Chapter 146: Ma'am, You Wouldn't Want Anything to Happen to Your Child, Would You?
A female Knight clad in gleaming silver armor, dignified and imposing, followed an elderly man dressed in luxurious robes as they walked through the garden.
The old man's fra was slightly hunched, a sense of age drifting slowly from his every breath and movent.
He walked with his hands clasped behind his back, leading the way.
His manner was exceedingly gentle—like an ordinary, amiable elder.
Yet no one would ever mistake him for an ordinary old man.
He was the Emperor who had made the Empire great. In over 40 years on the throne, he had ensured that no one dared defy the Empire.
He was called the Empire's mightiest—the invincible, iron-blooded Emperor.
Aubrey Sorel.
In the Imperial Palace's garden, there were no bystanders. Only Gwen followed the Emperor as they walked slowly along the path.
The crystalline spring water shimred with life beneath the sunlight, butterflies and bees dancing endlessly among the flowers, as though celebrating the Emperor's arrival.
After walking for a while, Emperor Aubrey stopped as if weary.
He stood in place, eyes narrowed, a smile on his face, and turned to look at Gwen.
"Count Gwen."
"Thank you for being willing to take a walk with this old man of mine."
Gwen placed her hand on her chest and gave a slight bow toward the Emperor.
"It is my duty, Your Majesty."
"No need to be so stiff."
Aubrey waved his hand and continued walking forward.
Gwen followed close behind him.
The Emperor did not turn back—he simply spoke, as if making idle conversation, his voice carrying a note of quiet feeling.
"I grieve for what happened to Angus."
Before Aubrey had ascended the throne, Angus had likewise been one of his capable subordinates. Though his extre sense of justice had been difficult for Aubrey to accept, the news of his death still brought the Emperor sorrow.
Those comrades who had once fought side by side with him—they were leaving, one after another.
But Gwen did not echo his sentint. She simply kept her head lowered and said quietly:
"Your Majesty."
"My father, Angus."
"Deserved to die."
Tens of thousands of people in the Northern Frontier had nearly been annihilated because of Angus's inaction.
If not for the Pallid Mage Society holding the line through sheer endurance, who could have relied on that band of Knights?
Aubrey remained perfectly calm and continued walking forward.
Only his voice reached Gwen's ears.
"Gwen, justice is a good thing, but…"
"Never make justice the standard by which you judge right from wrong."
Gwen listened to the Emperor's words without changing her expression, simply watching his back in silence.
Aubrey's voice remained steady.
"If you wish to stand up for the people of the Northern Frontier, that is fine."
"But you must rember—Angus was your father. They are not."
He turned his head and looked at Gwen with a gentle gaze.
Like an ordinary, kind-hearted old man.
If one could overlook the fine garnts he wore and the many-colored gemstones adorning him.
"There will be those who compile Angus's cris. But that person should not be you."
"You are now the Countess of the Northern Frontier, and Viktor's fiancée."
"Think about how your words and actions will affect both yourself and Viktor."
Listening to the Emperor's words, Gwen lowered her head and replied, "Yes."
Aubrey, as though continuing a casual chat, turned away and said with a smile:
"That said, I find myself rather curious about the news of a Demon appearing in the Northern Frontier."
"When that child Owaise heard of it, his heart nearly flew straight to the Northern Frontier."
"He insisted on wanting to personally lead a team to go there and investigate."
As he spoke, he shook his head with a laugh.
"That child—he still lacks composure."
Gwen said nothing, simply following the Emperor at her own pace.
"Aubeny is decent enough, but he does enjoy flaunting his achievents."
"He earns so small accomplishnt and is always rushing to prove himself."
"He is my child—does he think I, his father, don't know what he's truly capable of?"
At those words, the Emperor narrowed his eyes.
He did not turn around, rely speaking as he went:
"Gwen."
"In your opinion, which of the two is more capable?"
"Your Majesty."
Gwen gave a slight bow.
"I am a Knight. Knights should not involve themselves in politics."
"Ha ha ha ha."
At Gwen's reply, Aubrey let out a laugh, walking and speaking at the sa ti:
"You know, you're already a Count now, and you've voluntarily resigned from your position as Knight Commander."
"I suppose the words of this Emperor carry little weight over you anymore."
Gwen answered respectfully from behind.
"I would not dare."
"I will always abide by your will."
"Is that so?"
Aubrey nodded with a pleasant smile, and as if in passing, said:
"Then if I were to ask you to dissolve your engagent to Viktor, would you be willing?"
Gwen gave the faintest of starts, but quickly spoke up from behind:
"A matter of engagent should be decided by both parties. If only I am willing, it would be deeply unfair to Viktor…"
"You need not worry about Viktor. I am only asking you—are you willing?"
Aubrey stopped where he stood, his gaze like 2 sharp blades, cutting toward Gwen.
Gwen lowered her head slightly, her mind in turmoil as she said:
"Your Majesty, please permit to ask the reason."
Aubrey smiled and gave a nod, turning his body back around:
"Very well. I understand."
"It seems you've changed quite a bit yourself."
He let out a low hum or two, as though turning sothing over in his mind.
"My youngest child, Auréliane—you should know of her."
Gwen gave a respectful nod.
"Yes."
"As you can see, Viktor is her Magic instructor."
"But I personally feel that having only one teacher would not be favorable for Auréliane's future developnt. So…"
Aubrey's voice, carrying a faint edge of firm authority, reached Gwen's ears:
"May I ask you to serve as Auréliane's swordsmanship teacher?"
Gwen froze on the spot.
She opened her mouth—but before she could speak, a Court Eunuch rushed frantically into the garden.
The butterflies all scattered in every direction, a few colliding with the bright blooms.
"Your—Your Majesty! Sothing's wrong! Sothing's wrong!"
Aubrey looked at him calmly.
The Court Eunuch hurriedly caught his breath.
"Count Viktor is back!"
That sentence left Gwen, standing to one side, completely baffled.
She didn't quite understand—wasn't Viktor returning a good thing?
"Get to the point."
Aubrey said, still composed.
The Court Eunuch snapped to attention, paused for a second, frantically sifting through his mory, and straightened himself.
"Oh right, right! The point!"
"Sothing's wrong, Your Majesty! Count Viktor has demolished the Rether Family's residence in the Royal Capital!"
"…?"
In that mont.
Even the Emperor lost so of his composure.
***
At that mont, the Clavena residence was surrounded on all sides by a throng of Knights.
Yet those Knights could hardly keep a grip on their weapons, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
The Royal Knight Company had received a report—concerning Viktor.
The matter was gravely serious.
It was said that Count Viktor had torn down Jess Rether's ho entirely.
When the Knights arrived at the courtyard where Jess's residence had stood, all that remained were chunks of rubble and broken timber impossible to identify by shape.
And the roaring blaze continued to consu the ruins without stop.
Everywhere it had touched had already been reduced to ash.
If not for the severity of the situation, where would these lowly Knights have found the nerve to surround Viktor's residence?
Every one of these Knights knew full well exactly how powerful Viktor was.
Compared to him, this lot of Knights was as fragile as ants.
At the battle against the Demon in the Royal Capital, nearly half the Knights had been present.
Viktor's might—they had witnessed it with their own eyes.
If Knight Commander Gwen were still here, they could have naturally followed the Commander over.
After all, Knight Commander Gwen was Viktor's fiancée.
With the two of them on good terms as husband and wife, whatever the matter, it wouldn't fall on these lowly Knights.
But now, Knight Commander Gwen had resigned…
Coming to Viktor's residence felt as though they had lost so form of protection.
They gathered near the estate, unable to advance.
All they could do was stand to the side, shaking.
After all…
With what they earned in a month, why would they risk their lives?
After a long while, a lavish Carriage made its way to the front of the assembled Knights.
At the gate of Viktor's residence, it ca to a slow stop.
The Carriage door opened gradually, and the Coachman placed a small stepping stool below the Carriage.
A noble lady stepped out from within, graceful and unhurried.
She was dressed in a flowing white gown, a fan in hand, her hair pinned up and fastened with an ornate hairpin.
A female guard extended one hand, bowed toward the lady, and welcod her down.
The beautiful, aristocratic lady reached out one hand and rested it on the female guard's, stepping down at a leisurely pace.
The surrounding Knights caught sight of the arrival and let out collective sighs of relief.
Because at last, soone connected to this matter had shown up.
The Emperor's sister—Lady Cassana Rether.
On account of the matter involving Dewen Rether, Lady Cassana had temporarily settled in the Royal Capital and had not left since.
She stepped down from the Carriage and stood at the entrance of the residence gate.
Behind her, the lightly attired female guard followed close at her side, inseparable.
The main gate slowly opened and Leah stepped out, a smile on her face:
"I've heard so much about you, Lady Cassana."
"This should be our first ti eting."
Lady Cassana carried herself with the full weight of aristocratic authority, unfurling her fan before her lips, and declared haughtily:
"Spare the pleasantries, Miss Leah."
"I'm sure you know why I've co—release my son."
Leah likewise raised one hand to her lips and gave a soft laugh.
"My Lady, whatever do you an?"
"Your child was in the wrong first. My brother rely took it upon himself, on behalf of your generation, to give him a proper lesson."
A cold gleam flashed in Lady Cassana's eyes. The fan in her hand snapped shut with a clap, and she crossed both arms over her chest.
"Should I take that to an you are declaring war on the Rether Family?"
The mont the words left her lips, the female guard at her side placed a hand on the blade at her waist.
A faint, suppressive aura began to emanate slowly from her body.
Another 4th-Tier combatant?
Leah glanced briefly at the guard beside Cassana, yet showed not the slightest trace of fear.
As if in passing, she ran her fingers over the differently colored gemstones on her glove, her eyes narrowing.
"There are certain things I feel I should make clear to you in advance."
Her tone carried a hint of veiled danger, as though warning the graceful woman before her.
A flicker of cold intent drifted through the depths of Leah's eyes—like a chill wind dancing beneath the blazing sun.
"My Lady."
"You wouldn't want to see anything happen to your child, would you?"
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