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Chapter 131

"It\'s just like any other ball, but... security is tight," Heike murmured softly.

The ball had already begun, and while the students mingled, she and Elmar sipped wine, engaging in a secretive conversation.

"The connection with the first seat’s mana has been severed."

"…Are you saying he’s dead?"

"Possibly."

"Is it really that easy to kill a bishop of the Lycera Theocracy?"

"If you consider what Kane Rehinar has accomplished so far, it’s possible."

"I want to finish the ball quickly and leave. I have a very bad feeling."

"I feel the same," Heike said cautiously, scanning the ballroom.

"The Guardian Lord... won\'t show up, right?"

"Since Kane is hosting the ball, it’s clear that the Guardian is still battling the formlessness poison…"

"We have to believe that the Guardian won\'t appear. But it’s not just him we should worry about."

"You mean that the Blue Flash is stronger than the rumors suggest."

"Yes. I underestimated the Blue Flash."

"If only Sixth Seat were here, it would feel more secure. But of all times, the Flame emperor’s spear had to appear now."

"If Sixth Seat claims the Flame emperor\'s spear, then the Red Dragon—or rather, the House of True Dragon—is no longer a concern, so that comes first."

The Flame Emperor\'s spear was the divine spear of the Flame Emperor and an heirloom of the House of Pervatz Family. It was essential for the True Dragon\'s awakening, and without it, the True Dragon could not be awakened.

Thus, retrieving the Flame emperor\'s spear was imperative.

"Thanks to that, we\'re left to be anxious, tch."

"We just need to create an opportunity to communicate with the outside. You should think of a way too."

"I\'m trying. But how can I think clearly with the Guardian Lord on my mind?"

Elmar agreed.

He had survived by strategy so far. The other Executioners\' positions had changed dozens of times, yet Elmar alone quietly maintained his position.

People pointed fingers, saying he was only the Fifth Seat and not the First, but he thought differently.

Isn\'t the truly strong one the one who survives to the end?

Look now.

The supposedly strongest First Seat is dead. The thread connected by mana has been severed.

What’s the point of occupying the top position as an Executioner?

Dying without even enjoying the honor.

He thought he was stronger than Gregor, who was no longer alive.

"I feel the same. Just thinking about the Guardian makes my mind go blank."

"If you feel that way, then what are we supposed to do?"

This was a real crisis.

Elmar was like a fox, always finding ways to survive, no matter the situation.

But now? He seemed no different from her.

Just then, an intriguing conversation reached their ears.

"They say the Orchid Kingdom specializes in the Poison Rune? I\'d like to experience it for myself."

A student with a hefty build, Bastian Schwain, clenched his fists with confidence.

Not to be outdone, a male student from Antidote School retorted.

"I’d also like to experience the various powers of the Fresia Empire. They say that the Mana Breath of the moon, Blue Tiger, Wind Fox, and Wood Wolf are the most famous in the Fresia Empire, right?"

In this list, Bastien\'s mana was notably absent.

Bastien took the obvious provocation.

"My Breath of Gluttony is no less powerful!"

"Haha, why are you getting so worked up? I was simply stating the facts."

"Ugh!"

Bastien\'s face turned red.

They were in the ballroom—specifically, within the Rehinar family\'s estate.

Had this been any other place, he would have lashed out, but here, he held back.

He had received a secret directive from Young Duke Kane after being praised.

His task was to provoke the Antidote School children.

Kane’s secret message suggested that he trusted Bastien with this job.

With that in mind, he thought, “I can\'t let my opponent\'s provocations go unanswered.”

Or perhaps... ‘No, wait. I can just take the bait and use it as an excuse for a duel.’

Bastien decided to keep things simple.

"Then, let me show you. I’ll prove that the Breath of Gluttony is no less than the Empire\'s Four Great Breaths!"

Bastien’s bold approach caught his opponent off guard.

"P-please calm down. We’re in the middle of a refined gathering—" The Kid that was provoking Bastian hesitated.

Heike intervened, slipping into the conversation.

"That\'s an excellent idea. There\'s no rule against exchanging skills during the ball. A fair duel can be a form of cultural exchange too. Not only inside the estate but outside, the festivities are in full swing. Testing your skills outside wouldn’t be a bad idea."

Heike’s enthusiastic support lit a spark in the students’ eyes.

"Young Master!"

Camilla burst into the room where Kane was changing his clothes.

‘Caught them,’ Kane thought with a smirk.

"What’s the matter?"

"It looks like you need to hurry to the ballroom!"

"Why? Are the students preparing for a duel?"

Camilla’s eyes widened.

"How did you know that?"

"I can see it from here."

When he joked, Camilla looked around the room and quickly opened the window wide.

"I don’t see anything! Are you using clairvoyance magic or something?"

Camilla took his joke seriously.

Kane felt like teasing her even more.

"This place is all within my grasp."

"Heek!?"

Camilla’s face turned bright red, as if imagining something completely different.

"I-I shouldn’t be seen!"

"What are you thinking about?"

"Clairvoyance magic lets you see anywhere, like looking into a mirror! Please respect my privacy."

Kane shook his head.

Camilla could be quite naive at times.

She seemed to think he might use clairvoyance when she was changing clothes or taking a bath.

"Stop with the nonsense and get out. Can’t you see I’m changing right now?"

"Oh! I’m sorry."

Camilla blushed again, staring at Kane’s broad back before quickly turning around and leaving the room.

Kane chuckled to himself as he stepped out.

"Are you finished?"

"Your strange thoughts are."

"Hehe."

Camilla giggled shyly, looking more at ease, as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

She seemed more relaxed than before.

"Did you have any success in the hidden territory?"

"I’ve come to understand your intentions more clearly, Young Master. If I hesitate with my sword, my allies will get hurt. You meant that I should act without mercy when I draw my blade, right?"

"It sounds like Anna\'s training has been effective. With that mindset, you\'ll be able to protect those who are important to you."

"I’ll give it my all!"

Camilla responded cheerfully.

The reason she sought strength was solely for her Young Master—Kane.

She was a bodyguard knight, but instead of protecting her master, she found herself constantly being shielded by him.

She had failed to fulfill her role.

What use would a bodyguard be if they couldn’t protect their person?

She couldn’t allow herself to become a burden.

‘I’ll become stronger and protect you, Young Master.’

With this recent experience in the hidden territory, she made a vow.

Even if it meant risking her life, she was determined to safeguard the Young Master herself.

As she made this firm resolution, they arrived at the estate where the ballroom was held.

Students were gathered outside.

Kane approached silently, concealing his presence.

The students didn’t even realize he was there—except for one person.

Only Second Princess Charlotte, noticed his arrival.

“You’re here?” she asked.

[Has it started already?]

“Not yet.”

Kane moved among the students, and then he heard Charlotte’s secret voice.

[So, it’s true that those two are executioners of the Sun Clan?]

[Yes, it is.]

[The Meyer Family is truly terrifying. Those two, who would be considered heads anywhere, are part of the Meyer Family\'s leadership, along with Ulrich, the Chief steward of Fresia, who big brother killed.]

[They’re actually among the weaker members of the leadership.]

[I can hardly believe it. And to think that those ranked above them are at the level of the Twelve Star lords...]

Kane had explained the basics of the House of the Sun to Charlotte.

It was a group that posed a threat to the Empire.

With this, Charlotte managed to piece together much of the situation.

While she built on the suspicions she had held at the imperial palace, her conclusions were close to the truth.

This realization made her understand just how dangerous the Sun Clan truly was.

She now believed they were far more menacing than she had previously thought.

[That’s why we must eliminate them here.]

[That would mean war.]

[Even though Fresia appears peaceful, it has always lived amidst conflict.]

[This would be a war of a different scale—one involving the Neutral Orchid Kingdom, the Lycera Theocracy, and the Kingdom of Hatzfeld. If those three unite, Fresia won’t be able to withstand it.]

But letting a dangerous enemy who had come into the tiger’s den escape was not an option.

One must eliminate a powerful enemy when the opportunity arises.

That would provide an advantage in times of war.

Charlotte understood this all too well.

[I’ll take responsibility for holding them back.]

[Why... are you doing so much? The imperial family had abandoned the Rehinar family.]

Charlotte gazed intently at Kane.

She seemed eager to understand his reasons.

Kane spoke honestly.

[Publicly, for the honor of the Rehinar family; privately, let\'s call it revenge.]

[Is that all?]

[Is it insufficient?]

[The current Rehinar family has many choices.]

Charlotte’s words carried deep implications.

The imperial family was in no position to criticize if its loyalty to Fresia was not maintained. After all, it was the imperial family that abandoned the Rehinar family first. So, if the Rehinars chose betrayal over loyalty, the imperial family would have no grounds to complain.

Yet, the Rehinar family chose to honor.

[Do you understand that this choice may not benefit the Rehinar family, Your Highness?]

[…Of course, I do.]

[Do you feel sorry, representing the imperial family?]

[Yes.]

Charlotte\'s brief response was filled with genuine regret.

She felt ashamed that the imperial family had left the Rehinar family to fend for themselves while engaging in their own succession battles.

[Then, please offer compensation.]

[Name it. I\'ll do whatever I can.]

[Transfer the domain of Philaec to the Rehinar family.]

Charlotte tilted her head, puzzled.

[Is that really all? I’ll even ask Isaac to grant you the Baybond domain as well.]

She was bold.

Not only was she willing to grant the Philaec territory, but she also offered to include Baybond, the territory of Tegelo, in the deal.

It was a shrewd move.

Baybond was a territory in the northern part of the empire. Since it wasn’t functioning well currently, she aimed to offload it onto Kane.

[So, you’re giving us compensation and offloading a burden at the same time?]

[It would be a headache if it ended up under my sister’s control. Please, I’m counting on you.]

She also showed a considerable amount of trust.

Just as the emperor trusted Kane’s father, Charlotte and Crown Prince Isaac placed their trust in Kane.

Perhaps it was out of purity, or maybe she still didn’t fully grasp the dangers of betrayal.

[I’ll consider it.]

[Thank you.]

[I said I’d consider it, not that I’ve decided.]

[That’s why I’m thanking you. I thought you’d reject it outright.]

She was indeed a clever woman.

She managed to be shameless without being offensive.

This must be why Crown Prince Isaac sent her to speak with Kane.

[It looks like the duel is starting.]

Charlotte swiftly changed the subject before he could respond further.

Bastian and the male student clashed intensely.