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◈ Chapter 156 - 18-Eve Eve

*

The duke's plan to poison was foiled by a brief commotion.

It is said that Count Heenrell was stopped by a bar while drinking tea and lost consciousness for a moment. The nobles, who did not know the full story of the incident, nodded at the absurd incident as if to say, 'That's true for village bastards in the North.'

There was a later story that Eileen, who was more familiar with court etiquette than the central nobles, changed her attire when she heard the rumor.

And so the festival continued.

Like doing a handstand on a rope.

Alcohol and food delighted the five senses, but no one enjoyed it.

The song that tickled my ears also made my skin tremble.

Even perfume could not cover up the stench coming from the heavily fallen empire.

Helga nagged as if there was no sense of crisis even though the capital was so heavy.

"How about you rest a little more? Refrain from drinking too much. What if the wound gets worse?"

"Dantian destroys my body faster than alcohol destroys my body. If that's the case, wouldn't it be better to drink at least one more sip?"

"Bjorn, I am not joking. I saw with my own eyes how the Mage Tower lord woke you up."

It was not a lie that I had to lie in bed for at least three days.

If I had pretended to be unconscious, Jin would have noticed a long time ago.

Because she knew my body condition better than me.

However, at this important moment, I really didn't want to lose consciousness, so I asked Asili for a special favor.

No matter what method you use, unconditionally return my consciousness.

Blood soaked the bed sheets.

Electric magic poured out as if it would burn out the nervous system.

The consciousness that I had barely regained was still yearning for rest.

In the aftermath, my vision became hazy, as if there was fog.

Still, waste material is not my taste.

I smiled and dismissed Helga's concerns.

"Helga, what kind of nanny are you? I will take care of my body, so stop worrying."

Soon this suffering will end.

You can enjoy as much rest as you want afterward.

I took off the bandage that had worn off and changed my clothes.

"How is Duke von Lorraine's condition?"

He must have read my intention when I changed his tone so openly, and he spoke with a sigh of worry.

"He is basking in despair with his mouth open, like a person suffering from aphasia."

When the subject of the duke came up, Helga expressed her resentment for not being able to resolve her frustration.

"Master Viern, I don't know why you kept the duke alive. What he did went far beyond the level of turning a blind eye."

"I also had no intention of leaving the duke alive."

Runea completely entrusted the duke's life to me.

It means that even if I kill him, at least she will tolerate it.

Her disregard for actually leading the Knights of the Holy Cross was virtually tantamount to immunity.

No, to be exact, Runea herself wanted to kill the Duke more than anyone else.

However, he reluctantly gave up the delicious part to me, who had revealed the inside story.

Any time I ask her to do it, she will personally separate the Duke's head and body.

Still, I didn't kill the duke.

"Then why...?"

"The duke begged for his life. Don't you know what that means?"

Helga still felt like she had no idea.

I quenched my thirst with champagne with the right balance of carbonation and acidity.

"The duke is a person whose life is more precious than anything else. In return for begging for his life, he gave me the noble faction. Isn't he really a shabby old man with no anguish or aesthetics about life?"

They sacrifice the entire group just for their own lives.

Isn't this truly the epitome of complete trash?

So he lived, and using that desire, I was able to take over the noble faction.

Without any sacrifice.

I will continue to diligently follow what I tell you to do to protect your life.

"Still, the Duke is a dangerous person. The case is different from Count Haen Rel. Although he has submitted to the threat now, he may have different feelings later."

"Yes, it could be as you said."

Helga still seemed disappointed that she couldn't kill him.

It was probably his personal vendetta against my mother, Princess Della.

I understood his feelings.

Because I also wanted to kill the duke right away.

"But in order to transform the empire, the help of the noble faction is absolutely necessary. After killing the duke, do you think you can put the same leash on the new head of the noble faction?"

Of course, a more cunning and cunning person could become the head of the noble faction.

Even after killing him, he could easily take over the noble faction.

But that's within the realm of possibility.

There was a sure way, but I couldn't throw my fate into probability.

"Helga, I'm not a dreamer. I'm an extreme realist. I'd take a lick of dick to exterminate the demon cultists."

How much blood will be shed in the future by keeping Duke von Lorraine alive?

That alone left no room for my personal anger.

"And I have no intention of letting the Duke enjoy a comfortable old age. I will return to him the same way he did to my mother."

"...The villa has found its use again."

The duke will live locked up in the same villa he locked his daughter in.

A grave for him is located on one side of the villa.

Until he gets there, he'll be my parrot, covered in all the filth of the empire.

That's his remaining role.

"Well, if you don't listen to her, I'll just leave it to Rune Ah. She will take care of it."

Because her anger is just as much a joke as it is ours.

As if deceiving the emperor was not enough, he also prepared the conditions for the devil to destroy the capital.

For her, protecting her empire was an intolerable crime.

Perhaps the moment my protection disappears, the Duke will disappear from this world without a trace and become the protagonist of a mystery incident that will remain in history.

Anyway, this is how the aristocratic faction also took over.

There was really nothing to worry about now.

I asked Helga.

"The work I asked you to do was completed better than that, right?"

"The Magic Tower has completed all preparations. From the moment the sun completely sets today, the professors and students of the Magic Tower will issue a statement and march down the street towards the Glass Palace. The Robe Alliance and the Central Newspaper will support them at that time."

Magic Tower is a paramilitary organization.

For the emperor, the fact that students and professors began to speak out against the empire was no different from a coup.

He will definitely stop that march today.

In the process, the blood of students will flow.

"Who was accusing someone of being an ugly bastard..."

Duke von Lorraine led a war and shed blood, and I led a revolution and shook the empire.

There may be fundamental differences, but in the end, the point that innocent people shed blood is the same.

"The emperor's goal is to use that as a pretext to root out the revolutionary faction in this party the moment revolution breaks out in the capital. So, while the emperor focuses his troops on marching through the streets of the Magic Tower, the revolutionary faction is safely evacuated from the palace. ."

The emperor's number stabbed me painfully.

In the end, he couldn't escape his grasp without shedding blood.

In the end, I made my choice.

Rather than the magic tower I don't know, the people around me.

I know it is indispensable.

Still, I couldn't help but feel bitter.

The only repayment I can give is to not waste the blood they shed for humanity.

After gathering myself, I checked the situation one last time.

"Ember will take charge of the mission to evacuate the revolutionaries from the palace as planned, and you and Barton will assist. I will move separately from Jin and join the planned location for dungeon exploration."

I leave the work of the capital to Barton, and I go underground and retrieve Jin's body.

Me and Jin, Mion, Asili, Barakura, and even Runea, who lost the bet.

If you look at the members alone, it was nothing short of luxurious.

That's because the enemy is super luxurious.

Still, at a time when the capital was in chaos, it was enough to catch the devils who were busy taking advantage of it.

Helga nodded briefly.

"Yes. But Ember didn't say anything about how we would evacuate. Do you know, Viern?"

"Trust her...Her her."

It is not easy to safely evacuate one faction from a palace full of tight security.

If there had been no way, Amber would have asked me for help first.

If it wasn't, it means there is a way, but I can't say it now.

But at the same time, an uneasy feeling remained.

"Okay. After that, I will join the dungeon exploration team separately."

"No. It's a change of plan. You too will remain in the capital to support Ember and Barton."

Although I was furious, I ordered Helga to remain in the capital and protect them.

Since there was a risk of assassination, it was decided that it would be better.

It was a somewhat impromptu change, but Helga accepted my wishes as a loyal senior knight of the Human Lighthouse.

"Then, let's enjoy the moment."

A brief gap.

A beautiful ball was waiting for me at the palace.

◈ Chapter 157 - 18-Eve Festival

*

Barton recalled a memory that seemed distant.

The masked ball held by the emperor on the day he led the Lighthouse Corps of Humanity to the capital.

The emperor's words that he held a simple ceremony at the time were not false.

"It could be said to be the climax of the party."

Barton nodded his head at Amber's brief impression.

Even though I thought I had become accustomed to aristocratic society, the Emperor-led ball was a different story.

Luxurious, extravagant.

When you stand here, things like war and revolution feel distant.

Barton felt like he was losing his mind at the collection of human cultures developed solely to marinate the five senses in pleasure.

More than anything, it was Amber who captured his consciousness.

"Right now, the noble faction is pretending to be at odds with us, but once the Estates General begins, they will block the emperor's political actions. So, Barton, are you... Are you listening?"

"...Huh? Yes."

You could have been listening.

There were enough noble women here to fill a train compartment, but Barton's eyes were only focused on Ember.

"Can you please listen seriously? My life is at stake."

Be serious.

Barton turned her head and looked at the center of her ball.

At the end of his gaze, there was the master of the empire.

It was the emperor who announced the start of the dance.

A ball is held where he dances with the highest-ranking noblewoman.

Since Duchess von Lorraine had recently passed away, the highest-ranking person present was Count Haenrell.

"I heard the news. Are you feeling okay?"

"I don't know what to do now that Your Majesty is worried about me."

"We want to dance with you."

"It is an honour."

Holding the hand of the emperor, Eileen entered the opening ceremony of the ball.

It seemed to symbolize the unity of the empire and the north.

Music flowed, and wizards moved mana.

Beyond the chandelier, the ceiling became drawing paper and painted the night sky.

The light pouring from the stars on the black background dimly illuminated the palace.

The emperor dances.

The red, thin carpet fluttered as his arm guided it.

It was disheveled and flowing.

But it was never weak.

The sound of the wind spreading from where the fingertips are pointing.

A movement closer to a knight's martial arts than a social dance.

Everyone, regardless of age or gender, was mesmerized by him.

No matter what feelings he has for him.

Without hesitation in doing what you believe is right.

For that, no matter how much blood is poured out.

Everything for the empire.

Even those who hated him knew that he only served the country.

That is why the emperor was called a defeated army.

Barton has to deal with him like that.

The task Bjorn entrusted to him was to bring down the empire.

The aristocratic faction and the revolutionary faction.

Merchant and wizard.

Leading the people of the empire and being at the forefront, he must live up to everyone's expectations.

He truly thought that it would be better to go into the dungeon and fight the great evil.

The Oxburg Empire is a majestic fortress with 250 years of history.

The symbol of the von Oxburg family is a black cow.

In front of the justification and justification contained in the imperial flag, numerous political opponents died as if they had been trampled by a black cow.

Among them was Duke von Lorraine.

Sorang and Haenrel, prominent northern nobles.

Even the knights who talk about wit and resourcefulness.

I was just swept up in his scheme.

If Bjorn had not prepared in advance, it would have ended that way.

Barton, who was trying to turn the situation around, still felt the despair he felt at that time.

Even he failed to bring down the empire.

Barton glared at the emperor.

However, the emperor did not give Barton a glance.

That was the distance between him and the emperor.

For him, the son of a wealthy family, it was a wall he couldn't dare climb.

Barton wasn't the type to let out loud complaints, but he felt like there was nothing he could do this time.

"Hehe. Is that so? Did I have an expression like this back then?"

Amber, who was fixating her gaze on the silent man, chuckled.

Barton could only ask back blankly.

"At that time?"

"When I went scouting with you on the Plains of Leuctra."

Barton scratched his head with a loud noise.

Because the situation was exactly the opposite back then.

"What do you think? It was easy when you were giving advice to others, right? It's such an awkward position when you actually have to lead someone."

Barton raised his eyebrows at the remark, which clearly knew what was going on.

"Then maybe give me courage like I did back then."

She covered her mouth with one of her hands and smiled slyly.

"I'm far from witty."

"You're good at annoying people, right?"

Meanwhile, the emperor's dance moves ended.

From now on, it was a place for social gatherings for nobles.

Smartly dressed men extended their hands toward young women sitting at the tea table.

"Hmm, that's right. Instead of that, why don't you just dance with me."

"Dancing?"

At the sudden suggestion, Barton tilted her head.

At a time when her mind is so complicated, why don't she just leisurely dance like a noble?

"Why? We are both officially invited to the party, so why not?"

Amber, who was handed a glass of champagne by the maid, immediately shook it down.

Barton grumbled that she seemed to be only taking on Bjorn's bad side.

"You said you'll never drink again? You're not good at situations like this..."

"I'm going to die because I had an unreliable motive, so I plan on enjoying the last part, right?"

Before he could say anything, Amber grabbed his wrist and headed toward the stage.

"Wait a minute! I've never learned how to dance...!"

"What on earth did Jin and I do while learning etiquette? Just think of it as an extension of etiquette."

Even Amber, who said so, was so bad at dancing that even Barton, her beginner, noticed it right away.

The two danced like a drunkard and became a laughing stock for the nobles around them.

Barton's face was about to turn red due to blood rushing to his face. Ember placed her cheek right next to him and whispered.

"Can you hear me? A sigh of relief mixed with a sneer? They are afraid of you. That's why they were relieved when they saw your clumsy dance. They thought you were a commoner, though."

"...Isn't that too much of an assumption?"

"What's excessive is the adversity you've overcome and the accomplishments you've achieved. That's not possible for an ordinary person. Have you forgotten that the play that celebrates you as a hero is being sold successfully? You tend to look down on yourself too much."

From the Human Lighthouse Test to the encounter with Qarha, the great evil of plague.

Plays based on his life were popular throughout the empire.

Even the nobles were so influenced by the play that they started talking about outdated chivalry.

But what does it all matter?

In reality, it's completely different.

Amber continued speaking to him.

"Do you remember what you said to me back then on the Plains of Leuctra?"

"I remember you saying how pretty you are."

"Do you want to hear me swear for the first time in a while?"

Barton, who had been grumbling for no reason because he felt bad for being reduced to a subject of ridicule by her, let out a sigh.

"I said it must have been Bjern's will to entrust you with the task."

"Yes, you were like that back then."

"Do you want to give those words back to me?"

Amber's voice rang in his ears along with the sound of the music.

Is it because of the atmosphere, or is it because her voice is inherently sweet?

Barton's senses perked up as her gray blonde hair brushed against her neck.

"No. I don't trust you completely. Personally, I consider him like a younger brother, but how can I trust such a drunken and clumsy boss?"

She poured out harsh criticism towards Bjerne, saying that she was overly indifferent when it was not her job and was extremely careless when it came to minor tasks.

Barton, who was listening to her complaints, had a question.

"Then why did you come to your senses then?"

During the reconnaissance, Barton still remembered the girl who was trembling under the pressure of the position given to her by the commander of the Northern Alliance Army.

Clearly, Amber had come to her senses at that time.

To Barton's question, Amber gave an unexpected answer.

"Because you said you would trust me."

Amber's eyes captured him.

Barton's hair turned completely white.

Does Amber know that the words she says can be misinterpreted?

"You know, unlike you, I'm not as gifted with words."

I know how to be sarcastic, but I can't say anything that would help someone.

Her tone seemed to be joking, but her expression was more serious than ever.

"No one can give me the courage or drive to move forward like you do. All I can do is convey my sincerity to you."

The music speeds up and the scale soars.

It was the peak of the song.

Every part of Barton's hand and arm touched was hot.

"Just like you said you trusted me back then, I trust you too."

The night sky on the magically embroidered ceiling.

Stars are pouring down.

Barton saw drops of light flowing from her eyes.

"So now I entrust my life to you. Barton, never fail. My life is not that cheap."

It was like a curse, Barton thought.

So Amber's words were imprinted on his heart like a brand.

How did she feel when she said those words?

Without even knowing what she was doing.

◈ Chapter 158 - 18-Eve Festival

*

It was as clear as the night sky over the prairie.

The Milky Way spreads endlessly and the stars occasionally flow.

Even though I knew it was an illusion created by magic, I had no choice but to ask back.

Where is the falling star and where does it go?

Did they really accept their fate?

At the end of this all-dazzling scene, there was Jin.

Just like when we first met at Sin Station.

Like a goddess, she stood out the most in this place.

"Beezé Soran. Would you like to dance with me?"

Jin was angry.

It was much easier to understand than reading the flickering flames.

Because her hair was braided, the folds between her eyebrows were clearly visible.

I could also read why he was angry.

"I wanted to dance with you. I just couldn't lie down."

"What the hell are you...!"

Jin will probably see it the same way.

My body is falling apart at an uncontrollable rate.

And so my story ends in tragedy.

The end that a falling star faces is that it eventually burns up and disappears in the atmosphere.

Other than that, there is no other ending.

It's a tragedy, but isn't the trajectory drawn in the sky beautiful?

"Don't burn your tongue just because you don't like it."

All I could say to her as she pursed her lips was her joke.

Jin, who knew this, revealed her bitter feelings as they were.

"...I won't do that anymore."

"It's a lie. I heard you tried to burn Duke von Lorraine to death too?"

"Well, it was just a difficult situation so I couldn't help it!"

I could roughly guess her thoughts.

She must have been planning to kill Duke von Lorraine and reveal that she was Jin.

If that were the case, the chaos in the North wouldn't have been a problem.

It's a shame that Asili stopped him, he almost got into big trouble.

"How about killing that personality from now on? Isn't that what the Yeomhwagyo that follows you is like when they burn everything they don't like?"

"Do you know that you are the apostle of the Flame Church? You just spit in his own face."

"It's a shame. The apostle will soon retire and go to the southeast, which is overflowing with beautiful women. It won't be a big deal since he will enjoy the rest of his life eating grapes with a maid every day. In the meantime, our god will be rolling around in the mud with the devil, right?"

Puns and sarcasm.

Over the past three years or so, I've had countless nonsensical conversations with Jin.

The familiar scenery was especially poignant today.

It may be because a breakup is imminent.

A falling star burns its body and draws an arc in the night sky.

The fate given to Björn de Jeevitz is to open the door to the beginning of the Esterian biography.

He is sentenced to Homeland Prison by his father, who fell into a trap set by the devil.

In the eyes of the devil, he becomes the great devil and completely destroys the North.

And in the end, he becomes friends with Geomseong, putting an end to his tragic life as a rare adulterous child.

That was the route given to him.

Extras that don't even appear in the original.

A miserable character who simply contributed to creating the foundation of the narrative and then disappeared.

The star named Björn shines like that and then falls from the night sky after writing a biography.

I, who dwelled in such a person, tried to twist the fate given to me.

With the kind of tacky happy ending you see everywhere.

But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't change the trajectory itself.

The owner of the holy sword was Mion, just like in the original.

It wasn't my job to stop the demonic invasion.

The gun opens for a grand opening, turns into soil and disappears.

My role was not much different from Björn in the original.

"So before I leave, let's dance together."

I didn't fight to a miserable end.

Once we get Jin's body back, we'll definitely be able to reach the paradise we've always wanted.

Taking a short break of a few years.

I will close my eyes happily.

Still, there was nothing I could do about the regret that remained in my heart.

Jin held my hand.

She was on stage with her.

"I've been thinking about what you said before."

Jin's lips moved within breath.

The music flowed, and my body flowed along with the score.

"Like you said, I don't want to see you broken and suffering like this."

I expected that to happen.

That's why I deliberately treated her harshly.

I told Jin the same thing as then.

"I told you. It's pointless. It's better to use that time to prepare for a demonic invasion. Jin, think of the countless lives on your shoulders. You can't waste your time on me."

"Of course I will do that. But I have no intention of giving up on repairing your body. I have already finished talking with Asili. My fire does not just burn. It is also capable of healing. If I get my body back, although a complete cure is difficult, it will extend my life. "You can do it."

Jin comforted me with words filled with hope.

But I already knew that was impossible.

The healing flame in Jin's body has no effect on broken Danjeon, even if it is a trauma.

At most, I'll live one more year.

Still, Jin won't give up.

"Jin. It was my choice to summon you to flesh that day. I made that decision even though I knew it would break me. So please respect my choice."

I have never regretted it.

In the final battle with Antenor, she summoned her fleshy body.

As a result, my dantian was crushed, but it was still entirely my decision.

It has nothing to do with Jin.

So I hoped she wouldn't feel pressured.

"I respect your choice. I hope you respect my choice just as much. I will heal you somehow."

She said in a watery voice, as if whispering in her ear.

"Björn. I am a curse on this world. Everything that touches me will be destroyed."

It is said that God gives adversity to those who expect it.

That's wrong.

Human beings who have been touched by the fate that God has borne are unable to withstand and are crushed.

It's not a curse.

It's just a gap between mortals and immortals.

"Still, I don't want to leave you as a curse. I will definitely save you. I will use the name of Jin of Flame."

Jin must have seen stars that have faded like that countless times.

She had indomitable heroes and believers who stood with her on the battlefield.

The spirits that separated heaven and earth in human flesh all disappeared while facing adversity along with the gods.

I too am just one of them.

Jin shouldn't waste time on me, who is that kind of person.

Still, Jin was putting all his effort into me.

I spoke harshly to Jin.

"The contract ends with the return of your body. After that, even a god has no right to interfere in my life."

I remembered my first meeting with Jin.

At that time, Jin was just a nuisance to me who wanted to gain talent.

Jin must have thought of him as a cocky kid who stole Hwajeong away.

We made a contract for each other's needs.

There was no room for personal feelings there.

Time passed after that.

I came out of the cave where only Jin and I were alone and met many people.

Among them, there were people who followed me.

There were evil people who were disgustingly disgusting.

Sometimes, alien beings with powers also appeared before me.

Jin was always with me.

Sometimes as a majestic god.

As a friend who often understands my inner thoughts.

It would have been the same for Jin.

"Björn. In that case, let's renew the contract."

Her starlight shone on her.

Her bright orange hair, as bright as dawn, flowed down her milk-white skin.

"If I can change it at will, is that a contract?"

"What do you think? It's a promise between you and me. And you changed it once too, right?"

Cowardly, I thought.

It's not because she mentioned her contract that she changed it for her.

It was too much to make such an offer when I couldn't refuse it.

"Once I get my body back, you can live the life you've always wanted. Instead, I'll visit you often. You can at least meet me then, right?"

Snow like fire poured down on me.

Under the pouring Milky Way and obsidian sky.

She shone like the sun.

A moment that will be remembered forever.

The desire to want this moment to continue.

In the end, I ended up admitting it.

She said she fell in love with her.

"Bjorn. It's time."

But dreams are bound to break at any time.

I came to my senses when I heard Helga's words in the dark.

I wish I had a little more time, but I regret it.

At that time, the armed Knights of the Holy Cross invaded the ball.

The person standing in front is Vice-Captain Runea Van Hoss.

Through the commotion, she came towards me.

"Bjorn de Jeevitz. You are arrested as a suspect in the Ambu massacre."

The band's music stopped at the sound of clanking armor.

It is extremely rude to point a weapon at someone you invited to a party.

Even after knowing this, the emperor ultimately decided to massacre the people here.

Originally, the emperor would have made a cause and moved after the parade of the Magic Tower, but he seemed to have accelerated the schedule after hearing the news that I had taken control of the noble faction.

I turned my head to where the emperor was.

"Your Majesty. This is what happens in the end."

"Lord de Jeevitz, I feel sorry for you. For the sake of the empire, you must disappear."

The festival is over.

We wipe off the powder and sit face to face with bare faces.

The emperor made his last move.

◈ Chapter 159 - 19-Believing

Come a little late.

Ten minutes, no, even one minute late.

Even enjoying the last moments before falling into hell.

Looks like I'm not allowed.

"Jin, it looks like it's started now."

Her final journey that she and I will face.

A fight like hell.

When it's all over, we part ways.

Whether it's death or separation.

Jean often said she would look for me, but I had no intention of ever seeing her again after this was all over.

Because I know that I will definitely become greedy.

So this was her last trip with me.

"Biern..."

In a slightly sad tone, her hand touched my cheek.

Yes, this will definitely be like penance.

For the sin of touching the goddess, my body will burn and disappear.

Still, it was good.

I was happy that there was still a story left between her and me.

I barely managed to pull my body away from Jin.

I stood straight towards Runea.

Runea shoved a document with the emperor's stamp in my face.

In a dry tone, she recited the charges hanging around my neck.

"You are also accused of collaborating with the anti-imperial regime known as the Robe Coalition to overthrow the empire. If you wish to prove your innocence, please be arrested and put on trial."

Behind her, the Knights of the Holy Cross entered the room one after another.

The strongest forces protecting the empire gathered here.

The tips of their swords were all pointed at me.

"We also want to detain those who were with Bjern de Jeviez for investigation. Everyone, please follow this."

She came from the mouth of Runea, but it was not she who spoke her words to us.

Everything is according to the emperor's orders.

And if they are arrested here, they will all be punished for rebellion.

From today to tomorrow without a proper trial.

It was a festival for that.

Then there is only one answer for me.

"Fuck it. There's no point in saying it."

Mana mixed with fire exploded in the palace.

The smoke spread like a smokescreen.

That was the signal.

"Ember! I hand over the rest to you!"

"Follow the commander's orders!"

With her gray blonde hair flying, she led the remaining revolutionary faction in the party room and fled into the garden.

Perhaps because they had been notified in advance, the revolutionaries were in perfect order.

The Knights of the Holy Cross were taken aback by the sudden situation.

Hidden behind a smokescreen, the revolutionaries quickly moved away from the Knights of the Holy Cross.

Meanwhile, Runea was gurgling and shouting to the Knights of the Holy Cross.

"Damn it! Knights! Go after Ember Cutter and the revolutionaries! I'll take care of Bjorn!"

The Knights of the Holy Cross came to their senses following Runea's orders and moved toward the revolutionaries.

At the same time, the empire's strongest sword master rushed towards me at high speed.

But she never caught me.

Because this was all a play prepared in advance.

After putting a leash on Duke von Lorraine.

Runea bowed her head to me and apologized.

He said he didn't know that Ambu had fallen into the hands of the devil.

I didn't receive her apology.

"Fuck you, if you lose a bet, you have to pay, right?"

Where are you trying to beat me up with words?

I definitely told her that if I won the bet, she would go to hell with me.

She knew right away what I meant.

"...I guess there really is a devil underground, right? If you tricked me, it will be difficult to save your life this time."

"It'll be right next to you, so you can pick it up whenever you want. You bitch."

I didn't like her cheeky attitude and I retorted by raising my finger in the middle of her.

"If nothing else, I've never lied about the devil. You should know better, right?"

I don't know anything else, but when it comes to demons, there is no one in the empire who is more expert than me.

Runea, who had experienced it herself the previous day, eventually nodded her head.

"I understand. I will join the underground exploration."

Her Helga asked her.

"You don't know what the words you said mean, right? They mean betraying His Majesty. Can you really do that?"

The emperor will try to arrest me.

Of course, you'll need Runea to arrest me.

The fact that she joins the underground exploration means that she will disobey the emperor's orders.

In response to Helga's point, Runea spoke firmly as if she had already made up her mind.

"This is not betrayal. I am different from you. Any commander knows whether to give priority to external enemies or internal strife. Wasn't it none other than Lord Sentle who taught me that?"

It was a voice mixed with resentment, memories, and resentment from a past that I did not know.

Helga listened to her in silence.

"And through this incident, I also realized something. I can roughly guess why His Majesty did not take the issue of demons seriously."

Someone is manipulating information in the middle.

That doesn't just apply to war.

As for the devil, Ambu turned His Majesty's eyes away.

"Besides, Bjorn, while exploring this dungeon, I will continue to monitor you from the side to prevent you from getting involved in internal strife. His Majesty can easily deal with the revolutionary faction you are involved with."

"That's too much blind faith."

This is not to deny the emperor's ability.

It is also true that the revolutionary leadership was weakened by my involvement in underground exploration.

However, Barton Wigner was a talent who could overcome that.

Runea, who had no way of knowing that, made a loud statement.

"Then let's make a bet. If His Majesty is unable to suppress the impure rebellion even after all the dungeon exploration is completed, I will grant you whatever you wish."

"Hoo. What if I lose?"

"If there really is a devil underground, I will not recognize your merits and kill you. Instead, the Lighthouse of Humanity will become a subordinate of the Knights of the Holy Cross."

"So, I'm just going to do stupid things under you for the rest of my life?"

"Even though I'm from the North, I understood it well."

Those words really got on my nerves.

Grinding my teeth together, I glared at her as if I was going to tear her to death.

"Okay, I'll take that bet. Don't regret it."

I will take this opportunity to educate this arrogant bitch very well.

I was already excited for the day to come.

Well, first of all, I needed to explain to her my future plans.

"Our top priority is to escape the palace."

As long as Runea joined, leaving the palace itself was no problem.

However, what was important was how to deceive the devil and the darkness.

"I knew that the magic tower lord would set up a golem at the top of the magic tower as soon as a situation broke out and pretend to observe the situation. But the problem is you and me, aren't you?"

I nodded to Runea's point.

I told her my plan.

"I plan to use the emperor's plan in reverse."

"What does that mean?"

"The emperor is going to try to arrest me, right? Then you disappeared for a while to track me down. If you do that, no one will suspect your and my whereabouts."

"Indeed, if you do that, you can definitely move without arousing the shadow's suspicions. But..."

"I guess we can't take that long."

As a mere sword expert, I cannot avoid the Sword Master's full-scale pursuit for long.

Even with the help of the Rob Alliance, ten days is all it takes to avoid raising suspicion, no matter how generous it is.

After that time, the devil will definitely notice that something is wrong.

"I also roughly looked at the map of the underground facility. Is it possible to do it within 10 days?"

As a result of talking with Asili, at least 15 days were needed for exploration.

Ten days was a very short time.

I gritted my teeth and answered.

"It should be possible. Anyway, don't worry about that."

Runea nodded at my firm tone.

He seemed to agree with my plan.

But there was still a problem between her and me.

"Let me make one thing clear. I will not get involved with the revolutionaries remaining in the palace. They are reactionaries who want to overthrow the empire regardless of the devil. The Knights of the Holy Cross will do their best to catch them."

Even Lunea could not yield in this area.

Because she was a knight who served the emperor more loyally than anyone else.

The extent of her help was limited to the devil.

I told her I understood.

"I wasn't expecting any help from you. I'll take care of that part myself."

Even if Runea had helped me up to that point, I would have refused.

No matter who sees it, it will be suspicious.

Their mutual interests ended here.

"Then I wish you luck."

Running out of the palace, covering his body with a smoke screen made of firewood.

I thought of Amber.

This is because the knight of resourcefulness, Ember Cutter, was in charge of leading the revolutionary faction in this escape plan.

In this situation, there was no one more reliable than her.

However, I felt anxious without knowing why.

Unlike usual, she did not ask me for help or help.

It must be because he found the answer himself.

If the answer was something I couldn't tell, there was only one answer.

'I can only hope not...'

I hope you find a way to safely exfiltrate the revolutionaries and yourself.

Even though I knew I couldn't afford to take care of them anymore, I held Jin in my arms and prayed as I headed toward the meeting point.

◈ Chapter 160 - 19-Believing