[Bonus chapter]Back to the Capital

Abel idled in the carriage for a good hour until Isaiah and a few imperial knights arrived at the borders of the capital with a carriage. The people of the Marquess remained outside without a word of complaint, making Climaco's anxiety spike at the odd silence from inside the carriage and outside. 

Climaco raised his head at the group, approaching their vantage point. His brows furrowed, recognizing the person leading them. For some reason, the anxious knight heaved a sigh of relief at Isaiah's presence, only to feel his heart thud as soon as Isaiah and the imperial knight halted.

"Huh?" Climaco blinked, rubbing his eyes to see. He darted his gaze from the imperial knights and the knights from the marquess's knight brigade. As a knight himself, Climaco instantly sensed the hostile air between the knights, making him gulp a mouthful of his own saliva.