Suddenly, he felt an unfamiliar presence.
Lexion, who instinctively turned around, t the gaze of the green eyes that seed to belong to an elf.
As soon as he approached, Nikephoros stood tall just a few steps away.
“Hello, Lexi.”
The eyes that pretended to be an elf’s twinkled affectionately.
Lexion, who had been frozen for a mont, burst into laughter.
“I was wondering where you were hiding so tightly, and now you’ve finally crawled out.”
“You don’t sound very happy.”
Nikephoros smiled broadly.
It was a completely different look from the ti when he was overco with rage after being tricked by Arendt.
In contrast, Lexion’s forehead couldn’t help but furrow slightly.
The fact that he appeared before he could even find him ant that sothing he never wanted had happened.
‘Shit.’
Lexion searched for Arendt, who was said to still be within the palace, with his senses.
But there was no sign of him at all.
‘Shit.’
Surely he couldn’t be dead already.
The magical power connected to him was cut off for so reason.
“What are you planning?”
Finally, Lexion couldn’t hold back and lashed out fiercely. Nikephoros then responded calmly.
“A plan? You were looking for so desperately, so I showed my face.”
As he tilted his head, his golden hair cascaded down like a waterfall.
“But it doesn’t seem to be that rewarding, and it doesn’t seem that welco. That’s a bit of a sha.”
“Why do you think that?”
Lexion sneered at the voice filled with lantation.
“I’m so happy I could die. I’ll finally be able to tear you apart.”
The fact that Nikephoros was right in front of him ant that he couldn’t return to the palace right away.
Of course, this was also an assud situation.
Only a dragon could handle a dragon.
Nikephoros and Lexion were destined to ultimately risk everything to fight for their respective allies.
‘So.’
He had to hang on to that guy here until Arendt’s presence returned.
After all, Nikephoros’ goal was to keep Lexion tied up here.
“It’s been a while since we’ve seen eye to eye, Lexi. Everything I have exists for Lady Iris and Lord Chernion.”
Nikephoros, with his hands clasped behind his back, smiled broadly.
“That is why I am so glad that I have been given the honor of being able to condemn you.”
Even as he hurriedly followed his n to escape, Duke Lancelot was unable to imdiately understand the current situation.
‘What’s happening…”
It would be more reasonable to assu that the Count was switched last night, as there was no way he would have changed his mind in just a few days.
His subordinate wasn’t the only one who suffered. As they scrambled to escape the palace, shrieks erupted from all sides.
“Hey! What’s wrong? Wait a minute!”
“Ugh!”
The priests of the Chernion Cult, disguised as imperial officials, were blowing themselves up and ghouls were pouring out of their remains.
He paused for a mont at the horrific sight, then the group urged the Duke on.
“Your Grace, this way!”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Even as he moved hurriedly, the Duke couldn’t stop thinking.
‘The defenses must have been perfect.’
Duke Lancelot also had been receiving constant updates on the security situation at the palace.
Security was tighter than ever, and every available manpower was dedicated to protecting the palace and castle.
Moreover, even the dragon Lexion was now protecting the palace.
Although he often left his post to scout out the enemy’s movents, even then, Lexion always kept his senses sharp towards the palace.
‘That’s what Sir Arendt said.’
Even if he went out on patrol, he could return within five seconds if sothing happened.
But not only did they not notice that the palace personnel had been swapped with the enemies, Lexion still hasn’t returned.
Sothing was definitely wrong.
“Keeeeek!”
While they were lost in such thoughts, a ghoul suddenly appeared and rushed towards the group.
“Your Grace!”
An attendant who ca running in a hurry protected the Duke.
At that very mont, bang!
An arrow flew in and blew off the ghoul’s head.
“…”
The Duke quickly raised his head and checked where the arrow had co from.
Llewellyn stood on the second-floor terrace, holding his bow. A gentle breeze ruffled Llewellyn’s luscious hair. It was the effect of his artifact.
Llewellyn looked relieved after confirming that the Duke was safe.
But that was only for a mont, as he disappeared back into the building. Elves filled the terrace, replacing Llewellyn.
They were Shekhinah’s elf archers.
“Your Grace, please hurry! This is not the ti for this!”
The subordinate urged the Duke once more. Duke Lancelot nodded and straightened up.
“…Sothing feels off. As soon as we leave the palace, let’s go to Count Byte’s house.”
“Huh?”
Count Byte was the first to blow himself up in front of Arthur and Richt.
Duke Lancelot continued speaking quickly as he crossed the chaotic palace.
“The security was definitely tight. It wasn’t sothing that could be breached so easily.”
Elves capable of detecting magic stood guard at the entrance to the palace.
Even the items brought in from outside were carefully checked one by one to prevent any summoning stones from being mixed in.
Moreover, anyone entering the palace from outside was subject to a body search without exception.
Yet, they were able to penetrate deep into the palace without arousing any suspicion.
Even completely avoiding Lexion’s senses.
“Sothing must have happened that we didn’t anticipate. First, we need to find out what happened to Count Byte.”
“All right!”
The attendant nodded quickly.
“Fire!”
The elves who had climbed to the top of the main palace fired arrows simultaneously at Shekhinah’s command.
“Keeeeeek!”
“Ugh!”
The arrows that poured down like rain accurately pierced the necks and heads of the ghouls.
Of course, the ghouls only staggered for a mont, then quickly regained their composure and tried to charge at the people again.
But the next mont.
Kwaaaaang!
The arrows embedded in their bodies exploded, and countless ghouls were instantly engulfed in flas.
“Keeeeeek!”
“Kueeeeek! Keeeeek!”
The ghouls began to scream and writhe. anwhile, the people began to scurry to safety.
The surviving ghouls imdiately extended their sharp teeth and claws in search of their next victim.
But before they could even take a few steps…
Crunch!
The sword glead in the sunlight as it cleanly sliced through their necks.
It was Ragnald and Zakar who stepped forward.
“Don’t leave anyone behind! Protect the people!”
“Yes!”
At Zakar’s command, the elf warriors rushed towards the enemies.
Among them were also mbers of the Imperial Knights.
So guarded the non-combatants so they could escape, while others cut down the enemies rcilessly, reducing their numbers.
Even though no one had ordered them to do it, they were all moving in unison, each finding their own tasks to complete.
“Duke Lancelot!”
Helen of the Second Knights, who had just discovered the Duke’s party, rushed over.
“This place is dangerous. You must enter the building…”
“Sir Helen, can you get out of the palace?”
Duke Lancelot asked urgently before she could finish speaking.
“I don’t have ti to explain, but there’s sothing I need to know right now. Can you do it?”
For a mont, a fierce conflict crossed Helen’s face. Escaping the palace right now was too dangerous.
But she soon nodded with a stern face.
“Okay, I’ll escort you.”
“Thank you.”
After briefly expressing his gratitude, Duke Lancelot imdiately began to follow Helen.
The Emperor and Crown Prince were still in the palace. And even Lexion, whom he had trusted so deeply, was nowhere to be seen.
There were many other factors that could have deterred him, but the Duke never looked back again.
Now that the elves and junior knights had begun to move, there was no way he, who was worthy of the na of hero, could remain silent.
As expected…
“Captain Laius!”
A cry full of hope burst forth from afar.
As Cantares looked out the window, a curse eventually escaped his lips.
“This is absolutely maddening.”
The palace, which was filled with a tense atmosphere, suddenly beca the center of a battlefield.
He held an artifact that would allow him to teleport at any mont in his hand.
It was sothing Arendt gave him one day.
“Your Highness, you must take refuge.”
There was a hint of impatience in Jereon’s voice coming from behind him.
Cantares remained silent for a while, not answering.
“Healer! Healer, where are you? His arm has been severed!”
A servant screaming while holding onto a shoulder bitten by a ghoul, a noble steward supporting him, and allies trying to stop the ghouIs and enemies who were constantly trying to attack people.
All hell broke loose.
“Your Highness!”
Jereon urged him again.
Cantares, who was holding the artifact tightly, finally turned around and faced Jereon.
“Jen. Leave the palace first with His Majesty.”
“Huh?”
Jereon asked blankly at the sudden command. eting the Crown Prince’s piercing blue eyes, he suddenly ca to his senses.
“Your Highness, what do you an?”
“Of course, this is a dangerous situation. But that doesn’t an we can just vacate the palace.”
But Cantares had already made up his mind.
“If Lord Lexion hasn’t returned yet, it ans he’s been caught sowhere.”
It was only ghouls that raided the palace, and no one of note was seen yet.
If the palace was emptied hastily and the bastards revealed other tricks, the entire Empire could be in danger.
“I won’t move until I find out what their purpose is.”
“Your Highness…”
Jereon muttered in shock.
It was because he realized that Cantares would never give up.
Jereon sighed deeply after wiping his face once.
“As I have told you many tis, my place is only next to Your Highness.”
“Didn’t I just give you the order to escort His Majesty and leave? Take your share of the teleportation artifacts and…”
“Your Highness.”
The mont Cantares frowned, Jereon cut him off coldly.
“Don’t make look like a coward who abandons my lord.”
The Crown Prince paused. Jereon looked straight at him and continued speaking slowly.
“I’m sure Aide Boris will take good care of His Majesty. Until Your Highness escapes, I will not take a single step away either. That is my duty.”
“…I often feel this way.”
After a brief silence, Cantares let out a hollow laugh.
“Your stubbornness is no joke.”
“At least, I don’t think Your Highness is qualified to say that.”
Hearing Jereon’s answer, Cantares turned his gaze out the window again.
Laius was running wild across the battlefield, keeping the spark of hope alive.
The enemies fell helplessly before his Holy Sword.
The Third Knights’ dormitory was still shrouded in an ominous barrier.
Laius didn’t even glance in that direction, focusing solely on the enemy before him.
But it was clear without needing to look that his heart was burning with anguish.
‘Stay safe.’
At that mont, Cantares, who was holding the artifact tightly, muttered to himself.
Familiar silhouettes moving quickly out of the battlefield appeared in his field of vision.
It was Llewellyn and Salem.
They turned their backs on the place where everyone was fighting the ghouls and ran straight towards the Third Knights’ dormitory.
Only then was the tension in Cantares’ shoulders loosened a little.
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