[T.L: punisher87]
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The friend that Jin hadn't seen in a while still looked the same. The handshake was even firmer than before, and Jin felt like he could sense the past three years from it.
"It's been a while, my friend. You've certainly come back stronger."
"I thought you might be a bit rusty since you were so busy. But now you've become an iron man, Dante."
"If I couldn't do even this, I wouldn't be qualified to be the lord of the Sword Emperor Castle."
"I was so busy when I got back that I couldn't come see you first."
"There will be no one who doesn't know what great things you have done as soon as you have finished your Close door Training. I was busy myself until a few days ago, so don't worry."
The two looked at each other without speaking for a while. Although they hadn't spent time together in the past three years, they had both persevered in their respective positions with one thought. Even without saying it, they felt how hard and deep the past was for each other.
"Oh! I'm late with my greetings. Princess, Miss Cuicantelle and Sir Latrie. I am Dante Hairan, the lord of the Sword emperor Castle."
"Why are you being so awkward, Sir Dante? It's not like it's our first time meeting."
"That's right. Are you telling us to stop eating?"
Dante scratched the back of his head embarrassedly at Euria and Cuicantelle's answer.
"I wanted to formally greet the princess once. It seems like I may have gone a bit too far."
Bubble, bubble.
The seafood stew was boiling. The meal began when Euria put the seafood soup in an empty bowl and served it to Dante first.
After Jin's return, Dante already knew most of what had happened. This was because whenever an incident occurred, Kashmir sent someone to inform him.
"... I see. So, Veradin...… has completely forgotten us by falling victim to such a dirty experiment. How could he do that to the next patriarch and his son!"
However, Dante heard about Veradin's condition for the first time today. As Dante trembled with anger, Jin patted his shoulder to calm him down.
He already knew that Veradin was in a hopeless state, but hearing about the situation through Jin's words made his heart fill with poison.
"Zipfel, we will definitely save our friend from those who caused this artificial catastrophe someday."
"Yes, we will do that, Dante."
"Until we destroy the evil god, I will suppress my anger. Like you, I will use them until I can and then crush them mercilessly."
Just as Jin learned the value of 'righteousness' from Ron and Dante. Dante, too, was learning the necessity of 'dominance' from Jin.
If it were the previous Dante, he would never have held hands with those who turned his friend into a miserable experiment, even if he had to die. But now, it is different.
He had many lives hanging on his shoulders. As the lord of the sword emperor castle and the regent of the empire, the world he looked at was completely different from when he was a mere young patriarch.
Sometimes, he had to use his enemies, sometimes he had to step back, and sometimes he had to do things he did not want to do.
Otherwise, he could not save the countless families and people, who only looked at him, and the world.
'Dante, you are becoming more like lord Ron.'
Dante's face always had the look of a good friend, but he was clearly changing. He had started on the path of the emperor, not just a young patriarch.
The emperor who is most strict with himself and will never fall.
Jin was proud of Dante's transformation, and it was the very thing that Ron had wished for in his lifetime. His grandson, who was always ready to fight evil with his life, was undoubtedly lovable, but he always worried about him.
Jin was speaking to Ron inwardly. 'Now, you can enjoy watching it with peace of mind, it seems.'
"By the way, Jin."
"Yes?"
"I've been wondering since before, why did you come in disguise? It doesn't seem like it was just for the princess's entertainment."
"There are people in the imperial family who want to kill you."
"Unless Zipfel gave them someone as capable as you, it would be impossible. Zipfel has no reason to do that now, do they?"
"It wasn't Zipfel, it was the Garden of Swords who provided the assassin."
Dante's pupils narrowed. "The Garden of Swords...?"
"Yes, the imperial family betrayed Zipfel and sided with Rosa. That's what Valeria confirmed. Did you know about it?"
"I'm ashamed to say I had no idea."
"The betrayed party was the same. Zipfel also didn't know that the imperial family had sided with the Garden of Swords."
Even after Jin informed Zipfel about the betrayal, Zipfel did not recklessly purge the imperial family. Given the circumstances, they needed to first assess how much information they had given to Runcandel.
"Valeria said she thinks you're in danger. We suspect that Joshua is the one who provided the assassin to the imperial family."
"With the strongest knight's abilities enhanced by chaos and the abilities of the prophet, it wouldn't be a dreamlike story for the imperial family to assassinate me. The reason why the Garden of Swords is trying to eliminate me is probably because they find my presence annoying, since I'm helping you."
"That's why I came in disguise after a long time. I also brought our princess here."
Of course, Jin didn't bring Euria into this dangerous situation just to give her some pleasant memories.
"... Are you planning to find the assassin through the princess's abilities?"
"Exactly."
Dante was about to express his concern about bringing the young princess to such a dangerous situation, but he stopped himself after seeing Jin.
He wondered if Euria could be in danger no matter who the enemy sent, given that Jin was there with her.
"I think you wanted to say something." Jin said.
"I've realized it may not be much of a problem. Unless assassins or old Runcandel' swords are involved?" Dante replied.
"Even if it's Sir Padler, Euria won't be hurt. Because you're here too." Jin said.
"Then what should we do now?"
"There is too little information other than that the Garden of Swords gave an assassin to Airan Vermont. So, call all available personnel to the palace and start with the lowest-ranked ones."
"Are you suggesting we call everyone here just to ask if there are any informants?"
Jin nodded. "It's the only way we can investigate with the princess present."
"Euria, Lord Latrie, Miss Cuicantelle and I have to participate in the imperial meeting. Since it's a meeting of the empire's top ministers, we need a pretext to attend. I was thinking..."
"Jin, I am no different from the only absolute ruler in the empire. Even the dead Amir Vermont didn't have more power than me. So, we don't need a pretext. All of the empire's subjects should come running to me when I call."
"Ah, I forgot for a second that you changed. There was no need to come up with a pretext."
"I am curious. What pretext did you have in mind?"
"I was thinking of saying that the dragons you rescued in the contaminated area came to repay their debt and asked for your help. Since you've accomplished many missions without knights."
"For what you've been trying to think, it's a little... There is a lack of probability. The dragons who didn't belong to any forces are extremely rare in the world right now."
"Well, I'm glad we don't need it."
"But if someone ever asks me about your origin, I'll have to say that," Dante said.
"If the traitor is in the capital and the fact is revealed immediately, then there's no need to lie," Jin replied.
The meal was over.
Outside, the carriage was ready, and the group headed straight to the palace.
"Tell all the subjects waiting in the capital should gather in the first conference room of the palace within two hours. Everyone except for the ordinary knights and mages who are on duty. All 10th rank subjects as well. It's an emergency summons. Tell them that any latecomers will be severely punished."
"Yes, Your Highness the Regent!"
In an instant, orders fell throughout the capital.
"Has the Regent ever convened us in this way?"
"He told us to work tirelessly for the empire and the people, even to the point of sacrificing ourselves, but now he's asking us to leave our duties to our deputies and come here. What's going on?"
"What kind of nonsense is this in the middle of the night! I'm so anxious. Could it be that he's bringing down the crown prince and planning to ascend to the throne himself?"
"Even with the young voice of crown prince Kuron pleading for us to show some mercy, this is as bad as it gets... if the lord of sword emperor castle ascends to the throne, we will indeed die from overwork for sure...…!"
"Whatever happens, let's go and prostrate ourselves flat. If we show any signs of reluctance, it's over. You all know that, right? What happened to Baron Margle last time when he complained that he had a lot of work."
The fearful servants held on to their melting soy sauce, while the servants who admired Dante went to the imperial palace with determination.
"This is an urgent call from His Highness the Regent. It is clear that a major event has occurred."
"Everyone, don't show signs of exhaustion. No one in the Empire can suffer more than His Highness the Regent."
Carriages and horses were constantly entering the palace, without a moment of rest.
Before two hours had passed, over a thousand servants had gathered in the conference room.
"Has everything arrived?"
The scene that the servants saw was Dante sitting on the throne and four unfamiliar faces standing behind him.
No one realized that the group was disguised.
"Yes, Your Highness the Regent!"
"Yes!"
Despite the large number of servants present, they dared not exchange glances with Dante.
Jin saw many people who looked rough after rolling their eyes for no reason.
'Nobody seems to be asking Dante about our identities. It is as strict as Runcandel in the past, when my father was hospitalized in the Garden of Swords. But on that side... they seem to be expecting something.'
In the heavy atmosphere where it was hard to even breathe, there were some groups who were expressing their excitement carelessly.
They were ministers and knights from Hairan, and the reason their eyes were sparkling was because of Cuicantelle standing behind Dante in disguise.
'Couldn't it be that the lord patriarch finally found his lover!'
'Perhaps he's going to introduce his lover and family, or maybe not. No... it's possible. It's not like he's urgently gathering his subordinates for personal reasons...."
Unfortunately, they soon became sullen and straightened their eyes.
The knights of Hairan knew very well how lonely and desperate Dante's time was, so they were eagerly hoping that lover, who could be a little bit of his solace, would appear.
Dante stood up.
"You're all busy, so I'll be direct. I gathered you all here because there is a traitor within the empire."
"Ah...!"
"How could this be!"
"Don't open your mouth until I allow it. Let's finish up quickly and go back to contribute to the stabilization of the empire. From now on, you can only answer my questions with 'yes' or 'no.' Now, I'll ask the first question."
Dante looked at his subordinates with fiery stern eyes.
"Is there anyone among you who has plans to harm me or knows anyone with such plans?"
"No!"
The servants answered, and Dante waited for Euria's signal.
After studying the subordinates for a few minutes, Euria gently poked Dante's back seven times with her finger.
That meant that seven of them had lied.
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