Crackle, crackle.
The thunderclouds densely blanketing the sky above the forest twisted all at once.
It wasn’t merely a sign that lightning would strike.
“Your Majesty!”
The elite forces of the Security Bureau and the Imperial Court Mages rushed over to the Emperor.
While the Black Sword glared at the Yellow Tower Master, Andre’s expression darkened as he examined the Emperor’s condition.
“This is bad.”
Even at a glance, his state was far from good.
And if he were to remain in a place saturated with lightning energy, there was no telling what might happen.
Andre suddenly snapped his head this way and shouted.
“Oscar! Take His Majesty and return to the Imperial Palace at once!”
“Right now?”
“If His Majesty remains here, our top priority will inevitably become his protection. In that case, the burden on the White Tower Master—who must face the Yellow Tower Master alone—will only increase.”
It wasn’t wrong.
If Andre and Sasha joined forces, then no matter that it was the Yellow Tower Master, they could contend with him.
But if Andre withdrew from the front line and focused solely on protecting the Emperor, the outcome could not be guaranteed.
‘The one concern is that I’d be leaving the battlefield....’
Oscar bit down on his lip.
The lesson he had learned in his previous life was that no matter how capable an individual might be, one cannot do everything alone.
At times, it is just as important to trust allies and companions, and to entrust them with burdens.
Having reached that conclusion, Oscar immediately placed his hand on the Emperor’s abdomen and spoke.
“I will return as soon as I confirm that His Majesty has received proper treatment.”
“I’ll be counting on you.”
Behind Andre’s faint smile—
At the same moment he saw the enraged sky scattering thick bolts of lightning—
The figures of Oscar and Ludwig vanished from the battlefield.
Fwoooosh!
The corridor of the Imperial Palace they arrived at by leaping through space was filled only with silence.
The sounds of thunder and magical explosions that had filled the battlefield moments ago still rang in their ears.
Dropping to one knee and holding Ludwig in his arms, Oscar shouted,
“Is anyone here?!”
With that single shout, the palace’s stillness shattered in an instant.
Armed knights rushed out from both sides of the corridor and surrounded him at once.
“Hmm? Isn’t that Oscar Crucian?”
Just as the knight who recognized him was about to say something—
He saw who Oscar was holding and sharply inhaled.
“Y-Your Majesty?”
“What on earth...?”
“It’s urgent! Bring the palace healers and priests immediately, and prepare a clean room!”
The knight who had recognized Oscar quickly came to his senses and spoke.
“T-This way, please.”
After guiding them to the nearest and cleanest room, the knight asked,
“What in the world happened?”
“It’s a long story. For now, make sure no rumors spread about this until His Majesty awakens.”
“Understood. My men have gone to summon the healers and priests, so please wait a moment.”
Having finished speaking, the knight left the room and personally stood guard at the entrance.
Oscar simply stared blankly at the Emperor lying on the pristine white bed.
“...Aside from me, you’re the only one who would make such a racket in my palace.”
“Your Majesty?”
Ludwig slowly opened his eyes and tried to rise.
Oscar hurriedly pressed down on his upper body to stop him.
“You must not get up right now. Please rest first and receive treatment.”
“Don’t make a fuss. It’s nothing more than an injured arm.”
He glanced at his charred arm as if it were nothing.
Of course, once priests and healers attended to him, it would heal—but for now, the pain should have been excruciating.
And yet, the Emperor showed not the slightest sign of it.
Of course, one who stands at the supreme position ruling all must remain unshaken in any situation.
Oscar knew that all too well, which only made him angrier.
“What were you thinking?”
“...Scolding a patient who’s barely regained consciousness. Just like you.”
“Don’t joke. Do you realize you could have died just now?”
If he had reacted even a little later—if he hadn’t learned spatial magic—
There would have been no one present capable of responding to the Yellow Tower Master’s lightning.
Ludwig looked at him for a moment before turning his gaze out the window.
Though the location was different, the same moon he had seen in Valdes Forest hung in the night sky.
“I have no excuse. It was my mistake. Perhaps my aging body has dulled my judgment.”
“Your Majesty!”
That wasn’t what Oscar wanted to hear, and as he raised his voice, Ludwig gave a bitter smile.
“Oscar, do you know how long I have spent alongside the Yellow Tower Master?”
“...At least several decades, I would think.”
“Exactly 79 years.”
The moon reflected in the Emperor’s eyes shone dimly.
“Other than Andre, he is the one with whom I have had the longest relationship among those close to me.”
“...So you wanted to believe in him?”
“As you may recall, your master was also my master when I was Crown Prince.”
“That’s right.”
Because of that, the three of them often gathered together, and through those conversations, he had grown close to the Emperor as well.
“But before that, did you know that the current Yellow Tower Master once temporarily held that position?”
Oscar shook his head.
This was something he had never known.
“This is the first I’ve heard of it.”
“I suppose so. The late Emperor strictly enforced silence on that matter.”
To be the Crown Prince’s master was, in itself, immense power and a great achievement.
Once the Crown Prince ascended the throne, even he could not treat his teacher lightly.
So curiosity arose.
What could have happened for that position of teacher to be replaced?
Sensing Oscar’s question, Ludwig spoke first.
“The late Emperor judged that the Yellow Tower Master’s method of teaching was somewhat dangerous.”
“If it’s his method...”
“A nature that pursues practical gain over justification, and results over process.”
It was a personality Oscar now knew well.
He didn’t think it was necessarily bad, but it was indeed concerning for someone destined to lead the Empire.
Perhaps that was why his own kind-hearted master had been placed in that role instead.
“He was always like that. Put kindly, he was highly ambitious; put less kindly, he was never satisfied with what he had.”
Higher, greater, more valuable.
Thanks to that very nature, the Yellow Tower Master ultimately created the pinnacle of magitech and left his name in history.
Oscar, too, had thought that after achieving such feats, he would no longer cling to power.
After all, magitech was a discipline of more than sufficient worth.
“...Still, he was once my teacher. Though time has passed, out of respect for him, I refrained from even calling him by name whenever possible.”
“Ah.”
Oscar nodded unconsciously.
Indeed, while the Emperor freely referred to other Tower Masters—Kudel, Seruin, and so on—he had never once heard him call Pentarion by name.
“Perhaps because my expectations were so great, my disappointment was equally great. And perhaps I also wanted to confirm something.”
Ludwig gave a self-deprecating smile.
“No matter how unruly the Yellow Tower Master may be, I wanted to see whether, if it were me—his former student and now the Emperor of the Empire—personally placing him in shackles, he would obediently comply.”
“...Even so, it was far too dangerous.”
“I know. And I paid the price for it.”
The Emperor slightly raised his charred arm as if presenting evidence.
Keeping his gaze fixed out the window, he continued.
“But now, we have crossed a river from which there is no return.”
Oscar said nothing.
He simply steadied his emotions and waited for the Emperor to speak.
After gazing out the window for a long time, the Emperor slowly opened his mouth.
“Oscar.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“By the name of the Emperor, I command you. Take the Heavenly Sword and return to Valdes Forest to arrest Pentarion Ereus. If he refuses to comply and resists to the end.”
Ludwig closed his eyes.
“You may execute him on the spot.”
Oscar immediately dropped to one knee and bowed his head.
“I will obey your command.”
The Heavenly Sword’s estate was quiet upon his return.
Oscar stood silently in the outdoor training ground where he had once sparred with Cheon Ajin, waiting.
“I can definitely feel a familiar mana from this direction... huh, hyung-nim?”
Cheon Ajin, who spotted him, widened his eyes and ran over.
“You’ve been well?”
“I’ve been well. What brings you all the way here?”
Sensing that Oscar’s expression was unusual, Cheon Ajin asked cautiously.
“I’ve come to see the Heavenly Sword.”
“Ah... Grandfather has currently entered closed-door training. He’s aiming to reach Level 9.”
“I know.”
That was, in fact, the biggest reason he hadn’t been able to bring the Heavenly Sword along for this operation in the first place.
How could he drag along a man who had shut himself away, ignoring everything, to break through to Level 9?
But now that the Emperor’s command had been issued, things were different.
Slightly flustered by Oscar’s serious expression, Cheon Ajin asked,
“Is it... something that important?”
“It’s an order from His Majesty the Emperor.”
Gasp—!
With a sharp intake of breath, Cheon Ajin’s lips trembled.
“A-An order from His Majesty...”
“Even if he’s in closed-door training, it can’t be helped. We need the Heavenly Sword’s assistance.”
They had to bring him out no matter what.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Cheon Ajin nodded.
“Understood. Please follow me.”
The place he led him to was a shabby hut located in the forest behind the training ground.
Upon entering and moving aside the furniture, a wooden staircase leading downward was revealed.
“Grandfather is inside.”
“Thank you.”
After thanking Cheon Ajin, Oscar descended the stairs.
Only after going down for quite a while did he find a door, which he quietly knocked on.
— I distinctly said not to let anyone in.
The Heavenly Sword’s voice, tinged with irritation, came from inside.
“It’s me, Oscar.”
— What business does a brat like you have here?
“There is somewhere you must come with me.”
— I am in closed-door training. Leave.
“You must come.”
At Oscar’s firm voice, the door flung open.
The Heavenly Sword, eyes gleaming sharply, spoke with a rather angry expression.
“You brat, did you think a mere Sword Petition could break my closed-door training?”
“I didn’t come to use that.”
At Oscar’s serious demeanor, the Heavenly Sword calmed slightly and asked,
“Then what is it?”
“His Majesty the Emperor has been attacked by the Yellow Tower Master and is currently receiving treatment.”
“It is His Majesty’s command. Take the Heavenly Sword and apprehend the Yellow Tower Master. If he resists violently in the process, execute him on the spot.”
Realizing this was no joke, the Heavenly Sword let out a sigh.
“That greedy Yellow Tower Master... in the end, he even interferes with my ascent to Level 9.”
“You can reach it later, can’t you?”
“Tch, things like this must be seized at the right moment, or the flow gets interrupted... enough. Let’s go.”
The Heavenly Sword’s expression turned solemn.
“Hearing that His Majesty has been injured... even I find myself quite angered.”
Thud—
The moment Oscar felt the Heavenly Sword place a hand on his shoulder,
He snapped his fingers without hesitation.

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