Chapter 54

The swift horse galloped through the grand gates of Galuamaria a few days after Ralugd-An's report.

Initially, a gag order was imposed to prevent chaos within the city, but it was impossible to confine words within a cage. The truth, embellished with additional details, spread throughout the city.

— It was said that the rebellion of the emblem followers had led to the crucifixion of the lord. It was also said that several lords' heads were already displayed at the gates of the Galrist Kingdom.

The truth was distorted, greatly frightening and exciting the citizens of Galuamaria, who were accustomed to peace.

However, it was all like a fire on the other side of the river.

There was no more interesting spectacle than this. No matter how far the threat spread, it was unlikely to reach this sanctuary.

For this was the walled city of Galuamaria, a sacred city that had never once been defiled in history.

*

That day, it was known that Karia was in a particularly good mood, and this became a topic of conversation at the headquarters of the guard corps.

Karia, a knight of the Galrist Kingdom, was now treated as a guest by the guard corps. Her appearance was as refined as a sharpened sword, and her sword skills were as sharp as one would not expect from a woman's slender arms.

She was like the very embodiment of a knight that everyone aspired to be.

Despite being called a guest, her mood greatly influenced the topics of conversation among the guards, especially the regular members. This was more out of admiration and envy than affection or infatuation.

Since Karia had made the guard corps her base, she had become a subject of gossip among the members, and this was no different today.

"Your mood seems to be... quite good, Lady Karia."

At the man's words, Karia turned from the window and said, "There's no need to call me 'Lady.'"

The private room assigned to her as a guest had a particularly wide view from the window.

As the rumors suggested, Karia's mood seemed to be not bad. Her words were not soft, but her cheeks were relaxed, and her eyes, usually sharp, were softened.

In fact, Karia was so elated that her heart felt like it was about to burst. Her eyes sparkled like those of a child. It was not surprising that her joy was reflected in her demeanor.

"I am only a guest. There's no need to venerate or fear me."

Nevertheless, Karia spoke in a calm voice, as if suppressing her joy.

"That is not the case. At least... for a man like me, it is difficult."

He shrugged slightly, and Karia's silver hair swayed as she turned away from the window.

This man seemed to have such a nature. He was not necessarily an authoritarian, but he took the formalities and customs very seriously. Perhaps due to his influence, most of the guard corps began to address Karia as 'Lady.'

Karia exhaled softly and continued, her voice tinged with a hint of curiosity.

"But what happened to your jaw, Deputy Captain? Surely it wasn't a fairy's mischief that caused it, was it?"

The man's appearance was peculiar. His distinctive lizard-like eyes were already striking, but now he had a scarf tied around his mouth to support his broken jaw, and he had to hold his jaw with his hand while speaking to form words properly.

For a moment, the air in the room became heavy.

An ugly emotion, not expressed in words or attitude, seeped into the air. It was only for a brief moment, but it was enough to make one want to cover their nose with the stench.

Karia's long eyelashes blinked, and the man's shoes made a slight sound.

"...It's nothing to worry about."

This. Karia couldn't help but sigh deeply in her heart.

It was clearly something to worry about. The fact that a deputy captain of the guard corps had returned with a broken jaw during a patrol was unprecedented.

However, the captain, Helt Stanly, and his subordinates, who were supposed to have been with him, remained silent. It was as if nothing had happened. In fact, within the guard corps, it was treated as if nothing had happened.

Perhaps because it was not long since the incident, the deputy captain had already returned to duty.

It seemed that his original duties were too difficult, so he was assigned to guard Karia, and probably to monitor her as well.

Karia was annoyed by the man's reluctance to speak and closed her lips. Almost immediately, the man, supporting his jaw with his hand, spoke in a hesitant manner.

"Perhaps... something good has been given to you by the heavens, Lady Karia?"

It seemed he was trying to steer the conversation back to the original topic. Karia raised her eyebrows, realizing he still didn't want to talk about himself.

However, Karia didn't dislike his words. They tickled her heart and reminded her of a blissful feeling.

"Yes. I am not a young girl whose mood changes with the weather. Yesterday, I received a letter from my father. It was sealed with wax. A letter from a close one is always welcome, especially when they are far away."

Karia turned back to the window, silently indicating that she had nothing more to say.

The man seemed to have no intention of pressing further. He seemed to want to avoid upsetting Karia, who had been in a bad mood recently.

— In fact, Karia's mood had been at its worst until yesterday.

Especially after hearing about the rebellion of the emblem followers. Everyone around her speculated that the news of the heretics' rebellion in her homeland was causing her distress, but that was not the case.

What was gnawing at her was frustration.

The curtain had already been raised, and the actors were gradually taking the stage. Yet, she felt like she was just standing on the sidelines, given a role and then left alone.

She almost wanted to throw away this role and rush onto the stage.

Then, finally, the letter was handed to her.

It was sealed with wax. The seal, mimicking the emblem of the Bardonic family, was rather ugly, but the intent was clear.

— It was undoubtedly a letter from Ruis.

Whether it was the real thing or a forgery, the ugly seal was impossible to replicate. If so, there was only one person in the world who could send such a thing.

The joy she felt when she saw and touched it was indescribable. Her blood seemed to quicken, and her body felt as if it was infused with energy.

Her heart, which had never trembled even in battle against large magical beasts, was now beating with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. Karia remembered how her fingertips, usually steady, had a slight tremor.

The content itself was simple.

It conveyed the current situation and future plans. The wax seal was likely to prevent censorship, so the truth was hidden in veiled language, which Karia carefully pieced together.

The letter outlined a plan to wear down both the guard corps and the emblem followers by keeping them in a stalemate, eventually leading to the collapse of the emblem followers. The timing and methods were hinted at indirectly.

In essence, the letter suggested that the honor of bringing down the emblem followers would be claimed.

When Karia finished piecing together the intent of the letter, she couldn't help but chuckle. It was a rather rough and overly simplistic plan, typical of him.

However, she didn't feel like mocking or ridiculing it. The chuckle was more like a warm, gentle emotion stirring in her heart.

When she tucked the letter into her chest, her expression, which had been calm and gentle, suddenly turned sharp and cold.

Like the way angels and devils are sometimes depicted as two sides of the same coin. The gentle, embracing smile transformed into a sharp, piercing one in an instant.

— Fool. No matter how much you achieve or how much you are recognized, the world will not change.

Karia, with a smile still on her face, felt as if her entire insides were pierced by ice.

Yes, in this world, birth is everything. Those born as knights remain knights, those born as nobles remain nobles, and those born as commoners remain commoners. And those born into poverty remain poor.

This will not change. It will not change because those who rule the country, the kings and nobles, maintain this unchanging order.

Karia understood this well. She understood it even more because she had been in a higher position. No matter how much Ruis achieved, the world would never recognize him.

What could he gain as an adventurer? Not even the land of a poor noble.

How despicable. How infuriating. No matter how much suffering and longing Ruis endured to reach for glory, he would never achieve it. This world has no capacity to recognize him.

— Then, Ruis, you have no choice but to engulf this world in the whirlwind of change.

Karia did not notice that her reflection in the window showed a blissful, melting expression.

This world is narrow-minded and will never recognize you. As it stands, you will not even be able to touch glory with your fingertips.

But rest assured. Rest easy, deep in your heart.

I will pave the way to glory for you. I will take you to the heights, alongside me.

Yes, not as that black-haired magician, not as the childhood friend who claims to be by your side, but as me.

Her expression was beautiful, and her heart was cold. Karia's silver eyes, reflecting her will, sparkled in the window.