Evan met the Duke of Roheim immediately upon arriving at the capital of the Roheim Duchy, Epcalion.
He was currently engaged in conversation with him in the reception room.
Soft green hair, neatly groomed.
A gentle, warm face.
His attire was a splendid ceremonial uniform of red and white—the colors representing royal blood.
He exuded a regal dignity befitting royalty.
‘Duke Rohim Reveshu.’
He was said to be a phantom swordsman, adept at both illusions and the blade.
It was rumored he could summon more than a hundred illusions at once, a testament to his prowess.
‘Hilton’s paltry illusion swordsmanship is nothing compared to this.’
Although he was the current king’s own brother, it seemed that their relationship was strained, perhaps due to political power.
No, it would be more accurate to say the problem lay with the king’s personality.
At any rate, perhaps due to what he’d heard from the Order, the Duke was cordial from the start.
“I’ve heard much about your heroic deeds, young lord. You’ve become a hero in the South.”
“It just happened that way. I only tried to stop what was happening.”
“No, you splendidly thwarted the wicked heretics’ schemes, did you not?”
He spoke with a broad smile, as if truly pleased.
“And this time, you resolved an unfortunate incident here in my duchy as well. The soldiers speak your praises endlessly—perhaps a bit exaggerated, but a hero is a hero.”
“I only did what was necessary, but I’m grateful you say so.”
“I’ve received your help, so tell me if there’s anything you want. I can’t stand being indebted. If I receive, I must repay right away.”
Evan hesitated for a moment.
The more he conversed and learned about the Duke, the more he felt a tinge of regret.
‘There are more variables than I expected.’
His status and his candid personality were appealing in many ways.
However, he was a devout follower of the Goddess Eris.
The Holy Union of Bellium treated the Duke with special regard, considering him a valuable supporter due to the many tributes he offered with his wealth.
But the crucial point was his connection to the Order.
‘You can’t trust the Order, either. If they’re mentioned in the Main Quest, and with how things might unfold ahead…’
Indeed, many eyes of the Order were fixed upon the duchy.
It was said that priests and Sacred Knights performed many services here.
But such a relationship made it difficult for Evan to join forces with him.
A double-edged sword.
Depending on how he was used, he could become a useful ally, but on the flip side, he might become a poison.
Rather than moving forward together, Evan thought it best to keep his distance while utilizing him to a certain extent.
But before that, there was one thing he needed to make clear.
“Duke, before we go any further, may I ask a question?”
“Ask away. If you’re curious about anything regarding me, don’t hesitate.”
“Did you give the order to eliminate all Lamakria People within the duchy?”
“Ah, that wasn’t my doing. Half the duchy’s military authority is in my brother’s hands. I regret what happened; I dislike the sight of blood.”
“You mean His Majesty gave the order?”
“That’s right. I can’t understand a thing that fellow does.”
He wore a look of deep displeasure.
Looking up at the sky as if recalling the past, he soon continued.
“I only entered into an arranged marriage with my current wife in Roheim to save my life—unbelievable, really. My brother sent me here and even took half the military authority for himself.”
All other royals had already been dealt with.
The only members of the Lupes Royal Family left were the king and his children.
‘I have a rough idea of their relationship. I’ll have to investigate this further later.’
Evan focused on the fact that the king had given the order.
It meant the king was directly involved in shaping the direction the kingdom was heading.
‘The Order, Estia, and the king’s faction.’
Three colossal forces had begun to move. Bloodshed within the kingdom was inevitable.
He felt he was beginning to understand what the Main Quest was about.
At that moment—
[You have acquired a clue about a faction. (100%)]
[Clue collected. (1/3)]
The progress of the Shadow Path Quest had increased.
‘So this was the answer.’
Evan was now sure. If the opportunity arose, he would have to visit the Royal Palace.
“Are your questions finished?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Then let’s return to the main topic. What is it you desire, young lord? And I’m curious—why did you come here?”
Evan did not mince words and stated what he wanted directly.
“What I want is for you, Duke, to lend me your strength.”
“Strength? You want me to support you from behind?”
“No, not quite. I mean to resist the faction that seeks to bring down the kingdom. Please take a look at this contract.”
Evan took out the contract and handed it over.
Duke Reveshu read the document and then let out a hearty laugh.
“Young lord, this is amusing. To think you’d have such ideals. May I ask what led you to pursue this?”
“It’s nothing special. If I may speak of my recent experience regarding succession—destruction has been the kingdom’s fate since its inception. I’m acting now to address that problem in our generation.”
Evan spoke about the movements of various factions and about Iludan’s will.
He felt it necessary to at least make the Duke aware of the current situation.
The Duke looked surprised at Evan’s words.
“So that’s what happened. The remnants of the past, you say. And here I am, preparing for the anniversary of Lady Eris in these tumultuous times. How shameful.”
“But then, why don’t you get involved with affairs in the duchy?”
“Didn’t I say? Half the military authority is in my brother’s hands.”
“Then…”
“Though it’s called half, I’m nothing more than a puppet Duke in Roheim. After my wife passed away, no true member of Roheim remains. I’ve only been guarding the duchy in her stead, filling her absence. If I stay quiet, I can at least protect this place.”
His face was filled with sorrow.
Even if it was a political marriage, he could not forget his wife.
Bound by a prohibition, he couldn’t do anything with the duchy.
All he could do was relinquish everything and watch from the sidelines.
Evan spoke softly.
“Duke. What our founding lord left behind was not just information. What I truly wish to tell you about is a way to break the prohibition.”
His eyes widened.
To be freed from the prohibition—
That was what he’d wished for more than anything.
“…Is that really possible?”
“Yes. If it’s this legacy left by the founding lord, it is possible.”
Evan summoned Ascalon.
***
Rolten and Vengor were killing time at the tavern, waiting for Evan.
Vengor’s expression was dark.
Having witnessed his fellow countrymen being slaughtered so cruelly, the shock still hadn’t worn off.
Rolten questioned him.
“Why are you so gloomy? Didn’t you know this would happen when you went along with it?”
“And there’s one more thing I haven’t mentioned yet. I heard Lamakria refugees from the south keep pouring into the kingdom. What do you think will happen if those Estia bastards keep causing trouble?”
At those words, Vengor’s eyes began to tremble.
He’d never considered such a scenario.
If refugees entered the country in these times, it would only mean more victims.
…
Stop.”
He finally spoke.
It was harder than he expected to get the words out.
“What?”
“Stop them.”
Rolten looked at Vengor in disbelief.
“You want me to stop them? You’re a funny one.”
“I’ll cooperate. Just stop them.”
Vengor pulled something out from inside his mouth.
A tiny glass vial, barely the size of a finger.
Inside was a small, rolled-up slip of paper.
If he’d kept it inside his body, it must be important.
“Why are you bringing that out now?”
“If you help, I’ll hand over this order and everything else I know.”
“Why are you suddenly doing this?”
“I thought the world would change. I always believed that. But now, seeing reality, my illusions have shattered.”
Rolten scratched his head, then nodded.
“Why the sudden urgency? Is something going on?”
Vengor immediately pulled out the order from the vial.
Then he recited its contents.
“To all commanders: After the first attack attempt, launch a total assault on the Kingdom Capital.”
“…Insane.”
Rolten couldn’t help but curse.
Vengor continued.
“Our side was only supposed to hit and retreat—just make a show of force, it seemed. But now, I don’t think that’s even the case.”
Countrymen dying mercilessly in the villages.
Facing the reality, all dreams crumbled away.
Maybe that’s why he finally felt completely awake.
“I thought, as the master said, our world would come to be. But hearing your words, all I hear is that we’re being sent to die. I can’t understand why we’re accepting refugees in this situation, either.”
“You thought that far? Right. You lot don’t know the king’s absolute power. If you go, you’re all dead men. I don’t know who Estia’s guild master is, but he must’ve considered you all expendable.”
“The king’s power? Isn’t he just some guy ruling the country from behind the scenes?”
Rolten clicked his tongue and shook his head.
“You don’t know the kingdom’s history—that’s why you’re getting hit like this. Not that you’d get to see the current king, anyway. Only the highest-ranking nobles can see him, maybe? There’s no point talking about the king. What matters now is stopping those Estia guild bastards.”
Rolten let out a deep sigh.
‘I don’t even know when this will happen, and it’s not realistic to stop it now. If Evan had started gathering a resistance force a year earlier, maybe we could’ve stopped this.’
To stop this course of events, at least the army would have to intervene.
But with the king standing firm, there’s no way to deploy them in the Kingdom Capital.
If they were to prepare, it would have to be done in secret, trying to intercept as best they could.
Of course, even that was only possible if they had plenty of time.
“The Royal Order of Knights or the regular army will obviously try to stop them. The problem comes afterward. What kind of order will be given next…”
Rolten foresaw a bloodbath.
“Is there any way to stop our comrades?”
Vengor asked nervously.
Rolten shook his head firmly.
“This is beyond what we can or cannot stop. We’ll have to leave it to the will of the heavens.”
At that moment, Rolten’s ring flashed with light.
Pabat!
‘An emergency Messenger Bird all of a sudden? What’s going on?’
Rolten told Vengor to wait and left the tavern.
He walked into a deserted alley and channeled mana into his ring.
Then, a translucent blue bird appeared from the sky and landed on Rolten’s hand.
As soon as it vanished, a tightly rolled slip of paper materialized above his palm.
‘Let’s see what my brother wants…’
Rolten unrolled the note and read through its contents.
His eyes went wide.
“An emergency royal summons…?”
Clyd and Delian had already departed for the Kingdom Capital.
The message instructed him to send Evan to the Kingdom Capital immediately.
‘Of all times, a royal summons now…’
Rolten pulled out his lifelong summary journal from his pocket.
‘Every time there was a royal emergency summons, something big happened.’
This time, the summons required all family successors to attend as well.
As this was Evan’s first time being summoned before the king, anxiety began to well up inside him.