The first day of the star ball was a complete disaster.
Wendy's plan to receive the allegiance of the young nobles and ladies fell apart.
"Aaargh!"
Unable to contain her anger, Wendy turned the room into a mess.
"How dare you, how daaaare you! To ignore the goodwill of the first princess, even when I was so polite to you, an heir of a fallen duke family? I'll kill you."
A terrifying murderous intent emanated from Wendy's eyes.
Like Crown Prince Isaac, she was also high-tier 6th class.
If she wanted, she could turn Rehinar into a wasteland.
"Calm yourself, Your Highness."
"It's our incompetence that has disturbed Your Highness's mood."
The maids prostrated themselves on the floor, pleading.
They were bleeding from their faces and bodies, likely from being hit by the objects Wendy threw.
"The ball has only been going for a day."
"During the remaining three days of the ball, if you show your generosity, Kane might be moved."
"Kane is acting out like a wild colt because he doesn't understand Your Highness's true nature."
Gradually, Wendy's anger subsided due to the maids' persuasion.
"Right, it's only been a day. I can win over Kane in the next three days. But how?"
Wendy turned her gaze to the maids.
Each maid offered a suggestion.
"How about giving him a precious artifact?"
"I heard a rumor that he likes money very much."
"Men can't resist beautiful women. How about selecting a few chosen female slaves to show your sincerity?"
Bribes that wouldn't work on Kane.
However, Wendy smiled at the maids' words.
"Prepare everything you mentioned and send them."
"Your Highness is so generous."
"Once he receives the gifts, he will surely be moved by Your Highness."
But there was a fatal flaw with Wendy and the maids.
They were brainless.
They lacked any sense of thought.
Wendy had exceptional martial prowess.
Thus, heaven took away her intelligence.
She was given everything except one thing: the ability to think.
Wendy reached the high tier of 6th class only due to her lineage and various elixirs.
If her mind was empty, at least her subordinates should have high intelligence…
But the maids were no different from her.
Prioritizing appearance, Wendy selected her maids based on looks.
And one thing was emphasized during their training.
They were brainwashed to follow only their superior's orders and not to think at all.
Raised as killing machines from a young age, the maids couldn't think even if they wanted to.
So they became a brainless group.
That was the biggest problem with the first princess's faction.
"Hehehe, for you, that was quite a good idea."
"It's something we've learned indirectly from Your Highness."
Was that an insult or a compliment…
"How is Lord Beno?"
"Perhaps he may never be able to hold a sword again."
"A valuable toy has been ruined."
"Don't be disheartened, Your Highness. You'll soon receive something even more precious."
The precious item referred to was Kane.
"That's right. I'll get close to the new item and crush Isaac's pride."
Wendy indulged in a futile dream.
A dream where Kane would turn to her side.
However, she never got close to realizing that dream.
Kane just took her gifts and ran away.
It was what one might call a dine and dash.
—
Late at night.
When everyone was asleep.
Wendy sent 100 million gold to Kane.
A chest full of gold bars.
The maids spoke with triumphant expressions.
"This is a gift from Her Highness to Sir Kane."
"Even after that humiliation?"
"That's how highly Her Highness regards Sir Kane."
"Ha."
Kane sneered.
Did they think he didn't know what Wendy was planning?
"The biggest problem with the first princess's faction is that there's no one with brains. Even Beno Tegelo, who was somewhat cunning, has been ousted, leaving only muscle-bound fools."
Why else would Hatzfeld have approached the first princess?
She was the dumbest among the royals.
Thus, it was extremely easy to manipulate her.
"It's not just the gold. Her Highness also bestows this artifact upon Sir Kane."
One of the princess's maids opened a long box.
Inside, wrapped in luxurious silk, was a sword.
A chilling aura emanated from it.
"Frostbite!?"
Kane's eyes widened.
Seeing his reaction, the maid shrugged her shoulders proudly.
"Your discerning eye is impressive. Yes, it's the Frostbite."
From the moment Kane recognized the sword's identity, he no longer heard the maid's bragging.
[Frostbite]
– Type: One-handed Weapon
– Grade: ★★★★☆
– Description: The weapon of the Ice Lord Frostbite. When wielded by someone with the same elemental Rune, it can unleash its full potential as a holy sword.
– Effects: Water Attribute Attack Power +280%, Ice Attribute Magic Attack Power +280%, Freezes Water Attribute.
"To give this up so easily."
Frostbite held immense value to those bearing the Water Rune.
100 million gold?
It couldn't even compare to the worth of Frostbite.
If one were to estimate its value, it would be in the tens of billions of gold.
Wendy had given away such a holy sword just like that.
He had expected her to send bribes, but…
"What a foolish sucker."
Frostbite was unexpected.
In this scenario, the value of the bribes she sent was random.
Seeing Kane's astonished expression, the first princess's maid puffed up her chest.
She went to the carriage they brought and threw open the covering.
"Lastly, here are the selected female slaves."
About ten of them.
They were barely clothed, huddled together in the carriage.
"No mana, It'll be easy to keep them."
Kane smiled broadly.
"I didn't realize the first princess valued me so highly. Go back and tell Her Highness that I gratefully accept the gifts."
The maid of the first princess looked satisfied.
"I will convey that Sir Kane is pleased."
"See you at the ball tomorrow."
The maids bowed their heads and returned to the palace.
Creak—
The inn's door opened.
Isaac emerged from it.
"Wendy must be really desperate. I didn't expect her to give up Frostbite."
"Do you have anything to give, Your Highness?"
"Hmm, do I have a weapon as valuable as Frostbite?"
"Don't pretend to think when you don't intend to give anything."
"You got me."
Isaac had come to Kane immediately after the ball ended.
"Instead, I'll give you this."
[You have acquired the 'Approval for the Construction of Belmore Military Academy.']
The document bore the emperor's seal.
"The nobles will strongly oppose this."
"They've been in an uproar since you killed Viscount Rosta and Mateo. The real problem is the Tegelo family."
"If it's war, I'm confident."
Kane's overflowing confidence wasn't baseless.
But there was still worry.
Tegelo was the family protecting the northern borders of the Fresia Empire.
Like Rehinar, it was one of the four great families.
In the past, it might have been different, but now the power gap was clear.
"I can't help you with that. Even with evidence that Tegelo has colluded with Hatzfeld."
Isaac had obtained proof of Tegelo's collusion with the enemy nation.
A book found at Swen's house had Tegelo's name written in it.
"I'm aware that the four great families get one free pass."
"You might be fine on your own, but what about Rehinar? You can't defend against the troops coming from all sides alone. And it's not just Tegelo, Dyer will ally with them too."
Isaac genuinely worried for Kane.
If he could intervene, he would have wanted to help.
Understanding Isaac's concerns, Kane revealed his plan.
"That's why I'm establishing the Belmore Military Academy, and asking Your Highness to close the Royal Military Academy and transfer all students is also in preparation for war."
Isaac's jaw dropped.
"You don't mean… to use the noble heirs as hostages?"
"I plan to use them as bait to eliminate the traitors."
"It's a terrifying plan."
Despite this, Isaac did not oppose it.
On the contrary, it was a good opportunity.
Among the students was his younger sister, the second princess.
If anyone still had loyalty to the royal family, they wouldn't dare attack where the second princess was, no matter how furious they were.
It could also be used to distinguish allies.
"So that's why you're returning so quickly."
"Young Master, we're ready to leave."
Camilla appeared outside.
The black crow exchange people were with her.
They had come lightly, but now they had a lot of baggage for the return trip.
"We'll be off now."
Kane bid farewell to Isaac.
"See you again, brother."
Isaac hugged Kane as he reciprocated the farewell.
Blata, who was in Kane's arms, grumbled.
"Why are men hugging so grossly? It's not right for the same gender to do that."
"I agree with him. Please, step back."
"You have no warmth. This is why people say romance is dead these days."
Isaac clicked his tongue, grumbling.
"Go on. You might not get another glorious chance to hug me."
"I hope thats true."
Kane's firm tone made Isaac's lips pout even more.
"You never lose an argument. The gate is open, so just go."
Kane made his final farewell and left.
On the way back to the palace.
In the deep darkness beside Isaac, the leader of the Black Heaven Guards emerged.
"There is a group following Sir Kane."
"Judging by your serious tone, they're not the Black Crow exchange. How many?"
"About 50."
"Their level?"
The leader of the Black Heaven didn't respond immediately.
"Must be strong, huh? Are they from Hatzfeld's side?"
"That's also unclear."
"It's been a while since you've been this uncertain."
"I'll send the Imperial Guard."
Isaac shook his head at the leader's suggestion.
"No need. That guy can handle it."
—
Meanwhile,
Dozens of robed figures were running through the forest.
'It was definitely the mana of the Blood Knights.'
The man leading the group was deep in thought.
The Blood Rune.
A Rune that should not exist in this world.
A Rune that draws out the power of demons.
His mission was to ensure that the Blood rune never appeared in the world.
'I need to confirm it myself.'
It had been a long time since the man had moved.
He hadn't moved for decades.
Even Hatzfeld was unaware of his identity.
His heavy inactivity was spurred by the appearance of someone presumed to be a Blood Knight.
"Executioner Seven, could that dullard really have awakened as a Blood Knight?"
"Wasn't the Guardian Lord closest to becoming a Blood Knight?"
"Even he couldn't fully awaken as a Blood Knight and is on his deathbed, so how could his son undergo such an extreme awakening…"
Everyone was skeptical.
Until now, anyone with the potential to awaken as a Blood Knight had been killed.
And those who hadn't been killed were slowly dying.
Now, suddenly, there was news of an awakened Blood Knight.
Who could easily believe that?
"Don't forget our mission. Even if they aren't a Blood Knight, if there's any sign, we eliminate them all."
Executioner Seven spoke in an emotionless tone.
"I misspoke."
"After living under different identities for decades, it's natural to think that way. Sometimes even I get confused."
"Even you, Executioner?"
"Why wouldn't I? But I try to never forget the mission given to us by the Law King."
As those following Executioner Seven nodded in agreement,
The carriage reached the one-third mark.
"Here, we will kill Kane Rehinar and everyone with him."