The strangers robe slipped off, revealing the person beneath. She stared at Joshua for a moment.

Um Joshua gaped at her.

Had she surprised him? Noin fact, it was exactly as he had expected. She was not the timid Iceline from before, but a true woman now. In Joshuas eyes, at least, her blue, waterfall-like hair, big, droopy eyes, and the contrast between her immaculate white skin and brilliant, rose-petal lips was as attractive as ever.

He knew she was still growingshe only came up to Joshuas chestbut she had the proportions of a goddess, which her heavy robe could not disguise.

A lot has changed.

Iceline remained silent. She was no longer the same girl he knew five years ago. The pleasant glow remained, but it was tinged with an icy chill. Her stare carried a tangible cold, but they also hid something darker: sadness or maybe emptiness.

They were the eyes of someone who had given up on life.

Her long, wavy hair had been cut short, about to her shoulders. It seemed trivial, but it was anything but. Long hair symbolizes the femininity of a noble woman; for her, an aristocrat, to chop her hair off was a firm statement of abandoning everything.

Humans are shaped by their environment, she said, coldly.

Joshua grimaced. He knew that look; he remembered it from his past. Iceline, the first 7th-class archmage from Avalon, the Cold-Blooded Slayer

This is not a battlefield. What do you mean?

Let me clarify, Akshuler interrupted. Im sure you know this because of your association with the Imperial familythe battle of Rebrecca. You were in the midst of it all, so theres no way you havent heard.

No.

Joshua glanced around to see if any of the mercenaries had left the camp and gotten closer to them, then doffed his hood.

Icelines eyes widened as Joshuas appearance was revealed1, but only for a brief moment. Her expression frosted over quickly.

If the outside is quiet, the inside is boisterous, Joshua told them. Conflicts between major and minor territories in the Empire happen dozens or even hundreds of times per year.

However, if you only count the wars between counts or higher, is it still common?

Joshua nodded to Akshuler.

Thats why I find it strange. Even if I didnt hear any rumors from the Imperial family, Im ashamed that I only heard about this just now.

I see. Akshuler scratched his chin thoughtfully.

Joshuas eyes sank. He knew Icelines family was doomed, in some fashion. She didnt carry a surname in Joshuas past lifehe didnt even know she came from Count Rebreccas family. What he didnt foresee was her family perishing in the same manner.

...Does that have anything to do with it?

Does what? Joshua cocked his head at Akshuler.

Do you happen to know which family was at war with the Rebreccas?

Joshua shook his head. This was the first time hed heard of Count Rebreccas war; he had no way of determining their opponents.

The family responsible for the downfall of Count Rebrecca is Marquis Crombell.

Joshua was stunned.

Marquis Crombell? From the Twelve Families?

Akshuler nodded.

Their estate is far away, why did they

I agree, so I made my own inquiries. There was only one result, in the end. After Count Rebrecca fell, Marquis Crombell commenced his all-out war against the Pontierswhich I assume you know of, since youre an Agnus.

Joshua nodded.

This is no small territorial war, its a battle large enough to utterly destroy an entire familya Count and Duke. Do you think Marquis Crombell can do as he wishes when it would affect the entire nation?

You mean

If this was the Emperors doing, it would explain everything. Is Marquis Crombell not known as the Emperors faithful dog? Its the best explanation at the moment.

Why share this with me? From the Imperial familys perspective, your words could be constituted as treason. Have you forgotten who I am?

How can I forget? Youre Baron Joshua Sanders, the auxiliary battalion commander of the Imperial Knights. Akshuler grinned and held out two fingers. There are two reasons.

Two?

Akshuler nodded.

One, the issue is becoming more urgent. Marquis Crombell placed a reward for her capture a few days ago for fleeing with a family secret. 10,000 gold, a significant sum.

That much

There were one thousand silvers in a gold coin. A family of four could comfortably live for a month with five gold; with 10,000, you could purchase a stronghold in a rural area and live in luxury for three generations.

With that said, Im going to change the quest conditions a little. Protect her from them!

Why are you doing this to me

Akshuler gave him a cheeky smirk.

Did you not say that meeting her was a sufficient reward? Are you really satisfied with that? I wouldnt think so Akshuler peeked at Icelines frosty visage and his smirk widened. What do you think? Laypone in exchange for protecting her and helping us dig up the truth.

She hasnt said anything yet.

I agree. You want the artifact I made; if you agree, Ill give it to you.

Joshua sighed. Evidently, Akshuler had figured out how much he needed Laypone. Given that Akshuler was already using it, he was surely aware of how useful it could be.

I can tell hes accepted from the look on his face.

I have one condition: I cant be with her all day. I have personal matters to attend to.

Just do what you can, and Ill take care of the rest. I may have been heavy-handed, but please.

Joshua nodded in acquiescence.

You must be wondering about the second reason Im telling you this?

I understand. You dont need to spell it out. Joshuas nonchalant expression drew Icelines curiosity. Because I am Duke Agnuss descendant, is it not?

True. Akshuler smiled affably. And thats the end of it. If you were an Agnus with ties to the Emperor, Id have my doubts, but I dont think youre an enemy.

Of course, Im not relying on that alone. Even in the storm of rumors about the escalating conflict, your story has the entire Empire abuzz. As a real gambler, how could I resist?

Rumors about me?

You met with the Emperor, didnt you? Something about Whatever youre expecting, Ill exceed it. But hey! Thats a good attitude. Anyways, youre an awfully privileged child.

Akshulers impression of Joshua made him scrunch up his face.

Word has already spread that youre going to leave the Imperial Knights if you deliver in the Master Battle. The fact that you were headed to Reinhardt made me think you were just a boy obsessed with honor, but it seems like youre something else entirely. Im just banking on my intuition.

You sound like a real gambling addict

I appreciate the compliment! There isnt much in this world as great as gambling. The excitement between falling into an unending abyss or ruling over all of humanitywhats not to love?

I think were done here. Iceline walked away.

While Akshuler chattered about gambling and youth, a figure in the distance spied on them while pretending to fix the camp.