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The Emperor’s office, illuminated for the first time in years.

In front of the office, Aschel and Violet were seated, the former wearing a slightly bitter expression.

“Do you really have to do it like this?”

“People tend to forget their place when they become accustomed to things.”

Violet shrugged as if to ask what the problem was.

“What makes you think you could roam around the palace like it’s your own home? Just because you’re the son of Duke Vert, who is close to the Emperor? Or because of your illustrious name as the owner of the Holy Sword? No way. It’s because of me!”

Violet leaned in close, their faces almost touching.

“You’re only human, after all. So I’m just here to remind you of who I am to you.”

Aschel glanced defiantly into Violet’s eyes for a moment.

“You’ll regret this.”

With a meaningful remark, Aschel knocked on the office door.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

Upon hearing the Emperor’s solemn voice, the two entered without hesitation.

“I greet the Imperial Highness. Violet Sevellerus of the Ushif Empire. Here to see the Emperor.”

Violet elegantly bowed to the Emperor.

Meanwhile, Aschel, without any greeting, simply stared at the Emperor.

“What impertinence is this, Aschel? Quickly show your respect to the Emperor—”

“Welcome, Aschel.”

Violet was momentarily taken aback.

“Your burdens must have multiplied with that unruly daughter of mine.”

“Emperor? What are you talking about…?”

Seeing the confusion in the Emperor’s inexplicable behavior, Violet froze as she noticed something peculiar in his eyes—not the deep black irises she was accustomed to, but faint violet ones.

A color no normal person could possess.

It dawned on Violet.

The Emperor was definitely not in a normal state.

“Sometimes, it’s better to live comfortably in ignorance than to know the truth and be thrown into confusion.”

Eventually, her gaze turned to Aschel.

“Your Highness, you may have thought the Emperor’s rapid decline in health over the past few years was due to illness, but… no.”

This time, Aschel leaned in close to Violet’s face.

“Aschel? What did you do to the Emperor?”

“Take a guess. What do you think I did?”

Aschel replied with a sly smile.

“Surely, you must have had Boris cast some strange magic on him! How dare you do such a thing to the Emperor without my consent!”

“It’s not magic.”

That single statement silenced Violet.

“It’s my own ability. A special power bestowed upon me by a higher being, which allows me to make anyone who meets my gaze mine.”

“Y-your ability?”

“Yes. But I didn’t use this power on Princess Violet. In fact, I didn’t even use it on Princess Arin. Can you guess why?”

It was a question Violet couldn’t answer.

“It’s simple. It’s because of loneliness,”

Aschel explained with a smile.

“What good would it do to reign over those who don’t know my true self? It’s no different from being the master of puppets. I need someone by my side who can truly share emotions with me, like you, Princess Violet. Only then can I truly feel alive.”

Violet could only manage an awkward expression, neither laughing nor crying.

“So, let me remind you once again. I strive to ascend to the highest position a human can achieve. Whatever tricks my brother played on you, I don’t care. You, Princess, must witness every step of my rise to the position I desire with your own eyes.”

“…..!”

“That’s why I made you mine,” Aschel concluded.

Violet’s legs gave out, and she collapsed to the floor, feeling a mix of disappointment and emptiness.

“Haha…”

She laughed bitterly, unsure if it was out of desperation or understanding, but either way, she didn’t seem to be in a normal state.

“In five days, Princess Violet will stand in at the court audience. The script will be delivered through another channel. Please prepare accordingly.”

Leaving Violet behind, Aschel exited the office.

“V-Violet?”

The Emperor, returning to his normal state, noticed Violet on the ground and blinked.

Unable to answer the Emperor’s call, Violet could only force a smile.

As they left them behind and stepped outside, Aschel whispered,

“Cyan…”

He called out his missing sibling’s name with deep yearning.

“How I look forward to the day when I meet you again, boasting that you understand my true self!”

His lips curved into a strange smile, tangled with anticipation and joy.

* * *

Five days had passed already.

Brian and Schurz couldn’t believe what they were seeing; their mouths hung open in disbelief.

Luna Rainriver.

Was she really human?

For five days straight, she hadn’t shown the slightest hint of emotion.

Even if she were a magical summoning, this level of control was unheard of.

It was almost like believing she was a doll.

Her concentration was truly remarkable.

“Ha…”

She finally reacted after five days.

Hastia, who had been assisting her, sighed in relief alongside her.

“Even if he’s been banished, is he still this strong of a god? It’s incredibly complicated.”

Luna looked visibly uncomfortable.

Rather than being tired, she seemed to be wounded in her pride.

‘It’s been five days already! While I’ve been like this, who knows what’s happened to Princess Arin…’

Hastia was full of worry for Arin, even amidst her exhaustion.

Even if Cyan returned, they might be able to gather more clues, but Cyan hadn’t returned even after five days.

At this, Luna turned her body slightly.

“How’s the atmosphere at the palace?”

“It feels very busy due to the court audience tomorrow. However…”

Brian hesitated slightly.

“The atmosphere seems a bit off. People seem quite unhappy about opening court without Princess Arin.”

Brian added,

“Considering that the security checks finished only two days ago, and amidst such seriousness, suddenly announcing a court audience in front of commoners has caused quite a bit of resistance. I’ve heard that even the nobles’ reactions are quite negative…”

Though Arin had been treated like a shell in the palace, she was currently in a position where she could fulfill her role as a member of the court.

Yet, to be casually preparing for a court audience while searching for her throughout the empire was absurd, to say the least.

“So, we can consider one of two possibilities,”

Luna immediately proposed.

“Either the palace has already concluded that Princess Arin is deceased and is simply proceeding with scheduled events, or…”

Everyone listened intently to her words, holding their breath.

“…they expect Princess Arin to appear during the court audience. It could be seen this way.”

Luna seemed more confident in the latter possibility.

‘Why do you think that?’

“Other than that, nothing else comes to mind. Seeing that Cyan hasn’t rushed back, I believe they must know that Princess Arin is still alive.”

After her explanation, Luna produced something from her pocket—a small white glass bead, about the size of a fist.

“What’s this, Luna?”

“I’ve miniaturized the magical artifact ‘Messenger Globe’ for easy carrying. With this, even if I’m outside the astral realm, you can communicate with me.”

Everyone except Luna looked at the Messenger Globe with wonder.

“Take it and go to the court audience venue tomorrow. Report everything that happens to me while you’re there.”

“I’ll go too!”

Brian volunteered.

“Alright. Based on your reports, Hastia and I will continue to monitor the energy of the astral realm.”

Hastia nodded with determination.

Having reorganized their plan, Luna crossed her arms and closed her eyes for a moment.

If her hypothesis was correct, Princess Arin would appear with the Mist during the court audience the next day.

They needed to take advantage of that moment when the gate was opened to let Arin out.

Luna was confident she could reach her then, within the realm of the Black Mist God.

* * *

In the middle of the main street of the palace, stood a tall podium.

The preparations for the upcoming court audience were underway, with people bustling about.

Those observing couldn’t help but express their skepticism.

“Is the palace in its right mind? How can they hold a court audience without Princess Arin?”

“What happened to the Princess, anyway?”

“What important fact could they possibly be publicizing…?”

The atmosphere mirrored the thoughts of the people, with the sky heavily clouded and on the verge of rain and lightning.

As the designated time approached, amidst the chaotic atmosphere, Princess Violet ascended the podium and revealed herself to the crowd.

Looking around, she cast a spell to amplify her voice before slowly opening her mouth.

“Originally, this gathering was supposed to be the investiture ceremony for the Redeemers of the Order of Salvation and the proclamation of a new order. However, as you all are already aware, that atmosphere isn’t suitable for today.”

At her words, murmurs arose from the crowd.

“Arin is my helpless younger sister before she’s a member of the royal family. Despite her eternal position, she never gave in to despair and constantly honed herself into a noble princess who fulfills her role. But what happened to her now? She was kidnapped by despicable people who shouldn’t even be mentioned.”

As if fueled by emotions, her voice gradually grew louder.

“Their schemes are clear without needing to be seen. They aim to deny Princess Arin’s worth. She who shared her wishes for peace and happiness with Lord Lumendel every day was extremely irksome to them!”

The murmurs from the crowd were gradually turning into agreement with the princess’s words.

“Now, why don’t you show yourselves, Mist! I demand that you appear here and explain openly what your intentions are for kidnapping my sister!”

Violet shouted toward where the Mists might be watching, but there was no response.

Instead, angry voices from the crowd filled the void.

“Damn those bastards!”

“Show yourselves, Mist!”

“Bring back the princess!”

Watching silently from one side, Jereon clicked his tongue and said,

“I wonder how they plan to save even the existence of the Mists.”

Judging from the atmosphere alone, it seemed like it might be necessary to immediately reorganize the Purification Army and carry out punitive actions against them.

Just as the voices of denial against the Mist seemed to be spreading endlessly,

*Ssshhh*

Suddenly, an unfamiliar black mist began to emerge above the podium.

“Princess, take cover!”

The knights, sensing a sinister aura, urgently ushered Violet away, while the crowd collectively held their breath, watching the scene on the podium.

At that moment, figures emerged from the mist.

Those who noticed them were all astonished.

It wasn’t just because of the ominous group in black clothing emanating a sinister aura, but because of the figure sitting on the ground, bloodied.

Some screamed in shock.

“P-Princess Arin?!”