Somehow, he was happy even though he was caught.

Love seemed to have sprinkled sweeteners on all his actions. Though, it was good to have such interactions alike.

Lets just.. ignore that fortune-teller. I doubt anything he said is plausible.

At the same time, he realized that his fingers were touching Laritte.

If we cant stay together, how far should we be?

What youre thinking now, you will tell me later, right? asked Laritte.

She believed Ian wouldnt hide it. They trusted each other so much. Laritte was surprised even when he said that he couldnt trust anyone like he trusted her.

Ian nodded, ..Yes, of course, I would tell you.

Nothing would happen even if we stay together.

He wanted to believe that. After all, she was his first love.

If us staying together is the cause, then why is it that only Laritte gets hurt? Its annoying.

However, he did not intend to ignore the fortune-tellers advice.

He must find out the identity of the grass the Empress burned and deliver it to the Crown Prince.

However, if this decision made an exquisite change, Ian.

He closed his eyes tightly.

He couldnt decide what he would do after that.

Seta was again at the highest peak of the castle.

Is it tomorrow?

The day it was arriving was just around the corner.

I was right. The two humans shouldnt be together.

A rogue dragon that had disappeared from the Magee Plateau was headed towards the castle. Mana was doing its job to separate Ian and Laritte.

Usually, Seta was required to escape to another place. It would be annoying if he had a great influence on the human world.

However, he decided to wait because the most dangerous thing was coming tomorrow for Laritte.

If she dies, I cant imitate her face in its vivid state.

I have to help them defeat it and collect the human face for my rare treasures!

Seta clenched his fists.

As soon as the morning arrived, the Empress headed to the Emperors quarters. She told Bartolt as she crossed the bridge from her tower to the next.

You wait here. Ill be back soon.

As there are many guests in the castle, Im worried about Her Majestys safety.

The Empress had always told him to wait outside before she went to see the Emperor. It was because she didnt have confidence in him.

So you can betray me this time?

She laughed at him.

I dont think youll be of any help when needed.

Bartoltwho was left alone after the Empress leftclenched his teeth.

In the beginning, the Empress welcomed him with open arms. But when his assassination of Ian came out to be a failure, she got colder after the Duke was reinstated.

Argh!

He was not the one to be treated like this. His eyes were burning in rage.

Meanwhile, the Empress approached the bed where the Emperor lay. The warm air in the room was beautiful today.

The Emperor will die in a week!

It was such a long wait.

She recalled as she took each step. For several years, she used all kinds of poison to grind the Emperor.

At first, he lost his energy and took away his voice.

Recently, she had been steadily grinding the poisonous herbs to maintain the state of unconsciousness.

Now, if she increased the amount of those herbs, it would kill the Emperor naturally. Everything would be over.

No one knows. No one knows my plans!

The Empress muttered, putting the leaves in the incense burner.

You will finally rest in peace in a week, Your Majesty.

The Empress of Iassa was greedy from birth.

Her mother always used to say,

You have to abandon your terrible desires to live.

But look, Mother.

I will stand on top of everyone! I will be the Queen of all!

But Oscar was already preparing to rescue the Emperor.

Long after the Empress burst into laughter, he came down from the window.

Even the sound of the window creaking made his heart pound.

The sound of the birds crying early in the morning was like the laughter of the Empress.

Its okay. You can do it, Oscar.

He recalled as he changed the incense burner and put the herbs Ian gave him.

He had said that the Emperor would already be too weak. They had a fifty-fifty chance of waking the Emperor.

Oscar found his fathers hand under the blanket and squeezed it hard.

Father, please wake up. And help me make everything right.

It was then.

When the room was suddenly shaken by the plight of a loud roar.

Whats going on!

Holding on to the pillar, he rushed to open the window.

A tremendously large shadow passed over him. Huge wings like buildings caused gusts of wind, terrorizing over the capitals castle.

His eyes grew wide in shock and despair.

It was a dragon.

The dragonwhich had already lost its intelligencegave out an ear-piercing roar.

The shadow flew over to where Ian and Laritte would be.

Ian caught Laritte and kept her stable as the party hall was also shaken like an earthquake.

He understood the howl of the dragon at once.

Why is this dragon here?

He recalled what the fortune-teller said.

Bad things happen when youre together.

People started running around, already losing their minds.

We have to go out too, Laritte, Ian whispered to her.

What should we do?

Dont worry. Reinhardts knights are nearby. We can subdue it together.

Ian was the most expert in that field.

Those who were running left the castle envious of Laritte, who was protected by Ian.

While many soldiers surrounded the beast over the field, Mason and Redra came running to Ian.

Sir Mason, lead the existing squad as I do. Count Redra should take Laritte and escape as far as possible.

Captain, we dont have enough troops, I cant fall out! Im the only Swordmaster candidate among the knights. Redra protested.

Dragon attacks included both magical and physical assaults.

A particular sword was essential to block such magic. The same was true for a physical offense such as the swinging of claws.

Redra was the only one who had the potential to use the sword here except Ian.

She was still a candidate, but she could try to block it.

Ian pushed Laritte toward Redra.

Therefore, the Count should protect Laritte. Doesnt it fulfill your conditions to use your sword?

Oh, t-thats., Redra was flushed red.

Eventually, she nodded.

Redra held Larittes hand.

Please forgive my rudeness, Madam. We have to keep a certain distance to make it easier to prepare for emergencies.

As she ran with Redra, she glanced back and saw Ian running toward the dragon.

I can escape by myself. Shouldnt Lady Redra help Ian?

A dragon basically has a very wide area of offense. Its safer to be with me because it can suddenly rise to the sky.

Redra added in a mutter.

If only I could use a sword.

The biggest factor that determined a Swordmaster was how dark his or her sword could be. As such, it had a tremendous effect in battle.

For example, if Redra used a dark sword, she would also be able to beat Bartoltwho played with Ians trust.

The problem was that the conditions were strict and could not be abused.

Laritte recalled what Ian had just said.

Whats the condition for Lady Redra to use the sword?

Why had she blushed when Ian said that?

Others ran in the same direction Laritte was headed.

Kyaaaa!

Im escaping to the commoners village. Damn it all!

Redra blocked Laritte as someone almost passed over her.

You dont know my condition, Madam? Its a famous tale to be told.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep