1 Hour Earlier

Aurielle sat behind her officer’s desk, lost in thought.

A faint smile occasionally appeared on her face before disappearing again.

From the side, Margaret noticed the unusual expression and couldn’t help teasing her.

"Did something happen last night, My Lady?"

Aurielle nearly fell from her chair.

"W-What?!"

She quickly straightened herself and looked away.

"Ah... nothing happened."

Her voice lacked confidence.

Margaret simply smiled knowingly but chose not to push further.

BANG!!

The office door suddenly burst open.

Noah rushed inside, breathing heavily.

At first, Aurielle frowned at the interruption.

But seeing the panic on his face, her expression immediately changed.

"What happened?"

Noah bent forward while gasping for breath.

"My Lady... Lord Roland and several knights have revolted!"

"They’ve set fire to multiple barracks and tents!"

"Some loyal soldiers were still inside when the fires started!"

Aurielle’s face instantly darkened.

"What?"

Even though she never trusted Roland completely, she never expected such an open betrayal.

"My Lady, we have to do something."

Margaret’s voice carried obvious concern.

Aurielle immediately stood.

"Noah."

"Go call Sir Osric immediately."

As she spoke, Margaret had already opened a nearby cabinet.

Inside rested a black suit of armor accented with elegant purple patterns.

Noah froze.

His eyes widened.

He immediately recognized it.

The armor once belonged to Aurielle’s mother.

Then he nodded and sprinted away.

Aurielle quickly began putting on the armor with Margaret’s assistance.

As she fastened the final plate, she suddenly asked:

"Where is he?"

Margaret blinked, confused at first.

Then she understood.

"The Young Master?"

Aurielle nodded.

Margaret looked slightly embarrassed.

"My Lady... I don’t know."

Aurielle’s expression immediately tightened.

"But several guards and maids saw him leaving the territory this morning."

The moment she heard that answer, Aurielle became visibly worried.

Then she moved toward another cabinet.

CREEAK.

The door opened.

Inside rested a beautiful purple longsword decorated with intricate silver engravings.

Aurielle carefully picked it up.

"I told him Roland was dangerous."

She sheathed the sword at her waist.

"And now he’s wandering around outside."

Her voice carried both anger and concern.

Margaret could only sigh.

Soon both women left the office.

Outside, the smell of smoke already filled the air.

Black smoke rose from several locations within the estate.

Soldiers ran through the streets carrying water buckets while frightened servants hurried toward shelters.

The entire lord’s estate had descended into chaos.

After several minutes, they arrived at the military command room.

CREEAAAK.

The guards pushed open the heavy wooden doors.

Inside, a middle-aged knight stood beside a large strategic table.

A detailed map of Blackstone Highlands was spread across its surface.

His weathered bronze armor carried countless scratches and dents accumulated over years of warfare.

Dark-brown hair streaked with gray framed his scarred face.

The moment he noticed Aurielle’s arrival, he immediately straightened.

"Lady Aurielle."

He placed a fist against his chest.

Osric Thornfield.

One of Blackstone Highlands’ Bronze Knights.

A man who had defended this territory for more than twenty years.

Aurielle nodded.

"What is the situation?"

Osric’s expression darkened.

"My Lady..."

He pointed toward several marked locations on the map.

"Roland’s forces have completely surrounded the estate."

The atmosphere inside the room instantly became heavier.

Several Iron Knights clenched their fists.

"But if it’s only Roland and his followers, we can still suppress the rebellion."

Osric paused.

His jaw tightened.

Then he continued.

"The problem is... Roland brought his family’s army."

Silence.

The room froze.

Several knights stared at him in disbelief.

"What?"

Margaret’s face paled.

"No one reported their arrival?"

Aurielle asked.

Osric shook his head.

"They entered disguised as merchant escorts and knight retainers."

"They’ve been gathering inside the territory for days."

A chill spread through the room.

Only now did everyone realize how carefully Roland had prepared this betrayal.

One Iron Knight suddenly stepped forward.

"My Lady, we should retreat."

Another quickly nodded.

"He’s right."

"The territory cannot be saved anymore."

"We should escape and seek reinforcements from the border."

The moment the word border was mentioned—

Several expressions turned ugly.

Even Aurielle felt a headache coming.

There would be no help from the border.

Not now.

Not anytime soon.

"I refuse."

Aurielle’s voice echoed throughout the room.

Everyone turned toward her.

Her purple eyes burned with determination.

"We will suppress the rebellion."

"We will punish every traitor."

The room fell silent.

No one dared argue further.

Without another word, Aurielle turned and left.

Osric immediately followed.

Behind them, however, the remaining knights exchanged uneasy looks.

The moment the door closed—

One knight finally spoke.

"What should we do?"

His voice trembled slightly.

Another knight stood up.

"We leave."

Everyone looked toward him.

"I won’t betray Blackstone Highlands."

When they heard this, they sighed, thinking another fool.

But then—

He continued.

"But I also won’t throw my life away for a battle that’s already lost."

The room became silent again.

"Roland has already won."

One by one—

Several knights rose from their seats.

Some looked ashamed.

Others avoided eye contact entirely.

Yet none of them sat back down.

CREEAK.

The door opened.

Then closed.

Leaving only one Iron Knight behind.

A young man barely in his twenties.

His fists trembled with anger.

"Cowards..."

"They were born here."

"They grew up here."

"And now they’re abandoning it when it needs them most?"

His eyes burned with fury.

Without hesitation—

He rushed out after Aurielle.

Outside the command hall, Osric finally caught up with her.

"My Lady."

Aurielle stopped walking.

"I mean no disrespect..."

"But why?"

Osric looked directly into her eyes.

"Why stay?"

"The remaining knights will continue abandoning us."

Aurielle remained silent.

For several seconds, only the sound of distant flames could be heard.

Then she finally answered.

"Because of my husband."

Osric blinked.

He wasn’t expecting that answer.

Aurielle continued walking.

"I want to create a place where he can belong."

"A home."

Her voice softened slightly.

Then her expression hardened.

"And to do that..."

Her eyes narrowed.

"I must remove every piece of filth poisoning this territory."

A cold killing intent escaped her body.

Even Osric felt surprised.

Then—

CLAP.

CLAP.

CLAP.

Slow applause echoed from ahead.

Both immediately stopped.

Several figures emerged from the smoke-covered street.

At the front stood Roland.

Behind him were numerous armored knights.

Their swords were already drawn.

The atmosphere instantly became tense.

SHIIING!

Osric unsheathed his sword and stepped in front of Aurielle.

The blade pointed directly at Roland.

"Traitor."

Roland’s smile twitched.

Only slightly.

But it happened.

Then he sighed.

"Osric Thornfield."

"What a waste, you should have already joined me."

He slowly walked forward.

"You already know the state of this territory."

His gaze swept over the burning estate.

"Dying."

"Rotting."

"Abandoned."

He spread his arms.

"I’m simply doing what must be done."

Aurielle stared at him coldly.

Roland’s eyes landed on her.

"You should thank me."

"I’ll save Blackstone Highlands."

Then he smiled.

A smile filled with greed.

"And I’ll take care of its ruler as well."

Osric’s grip tightened.

BOOOOM!!

Bronze Knight aura exploded from his body.

The stone beneath his feet cracked.

A powerful shockwave blasted outward.

His cloak whipped violently behind him.

"That’s my answer."

Roland sighed.

"A shame."

He raised his hand.

Immediately—

Two Bronze Knights stepped forward.

BOOM!!

The ground shattered beneath their feet.

Both charged simultaneously.

CLANG!!!

Steel collided.

Sparks exploded into the air.

Osric was pushed backward several meters.

Stone tiles shattered beneath his boots.

CLANG!

CLANG!

CLANG!

The three Bronze Knights exchanged blows so quickly that ordinary soldiers could barely follow their movements.

Shockwaves tore through nearby walls.

Windows exploded.

Wooden crates shattered apart.

A nearby soldier was thrown off his feet by the pressure alone.

Blood dripped from Osric’s shoulder after a sword grazed his armor.

Yet he continued fighting.

Like a veteran wolf cornered by hunters.

Meanwhile—

Roland moved along with two bronze knights.

BOOOOM!!

Bronze Knight aura erupted from his body.

The pressure crushed the surrounding ground.

Several weaker soldiers instinctively stepped back.

Aurielle immediately raised her sword.

Purple mana surged around her blade.

Despite being only a Peak Iron Knight—

Her aura was astonishingly stable.

Roland narrowed his eyes.

He knew why.

The blood of the empire still flowed within her veins.

That alone made her dangerous.

CLANG!!!

Their swords collided.

A powerful shockwave erupted.

The cobblestone street exploded beneath them.

Cracks spread in every direction.

Dust filled the air.

Aurielle slid backward several steps.

Roland remained standing.

Smiling.

Behind only one knight is standing and not joining the fight.

Aurielle noticed him immediately.

A dangerous feeling appeared in her heart.

But before she could think further—

Roland attacked again and other two bronze knights was aiming to subdue her.

BOOM!!

His blade descended.

Aurielle raised her sword.

KRAAAANG!!!

Sparks exploded.

A nearby stone pillar shattered from the impact.

Blood trickled from Aurielle’s palm where the vibration had torn her skin.

Roland smiled.

Then he leaned closer.

"Give up, Aurielle."

His voice carried absolute certainty.

"You’ve already lost."

[Chapter End]