And finally, the day of the meeting occurred.

The door to the Imperial Palace conference room, which only opened once a year, was wide open.

The conference room was filled with luxurious seating, and not a single seat was empty.

The administrative nobles in charge of legal and financial affairs in the palace, their attendants, knights in charge of security, and even magicians and priests who rarely show up attended.

With all kinds of people gathered in one place, it was truly a spectacular sight.

It was rare for so many people to attend a meeting at once, so even the experienced attendants were clearly nervous.

While the stiff attendants prepared refreshments, the conference attendees each glanced around the room and searched for someone.

It was Arendt von Eckhart who was mixed in with the Third Knights.

In fact, it wasn’t hard to find Arendt. He was the only young man with silver hair in the palace.

Those who were watching Arendt tensed up involuntarily when he suddenly frowned.

But, in the next moment:

“…Haam.”

“Don’t yawn.”

“I fell asleep late.”

“But you still have to cover it, you punk.”

Arthur, standing next to him, growled at him as he yawned lazily, covering his mouth with his hand.

…Was he just not thinking about anything?

Those who had been observing Arendt with curious eyes slowly turned their gazes away.

At that moment, the entrance became noisy again, and a group of people strode into the conference room again. It was Marquis Lanford and his fellow nobles. Of course, Count Eckhart and Arcus were among them.

They seemed to glance in Arendt’s direction for a moment, but Arendt simply averted his gaze and looked the other way.

Arthur, unable to stand watching, poked him in the ribs.

“You’re not even going to say hello?”

“Why would I?”

“Why are you asking that? He’s your father. You said you guys had a meal together a while ago.”

“Oh, that time? I didn’t get treated well, so I went back to the dorm and ate.”

“What is that…”

Arthur, who was about to say something else, had no choice but to shut his mouth at the shouts that erupted from outside the door.

“His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!”

Everyone who was sitting in their seats suddenly stood up at that declaration.

The sight was quite spectacular.

Then, Cantares strode in through the wide open door, accompanied only by Jereon.

It was customary for the members of the royal family to have a long line of attendants when attending official functions. This was also a way to show off their power, but Cantares seemed to not care at all about that, and only kept his most trusted aide by his side.

Although it was modest, he seemed more majestic than anyone else.

Of course, that appearance was not always pleasant to the eyes of the people. Some people were upset, but no one here was immature enough to show such feelings.

“I hereby present His Highness the Crown Prince.”

The attendees bowed respectfully to the next ruler of the empire.

The robed wizards bowed with their hands on their chests, and the priests in white also bowed deeply and clasped their hands to show their respect.

Cantares, sitting at the highest seat, opened his mouth.

“I would like to first express my gratitude to all of you for coming together despite the hasty call.”

There were so many people gathered that it was difficult to even count them one by one, but as soon as the Crown Prince spoke, the surroundings became as quiet as a mouse.

A serious voice, different from that of the previous banquet, filled the conference room.

“The reason I’ve called this meeting is because I have some urgent matters to discuss. I think most of you are probably aware of this.”

A murmur of silence flowed from here and there in the previously quiet conference room.

“It all started with a letter that was delivered by messenger pigeon the other day. I still haven’t been able to identify the sender.”

Cantares’s blue eyes scanned the crowd.

“While the investigation was going through some difficulties, Lord Arendt found a clue to the enemy. I will skip explaining what happened next, as everyone is probably familiar with the tumultuous events that followed.”

The reason for reviewing what had happened so far was simple.

“If we hadn’t responded quickly, anything would have definitely led to disaster.”

When the messenger pigeon first arrived, Marquis Lanford and his group were the ones who opposed the active investigation, saying that they should not be fooled by mere pranks.

While they were silent, Duke Lancelot opened his mouth.

“Thanks to His Highness the Crown Prince’s foresight, a great disaster was prevented.”

“It’s thanks to the hard work of the knights.”

Cantares, who had answered calmly, continued speaking in a heavy voice.

“I won’t go into detail since you’re all busy. During the investigation, it was revealed that the former Marquis Grieg was in league with them.”

“…?!”

“That…”

For a moment, there was a great commotion inside.

Arendt also raised the corners of his lips slightly.

‘It looks like you’ve used your head a bit.’

The story of a spy hiding in everyday life was a good topic to throw a tense atmosphere into the loose atmosphere. It was also a good introduction to the one-act play that was about to unfold.

This heavy atmosphere was also a production created by Cantares. It seems that the short lecture given at Lawrence’s restaurant that day was effective.

Cantares glanced at Arendt without anyone noticing and opened his mouth again.

“This is a situation that we cannot just sit back and watch. It means that there may already be a significant number of their agents hiding within the palace. They may even be mixed in here.”

The Crown Prince’s blue eyes slowly looked around the crowd, filled with meaningful light. People turned their heads away or lowered their gazes, as if they were trying to avoid eye contact with him.

“The East Safe raid, former Marquis Grieg’s hidden mine, and this auction house raid. All of these incidents were carried out by the same mastermind. Their names were also confirmed through the testimony of Count Stadler, who was almost kidnapped by the former Marquis Grieg.”

From now on, it was the real beginning.

Nervous eyes were focused on the Crown Prince.

“Sword of the Broken Heart. In the past, they were followers of the evil god who were wiped out during the era of the hero Khan.”

“…!”

An even greater commotion erupted here and there.

Arendt watched the situation quietly. Cantares also paused for a moment and just quietly watched the people who were making noise.

The high-ranking nobles with quick information might have guessed it, but most of them must have felt like they were struck by lightning out of the blue. It was like a story they had only ever seen in history books suddenly being summoned to reality.

After a while, the elderly priest spoke.

“Your Highness, we dare not doubt your words, but… since the matter is serious, I would like you to provide a detailed explanation.”

“It is not a difficult matter, Priest Lumiel. However, in this matter, we need to hear from Lord Arendt as well.”

As the story naturally continued, everyone’s eyes were drawn to Arendt, who was among the knights.

Arendt hesitated for a moment and then chose the next line.

It would be perfect to say it plainly, with his posture slightly askew, his head slightly tilted to one side, and his face expressionless but with a harsh expression.

“…I’m sorry, but I have nothing to say. I was only following His Highness the Crown Prince’s orders.”

He was a bad apprentice knight who had no choice but to follow orders, but his relationship with the Crown Prince was strained to the point where it could not be helped.

“I, I blasphemous…!”

Someone shouted in shock, but Arendt paid no attention and just stared at the Crown Prince.

Cantares’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“You are too humble, Lord Arendt.”

“I am not being humble, I am just stating the truth. I do not think it is appropriate for me, a mere apprentice knight, to come forward in this situation.”

That cool voice was completely different from Arendt’s usual easygoing attitude towards Cantares.

Arthur realized this and looked back and forth between the two of them in confusion.

Cantares frowned, as if he was displeased. But instead of reprimanding him further, he simply sighed briefly and continued speaking.

“It is said that enemies who tried to persuade Count Stadler first approached him using that name.”

“Then that means they are followers of the evil god…”

“I found evidence in ancient documents handed down to the imperial family. It is not a mistake.”

The expression on Priest Lumiel’s face clouded at Cantares’ firm answer.

Someone opened their mouth again.

“The man who approached Count Stadler… is he the strange man who appeared with the unidentified golem this time? He is said to have died at the hands of Lord Arendt.”

“That’s right. He had a close relationship with the former Marquis Grieg. In light of that, as the Crown Prince, I have no choice but to make a declaration here.”

Cantares’ calm voice became even colder as he answered.

“I will not forgive anyone who threatens the people of the Empire or the Imperial Family. Regardless of whether they are followers of the evil god or simple rebels, they are all unforgivable. That is my declaration.”

Cantares spoke his last words with even more emphasis, as if to make everyone listen.

“So I decided that it would be right to first drive out the enemy within.”

“The enemy within… what do you mean?”

A possessed murmur permeated the conference room.

He couldn’t tell who said it, but it was clear that those words plunged the entire conference room into hellish silence.

Marquis Lanford, who came to his senses first, opened his mouth hurriedly.

“Wait a minute, Your Highness. Does that mean there is a traitor among us?”

“I’m sorry for sounding suspicious, but since the former Marquis Grieg and his group have already been confirmed, I can’t ignore that possibility.”

It was an overly extreme statement. In addition, Cantares’ tone of voice naturally changed to a condescending tone.

But no one could directly refute those words now, because everyone knew what had become of Marquis Grieg.

The Crown Prince’s face, as his gaze fell over those surrounding him, was not simply cold. It was as if he was about to catch and purge the suspicious people at any moment.

“If that is your will, Your Highness, then it is our will as well. However…”

Marquis Lanford licked his lips several times, then tried to regain his composure and began to speak again.

“But, Your Highness, I beg you to listen to this old man’s foolish tale just once.”

“You can talk comfortably. I’ll listen.”

“I understand what Your Highness the Crown Prince is saying. However, I dare ask, do you intend to continue with the method that has been used so far?”

“The method?”

“Yes, buttons were out of alignment, so even if it was inevitable up until now, it must be different in the future. His Highness said that he would first drive out the internal enemy.”

After a brief pause, Marquis Lanford resumed his speech in a more subdued tone.

“This is a dangerous thing that could easily lead to division. So from now on, you must follow the procedures and proceed according to the rules.”

“Procedures… It sounds like you think I haven’t been following the procedures up until now. No, don’t beat around the bush.”

At those words, the inside of the conference room became as cold as if ice water had been poured over it.

Cantares smiled coldly.

“I guess you want to discuss Arendt with me now.”