, as if he’d been struck. Orcus chuckled quietly, patted Behelot on the shoulder, and stepped inside.

As he opened the door, a cool spring breeze wafted in through the window. A moderate amount of sunlight streamed in, filling the room with warmth.

Unlike other rooms within the imperial palace adorned with gold and jewels, the room Orcus entered lacked any luxurious items. If one had to name something, it might be a single elegant-looking fountain pen resting atop the table.

At the center of the room sat a figure with a gentle expression.

The current emperor of Estellia, known for establishing an unprecedented era of peace, was praised by the world. Aslan Estellia.

His golden hair sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight, and deep, azure eyes like the sea gazed silently at the paper in his hand, radiating a mysterious aura.

Seeing this, Orcus hesitated to speak for fear of breaking his concentration. Minutes passed, and finally, as if he had finished reading, Aslan’s clear voice echoed throughout the room.

“It seems you’ve decided.”

Though his mouth formed a smile, Orcus caught the faint sorrow glimmering in his eyes.

This reaction from Aslan was unprecedented since his twin sister had expressed her desire to learn swordsmanship, making Orcus wonder if something significant had happened. But instead, he was handed the unsealed letter that Aslan had just read.

“This is… the crest of the Duke House of Edelweiss. Is something happening in the North?”

The wax seal depicted a wolf and five stars above it.

That emblem belonged to the House of Edelweiss, one of the dukedoms that existed outside of the empire’s three armies. Seeing this, Orcus’s face crumpled with worry, but Aslan spoke in a calm voice, indifferent to Orcus’s concern.

“Something is happening. An engagement announcement. You remember, don’t you? The daughter of the House of Edelweiss. She’s getting engaged.”

Tsk—Aslan’s remark allowed Orcus to easily recall a certain girl from his memory.

A pure, white girl of the same age as him.

Despite not having a particular interest in looks, the word beautiful slipped from his lips, marking a single meeting, yet even so, he vividly remembered that face.

However, aside from that, he had no other significant feelings.

Due to her reticent nature during their initial encounter, they exchanged mere greetings and farewells. The only other detail that came to mind was that she, true to her name, had advanced magical abilities beyond her years. That was all Orcus remembered about Elena Edelweiss.

Still, from that scant information, he could infer one fact.

She was a shy noble lady from a family located on the outskirts of the empire, and those two facts led Orcus to one conclusion.

“It’s a political marriage, isn’t it? Who is the partner?”

Given her character, it would be impossible for her to develop a romantic relationship on her own. Thus, the engagement must have been arranged by their families. With her exceptional looks and the background of Edelweiss, it wouldn’t be difficult for her to secure a good match.

The heir to the Edelweiss line had already been determined to be Elteman Edelweiss, who was currently studying at the Golden Tower. Orcus well understood the fate that befell young nobles sidelined in the succession line.

Orcus momentarily rested his chin in thought.

While the House of Edelweiss was located in the outskirts, it was one of the empire’s few dukedoms. Additionally, it was one of the seven magic towers in the continent, the owner of Dawn’s Tower. Given the immense power of such families, their alliances could potentially change the balance of power within the empire itself.

Yet, his primary concern was their central advancement.

All dukedoms in the empire resided on the outskirts, thus remaining confined within their own territories without reaching toward the center. However, this engagement could draw their attention toward central matters.

Therefore, Orcus fervently hoped that the names of the families he was pondering would not escape Aslan’s lips. Fortunately or unfortunately, Aslan did not mention the name of the family Orcus had been thinking of.

“It’s the Kraus family. An engagement has been arranged with the lesser house in the south.”

Aslan clicked his tongue again, but the sound fell on deaf ears for Orcus. Upon hearing the name Kraus, the earlier anxious conjectures faded, yet a greater bombshell exploded in his mind.

The House of Count Kraus.

How could one be unaware of that name?

To the North, the House of Edelweiss.

To the West, the House of Ertuven.

To the East, the House of Cromel.

And lastly to the South, the House of Kraus.

Orcus was no fool to forget the names of the four families that divided the empire. While the Kraus family did not hold a dukedom, their history and military strength were certainly not inferior to the other three families.

Most southern nobles owned fertile lands suitable for farming, and by annually dealing with marauding beasts, they enhanced their combat abilities and amassed wealth from the spoils of war. The family residing at the pinnacle of this was none other than the House of Count Kraus.

A family led by one of the five Sword Masters in the continent.

Kraus and Edelweiss.

While one knew that engagements should naturally be celebrated by others, the union between these two families appeared to Orcus only as a sign of the empire being on the brink of division. Of course, it was an overly dramatic thought, but still, one must always leave room for doubt.

Orcus opened his eyes and met Aslan’s gaze.

The man known as the current king bore no hint of the anxiety that gripped Orcus. Although he seemed to express some sorrow, it didn’t appear that he was concerned about the engagement of the two families.

“It’s just an engagement, but congratulations should still be conveyed, Orcus.”

“Yes.”

Watching Aslan, who softly smiled while calling his name, Orcus neatly folded away the worries he had been harboring deep within him. Aslan handed him a letter sealed with the imperial crest and said,

“You must go deliver this.”

The moment he heard those words, a piece of paper, which should have felt weightless, suddenly became as heavy as a chunk of iron. Yet, he dared not voice any thoughts of refusal. Orcus knew full well that evading the responsibility now would eventually leave it for him to handle when he inherited the empire.

Orcus tucked the letter close to his chest and quietly nodded in response to Aslan’s instructions. Aslan wore a pleased expression and, as Orcus turned to leave, seemed to recall something, calling him back.

“Hold on a moment.”

“What is it this time?”

“On your way, take Noel with you. That girl, Noel.”

“What?!”

Immediately, a perplexed expression crossed Orcus’s face at Aslan’s request, but Aslan appeared equally troubled. He chuckled bitterly, patted Orcus on the shoulder, and said,

“Just take her along to avoid trouble later on.”

“Do you not remember what happened last time at the House of Cromel? Noel, that girl transforms completely whenever it comes to swords. Last time, since the Sword Saint was in seclusion, she challenged the lesser house of Cromel to a duel. Who knows what might happen this time meeting Count Kraus?”

Noel.

Noel Estellia.

At the name that escaped Aslan’s lips, Orcus swallowed hard.

His lively twin sister, who always wore a bright smile.

If someone were to ask him about their relationship, Orcus would confidently claim they got along well. Despite being born on the same day, she had never once complained about him being the older brother and had always treated him kindly.

Orcus had viewed Noel not as a rival for the throne but as an ordinary younger sister, and they maintained a harmonious relationship.

That was, until she developed an interest in swords.

While Orcus had been born with a talent in magic, Noel had been graced with exceptional skills in swordsmanship, and inexplicably, her enthusiasm skyrocketed whenever swords or martial arts were involved. She was as unpredictable as a bouncing ball.

When the House of Cromel, one of the three great martial families in the empire, had arrived in Ruden concerning the incident with the Western tribes, she had sprinted excitedly to challenge the lesser house of Cromel. How she would react upon meeting Count Kraus, a master of the sword, was beyond Orcus’s imagination.

Aslan, noticing the worried look on his son’s face, reassured him with a pat on the back.

“It’s fine. If it’s that kid, Noel, she’ll manage whatever mess she stirs up. Besides, won’t it be more troublesome when she finds out that you went to Sarham alone without her?”

“That’s certainly true….”

Typically resembling an angel descended from heaven, his sister would surely unleash her fury upon learning that he had met Count Kraus without her. It was clear that she would end up trapped in the imperial training grounds all day… perhaps even that wouldn’t be enough to quell her frustration.

His thoughts quickly organized themselves.

What was beneficial and what was detrimental was painfully clear, so there was no special dilemma to ponder. Orcus smiled lightly and nodded.

“Very well. I will let Noel know.”

“Good decision.”

Thus, the two of them shared a smile, facing each other.

 

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