‘What the hell?’

Even Ever was startled in that instant. One of the revealed monsters let out a raspy cry, signaling with hand signs as he shouted,

“They’ve already noticed. Attack!”

The monsters launched themselves toward where Duke Diarca stood. Panicked screams erupted as civilians scattered in every direction. The soldier who had grabbed Kiole faltered in confusion, and in that moment, one of the monsters closed in, swinging his weapon. The soldier moved to block the attack, releasing Kiole, who promptly tumbled awkwardly across the ground.

“Ugh!”

If the monster had intended to kill Kiole, that would have been the perfect chance to stab him—yet the monster simply rushed past as if Kiole weren’t even there.

Ever’s eyebrows shot up in a mix of shock and suspicion.

‘Wait... no way?’

Looking again, Kiole’s clothing was strikingly similar to the monsters’. The difference was that the monsters had scarves pulled up over their noses, while Kiole’s cloak hood covered the same general area of his face. That was it.

The monsters must have mistaken Kiole—who’d just been captured—as one of their own, someone who shared their mission. The moment they saw him seized, they must have thought their operation had been exposed and acted immediately.

‘Unbelievable.’

The fact that Kiole had blended in so well even Ever hadn’t noticed meant these monsters were no ordinary thugs. They likely had stealth artifacts at minimum.

And now, because of Kiole, these highly cautious assassins had revealed themselves far earlier and more abruptly than they’d intended. There was no way their plan could go smoothly now.

Ever recalled Yuder’s lecture to the entire Cavalry about how to deal with professional assassins.

“Assassins aren’t like mercenaries. Mercenaries are good at adapting, but assassins show cracks the moment their plan goes off-track. That’s because they prioritize minimal movement and escape over everything else. So when facing them...”

Always strike first and throw them off.

That slow, chilling voice with its deep, dark eyes.

At the time, the Cavalry had complained loudly—only someone like Yuder could casually say, “Just detect the assassins first and strike”—but now she saw that he hadn’t been wrong.

Watching the assassins stumble in confusion, Ever let out a breath of disbelief. They were already shaken, convinced their cover was blown because of Kiole, and the Duke’s soldiers had used the moment to form a solid defensive line around their master.

But then something completely unexpected happened—Kiole, who’d been lying on the ground after tumbling...

“Father!”

He shot to his feet and ran toward Duke Diarca. Just as the Duke began to retreat, startled by the familiar voice, one of the soldiers at his side turned... and drove his weapon toward his own master.

“Die!”

A new monster, disguised as a soldier, revealed himself.

But because the Duke had hesitated for just a second after hearing Kiole’s voice, the monster’s weapon missed its mark—it didn’t pierce the heart, instead slicing diagonally across his upper shoulder.

“Duke!”

Blood burst from the wound as Duke Diarca staggered back. The monster wasn’t done and moved in to stab again—but the real soldiers didn’t let it happen. They tackled him instantly, swords drawn, and cut him down.

Meanwhile, Kiole kept running. Unarmed, he barreled through the chaos, dodging blades and bodies.

It was insane—but no one attacked him.

That was thanks to a perfect storm: the monsters who glimpsed him in passing mistook him for an ally, and the soldiers who might’ve struck him were struck first—by stones thrown like lightning from an unseen source.

Ever Beck, of course, had been the one to throw them. Her specialty was close combat, but since fighting the Sage in the South, she’d been training in throwing daggers under Yuder’s guidance.

Yuder had said the skill would elevate her finesse-based power and give her more options in critical moments.

‘I didn’t think I’d be using it like this, though...’

Emperor Keillusa had ordered: stop anyone—no matter who—from harming Kiole la Diarca. Stay hidden unless absolutely necessary. This was the most effective way to obey that command.

Thanks to Ever’s precision control and finger-concentrated power, her stone throws packed as much punch as arrows. Moving swiftly through the trees, she flung stone after stone, sending both monsters and soldiers into disarray.

“Long-range attack incoming! There might be another monster! Stay alert!”

“Damn it! Diarca’s side is surrounding us and firing from a distance!”

The confusion let everyone jump to their own wrong conclusions. Amid the chaos, Kiole finally reached his father. As the soldiers raised their weapons, ready to strike, he tore off his hooded cloak to reveal his face.

“Move! I said move!”

“Lord Kiole...?!”

Everyone around froze in shock.

‘Lord Kiole appeared among the monsters...? Then he must’ve known about the attack on Duke Diarca!’

That’s what the soldiers thought.

‘We thought one of us had been captured—but it was a Diarca bastard? How long have they been toying with us? We have to get out now...!’

That’s what the monsters thought.

As for the nobles watching from afar—

‘Good heavens. The youngest Diarca son was among the monsters. He’s really joined the Emperor’s faction—and stabbed his own father!’

They all clamped their mouths shut in horror.

While this wave of misunderstanding crashed over everyone like a tidal wave, only Kiole was unaware of it all, simply focused on reaching his fallen father’s hand.

And the one person among them who knew exactly what had happened—

“I’ve arrived to provide support! What do you need me to—huh?”

“Oh... uh, Kanna. You’re here. But, um... we might not actually need your help after all...”

Was standing there next to Kanna, awkwardly smiling.

“—After that, the monsters quickly retreated, and the situation came to a close. We captured several who were fleeing, and Kanna tracked the rest using her abilities. The ones we apprehended are currently in Cavalry custody.”

After finishing her report, Ever let out a quiet breath. Kishiar, wearing a faint, peculiar smile over his otherwise blank expression, asked,

“What did House Diarca do right after the incident?”

“Duke Diarca was ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ immediately moved to the main estate. Kiole la Diarca tried to follow, but was stopped by the guards and wasn’t allowed to go. The Duke hasn’t left his quarters since, and the family hasn’t released any statements other than confirming he’s being treated.”

“What about Kiorne la Diarca’s movements?”

“He returned to the capital from the villa where he’d been in seclusion right after the incident.”

That meant the Duke hadn’t fully regained consciousness yet.

‘And the culprit... It really is probably that guy.’

According to what followed, Kiole, after being blocked from going with his father, returned to his quarters and had been sulking in solitude ever since. With no external activities, it didn’t seem like he was conducting any more investigations either.

‘That guy’s luck really is unbelievable.’

In the end, the rumor that Kiole had attacked Duke Diarca was false. It had seemed unlikely, but hearing it spelled out like this made it all the more absurd.

“His Majesty said that once you returned, Commander, the Cavalry no longer needs to monitor Kiole la Diarca. That is all.”

“You’ve done well. Now I understand exactly how those rumors got started.”

Kishiar nodded.