C670
The friend Jin hadn't seen in a long time still looked the same.
The handshake was even firmer than before, and Jin felt as if he could sense the last three years through it.
"It's been a while, my friend. You've undoubtedly grown stronger."
"I thought you'd be a bit rusty since you've been so busy. But now you've turned into a man of iron, Dante."
"If I couldn't even do this, I wouldn't be qualified to be the lord of the Sword Emperor Castle."
"I was so busy when I returned that I couldn't come to see you earlier."
"No one will be unaware of the great things you've done once you finish your Closed Door Training. I myself was busy 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, both had persevered in their respective positions with a single thought. Even without saying it, they felt how hard and deep the past was for the other."Oh! I'm late with my greetings. Princess, Miss Quikantel, 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 the first time we've met."
"That's right. Are you telling us to stop eating?"
Dante scratched his neck, embarrassed by Euria and Quikantel's response.
"I wanted to formally greet the princess once. It seems I went a bit overboard."
Bubble, bubble.
The seafood stew was boiling.
The meal began when Euria placed the seafood soup in an empty bowl and served it first to Dante.
After Jin's return, Dante already knew most of what had happened.
This was because every time an incident occurred, Kashmir sent someone to inform him.
"...I see. So Beradin... has completely forgotten us due to being a victim of such a dirty experiment. How could they do that to the next patriarch and his son?"
However, Dante learned about Beradin's condition for the first time today.
While Dante trembled with rage, Jin patted his shoulder to calm him.
He already knew that Beradin was in a desperate state, but hearing the situation through Jin's words filled his heart with venom.
"Zipple, we will surely save our friend from the perpetrators of this artificial catastrophe one day."
"Yes, we will, 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 was also learning from Jin the necessity of "mastery."
If it had been the previous Dante, he would never have shaken hands with those who turned his friend into a miserable experiment, even if it meant dying. �
But now, it's different.
He had many lives hanging on his shoulders.
As the Lord of the Sword Emperor Castle and regent of the empire, the world he viewed was completely different from when he was just a young patriarch.
Sometimes, he had to use his enemies, sometimes he had to take a step back, and sometimes he had to do things he didn't want to do.
Otherwise, he couldn't save the countless families and people who only looked up to him and the world.
'Dante, you're becoming more like Lord Ron.'
Dante's face always had the look of a good friend, but it was clearly changing.
He had begun the path of the Emperor, not just a young patriarch.
The Emperor who is stricter with himself and will never fall.
Jin was proud of Dante's transformation, and it was precisely what Ron had wished for in life.
His grandson, who was always ready to fight against evil with his life, was undoubtedly adorable, but he always worried about him.
Jin spoke to Ron in his heart. "It seems you can now enjoy watching him in peace."
"By the way, Jin."
"Yes?"
"I've been wondering since earlier, why did you come in disguise? It doesn't seem like it was just to entertain the princess."
"There are people in the imperial family who want to kill you."
"Unless Zipple sent someone as capable as you, it would be impossible. Zipple has no reason to do that now, right?"
"It wasn't Zipple, it was the Garden of Swords that provided the assassin."
Dante's pupils narrowed.
"The Garden of Swords...?"
"Yes, the imperial family betrayed Zipple and sided with Rosa. That's what Valeria confirmed. Did you know?"
"I'm ashamed to say I had no idea."
"The betrayed party was the same. Zipple also didn't know that the imperial family had sided with the Garden of Swords."
Even after Jin informed Zipple of the betrayal, Zipple did not recklessly purge the imperial family.
Given the circumstances, they first had to assess how much information they had given to Runcandel.
"Valeria said she believes you're in danger. We suspect that Joshua is the one who provided the assassin to the imperial family."
"With the strongest knight's skills enhanced by chaos and the prophet's abilities, it wouldn't be a dream story for the imperial family to assassinate me. The reason 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 into such a dangerous situation but stopped when he saw 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," said Jin.
"I realized it might not be a big problem. Unless there are assassins or old swordsmen from Runcandel involved," replied Dante.
"Even if it's Sir Padler, Euria won't get hurt. Because you're here too," said Jin.
"Then, what should we do now?"
"There is very little information aside from the fact that the Garden of Swords provided an assassin to Airan Vermont. So, call all available personnel to the palace and start with the lower-ranking ones."
"Are you suggesting we call everyone just to ask if there's an informant?"
Jin nodded.
"It's the only way we can investigate with the princess present."
"Euria, Latrie-nim, Miss Quikantel, and I have to attend the imperial meeting. As it's a meeting of the empire's top ministers, we need a pretext to attend. I was thinking..."
"Jin, I'm no different from the sole absolute ruler of the empire. Not even the late Emir Vermont had more power than me. Therefore, we don't need a pretext. All the empire's subjects should come running to me when I call."
"Oh, I forgot for a second that you had changed. There was no need to invent a pretext."
"I'm curious. What pretext did you have in mind?"
"I was going to say that the dragons you rescued from the contaminated area came to repay their debt and asked for your help. Since you've completed many missions without knights."
"For what you've been trying to think, it's a bit... There's a lack of plausibility. Dragons that didn't belong to any force are extremely rare in the world right now."
"Well, I'm glad we don't need it."
"But if anyone ever asks me about your origin, I'll have to say it," said Dante.
"If the traitor is in the capital and the fact is revealed immediately, then there's no need to lie," replied Jin.
The meal had ended.
Outside, the carriage was ready, and the group headed straight to the palace.
"Tell all the subjects waiting in the capital to gather in the palace's first conference room within two hours. Everyone except ordinary knights and magicians on duty. All 10th-rank subjects as well. It's an emergency summons. Tell them that those who are late will be severely punished."
"Yes, Your Highness the Regent!"
In an instant, orders spread throughout the capital.
"Has the Regent ever summoned us this way?"
"He told us to work tirelessly for the empire and the people, even to the point of sacrificing ourselves, but now he asks us to leave our duties to our deputies and come here. What's happening?"
"What nonsense is this in the middle of the night! I'm very nervous. Could it be that he's overthrowing the crown prince and plans to ascend the throne himself?"
"Even with the young voice of Crown Prince Kuron pleading for some mercy, this can't be worse... if the lord of Sword Emperor Castle ascends the throne, we'll truly die from overwork for sure...!"
"Whatever happens, let's 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 about having too much work."
The fearful servants clung to their melted soy sauce, while the servants who admired Dante headed to the imperial palace with determination.
"This is an urgent call from His Highness the Regent. It's clear that something important has happened."
"Everyone, don't show signs of exhaustion. No one in the Empire can suffer more than His Highness the Regent."
Carriages and horses constantly entered the palace without a moment's rest.
Before two hours had passed, more than a thousand servants had gathered in the conference room.
"Has everyone arrived?"
The scene the servants saw was Dante sitting on the throne and four unfamiliar faces standing behind him.
No one noticed that the group was in disguise.
"Yes, Your Highness the Regent!"
"Yes!"
Despite the large number of servants present, they did not dare to exchange glances with Dante.
Jin saw many with unfriendly faces after rolling their eyes for no reason.
It seems no one questions Dante about our identities.
He is as strict as Runcandel in the past when my father was hospitalized in the Garden of Swords.
"But on that side... it seems they expect something."
In the heavy atmosphere where it was difficult even to breathe, there were some groups that expressed their excitement carefreely.
They were ministers and knights of Hairan, and the reason their eyes shone was because of Quikantel, who was disguised behind Dante.
"Could it be that the lord patriarch has finally found his lover!"
"Maybe he's going to present his lover and his 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 gaze.
The knights of Hairan knew very well how lonely and desperate Dante's moment was, so they eagerly awaited the appearance of that lover who could be a bit of his solace.
Dante stood up.
"You're all busy, so I'll be direct. I gathered you all here because there's a traitor within the empire."
"Ah...!"
"How can this be!"
"Do not open your mouth until I allow it. Let's finish quickly and return to contributing to the empire's stabilization. From now on, you can only answer my questions with a 'yes' or 'no.' Now, I will ask the first question."
Dante looked at his subordinates with fiercely severe eyes.
"Is there anyone among you who has plans to harm me or knows someone with such plans?"
"No!"
The servants responded, and Dante awaited Euria's signal.
After studying the subordinates for a few minutes, Euria gently tapped Dante's back seven times with her finger.
That meant seven of them had lied.
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