Everyone was visibly tense at Hills’ stern expression.
Seeing his unusual demeanor, Royden cautiously asked, “Did you find out something?”
Hills, who seemed lost in thought with his eyes closed, slowly opened his mouth. “It seems we won’t need to go on an expedition for a while.”
“What does that mean?” Bianca asked with a puzzled expression.
“We need to protect the palace.”
However, Hills cut off his explanation there. No one asked any further due to his firm statement. After all, Hills was the current leader of the expedition team.
“Maintain a defensive posture. I’ll also inform the Knights.”
With that, Hills left his spot, and Royden, Bianca, and Lucas disappeared to tidy up the surroundings.
Once everyone was gone, Zion asked Hills, “What’s going on?”
Hills, rubbing his temples as if tired, answered, “Those demons haven’t lost their minds.”
And then Hills glanced at Arundel and said, “Someone commanded them to attack here.”
Arundel nodded. She too had sensed something strange during the battle. The demons did not attack aggressively.
It was as if they had a different purpose. Apparently, Hills thought the same.
Zion, seeming to understand the situation, looked at the ruined palace and said, “If it was an attack with a purpose, they will come again.”
“Right.”
As Hills said, someone had commanded the demons to attack, but there was no result. There were not many casualties, and no one of high rank was injured.
If there was another purpose, they would surely attack the palace again.
“Any other predictions?”
“…None.”
Just as Hills finished speaking, Cain came running at a good timing.
“Your Majesty! Are you okay!”
Cain, who had run in a hurry, stood in place and took a deep breath for a while.
Seeing Zion’s fine figure, he seemed to have finally relieved his anxiety.
“For now, you should go and discuss this situation. I have summoned the prime minister and officials.”
Zion nodded and looked at Hills.
“Take Irina to the Empress’s Palace.”
As Hills nodded, Zion went with Cain.
“Let’s go.”
At Hills’ call, Arundel, who had been blankly standing, also moved her steps. The passing scenery was distracting. Everyone looked confused by the sudden surprise attack of the demons.
They carried buckets full of water here and there in case there were any remaining embers, and all the knights were dispatched to clean up some of the collapsed walls.
Everyone would be wondering what happened in an instant.
“The demons earlier. Who were they looking for?”
At that time, Arundel’s voice was the same as usual, contrary to Hills’ low voice.
“Were they looking for me?”
Perhaps because it was an anticipated event, she could have been less disturbed.
“I don’t know if they were looking for Arundel or Zion, who has the seed.”
However, when Zion was mentioned, ripples occurred in Arundel’s calm eyes. She stared at Hills with wide eyes.
“Don’t make that face. No one is sure yet.”
Right, you need to be calm at times like this.
Arundel tried hard to control her mind. Zion was powerless and she had to protect Zion and the people. To do that, she had to look at the situation more calmly and stably than ever.
In such a slightly heavy atmosphere, Arundel was the first to speak while walking in silence.
“Zion noticed that you are a demon.”
Even at Arundel’s words, Hills moved his steps without a surprised look. Rather, he spoke in a tone that seemed like it didn’t matter.
“I thought so.”
Silence came again.
As they walked quietly, they soon arrived at the main gate of the Empress’s Palace. Usually, there were guards guarding the main gate, but the surroundings were empty, perhaps everyone had gone to support the main palace.
“Arundel.”
Hills, who had been sparing his words, quietly called Arundel.
“Prepare your mind. You’ll have to leave here soon.”
“…I know.”
A farewell is coming.
She didn’t know what form it would take. She wanted to meet it as quietly and peacefully as possible, but it didn’t seem to go as she wanted, seeing the impending signs.
“Are you scared?”
At Hills’ question, Arundel shook her head.
She was not afraid of any end she would face. But if there was one last thing she wanted, it was that she didn’t want any other harm to come to those she cherished.
Especially to Zion, who was born holding the forbidden seed against his will, and to Hills, who had stepped forward for her own greed.
Arundel raised her head and looked at Hills.
“Hills.”
“Yes.”
“Can you make a promise?”
A cold wind passed between them. But Hills, captivated by Arundel’s unwavering gaze, couldn’t think of anything else.
“No matter what happens, don’t let anyone know that the forbidden seed and you are related.”
She alone was enough to bear the responsibility. If it was revealed that the forbidden seed was related to Hills, he would not be able to avoid punishment.
“I can’t do that. Why does Arundel always…”
But as expected, Hills did not easily agree. A suppressed voice came out of Hills’ mouth.
Arundel knew how to handle Hills at times like this.
“If you don’t keep your promise, I’ll hate you forever.”
“…What?”
“You, I’ll hate you forever. I won’t see your face or hear your voice…”
An unfamiliar touch landed on Arundel’s lips, which were continuing to speak. Hills’ face was closer than ever before.
Arundel, who had her lips stolen, tried to push him away, but he fell off obediently before that.
“Because you only say hateful things.”
Hills said, looking at Arundel.
Arundel found it strange, his usual emotional self and his current calm self didn’t overlap well.
“You, you…!”
Arundel, who was overwhelmed, glared at Hills with a flushed face. But as always, Hills was calm, as if he had done something natural.
“Anyway, I can’t grant that request.”
At his firm tone, Arundel backed off. Today, he was not the person she knew.
But there was something else that Hills had to do.
“Hills, then at least keep this.”
If the previous request was for Hills, this request was for Zion.
“Don’t let anyone know about the whereabouts of the seed.”
Although she knew how cruel this would sound to Hills, Arundel had to hear a definite answer.
If they knew that the forbidden seed was in Zion, the demons would not leave it alone.
Now that his power was sealed, he could not confront the demons if they came to retrieve the seed.
Therefore, this fact must never be revealed.
In the current situation, the only ones who knew that Zion had the seed were herself and Hills, so if Hills was silenced, the heart-wrenching possibility of it being revealed would decrease.
“You only say cruel things to me.”
Despite the expected reaction, Arundel felt her heart sink at Hills’ blaming words.
“I can’t grant your request. If Zion is punished instead of Arundel, I will naturally reveal that fact.”
“…Hills!”
Even at Arundel’s desperate call, Hills was colder than ever before.
“Hills! Please…!”
Arundel hurriedly grabbed Hills’ hand. Arundel’s eyelashes trembled pitifully.
“I want to take responsibility for what I’ve done…”
“…..”
“I don’t want precious people to get hurt anymore…”
A dry tear fell from Arundel’s eyes. Hills reached out and wiped away Arundel’s tears.
Despite his tender gesture, Hills didn’t say anything. Arundel, who was getting anxious, called him desperately again.
“Hills… please…”
Hills slowly let go of Arundel’s hand.
“I’ll go.”
And then he disappeared.
****
Even after all that chaos, tomorrow came as expected.
It was the same start of the day, but it was a little different for Arundel.
Because she was anxiously waiting for the day that could come at any time, like a person who had been sentenced to death.
When will Mannheim call me, when will the demons come to find me.
Knock knock!
Arundel was startled and looked at the door.
There was no chance that Mannheim or a demon would barge in through the door, but she was tense without realizing it.
“Your Majesty the Empress, Lady Bianca has come to visit.”
“Eh!”
Soon, the head maid came in and helped her tidy up her hair and dress.
“You don’t look well.”
The head maid spoke in a worried voice.
“You’ve been like this lately. I’m worried if something is wrong. If you’re not feeling well, should I call a doctor?”
Arundel shook her head.
She knew better than anyone that she wasn’t sick. However, she had to be careful if she appeared that way to others.
Arundel composed her expression before meeting Bianca. When she was ready, Bianca entered.
“Your Majesty the Empress!”
“Bianca.”
Arundel took Bianca’s hand and led her to the table. Once seated, Arundel asked Bianca.
“What’s the matter?”
If it had been before Bianca’s family fell into ruin, she might have visited without reason to chat, but now the situation was different.
After all, she was a person appointed to the palace, so it was difficult to visit personally.
Bianca rolled her eyes here and there, wondering if she really had something to talk about.
“…Bianca?”
“Well… I’ve been hearing strange stories about Your Majesty lately.”
In fact, Arundel had a hunch.
If her guess was correct, it would probably be a controversy about the identity of the Empress.
While moving to the temple, she had used divine power when attacked by demons, and she had also swung a sword when confronting the demons who had set fire to the palace recently.
She didn’t think Royden or Lucas would talk about her. If the story had spread, it would probably be from the mouths of the knights who were nearby.
“…What is it?”
She asked anyway. It could be a different story.
“There’s an absurd rumor going around that Her Majesty can use divine power and is skilled in swordsmanship.”
Bianca frowned and expressed disbelief.
‘As expected.’
In fact, if it had been before, she would have been restless, but not now.
Perhaps when she soon leaves the body of Empress Irina, Mannheim will handle it well. So, she didn’t have to explain.
“It’s not a bad rumor, but I thought Your Majesty should know!”
At Bianca’s somewhat serious attitude, Arundel burst into laughter for a moment.
“That’s right. Thank you for telling me.”
Then Bianca grabbed her hand. Arundel tilted her head and looked at Bianca.
“…Is there something wrong?”
Huh…? She was definitely laughing, but why did Bianca ask as if she was worried?
“Your Majesty seems a bit different than usual.”
Arundel paused for a moment, then gave a faint smile and shook her head.
“No.”
“Then I’m relieved. If you’re worried about the demons who might break in at any time, don’t worry.”
Bianca’s red eyes blazed.
“I may not know about others, but I will definitely protect Your Majesty.”
She was not the same Bianca as before. At Bianca’s reassuring words, Arundel felt at ease.
She knew she couldn’t do anything, but it was enough comfort.
“I’ll go now.”
Bianca got up from her seat. Arundel escorted her to the main gate.
“Goodbye, Bianca.”
Bianca left with a gentle smile. Watching her back, Arundel thought.
‘…I’ll be saying goodbye to Bianca soon.’
With a bitter heart, Arundel suddenly looked up at the sky. Contrary to her heart, thin clouds like threads were slowly passing through the clear sky.
But then,
“…!”
A pitch-black sky overlapped the endlessly clear sky for a moment.
The illusion attacked Arundel with a sinister energy. She staggered, unable to overcome the energy.
Arundel had a premonition.
That darkness was about to rush in.
