Chapter 304

The report about the Suin approaching wasn’t from the scouting team that had been wiped out near the northern wall, but from the watchtowers located between the northern wall and Faelun Castle.

As soon as they saw the beast horde rushing over the horizon, they lit the beacon and fled on horseback to Faelun Castle.

It was the right call. What good would it have done for less than twenty soldiers to hold out in the watchtower? They’d just end up as a snack for the Suin.

Anyway, according to the pale-faced returning soldiers, it seemed like almost the entire Suin force had mobilized. Considering the distance to Faelun Castle and the speed of their advance… they were expected to arrive near the castle by dawn at the latest.

Naturally, the dinner banquet scheduled for that evening was canceled. It wasn’t exactly the time to leisurely enjoy a feast.

“…They’re here. Damn wolf bastards.”

As soon as Freide heard the report, she threw down the documents she was working on and summoned the commander and key forces to the conference room.

—

The conference room, where I was guided, was a rugged yet practical space. No decorations—just simple lighting on the walls and ceiling, and a large map fixed on the table in the center.

“You’re a bit late, Hashalleur.”

Eleven chairs were arranged around the rounded table. Two seats were empty, and eight were already filled by those who had arrived earlier.

At the head of the table sat Freide, resting her head on her clasped hands.

“Sorry. I was taking a bath. Is everyone else here already?”

“Except for Damien, who’s recuperating and wasn’t called, yes.”

Freide gestured to the empty seat. I pulled out the chair and sat down, glancing around the room.

Most of the faces were familiar.

—

Milia looked a bit nervous, as if unsure whether she belonged there, constantly glancing around. Leonor, on the other hand, was glaring at a man across the table, already locked in a battle of wills.

The man looked to be in his mid-twenties. He had the bright blonde hair typical of the imperial family, and a face that seemed like a perfect blend of Leopold and Ernst.

Dressed neatly in a knight’s uniform, his well-trained physique was subtly visible.

“Why are you staring at me like that? If you have something to say, go ahead and say it.”

Leonor’s tone was unusually aggressive for her. But given who she was dealing with, it made sense.

From her perspective, this man was just as burdensome as Leopold.

Karl the 8th.

The Empire’s second prince… no, *former* second prince. Now, he was just a knight.

Leopold’s younger brother, who had relinquished his imperial authority before Leonor and headed north.

…So he was staying at Faelun Castle.

I thought he would’ve joined the Venes subjugation army to meet his brother.

“No, I was just thinking how much you resemble someone the more I look at you.”

“…You’d do well not to bring up that witch. I’ll let it slide this once, but there won’t be a next time.”

“Witch? I have no idea what you’re talking about. I was just saying you resemble our father.”

“…Hey.”

Karl shrugged and chuckled, clearly mocking her. Leonor, thinking he was ridiculing her, frowned deeply.

…He probably was mocking her, though.

Karl, too, would’ve had his teeth set on edge by Isabella.

The fact that he had to give up his succession rights and leave his brother in the capital to head north was due to the witch’s assassination threats.

Not to mention, his younger sister was practically sold off to some perverted old man in the south.

Even if Isabella was dead, the old resentment wouldn’t just disappear.

Leonor was also a victim whose life had been turned upside down by the witch, so holding her accountable for her mother’s sins was misdirected resentment.

“Sir Karl. That’s enough. Leonor is my knight. If you have a problem, take it up with me.”

“Huh?”

Leonor turned her gaze toward me. She seemed surprised, as if she hadn’t expected me to intervene.

“…My apologies, Lord Damien. I lost my composure momentarily upon reuniting with an old acquaintance. I meant no offense to you. I apologize.”

Surprisingly, Karl’s attitude toward me was far more respectful than his attitude toward Leonor.

Even though he had renounced his status, he was still of imperial descent, yet he spoke to me with utmost deference, even using formal language.

“And… I bow my head in gratitude for helping my brother.”

He even bowed his head in thanks.

So, while he still held a grudge against Leonor, he was nothing but grateful to me.

Well, thanks to me, he was able to avenge his mother, and Leopold escaped his precarious existence to ascend the throne. He could thank me a hundred times over, and it still wouldn’t be enough.

“If that gratitude is genuine, I’d appreciate it if you’d respect Leonor as well. I’m not asking you to let go of your resentment entirely… but she’s also a knight who fought the witch alongside me. Is that too much to ask?”

“…No. If that’s what you wish, I’ll comply.”

Though reluctant, he agreed.

Karl expressed his agreement. He was well aware that his attitude was not rational, after all.

He wasn’t the type of emotional character who couldn’t distinguish right from wrong.

With my warning, he probably wouldn’t openly show hostility toward Leonor anymore.

Leonor smiled gratefully and nodded, while Rain, sitting beside her, silently bowed in thanks.

—

Once the argument between the two settled, Freide introduced the remaining members to me.

Out of the nine people gathered in the meeting room, six were familiar faces, but the other three were new.

First, there were three knights who had reached the level of masters: Freide, Leonor, and Milia.

It’s somewhat unique that all three are female knights, if you can call that unique.

To Leonor, I lent a single blade from the Pale Moon family’s report, and to Milia, who had suddenly risen to master status, I handed a metal-reinforced bow and a longbow nearly three meters in length.

Both bows were said to be impossible for ordinary archers to draw, but with the strength enhanced by their profession, they could handle them just fine.

Karl remained silent, while Rain and Ellen sat close to their respective masters.

These two weren’t invited to the meeting room because of their skills or status but had simply tagged along.

The other three were members of the Menes Church Order and the Imperial Army.

Since I’d never seen them before, they probably weren’t particularly outstanding figures, but they were the representatives of the remaining forces at Pale Moon Castle.

Priestess Flora and High Knight Noah.

And Silvan, a knight from the 1st Legion who had unexpectedly become a commander after all the higher-ranking knights died.

The Menes Church Order. I thought they had all descended with Valdemar, but it seems some members remained.

The god they serve, Menes of the Moon and Dreams, is one of the Eleven Great Gods and is particularly revered in the north.

The miracles of the Menes Church Order are especially effective against beastmen.

For example, one of their representative miracles, “Lunar Veil,” is a blessing that wraps weapons in holy light to increase their power, similar to the Elpinel Church’s “Radiant Sword.” Strangely, it also inhibits the regenerative abilities of beastmen, as if coated in silver.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Count Medean. I heard you’re a knight of Elpinel. It’s quite strange to meet you in person like this.”

“Strange?”

Flora tilted her head and narrowed her eyes.

She seemed to sense something odd, but her expression was filled with uncertainty, as if she herself wasn’t sure.

“A blessing… no, more like a gaze. I can feel Menes’ gaze lingering around you, Count. Have you had any strange dreams lately?”

Strange dreams?

Wait, no way… no way, right?

“I’ve had a few unpleasant and bizarre dreams.”

Dreams of marrying Damien, becoming an idol, becoming Leopold’s wife, and even dancing with Boris.

Just recalling them made my face twist as if I’d bitten into a spoiled oyster.

Seeing my expression, Flora seemed to guess the nature of the dreams and gave a sympathetic, bitter smile.

“Menes enjoys playing pranks. The dreams you’ve been having are likely… one of His pranks.”

…I had a feeling, but it was really the god’s prank?

“But why…?”

“Who knows? Menes governs the moon, dreams, madness, and rest. It’s hard for us to understand the intentions behind His actions.”

So, He’s a madman whose thoughts are incomprehensible.

Fine. For now, I’m satisfied just knowing the culprit.

Menes, if you mess with my dreams again, I’ll destroy every single one of your temples.

Lacey can handle the cleanup.

—

“Now that introductions are over, let’s get to the main point.”

Freide lightly tapped the table to set the tone, and everyone’s attention turned to her.

“You all know the situation, right? The tired beasts are coming. Straight toward us. So… we need to prepare to welcome them. Let’s give them a taste of revenge.”

Her cold smile was filled with deep, intense killing intent.