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However, Euphemia and Laura didn’t know why Ferzen had been exuding such an aura.

They just continued to eat their meal while enduring the tingling atmosphere.

In his own way, Ferzen was doing his best not to reveal his feelings.

However, instead of putting the people around him at ease, his cold expression only made them even more tense.

‘I see…’

Cough-!!

Laura, who had choked while eating her meal, looked at him, probably because she didn’t want to irritate him.

Ferzen had tried to clear his troubled mind by starting the day with his usual routine.

However, he realized now that it was a mistake, so he could only laugh.

“Yuriel.”

“Yes……”

“Today is an important day, so we should leave a little earlier.”

“Okay… I’ll go outside first.”

Even if it’s not Roer.

The Elmark Empire would certainly get frustrated because of how slow Prince Inas had been.

Therefore, they might even try to interfere with their plans.

Even though the Ernes Empire’s delegation had told Prince Inas that the goal of the Elmark Empire was war and had made those who had connections with them back away a few steps……

There was still a possibility that the Roverium Kingdom would dismiss it as a simple smokescreen and continue its relationship with the Elmark Empire.

So, if information leaked out…

“……”

As Ferzen contemplated these matters, he became aware that Euphemia was standing outside the door without uttering a word.

Certainly, he hadn’t expected this turn of events after killing Ciel Midford.

However, in the face of the unfolding reality, Ferzen was struck by how unexpectedly sensitive he had become.

Upon reflection, he realized that the reason Prince Raymond and Princess Elizabeth had chosen this particular course of action was likely influenced by his own actions.

When he looked back at the meeting he had with both Prince Raymond and Princess Elizabeth, he could discern that they had opted for this method because he had inadvertently encouraged them in that direction.

Even though it might be a lengthier and more cumbersome approach, Ferzen knew that asking his older brother, Jeremiah, to shift the battle into a pure financial power struggle would be the more prudent course to take.

But why was he so reluctant to take that path?

‘Right.’

The answer to his own question came quickly.

It was because Ferzen Von Schweig Brutein,

Or rather, the Villain of this World,

Was trying to forcefully render the shackles of Roer obsolete and give the mutt an opportunity to bare his fangs.

After all, even a cornered rat would bite its hunter, but that would only force the hunter to chase him with renewed vigor.

If that’s the case, the tension he’s feeling right now wasn’t the fear of the unknown……

No.

It was the instinct of a beast preparing to hunt its prey.

Step-!!

After taking a deep breath, Ferzen headed to the royal castle of the Roverium Kingdom with Yuriel who was waiting for him at the front door.

* * * * *

The bell atop the spire of the royal castle chimed, sending its beautiful sound echoing throughout the capital city of Roverium Kingdom.

It was now 12 P.M.

In the plaza below the royal castle, a large gathering of people from the capital had assembled.

“……Lord Louerg.”

“Is there something wrong?”

Ferzen turned to a young nobleman who had accompanied him from the North.

“Given the crowd gathering in the plaza… I fear there’s a chance that the Elmark Empire might employ some unsavory methods.”

“They won’t do anything of the sort. Do you believe they would dispose of pawns that are essential for their plans after making promises of a revolution?”

“……”

“On the contrary, if word of this leaks out, the Elmark Empire might intervene to prevent this speech from happening. So, patrol carefully within the kingdom.”

“I understand.”

Ferzen heard numerous footsteps, all marching in perfect unison. However, there was no chatter among the people, creating an atmosphere of solemnity.

Creak-!!

The large doors at the end of the hallway swung open, and the First Prince of Roverium Kingdom entered. Ferzen and the other nobles calmly cleared a path for him.

“……”

Sensing the gravity of the situation, the First Prince advanced slowly until he stood before the gathered crowd in the square.

He could see all of them.

Elderly individuals with wrinkled faces.

Young men and women filled with potential.

Children gazing up at him from the arms of their parents.

The knowledge that the people born within his weak kingdom had suffered greatly in the struggle between the two empires weighed heavily on his heart.

But above all else, Prince Maurice was tormented by the sight of his own blood-shared brother, Inas, who watched him from the other side of the plaza.

…If, later on, Inas agreed with his speech,

He wouldn’t merely be regarded as a foolish prince.

He would become a high-ranking criminal who had willingly ushered the great evil of the Elmark Empire into the kingdom.

In reality, he was nothing but a child burdened with a weight heavier than anyone else, making sacrifices for his kingdom.

However, the world was oblivious to this fact.

Moreover, he, the older brother of that child, couldn’t alleviate the situation.

……In fact, he was on the verge of pushing his weaker brother off a cliff with his own hands.

‘I’m sorry………’

A few days ago, they had a conversation after a long time.

He had told his younger brother that he didn’t want anything in return for his sacrifices.

The memory of his brother’s smile, as he savored tea and cookies in the castle after a long time, flashed through his mind.

That’s right. Inas Del Prussiam Roverium.

His brother was giving his own life as a sacrifice, and in return, he received a simple meal as a reward.

Therefore……

“Listen!”

My dearest brother……

“I, Maurice Del Prussiam Roverium, do not stand here as the proxy of the Ernes Empire……”

If, in the next life, we are born as brothers again…

“I stand here of my own will as the prince of the kingdom you live in–!”

Please, let us eat without any worries.

Let’s run around without a care in the world.

* * * * *

‘Older brother……’

Even though the distance between them was quite a lot.

When their gazes met, albeit quickly, Inas still smiled bitterly.

‘Do not worry, older brother. Your little brother is……’

Not as weak as you might imagine.

「The earthquake which happened that night which claimed the lives of 192 people…….It was the work of none other than the Elmark Empire!」

「My people……! I understand that you are angry with the Ernes Empire, But……! Don’t be swayed any longer……」

「Do not forget that your life is entirely yours!」

「Oh, my people, who have come to believe that even misfortune brought on by others is their own……」

If you want to cry, do it because you choose to.

If you want to laugh, do it because you want to.

Stop letting other people dictate your life.

「Rage if your desire is to do so……!」

「Laugh if your desire is to do so……!」

「My beloved people who were born in a powerless kingdom…… 」

「Please! I implore you to live an independent life. 」

This is your humble prince’s.

Last request.

Please listen carefully.

“……”

“……”

“……”

The silence hanging over the plaza cast a profound stillness.

Even the children held in their parents’ arms gazed at Prince Maurice with wide, bright eyes, refraining from bursting into tears.

Although his speech contained mixed opinions about the Ernes Empire, it also carried sincere parts that touched the hearts of the people.

That sincerity was potent enough to stir their emotions.

Yet, Prince Inas knew it could also ignite other sentiments within them.

He could only imagine the hostility they would face once they turned their backs.

Prince Inas gently closed his eyes.

He couldn’t deny his fear.

If this was the revenge of those who had harbored resentment against the powerless kingdom for so long, Prince Inas was ready to accept it.

“Marquis.”

“……”

“Let’s go. If we deny it when their anger reaches its peak, when they pull the strings of their bows, the arrows will still pierce their necks.”

Starting something meant seeing it through to perfection.

So Prince Inas reluctantly voiced words he didn’t wish to say to Marquis Phrygia.

“Marquis?”

However, Prince Inas received no response.

He felt a growing sense of detachment from Marquis Phrygia, who remained unfazed and wore a calm expression.

“Forget it.”

“What…?”

“Prince, haven’t I told you before?”

“……”

“I despise people who live according to their convictions.”

Marquis Phrygia raised the corners of his mouth in an enigmatic grin, gazing down at Prince Inas.

“They’re tricky to handle, aren’t they? On the other hand, there’s nothing quite like those who’ve adhered to their way of life for a long time. In that sense, I pity the Ernes Empire’s foolish attempts at enlightenment, providing commoners with futile opportunities for education. Perhaps they think it’s a service to instruct those barbaric worms.”

“You…!”

“In the end, playing house with you was nothing more than a brief diversion.”

As Marquis Phrygia’s mouth curled into another smirk, the ground suddenly trembled.

Rumble-!!

Followed by a deafening explosion.

Booooom-!!

The warehouse situated within Roverium Kingdom’s Royal Castle erupted in a massive explosion, bursting into flames.

Kyaaaaaahhh-!!

Panic erupted among the gathered crowd in the square.

People screamed and scattered in all directions.

In an instant, the royal castle, the very symbol of their kingdom, was engulfed in flames.

A pungent and charred odor filled the air, leaving the people too bewildered to think clearly.

And as if summoned by their screams……

Thousands of black butterflies unfurled their elegant wings and fluttered towards the capital, adorning the skies with their dark presence.

* * * * *

“Leaving this place is our utmost priority. Wizards, fend off the fire. Knights, escort the nobles and get them to safety!”

Inside the chaotic royal castle, a scene of organized evacuation was unfolding.

The flames, not conjured by magic, defied easy extinguishing, and the search for their ignition point was fruitless.

Thus, the primary goal was to evacuate everyone from the castle.

The evacuation was swift, with nobles and servants making their way through passages that hadn’t yet been consumed by the inferno.

While it was an unsettling path, they had little choice.

“Yuriel…!”

“I-I’m right behind you…! Don’t worry!”

Ferzen, who had already brought out Isabel’s corpse, now focused his attention on Yuriel.

He couldn’t determine if Roer was responsible for this fire, but regardless of the culprit, his priority was to ensure Yuriel’s safety.

‘I have the First Prince with me, so I just need to know that His Highness the Prince and Her Highness the Princess are leaving safely.’

More than the flames, the choking smoke concerned Ferzen. He covered his mouth with a handkerchief and asked a nearby knight.

“How is His Highness the Prince and Her Highness the Princess?”

“Cough! I’m not sure who aided His Highness the Prince, but Lord Roer evacuated Her Highness the Princess!”

“Is that so…”

Ferzen couldn’t shake his unease about Roer, but if this fire was truly his doing, it seemed to serve no clear purpose. He couldn’t discern what Roer would gain from it.

Conversely, if the Elmark Empire was responsible, this act would only stoke more resistance from the people of the Roverium Kingdom.

It was a puzzling situation indeed.

In the capital which had been changed over the years due to them becoming the vassal state of the Ernes Empire, this royal castle was the only remaining trace of the past.

Trying to burn the royal castle, which held a symbolic meaning, seemed to be nothing but foolishness on their part.

And even though Ferzen didn’t know where the ignition point was, he was sure it was not inside the castle.

After all, due to the material of the building, the fire would not stick to it, so only the exterior would be slightly burned and the shape would remain intact.

“Excuse me…… ! This is the window that was used by those who escaped first!”

Due to the changing air pressure that was caused by the fire, the smoke inside was rapidly escaping through the broken windows.

Ferzen, who was about to follow after making a path out of ice to send Yuriel down, leaving behind the knights that would jump down with the nobles they embraced……

“……”

……Stopped as he witnessed a huge number of butterflies flying towards the castle.

That’s right, those butterflies were flying in his direction where the flames soared like moths.

It was a black butterfly with golden stripes on the tips of its wings—its name was Provenus.

Its other names were Ashes Chasing Butterfly as well as Black Death Butterfly.

Buzz-!!

Crackling-!!

Every time an Ash esChasing Butterfly landed on the scorched building’s surface, it was consumed by the flames, and an acrid smell filled the air.

These butterflies, seemingly carrying flammable oil with them, inadvertently intensified the fire.

“Ferzen…!”

Yuriel’s voice called out from below, but Ferzen couldn’t heed her call, or perhaps he chose not to.

This method of burning a building using Ashes Chasing Butterflies was eerily reminiscent of the ending of the last volume of the famous mystery novel, “The Disappearance of Rosemary.”

“Haha…”

The flames danced in the wind, singeing Ferzen’s hair.

He took a few steps back, then turned away.

What were the chances that this incident was merely a copycat crime inspired by a fictional event in a detective novel, with the royal castle as the stage?

Ferzen couldn’t help but interpret this as a deliberate invitation aimed squarely at him.

If someone had been diligently gathering information about Ferzen von Schweig Brutein, they would have easily discovered his affinity for reading the mystery novel “The Disappearance of Rosemary.”

‘Alright……’

If that’s the case, then this incident… is this the stage you’ve set?

“Roer Poliana Claudia.”

The castle, now a landing ground for thousands of Ashes Chasing Butterflies, suddenly turned black.

The flames, strengthened by the butterflies, roared to life, engulfing the castle like a dying bud.

In the midst of this inferno, Ferzen descended slowly, walking through the burning royal castle.

This was his response to Roer’s invitation.

TL Note: Anyways, I did a lot of stuff for next month chapters already lads! Yay!

Also also, Imma go play volley ball in….. 3 hours (I hate it, Im just going because this girl I was dating {Yes you heard it right this, mommy finally landed some game} Is a volley nut)

Read this shit

The Astonishing Spider-Man & Talon —- By ‘Forget the Hyphen’

Im not even joking, chapter 19 made me cry, wtf is going on with me recently…..