Three years later, at the Royal Palace of Valdina.
The brilliant sunlight illuminated the palace spires, creating a shining golden glow.
The cool breeze unique to the north and the green hills seen far behind the palace blend in harmoniously with nature, making it seem as if it has become one with nature.
The peaceful and lyrical scenery was just like the clear and clean nature that Valdina is known for.
But in contrast, the royal palace of Valdina had no trace of its original, simple appearance.
As we entered the cream-colored palace, the intricately carved pillars and the walls decorated with gorgeous mosaics caught our attention.
The clear water streams that rose from the fountain sparkled and shimmered under the sunlight.
The palace was full of life like never before. Nobles in splendid costumes, merchants bringing crafts, and court attendants moving about busily.
Amidst the laughter and conversation, the roar of the knights seemed to be heard from somewhere.
No one could have imagined that this place was once occupied by rebels, spewing out black smoke.
It is also the place where the blood that flowed from the severed necks of countless traitors was washed away.
Dagrak. Dagrak.
The wheels of the carriage that had been slowly sliding along the elaborately paved stone road stopped.
The first thing to touch the polished granite was a long staff.
"Welcome, Sir."
Then a woman with crimson hair stepped forward.
Neril, who had been waiting, approached and greeted Kensington. Neril's chest was embroidered with a lily, indicating her affiliation with the Princess's palace.
Her flawless appearance made him feel like he was facing a large, old tree.
"It's been a while, Sir Neril. You've improved a lot in the meantime."
Kensington narrowed his eyes.
The sound of Neril's footsteps approaching was not heard. The upright shadow was coincidentally hidden by the shadow of the pillar.
If Neril hadn't greeted him first, he wouldn't have noticed her presence.
"Every time I see that skill, I am envious. If there were just three people like you in our Red Fox Corps, I wouldn't have to travel back and forth between continents like I do now."
Kensington raised the corners of his mouth. It is rare to find someone who possesses both the elements of a killer and a knight.
"Your Grace, I am always embarrassed by your excessive praise. However, I have no intention of leaving Her Highness's side."
Neril smiled faintly.
"Oh, you're looking for talent as soon as you get here? I can't possibly fill Neril's empty spot, so what about me, Sir?"
A playful voice intervened. The two men turned around.
"Oh, Tom! Long time no see."
Tom smiled at Kensington with his freckled face.
Kensington approached him cheerfully.
Since Tom was the one who brought Kensington to Valdina under Medea's orders, they were quite close.
Bang. Crunch.
The sound of the cane and the limping steps hitting the ground echoed together.
Three years ago, the brutal violence of Kensington's former master, Emperor Perdiccas II of Katzen, left Kensington with a crippling leg.
"Sir, why did you arrive so early? Last time I contacted you, you said you were from the Lubria Mountains, so I thought you would arrive around next month."
Tom walked naturally next to Kensington and supported him as he spoke.
Lubria was a region located at the southernmost tip of Katzen. It was practically the end of the world from Valdina, located to the north.
"You can't even cover the distance in a month. How much have you worked the horses and foxes? Why don't you send your men...?"
Tom rolled his eyes playfully, worried that Kensington, who was not in good health, was more active than usual in his travels around the continent.
"No. Lubria is one of the First Prince's conquests, so it is under tight security. It is not a situation where we can send anyone away."
"Huh. Of course, it's better than Persepolis (the capital of the Katzen Empire)."
Kensington shook his head at Tom's words.
"The first Prince is someone who attacks the castle at the sight of a speck of dust. If his tail is accidentally stepped on, not only will all the red foxes be identified, but it will also be revealed that I am alive. I can not cause trouble to Her Highness the Princess who saved me with great difficulty."
Kensington looked up at the palace. The Valdina flag hung on the top, fluttering in the cool north wind.
"Besides, it's not something else, it's a grand event where Valdina is proclaiming the Empire, so how could I be late? I left right after receiving the call, and I'm already there.'"
Proclamation of the Empire.
Valdina was currently facing the biggest slope.
The three walked down the street where preparations for the proclamation ceremony were in full swing.
Amidst the bustling crowd of people, the colorful flowers in the gardens on both sides of the road were a delight to the eyes.
Then, at one point, Kensington stopped walking, bent down, and picked up a flower displayed on the sidewalk.
There were white stripes across the large red petals.
"Isn't this a flower that grows in the southeastern tropics? How could It be here..."
Kensington, who had traveled all over the continent, immediately recognized the flower's habitat.
"As expected, you are a short-termer. Yes, that's right."
Tom, who was excited, clapped his hands as if he had been waiting for it.
"As the Strait of El Amuz became famous for maritime trade, our royal palace also grew in size. With the influx of special products from all over the continent, isn't it possible that we can now see tropical flowers in this cold Valdina?"
Strait of El Amuz.
Three years ago, it was the place that Medea had taken as a reward from the Emperor of Katzen in exchange for sparing the life of Claudio's family who had committed treason.
It was now clearly Valdina's territory.
"Do you see? The carriages that are pushed out of the north gate are all the upper ranks. The walls on this side are also currently being expanded. And-"
"Stop and breathe, Tom."
As if telling him to hurry up, Neril tapped Tom on the shoulder.
"I'm fine? Sir, that's not all. The guards have also expanded their battalion, so our master recently recruited a trainee-"
"No. You're not okay."
Only after being nudged in the side by Neril's elbow did Tom stop talking.
"Sir, you must be tired, so let's unpack first. Everyone is busy preparing for the proclamation ceremony, but there is still some time to spare. His Majesty has also returned."
Kensington looked at the two with a pleased face, then stopped at Neril's words.
"The King hasn't returned yet? Could it be that another wave of monsters has occurred?"
A year ago, Peleus led Agema back to the plains he had won in the ten-year war.
Now, the plains were on paper a full territory of Valdina. However, because they were newly annexed, they were outside the reach of the Philosopher's Stone.
So, in order to provide a safe place for the Valdinians to live, it was necessary to eliminate the monsters appearing in the wave.
"Yes. That was the Troll Wave, and this time it's the Ghouls. They've been happening quite frequently lately."
Kensington rubbed his temples.
As a native of Katzen, he was well aware of the devastation of monster waves. Regardless of the type, any area that was invaded by demons would instantly become ruins.
The scene of one-sided slaughter was reminiscent of hell for both the dead and the survivors.
"Don't worry too much. If it's Agemas, it won't be a problem to grill them. Even if you're lucky enough to escape the plains, they won't be able to cross the border of Valdina."
Neril's face was cautious, but not particularly worried. It was more Iike the confidence of someone who had never been exposed to the threat of the devil in her entire life.
Kensington nodded immediately.
"I see. For a moment, I forgot that this was Valdina."
Valdina is the only sanctuary on the continent where monsters do not invade.
"Still, I hope Her Highness doesn't feel anxious."
Neril nodded as if to tell Kensington not to worry.
"I have already received word. The King has already finished the sweep and entered the border a few days ago..."
Neril raised her head.
"I think he'll arrive today or tomorrow."
I squinted my eyes as if I was gazing at the horizon at the end of the clear blue sky.
Bang.
Fair enough. Kensington's cane, lost in thought, made a faint sound on the floor.
"I must see Her Highness first."
"Yes, come here."
The two people who read his intentions changed direction. The three people's feet moved again.
***
Princess Valdina's Palace.
High ceilings and antique wall decorations.
The sunlight, streaming in like a curtain, illuminated the stone statues placed against the cream-colored walls. These statues had originally been in the Queen's Palace.
Two years ago, when the Queen Dowager passed away, Madame Pinatelli, the chief maid of honor, moved into the Princess's Palace.
As Kensington walked down the hallway, the faint scent of flowers in full bloom from the garden wafted to his nose.
Kensington, who entered the reception room with an air of orphanage like that of the owner, immediately prostrated himself. Neither his limping legs nor his long cane could make him expect loyalty from her.
"Shin Kensington, I have returned from my mission to see you, my lord."
The leader of the continent-wide spy group, the Red Foxes. Louis Kensington was a person who moved beneath the surface rather than above it.
This was especially true after leaving the Katzen Empire.
He was veiled and had news from all over the continent before anyone else.
In a time of chaos where a single line of information could shed light on a nation's future, Louis Kensington's power and influence were powerful and dangerous.
So, isn't it that even his master, Emperor Perdiccas II of Katzen, tried to kill Kensington in the end?
The title that Louis spoke while kneeling down. "Lord," clearly indicated that his loyalty was not to this country, Valdina, or to King Peleus, but only to the girl in front of him.
"Kensington."
A quiet yet familiar voice flowed through his ears and echoed through the Princess's palace.
Kensington then raised his head and finally faced his master.
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