Man In Knight's Armor

"Of course, I know that I can't use that pendant. I once tried to borrow it from Lainey, my maid, and my hand almost burned. At that time, my blue light energy was already detected," said Roseline. In the end, she decided to trust Davin Cairdo. Because right now, help from Davin Cairdo is her last hope. "Davin ... are you seriously to help me?"

Davin Cairdo smiled. His feelings were gradually relieved because Roseline no longer resisted his existence. The next second, Davin Cairdo nodded. He slowly held Roseline's palms. "I will help you, Roseline. I hope you can become a butterfly that can fly freely out there."

Roseline sighed. Involving Davin Cairdo was not part of her plan. It had never even crossed her mind. She just wanted to escape without involving anyone so that no one would get hurt because of her mission this time.

Unfortunately, Davin Cairdo already knew Roseline's magical energy and offered to help. If Roseline refuses the offer, Davin Cairdo will likely make Roseline's plan a complete failure. And yeah, help from Davin Cairdo is her last hope.

"Tonight... tonight I'm going out," Roseline said, revealing the central part of her plan.

Davin Cairdo's eyes then widened. Roseline's confession made him gasp. "No, Roseline. Not tonight! Because it's too soon!" he said.

"Too soon for you, but not for me. I've been thinking about this for a long time. Everyone will be talking about many things at Emily's birthday party, especially politics. Dad and Countess Catherine will be busier too, so they won't think about me. If I could get out—"

"Wait!" interrupted Davin Cairdo. "If you're planning to destroy sacred magic, you know it could cause an explosion. The people at Emily's party will come here, Roseline! That's not a good plan! You can do it when Dad and Mom go."

"No, Davin. Tonight is a perfect time. Dad cares a lot about reputation. Instead of chasing after me, he calms the guests down and apologizes simultaneously. And Lainey said, there are guests from other kingdoms right now, right? And will made all the sacred mages rush to guard the palace, didn't they? The sacred mages won't come after me. And you need to distract the guests at Emily's birthday party. And I'm lucky... sacred energy you have; I can ask your help to damage the magic around this tower, right? I will damage it with my light blue energy from the tower. When the explosion happens, and I'm safe, please lie to everyone that I'm running the other way."

Davin Cairdo swallowed saliva. It's too risky. Not only the magic energy will explode, but also the tower and everything in it. This means that Roseline can survive or even die. How could Davin Cairdo throw Emily's birthday party into chaos despite all the risks? But on the other hand, he couldn't deny Roseline's request anymore because Roseline already wanted freedom.

So, what should Davin Cairdo do so that everything can go his way? Why does it have to be done when Emily's birthday party is held? Does Roseline not only want to escape but also want to tarnish the Atkinson family's good name? Because after Roseline left, people would scorn Count Zerach Atkinson for not being able to imprison Roseline as a descendant of a forbidden mage.

Roseline wants not only freedom but also revenge. Davin Cairdo thinks so.

***

The delegation from the Kingdom of Almortaza carrying a cooperative mission arrived moments after Crown Prince Alistair Effenberg left to head for Count Zerach Atkinson's residence. King Wilhem Effenberg did not have send representatives from the palace to come to the birthday party of a little girl named Emily Sun Atkinson, the second daughter of Count Zerach Atkinson. To maintain the good name of the palace, especially his excellent name, King Wilhem Effenberg must continue to send representatives, namely his son.

King Wilhem Effenberg was forced to make this decision not only for his good name but also because of past relationships. The past is related to the loyalty of Count Zerach Atkinson, who is willing to kill his wife on the king's orders. If King Wilhem Effenberg ignored it, he would be considered a cruel king. After all, there was nothing to lose by sending the Crown Prince to the Atkinson residence. Because then, King Wilhem Effenberg could confirm that Rose Ellwort's child was still in the tower surrounded by sacred magic. For him, the girl was still dangerous.

King Wilhem Effenberg sighed after thinking about his past relationship with Count Zerach Atkinson. And he didn't want to think about it anymore because he had a special guest. Several delegation representatives from the Kingdom of Almortaza were already standing before him.

"Welcome for the delegation from Almortaza," said King Wilhem Effenberg, then smiled, a smile that looked more cynical than friendly.

"Greetings to King Avantazia, Your Majesty King Wilhem," said the figure at the forefront and most likely the head of the delegation. "I am Cain Alexavier. One of the counts of Almortaza who came as the head of the delegation."

King Wilhem Effenberg looked at Cain Alexavier. The man is still relatively young. It seems, the man meant so much to the Almortaza Kingdom that he was made a representative of this cooperative mission. But King Wilhem Effenberg still wouldn't acknowledge how great the people of Almortaza were. They're just a bunch of rats trying to build an empire.

On the other hand, King Wilhem Effenberg couldn't immediately show his arrogance in front of them. Because this time, there is a necessary mission that can provide many benefits. Even though it is a small kingdom, Almortaza has a lot of resources and soldiers that cannot be underestimated.

"I heard that His Majesty King Zuncavier died a month ago. Oh, my condolences for the passing of His Majesty King Zuncavier, Count Alexavier," King Wilhem then pretended to be condolences.

Cain Alexavier nodded respectfully. "Yes, Your Majesty King Wilhem. And thank you for your condolences," he replied, representing the other seven members of the delegation. "And, then, can you guarantee our safety in this place, Your Majesty King Wilhem Effenberg?"

"Of course!" replied King Wilhem Effenberg. He will not harm the delegation members because it involves many things. After all, Almortaza's army is powerful, and once again, King Wilhelm Effenberg doesn't want to mess up a cooperative mission that will provide Avantazia with many benefits. "We guarantee the safety of Count Alexavier as well as the other members of the delegation."

King Wilhem Effenberg smiled as kindly as he could. He glanced at Count Cain Alexavier while the head of the delegation still had his head down.

Everyone in the palace started whispering, questioning whether the cooperative mission this time could go smoothly, considering the failure of the same mission when the previous king still led Almortaza. They also questioned the new king of Almortaza, who was still a mystery, apart from just a name and rumors that the new king used to be a crown prince who traveled a lot instead of remaining in the palace.

A delegation member dressed as a knight secretly glanced at King Wilhem Effenberg, who had been performing belittling acts from the start. What an arrogant king. Even though Avantazia is far more in need of the success of the cooperative mission this time than Almortaza. But how could a king who should have acted for begging instead give such humiliation?

"We'll see in a moment who will need it more and who is more deserving of acting arrogant," said the delegation member, wearing knightly attire. And he was someone far more important than Count Cain Alexavier. Everyone would be surprised after they know who he is.

***