“...What on earth is that?”
The gatekeepers guarding the entrance to the palace opened their mouths at once at the sight they had never seen before.
It looked like a swarm of ants.
As if dark clouds were covering the sky, a huge army with no end in sight arrived in front of the palace.
At the head of the army armed with black armor, Illeon, wearing pure white armor, stood out.
The palace knights couldn’t help but be flustered.
Who would have thought that Illeon had a legion that far surpassed the palace’s troops?
They knew that Illeon had many subordinates, but they had never heard of a legion this large.
Although Illeon was the Emperor, the palace knights had already completely turned to the side of Dietrich, the commander of the imperial knights. The knights who thought that it would be better to rebel against the Emperor than to turn Dietrich into an enemy, held their jaws tightly as they guarded the palace gate.
“Will I have to see blood before I can step down?”
Illeon said to the palace knights with a grin.
His soft voice was unusually relaxed, even for someone who had been chased from the palace.
“I cannot let you in. My lord is not His Majesty the Emperor, but the Commander of the Imperial Knights...”
The palace knight continued to speak as if squeezing out his words.
However, he could not finish his words.
As soon as Illeon lifted his chin, the knight standing next to him swung his sword down like lightning.
Red blood spurted out like a fountain from the neck of the knight who had been speaking.
Hot blood splattered everywhere, including the cheeks of his fellow knights.
Just a few minutes ago, he had been having a small talk with his comrades. The fellow knights’ faces turned pale as they saw the knight who had left without even being able to scream with a thud.
“There is no reason to keep a dog alive if it doesn’t even know who its owner is.”
Illeon, who had not a single drop of blood on his body, spoke in a leisurely tone as if he were enjoying a walk. The knight was shocked in many ways. The death of his comrade was shocking, but what was more shocking was that he had learned the true identity of Illeon before his eyes.
Illeon’s reputation was very good when he first ascended to the throne. Arthur Cervantes, who was completely absorbed in his own world, and Balt Portman, whose every word was so harsh that it was impossible to know what he was thinking.
Illeon Gregrick, who always gave people comfort with his smiling face. They thought that everything would go well since the most capable of the three Dukes had ascended to the throne.
“Was everything written in the newspapers true? Killing countless people, giving His Highness the Crown Prince poison that ruined his face, and finally monopolizing the throne...”
The knight’s voice, mixed with resentment and anger, trembled like an aspen tree. Illeon tilted his head toward the knight.
“Do facts matter? In the current situation, what difference would it make if you were to ask that?”
All the strength in the knight’s body seemed to drain away at his dignified voice, which did not reveal a trace of guilt.
“What are you doing?”
As soon as Illeon spoke, the knight’s body, pierced by the sharp blade, fell limply to the floor.
***
“We’re in trouble! His Majesty the Emperor has led a large army and invaded the palace.”
The knight spoke to Dietrich, panting heavily. Dietrich’s expression did not change at all at the knight’s report. He had expected Illeon to invade from the beginning. Dietrich armed himself tightly with black armor and slung his familiar sword on his waist. Dietrich’s gaze slid out the window at the sound of footsteps that made the ground shake. Dietrich’s laughter escaped from between his teeth as he looked at Illeon’s large army that surrounded the mansion.
“...It must have cost a lot to mobilize that many people.”
Dietrich put on gloves as black as his hair. Dietrich’s gaze turned to Anderson, who seemed ready to follow him outside the window.
“Stay here and guard Seliya.”
Anderson’s eyes widened at Dietrich’s order as if they were going to pop out at any moment.
“My lord! Even if you are my lord, it is difficult to handle that many people...!”
“Quiet. His target is not me, but Seliya.”
Dietrich cut Anderson off, his dry voice chewing.
“...So, do whatever it takes to make Seliya’s safety the top priority.”
Dietrich glanced at the room where Seliya must have been sleeping and lowered his voice as much as possible. Seliya had passed out from working too hard last night by Dietrich.
Thanks to Dietrich, who had the power of healing, the rotten blood pooled, and Seliya's body, which had been ruined to the point of internal organs, regained its health as if nothing had happened.
However, it was not perfect yet.
After healing her urgent body, there was another problem.
Seliya had a uterus that could be used to make a baby... In other words, there was evidence that someone had artificially destroyed it.
Because Harrel, who was not fond of Seliya, gradually fed Seliya an anti-pregnancy drug in her food, Seliya became unable to have children.
'I should have killed her when she came to my mansion with such a shameless face.'
Dietrich's teeth ground.
There were people everywhere who were trying to make Seliya's life miserable.
In his anger, Dietrich poured more of his healing power on Seliya than usual.
Seliya, who had been panting for breath due to the rough movements of a beast, finally fainted and fell asleep, unable to withstand Dietrich’s energy.
Dietrich, who had just been looking at Seliya, who had been sleeping in his arms, was not at all lovable. Even to himself, who was emotionally numb, it seemed that way, and it would naturally be the case for others.
Outside the palace, there were still people who called Seliya a witch.
Dietrich had thought about everything after killing Illeon, but the size of the army Illeon had brought was much larger than he had thought.
“If something happens to me, take Seliya and leave this empire.”
Anderson’s eyes shook violently at the words that he could not believe even after hearing them.
“I can’t trust anyone else. The only one I trust is you.”
“My lord...”
“Do you understand? Sir, you must protect Seliya at all costs.”
Anderson bowed his head and answered the words that made him unable to say anything.
“...Yes, I understand. Please come back.”
Instead of answering, Dietrich left the mansion.
Anderson’s eyes fell on Dietrich’s back as he was leaving.
It was a back he had been watching for ten years.
Anderson recalled the first time he had seen Dietrich.
The boy who skillfully stroked a horse that even adults had difficulty handling, once a battlefield horse, had the air of an old man who had lived through the world.
Anderson had taught Dietrich swordsmanship purely out of curiosity.
Anderson wondered what kind of story the servant, who was on the border between a young man and a boy, had, but he did not express his curiosity.
Not only was he a man of few words, he also did not reveal his past to the public. He was extremely reserved and expressionless, but if he taught him one thing, he would learn ten. In just ten days.
In ten days, Dietrich defeated Anderson, his swordsmanship master.
Anderson felt an indescribable thrill as he watched Dietrich surpass what he had trained for his entire life.
"Ah, this is the person I should serve."
Dietrich’s origins were no problem. Anderson, who had no ties to anyone in the royal family, valued ability the most.
Anderson never regretted his choice.
‘But no matter what, isn’t that number too many...?’
Anderson, looking at Dietrich’s broad back, barely held back the tears that were about to burst out.
Since he was ordered to protect Seliya, he had no choice but to follow.
Anderson clenched his fists and carefully opened Seliya’s room.
Seliya, who he had assumed would be asleep, was sitting in the bedroom with her back straight.
Despite her negligee, she showed no sign of embarrassment. On the contrary, Seliya gave off an oppressive aura.
When their eyes met, Anderson belatedly realized his rudeness.
Anderson quickly lowered his gaze.
“I heard everything.”
Seliya’s soft voice fell on Anderson’s ear.
“What, what did you hear, Ma’am?”
“Illeon’s army invaded, right? But Dietrich wants to fight alone again.”
Seliya sounded dissatisfied as she spoke.
“Sir, take me to Dietrich.”
Anderson, startled, shouted in surprise.
“Absolutely not! It’s dangerous! That bastard Illeon is after you, Madam.”
Seliya’s eyes narrowed as she looked at the old-fashioned Anderson.
“Sir, If I put on my armor, no one will know it’s me.”
Seliya slowly got up from the bed.
Her long silver hair sparkled in the midday sunlight.
“Take me. I won’t ask you twice.”
“...Ma, Ma’am, no. The Lord sent me to protect you.”
“Are you saying you won’t grant my request?”
“It is the order the lord gave me. To protect you.”
Seliya let out a deep sigh. Blinking, Seliya apologized to Anderson.
“I’m sorry, Anderson. I need to borrow your armor for a moment.”
The scent of hyacinths blooming from Seliya’s hand instantly enveloped Anderson.
Thanks to Dietrich, who had the power of healing, the rotten blood pooled, and Seliya's body, which had been ruined to the point of internal organs, regained its health as if nothing had happened.
However, it was not perfect yet.
After healing her urgent body, there was another problem.
Seliya had a uterus that could be used to make a baby... In other words, there was evidence that someone had artificially destroyed it.
Because Harrel, who was not fond of Seliya, gradually fed Seliya an anti-pregnancy drug in her food, Seliya became unable to have children.
'I should have killed her when she came to my mansion with such a shameless face.'
Dietrich's teeth ground.
There were people everywhere who were trying to make Seliya's life miserable.
In his anger, Dietrich poured more of his healing power on Seliya than usual.
Seliya, who had been panting for breath due to the rough movements of a beast, finally fainted and fell asleep, unable to withstand Dietrich’s energy.
Dietrich, who had just been looking at Seliya, who had been sleeping in his arms, was not at all lovable. Even to himself, who was emotionally numb, it seemed that way, and it would naturally be the case for others.
Outside the palace, there were still people who called Seliya a witch.
Dietrich had thought about everything after killing Illeon, but the size of the army Illeon had brought was much larger than he had thought.
“If something happens to me, take Seliya and leave this empire.”
Anderson’s eyes shook violently at the words that he could not believe even after hearing them.
“I can’t trust anyone else. The only one I trust is you.”
“My lord...”
“Do you understand? Sir, you must protect Seliya at all costs.”
Anderson bowed his head and answered the words that made him unable to say anything.
“...Yes, I understand. Please come back.”
Instead of answering, Dietrich left the mansion.
Anderson’s eyes fell on Dietrich’s back as he was leaving.
It was a back he had been watching for ten years.
Anderson recalled the first time he had seen Dietrich.
The boy who skillfully stroked a horse that even adults had difficulty handling, once a battlefield horse, had the air of an old man who had lived through the world.
Anderson had taught Dietrich swordsmanship purely out of curiosity.
Anderson wondered what kind of story the servant, who was on the border between a young man and a boy, had, but he did not express his curiosity.
Not only was he a man of few words, he also did not reveal his past to the public. He was extremely reserved and expressionless, but if he taught him one thing, he would learn ten. In just ten days.
In ten days, Dietrich defeated Anderson, his swordsmanship master.
Anderson felt an indescribable thrill as he watched Dietrich surpass what he had trained for his entire life.
"Ah, this is the person I should serve."
Dietrich’s origins were no problem. Anderson, who had no ties to anyone in the royal family, valued ability the most.
Anderson never regretted his choice.
‘But no matter what, isn’t that number too many...?’
Anderson, looking at Dietrich’s broad back, barely held back the tears that were about to burst out.
Since he was ordered to protect Seliya, he had no choice but to follow.
Anderson clenched his fists and carefully opened Seliya’s room.
Seliya, who he had assumed would be asleep, was sitting in the bedroom with her back straight.
Despite her negligee, she showed no sign of embarrassment. On the contrary, Seliya gave off an oppressive aura.
When their eyes met, Anderson belatedly realized his rudeness.
Anderson quickly lowered his gaze.
“I heard everything.”
Seliya’s soft voice fell on Anderson’s ear.
“What, what did you hear, Ma’am?”
“Illeon’s army invaded, right? But Dietrich wants to fight alone again.”
Seliya sounded dissatisfied as she spoke.
“Sir, take me to Dietrich.”
Anderson, startled, shouted in surprise.
“Absolutely not! It’s dangerous! That bastard Illeon is after you, Madam.”
Seliya’s eyes narrowed as she looked at the old-fashioned Anderson.
“Sir, If I put on my armor, no one will know it’s me.”
Seliya slowly got up from the bed.
Her long silver hair sparkled in the midday sunlight.
“Take me. I won’t ask you twice.”
“...Ma, Ma’am, no. The Lord sent me to protect you.”
“Are you saying you won’t grant my request?”
“It is the order the lord gave me. To protect you.”
Seliya let out a deep sigh. Blinking, Seliya apologized to Anderson.
“I’m sorry, Anderson. I need to borrow your armor for a moment.”
The scent of hyacinths blooming from Seliya’s hand instantly enveloped Anderson.
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