Chapter 15

On the promised Monday afternoon, the training hall of the Imperial Knight Academy was filled with a subtler tension and greater liveliness than usual. Rumors were rife that Sir Allen, the Crown Prince’s guard and one of the Empire’s youngest Sword Experts, would be visiting. The students adjusted their grips on their swords, each determined to show their best.

Among them, none stood out more than Kaion Aster. He was sparring in the center of the hall against senior students, not a bit outmatched—in fact, he was overwhelming them. His swordsmanship had become much more concise and sharp than before. Unnecessary movements had vanished; every attack and defense pursued nothing but efficiency.

‘Just as Rian said… focus on the opponent’s center, breath, and the slightest shifts in their gaze.’

Kaion moved according to the strategy his younger sibling had crafted for him. It was more than merely defeating an opponent; it was like a well-staged play that elicited admiration from those watching.

Sure enough, a man’s gaze in one corner of the training hall fixed on Kaion as he watched the training. The man with a gentle face and keen eyes was none other than Sir Allen.

“Is that youth the rumored scion of the Aster family?”

He asked the instructor beside him, who answered proudly.

“Yes, Sir Allen. Kaion Aster. He hasn’t been enrolled long, but his rate of growth is frightening. Especially after defeating Young Master Keil of the Reinhardt family, his skills have truly come into bloom.”

Allen watched Kaion’s movements with interest. It was swordsmanship that combined not only strength and talent but the wisdom to read a situation. When the sparring ended, he approached Kaion himself.

“You must be Kaion Aster. Excellent swordsmanship you display.”

The students around them looked on with envious eyes at Sir Allen’s unexpected praise. Kaion, following Rian’s instructions, remained composed and observed proper knightly manners without a hint of elation.

“You flatter me, Sir Allen.”

“Even humble. If there were more knights with a steady blade like yours, the Empire’s future would be brighter…”

Allen trailed off and sighed deeply. A deep worry flickered across his face for a moment. Having watched the Crown Prince’s suffering up close more than anyone, his thoughts of the Empire’s future weighed heavily on him.

“His Highness would have certainly been pleased to see a knight like you… if it weren’t for that dreadful headache…”

The words slipped out before he could stop them. The Crown Prince’s illness was top secret, so Allen hastily closed his mouth—but the words were already spilled.

Kaion, following Rian’s script, put on a surprised expression and asked cautiously.

“Sir Allen, might… there be some problem with His Highness the Crown Prince’s health? I ask as a loyal subject.”

Realizing his mistake, Allen glared at Kaion for a moment, but the boy’s face showed only pure concern and devotion. Allen relaxed his guard and spoke softly.

“…Pretend you didn’t hear that. I spoke carelessly.”

It was at that moment that Kaion, as if remembering something, hurriedly spoke.

“Sir Allen! Is it perhaps a symptom that even Divine Magic cannot cure? Though our Aster family is a minor border house, we have an old folk remedy passed down through generations.”

Kaion carefully took out the box of medicinal herbs that Rian had handed him.

“It’s an herbal tea said to be effective against headaches that do not respond to Divine Magic. It may not be something fit to present to His Highness’s person, but in case—please accept my sincere loyalty.”

Allen looked between Kaion and the herbal box he offered with a conflicted expression. Although his slip had leaked a secret, it had ironically returned as a small thread of hope. He felt like grasping at a straw. Above all, the boy before him radiated pure loyalty rather than any cunning scheme.

After a brief silence, Allen finally reached out as if having made up his mind.

“…I will gratefully accept your loyalty. If this truly proves effective, the Aster family will have done the Empire great service.”

Allen accepted the box of herbs and quietly left the training hall.

Kaion remained in place until Allen’s retreating figure vanished. Following the script woven by the shadows, the light had perfectly played its role.

That night, back at Aster Manor, Kaion explained the entire situation to Rian.

“The die has now been cast.”

Rian spoke quietly, staring at the vast royal palace beyond the window. In his hand was the report Inspector Fox had newly brought.

‘Reinhardt family: spies sent to the Aster estate lands have lost contact. Preparing to dispatch additional personnel.’

A cold smile touched Rian’s lips. The first shadow they had left behind in the estate, Kael, had already begun to move.

On the grand board of the capital, invisible hands were busily at work.