However, the book he brought was like an encyclopedia, only listing the types and characteristics of demons, and he couldn't find the information he wanted.
“It’s annoying.”
He was frustrated and disappointed because he had invested a lot of time and got no information.
Perdes sighed deeply and closed the book.
The current time is 3:30 in the morning.
It was an awkward time to go to sleep, but it was also awkward to stay up until morning.
'It would be better to get some sleep.'
Perdes put the book in an unused pillowcase and blew out the candle.
A bedroom shrouded in pitch-black darkness.
In a room where even the dawn light could not penetrate because of the curtains, Perdes' fingers sparkled like stars.
To be exact, there was something shiny on the tip of his finger.
“This is a luminous substance made from Malus flowers.”
He knew it well because Adele showed it to me before.
Using this, they also found out that the Emperor had been playing a trick on Jack.
Anyway, he hadn't touched the substance recently, so it was a little absurd to have it on his fingers.
'When did you ask?'
There wasn't anything like this last night, so he thinks it's something he asked about today.
As Perdes was rubbing his sparkling fingers and thinking back on his memories, a thought suddenly crossed his mind, and he took out the book he had kept in his pillowcase and opened it.
Then, at the very back of the book, in the blank margins, he saw some sparkling letters.
Upon reading the contents, Perdes's eyes grew as big as lanterns.
[The Emperor gave up being human long ago. That in itself is a disaster and a curse.]
Something out of the ordinary.
Perdes looked around to see if there was anything else, but that was all there was.
“What is it about?”
Perdes read the sentence over and over, thinking about it deeply, but unfortunately, his common sense was unable to interpret it.
'Biblos might know.'
It was a little early to be contacting him, but Perdes didn't mind.
He tried to contact Byblos directly through Fairy.
"What."
For some reason, the dragon fairy, who was in a deep sleep, did not wake up.
No, this isn't sleep, this is a loss of vitality.
The fairy's life force was the caster's mana.
That means the mana supply from Byblos has been cut off.
Does that mean something is wrong with Byblos?
Perdes's eyes widened as he encountered a completely unexpected variable.
***
The Knights of Leopold arrived late in the evening the day after I arrived in Whale.
“Hello, captain.”
When I saw the Knights of the Order of Leopold prostrating themselves in their red uniforms, I had mixed feelings.
I was happy to see them after a long time, but I also felt bad about pushing them into the battlefield.
It was also concerning that the person at the very front of the knights was Sis Connor, not Sir Aldor.
The absence of Sir Aldor was felt anew.
“Everyone, stand up.”
After trying to suppress my surging emotions and greeting them, I patted Sir Connor on the shoulder.
“Thank you for your hard work leading the Knights all the way here.”
“No. It wasn’t difficult at all because everyone followed me well.”
“Well, that’s good. You must be tired, so everyone should go back to your lodgings and get some rest.”
There were many things I wanted to ask them and say to them.
I sent him back without saying anything, as I had to leave again on a long journey at dawn tomorrow.
I, too, was going back to my bedroom to rest, but Prophetes IV followed me.
“What truly gallant and trustworthy knights. It is an honor to see the Knights of Leopold in person, of whom I have only heard rumors.”
“Are the Knights of Leopold really that famous?”
Currently, Prophetes IV is a nobleman in name only, without any proper title, so he decided to keep quiet outside.
Even if he disguised his identity, it would be unpleasant for a King or someone of a higher rank to be spoken to informally by a nobleman from another country, but he smiled and said without showing any sign of it.
“It’s famous. Isn’t the Knights of Leopold one of the most elite knight orders in the Empire?”
“It’s all just past glory.”
I said it with sincerity, not out of modesty.
The Order of Leopold became famous while my father was still alive.
After my father passed away and I became a Duke, the reputation of the Order of Leopold fell considerably.
When we posted the recruitment notice for the knight, the number of applicants was reduced by more than half, so that says it all.
“No. Even now, everyone knows the Knights of Leopold. The Silver Wolf of the Knights of Leopold is especially famous.”
Silver Wolf. This was the term referring to Sir Aldor.
I had finally gotten my mind off of Sir Aldor and had gotten my emotions under control, but now that it was mentioned again, my mood sank.
“By the way, I don’t think I see the silver wolf. Is he not participating in this battle?”
"... Yes."
“Why? If he’s there, things will be a little easier to solve... ”
“I’m tired, so let’s just talk to each other.”
I don't want to say anything about Sir Aldor, I said firmly and went into the bedroom.
Fortunately, Prophetes IV was observant and did not follow me.
I lay down on the bed as if I was collapsing without even changing my clothes.
All I did today was discuss future plans with the Northern Territory nobles, but my body felt heavy as if I had been training in swordsmanship all day.
No, it was my heart that was heavy.
My heart was heavy with a mixture of regret, gratitude, and pity for those who fell victim to my plan without knowing anything about it.
***
A room that was too shabby for a King to stay in, but big enough for a nobleman in name only.
“According to what I’ve found out, Aldor Shanktis suddenly disappeared after a major fight with a fellow knight.”
Prophetes IV tilted his head at the report of his loyal aide.
“That’s really strange.”
Aldor Shanktis.
He was better known by his nickname, the Silver Wolf, and many knightly orders, even the Imperial Knights of the Empire, took notice of his skills and offered him a spot.
However, Aldor could not abandon the lord he had sworn loyalty to, so he refused all offers and joined the Knights of Leopold.
It is so strange that he suddenly abandoned his lord and disappeared just because he fought a knight.
Prophetes IV couldn't believe it.
It was clear there was another reason.
“Who is the knight who fought Aldor Shanktis?”
“There’s a man named Aaron Mold. He also disappeared after fighting Aldor Shanktis.”
That's why it's even more suspicious.
It's hard to believe that Adele gave a special order because her expression wasn't very good when he asked about Aldor's whereabouts.
That means she also doesn't know why Aldor disappeared.
“Why did they both disappear at the same time?”
After sending his aide away, Prophetes IV stroked his chin and thought deeply, then used his communication ring to contact Logos, who was heading to the capital.
“...They said that. Do you know anything about that man?”
[Really? Is it true that the Silver Wolf will not participate in this battle?]
“I don’t know anything.”
He asked Logos, who had come to the empire before him, thinking he might know something, but it was a stupid idea.
Of course, Logos, who was busy carrying out his mission, would not have looked elsewhere.
[Please answer, Your Majesty. Is it true that the silver wolf is not coming?]
“Yeah. I told you. He suddenly disappeared.”
[This is ridiculous. I've been waiting so long to have a swordsmanship duel with the Silver Wolf... This can't be happening.]
The Logos's screaming voice flowed out desperately.
He knew Logos was looking forward to meeting Aldor, but he didn't think it would be this bad.
'That's why there are so many crazy people in one place.'
He doesn't usually hate Logos like that, but in this case, it was a little annoying.
Since no matter what he said now, it wouldn't be heard, Prophetes IV clicked his tongue and unilaterally cut off the communication.
Then he thought about Aldor, then shrugged.
“Well, it doesn’t matter if there’s no silver wolf or anything.”
Because there was only one person he wanted, Adele Leopold.
The fact that Prophetes IV came all the way to Whale despite the persuasion of his aides, including Logos, was all because of Adele.
Because he miss her.
Because he wants to be there for her when she's having a hard time.
And then, when she had achieved everything she wanted, he came all this way to propose.
This was the second reason, a small but personal one, that he had not yet told Adele.
“It’s a proposal.”
Just putting those words in his mouth makes his heart flutter.
On the one hand, it was bitter because he knew Adele wouldn't accept it.
Unfortunately, she didn't seem to share the same sentiments.
“Still, I have to knock.”
As the saying goes, no tree falls after ten blows.
He planned to knock on her heart's door again and again until she accepted.
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