Each word he uttered struck like a blade, plunging the room into a suffocating tension. One could almost see the veins bulging across his forehead, his eyes blazing with a murderous light.
Julius could no longer mask his fear. He trembled violently, as though a mere wave of the emperor's hand would send him to his execution.
Even so, he struggled to cling to the last shred of composure, forcing out his words:
"But, my Emperor… even if Irina Heather is dead… her youngest daughter still lives."
A beat of silence.
"…And so what?" — The Emperor's voice fell, heavy with suspicion. "You think that just being a grand mage's daughter makes her strong? Whether she lives or dies, what use is she to this war?" he growled, patience clearly at its end.
"But, my Emperor, this girl… she may very well be the one you've been seeking all along."
The emperor, hearing Julius' cryptic words, was stunned for a brief moment. His eyes flickered with confusion. But then, he froze, and his voice came out trembling, tinged with a hint of excitement:
"You… you don't mean to say…!"
His sudden outburst left the surrounding knights bewildered. All turned to stare, except for the one seated in meditation with closed eyes.
Julius saw the expression on the Emperor's face and let out a quiet sigh of relief, feeling somewhat reassured.
"Yes, My Emperor, just as you suspect. My Divine-Eye magic has confirmed it. However… the girl has already gone into hiding, and we don't yet know her whereabouts."
"I propose we issue a kingdom-wide bounty for her, and offer a reward to anyone who can capture her. What say you, My Emperor?"
The Emperor, upon hearing Julius' words, slowly reined in his earlier excitement. After a moment of silence, he nodded, his tone now calmer and more resolute.
"…If what you say is true… then—
Issue a national arrest warrant for the girl. Seal every border in the kingdom. No matter what it takes… capture the daughter of the Eternal Winter Dark Mage, alive!"
"Yes, My Emperor. As you command." Julius bowed in deference, then lifted his gaze to sweep across the room, meeting the bewildered stares of those present. He only smiled, a cold, triumphant smile.
"And you,now that your report is done… return and recuperate. This time, you have not wholly disappointed me. A reward may be considered."
The Emperor's cold dismissal was, in its own way, a pardon for Julius.
"I am deeply grateful, My Emperor." Julius replied, bowing lightly before gesturing to the soldiers to carry him out on the stretcher.
Watching the figures disappear behind the grand doors, Lorion—the knight in white armor—stood frozen in place. And he wasn't alone. The other nine knights bore the same stunned expression.
"What… what the hell is going on?" he croaked, his voice hoarse with disbelief.
"I… I've got no clue. Did the Emperor skip lunch or eat something rotten today to act like that?" Beside him, Grakk grimaced as he mumbled around a mouthful of snack, making the tense air around them feel all the more surreal.
"No… something's very wrong…" murmured another knight clad in half-blue, half-red armor, his gaze darkening.
"Julius… he's definitely hiding something."
It was a sentiment the others silently shared.
None of them could make sense of what had just happened. But one by one, deep within, each of them had begun their own quiet scheming.
Only one among them was different.
The knight who had earlier sat with eyes closed in meditation, silent all this time, finally opened his eyes. There was no shock. No confusion. Only a soft sigh, so faint it seemed to vanish into the air. At his hip, the sword at his side gave a gentle quiver.
And the Emperor?
His expression was contemplative, mysterious. What he was thinking.....is unpredictable.
Thus, what remained in the hall was just.....Silence.
....
Elsewhere—
Having been carried out of the chamber, Julius finally let out a sigh of relief. His entire body felt as if it had just been released from chains, drained and exhausted.
But… contrary to his weary appearance, a strange smile curled on his lips, twisted, as though he were struggling to contain an incomprehensible excitement.
"Just wait, Kyouno Heather." he thought, eyes gleaming with malice.
"From now on… your life will be worse than the most terrifying nightmares you've ever known."
His smile warped further, like destruction itself was beginning to seep through the cracks of his smug facade.
However, Julius didn't notice—
Right nearby, behind a wall where his stretcher was being carried through—
A figure leaned against the wall, his posture pensive.
"....."
"Kyouno... Heather?"
.....