“First, introduce yourself.”

“Yes.”

At the command, Marin bowed her head and turned to face the audience.

“My name is Marin. I was born in Gwanaman Village and lived there my entire life until recently, when I became a member of the Cavalry. Originally, I lived with my parents and younger brother, but now, I am alone.”

Her voice held the faintest tremor, but beneath it was a clearly resolute core.

She briefly recounted the circumstances under which she had returned home on leave, and how she encountered and subdued the bandits there. Her explanation of cultivating plants that grew hidden beneath trees or underground to form traps that bound the enemy’s feet, and subduing them with thorn bushes laced with paralytic poison, left Yuder rather impressed.

‘She used to complain that her ability was useless for anything but growing weeds... yet she fought incredibly well.’

Back when they were deployed to the South, Marin’s role had been to grow enormous trees to protect people. That had always been more of a support position than an offensive one. The fact that she had now independently discovered ways to fight meant she had been studying her abilities continuously.

‘But research alone isn’t enough. You need innate battle instincts, and hers were clearly outstanding from the beginning.’

It wasn’t surprising. In her previous life, Marin had become an incredible Awakener through her own strength alone. She was, arguably, the only one who had survived after attempting to assassinate Emperor Kachian. Even during the short-lived Red Field Rebellion, she fought with such unrelenting ferocity that Yuder himself had considered it a waste when she died.

Now, seeing that raw talent finally shine in this life gave him a certain satisfaction.

“After defeating them, I realized there were many suspicious signs that they weren’t ordinary bandits. They looked more like a group of mercenaries, and among their belongings was a letter clearly targeting our village—and me. I couldn’t simply overlook that, so I filed a report requesting an investigation into the client who had hired them. The knights dispatched to investigate offered immense help. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them.”

“Wait. You said they targeted not just the village, but you as well?”

The Empress raised her hand and questioned her.

“Yes, that’s correct. In the letter found on the bandits, the name of the village, a shortcut leading there, and the exact location of my house were all written. Since I am the only one currently living in that house, it’s only natural to conclude that they intended to kill me.”

“Then the one who commissioned the letter must have known that you were a member of the Cavalry and had returned to your hometown on leave.”

“I concluded the same.”

“But you did not write that part in your original report. Why did you leave it out?”

“My life, in truth, is not worth saving. From the moment I joined the Cavalry, I accepted that I could die at any time. But the villagers are different. Innocent, good-hearted citizens of the Empire nearly died for no reason. That was far more important. As ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) a member of the Cavalry, I simply did what needed to be done.”

Marin’s answer was precise, her voice filled with sincere conviction. Someone from the Emperor’s noble faction even let out an impressed hum.

‘But in reality, that’s not the full truth.’

From Kachian’s perspective, both the village and Marin were inconveniences he wanted to erase—but if forced to prioritize, it would’ve been Marin first. He likely chose to attack the village because she was there—not the other way around.

And Emperor Keillusa, the Empress, and even Marin herself knew that.

Still, they chose to highlight the village’s suffering first—because that was far more effective in exposing Kachian’s guilt.

“During the investigation, some villagers reportedly recognized the Crown Prince’s face. Do you also confirm this?”

At the Emperor’s quiet question, the atmosphere turned deathly still. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Marin’s answer.

Her eyes turned to Kachian, who stood frozen. Then her lips parted.

“Yes.”

“How dare you— Where do you get the nerve—!”

“I knew him very well. We lived next door for a long time, separated only by a wall.”

Kachian’s strangled outburst was completely drowned out by Marin’s calm, clear voice.

“I recognize that painting. It depicts Mr. Joheen and his son—little Kichi—who lived next door to my family. I still remember how proudly Mr. Joheen said he’d finally commissioned a family portrait. He truly loved his son.”

“Little Kichi?”

“That’s what everyone in the village called him. He was the same age as my younger brother, Maiki, and they were very close. So even with the years gone by, how could I not recognize him?”

“You dare lie under oath?!”

Kachian shouted. But Emperor Keillusa continued speaking as if he hadn’t heard him.

“So the accuser believes ‘little Kichi’ and Crown Prince Kachian are the same person. Very well. We can confirm it once the missing birth registry is located.”

“Yes. I will personally volunteer to help locate that record.”

“Such admirable dedication. Then I would ask one more thing.”

“Please, Your Majesty.”

“There is a reason behind all things. If the Crown Prince did indeed hire mercenaries to kill you and the village... what do you believe that reason was—?”

“Your Majesty!”

Kachian couldn’t bear to watch the Emperor finish that sentence. He cried out, blood in his voice, and tried to lunge forward. But before he could even take a step, a sudden invisible force blasted outward, shoving him backward. A wall of fire erupted before him.

“Aagh!”

Kachian was slammed back into his chair, sprawled out in a disgraceful heap. The audience gasped—some clutched their mouths, others jumped to their feet.

“What on earth...!”

Moments later, the wall of fire shielding the Emperor and Empress dissipated.

Behind it stood two figures who had silently risen like lightning: Duke Peleta and Yuder Aile. Both were in combat stances, shielding the Emperor and Empress.

“My apologies, Crown Prince. It seems I overreacted from surprise and misjudged the strength of my response.”

Duke Peleta casually twirled the sword in his hand. A ripple of blue aura flickered at the tip—undeniable proof of a Swordmaster. The noble faction’s eyes visibly twitched in alarm. One of them even muttered in disbelief.

“Weren’t we all required to surrender our weapons upon entering? How did the Duke...?” 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

“Oh. I was concerned for His Majesty’s safety, so I borrowed it from someone nearby for a moment. I’ll return it now.”

With a grin, Duke Peleta handed the blade back to a nearby knight.

“Thank you. It served me well.”

The stunned knight, only now realizing his sword had vanished, accepted it back with trembling hands.

“......”

No one could say a word.

The fact that even the weapon’s owner hadn’t noticed it being taken was terrifying. Not even facing a novice would that be an easy feat—and Duke Peleta had just done it to a knight tasked with guarding the imperial palace.

And now he smiled like it was nothing.

The Swordmaster they had always dismissed as legend, mocked as a myth, was here. And very real.

Everyone in the room felt a chill.

He could, if he so wished, end every single life in that chamber before anyone had time to blink.

“......”

“Well then. I must say, I’m quite surprised too. I didn’t expect a wall of fire to appear so suddenly without any prior agreement. But to see someone create one so swiftly and protect Their Majesties—our empire’s hero truly is something special, isn’t he? I had feared I wouldn’t be strong enough... but clearly, I had no need to worry.”

Kishiar, standing beside Yuder Aile, stretched out a hand toward him with a bright, theatrical smile.

Not only did he make it unmistakably clear who had conjured the fire wall—he even boasted about it.

Only a deep, crushing silence filled the room in response.