Duke Pendragon

"Oh, so that's what happened. I see."

"Yes. After the war, some of the gods wanted me and Soldrake to remain in the Divine Realm, but there was no reason for us to stay any longer. Because our lives were to be lived right here."

Raven finished his long story about the Divine Realm before looking back at Soldrake. Everyone else followed his gaze and looked at Soldrake, except for Karuta, who had dragged Killian out by the collar, saying that they had to train.

She still possessed an indifferent expression, but they could tell. The strongest creature on earth, the guardian god of Pendragon, possessed a subtly different atmosphere than before.

"So are you completely a human now?"

The resentment she possessed against Soldrake for having turned her son incapable was a thing of the long past. As such, Elena asked with a gentle expression.

"No, not completely a human. I still have a bit of the dragon's spirit, and my lifespan will be longer than ordinary humans."

"I see."

It certainly would have been strange if a brother of the gods was suddenly cast into a human body no different from any other humans.

"Until my time in this world is over and I return to the Divine Realm, I will continue to belong to Pendragon. Even if Ray dies and his children grow up to be the new Pendragon, I will continue to watch over Pendragon."

Soldrake said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, but some of the people looked rather relieved.

It was only obvious.

Raven was currently faced with quite a complicated(?) situation as he returned to his throne after seven long years.

Firstly, he had no queen.

Although she had his children, Lindsay was still officially only a concubine, and she was only a baroness. Moreover, Princess Ingrid had publicly courted him, saying that she would not hesitate to become wed to Raven, even if it was only as a concubine.

In the meantime, if even Soldrake declared her intent to become his woman after giving up her heavenly throne, it was evident that he would be faced with quite a few headaches. And since Soldrake declared her obligations to Pendragon as its guardian rather than Raven's woman, Lindsay was relieved, as would have been Ingrid if she were present.

"Haa…"

"I think the child is a bit sleepy."

Raven spoke carefully after seeing Elsia tossing and turning in her mother's arms. It appeared that the daughter still felt slightly awkward with her father. She jumped whenever her gaze met with Raven's, and she repeatedly dug herself into her mother's arms while secretly stealing glances. She was finally starting to doze off.

Lindsay's expression loosened after hearing her husband's warm, worried voice.

"Yes. I will take her to bed and return, Your Majesty. My queen, please excuse me for a moment."

"Of course."

"Hmm…"

Was it said that the seat made the person? Raven licked his lips with wonder. The brave, firm maiden of the past could no longer be seen, and in her place was the perfect example of a wise, elegant noble lady.

"Anyways…"

Elena stared at Lindsay's disappearing figure with a pleased smile, then turned her head. Fiona grinned like a fool when she met Elena's gaze. The large maiden was adorning armor which looked quite heavy, and she had emptied her tea in one gulp like a man.

"What are you planning to do with this lady, Your Majesty Isla."

"Well…"

Isla smacked his lips with a troubled expression. He had allowed Fiona to accompany him at Raven's suggestion, but he still had no proper plans for her.

"She said she would do anything, so I think it would be best for her to stay in the castle for a while. In addition, she is well aware of the previous margrave's deeds, more than anyone else. Even the High Lord of Roxan will not escape unscathed if the daughter of Mirin's Margrave is standing testimony."

"Well, that's true."

Elena nodded politely. She was speaking not as a mother, but as a queen.

"But why would the High Lord of Roxan…"

Elena spoke in a voice filled with anger and wonder. Raven replied with a cold gaze.

"The reason does not matter. What's important is that he dared to mess with Pendragon… With Mia, Raymond, and even you, mother, Elsia, and Lindsay."

"It is unforgivable."

Isla agreed without hiding his anger.

"So, what is His Majesty the Emperor planning to do?"

"After depriving Roxan of his position as a high lord, he will be made a baron. The territory will be split and managed by the imperial family."

Raven's voice was filled with discontent. He couldn't believe that the perpetrator would keep his status as a noble when tearing his limbs to death wouldn't be enough…

But there was nothing Raven could do.

Such was the status of a high lord, those who stood at the peak of the empire's nobles.

"Well, it's not like I'm satisfied with the result, but I think His Majesty chose the heaviest, most reasonable punishment he could impose on the High Lord of Roxan."

"My thoughts align with yours, My Queen."

Vincent stepped out.

"Ever since His Majesty the Emperor ascended to the throne, the power of the high lords has been weakening day by day. The High Lord of Roxan could be counted as their unofficial leader. If His Majesty sentences Roxan's High Lord to death, the very balance of power of the empire could very well collapse. We cannot afford such a thing, especially when His Majesty the Emperor has been working so hard to maintain the precarious balance."

"Hmm…"

The emperor was the absolute, undisputed master of the vast empire. However, he was forced to consider the complex situation of his land and the people. Jamie Roxan had threatened a member of the imperial family, but the emperor could not order the family's annihilation since they had not been planning treason.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the Roxan family would be completely crippled after receiving their punishment. As such, any further action would only serve to drive the other nobles to fear and opposition.

"Anyways, it could be counted a fortune among the misfortunes that this incident has allowed the names of our king and the royal family to spread even further. Is that not so, regent?"

"Yes, My Queen. For the time being, no one will dare to think about threatening the royal family or even the empire's imperial family."

"In addition, Mia and Raymond's status and position has grown in the world. It was quite eventful, but in the end, luck was on our side."

Even though her daughter and grandson had been in trouble, Elena spoke bravely and powerfully. Everyone nodded with satisfaction. She truly was the dignified queen of the Pendragon family.

However, Fiona and Berna became wide-eyed with shock. They had only thought of her as a beautiful, elegant noblewoman who was originally from the imperial family.

'It makes sense…'

However, the two quickly nodded with acceptance. Perhaps they should have expected as much from the woman who raised the one who presented them with unforgettable, crushing defeats.

"Anyways, where should we have them stay…?"

Elena spoke with a frown while staring at Fiona and Berna. The two of them were staring at her blankly. After hearing her words, Berna quickly bowed while waving her hands.

"T, there's no need to worry! As master's servant, I am satisfied with even a stable! I, it's enough that he took me in."

"At least you know your place."

Berna lowered her head even further after hearing Isla's cold voice.

"Hmm, what about this, mother?"

"Hmm?"

Raven looked at the two in question with a mysterious smile.

"If you think about it, both of them are prisoners, are they not? They are felons who committed a great sin against my family and the royal family."

"….."

He wasn't exactly wrong. Fiona also lowered her head little by little.

"It would not make sense to provide both of you with your own accommodations. However, I will take these situations into consideration and give you one of the maid's rooms in the main castle. Our family has never treated the employees poorly ever since we were a duchy, so it won't be too uncomfortable."

"Ah! Thank you so much, Your Majesty Pendragon!"

"M, master's boundless grace is like the sky…"

Fiona became delighted, and Berna couldn't hide her joy either. However, Berna soon became wide-eyed after realizing something.

Her master said he would provide 'one of the rooms'.

That meant…

"Let's get along well! I heard you're quite strong? Let's fight if we get bored and have fun together."

Fiona spoke with a grin while revealing her biceps. Berna held back her tears after seeing Fiona's well-toned muscles, which were even firmer than a man's.

"Uah…"

Isla had defeated Berna with a single blow, but the monster-like girl had endured against Isla at least for a short while. To think she would have to live together with such a monster…

"I really am quite fond of stables! Master, please, please let me go to the stables…!"

"How annoying. You guys can go."

"Yes! Then we will see you tomorrow! Your Majesty Pendragon! My Queen! And…"

Fiona's gaze turned to Isla.

Her gaze was slightly different from when she addressed Raven and Elena.

"Your Majesty Isla as well. Please take good care of me."

"…..!"

Both Isla and Raven were absolutely horrified. Fiona Mirin, dubbed the strongest warrior of Mirin, had winked at the Knight King of Valvas with a blush.

"M, master! Please, please…"

"Come, let's go! Ah, you said you were an assassin, right? You should be pretty fast then. All the knights of our territory were slow like snails, even if they were strong. This is exciting."

Fiona ignored the awkward silence and placed her arm over Berna's shoulder before the two of them disappeared.

"Hoho! What a unique child. Your Majesty Isla, do you hate her so much?"

"Well, it's not that I hate her, but…"

She was the daughter of the one responsible for planning the kidnapping of Raymond and Mia. Even if his lord forgave her, he could harbor good intentions towards her.

Raven recognized Isla's thoughts and responded.

"Elkin, you should know better. Fiona Mirin is a simple fool. She only followed her father's ideas because she wanted to meet you and me."

"Yes…"

Isla's expression remained stiff even after hearing Raven's words.

Elena suddenly spoke with a clap, as if remembering something important.

"Ah! Come to think of it, I attended a banquet hosted by the mayor of York Town with Elsia. Something very interesting took place. Well, I'm not sure if 'interesting' is the right word, but…"

"The mayor of York Town? Are you referring to Karl Mandy's daughter, Iriya?"

Raven responded, recalling the daughter of the Gold King. Raven remembered the southern tycoon wanting to marry his daughter to him.

"Well, Mayor Mandy appeared to have a man in her mind."

"Hooh?"

Raven pretended to be surprised, but he felt quite anxious as well.

Could Iriya possibly…? Just like Ingrid…?

"Hoho! It's nothing for you to worry about, Your Majesty. You aren't the one occupying her mind."

"Oh, is that so? Then who…?"

Raven inwardly let out a sigh of relief before asking. Elena answered while staring at Isla with a meaningful gaze.

"The man who spent the longest time with her since the king disappeared with Lord Soldrake. He is also from the South, has a high status and reputation, and he is very considerate toward ladies. It makes sense for Mayor Mandy to have feelings for him."

"What? Don't tell me…"

Raven turned towards Isla with shock, recognizing the meaningful gaze Elena had towards Isla. Although he was still expressionless, the cold sweat forming on his forehead betrayed his true emotions. Raven spoke with a grin.

"Well, congratulations, Elkin. Wow, the sister of Mirin's Margrave, the daughter of the Lindegor Duchy, and the only child of the Gold King? What can I say? I'm quite jealous."

"It is entirely possible for His Majesty Isla, my lord. Hmm, I did think it strange that the eyes of the castle's young maids were swollen since a few days ago. I guess the rumors have already spread."

Even Vincent joined in.

"That steel will you always talk to me about. It's your turn to display it now."

Raven's last words delivered the final blow, and the complexion of the knight king became even paler. Raven grinned at the satisfaction of returning everything he had suffered thus far.

However, Isla tried his best to keep a calm attitude while changing the topic.

"Well, anyways, what are you planning to do with the assassin who was left alive?"

"Ahh, that thing? I thought it would be much too merciful to kill him straight away…"

***

"Ugh…"

Another Number 1.

The sole survivor, the fourth brother opened his eyes.

"Keugh!"

Simultaneously, he was forced to groan with pain. Although his eyes were open, it was pitch black. In addition, he felt terrible pain along with a feeling of extreme suffocation. It was as if his body was stuck. No, rather, his body really was stuck.

He had been squeezed into a narrow space as a lump of broken and bent limbs.

"Hugh, agh! T, this is…"

The assassin struggled to look around his surroundings with a faint sense of hope. He could see a faint stream of light piercing through a thin gap. However, he could not escape using Mist Walking.

"Keugh!"

Despair struck once again, but he obeyed his instinctive urge to grasp the outside situation. He struggled to place his eyes against the small gap.

"What?"

His eyes widened with disbelief, and his mouth followed suit.

"Aggh! Kuaaghhhhh!"

The pathetic corpses of his brothers were hung on a wall in a narrow space without a single iron bar. And the living legacy of the siblings was stuffed inside a small, enclosed box, which even a child would struggle to fit into.

"Kuaaaagh! Uaaghhh!"

The despairing screams of the assassins echoed the walls. He would have to see the corpses of his brothers until the day he joined them in death