“I have discovered traces in the Lowes Mountains resembling the incidents I witnessed in the Kratyn Forest in the past.”
“Can you investigate further?”
“When I returned to the site, the traces had already been cleared.”
“…So, there’s no evidence again this time.”
The emperor sighed deeply, rubbing his throbbing head with his hand.
“I thought we could finally uncover the truth behind the demon breeding crisis this time.”
Despite trying to remain composed, disappointment was evident.
The condition of the monsters, considered the continent’s nemesis, was growing increasingly unusual.
Monsters were appearing even in places beyond their usual territories, and damages caused by large numbers of suddenly emerging monsters, as in the Lowes Mountains, were escalating day by day.
Although the era of war had ended and the continent had embraced peace, it seemed as though the world itself rejected it.
“The time to declare war against the monsters is approaching.”
Fear breeds chaos. While many tried to downplay it, the simultaneous increase in the monster population across the continent was not to be taken lightly.
The emperor was considering proclaiming war against the monsters in the Lutinas Empire and taking proactive measures.
However, the hesitation stemmed from the possibility that designating monsters as the continent’s common enemy could eventually backfire and bring fatal repercussions to Lutinas.
“Yet we still haven’t found any evidence… It’s frustrating.”
“My apologies.”
“I wasn’t seeking an apology.”
Discovering traces and dispatching an official investigation team were essential to securing evidence and turning speculation into solid proof.
Countless efforts had been made to achieve this, but the opponent was extremely cautious.
“Diana, you mentioned seeing the empress in the Kratyn Forest 11 years ago, correct?”
“Yes.”
That was the reason Diana was recorded as missing and became a shadow.
Eleven years ago, during an investigation into a reported gateway where monsters poured out of the Kratyn Forest, Diana had discovered the empress inside it.
Their eyes met, and the Empress immediately recognized Diana.
‘Kill her, silence her forever if you must!’
In the passageway where monsters emerged, only the Empress and Diana were present, yet the Empress gave her order.
Diana had to dodge the killing intent directed at her.
There was something more—something beyond her ability to comprehend—that reached out to claim her life.
As death loomed near, it was the Seffield Emblem that saved Diana.
‘Diana Gray! Where are you, you cursed fool!’
When his booming voice reverberated throughout the entire Kratyn Forest, the shadow of death pursuing Diana hesitated momentarily.
In that brief moment, she flung herself into a deep, fast-moving river cutting through the forest.
As Diana, gravely injured, fell into the river, the shadow of death circled around her momentarily before disappearing.
The Seffield Emblem also rescued her as she was about to lose consciousness, swept away by the current.
‘How many times did I tell you not to go? You’re so stubborn, just like any other Gray!’
Though Diana’s life was spared, there was no returning after the Empress had seen her face.
The shadow moving on the Empress’s command was not something a human could confront.
Diana had uncovered the Empress’s suspicious behavior, and no one could predict what lengths the Empress would go to silence her.
Diana’s family and even the Grays could all be endangered.
As a result, after deliberation with the Emperor and Seffield, it was decided that Diana would be declared missing and live as a shadow.
“I saw the traces I discovered back then in the Lowes Mountains as well.”
“That’s correct.”
As Diana nodded, the Emperor squinted and fell into thought.
After being caught by Diana, the Empress had kept a low profile, exercising extreme caution.
However, this had allowed the Crown Prince to recover his health and solidify his position as the next emperor during the Empress’s lull in power.
The Empress’s impatience and rash actions had resulted in the Lowes Mountains incident, which claimed many lives.
To ensure those sacrifices were not in vain, it was imperative to uncover something to trace back to the Empress.
The Emperor, organizing his thoughts alone, clicked his tongue and spoke.
“The Empress has involved Arthur in the transportation across the Lowes Mountain Range this time. Surely, Aurelian will entrust the task to him.”
“Even now, we must free Prince Arthur from the Empress’s grasp.”
“I know. But what can I do if Arthur himself refuses to distance himself from his mother?”
This was the Emperor’s greatest headache. Arthur, though fearful of his mother, deeply loved her.
If the Emperor’s suspicions that the Empress was committing acts that could mark her as the continent’s enemy were true, it could spell the beginning of Lutinas Empire’s downfall.
Thus, the Emperor persistently conveyed his feelings to his son, offering him a chance to denounce his mother’s sins. Through flower bouquets sent to ailing Arthur and by employing Arthur’s mentor, whom the Empress no longer suspected.
Despite sending discreet messages to Arthur, the reply was always the same—a refusal.
Only by making the crimes solely the Empress’s could Arthur be saved.
“There’s definitely something between the Empress and Arthur. Even the Seffield Emblem cannot uncover what’s happening in the Empress’s palace.”
The Emperor could no longer discern whether Arthur’s refusals were genuine or the Empress’s schemes.
Now, as the ruler of Lutinas, he had no choice but to make a cold, rational decision.
“This Lowes Mountains incident will greatly benefit the Empress. I can’t let that happen so easily.”
“What will you do?”
At Diana’s question, the Emperor responded with a faint smile.
“What did you think of the skills of Enoch Gray and Cherrya Emblem, whom you met there?”
“………!”
“They must have been impressive. No, more than impressive, they must have been exceptional.”
“Your Majesty.”
Realizing the Emperor’s intentions, Diana’s face turned complex.
“The harmony between the Emblem and the Gray. When Melsia and you stepped forward to try it, I found it laughable. I mocked it thoroughly and dared you to try.”
Now, should she feel glad that the Emperor finally acknowledged her and Melsia’s intentions?
Or should she feel burdened by the thought of inheriting a heavy task that had already failed during her time?
Diana couldn’t reach a conclusion. She ended up bowing her head, only for the Emperor to issue a commanding declaration over her.
“I need that power now, Diana.”
***
At the same time, as the Emperor listened to Diana’s report in a hidden chamber within the imperial palace:
“Not leaving?”
“Oh, go ahead and try kicking me out. If you think you can.”
Jade Gray glared sharply at Seffield Emblem, who was lounging in his office as if he owned the place.
Seffield sprawled carelessly on a carefully chosen sofa, his legs dangling. Even the feel of the sofa against his body and its weight-bearing capacity had been meticulously selected.
Ignoring his posture required immense patience.
“I’ve been to the Hallaman Kingdom, and look at this, I tanned myself by the seaside! The Levizo Pier was so lively—it’s a place where people truly live. Unlike this dreary place.”
“I don’t like you, either.”
Jade Gray finally gave up trying to ignore Seffield Emblem.
Placing his pen down with a loud tap, he sat across from Seffield on the sofa and opened his mouth.
“Enough nonsense. State your purpose here, Seffield Emblem.”
“Purpose? It’s been a while, so I came to get on your nerves. How does it feel—didn’t it clear your head a bit?”
Seffield burst into a roaring laugh, as loud as a ship’s horn.
