Dawn Revolutionary Army.
Leader’s Office.
A woman with red hair.
The leader of the revolutionary army, Cassiela, was fixated on a piece of paper. It was an article from the imperial newspaper.
– A mysterious noble taking down traitorous acts in the city of Arkan.
– The Arkan’s Guards all spoke in unison. A man with grayish hair had saved their city and vanished without a trace.
– The drug dealer, Belrak, known as the underground king who led the rebellion, reportedly died on the spot.
– Belrak was someone who spread drugs throughout the city to expand his influence…
This was an article published two days ago.
Cassiela was convinced that the gray-haired man mentioned in the article was Duke Yuma, the one she had encountered on the mana train.
He had introduced himself as her First Princess’s sword.
His words still echoed vividly in her mind.
– Your revolution is wrong, Dawn Revolutionary Chief.
“…Huh.”
A deep sigh escaped Cassiela’s lips.
“I understand now why you said that.”
She dreamed of a misguided revolution.
A revolution that could entangle innocent people.
Yet this man had boldly enforced justice.
If First Prince Schwarze didn’t ascend to the throne but rather First Princess Brigitte took the seat, it would indeed be an event worthy of being called a revolution.
Revolution.
This man was attempting to achieve a true revolution, unlike herself.
Cassiela felt a shiver run down her spine.
“…Can I follow your revolution?”
Cassiela pondered.
Then, after making some decisions, she summoned all members of the revolutionary group to a meeting room.
A total of 32 revolutionary group members.
All of them were exceptional talents, recognized wherever they went, but had chosen to raise the banner of revolution because they were dissatisfied with the current empire.
They were individuals who held blind faith in Cassiela.
Half of them were the oppressed, saved by Cassiela’s hand.
The gender ratio was about half and half, and all the members were staring intently at Cassiela.
Step.
Cassiela walked to the center of the meeting room towards the door.
She grabbed the massive flag planted right next to the door.
A flag with a red background and a golden sun was depicted on it.
It had been the symbol of the Dawn Revolutionary Army until now.
Cassiela took the flag and—
Rip!
She tore it apart.
All the revolutionary members’ eyes widened in shock.
It was only natural, as she had suddenly ripped apart the flag that symbolized dawn.
Cassiela’s deep and melodic voice resonated in the meeting room.
“I will make a new flag. One with a red background and a golden sword on it.”
“With a golden sword raised in the background.”
Cassiela placed the newspaper on the table, which contained the story of the hero who saved Arkan that she had just read.
Cassiela continued speaking.
“That was the sword of Princess Brigitte, the First Princess, when she blocked our path on the Halo magic train.”
The members began to read the article in turns, surprised.
“The Revolutionary Army will implement a justice like this. A clear justice that no one can deny. And our utmost priority will be to seat Her Highness the First Princess on the Imperial Throne.”
The members were taken aback.
Suddenly, their goal was directed towards the next imperial throne.
One member spoke in a low voice.
“Does the Empire change just because the First Princess sits on the Imperial Throne? As mentioned in this article, it’s a corrupt Empire.”
“I think that’s a problem to consider after seating the First Princess on the throne. We’ll somehow expand our influence. To the point where we can proudly propose something to the First Princess.”
Ambition flickered in Cassiela’s eyes.
‘I will follow you.’
The Princess’s sword.
Duke Yuma.
A friend of mother.
One day, face to face to ask about the days they were friends.
*
Duke Yuma gazed at the outside scenery from the swaying carriage.
And Cloney was staring at Yuma.
Yuma recalled the advice given by Ermel, the inspector from the 3rd Knights Brigade he met yesterday.
– Now that the First Prince Schwarze knows you’re here, it’s highly likely he will send people toward Count Rubelt’s territory to kill you.
It was a very plausible hypothesis.
The carriage came to a halt in front of Count Rubelt’s territory. Yuma paid the fare and stepped down from the carriage with Cloney.
Yuma and Cloney looked at the sunset-lit sky.
The sky in the southern Empire wasn’t much different.
“Now it really feels like the journey begins, Yuma!”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
It was too exhausting to leave the events that occurred in Arkan out of the journey.
‘It’s going to get even more tiring.’
Yuma walked nobly towards the guards of the Count’s territory.
Clang!
The guard raised his spear high. It was a move to stop Yuma’s approach.
“State your identity.”
The attire of Yuma and Cloney was nearly noble, so the guard did not speak informally.
Yuma took out a circular identification token from his pocket.
A golden token.
“Her Highness’s representative, Duke Yuma.”
The guards’ left knees bowed sharply.
The members of the party knelt down on their left knees with a sense of urgency.
“Y-Your Grace, Duke Yuma!”
There was no doubt. The news that a representative of the princess was active in the neighboring city of Arkan spread to the guards of Count Rubelt’s territory the very next day.
“Please, go in.”
Yuma nodded.
“Thank you.”
Tap, tap!
Yuma fixed his gaze on a guard who was naturally following him and Cloney.
“Is something the matter?”
“There was an order from Count Rubelt’s Excellency to personally guide you to your accommodations when you arrive, Duke.”
“Is that so?”
Yuma didn’t decline the guard’s guidance. It saved him from having to deal with any annoying decisions.
“This, this is the place.”
The guard led Yuma to the most splendid inn in the count’s domain.
The inn was named ‘Hoff.’
‘No different from a hotel.’
The guard hurriedly added,
“Oh, you won’t have to pay. Count Rubelt’s Excellency has already covered all expenses.”
“I understand.”
After that, the guard deeply bowed and departed.
Yuma entered Hoff with Cloney, picked up the keys at the counter, and after dropping off their luggage, headed back downstairs for dinner.
6 PM.
It was prime dinner time. People were clustered around their tables.
A savory smell wafted through the air. The menu was spaghetti.
Yuma first looked at Cloney, who was gazing at him intently instead of picking up her fork.
“Eat up.”
“Ah, okay!”
Cloney started to eat spaghetti with a bright smile.
‘Good thing she doesn’t seem like the type to tire easily.’
But why is she watching me so closely?
Yuma thought, gripping his fork. Little did he know, Cloney wasn’t just watching him; she was always staring intently at him.
Could it really be an inn where the count had pre-paid everything?
The taste of the spaghetti was quite impressive.
Both of them savored their hungry bellies satisfactorily.
Suddenly, there was a commotion at the entrance of the inn.
“My sister has vanished! Just like that! I’m only putting up a missing persons flyer!”
“Just leave us alone.”
The shouting was coming from a woman wearing a robe pulled low over her face. Long crimson hair peeked out from under the fabric.
“No! You know me! We did a guard duty together before!”
With the woman’s loud voice, the inn’s guard grabbed her shoulder.
“Since we know each other, I’m choosing to talk instead of using force. Hestia.”
The guard continued, looking at Hestia, as if giving advice.
“You know, right? We don’t really like gossiping about disappearances in the Count’s territory.”
“Oh, no! Then if someone actually goes missing, isn’t that just an actual disappearance? What should I say?”
Swish!
The guard finally drew his sword.
“Leave, last warning.”
Yuma turned his body towards the entrance, focusing on Hestia.
‘This is the first time I’m seeing her.’
[Lv.67] Hestia
Race: Cat-Folk
Alignment: Good
Class: Swordsman
Level: Intermediate Sword Expert
Cat-Folk.
There’s probably a pair of those signature cat ears under that robe.
‘Indeed, the races in this world look almost identical to those in Loop Blood.’
By confirming the existence of a Cat-Folk, Yuma felt assured he could obtain a ‘Mark’. He was determined not to miss a chance if it arose.
Crack!
The Cat-Folk Swordsman, Hestia, could no longer hold back her anger and kicked the inn wall before storming away from the Hop Inn.
After finishing their meal, Yuma and Cloney headed upstairs.
This inn had a two-person room divided into two separate spaces.
“If you have anything you want to talk about, feel free to call me anytime.”
To secure Cloney’s safety first in case something happens, it was decided that she would use the inner room.
“Okay!”
Cloney responded energetically before entering the room and closing the door.
Yuma gazed out the window at a red bird.
It looked filthy, as if made of blood—the ominous crow.
Creak—
Yuma opened the window, facing the foreboding crimson crow perched on the tree.
With a chilling cry in his ears, a voice came through.
-This is Kailon, the Empire’s 3rd Seat. I personally came to this Count Rubelt territory to kill you.
Yuma replied indifferently.
“Is that so?”
This couldn’t be the real body.
“Where are you?”
Perhaps surprised at his complete lack of panic, Keingal, using the crow’s beak, broke the silence with a response.
-…It’s in the nearby Bain Forest. Wait there.
“Understood.”
Yuma stood up.
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