“…”

A deep silence flowed.

The atmosphere fizzled out like a bucket of cold ice water being poured over a hot, burning torch.

No matter what opinion you had or who you supported, everyone was equally confused.

The bewildered gazes of both sides were fixed on Arendt’s back.

Arendt bowed his head and did not move an inch. Of course, no one noticed the evil smile on his lowered face.

Cantares curved his lips into a smile.

“This is giving me a headache. I wanted to at least leave some sort of safety device. I need to be able to predict where you’re going to jump out.”

“Well, that’s too bad. So many people believe in me, so His Highness the Crown Prince must give up now.”

After a long time, someone opened his mouth bewilderedly.

“Your Highness, what do you mean by safety device…?”

“As you said, what Lord Arendt has done so far is enough to prove his innocence, but this guy is so free-spirited.”

Cantares shrugged and answered.

In that gesture, someone’s appearance overlapped.

“He knows how well I feel about him, but since he does things so recklessly, I feel like he’s easily making enemies here and there.”

Cantares burst into laughter again.

“At least if he puts that bracelet on, it will show that Sir Laius and I are holding on to the leash tightly. Then, he won’t be in trouble by incurring the hatred of his allies.”

As the Crown Prince continued speaking, the people became more and more dumbfounded.

“But it seems that he was quite dissatisfied with that. Isn’t that right, Lord Arendt?”

“I’ve told you several times that there’s no need for that. I just do what I want.”

“I told you, you’re so arrogant. The Crown Prince is worried about you, but you’re acting like this.”

Following Arendt’s blunt retort, only the Crown Prince’s amused laughter filled the conference room.

Arendt, as if he had finished his work, stood up, dusted himself off, and faced the people in the room.

Despite that reckless appearance, no one dared to say anything.

The expressions on the faces of the knights on the same side, but especially those of Marquis Lanford and the nobles following him, were truly something to behold.

Marquis Lanford gritted his teeth and made a face.

“You… were you planning on doing this from the beginning?”

“Well, I understand what you mean.”

Arendt slightly curled the corners of his lips.

“No matter what happens, none of you will threaten me. Since you yourself said that you trust me, I am sure His Highness the Crown Prince fully understands what that means.”

“…”

Crack.

A bloody sound of teeth gnashing came from between the Count’s lips. His clenched fists had long since turned white from lack of blood.

As he quietly stared at the face that was blatantly laughing, only then did the facts that he didn’t want to admit begin to come into view, one by one.

“Marquis Lanford.”

“…But why.”

“How did you suddenly become interested in Arendt?”

“That…”

The Marquis, who was about to give an answer to Count Eckhart’s cold question, hesitated.

It was certainly after his brief meeting with the Crown Prince that he began to think of meeting Arendt von Eckhart in person. He didn’t think he had been aware of the apprentice knight until then.

At that time, the Crown Prince showed an uncertain attitude towards Arendt, so the Marquis went to see Arendt himself. He even found out the time when he was patrolling.

And when Arendt first met Marquis Lanford, he bared his teeth like a vicious watchdog who had been overworked by its owner… and Marquis Lanford, believing him completely, extended a helping hand.

As soon as he thought about it, he couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

The premise was wrong from the start.

From the very beginning, this board was completely in the palm of that little knight’s hand. Marquis Lanford and Count Eckhart were caught up in it.

They were totally played around with.

“Ha ha ha.”

Unable to suppress his laughter, Marquis Lanford wiped his face.

He took pity on the apprentice knight and told the Crown Prince that it was right to set him free, and the apprentice knight pledged his loyalty with his own mouth.

He thought that if he let the hunting dog loose, it would either run away or wag its tail at him. However, as soon as the hunting dog was released from the leash, it returned to its master with the prey in its beak.

‘No, no.’

It wasn’t a hunting dog or anything. It was a monster that put everything in the palm of its hand and played with it.

“You see now, Marquis Lanford, that Lord Arendt is quite a difficult man to deal with.”

“…Yes, Your Highness. It seems as you said.”

Marquis Lanford nodded with a weak smile at Cantares’ soothing words.

Cantares, after speaking to Marquis Lanford, raised his head and looked around.

The other nobles around him were also dumbfounded.

It was only natural. They had all had conversations with Arendt at least once, so they could not blame Marquis Lanford for all this.

The Crown Prince continued speaking in a very cheerful tone.

“Now that that is settled, let us return to the main topic. I intend to use this opportunity to focus on putting the Empire back on track and gathering our strength to drive out our enemies.”

“It will be as you wish, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Duke Lancelot added a word with a gentle smile.

Then, Director Kendrick, who had been silent, opened his mouth.

“It is embarrassing that I have lost my player to an apprentice knight. The Imperial Knights will always support this empire, His Majesty the Emperor, and His Highness the Crown Prince with all their heart. I swear it to the god Luce.”

“I swear to God that I will do my best to protect the royal family.”

As Kendrick rose from his seat and knelt on one knee, Diana and Laius followed suit, swearing their oaths together.

Following the captains, the knights all bowed their loyalty to the Crown Prince.

The nobles who were standing there blankly were not given any other choice.

Marquis Lanford, who burst into a resigned laugh, was the first to slowly bow to the Crown Prince.

“I will stand in solidarity with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, in the name of Marquis Lanford.”

The other nobles also bowed awkwardly.

It was a historic moment that put an end to a long division.

But one person, Count Eckhart, did not move an inch. He simply glared at his son, who had created this whole situation, with a gaze full of anger as if he were going to devour him.

In a situation where everyone was completely exhausted, the meeting was led by Cantares and Duke Lancelot. Thanks to them, the Crown Prince was able to achieve almost everything he wanted.

A wanted notice was issued for the ‘Sword of the Broken Heart’ and the investigation was to be centered around the Imperial Knights. All information and investigations were to be conducted under the leadership of the Imperial Knights.

The imperial magicians and priests also focused on annihilating the enemy under the command of the Crown Prince, and a full-scale investigation was decided to eliminate any remnants that might still be remaining among the nobles.

On the surface, all command power was in Cantares’ hands.

After the meeting was over, Arendt was watching the back of Marquis Lanford walking home with satisfaction when a sharp fist flew into the back of his head.

Bam!

“Ahhhh!”

“Hey, you crazy bastard! I thought you were done for!”

Arthur began to curse loudly before he could even feel the thrill of finally beating Arendt up.

Arendt massaged the back of his head and responded irritably.

“Oh, really! Why are you hitting me? Everything should have worked out fine.”

“Shouldn’t you have told us in advance!”

The next cry came from Rider. Arendt was now completely surrounded by the Third Knights.

“How can talking to you guys help? You guys are only good at using a sword, and don’t know how to use your heads at all.”

“Is that something you should say now? Is that something you should say? Huh?”

But this time the knights did not back down.

Laius wiped his face as he watched his subordinates fighting noisily.

“Your subordinates have become quite energetic.”

“Sorry.”

With a bitter smile, Laius responded to Kendrick’s words.

But that commotion didn’t last long, because someone quickly approached the gathered knights.

It was Count Eckhart.

The moment they saw the Count’s face, each of the knights hardened their faces and straightened their postures, but Count Eckhart pushed his way through the knights and approached Arendt with brisk strides.

The knights tensed up and stared at the Count. Arendt also stopped grappling with Arthur and looked straight up at his father with indifferent eyes.

Count Eckhart asked coldly.

“Is this what you want?”

“Yes, as I said from the beginning, I only moved in a way that was beneficial to me.”

Arendt, with his hands stuffed deep in his pockets, responded arrogantly.

“Do you think this action will benefit you right now?”

“Of course. Wouldn’t there be more to be gained by being attached to the Imperial family than to a mere Marquis or Count? And…”

Golden eyes looked over the Count’s shoulder.

Arcus flinched as he met Arendt’s eyes.

“I don’t want to be a puppet like someone else, and more than anything, the Count’s house is too small to handle me. You can’t even handle a disobedient son.”

Arendt let out a small laugh.

Count Eckhart growled fiercely.

“You’ve become very arrogant lately.”

“No, I’ve always been like this.”

But Arendt, on the other hand, proudly puffed out his chest.

“I’m arrogant, ill-tempered, self-centered, and will cause trouble if you take your eyes off me for even a moment. I’ve always been that way, and I’ll always be that way.”

“…I’m proud of you, kid.”

Arthur grumbled, but of course it was ignored.

Arendt smiled and looked straight at Count Eckhart.

“So give up. I’m not something you can just keep in your hand and throw away when you no longer need it.”

“…”

Count Eckhart stared at Arendt for a long time with a hardened face.

And after a while, he turned around.

“You are no longer a member of the Eckhart family.”

“Don’t talk like that. I won’t take that name even if you give it to me.”

Although this was essentially a statement of breaking ties, Arendt did not keep quiet until the very end.

Count Eckhart glared at his second son with a wicked look in his eyes and then strode away from the place.

Arcus, who had been standing back, stood still as if he was nailed to the spot even after the Count left.

After a while, he bowed to the knights and Arendt.

“Excuse me. See you next time.”

With that, Arcus also quickly followed after Count Eckhart.

Arendt stared blankly at the two people walking away, then snorted.

“It’s pointless to hold on to deadweight.”

“What about deadweight!”

But the serious atmosphere was soon shattered by someone’s angry shout.

“Who would so easily abandon their blood ties? Isn’t this guy crazy?”

“Oh, really! What does it matter whether I do that or not?”

The knights began to chatter again, starting with Rider’s absurd shout. Arendt tried to vent his frustration, but his voice was drowned out by the commotion.

Laius became even more disturbed as he looked at the sight.

It is clear that Arendt had hoped to blend in well with the crowd…

‘It wouldn’t have been like that.’

Arendt wanted to be gentle, but somehow the group seems to have been influenced by that guy.

Diana approached quietly and patted Laius’ shoulder.