The two men were respectively dressed in the armor of a duchy and the royal family. Under normal circumstances, the nobles would have been in awe and admiration at the appearance of the two men, who were like a young dragon and a lion. But currently, their attitudes were rather cold. 

In particular, the group gathered around a young man located on the right side of the palace were glaring at Duke Pendragon and Ian with cold expressions. The young man boasted a beautiful appearance, and the group seemed to be composed of tens of nobles.

‘As of today… the myth of the Pendragon Duchy will end.’

Jamie Roxan smiled coldly as he stood in front of the great nobles who supported him. He had already assembled the troops of four great territories, including his own, Paleon, Miles, Everdeen, and Rockefeller. 

The total number was five thousand.

A number of troops equalling two entire imperial regions were awaiting his orders. And after the night passed, their destination was set to be the Pendragon Duchy.

‘I will politically end you in the imperial castle today. Then I will make sure you can’t come crawling out of your little hole for decades to come.’

Jamie Roxan’s smile grew colder.

Stories had already circulated in the imperial castle – that Count Louvre was headed to the Pendragon Duchy with more than three thousand troops, including various mercenaries. After hearing the news, many nobles proclaimed that Count Louvre had finally gone mad, and that his troops would be decimated.

Although they possessed several times the number of troops, the Pendragon Duchy possessed several hundred griffons. Most importantly, the Pendragon Duchy had Soldrake. Numbers were meaningless in the face of her power.

Unless they had a dragon aiding them, fighting against Soldrake with an army of humans was nothing short of suicide.

‘But…’

Jamie Roxan gazed at Raven’s back with a sneer. The young brat was standing in front of the stairs that led to the emperor. The reason his forces, which included soldiers from Paleon and the three great territories, could head to the Pendragon Duchy was because…

It was because of a letter he received around the time the troops left the fortress of the Great Territory of Alice.

The letter with the seal bearing the count’s insignia contained only one sentence.

- The White Dragon is not in the Pendragon Duchy.

It was a surprising and incredible story. He immediately looked into the facts.

He found out it was true.

The White Dragon Soldrake was at Mount Niels some time ago. A few days later, she flew further north. In other words, the absence of Soldrake allowed Alice’s army to invade the Pendragon Duchy’s territory. 

Nevertheless, Jamie Roxan had no intentions of immediately sending the combined forces straight into the Pendragon Duchy. 

‘I will move only when everything is made clear.’

Jamie Roxam was very cautious, and that was why he was considered one of the most distinguished alongside Duke Pendragon among the empire’s young nobles.

The empire spoke.

“Climb to the top.”

“Climb to the top!”

The emperor’s orders were restated by the chief servant. 

“Huh?”

“Hmm…!”

The nobles were slightly shocked.

The stairs located below the Golden Lion Throne was divided into three parts – the bottom, the middle, and the top.

Most met with the emperor at the bottom. For great nobles in exceptional circumstances, perhaps when they made special contributions, they were allowed to the middle. But in recent times, no one had ever faced the emperor from the top.

Raven and Ian slowly climbed the stairs.

It was not long before the two of them were standing five steps from the throne. They fell to one knee.

The emperor spoke in a solemn voice while observing the two men.

“In the name of the great Aragon, I commend the two men for their contributions in eradicating the rebellious party. Although I call you my son, here, I award the second imperial prince a chest of gold, a warhorse, and the Sword of Brave.”

“I am humbled, Your Majesty.”

Ian bowed.

The nobles nodded their heads at the sight.

The Sword of Brave was a treasured sword that was specially produced for knights who performed major accomplishments for the empire. Although the sword itself was just a slightly fancy, decorative sword and did not possess any special abilities, its significance came from the fact that it was an object directly conferred by the emperor.

Ian fought on the front lines after leading an imperial fleet to the South. He was wholly deserving of the artifact.

The emperor soon turned to Raven and continued.

“Lord of Pendragon, Alan Pendragon.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I cannot describe the loyalty you displayed and the service you performed for the empire and the imperial family. The noble sacrifice made by the Pendragon Duchy and yourself brought the flag of the imperial family back to the South. In addition, you demonstrated that the sword of the Golden Lion’s stern judgement is still shining in the ancestral lands and the empire’s land.”

As the emperor continued, the nobles’ expressions gradually changed. None of them had ever heard the emperor speak so highly of anyone. Such gracious praise was likely unprecedented.

“Thus, I, the emperor, confer thee the title of Aragon Empire’s ‘Duke of the White Dagon’, and recognize the Pendragon Duchy as the Pendragon Kingdom, also recognizing the Duke of the White Dragon as the king of the independent kingdom.”

“…..!”

Raven became wide-eyed with shock. At the same time, the palace was engulfed by a silent storm.

“Heup!”

“Uaaagh…!?”

The nobles’ eyes threatened to pop out as they attempted to stifle their groans and moans.

It was something that had never been implemented in the history of the empire. There had been cases where surrounding territories were recognized as independent territories and directly managed by the imperial family, but never declared a kingdom.

An independent kingdom.

It signified the independence of the Pendragon Duchy. It would be recognized as a completely separate country from the Aragon Empire. Naturally, the two would still maintain a tributary relationship, but the imperial family would no longer have the power to meddle in the political affairs of the Pendragon Duchy.

Above all else, Duke Pendragon, or rather, King Pendragon would share the same status as the emperor’s younger brother even without having familial ties. He would be standing on equal grounds as the empire’s crown prince.

“This cannot be!”

“Please, Your Majesty, I implore you to retract your words!”

The officials raised their voices.

“The Pendragon Duchy has existed as a part of the empire for countless years! Their departure calls for a division among the high lords, and their division may soon create a rift in the great history of our empire!”

“Pendragon is located in the empire! The recognition of their independence signifies the impartation of a new border within the ancestral lands. I implore you to reconsider yoru decision, Your Majesty!”

“A significant financial vacuum will be created as well, Your Majesty!”

“Please reconsider, Your Majesty!”

“Your Majesty!”

The nobles and the officials of the palace shouted with flustered expressions.

But the emperor was adamant. 

“Impossible! After considering various factors, I came to the conclusion that it is justified to have Pendragon as an independent kingdom as well as a lord of the empire. Financial gaps will be filled by new establishments of trade, and a border will be established, but it will be with a strong ally, not an enemy.”

“Your Majesty…!”

The officials knelt down, but the emperor maintained a determined, adamant expression. Then, someone stepped out carefully with their hand raised.

“Your Majesty! Jamie Roxan of Paleon would like to offer a word.”

Although he was a high lord, he had no position within the imperial castle. The emperor nodded in response.

“I will allow it.”

Everyone’s gazes shifted towards him.

Jamie Roxan spoke with a calm expression.

“First of all, I would like to announce that Roxan has no qualms nor doubts about your decision, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm…!”

The expressions of the officials became distorted. If the Roxan County, the strongest of the high lord families, stepped up in opposition to the emperor’s decision, he might have reconsidered. However, their hopes were shattered when Jamie announced his support.

“However, there is one thing I would like to ask you.”

“What is it?”

“When you declared Pendragon as an independent kingdom, does that also mean the imperial family and the empire will not become involved in any subsequent events that occur over there?”

“…..!”

Several of the officials flinched.

His question contained various layers.

“That is correct. As long as they do not cross the border in great numbers, the imperial army will not encroach on the border as well. However, if King Pendragon asks for reinforcements in the case of an emergency, I will allow it at the discretion of the officials and myself.”

“I understand, Your Majesty.”

Jamie Roxan bowed deeply and stepped down after hearing the emperor’s response.

‘Hoo-hoo. It’s over’

A small smile appeared on Jamie’s lips.

“What should we do about this, Lord Roxan?”

“To think the Pendragon Duchy would become a kingdom…”

The high lords and nobles who followed him whispered, unable to hide their worried expressions. But Jamie Roxan shook his head with a smile.

“There is no need to worry, everyone.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that…?”

He did not bother solving their curiosities. He was a little surprised, but the emperor’s declaration was rather favorable for him. If it went according to the emperor’s words, even if a battle broke out in the Pendragon Duchy, did it not mean that the imperial troops would remain uninvolved?

Of course, just as the emperor mentioned, the imperial army could become involved if Duke Pendragon made a request, it would not only take a considerable amount of time, but it would be hard for him to make such a request easily as a proud man.

In the meantime, the situation in the Pendragon Duchy would certainly conclude.

‘Now then… Since you became a king for your services, it’s time to take responsibility for your faults.’

As if reading his thoughts, the emperor spoke once again.

“I understand all of your concerns. But there are no lies in the imperial family, and I will not rescind my decision.”

“As Your Majesty wishes…”

The officials bowed with horrified expressions. The emperor was not a stubborn man at all. If he was speaking such words, it meant they would have to obey his will even if they did not like it. And the fact that the emperor was not bending to the will of the great nobles and the officials gathered in the palace meant he would certainly point out the ‘faults’ of the second prince and Duke of Pendragon.

“Hear my words, second prince and King Pendragon.”

“We will heed your will, Your Majesty.”

Ian intuitively felt that the time had finally come. He bit his lips while bowing his head, but Raven was still maintaining an impassive expression.

“There is no doubt a great deal of credit is due for ending the rebellion in the South and eradicating the rebellious group. However, you must also take responsibility for the disgraceful event that took place while transporting their leader, Duke Arangis, and his successor. If you have anything to say, speak now.”

It was finally time for the two to take responsibility. The officials and nobles stared at the two men with slightly relaxed expressions. Among them, Jamie Roxan could not hide the excitement from his eyes.

‘Come on, make your excuses. But whatever you say, you won’t be able to escape from the noose around your heads. Hohoho!’

He was confident.

It did not matter whether he was king or not. Duke Pendragon’s political life would be destroyed, and Prince Ian would also suffer greatly as well. An emperor without active support from the great nobles and officials was no different from a cripple without an arm. 

Even if Prince Ian ascended to the throne and became the emperor, he would not be able to exercise the same power as the current emperor.

‘Come on! Say it. Make your excuses. Huhahahaha!’

Jamie held back laughter while gazing at Raven and Ian with a giddy look.

Then, Raven stood up while speaking.

“I report to Your Majesty. The Duke of Arangis was killed by a dark spell from an evil sorcerer called the Nameless Necromancer in the residence of the governor-general in Leus. Moreover, the Nameless Necromancer is also the one who attempted to poison Crown Prince Shio in the past, and the one who misled Duke Arangis and plotted treason.”

“What!?”

“Heuk…!”

The nobles of the palace became stunned at Raven’s words.

But Jamie Roxan’s face glowed brighter than ever.

‘You idiot! You finally dug yourself into a grave!’

It was an absurd story that no one would believe unless there was evidence. This was the end for Duke Pendragon and Prince Ian.