It was reassuring. I realized anew just how much strength it gave me to have Ascan by my side.

I looked at Ascan and laughed helplessly.

“You must not get hurt.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Have you thought about how to face them?”

“The Duke’s forces are numerous, but the longer this turns into a prolonged war, the more advantageous it becomes for us. They must rely on supplies from the duchy, while we can lock the capital’s gates and endure for a long time.”

“If the civil war causes too much damage to the Lazent Empire, it will become difficult to restrain the Karua Empire. Is it really okay to let this drag into a protracted conflict?”

Sensing my concern, Ascan gently stroked my head with his large hand.

“Don’t be impatient. For now, the Duke may seem dominant, but once their food supply is cut off, they’ll be cornered. There are countless ways to win without ever drawing a sword against them.”

Indeed, I could never catch up to his thinking—he had far more experience.

If we buy time, magical engineering weapons from the Arwen Empire will arrive. Equipping ourselves with those will surely help.

“Yes, you’re right. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Your safety—remaining unharmed—that’s how you help me.”

Hearing his words, filled with affection, I found myself smiling happily without even realizing it.

Even in such a dire situation, being beside Ascan kept making me smile.

Just then, we heard footsteps approaching. I turned to see Carlton and Zen walking toward us.

Unlike my puzzled expression, Ascan spoke softly, as if he’d expected their arrival.

“I summoned them. With the Empress and the Duke absent, the Dowager Empress has completely seized control of the Imperial Palace. That’s where you’ll be. For now, it’s the safest place.”

“Understood.”

Retanda and Raila were outside the capital. Naturally, they remained with their own forces, which had encircled the capital.

Up close, I noticed Carlton, like Ascan, was also clad in armor. He stepped behind Ascan and reported.

“All preparations are complete, Captain.”

“Good.”

Ascan nodded and turned his gaze to Zen.

“I’m entrusting Tanashia’s safety to you.”

In the past, Zen would have reacted unpleasantly to such a remark. But now, he replied with an indifferent expression.

“Don’t worry. It’s naturally my duty.”

Somehow—I couldn’t quite put my finger on it—but it felt as though the relationship between Ascan and Zen had improved slightly since their first meeting.

I was gazing at them with quiet satisfaction when—

A royal guard clad in armor entered, bowed his head, and reported to Ascan in a solemn voice.

“Captain, a soldier assigned to watch the Crown Prince has come requesting to deliver a message to the young lady.”

Ascan asked with a puzzled expression.

“To Tanashia?”

“Yes.”

“What message does he bring?”

“He says… the Crown Prince requests an audience with the young lady.”

This was unexpected. I never imagined Shusain would ask to see me first.

Ascan wordlessly looked at me, as if asking what I wished to do.

Last time we met, Shusain had refused to step down from the Crown Prince position. Although I’d given him time to reconsider, I assumed he was still in the process of letting go.

But now, suddenly requesting to see me—I couldn’t fathom why.

“Well, since I’m heading to the Imperial Palace anyway, I’ll meet with the Crown Prince.”

Ascan made a face as if he didn’t like the idea, but nodded in reluctant agreement.

Though the atmosphere within the capital was chaotic, he apparently judged there was no serious threat to me, since Retanda’s troops were entirely stationed outside.

“Once you finish speaking with the Crown Prince, head straight to the Imperial Palace.”

“I will. Don’t worry about me—you’re the one I’m worried about.”

Ascan chuckled softly, turned his body, and murmured,

“I’ve arranged for someone outside to escort you safely to the Imperial Palace. See you later.”

Truthfully, I was more worried about his safety—but I knew if I refused the escort, he’d just assign someone secretly anyway, so I accepted.

Stopping Retanda’s forces encircling the capital wouldn’t be easy.

I wanted to stay with him, but feared I’d only hinder him, so I held back.

As I watched Ascan’s retreating figure growing distant, I called out,

“I said it earlier too—don’t get hurt. Above all else, your safety comes first.”

Ascan’s steps halted momentarily. He glanced back at me. His golden eyes narrowed slightly, glimmering with amusement.

As if my concern delighted him.

“Prepare a reward for me once this civil war ends. There’s plenty I want to receive… from you.”

Suddenly, I recalled Ascan’s words long ago—when he’d said if he ever learned to control the undying flame, he’d ask me for a reward.

─No matter how much it’s for your sake, if I ever gain control over my power as you wish, you must give me a reward.

Back then, I’d somewhat regretted accepting his proposal so readily.

But not anymore.

“Just name it. I’ll give you anything you want.”

If he desired it, there was nothing I wouldn’t give him. Thus, I answered without the slightest hesitation.

Ascan laughed, unable to contain himself, his eyes softening at the corners. Then, in a voice even more subdued than before, he spoke.

“Don’t you dare forget those words.”

Ascan strode resolutely toward the location where his troops were assembled. Thanks to Tanashia’s words just moments ago, his steps felt lighter than ever.

What kind of reward should he claim?

Merely imagining it brought a smile to his lips.

Behind him, shadowing his every step, Carlton cautiously spoke up.

“Captain.”

“Speak.”

“A message arrived earlier from the Parusa Guild. They say locating the Arhane flower is proving difficult—it seems it’ll take quite some time.”

Ascan’s advancing foot faltered for a moment.

The Arhane flower was the only medicinal herb capable of healing his condition.

He had mobilized every available intelligence network to find it, yet no meaningful news had arrived, leaving him increasingly anxious.

Last time, when assassins from the Karua Empire infiltrated the Lazent Empire, Ascan summoned the undying flame to save Tanashia.

He knew he shouldn’t exert his power to the maximum—but he pushed himself anyway, worsening his condition.

Yet despite this, Ascan was once again stepping forward to confront Retanda.

“…I see.”

Ascan resumed his step as if nothing had happened. Outwardly, no trace of disturbance was visible.

“Captain… this may be an overstepping question, but wasn’t the Arhane flower something you once sought for Commander Bill? Could it be… you still care for him?”

Carlton knew that, in the past, Ascan had searched for the Arhane flower for Bill’s sake.

Completely unaware of Ascan’s current physical state, Carlton mistakenly assumed Ascan was still seeking the flower for Bill.

Ascan had no intention of revealing his condition to anyone, so he pretended ignorance.

“That’s none of your concern.”

At his cold reply, Carlton lowered his head helplessly.

“…Understood.”

“What’s the status of my earlier instructions?”

“I’ve arranged everything according to the will you drafted—should you pass away, all your assets and authority will transfer to the young lady. But… is it really necessary to prepare such things so soon?”

“No matter how much we wish to ignore it, we must prepare for the worst-case scenario.”

Ascan had no intention whatsoever of closing his eyes while leaving Tanashia behind. He would struggle until his final breath to remain alive beside her.

But even so—if death proved unavoidable…

He couldn’t help but consider what would happen after he was gone.

Even without him, Helsion would never abandon his pursuit of Tanashia. Therefore, he absolutely could not leave the Karua Empire as it was.

While still alive, he had to deal with Helsion and resolve his relationship with Bill. Only then could he close his eyes in even a sliver of peace.

‘Even if I die, I won’t allow anyone to lay a finger on Tanashia.’

He intended to shield her from every danger.

His proposal to elevate Dekain as Emperor of the Lazent Empire was partly for this reason too.

Of course, securing an alliance between the Arwen Empire and the Lazent Empire was another motive—but he also knew Dekain would actively involve himself in Tanashia’s affairs.

Ascan had been the first to notice Dekain’s feelings long ago.

It had been painful to watch Dekain—with his hidden, dark intentions—meet privately with Tanashia. Yet he endured it for one reason.

‘Still, better for her if he becomes Emperor of Lazent than some other man.’

He had always kept in mind the possibility—however slim—that he might die, leaving Tanashia alone.

He planned to soon confess his current physical condition honestly to Tanashia, but finding the right moment proved difficult.

If she learned his true state now, she would absolutely forbid him from confronting Retanda.

Yet he still had much left to accomplish.

Revealing his condition prematurely would only cause her needless worry, so the words wouldn’t leave his lips.

Moreover, imagining her sadness upon learning his condition made his heart ache as if being torn apart.

‘Not yet. Only after I’ve eliminated everything threatening Tanashia…’

Perhaps it was greedy. He simply wished to watch her smile happily at him for just a little longer.

Nothing was too precious to sacrifice for Tanashia. She had grown so large within his heart that nothing else mattered—no matter what became of it.

Even if it cost him his life.

As Ascan strode forward decisively, Carlton spoke up once more.

“By the way, Captain.”

“What?”

“While reviewing your will, I discovered something—I didn’t know the continent’s top mercenary group, Snen, and the infamous pirate crew, Theron, also belonged to you?”

Ascan didn’t merely operate the Adel Trading Company and the underworld guild Parusa.

He also commanded the secretive organization known as the continent’s finest mercenary group, Snen, and the notoriously lawless pirate crew, Theron.

Ascan glanced sideways at Carlton. Carlton flinched and waved his hands hastily.

“I—I was just curious! I wondered if the young lady knew about this too…”

“Didn’t I just tell you to stop concerning yourself with useless matters?”

“Huh!”

Carlton clamped his pot-lid-sized hand over his mouth. Then, carefully gauging Ascan’s expression, he cautiously spoke again.

“But wouldn’t the young lady be pleased to know? After all, what woman would reject a man of such capability…”

“Is that any of your business?”

At Ascan’s sharp retort, Carlton let out an awkward chuckle. Upon reflection, it wasn’t exactly a wrong observation.

Just then—

As they neared their destination, rows of armored figures came into view.

Their perfectly aligned, disciplined stance revealed how tightly their military discipline was maintained.

Though some were former royal guards who had crossed over to the Karua Empire, many faces were unfamiliar to Carlton.

These were members of the mercenary group Snen.

Ascan stepped before them all and spoke in a low voice.

“Is everyone assembled?”

In unison, many voices replied,

“Yes!”

Immediately, a man from the Snen mercenary group approached Ascan and reported.

“We’ve just received word—the pirate crew Theron has also mobilized. The Duke will now be unable to receive anything via sea routes.”

Ascan gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. Then, gazing at those gathered before him, he spoke.

“Then… shall we begin?”

It was time to reveal the full extent of his power.

Before heading to the Imperial Palace, I stopped by the place where Shusain was being held.

With many escorts assigned by Ascan, I left them at the entrance and entered inside with only Zen.

Shusain sprang to his feet the moment he saw me, as if he’d been waiting. Cradled in his arms was a tricolor cat.

“Your Highness, I heard you wished to see me.”

“Yes. You’ve finally come.”

As I took a seat at the table, Zen positioned himself directly behind me without being instructed, as if guarding me.

“What did you wish to discuss?”

Shusain hurriedly sat across from me and spoke as if he’d prepared his words.

“I heard from my guards—the Duke has mobilized his soldiers, and the Lazent Empire stands on the brink of civil war. Is this true?”

I hadn’t expected news of the current situation to reach Shusain’s ears, but since everyone in the capital knew, there was no reason to hide it.

“Yes. Your Highness seems surprised by the news.”

“I never imagined the Duke would move his troops—but that he’s pushing someone else to become Emperor instead of me… I can’t believe it. Above all, I’m worried about my mother. She must be anxious for me—is she perhaps in danger…?”

Shusain, confined here, had no accurate knowledge of the outside situation.

It wasn’t only Retanda who had abandoned him. Even his own mother, Raila, was now promoting a five-year-old boy as the new Emperor.

I felt uneasy about delivering such unpleasant news to Shusain, but he needed to know regardless.

“Your Highness… I’m not sure how to say this, but… you needn’t worry about Her Majesty the Empress. She is currently working alongside the Duke to promote a new Emperor.”

At my words, Shusain’s eyes widened in shock.

I’d omitted the details, but this alone clearly conveyed that both Retanda and Raila had abandoned him.

Honestly, I’d expected the sensitive Shusain might burst into tears. Surprisingly, though startled, he remained composed.

Out of unintended concern, I found myself speaking before I realized.

“Your Highness…”

But Shusain spoke faster than I did.

“Yes. While waiting for the young lady, I’ve been thinking. About how I might stop this civil war… and what I truly desire.”

“What?”

I couldn’t understand what he was suddenly talking about.

Seeing my puzzled expression, he continued in a serious, subdued tone.

“The Crown Prince position… I think I’ll relinquish it, as you once proposed.”