Imperial City, in front of the Imperial Palace.
At this very moment, on the square before the palace gates, an unprecedented number of Imperial Knights were arrayed in rows, as if poised to meet an enemy army. They blocked the palace gates tightly.
They stood like a steadfast army of knights, every one of them as if on the battlefield, their morale soaring like a rainbow.
Such a scene should not appear within the capital of a kingdom.
But today, such a scene had emerged, and a very real enemy force had arrived before them.
Accompanied by a rumbling of the earth, a group of Imperial Knights riding their warhorses charged into the square, stirring up a thunderous noise of hooves.
The Imperial Knights guarding the palace immediately reacted to this, as if provoked, they all stepped forward in unison and drew their weapons.
Some raised swords, and some raised enormous shields, presenting an unwavering defensive posture that did not resemble knights but rather an army of valiant and seasoned warriors.
Faintly, in the ranks of the Imperial Knights behind them, numerous archers could be seen drawing their bows and notching their arrows, and even a great number of Mages were seen raising their Magic Wands, ready to unleash their Magic at any moment.
Of course, the Imperial Knights who charged into the square were not to be outdone. Not only were each of them clad in Heavy Armor, but they were also atop their warhorses, holding massive Riding Spears in their hands, forming up their formation on the square, standing in opposition to the Imperial Knights guarding the Imperial Palace.
The entire square suddenly became like a battlefield, a ground where two armies confronted each other.
"Father... Father...!"
Geno, staying in the center of the Imperial Knights' formation, was also present, his hand tightly gripping his sword, his voice trembling as it came out.
Until just moments before, this Young Master of the Renitra Family had been full of smugness, incessantly issuing orders within the ranks of the Imperial Knight Order, as if reveling in his own authority under these circumstances, drawing much attention.
But now, he seemed intimidated by the opposing might of the Imperial Knight Order, the smug expression on his face turning to nerves.
Clearly, this Young Master had never experienced a battlefield, had never seen such a momentous standoff between two armies.
Sarilo stood by Geno's side, looking at such a son, feeling only disgrace.
Normally, no matter what, Sarilo would give Geno a proper reprimand.
However, today was not the occasion for that.
Sarilo then suppressed the disappointment he felt for his son, calmly observing the opposing army, slowly walking out from the midst of the Imperial Knight Order.
Geno immediately followed, but hid behind Sarilo, displaying an utterly submissive demeanor, looking quite pitiful.
As such, Sarilo came to the forefront of the army, arriving before the enemy.
"Are you planning a rebellion, Lady Cappelen?"
Sarilo shouted loudly, quickly slapping a charge onto Cappelen.
A cold retort came from Cappelen.
"To claim that I, a rightful descendant of the Royal Family, am planning a rebellion. If you utter such words, you must be prepared for the consequences, Deputy Commander Renitra."
With such a voice, Cappelen, mounted on her warhorse, slowly emerged from her own forces.
By her side, Rocque and Tilly, each riding a horse, closely followed Cappelen, one expressionless and the other with a stern face, both appearing very imposing.
Geno's gaze was first attracted by the striking figure of Cappelen, showing a look of infatuation, which then shifted to Tilly, his infatuation turning into enchantment.
Sarilo, inadvertently witnessing Geno's behavior, felt a surge of anger, a strong impulse to kick him away and take him back for a complete overhaul.
If it wasn't for letting Geno make a presence in this event, to attract some attention in order to eventually take over his position, Sarilo would never have brought this unreliable individual along.
Now, though the presence had been made, it was possible his face would be lost as well.
Sarilo could only turn a blind eye, continuing to shout loudly at Cappelen.
"If you don't plan to rebel, then why have you come here with soldiers, alongside the Bigusler Family, who are under suspicion of treason?"
It seemed that Sarilo was determined to pin the crime onto Cappelen or perhaps Rocque, repeatedly mentioning the words rebellion and treason, as if he stood on the moral high ground.
If it were someone who lacked spirit confronting the cunning and shrewd Sarilo, they might already be trapped by now, wouldn't they?
Sadly for Sarilo, Cappelen might be somewhat upright, but that did not mean she couldn't think on her feet.
"I should be the one saying that, shouldn't I?" Cappelen coolly responded. "As a legitimate descendant of the Imperial Family, I wish to enter the Imperial Palace to expose the treacherous face of the Concubine who has endangered our nation for years. Yet, you, as Deputy Commander of the Imperial Knight Order and as the Family Head of the Renitra Family, dare to lead an army to try to stop me on this path. I think you are the one who wants to rebel, to commit treason, aren't you?"
Cappelen threw a series of accusations back at Sarilo.
Sarilo narrowed his eyes.
"Your Highness speaks too harshly," Sarilo said without losing his composure. "I have simply received information that there are suspicious individuals with intentions of harming the Empire, trying to approach the Imperial Palace. I am merely here to perform my duty of protection."
"Is that so?" Cappelen replied icily. "You mean to say that I am one of the suspicious individuals with intentions of harming the Empire, is that your point?"
"I wouldn't dare," Sarilo asserted uprightly. "Your Highness is a rightful descendant of the Royal Family, of course you cannot be a suspicious person."
"Then you still dare to block my path here?" The look Cappelen gave Sarilo grew dangerous. "I was not aware that the Renitra Family had such authority."
"This is a misunderstanding, Your Highness," Sarilo replied fearlessly. "If it's only Your Highness, then of course you may enter the Imperial Palace; I, and the others, will certainly not hinder you."
The implication being that aside from Cappelen, everybody else should stay back and not be allowed to enter the Imperial Palace.
That included Rocque, as well as Tilly.
"You have indeed played a good hand," Cappelen said lightly, "do you think it's possible for me alone to venture into danger?"
"Venture into danger?" Sarilo feigned confusion, speaking as if muddled, "In the Imperial Palace, what danger could Your Highness possibly speak of?"
"You know what I mean," Cappelen said, looking intently at Sarilo, and with an unequivocal tone, continued, "Deputy Commander Renitra, having ambition is not a bad thing, but to have assisted those who should not be assisted, to have pledged loyalty to those who do not deserve it—the end result may harm not only yourself but also the Renitra Family."
Sarilo's expression flickered.
But after a moment, Sarilo glanced at Rocque, and his expression returned to normal.
"Your Highness is surely speaking too gravely," Sarilo said with a heavy voice, "In any case, I am merely here to fulfill my duties. If Your Highness wishes to enter the Imperial Palace, please feel free to do so, but everyone else must stay here."
With that, Sarilo raised a hand.
The Imperial Knights he led struck their weapons and shields in unison, slamming them heavily onto the ground and causing a thunderous rumble that seemed as if it could pierce the heavens.
To this, Rocque's eyes shone with a cold gleam, and he too raised his hand slightly.
The Imperial Knights mounted on their war horses took a step forward in unison, creating an even more resounding ground-shaking roar.
The number of Imperial Knights standing behind Cappelen and Rocque was ten percent more than the number led by Sarilo.
Under such circumstances, in terms of morale and momentum, Sarilo's side was subtly being overwhelmed.
This was something that Sarilo was well aware of.
Nevertheless, he would not show weakness.
"Have you thought this through, Lady Cappelen?" Sarilo insinuated, "Do not forget that Prince Harvey is still in the Imperial Palace—and so is your mother."
This time, it was Cappelen's turn for her complexion to change.
However, her expression became ugly and cold.
"Are you threatening me?"
Cappelen stared intently at Sarilo.
"I've already stated, I dare not," Sarilo replied, unflinchingly meeting Cappelen's icy gaze, "As I said before, if Your Highness wishes to enter, we will absolutely not obstruct you, as per the Imperial Concubine's orders."
As for the others, Sarilo was certain not to let them enter.
Otherwise, if they were to cause trouble within the Imperial Palace, it would be troublesome for them as well.
At the least, Sarilo did not wish to see Moro facing significant threats, nor did he want to see Harvey rescued amidst the chaos.
Moreover, if he could ensure that Cappelen entered the palace alone, then even if Cappelen publicly exposed Moro, nothing would happen to him.
At that point, as long as they captured Cappelen, or simply killed her, there would be no witnesses to the truth.
Thinking this, Sarilo's expression softened somewhat.
"Did your Imperial Concubine ever say whether I could enter or not?"
As this seemingly casual voice echoed through the crowd, including Sarilo, everyone's hearts tightened and they held their breath.
In the midst of the sound of carriage wheels, a carriage parted the Imperial Knights mounted on their war horses and slowly made its way forward, appearing before Sarilo and the others.
Cappelen, Rocque, and Tilly, the party of three, instinctively stepped back.
Seeing this, Sarilo's eyes narrowed as he looked towards the carriage.
The carriage was quite luxurious, adorned with the Bigusler Family's crest, clearly indicating it was a luxury vehicle exclusively for the Great Nobles.
Sarilo could not see what was inside the carriage compartment.
Sarilo only saw a young man seated at the driver's seat, who seemed quite interested as he held the reins, urging the horses on.
The young man was likely a few years older than Cappelen; his clothing was not flamboyant, yet also not ordinary, clearly a Noble at a glance.
However, the style of that Noble attire was not that of the Empire's Nobles.
"Kingdom Nobles?" Sarilo realized this and asked with a deep voice, "And who might you be...?"
The exploratory question was met with a smile that was not quite a smile.
"Can't recognize me without a cloak, Deputy Commander?"
One sentence caused Sarilo's pupils to constrict sharply.
This person was the mysterious powerhouse who had annihilated the Leferut Family.