Chapter 4

“Kick the sword over here. If you try anything……”

The moment the blade moved slightly away from her neck, Anasha seized the opportunity and jumped upward with all her might.

“Put both hands up quietly, guk!!”

The man who had his jaw forcefully struck by Anasha’s head stumbled backward and dropped his dagger. Before the dagger could touch the ground, Anasha extended her foot and kicked the handle upward with the top of her foot.

After spinning several times in the air, the dagger landed precisely in her hand. Anasha turned her body around and slashed the dagger across the underside of the man’s jaw. The man, clutching his neck and staggering, soon collapsed to the floor.

Watching this scene, Anasha suddenly whipped her head around.

“Are you insane to drop your sword like that! What if he had killed me and then attacked you!”

Anasha approached Rihirt with large strides, glaring at him with wide eyes. After silently looking down at her, Rihirt finally opened his mouth.

“Are you alright?”

“As you can see, I’m perfectly fine.”

“Blood is flowing from your neck.”

Only then did Anasha bring her hand to her neck. Although there was only a little blood flowing, the man couldn’t take his eyes off her neck.

“This much is nothing, it’ll heal quickly. More importantly, as your senior, let me advise you to never drop your sword like that.”

“……Are you a knight?”

“That’s right. I belong to the Imperial Fifth Knight Order.”

Due to the nature of her profession, she couldn’t proudly announce, “I’m a spy.” Anasha turned her back on him and walked out the door first.

Lazy sunlight poured down on her head. Anasha let out a deep sigh of relief that had finally come. As she was dusting off the black dirt on her clothes, she spoke at the sound of footsteps behind her.

“Which order do you belong to? Since I helped with your mission, you could at least tell me that much.”

But no answer came.

“How stingy, are you really not going to tell me?”

Anasha stopped walking and turned to look at him. The man, who was now right behind her, emitted a subtle fragrance. It was a cool and calm scent, unmixed with the smell of blood.

“We will meet again.”

“What?”

Anasha looked up and asked what that meant, but the man didn’t answer. Assuming he was just making excuses because he didn’t want to reveal anything, she pouted sullenly.

After a moment, Anasha extended her hand to the man.

“It was brief, but nice to meet you. I’ll be leaving now. Please take good care of the people locked up below.”

“What happened today……”

“Is absolutely secret from others, right?”

“……”

“I’m not so frivolous as to go around blabbing about someone else’s mission. Despite appearances, I keep secrets well.”

After releasing his hand, Anasha left a brief “Well then” and climbed over the wall. Rihirt stared at the spot where the woman had disappeared before finally turning around. As he was about to re-enter the building, something caught his eye.

The small, shining object on the floor was none other than a hairpin. It was what the woman had used to open the prison door.

Rihirt bent down and picked up the hairpin. As he thought about returning it to her when they would soon meet, a faint smile formed at the corners of his mouth without him realizing it, but he never noticed this fact.

⁕⁕⁕

It was a splendid space with dazzling chandelier light pouring down. Two men sat facing each other in the center.

One was Crown Prince Erdion with magnificent golden hair, befitting the owner of this space. He lifted his gaze from the report and raised his head. Then, looking at the man sitting across from him, he wore a satisfied smile.

“All dead, cleanly done. Your martial prowess always exceeds imagination.”

“Not at all.”

The man who answered had even lighter platinum-blonde hair. He was Duke Weilgresle and also Rihirt, who had quietly annihilated a human trafficking organization just a day before.

“No need for modesty. I know your abilities better than anyone.”

About seven years ago, Erdion had participated in a battle on the northern frontier and witnessed him fighting firsthand.

Befitting someone who had prevented countless invasions on the rough northern lands, his swordsmanship aimed solely for quick killing. The sight of him mercilessly cutting down enemies while covered in blood was enough to make one forget his refined features.

Some people say his temperament is cold-hearted, but that’s precisely why Erdion liked him more. This taciturn nature that silently carried out his duties.

“You’ve worked hard, Duke Weilgresle. I commend your achievement and pour you a drink.”

“Thank you.”

Rihirt merely answered with an indifferent face. No trace of small joy or pride could be found anywhere on his face.

“You are essential to my plans. This also means you’re one of the very few people I can trust.”

Erdion smiled, lifting the corners of his mouth refreshingly. While some nobles would flatter endlessly just to receive this one drink, this man was truly like stone.

Most people find it difficult to deal with his expressionless demeanor, and some even fear him, but in reality, no one was easier to deal with. Especially in work matters.

Erdion brought the golden wine glass to his lips. After silently drinking for a moment, he put down the glass.

“It’s now harder to find uncorrupted families among the central nobles. There are probably some even among those who support me.”

Even now, crimes were openly occurring in the outskirts of the capital. With the capital nobles’ capital and connections reaching brothels, slave and drug trades were secretly continuing, making it no different from a hotbed of crime.

He could no longer leave the rotten parts of the Empire unattended. His determination to mercilessly punish corrupt forces after his ascension remained unchanged.

“Since one human trafficking ring has disappeared without a trace, the related nobles will probably lay low for a few months. They take care of themselves better than anyone else.”

“……”

“It ends here for now, but if such a thing happens again, we’ll have no choice but to execute them.”

Erdion said. Then he stared at the person before him with eyes that were both gentle and strong.

“So I’ll need you to work hard. As the new commander of the Fifth Knight Order.”

“I will do as you command.”

Rihirt bowed his head and answered. But not a hint of loyalty could be found in his calm voice.

His acceptance of the commander position was solely due to the imperial order, with no other reason. Of course, the capital’s nobles didn’t see it that way.

They believed he was reaching for power, not satisfied with just military might and wealth. The social circles were already buzzing with talk about Duke Weilgresle’s advancement to the center.

The person in question remained silent. Being insensitive not only to society but also to his surroundings, he was unlikely to know this fact.

Only a woman connected to the knight order briefly appeared and disappeared in his mind.

⁕⁕⁕

Rihirt von Weilgresle. That was the name of the man who was newly appointed as the knight order commander today.

Befitting the lord of a distant northern territory with no connection to the capital, very few rumors were heard about him. Even those rumors were about how he ruled over the vast northern territory, and how he had achieved remarkable military merit at a young age by preventing countless invasions from foreign tribes and protecting the border.

Chris believed that the more impressive and excellent a noble was, the greater their personal flaws. Things like personality, character, or temperament.

And the moment he faced the real “Rihirt von Weilgresle” who had just arrived at the knight order, he wanted to believe it even more strongly.

He was such a handsome man that he could easily overshadow all the noble men rumored to be good-looking in the capital. He had the talent to make even another man momentarily lose himself while looking at him.

As if born differently, his hair color was that rare, noble platinum blonde. Unlike his tall, slender physique, his features were like a mask crafted both sharply and delicately. His cold and indifferent expression, rather than appearing arrogant, made his beauty stand out even more.

In front of this perfect creation that was hard to believe was human, Chris momentarily forgot even to assume a salute posture. As he belatedly paid his respects and conveyed words of welcome, he glanced around, suddenly remembering someone.

‘More importantly, I don’t see Asha…… No, it might be fortunate she’s not here.’

The other knights beside him thought the same. They all felt somewhat anxious because it was just a few days ago that Anasha had caused a commotion, saying she couldn’t accept the new commander. And Anasha didn’t appear until the inauguration ceremony ended.

⁕⁕⁕

Rihirt could finally be alone when he arrived at the commander’s office. Even entering the capital had been on quite a tight schedule. On top of that, he had to carry out a confidential mission, so his accumulated fatigue was considerable.

He leaned the sword engraved with the imperial seal against the side of the desk. Then he placed one hand on the mahogany desk. It was a habit born from the compulsion to do something whenever he sat down.

There didn’t seem to be anything that needed immediate attention. Rihirt closed his eyes deeply and then opened them.

There was no one at the inauguration ceremony who could be identified as the woman he had seen that day. Since they were all men, he would have recognized her immediately if she had been there.

The hairpin he had brought, thinking he could return it, was still in his possession. He felt an inexplicable sense of emptiness, but he didn’t know why. After all, he could simply discard an item that couldn’t find its owner.

“Vice-Commander Kalif. May I come in?”

At that moment, Rihirt was awakened from his thoughts by a voice accompanied by a knock. As soon as he granted permission, the door opened, and the black-haired man he had seen at the inauguration ceremony entered.

“Let me introduce myself once more. I am Vice Knight Commander Kalif Münbert.”

Kalif, who had bowed politely in greeting, approached the desk. Then, placing the leather folder he was holding on the desk, he continued.