What Cantares received from the Emperor was a single volume of history. Naturally, only Cantares, who had been educated as a crown prince since childhood, knew the contents.

But after Cantares finished reading the book, he realized that it was not just a simple founding story.

“Do you know the name Chernion?”

Cantares struck again.

Arendt shook his head.

“I see, this is your first time hearing that. It can’t be helped. That’s the name of an evil spirit that has been erased from the records.”

Why were new settings suddenly popping up?

Arendt’s hand holding the glass suddenly gained strength.

“The ones who put the world in danger were Chernion, who was called the evil god at the time, and his followers. The hero Khan defeated them with the help of the god Luce.”

“After the war, all traces of the evil spirit were completely erased from the world to ensure that the tragedy would never be repeated again.”

However, the records were passed down from generation to generation so that only the descendants of Khan, that is, the direct imperial successors of the Caerleon Empire, would not forget them.

“Maybe they are imitating those who happened to find the ancient records, or maybe there really are remnants of the Sword of the Broken Heart…”

Cantares crossed his arms.

“If we look a little further ahead, the world is once again engulfed in war… it could be a sign of something.”

“Haaah…”

Arendt sighed deeply and drank the remaining juice in one go.

He put the glass down on the table with a thud, and, putting aside his complicated thoughts and rising irritation, blurted out the first impression that came to his mind.

“Those guys have a really great sense of naming things.”

“…Is that all you have to say?”

“That was the first thing that came to mind.”

He should have known the name given to the artifact first.

Cantares made a truly subtle expression when looking at Arendt’s face, unable to put into words what he was thinking.

Instead of responding further, he shouted inward.

“Lawrence, can you get us some more juice? And some cookies?”

“You want me to eat and shut up?”

“As expected, you’re quick-witted.”

Lawrence came out from inside, refilled the juice, and placed a plate of cookies on the table.

Arendt picked up a cookie.

“What is your judgment, Khan?”

“It’s too early to tell. We don’t even know if it’s really them or not, but I have no intention of being complacent about that.”

Cantares rested his chin on his hand and wiggled his fingers.

“First, we have to root them out. I don’t intend to leave even a speck of dust behind.”

“I like that conclusion.”

Crunch, crunch.

Arendt responded, chewing on a cookie.

“So how long do you plan on keeping it a secret?”

“Until we get some more solid evidence. There might be some of them among us.”

“You want me to help you find that evidence? Since you insist on telling me the secret of the royal family.”

“Yes.”

Arendt ate another cookie and sat lost in thought.

Contrary to his calm appearance that even embarrassed Cantares, his mind was quite complicated.

‘The scale is getting too big.’

This was something that was never mentioned in the novel. Until just before the series stopped, the enemies that Laius and his party were fighting were simply referred to as rebels.

It was the same when Laius became the master of the Holy Sword. Not only did the god Chernion not appear, but there were no other dazzling names like Broken or anything.

If those guys were truly not mere rebels but had the name of a god behind them, then the burden on Laius’ shoulders might not be just an empire.

‘What an amazing person.’

Laius, who had endured all that with his wits about him, seemed impressive once again. Things had gotten even more chaotic before Arendt intervened.

“Okay, I understand. Man, I’ve got a lot going on.”

“You even tried to blend in with them yourself. You knew that the East Safe was the target, but you didn’t figure out their true identity, did you?”

“You’re saying the obvious. If I had known that, would I be chatting leisurely with Mr. Khan right now? If I thought there was no hope of winning, I would have either run to them and fought them, or I would have reported this to the captain a long time ago.”

Arendt frowned and grumbled.

“It seems like they themselves still don’t plan on revealing their identities easily. so they’re using the people they hired for money as shields to cover up their tracks.”

Those who have lost their memories will likely be people closer to the core forces.

It seemed like they had put so much effort into keeping their mouth shut, so it was not easy to figure out their identity.

Cantares nodded.

“That’s right. I’ve already discussed the contents discovered in the archives with the nobles. I’ve confirmed that some kind of organization is active in the bakery, so I’m planning on having the Knights investigate that. You should know this in advance.”

“Yes, well…”

Arendt answered dryly.

Still, it wasn’t a bad flow. In the novel, it was a completely backstabbing plot, but now at least they could create a structure where they’re suffocating each other.

Arendt of today was able to do that.

“My story ends here… but can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“Assuming you trusted us from beginning to end, why did you take such a risk?”

It was vague, but Arendt could easily tell what he was talking about: the trial, and Arendt’s earlier contact with them.

It was Arendt’s previous arbitrary thinking, not his own, but that didn’t really matter anymore.

Arendt thought for a moment and then answered plainly.

“Because I don’t want to be left behind. I feel like if I leave it to those annoying people, my neck will be the first to fly off.”

“…This is ridiculous.”

Cantares, who had been blankly staring for a moment, burst into laughter. However, his expression did not look all that unpleasant.

After parting ways with Cantares, Arendt headed straight to the East Safe.

It seemed that the independence of the store manager, Neumann, was being prepared smoothly. After a brief conversation with the store manager, Arendt returned to the palace with all of Baron Porta’s belongings and immediately went to his room.

And then he didn’t move at all until the sun had completely set and it was evening time.

When Arthur, who had not seen him for a whole day, was leaning against the door, wondering, Arendt came out.

“…What? Why are you here?”

He looked at Arthur, who was facing him straight at the door, and asked nervously.

Arthur also stood awkwardly and answered.

“No, you said you were going out but I haven’t seen you all day.”

“Are you that free?”

Arendt closed the door and went out into the hallway, looking at him with a look of obvious pity.

“Aren’t you going to train today?”

“I’ll go later tonight. I have somewhere to go first.”

“You’re leaving again?”

When Arthur frowned, Arendt shrugged.

“I’m going to the leader. I just met with Manager Neumann. I have some things to report.”

“What?”

Arendt, who had finished what he wanted to say, left Arthur behind, who was asking absurd questions, and walked towards the leader’s office.

He knocked on the door a couple of times and the answer came back telling him to come right in.

The door opened wide and Laius instinctively checked the person, opening his eyes slightly wide.

“Arendt?”

“Why are you so surprised? Have I come to a place I can’t go?”

Arendt nodded his head in greeting and spoke cheekily.

Laius suddenly came to his senses and cleared his throat.

“No way. What’s going on?”

“I have something to tell you. Do you have a moment?”

“Of course.”

Arendt stood in front of Laius’s desk.

Laius asked first.

“I heard you just went out and came back today.”

“Yes.”

“How was it?”

“Well, it wasn’t too bad. I just wanted to take my time and relax, but I got followed by an intruder.”

“An intruder?”

Laius asked incredulously. His characteristic blank expression contained neither suspicion nor distrust, but only pure questioning.

Arendt stared at him blankly and let out a short sigh.

‘People are so nice.’

Even though it was the Crown Prince’s order, it was Laius who easily allowed him to go out alone. The reason he sent Richt out late at night to tell him the results of the meeting was probably because he thought Arendt would be happy to hear the news.

“Uh… What should I talk about first?”

Arendt eyes turned.

Laius put down his pen and waited quietly for him to speak, and Arendt looked at Laius’ face once, tilted his head again for a moment, and then blurted out.

“I made a deal with His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“…What?”

For a moment, Laius’ face became blank.

Somewhere, he thought he could hear Cantares cursing him for being a traitor, but Arendt ignored him cleanly. He had never had any intention of being loyal to him from the beginning.

“Deal? A deal?”

“Yes, the permission to leave freely that His Highness spoke of this time. That was the condition. In return, I would act as His Highness’ errand boy.”

At these shocking words, Laius could only open his mouth with a dumbfounded expression.

Arendt added plainly.

“Whatever misdeeds I commit in the future will all be at His Highness’ behest. In any case, it will not be my fault.”

“…”

Now, Laius began to press his temples, as if he was going crazy. Arendt waited patiently for him to gather his thoughts.

After a while, Laius barely opened his mouth.

“What is the purpose?”

“It’s about subduing them. He wants me to cause trouble once in a while like I have been doing so far. He has many loyal subjects who listen well, but he also needs one troublemaker.”

Laius was silent for a long time.

“First of all… I understand. This is something I shouldn’t interfere in.”

“Yes, His Highness doesn’t seem to want the captain’s intervention either. However, if you want to get involved, feel free to. I’m telling you to do so. And…”

Arendt dug into his pocket, took out a thick ring, and held it out to Laius.

“Take it.”

“What is this?”

Laius, who was naturally about to receive it, flinched. He had sensed the ring’s magical power.

“It’s something that Bethel had. It’s an artifact. Its name is Shadow of the Strong. When activated, it can hide your presence. At the same time, it seems to have the effect of strengthening your body and increasing your movement speed.”

“What?”

“I’ve been meaning to pass it on to you, but I kept missing the timing.”

When Laius suddenly raised his head, Arendt shrugged his shoulders naturally.

“I told you about the artifact before, right? If it’s loot, then it’s loot. I killed someone and took it. It’s not dangerous, so don’t worry.”

“…You keep embarrassing me today.”

“Just today?”

“…”

Laius closed his mouth again at the irrefutable words. He stared at Arendt with troubled eyes and then took the ring.

“Why are you giving this to me? You could have used it yourself.”

“It’s of little use to me. As the name suggests, it’s most effective when used by a strong person. The strongest person in this empire is you, Captain.”

Arendt stated.

It wasn’t a lie. He just omitted the fact that he already had something better.

“If you feel uneasy, you don’t have to use it. Or you can pass it on to someone else, but it would be better if you kept it. They’ll already know that it’s in our hands.”

It was possible that he might become a target.

At those words, Laius made up his mind and finally accepted the ring.

“Okay, I got it.”

Laius, who had been rolling the ring in his hand for a moment, looked at Arendt again.

His golden eyes were as arrogant as ever, and his blank face was extremely indifferent even as he spoke such outrageous words.

It felt really strange.

At first glance, Arendt seemed to have changed little from before, but the consequences of his actions had clearly changed.

‘Should I say he has changed…”’

Or maybe, as he said at the trial, we were just being unreasonable all this time.

Laius slowly closed and opened his eyes to calm his anxiety.

“I will take my leave now.”

Whether or not he knew the captain’s feelings, Arendt finished what he wanted to say and turned around without any regrets.

Laius called him over.

“Arendt.”

“What?”

“Thanks.”

Arendt looked back reflexively and blinked his round eyes.

Laius just watched quietly.

Arendt pursed his lips and scratched his cheek, as if he was considering how to respond.

And after a while, Arendt’s lips curled into a smirk.

“It was nothing.”

Thud.

The door closed again.

Laius stared blankly at the door, as if he had been hit in the back of the head, and muttered out loud without realizing it.

“Did he laugh?”

It was a mischievous smile that suited someone who was just turning twenty. It wasn’t the sneer or mockery he often showed.

Inside the office, silence fell.

Laius, left alone, was frozen for a long time.