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Iana headed towards the entrance of the Imperial Palace.
Just then, the Empress, along with her lady-in-waiting, Baroness Agnes, was hurrying towards her from the front.
Iana bowed her head and greeted her.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."
"I just heard that the head of The Nine and the mages suddenly came to see His Majesty. Is it perhaps related to Iana Archmage?"
The Empress asked with worried eyes.
Iana noticed her concern and asked with a smile.
"Did Your Majesty come because you were worried? Perhaps in case the mages might harm me?"
The Empress hesitated for a moment before whispering softly.
"Grand Duke Ervin asked me to."
"Yes?"
"He asked me to step in if anything happened to Iana Archmage."
"Your Highness?"
Iana was surprised by the unexpected words.
"Of course, Iana Archmage has strong magical power, but everything must be a worry in the eyes of a man who harbors affection, wouldn't it?"
At the Empress's words, Iana recalled the day Charles left for the outer fortress.
"I will only be gone for three nights."
He said it jokingly, but he seemed worried about her anxiety.
Iana thought for a moment before speaking.
"His Majesty the Emperor has appointed me as the commander of the magic forces."
"Is that true?"
The Empress looked puzzled.
"I'll tell you as we go."
Iana walked towards the gate with the Empress, telling her about what had happened in the office.
After talking for a while, the Empress stopped with a dark expression.
"The head of The Nine probably won't stay still."
"Probably not, right?"
"Isn't the commander of the mages supposed to be the head of The Nine, chosen from among the mages, not appointed by His Majesty the Emperor?"
"The head of The Nine made a mistake. The Archmage Merit Succession System created room for the Imperial Family to intervene in the affairs of the mages."
The Empress stepped forward, took Iana's hands, and said.
"I will keep a close eye on the situation here, so don't worry."
Iana hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Your Majesty, I am more worried about Riel and Duke Havel than the head of The Nine."
The Empress, who had been listening quietly, said with a determined face.
"They will try to shake His Majesty, who is anxious, thinking that the absence of the two of them is an opportunity. But it won't be easy."
"⋯⋯."
"I will definitely stop them, even if I have to risk my position."
✦ ✦ ✦
Around that time, in the office of Duke Havel's townhouse.
Riel was sitting on the sofa, facing Duke Havel, and talking.
Clang-.
Duke Havel put down his teacup with a clatter and said.
"It seems you made a wrong judgment this time."
"⋯⋯."
"If you had been by His Majesty the Emperor's side when he was anxious about the war, his favor would have deepened even more."
"Wait and see. There will be an opportunity."
Riel answered lightly, but her heart was anxious.
She didn't have a good reason to return to the Imperial Palace.
Returning to the Imperial Palace without a plan would be like admitting defeat to the Emperor.
A woman who bends her pride to a man's will loses her charm and becomes less rare.
But if she just watched, the Emperor, who was focused on the war, would certainly not look for her.
It was then.
Knock knock.
A senior knight's voice was heard along with the urgent knocking on the door.
"Your Grace, an urgent message has arrived."
"Come in."
Creak-.
The office door opened, and a senior knight with silver hair entered, holding a letter in one hand.
The senior knight glanced at Riel once.
His brief gaze contained a lot of meaning.
Riel thought as she watched him.
'Men are all the same. After spending the night, they mistake you for their woman⋯⋯.'
A clear line was needed. Riel turned her gaze away with a haughty expression and drank the tea on the table.
"⋯⋯!"
The senior knight's eyes shook greatly at Riel's behavior, which seemed to ignore him.
Then, Duke Havel, who had been silently staring at the senior knight, asked a question.
"What urgent message has arrived?"
The senior knight finally came to his senses and spoke.
"The head of The Nine sent a message⋯⋯."
"⋯⋯."
"Iana Archmage has been appointed as the commander of the magic forces."
"What?"
Duke Havel looked at Riel with suspicious eyes.
Riel was lost in thought for a moment to understand the Emperor's intentions.
"Why was Iana Archmage suddenly appointed?"
The senior knight explained the contents of the letter.
"He said he would lead this war to victory with the experience he gained in Ervin."
Riel recalled the image of Iana launching the firebird as she listened to the story.
'If it's really Iana⋯⋯.'
Riel spoke as if throwing a stone into a pond, with a thoughtful expression.
"Your Grace, go to the Imperial Palace. And call me back."
Duke Havel asked with suspicious eyes.
"How?"
"Say that I was attacked by a stranger and the child I am carrying is in danger. As if I was attacked by Iana's people."
"You mean, with the justification that the Imperial Palace is the only safe place for you now? But will His Majesty the Emperor believe it?"
Riel, feeling a sense of crisis, said with sharp eyes.
"I will have to make him believe it."
"⋯⋯."
"We have to stop it, even if it means doing that. Before Iana becomes a war hero⋯⋯."
✦ ✦ ✦
Iana ran with the mages for a long time and arrived at the northern outer fortress of the capital.
Inside the outer fortress, troops with the flags of noble families were lined up and gathering.
Iana got off her horse and looked up at the fortress walls.
Flap-.
Several Imperial Army flags planted on the fortress walls fluttered in the strong wind.
Charles, who was talking to the knights with a serious face, was seen among them.
'Your Highness.'
Seeing Charles in front of her, Iana's vague anxiety disappeared.
"Ha⋯⋯."
She unknowingly let out a small sigh.
At that moment, she made eye contact with Charles, who had turned his head casually.
"⋯⋯!"
He seemed quite surprised by Iana's sudden appearance.
She glanced around slightly and made a playful expression.
Just like Charles had done on the walls of Ervin.
At that sight, a smile spread across Charles's serious face.
Iana quickly climbed up the fortress walls when Charles gestured for her to come up.
Whoosh-.
Just as she stepped onto the fortress walls.
A gust of sandy wind blew, and Iana closed her eyes and slowly opened them.
At that moment, the scenery outside the outer fortress came into view at a glance.
'That is⋯⋯.'
Iana's eyes widened.
The scene was chaotic, with people who appeared to be refugees and soldiers who were injured but could not enter the castle mixed together in long lines of tents.
Some refugees were pleading for the gates to be opened in front of the gates.
There were far more people camped in front of the outer fortress than she had heard at the Imperial Palace.
Charles pointed to a watchtower, saying when he had approached.
"Let's go into the conference room and talk."
It seemed that one of the unused watchtowers had been renovated and used as a conference room.
Iana followed him into the watchtower. Then, she explained how she came to the outer fortress.
"No wonder the head of The Nine said he had urgent business at the Imperial Palace today. He was thinking of fleeing to the south with the Emperor."
Charles's eyes turned sharp.
Iana sent a look and asked about the rebellion.
"How is it going?"
Charles approached Iana and whispered in her ear.
"Aden said that he arrived in the Lauren region with the refugees the day before yesterday."
"Then he'll arrive in about two days?"
"We will open the gates at that time so that they can enter with the refugees."
As the time of the rebellion approached, Iana frowned with a nervous look.
Charles pressed her forehead and said jokingly.
"I shouldn't be thinking this for your sake, but⋯⋯."
"Yes?"
"I'm glad to see you here."
Looking closely, Charles's jawline looked sharper, as if he had lost a lot of weight in the past week.
His bloodshot eyes were full of exhaustion.
Iana hesitated for a moment before asking with a serious face.
"May I give you a hug?"
"I'll decline. If I hug you, I'll want to kiss you too."
"Again! You're joking!"
Iana was embarrassed and burst into anger.
Charles laughed loudly as if he found the sight amusing.
It was at that moment.
A knight's urgent voice was heard from outside the watchtower.
"Your Highness, a messenger has arrived from the Lauren region."
"Come in."
At Charles's command, the knight hurriedly entered.
"Your Highness, the last defense line in the Lauren region has been breached."
160.
Open the Castle Gate
“The last defense line in the Lauren region has been breached.”
“Then it’s only a matter of time before they storm the capital.”
Iana looked at Charles with a surprised expression.
Charles spoke with a thoughtful face.
“I thought they would hold out for a few more days, but the defense line was breached sooner than expected. What about the noble families’ troops?”
“All the troops from the noble families who were sent summons will arrive by tomorrow morning.”
The knight looked at Iana and said,
“And Rechelles’ magic legion has just arrived.”
At the knight’s words, a good idea flashed through Iana’s mind.
“Your Highness, please send me and the support troops, including the magic legion, to the border area of the Lauren region. There are refugees in front of the outer castle, so we can’t fight there.”
“⋯⋯.”
“We’ll buy time until all the noble families’ troops arrive.”
Iana answered with a wink.
She was planning to buy time until the front lines of the outer castle were ready, but she also had the purpose of helping the refugees and the rebel forces.
“Let’s do that. As soon as other troops arrive, I will send them to the border area.”
Charles, who had been contemplating, made a firm decision.
But his face was full of worry as he looked at her.
“Then I’ll prepare right away.”
Iana gave a small smile as if to tell him not to worry and went out of the watchtower.
Looking at the inside of the outer castle from the wall, the Rechelles family’s flag came into her sight.
Iana headed straight for it.
When she came down from the wall and arrived in front of the magic legion, she saw Marcel.
Marcel was standing there with a determined face, wearing a familiar blue cloak.
Iana thought as she looked at him.
'That cloak is what Father used to wear.'
According to the Archmage Merit Succession System, Marcel could also be promoted to Archmage, but he had not yet been appointed.
Still, Iana was going to try to understand her brother a little.
Marcel wearing his father’s cloak was because of his brother’s earnest desire to carry on his father’s reputation.
As Iana approached, Marcel asked with an unbelievable face.
“Iana, have you really become the commander of the magic forces?"
“Yes. Anyway, the magic legion will depart for the Lauren border area right now.”
“Our magic legion must protect the outer castle. As befits its reputation, as the last bastion.”
Marcel shouted as if he had been treated unfairly.
There was fear in the eyes of her brother, who was angry.
He wanted to enjoy the status and reputation of the Archmage, but he was afraid of war and wanted to avoid responsibility and duty.
That was why someone who lacked ability should not become an Archmage.
So Iana, who had been trying to understand Marcel, changed her mind.
“Marquess Rechelles.”
“What?”
Marcel frowned strongly.
Iana said in a cold voice.
“I am not asking for Marquess Rechelles’ opinion now, but giving an order.”
“⋯⋯.”
“As the commander of the magic forces.”
✦ ✦ ✦
About an hour had passed.
In front of the castle gate, troops from five noble families, including the Rechelles family’s magic legion, and 20 mages had finished preparing to depart.
Iana stood at the front, followed by Marcel.
“Then please be careful.”
Charles said with a calm face.
But Iana knew.
He was trying hard to pretend to be calm.
Iana also bowed her head briefly without revealing her emotions.
Charles gestured towards the castle wall, and the sound of a horn echoed in the outer castle.
Boo-ooo-oong.
Along with the sound of the horn, the outer castle gate slowly opened.
In the gap, a scuffle broke out between the refugees and the guards trying to enter the castle.
“Are you telling us to die when the monsters are attacking?”
“Please let the children in, at least! Please!”
The refugees, terrified of the monsters, continued to scream.
But no one could easily step forward.
As soon as they entered the castle gate, they had to be killed by the Emperor’s order.
As the guards blocked the refugees and made a path, Iana shouted from the front.
“Let’s go.”
Thump, thump, thump.
The troops lined up in a long line and ran out of the castle gate.
The view was completely blurred by the strong dust storm.
As another large-scale support force headed to the Lauren region, the faces of the refugees gathered in front of the castle gate darkened.
Thump, thump, thump.
Iana quickly spurred her horse, passed the plains in front of the castle gate, and entered the mountain path.
The procession of refugees continued along the road to the Lauren region.
'This is a big problem. There seem to be far more refugees than expected⋯⋯.'
With a worried heart, Iana quickly rode towards the Lauren border area.
✦ ✦ ✦
Night fell on the outer castle of the capital.
As it became dawn past midnight, pitch-black darkness spread over the outer castle.
Charles tried to get some sleep, but he couldn’t fall asleep at all. Soon, he left his lodgings and stood on the castle wall, looking at the place where Iana had left.
'How far has she gone by now?'
He realized anew that it was difficult to hide his worries.
Iana had strong magical power and had now become a proper commander of the magic forces.
He should never treat her like a woman, but that wasn’t as easy as he thought.
Then a knight approached and spoke to him.
“Your Highness, why are you out here?"
“I can’t sleep.”
“The Winsten Count family’s soldiers have just arrived.”
“They said they would arrive tomorrow morning, but they must have hurried.”
Just as Charles was wondering how to send additional troops to the Lauren border area.
“Huh? Over there.”
The knight pointed to a mountain in the distance. Charles followed his hand and shifted his gaze.
“What about that place?”
“I thought I saw a light flash just now.”
“A light?”
Charles looked at that place carefully once again.
It was that moment.
A huge pillar of blue light soared from the mountain.
Flash-.
For a moment, the night sky turned as bright as day.
Seeing that, Charles could tell instinctively.
'It’s definitely Iana.'
“All troops, prepare for battle!”
At Charles’ shout, the bugler blew the horn in succession.
Boo. Boo. Boo.
The soldiers in the castle moved in an orderly manner.
Archers from The First Order of Knights, who would fire magic arrows, were deployed forward, and cavalrymen who would provide support gathered in front of the castle gate.
Charles focused his gaze on the direction of the light.
Flash-.
Again, a blue light appeared and disappeared in the mountains.
The blue light was gradually approaching the outer castle.
'She’s retreating.'
In Charles’ eyes, who was about to give an order, came the refugees and knights who were agitated outside the castle gate.
“Please save us!”
The refugees ran to the castle gate in fear of the monsters.
'If the monsters push down here⋯⋯.'
The refugees and support troops could not fight a siege battle together, and it was obvious that there would be a large number of casualties.
But there was no contact from Aden’s rebel forces, who would protect the refugees.
Charles fell into deep thought.
But the conclusion was quick.
“When I give the order, open the castle gate.”
At Charles’ order, the knight said with a worried face.
“But His Majesty the Emperor ordered that no one be allowed into the capital⋯⋯.”
“If we leave them there, we won’t be able to fight properly, and then we won’t be able to protect the capital.”
Charles turned his head and quietly ordered another knight of The First Order of Knights next to him.
“You guys, prevent Duke Havel’s troops from rebelling.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The knights of The First Order of Knights hurriedly went down below the castle wall.
Charles also immediately moved towards the castle gate.
As expected. Troops from the Emperor’s close aides, including the Havel family, rebelled.
“Your Highness, this is disobedience to the Imperial order!"
“We cannot obey!”
Charles, who had been watching quietly, gave an order in a cold voice.
“The troops from the families who rebel against my orders will be sent as support troops first.”
Until now, the troops from the Emperor’s close aide families had received the privilege of being excluded from difficult battles even if they participated in the war.
Charles attacked that point.
“⋯⋯!”
Those who had been rebelling became silent for a moment.
“From now on, anyone who disobeys my orders will be executed immediately.”
As Charles gestured, the knights of The First Order of Knights, holding swords, surrounded those who were rebelling.
No one could rebel anymore.
In the silence, Charles gave a short order.
“Open the castle gate.”
Boo-ooo-oong.
Along with the sound of the horn, the heavy castle gate slowly opened.
Charles knew very well.
The moment that castle gate opened, his future would be swept up in an unpredictable vortex.
But he was more desperate for Iana’s safety than his own.
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