AOL 24

Chapter 24

“…No, thank you.”

Leo barely managed to shake his head in refusal. His whole body was so stiff that it felt like any movement of his neck might produce a creaking sound.

If it had been anyone else, they would have taken it as a kind offer and responded with a smile.

But the person in front of him was none other than Grand Duke Lahan El Kanos, the butcher who, on the battlefield, had once casually sliced through enemy soldiers like cutting meat.

And now he was smiling while asking, “Shall I cut it for you?”

Of course, what he was holding now was not his usual greatsword, but a small knife. And not even a particularly sharp one at that.

However, Leo was certain that if it were Grand Duke Kanos, he could still cut down dozens of people with that small blade without breaking a sweat.

Leo instinctively felt a chill crawl up the back of his neck and rubbed it, trying to calm himself down.

Watching Leo struggle, Lahan observed him with a relaxed expression before speaking again as if remembering something.

“Soon it will be the inauguration ceremony.”

“…Yes. That’s correct.”

As the Grand Duke said, the Special Knight Order’s inauguration ceremony was only a few days away. For now, Leo was still part of the Second Knight Order, but after the ceremony, he would have to serve under that demon.

Calling it an inauguration felt wrong. It would be more accurate to call it a funeral—the funeral of his peaceful and happy days.

Leo could not stop his face from twisting with worry and despair.

Iselle, who had been quietly chewing her steak, showed interest at the mention of the ceremony.

“Is the inauguration held at the imperial palace?”

When Iselle asked in a small voice, Lahan immediately smiled and nodded.

“Yes. There will be a hunting competition right after, so it will likely be a simple ceremony.”

Every summer and winter, the Emperor held a hunting event with nobles and knights.

Officially, it was a seasonal hunt to mark the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, but in reality, it was a stage for power struggles and displays of influence among nobles.

The hunting event was always held in the Herbart Forest, where the Emperor’s summer villa was located.

Herbart Forest was one of the empire’s five great natural landmarks.

The forest was filled with densely packed Herbart trees, marked by distinctive white patterns. The trees emitted a cool energy, helping people forget the summer heat.

“…Ah. So that time has already come.”

For Iselle, late summer was a season that brought back many memories.

She paused her fork and looked down at her plate. Her pale green eyes blinked slowly as she traced fragments of memories that felt almost like a dream.

But the end of summer did not only signify something beautiful. Before autumn arrived, her family had to repay their debt to the Lesian ducal house.

Otherwise…

As the image of Cezar Lesian, twisted by vile desire, flashed through her mind, Iselle’s expression turned cold in an instant.

Lahan’s steady gaze turned toward her.

“Have you ever been to Herbart Forest?”

He asked calmly, studying Iselle’s face.

It was a gaze as if searching for something. A faint hint of anxiety lingered in his golden eyes.

Herbart Forest. The name felt both familiar and unfamiliar. Iselle slowly lowered her gaze. Even in her dreams, she had once been in that very forest.

Looking down, she spoke quietly.

“When I was young… I went once.”

Beyond the hunting grounds, there was a meadow known only to Iselle and a boy.

In that place, beneath the shade of a massive elm tree, the two of them had shared a peace that felt unreal.

The boy always smiled when looking at Iselle. He would gaze at her warmly, then open his lips…

“Elle?”

“Iselle?”

Two overlapping voices pulled her back.

Startled, Iselle lifted her head. Her blurred vision cleared, and the boy’s face slowly transformed into Lahan’s.

Not Elle… why…

The person in front of her was not the boy, but Grand Duke Kanos. It was obvious—but the timing of his voice had been too perfect, startling her.

Only belatedly realizing Lahan had spoken, Iselle responded.

“…Yes?”

“Would you come to the hunting event?”

“…?”

“Before the hunting event, I would like to receive your blessing.”

Iselle’s eyes widened.

Leo, who had been quietly listening, dropped his fork in shock. The sharp sound of metal hitting porcelain drew the attention of others nearby.

Leo looked at the Grand Duke in disbelief. In the Empire of Ekar, it was tradition for women to give blessings to men participating in hunting events.

And it was usually a ritual performed between lovers.

In other words, what the Grand Duke had just said was not a request—it was closer to a confession.

That madman!

Leo and Count Blisha, both members of the Imperial Knights, had always accompanied the Emperor during summer retreats.

Because of that, Iselle was always left alone at the estate. Even though attendants and guards stayed with her, it still felt uncomfortable leaving her behind.

However, even so, it was impossible to bring her to a noble hunting event filled with aristocratic heirs—including Cezar Lesian.

Leo tried to intervene.

But his attempt failed.

Before he could say anything, an unexpected response came first.

“Alright.”

A clear voice rang out across the table.

Even Lahan looked slightly surprised, as if he had not expected such an immediate acceptance.

Leo slowly turned his stiff neck.

It felt like having his trusted axe strike his own foot—no, his entire leg being cut off.

“I-Iselle…?”

Leo looked at her, pale and shaken, as the situation spiraled out of control.

Did Iselle also have feelings for the Grand Duke?

But contrary to his fears, there was no trace of embarrassment or bashfulness on her face.

Her eyes shone with firm determination.

“This way.”

The viscount spoke, glancing back at the two people behind him. They nodded and followed him closely.

The viscount swallowed nervously. His hand trembled slightly as he reached for the door handle.

The visitors were priests dispatched from the Eknix Grand Temple.

They had arrived in a carriage with no insignia, showing a sacred badge to the viscount and claiming they were here to investigate a rumored statue in his possession.

Unlike usual priests, they wore dark hooded cloaks that concealed their entire bodies.

They behaved as if their connection to the temple must remain hidden.

It was common for nobles to visit after hearing rumors of a statue containing healing power.

But it was the first time the temple itself had sent investigators, and the viscount was extremely tense.

What if they tried to take the statue away?

Since acquiring it, his household had experienced nothing but prosperity.

Not only had his wife recovered miraculously, but his business ventures had begun to flourish beyond expectation.

Even nobles had offered ten times its value, but he had refused every offer.

It was a treasure that brought both healing blessing and fortune.

What if the temple demanded it be handed over?

The viscount opened the door carefully.

“Please, come in.”

The priests entered.

The room was filled with art pieces—paintings and sculptures lined the walls and shelves.

At the far end stood a table bathed in sunlight from a window.

On it sat a small statue.

It was only slightly larger than a man’s hand.

The viscount pointed to it.

“This is the statue I purchased at auction a few weeks ago.”

But before he could finish, the priests’ eyes locked onto it.

Even under their hoods, their reaction was obvious. After a moment, a trembling voice escaped from within.

“…Impossible.”

“Sir priest…?”

Ignoring the viscount, one priest stepped forward and removed his hood, extending a shaking hand toward the statue.

“Th-this… how…”

His hand trembled violently but never touched the statue, dropping limply before reaching it. His face held an expression beyond words.

A mixture of fear and awe.

The statue depicted a woman’s hands gently cupped as if holding something.

Within her palms was sunlight streaming through the window.

The white marble seemed to emit its own soft glow. Though stone, it looked warm—almost alive.

It was undeniably a masterpiece.

But what shocked the priest was not its beauty.

It was the divine power pulsing clearly within the small statue.