The Duchess Vanessas room, delicately perfumed with flowers, was one of the most private places in the Duchy. The Duchess allowed only one person unrestricted access, and that was Duke Agnus. Yet, someone else was present.

You dont think you look bad? Chiffon grimaced at the Duchess, whose normal beauty had withered down to the bone.

I gave everything for Babel in the Imperial Courtnot somewhere else! Im so mad.

You look terrible.

For him to say that, and for the Imperial Family to summon Babel so abruptly! I cant get a good nights sleep, because of that upstart brat!

Chiffon watched the Duchess fret for a minute.

Im going to Arcadia. He knelt before Vanessa where she sat on the bed.

What? The Duchess went still. Youre going to act without his consent?

If this continues, as the Duchess is worried about, our long-term plans will fail, and I will struggle to survive Duke Agnuss clutches. He smiled softly. Isnt it better to be beaten half to death rather than wait for the ax to fall?

The Imperial Palace is a dangerous place, Vanessa mumbled, eyeing Chiffon strangely. Even your head may end up rolling at any moment.

Dont you know that I used to be a member of the Knights Templar? Chiffon lifted Duchess Vanessas hand and kissed it. Dont be concerned about me. Even if death comes, I would gladly meet it for you.

Please Please return safely.

Chiffon lifted his head and beamed.

I will.

Joshua flopped around on the bed in his manor on the outskirts of Arcadia.

I always thought Count Sten was a lunatic. Ill never forget the sensation of the snake eyes darting over my body.

But Joshua shook it off quickly.

More importantly He clutched his chin, pondering Duke Agnuss words.

The Third Battalion, at least?

The more talented you were, the higher your rank in the Imperial Knights, and the bigger the benefits. The upper battalionsthe 1st through 3rdreceived particular special attention from the Emperor himself.

Titles. Ordinary knights were treated like barons, although they were not, strictly speaking, true nobles. The Emperor bestowed noble titles on those who make significant contributions to the countrywhich, particularly in Avalon, was as simple as plucking a star out of the sky. Even more so in times of peace.

Is he advising me to abandon the family? Or? When the son of a prestigious family seeks a new title, rather than inheriting the family name, it has only one connotation: he was abandoning the battle for succession, and is founding a house of his own.

Joshua closed his eyes thoughtfully.

Although even if he did get his own title inheriting the duchy wasnt impossible. All I have to do is give up the new title and then take up the Agnus name.

How long are you going to do that? he said to the empty ceiling. Is this the first time youve visited unexpectedly?

I wasnt wrong after all. A dark figure fell from the ceiling. It was Jero, the manager of Moon Gates Arcadia branch. Even knights with a decent sixth sense would struggle to detect my presence unless they understood stealth The more I learn about you, Young Master, the more it seems I have to learn.

Dont tryyou might get hurt.

Jero gave him a blank look and then burst out laughing.

Id like to do that, he gasped, but it's my job.

So, does your job involve sneaking in here?

Really now Jero shrugged morosely. I am here for work, but not to scavenge for data.

That means

An issue has come up with your information request.

What is it?

It appears that I will have to leave Arcadia for the time being. Some hiccups in the supply of your requested information will be inevitable because I am the only person in Arcadia who can handle the information youre interested in

I suppose youre headed to the Principality of Thran? Joshua laughed.

Jero flinched. Really, he said, tilting his head, to infer that much from just a few sentences

War is prime business for intelligence organizations like you.

Im afraid I cant refute that.

Im a little disappointed. Moon Gate is throwing away its existing customers trust for profit. Joshua shrugged.

What an awful thing to say. Jero looked truly saddened. From our perspective, were making a huge gamble on the Young Masters potentialbut the conflict between Swallow and Thran will go on for a long time, and the value of information is soaring on both sides of the war.

Isnt our deal already settled? Joshua looked shocked. But now that the cost of information is skyrocketing, you come waltzing over here to compare it with my commission? Has the Moon Gate become a bunch of gangsters?

Hahhh, really Im not falling for it. The Young Master is the bully here, not us.

Ill take that as a compliment.

Is there anything else you want?

For the time being, I believe I owe the Moon Gate. However Joshua smiled cruelly at Jero, who looked apprehensive. Id like you to extend the deadline for the red coin a little longer. I know I said it would take at least three years, but Im moving.

The mention of the red coin made Jeros expression harden.

Are you saying youre going to leave the Academy, even though you just got here?

Its like I said. The Emperor ordered me to join the Imperial Knights.

Jero was unable to hide his surprise and his eyes widened.

...It seems well need to work hard.

Youre not even surprised. Joshua chuckled. I was expecting you to ask me what happened.

Well, I already said Jero gave up on making an excuse and sighed. I always thought so, but this boy always drags me along when I talk to him. Maybe hes actually a dragon playing around with polymorph magic He shook his head and chuckled. Anyway, its fine. You will be given a complete timeline for the red coin assignment. We dont have time to worry about it at the momentthe entire organization is busy.

I appreciate it. The boy gave Jero a satisfied grin. Now are you going to tell me about the changes to my information request?

Im looking forward to your expression when I tell you this. Jeros concern had faded, replaced with mirth. Give me the look of an innocent lamb, please.

Im looking forward to it as well. What in the world do you have stewing?

Draxia bel Grace, the War God. Hes been in contact with the Imperial Family, in some fashion.

Jero watched Joshuas face carefully.

Youre not surprised at all.

I already knew.

Really? You knew he was connected to the Emperor?

What? Joshuas eyes narrowed. He remembered that Draxia had ties with Kaiser, not the Emperor.

...No way. The situation between the Swallow Empire and the Principality of Thran, the ties the Imperial Family of Swallow had Is that right? Joshua was only guessing, but it was a good guess.

Let me ask you something.

Yes? Jero looked up.

Do you really trust the information from the Moon Gate?

To be honest I do believe the data is reliable.

And it has nothing to do with his fathers link to the Imperial Family of Swallow?

So you knew that too. Jeros eyes glowed. Just like your father We wont be able to discuss this fully without DemeroDemero bel Grace.