The information Clemens had been secretly passing along certainly tipped the civil war in favor of the Royalists.
Isabelle, worried about leaks, only utilized that information through the Hawk Knights.
They were perfect for use as a special task force.
Once enough intel had been gathered, Clemens planned to escape and reunite with Monica.
But on the day of their meeting, he did not show up for hours — which is why Monica came looking for Glenn.
Monica’s voice trembled.
Her eyes were filled with desperation and anxiety.
“Please, save Clemens…”
At Monica the Vicar’s earnest plea, Glenn and Isabelle exchanged glances.
Abandoning him was an option, but Glenn refused to choose it.
More than anything, he saw this as an opportunity to capture Francis.
“That seems to be the right direction to pursue.”
“Why? Could it be that you’ve grown fond of him during this?”
Isabelle’s tone was sharp.
She knew this was not a matter to be handled emotionally.
“Rather than focusing on rescuing him, let’s concentrate on the fact that Francis’s location has been exposed. What do you think?”
…He must have moved directly, then?
From the moment Monica explained the situation, Isabelle narrowed her eyes and lightly tapped the folded fan in her hand.
Watching her, it was a habit she often showed when deep in thought.
No doubt dozens of pieces of information were moving through her mind right now.
Glenn nodded.
Here, they had to give Isabelle convincing evidence.
Only then could she persuade the Royalists.
“That’s highly likely. Clemens was one of Francis’s close aides, wasn’t he?”
This was one of the pieces of information gathered through Monica.
Their relationship was older and deeper than expected.
And with that, their trust was equally profound.
“Why would he do that? Was it just a matter of verification?”
“A betrayal by someone he trusted. If this became public, the organization’s prestige would be shaken. And Francis is not someone who would tolerate that.”
Betrayal is always a sensitive matter in any organization.
All the more so if the traitor is a high-ranking and close associate.
The folded fan clicked a few times.
Monica gazed at Isabelle with desperate eyes.
Because her opinion mattered.
Shortly after, a small sigh was heard.
“I’m asking just in case—if I oppose this plan, what will you do?”
Monica tried to ignore it and focused her gaze on the green cloth.
At that, Glenn lifted one side of his mouth in a slight smirk.
“That would be unfortunate. And—”
“And?”
“I’d be busier.”
“…You mean even if I oppose it, the Hawk Knights will act separately?”
Her tone grew a little hostile.
It was as if she was thinking, If you’re going to do as you please anyway, why do you even need me?
“Don’t misunderstand. I always respect the Princess’s opinion.”
If that wasn’t true, they wouldn’t even be having this conversation.
Glenn trusted her abilities, at least.
The folded fan pointed at Glenn with some dissatisfaction.
“Your words and actions don’t match.”
“I just don’t refuse the tasks given. That’s separate from respecting the Princess.”
The green cloth shone with firm resolve.
Then another small sigh followed.
Isabelle narrowed her eyes and asked.
“Are you trying to joke with me now?”
“I’m serious.”
When Glenn met her gaze sincerely, Isabelle averted her eyes slightly and unfolded her fan.
“…Then that’s a convincing excuse.”
Her tone softened a bit.
Glenn felt a gut instinct that he had succeeded.
“You don’t seem like the type to oppose this plan. The Princess I know is very wise.”
“…Hmph, I always think this—every time you get away so easily, the ladies must hate you.”
“How unfair.”
“That response sounds just like a playboy.”
After Isabelle’s small complaint, she looked over at Monica.
Then she nodded slightly.
“Oh, thank you. Truly, thank you.”
Monica accepted that as a blessing and sat down to pray.
…It was a strangely unfamiliar sight.
Isabelle thought to herself.
“It’s not me you should be thanking—it’s the Prince. I’m also being persuaded.”
As she said that, her gaze returned to Glenn.
“Actually, I neither oppose nor support this plan. The information is too uncertain. You could call it a gamble. But—”
“Isn’t it a gamble worth taking?”
“…Let’s do it then. Now that we’re doing it, the sooner the better.”
Glenn agreed.
The more they delayed, the higher the chance Francis would be discovered.
And the estate nearest to the rendezvous point was the most likely place he’d be.
In the end, this was the core evidence for the operation.
Capturing Francis would practically end the civil war, making the plan well worth executing.
“Let’s draft the detailed plan.”
“No need for complications. Just keep their attention distracted. We will handle the infiltration.”
Isabelle again took charge of the detailed plan and contact with the Contrat.
She could move some military forces even without negotiation.
Thanks to the Hawk Knights’ activities, her influence had grown accordingly.
Besides, guerrilla tactics didn’t require many personnel.
While the Royalist forces, including the Hawk Knights, distracted attention, the Hawk Knights would make a surprise attack.
This narrowed the core of the plan.
And so, at dawn the day after Monica’s plea, the operation began.
The code name for the operation: “Princess in the Tower.”
***
Francis’s estate, located in a rather remote part outside the city outskirts, was easy enough to find.
The Hawk Knights’ sudden attack started in an instant.
They judged that delaying would only make things worse.
Glenn immediately shouted as he swiftly subdued the entrance.
“Infiltrate! Enter at once and find Francis!”
They were almost certain Francis was here.
There had been several eyewitness reports of him nearby.
Therefore, speed and decisiveness were crucial.
“Doryeon-nim! The defensive forces are more than expected!”
The four knights frowned as they reported.
“Seems so. The guards at the entrance were tough—maybe that was to be expected.”
“What will you do?”
The number of soldiers stationed at the estate was definitely more than necessary.
There were also quite a few horses tied up on one side.
This meant several knights were present as well.
For an ordinary guard force, this was excessive.
It showed that an important figure was at this estate.
“Annoying.”
They could wait for reinforcements, but that would give Francis time to escape.
“Shall we break through now?”
“No, I’ll take the lead.”
“Eh?”
“Follow me closely.”
Glenn boosted his Blood Magic prowess with Isabelle’s help.
Not a trick, but he had promised to fulfill one of her requests later.
Thanks to that, he was now able to fight with more varied tactics.
Glenn started moving again.
“Bloody Bat.”
Around him, blood droplets gathered in the air and transformed into a bat shape.
With a flick of his hand, the red bats flew toward the surrounding soldiers.
“Ugh, aagh! What is this—”
“It’s magic! Those Lepent bastards are using magic!”
But the swiftly flying bats exploded without any effect, leaving only red stains on the soldiers.
Squelch!
“Huh?”
“What is this?”
They were literally only splattered with blood.
No abnormalities whatsoever.
Amid the puzzled soldiers, Glenn dashed forward.
At the same time, he chanted a short spell.
“Bloodbane.”
A magic that turns blood within a certain radius acidic.
The magic itself was defensive, but through such a link, it could be used offensively.
Sssshhh—
The blood stains emitted a chilling sound as smoke rose.
“Ugh, aaaaah!”
“H-hot!”
Palms, arms, thighs, legs—some unlucky ones collapsed clutching their faces.
Within moments, more than a dozen people were down.
Glenn quietly ran through them.
“…Follow Doryeon-nim!”
Behind him, some members wore bewildered expressions as they followed.
***
The Hawk Knights’ charge led by Glenn was unstoppable.
They were accustomed to these kinds of solo break-ins that wreak havoc on the enemy ranks.
Maybe because of the shock, the opponents failed to respond properly.
But there was someone who stopped their advance—
“Ignis Furor Vide! (Witness the Wrath of Flame!)”
A flickering flame instantly surrounded the field.
Glenn cursed without realizing it.
“Damn it—”
From somewhere unknown, spells continued to be cast.
All were 4th Circle magic, but—
With his past life’s knowledge, Glenn sensed something was off.
“Firmi Tene Ligate! (Bind Firmly!)”
Two consecutive 2nd Circle bind spells aimed directly at Glenn.
At this speed, it was almost like double casting.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Countless rolling stones flew beneath Glenn’s feet.
Isabelle’s vision was sharper and faster than before.
He rolled on the ground without hesitation.
“Why are there Mages from the Magic Duchy here?”
They cast spells in the traditional manner, breaking chants into three syllables.
And their expertise was so great they never revealed their location during combat.
This was a hallmark of Mages from the Magic Duchy.
Even with the same Circle level, they were considered 1-2 Circles higher in skill than regular Mages.
Their magic was systematic and of high caliber.
“At least 6th Circle. That’s certain.”
Having accumulated knowledge about magic since the Ricklan War, Glenn knew well that the quality of spells varied greatly depending on the caster’s skill—even if it was the same spell.
Watching several of the spells, he became sure.
The opponent was on par with a Grand Mage.
“This is bad.”
Facing a Grand Mage whose location was unknown was too dangerous.
Not sure why they weren’t using high Circle magic, but they definitely could.
That would make things even worse.
“Doryeon-nim!”
“Fall back immediately!”
Several squad members had already collapsed under the barrage of magic.
Glenn deliberately restrained his Blood Magic, intending to drag out the time.
And he stepped forward intentionally.
Thump!
…Guhh—
With Bloody Pack activated, his vision tinted slightly red.
Feeling the surge of power climbing his spine, he swiftly skirted the edge of the field.
…Out of sight.
He closed his eyes and focused on sound and mana feedback.
“Furor Caeruleus—(Blue Wrath—)”
A short two-syllable spell sounded in an instant.
Glenn reflexively turned his head and stared in one direction.
He resembled a starved beast smelling blood.
“…Found it.”
A thrill ran through him, and his lips curled upward.
He immediately bent his knees, slowly drawing in his core—
At the same time, he grabbed the middle part of his sword’s blade through the gauntlet, holding it reversed.
“Drive it down!”
Crash!
Before the heavy fall even settled, Glenn leapt into the air.
Enhanced by Bloody Pack, his physical strength far surpassed normal limits.
At the edge of Glenn’s vision was a strange old man in the estate grounds.
“Wh-what?”
The old man’s confused expression quickly shifted to alert as he raised his cane and aimed.
But this time Glenn was faster.
He threw the sword he held as if it were a spear.
Though propelled only by upper body strength—the speed was terrifying.
“Crazy!”
The old man’s eyes widened in alarm as he raised his other arm.
Clang!
Glenn’s sword was stopped by a translucent barrier.
A Shield spell had already been cast.
Yes. That old man was simultaneously casting a Shield with the Mundane Chant and another spell with his cane in hand.
…Damn, even double casting?
Noticing this, Glenn’s brows furrowed.
“Furic Ventera Satus! (Summon the Furious Wind!)”
Wheeeeeeeek—!
A chilling roar burst forth as a magical storm swept in.
Glenn, suspended in midair, had no way to dodge.
He raised both arms to shield his face as best he could.
“Damn it!”
Just before crashing to the ground—
From the direction he’d jumped, an unfamiliar voice sounded.
“Blessings of the Western Feather!”
A spell that instantly makes the target invincible.
Thanks to it, Glenn’s fast descent was significantly slowed.
Thud!
Still, his landing was noisy and hard.
“Ugh.”
Though he spread his fall, it still hurt.
Thankfully, nothing was broken.
No, wait—
“Prince, wait a moment.”
A voice came sharply.
“…Princess Isabelle? Why on earth are you here—”
“I’ll explain later. For now, leave this to me.”
Isabelle faced him with a firm expression.
When did she arrive? More importantly, why come to such a dangerous place—
“Fictus Sagitta Satus! (Fire the Magic Arrow!)”
A clear, colorless arrow flew straight toward Isabelle.
Glenn quickly moved to shield her, but she shook her head and thrust her arm forward.
“Resiste, Repelle, Obstrue! (Resist, Repel, Obstruct!)”
Isabelle uttered the Magic Duchy-style spell.
A large transparent barrier formed in front of her.
Bang bang bang!
A loud explosion followed immediately.