After the scrolls deflected the poison arrows, the rest of the knights quickly rushed over.
“After them! There aren’t many!”
As the knights charged, the assailants lted into the crowd.
But the scene was still utter chaos—and understandably so.
This was the first direct attack on the Crown Prince. It shocked everyone.
“Are they insane? They went after His Highness the Crown Prince?”
“Who’s behind this? Aren’t they afraid of a Dragonblood’s revenge...?”
Whispers and murmurs spread in every direction.
One thing was clear—everyone believed soone had just committed a completely pointless act of madness. Because Kiaros was totally unhard.
All thanks to ...
I staggered where I stood, the thought drifting through my foggy head.
The magic in the scrolls had been completely spent. Blank sheets, now just ordinary paper, fluttered down around .
Stopping the ambush today... that was no easy feat.
Originally, the mighty Crown Prince was supposed to die today—taken out by a sudden second blackout no one saw coming.
Afterward, the Empress would pass away too. The Emperor, who had been away from the capital, would return and reclaim power—only to die within the year.
It’s classified, but the Emperor’s already in such poor health it wouldn’t be surprising if he dropped dead any day now.
That would leave just one royal survivor—the protagonist of the original novel, the youngest prince, who was only eight years old.
And so, the fall of the Polariwood royal family would trigger the start of the war.
But now, I’d twisted the original plot and saved the Crown Prince from the ambush.
“I told you to stay in formation!”
While I was busy patting myself on the back, the White Knight Captain exploded at the three knights who had broken rank.
“When enemies appear, you don’t just rush off! It was obviously a lure, showing themselves just to draw us out!”
There was one fundantal reason this all happened—the escort knights had no real combat experience.
They were assigned to a Dragonblood prince. When would they have ever needed to actually fight?
“Seriously... if Miss Mina from the Magic Departnt hadn’t been here—”
“...It’s Namia, actually...”
Activating scrolls required magic. I’d completely exhausted every drop I had.
Still reeling on my feet, I mumbled awkwardly,
“I’m not from the Magic Departnt. It’s the Scroll Managent Departnt...”
Suddenly, a pair of ruby-red eyes appeared in front of .
Kiaros.
Even though he’d just suffered an unexpected second blackout—sothing he couldn’t have possibly foreseen—he showed no emotion. He radiated the sa cold, commanding presence as always.
“Defensive scrolls... I was told there were six.”
Most likely, the escort plan had been submitted last night.
And yet, he rembered the exact number of scrolls in the report—sothing no one would’ve paid attention to.
Wow. That’s the kind of thoroughness we’ve never seen in our departnt.
He really was ticulous. I was genuinely impressed.
His gaze swept over the scrolls piled around like fallen snow, then returned to .
“How many did you use?”
Even as he asked, my vision was going fuzzy. My mind started to drift.
No wonder. I stayed up all night making them, then drained my entire mana pool...
Honestly, passing out was the only thing left on today’s to-do list.
Still, I had to brag while I still had the chance.
“...172.”
I barely managed to get the number out—then collapsed.
I thought I’d hit the ground face-first, but... it was surprisingly warm.
“...Huh?”
I blinked slowly—and saw Kiaros’s face.
Oh.
Wait.
I was... in the arms of the Crown Prince?
He’s got a really nice body.
He said sothing to , but I couldn’t quite hear it.
At least he looked fine. That was all that mattered.
I struggled to move my lips and whispered:
“I’m so glad... you’re safe.”
Then I forced my eyes wide open and added:
“I really wanted to protect you. I an it. Honestly. Truly. With all my heart.”
And after that, I lost consciousness.
***
Back at the palace, Kiaros imdiately launched an investigation into the people behind the ambush.
It was clearly the sa group he had been chasing this entire ti.
A group this bold, this familiar with internal palace affairs... they might be more formidable than I thought.
Just the fact that they’d dared to orchestrate such an attack on a Dragonblood was already extraordinary.
And then... the blackout. That part still feels wrong.
If not for that sudden second blackout, Kiaros would’ve defeated the attackers before they even drew their bows.
But what if they predicted even that? Predicted the one thing even I didn’t see coming? That would an... they knew the future.
He imdiately began researching the phenonon of a second blackout.
But since the founding Emperor of Polariwood, it had never happened again. The royal family never bothered preparing for such a possibility.
Just in case, I should keep this second blackout a secret.
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
Outwardly, he acted composed. But inside, even breathing felt constricted.
According to the records, a second blackout is identical to the first.
Which ant he’d regain his strength in six months. While Kiaros was deep in thought, the White Knight Captain approached and bowed his head.
“We failed you. This is the list of nas for disciplinary action.”
On it were the three knights who had disobeyed orders and run off, as well as the Captain himself, for letting the defense break down.
“I see.”
Kiaros murmured with a grim expression.
“I let my guard down too. I’m not blaless.”
“And the scroll magic—no, the scroll system, no, that’s not it... apologies. Namia Roafi of the Scroll Managent Departnt’s Inventory Team...”
“Give it here.”
The mont Namia’s na ca up, Kiaros snatched the report from the stamring captain’s hands.
Namia Roafi, second daughter of the Roafi Baron Family, age 23.
Her personnel file was short and simple.
Currently in her 3rd year and 7th month as a mber of the Scroll Managent Departnt, part of the Imperial Knight Order. Her twin brother, Juan Roafi, is also a royal civil servant, employed in the Ministry of Finance.
But then one particular line caught his eye.
Top scorer on the entrance exam to the Imperial Academy, Class of 54.
And yet, her academic performance during enrollnt was consistently in the lower ranks. Graduation scores: also bottom percentile. Civil service exam: bottom percentile again.
After that, she was placed in one of the most irrelevant departnts—the Scroll Managent Departnt.
Huh.
He rembered her clear, sparkling blue eyes as the scrolls rained down like snow.
He’d assud those unfocused, soulless eyes were just empty.
[Ah, yes.]
That apathetic voice still echoed in his ears.
Was she really the sa person who’d recited legal codes from mory and fired off 172 scrolls?
[I really wanted to protect you.]
And why did that voice sound so sincere?
She was... a very strange woman.
[Honestly. Truly. With all my heart.]
When she said that—he’d actually found it a little creepy...
Kiaros lowered his gaze and asked quietly:
“Is Miss Namia Roafi still unconscious?”
“Yes, Your Highness. According to the dical Departnt, she likely won’t wake up until tomorrow...”
The mont Namia passed out, Luka from the dical Departnt had taken over her treatnt.
[She completely drained her mana. Add that to her accumulated fatigue, and it’s no surprise. She just needs deep rest.]
[She saved my life. Make sure she’s cared for until she recovers.]
[Mmm... Her nutritional state isn’t ideal, either. May I administer additional IVs?]
[Use every IV in the palace if you have to.]
Kiaros fell silent for a mont, deep in thought.
Poor nutrition? Her salary shouldn’t be that low. ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ Then why?
Especially since her twin brother worked in the Ministry of Finance—one of the most important departnts in the palace.
“The Roafi barony? Where is their estate?”
“Um... just a minor noble house. Nothing special.”
“Are they in financial trouble?”
“I’m not sure, but I doubt it. They’ve got a decent baron’s estate in the capital, and both twins are employed in the royal governnt...”
Polariwood was a prosperous empire. It was rare for even commoners to have poor nutrition—let alone a noblewoman.
Kiaros furrowed his brow.
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