Hundreds of animal carcasses were lined up on the street.
They were all brutally mangled and bloodied, just like the corpses that had been caught in the cartwheel, and they were arranged so neatly on the street that it was truly horrifying.
It was terrible.
Someone must have done this on purpose to show off.
That wasn't all.
The splendid and spacious Place Nasiel was so crowded with thousands of bird carcasses strewn across the floor that there was no room to step.
"What's this!"
“Huh, a warlock?!”
The stench of blood and decay that spread through the capital city numbed people's sense of smell and halted their reason.
The people, who had not felt any particular danger from the warlocks who had been quietly sequestered in the palace, were frozen by the warlocks' stark and cruel warning that they too would soon die.
The surprised nobles were the first to try to flee to distant territories, and the commoners also fell into panic, and in an instant, the capital turned into a battlefield of chaos.
“It won’t work.”
Prince Felix's worried voice echoed loudly throughout the conference room as he was briefed on the situation.
"If this continues, a bigger accident will occur. Adjust the personnel of your unit immediately and dispatch a support unit. Our priority is to support the safe evacuation of the people from the capital to their respective regions."
“Yes, I understand.”
It was hard to believe that he was a Prince who had been living a leisurely life in the palace of the deep sea, but he showed such determination and leadership.
"It's better. There's going to be fierce fighting in the capital, so it's best to evacuate the people as quickly as possible. We're too late."
Ellery Demirant stepped forward.
"The Demirant Guild will help you. The capital is vast and has many roads. If we spread out and escape via several routes, it will be easier and faster."
"Good idea. Let's plan together, Guild Leader."
As Prince Felix nodded his chin to deal with it quickly, Ellery and Rudnine quickly stood up.
“The Duke of Agenthoz.”
While Rudnine was discussing with the soldiers the organization of a refugee support unit with the Demirant Guildmaster, Prince Felix, who had been lost in thought for a moment, called in the Duke of Argenthoz.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
"I guess we'll have to make a preemptive strike decision. We can't delay any longer."
“Yes, that’s the only way.”
Duke Argenthoz's eyes were darkened as he answered without hesitation.
Prince Felix was heartbroken and in pain, but there was nothing he could do.
The reason he had waited without attacking until now was that he was worried about the safety of little Duke Barden.
Secret messages were sent to the palace demanding surrender, along with offers of a hostage exchange for Arthur Rognier, money, threats, and other such things.
But every time he got the same answer.
"If you wish to return little Duke Barden Argenthoz, send Princess Yvonne Argenthoz to the Verbent Palace."
It was an absurd request.
As they conducted research with Yvonne, the wizards were amazed by her outstanding magical skills and knowledge, and they were furious.
They gritted their teeth, saying that the mad warlocks were trying to kill the best talents first.
Of course, Duke Argenthoz's heart was indescribably blackened, and Rudnine's usual smile disappeared, and the atmosphere turned cold.
Yvonne, the party involved, just made a strange expression when she heard their negotiation terms.
Of course, Prince Felix, who had the final say, did not send Yvonne.
And he was trying to negotiate a little more, but this happened today.
“Your Highness, Your Excellency the Duke.”
At that moment, Yvonne, who had been standing far away, approached Prince Felix and Duke Argenthoz.
“The interpretation of the key to the ‘Entrance to Liberation’ is finally complete.”
“Really?”
"Yes."
Yvonne and the wizards who had been locked in the conference room for a while had already succeeded in identifying the warlock's weaknesses and attack patterns.
However, the interpretation of the key to the entrance to liberation was extremely difficult, so it took even longer as all the ancient books in the tower had to be mobilized.
But Yvonne's expression after finishing the interpretation was so serious that Prince Felix also became tense.
"Bad news? Does that mean we can't stop the demonic commander's incarnation?"
"I'm not sure about that yet, Your Highness. Given the current situation, I think it would be best to launch a full-scale attack as quickly as possible."
“Quickly? When?”
When the Duke of Argenthoz asked urgently, Yvonne glanced at Rudnine, who was busily giving instructions from afar.
And then she turned her head again and spoke resolutely.
“As soon as it’s ready.”
Yvonne clenched her fists as she faced the surprised Prince Felix and the Duke of Argenthoz.
"The gates of liberation are still opening. Very slowly. Because they won't open immediately, Empress Giselle deliberately stalled."
“Is it still open?”
“Yes, so we don’t have time.”
Yvonne paused, took a deep breath, and lowered her voice with a firm gaze.
“As soon as you depart, I will depart separately to rescue the little Duke of Argenthoz.”
“Yvonne? What are you talking about!”
“Father... wait a minute, shh.”
Yvonne's purple eyes burned even more fiercely as she grabbed the Duke of Argenthoz's arm and pulled him towards her.
“If we start attacking, they’ll kill him right away. Or they might seriously injure him.”
Prince Felix shook his head.
“But, Princess, even so, going in there alone means you’re going to die.”
"I can't let my brother die like that. He's been so kind to me lately, and we've been on such good terms."
“Yvonne, if you die, I die too.”
Duke Argenthoz's voice trembled slightly as he looked at Yvonne.
She bit her lower lip at the sight of the weakened Duke, then smiled faintly, her eyes narrowing.
"I won't die. I'm so strong. Please believe me."
The Duke's anxiety was slightly relieved by his daughter's soft smile and affectionate words.
He barely managed to continue speaking, thinking that Yvonne's smile and speech had become similar to Rudnine's.
“...Camilla also prided herself on her strength. But even your mother, so strong, crumbled in vain before fate.”
"Father."
Yvonne hugged the pitiful and unstoppable Duke, who still couldn't forget her mother.
And she stroked his back and comforted him.
"My mother was a knight, not a magician. I'm a capable, sturdy magician."
“...Yvonne.”
"That's the famous Princess of Argenthoz. A refined, sturdy, and splendid Silver Rose! I inherit all the good qualities of my father and mother, so I will never fade."
"Haha."
“A modified, strong silver rose, that’s a perfect description.”
Prince Felix, who was watching the woman from the side, muttered.
“That’s true, though.”
Now that he seemed to have calmed down a bit, Yvonne let go of the Duke of Argenthoz and slowly explained her plan.
“I plan to infiltrate the palace alone, using the secret map of the palace I received from the Demirant Guild Master and the testimony of Fromdy, whom I captured.”
“But it’s too dangerous.”
“Father, why did they want to trade me for Barden?”
“Of course...”
The Duke of Argenthoz was about to answer, but then he froze when he saw Yvonne's expression.
And he asked hesitantly.
“Yvonne. Are you hiding something from me again?”
“I’m not hiding it. I don’t know why they want me, but...”
Yvonne stopped talking and glanced at Rudnine, who was standing in the distance, and the Duke of Argenthoz didn't miss that moment.
'There's something.'
She sighed slightly and continued speaking.
"It means they want something from me. Even if I get caught infiltrating, I won't kill myself."
"Ha."
“Please believe me. I will definitely come back after saving my brother.”
Prince Felix, who was looking at Yvonne, who was making a solemn pledge, suddenly grabbed her urgently.
“Now, wait a minute. Princess!”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“...Now, the Princess plans to enter the palace alone. Of course, the Princess’s lover, Duke Iels, knows about it, right?”
Yvonne smiled brightly.
"No! Of course, I first reported it to Your Highness, who has the final say."
Yvonne, who was struggling, instinctively grabbed the hem of Prince Felix's clothes as he stepped back.
“So, my esteemed lord, would you please come with me to Duke Iels and tell him?”
Prince Felix, his mouth wide open, slowly raised both hands and covered his face.
If he could, he would really want to disappear from here right now.
The interpretation of the key to the entrance to liberation is complete.
First, the moon was engulfed in darkness.
The moon is the symbol of the Mare royal family, renowned for their lineage of exceptional white magicians. Indeed, the moon is prominently featured on the flag of the Mare Kingdom.
The Moon Devoured by Darkness refers to Cordelia Mare, a descendant of the Mare royal family who fell into black magic.
And what about the sun engulfed in darkness? This part was so confusing that I had a long argument with the magicians of the Magic Tower.
The sun symbolizes the Verbent royal family, who, unlike the Mare royal family, cannot accept magic and thus cannot produce magicians.
The brilliant light of the sun, that is, the golden color, has always been the symbol of the House of Verbent.
However, the 'darkness' was interpreted as the descendants of the Mare royal family who became warlocks, but the darkness did not graft well to the descendants of the Verbent royal family.
Because descendants of the Verbent royal family could not become warlocks.
After wandering around for a while, I was able to come to a conclusion with a hint I got from beating up the warlock Fromdy, who had been brought to me.
"Hmm. Her Majesty the Empress has never attempted to teach Crown Prince Adrian the art of black magic. I've only seen her often call out to him and whisper something... Ugh, don't hit me!"
It must have been brainwashing that Empress Giselle often called Adrian and whispered something to him.
I continued to report seriously.
"Empress Giselle deliberately adopted Crown Prince Adrian as her adopted son, brainwashed him with black magic, and then 'tainted' him with her darkness. He is a clear descendant of the royal family!"
"That, that's right. So, the key to opening the gateway to liberation, where the Demon Legion Commander will manifest, is Princess Cordelia Mare and Crown Prince Adrian?"
Prince Felix was very nervous.
And he openly looked at Rudnine, who was glaring at us.
What's this...
If this is the case, then there would be no point in my calling Prince Felix my lord and bringing him here!
I quietly revisited the caste pyramid I knew.
‘Wasn’t he a member of the royal family above the Duke...?’
"The blood of the two slowly flows over the magic circle at the entrance to liberation, and when they die, the entrance to liberation will open! So!"
I gave Prince Felix a quick look and said, 'So, please give me the order we discussed earlier!'
But the damn Prince suddenly acted like a newborn with no sense of humor and acted like he was acting strange.
An evacuation order has already been issued for the capital, and we have even dispatched support units.
The order to sortie would soon be given, and a full-scale offensive would follow, but we had to escape separately before that, so we were running out of time.
'Why are you so afraid of Rudd?'
I glared at Prince Felix, who seemed to have no intention of helping me anymore, and then I started talking on my own.
"Yes, Your Highness! That's why, as I said earlier, before the gates of liberation are fully opened, I will immediately go to the palace to rescue little Duke Barden..."
"Your Highness."
At that moment, Rudnine cut me off coldly and interrupted me.
It felt like a fierce wind was blowing from behind.
I was so scared to look at him that I broke out in a cold sweat and fixed my gaze on Prince Felix.
My throat was sore from the tension.
'Ugh.'
I know... He wouldn’t agree right away, of course.
You will find it absurd and even feel betrayed that I am cowardly trying to bring Prince Felix in as a shield to tell him this fact.
'And yet, I...'
I lowered my head. Then, Rudnine, who had been standing behind me, walked briskly next to me.
“Could you please help me talk for a moment?”
His tone was extremely polite and gentle, but Prince Felix quickly backed away as if he had been threatened.
“Of course. Well, I’m already a very busy person, so I’ll take my leave now!”
They were all brutally mangled and bloodied, just like the corpses that had been caught in the cartwheel, and they were arranged so neatly on the street that it was truly horrifying.
It was terrible.
Someone must have done this on purpose to show off.
That wasn't all.
The splendid and spacious Place Nasiel was so crowded with thousands of bird carcasses strewn across the floor that there was no room to step.
"What's this!"
“Huh, a warlock?!”
The stench of blood and decay that spread through the capital city numbed people's sense of smell and halted their reason.
The people, who had not felt any particular danger from the warlocks who had been quietly sequestered in the palace, were frozen by the warlocks' stark and cruel warning that they too would soon die.
The surprised nobles were the first to try to flee to distant territories, and the commoners also fell into panic, and in an instant, the capital turned into a battlefield of chaos.
“It won’t work.”
Prince Felix's worried voice echoed loudly throughout the conference room as he was briefed on the situation.
"If this continues, a bigger accident will occur. Adjust the personnel of your unit immediately and dispatch a support unit. Our priority is to support the safe evacuation of the people from the capital to their respective regions."
“Yes, I understand.”
It was hard to believe that he was a Prince who had been living a leisurely life in the palace of the deep sea, but he showed such determination and leadership.
"It's better. There's going to be fierce fighting in the capital, so it's best to evacuate the people as quickly as possible. We're too late."
Ellery Demirant stepped forward.
"The Demirant Guild will help you. The capital is vast and has many roads. If we spread out and escape via several routes, it will be easier and faster."
"Good idea. Let's plan together, Guild Leader."
As Prince Felix nodded his chin to deal with it quickly, Ellery and Rudnine quickly stood up.
“The Duke of Agenthoz.”
While Rudnine was discussing with the soldiers the organization of a refugee support unit with the Demirant Guildmaster, Prince Felix, who had been lost in thought for a moment, called in the Duke of Argenthoz.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
"I guess we'll have to make a preemptive strike decision. We can't delay any longer."
“Yes, that’s the only way.”
Duke Argenthoz's eyes were darkened as he answered without hesitation.
Prince Felix was heartbroken and in pain, but there was nothing he could do.
The reason he had waited without attacking until now was that he was worried about the safety of little Duke Barden.
Secret messages were sent to the palace demanding surrender, along with offers of a hostage exchange for Arthur Rognier, money, threats, and other such things.
But every time he got the same answer.
"If you wish to return little Duke Barden Argenthoz, send Princess Yvonne Argenthoz to the Verbent Palace."
It was an absurd request.
As they conducted research with Yvonne, the wizards were amazed by her outstanding magical skills and knowledge, and they were furious.
They gritted their teeth, saying that the mad warlocks were trying to kill the best talents first.
Of course, Duke Argenthoz's heart was indescribably blackened, and Rudnine's usual smile disappeared, and the atmosphere turned cold.
Yvonne, the party involved, just made a strange expression when she heard their negotiation terms.
Of course, Prince Felix, who had the final say, did not send Yvonne.
And he was trying to negotiate a little more, but this happened today.
“Your Highness, Your Excellency the Duke.”
At that moment, Yvonne, who had been standing far away, approached Prince Felix and Duke Argenthoz.
“The interpretation of the key to the ‘Entrance to Liberation’ is finally complete.”
“Really?”
"Yes."
Yvonne and the wizards who had been locked in the conference room for a while had already succeeded in identifying the warlock's weaknesses and attack patterns.
However, the interpretation of the key to the entrance to liberation was extremely difficult, so it took even longer as all the ancient books in the tower had to be mobilized.
But Yvonne's expression after finishing the interpretation was so serious that Prince Felix also became tense.
"Bad news? Does that mean we can't stop the demonic commander's incarnation?"
"I'm not sure about that yet, Your Highness. Given the current situation, I think it would be best to launch a full-scale attack as quickly as possible."
“Quickly? When?”
When the Duke of Argenthoz asked urgently, Yvonne glanced at Rudnine, who was busily giving instructions from afar.
And then she turned her head again and spoke resolutely.
“As soon as it’s ready.”
Yvonne clenched her fists as she faced the surprised Prince Felix and the Duke of Argenthoz.
"The gates of liberation are still opening. Very slowly. Because they won't open immediately, Empress Giselle deliberately stalled."
“Is it still open?”
“Yes, so we don’t have time.”
Yvonne paused, took a deep breath, and lowered her voice with a firm gaze.
“As soon as you depart, I will depart separately to rescue the little Duke of Argenthoz.”
“Yvonne? What are you talking about!”
“Father... wait a minute, shh.”
Yvonne's purple eyes burned even more fiercely as she grabbed the Duke of Argenthoz's arm and pulled him towards her.
“If we start attacking, they’ll kill him right away. Or they might seriously injure him.”
Prince Felix shook his head.
“But, Princess, even so, going in there alone means you’re going to die.”
"I can't let my brother die like that. He's been so kind to me lately, and we've been on such good terms."
“Yvonne, if you die, I die too.”
Duke Argenthoz's voice trembled slightly as he looked at Yvonne.
She bit her lower lip at the sight of the weakened Duke, then smiled faintly, her eyes narrowing.
"I won't die. I'm so strong. Please believe me."
The Duke's anxiety was slightly relieved by his daughter's soft smile and affectionate words.
He barely managed to continue speaking, thinking that Yvonne's smile and speech had become similar to Rudnine's.
“...Camilla also prided herself on her strength. But even your mother, so strong, crumbled in vain before fate.”
"Father."
Yvonne hugged the pitiful and unstoppable Duke, who still couldn't forget her mother.
And she stroked his back and comforted him.
"My mother was a knight, not a magician. I'm a capable, sturdy magician."
“...Yvonne.”
"That's the famous Princess of Argenthoz. A refined, sturdy, and splendid Silver Rose! I inherit all the good qualities of my father and mother, so I will never fade."
"Haha."
“A modified, strong silver rose, that’s a perfect description.”
Prince Felix, who was watching the woman from the side, muttered.
“That’s true, though.”
Now that he seemed to have calmed down a bit, Yvonne let go of the Duke of Argenthoz and slowly explained her plan.
“I plan to infiltrate the palace alone, using the secret map of the palace I received from the Demirant Guild Master and the testimony of Fromdy, whom I captured.”
“But it’s too dangerous.”
“Father, why did they want to trade me for Barden?”
“Of course...”
The Duke of Argenthoz was about to answer, but then he froze when he saw Yvonne's expression.
And he asked hesitantly.
“Yvonne. Are you hiding something from me again?”
“I’m not hiding it. I don’t know why they want me, but...”
Yvonne stopped talking and glanced at Rudnine, who was standing in the distance, and the Duke of Argenthoz didn't miss that moment.
'There's something.'
She sighed slightly and continued speaking.
"It means they want something from me. Even if I get caught infiltrating, I won't kill myself."
"Ha."
“Please believe me. I will definitely come back after saving my brother.”
Prince Felix, who was looking at Yvonne, who was making a solemn pledge, suddenly grabbed her urgently.
“Now, wait a minute. Princess!”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“...Now, the Princess plans to enter the palace alone. Of course, the Princess’s lover, Duke Iels, knows about it, right?”
Yvonne smiled brightly.
"No! Of course, I first reported it to Your Highness, who has the final say."
Yvonne, who was struggling, instinctively grabbed the hem of Prince Felix's clothes as he stepped back.
“So, my esteemed lord, would you please come with me to Duke Iels and tell him?”
Prince Felix, his mouth wide open, slowly raised both hands and covered his face.
If he could, he would really want to disappear from here right now.
***
The interpretation of the key to the entrance to liberation is complete.
First, the moon was engulfed in darkness.
The moon is the symbol of the Mare royal family, renowned for their lineage of exceptional white magicians. Indeed, the moon is prominently featured on the flag of the Mare Kingdom.
The Moon Devoured by Darkness refers to Cordelia Mare, a descendant of the Mare royal family who fell into black magic.
And what about the sun engulfed in darkness? This part was so confusing that I had a long argument with the magicians of the Magic Tower.
The sun symbolizes the Verbent royal family, who, unlike the Mare royal family, cannot accept magic and thus cannot produce magicians.
The brilliant light of the sun, that is, the golden color, has always been the symbol of the House of Verbent.
However, the 'darkness' was interpreted as the descendants of the Mare royal family who became warlocks, but the darkness did not graft well to the descendants of the Verbent royal family.
Because descendants of the Verbent royal family could not become warlocks.
After wandering around for a while, I was able to come to a conclusion with a hint I got from beating up the warlock Fromdy, who had been brought to me.
"Hmm. Her Majesty the Empress has never attempted to teach Crown Prince Adrian the art of black magic. I've only seen her often call out to him and whisper something... Ugh, don't hit me!"
It must have been brainwashing that Empress Giselle often called Adrian and whispered something to him.
I continued to report seriously.
"Empress Giselle deliberately adopted Crown Prince Adrian as her adopted son, brainwashed him with black magic, and then 'tainted' him with her darkness. He is a clear descendant of the royal family!"
"That, that's right. So, the key to opening the gateway to liberation, where the Demon Legion Commander will manifest, is Princess Cordelia Mare and Crown Prince Adrian?"
Prince Felix was very nervous.
And he openly looked at Rudnine, who was glaring at us.
What's this...
If this is the case, then there would be no point in my calling Prince Felix my lord and bringing him here!
I quietly revisited the caste pyramid I knew.
‘Wasn’t he a member of the royal family above the Duke...?’
"The blood of the two slowly flows over the magic circle at the entrance to liberation, and when they die, the entrance to liberation will open! So!"
I gave Prince Felix a quick look and said, 'So, please give me the order we discussed earlier!'
But the damn Prince suddenly acted like a newborn with no sense of humor and acted like he was acting strange.
An evacuation order has already been issued for the capital, and we have even dispatched support units.
The order to sortie would soon be given, and a full-scale offensive would follow, but we had to escape separately before that, so we were running out of time.
'Why are you so afraid of Rudd?'
I glared at Prince Felix, who seemed to have no intention of helping me anymore, and then I started talking on my own.
"Yes, Your Highness! That's why, as I said earlier, before the gates of liberation are fully opened, I will immediately go to the palace to rescue little Duke Barden..."
"Your Highness."
At that moment, Rudnine cut me off coldly and interrupted me.
It felt like a fierce wind was blowing from behind.
I was so scared to look at him that I broke out in a cold sweat and fixed my gaze on Prince Felix.
My throat was sore from the tension.
'Ugh.'
I know... He wouldn’t agree right away, of course.
You will find it absurd and even feel betrayed that I am cowardly trying to bring Prince Felix in as a shield to tell him this fact.
'And yet, I...'
I lowered my head. Then, Rudnine, who had been standing behind me, walked briskly next to me.
“Could you please help me talk for a moment?”
His tone was extremely polite and gentle, but Prince Felix quickly backed away as if he had been threatened.
“Of course. Well, I’m already a very busy person, so I’ll take my leave now!”
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