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Chapter : 03
Kiaros blinked for a moment.
Surprisingly, every legal clause Namia had mentioned was correct.
Before he even realized it, he quietly stood up and carried the box. It was quite heavy.
So it really wasn’t something she could lift alone.
By the time he returned from the storage room, there were only five minutes left until official closing time.
But everyone in the department had already left—except Namia.
Important security documents were scattered all over the place.
This department was also part of the Imperial Knights, meaning security should have been the top priority.
This department… I will absolutely shut it down.
Kiaros clenched his teeth and made a silent vow.
When he glanced at Namia beside him, she still looked completely lifeless. He placed the box next to her and said bluntly:
“I will not be coming in from tomorrow.”
“Oh, yes.”
No surprise. No interest. She didn’t even ask why.
What is this woman?
Someone quits on the first day, and she reacts like that?
Considering her earlier blank reaction when he requested authorization, she probably didn’t even realize what permissions she had granted.
Was she just reciting laws earlier because she wanted someone to order around?
He dismissed the strange feeling.
She had said she would accompany the mourning delegation tomorrow. At least until the day after tomorrow, his infiltration wouldn’t be exposed.
If they still haven’t revoked the permissions after a month, I’ll accuse them of losing control of security and wipe this entire department out.
Kiaros packed up and left the Scroll Management Department without even saying goodbye to the woman who was now digging through boxes.
The Next Morning
“Everyone assemble!”
It was an imperial procession—more specifically, the Crown Prince of the Empire.
The White Knights, the Crown Prince’s personal escort unit within the Imperial Knights, had been busy since dawn.
The commander of the White Knights spoke with a grave expression.
“Do not forget—we must protect His Highness from any and all danger!”
But the knights looked far from inspired.
“I heard he knocked out fifteen men with his bare hands last time…”
“During training this morning, he ran sixty laps alone.”
“And he can destroy buildings with just aura…”
The atmosphere was anything but solemn.
The commander coughed awkwardly and shouted again.
“O-of course His Highness is stronger than all of us combined! But still—we must protect him!”
Since the schedule was simple, the escort group was small.
The commander selected five knights, including himself, and then checked the accompanying officials.
“Ministry of Health. Where are they?”
The escort included doctors and legal officials in case of emergencies.
A young man raised his hand.
“Emergency Medical Team, Luca Class. I just arrived.”
“Good. Luca Class is here. And from the Ministry of Justice, Lennon is present… Now then, from the Scroll Department—did anyone come?”
“Yes.”
I raised my hand while yawning.
“Scroll Management Department, Inventory Team. Namia Roapi, present.”
“Namia Roapi… Huh?!”
The commander gasped when he saw my face.
“W-why do you look like that… Miss Namia, can you even go?”
My dark circles had sunk down to the middle of my cheeks.
I looked like a zombie as I slumped my shoulders.
“Oh… yes…”
The commander clicked his tongue sympathetically.
“Well, it’s not like there’s much for you to do anyway.”
He clearly thought nothing would happen—and that the scrolls would never even be used.
In this world, magic could only be used through scrolls. But scroll magic wasn’t very powerful.
In other words, it was extremely inefficient.
Naturally, the Scroll Department wasn’t considered a major combat force within the knights. They were just support.
Hardly anyone is even interested in magic scrolls anyway…
The commander glanced at my bag and said kindly:
“Your bag looks heavy. Take out anything useless.”
Take out what, exactly? He didn’t even know what was inside.
That was how little concern anyone had for the Crown Prince’s safety.
That will change after today’s attack.
Originally, the Crown Prince would have been critically injured and died, leaving no time to investigate the masterminds.
But if I save him today, everything changes.
I tightened my grip on the bag filled with defensive scrolls.
At least that intern brought the materials…
The arrogant but physically strong intern had carried the heavy boxes without hesitation. If I had done it myself, my back would’ve given out.
He said he wouldn’t come tomorrow—but that was expected.
Still… I’ll save him. I can save him.
I hadn’t slept, but my mind was clear.
Meanwhile
Kiaros Polaruwood had shed his intern disguise.
Without it, he looked like a living statue.
Golden hair that shimmered like sunlight and sharp crimson eyes gave him an overwhelming presence. Combined with the natural beauty of the Dragon People, he exuded something almost otherworldly.
The escort unit… just as the report said.
Dressed entirely in black for the funeral procession, he scanned the knights briefly.
His gaze paused for a moment on one woman.
That girl…
Namia Roapi.
She looked exhausted, dark circles sinking to her cheeks.
Her large blue eyes were still unfocused.
He quickly looked away.
There was no time to dwell on her.
A heavy burden pressed down on him even outside the palace.
If I fall, the empire falls.
It was classified information, but the imperial family was in a fragile state.
Everything currently depended on Kiaros alone.
He had been too busy the previous day to review the Scroll Department documents.
I’ll check them tonight. There’s too much work.
With the Emperor away from the capital, even more responsibilities had fallen onto him.
Without expression, he led the escort unit out of the palace.
“Long live the Crown Prince!”
“May Polaris endure forever!”
Crowds gathered to witness the procession.
Just as they were approaching the funeral site—
A sharp shout pierced the air.
“Ambush!”
Clang!
The White Knight commander deflected a flying dagger and shouted:
“Stay alert! It’s a surprise attack!”
Kiaros instantly drew his sword.
Impossible.
His eyes trembled.
I… detected the ambush later than the knights?
Cold sweat ran down his back.
No aura. No sword energy. No magic.
Nothing was responding.
Don’t tell me… the Dark Period?
He knew this sensation.
He had experienced it at age ten.
All Dragon People of the imperial family underwent it.
During the Dark Period, aura, sword energy, and magic were sealed. Only after enduring it could they gain the ability to manifest as dragons later.
He had already gone through it once.
The feeling of being cut off from everything—he still remembered it vividly.
So why now?
The Dark Period occurring twice was unheard of. Only the first emperor had ever experienced it twice.
“Hold formation!”
Five knights surrounded him.
Everything happened in an instant.
Despite his shock, Kiaros reacted on instinct.
A barrage of poisoned arrows shot past where he had been standing.
The enemy pretending to attack the justice official had been a distraction.
The real target was elsewhere.
“Screams echoed everywhere.”
“Kyahhh!”
“Aaaagh!”
Chaos erupted.
And then—
“…Calculation complete.”
Namia, her dark circles sunk halfway down her cheeks, muttered.
Her voice cut through the chaos clearly.
“Activate.”
Countless scrolls shot into the sky.
At the same time, defensive magic exploded outward, wrapping around Kiaros’s body—
And deflected the rain of poisoned arrows pouring down like a storm.
