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In a high-end restaurant in the city of Rohwein, reserved since morning for an evening party, everyone present was left waiting as the guest of honor failed to appear.

Gathered were those who once lived in the Malienova Juvenile Dormitory. Since they all had some acquaintance with Lucella, the age range was generally between their twenties and thirties, totaling around ten people.

In this gathering, there were artisans, employees of trading companies, and even local officials. Although there were differences in the levels of success in life, each had found their own path and was living a distinct life in this empire. … Those who didn’t fit this description were not invited.

The elegantly decorated room, reminiscent of a royal salon, exuded a stifling, frozen atmosphere, akin to being trapped in a sealed container.

Seated for two and a half hours, in front of them were unopened aperitifs and neatly arranged, now completely cold, appetizers. Conversation had dried up, and even the piano player from the adjacent room had taken a break. The only sounds heard were the rattling of the windows in the wind and rain.

“What strange weather…”

Someone’s murmur only served to accelerate the prevailing silence.

Though it had been clear at least until a few dozen minutes ago, an unsettling, mind-numbing rain was now pounding against the windows.

“W-Well, it should be fine to eat the appetizers. They’ll probably remake them if Lucella comes.”
“True, then I’ll help myself.”
“Don’t overeat, though.”

Unable to bear the weight of the atmosphere, Efrain spoke up. If Lucella were to arrive, he thought it would be a problem if the atmosphere had completely chilled by then.

Indeed, this served as a good icebreaker, and the stagnant conversation began to flow.

“But it was quite a surprise… in many ways.”
“In the end, how did ‘that guy’ become a dragon’s child?”
“We were given some documents, right? I don’t know more than that.”
“Well, the world does have some incredibly unbelievable things.”

Everyone in the room had been informed about Lucella’s current situation. When they learned the circumstances, everyone was visibly astonished. After all, such a bizarre event had happened to someone close to them.

“Actually, I was more surprised that Efrain became a bureaucrat.”
“You didn’t know?”
“Well, those who haven’t gone back to the hometown wouldn’t know.”
“To think he’s like a noble now.”

Simultaneously, another source of everyone’s surprise was Efrain having graduated from university and become a bureaucrat.

One of the intellectual elites of the country, serving even in the Outer Palace. A splendid and impressive career.

“Well… I’m still just a low-level guy.”

Efrain always reminded himself not to boast about his position, but he couldn’t help feeling proud when those around him expressed admiration. He believed that his current position was the result of dedicating himself to the country and contributing his efforts more than anyone else in the room.

“Eddie, don’t just open the wine by yourself!”
“Huh!?”

However, it wasn’t the time for casual enjoyment.

While it was fine to eat the food, Efrain never said anything about opening the wine. Moreover, this wasn’t a common tavern; pouring the wine should be the responsibility of the restaurant staff. Yet, there was someone who took it upon themselves to open the bottle and pour the wine.

It was Eddie, a man of the same age as Efrain, and ■■■■■ by extension.

“Hey, what are you doing? How do you think it would look if we were drinking and having a good time if Lucella showed up?!”
“Come on, it’s fine. Let me drink. She probably won’t come tonight anyway. Besides, she wouldn’t mind even if she did.”

Ignoring the scolding, Eddie sipped the fine wine.

“Holy… this is delicious!!”

Efrain couldn’t even bring himself to sigh.

Despite the formal setting, Eddie showed up in a wrinkled shirt without bothering to shave. Efrain remembered him as a careless guy since their time at the juvenile dormitory. Eddie was notorious for not waking up on time for breakfast, frequently skipping school, and always straying from group activities. Efrain had never seen him studying, and though he somehow managed to graduate from the applied school, Efrain hadn’t bothered to inquire about what he had been doing afterward during his sporadic visits to the juvenile dormitory.

Shouldn’t we have refrained from inviting this guy? In the first place, I don’t remember mentioning him. Why is he even here?

It was a puzzle.

The members present were supposed to be carefully selected by the superiors from those Efrain had named. However, Eddie was an exception.

Efrain didn’t recall him being close to ■■■■■, and in a way, inviting him to such a crucial gathering related to the fate of the empire seemed inappropriate. If Efrain had known he would come, he might have tried to stop it.

“Eddie, are you still broke and drinking?”

Someone who was supposed to be close to Eddie questioned him, a mix of admonishment and concern.

“Oh, well, it’s not really like that. I was in a tight spot until recently though…”

Eddie chuckled awkwardly and took another sip of the alcohol.

“Actually… I’m going to paint a mural on the ceiling of the Imperial Palace soon… Haha, it’s a massive project. I can finally pay off my debts.”

A moment of silence.

Then, the people at the feast erupted into excitement.

“Seriously!?”
“Are you sure you aren’t getting scammed!?”
“No, it’s true. The other day, I was summoned to the Imperial Palace, and I even received words from His Excellency, the Prime Minister.”

Efrain had no idea that Eddie was into painting in the first place, and the enormity of the story seemed almost unbelievable.

The Maltgartz Empire was vast, and to be chosen for a job related to the Imperial Palace was something extraordinary.

“Here’s the proof. Take a look.”

Since Eddie was so flippant, Efrain didn’t know to what extent it was true. However, with a nonchalant demeanor, Eddie pulled out a navy blue fountain pen from his pocket and showed it to Efrain.

“Wow…!”

Exclamations of admiration filled the air. Emblazoned with the national emblem, the pen was a gift bestowed from the Imperial Palace under the name of His Majesty the Emperor.

While the significance of gifts varied, a fountain pen was a rare item. As far as anyone could remember, it was typically given to renowned oil painters, modern historians who shaped the Empire’s civic education, and the like.

His Excellency, the Prime Minister, had a fondness for art. It was well-known that he collected the finest paintings from all over the empire.

Efrain had never seen Eddie’s paintings, nor did he know their quality. However, Manuel, with his discerning taste, wouldn’t have chosen someone mediocre. It was likely that Eddie’s paintings had been featured in an exhibition in the capital, and Manuel, having seen them there, extended the invitation.

Efrain felt an overwhelming sensation, a mix of emotions that bordered on fear, but he couldn’t comprehend it any further.

“…I’m going to the restroom for a bit.”

Efrain stood up and left, never to return to his seat.

A fast horse was galloping in the mud.

Efrain relentlessly whipped the horse which kept hesitating in fear.

Ahead, a swirling storm with thunderclouds loomed. The pouring rain rendered rain gear useless, leaving Efrain drenched. Despite this, he pressed forward, using the flames in the distance as a guide through the night.

What are you going to do by leaving, Efrain?

Efrain questioned himself.

“Like I know… but things can’t stay like this!”

He believed he had stacked up everything that needed to be done, following the best procedures. However, was that truly the right path? Wasn’t there arrogance in thinking everything was fine? Could irreversible consequences be lurking beneath his satisfaction?

A cold flame of impatience burned at Efrain’s back. And eventually, Efrain saw it.

“What is that? Didn’t… Lucella appeases the Regalia…?”

In the midst of the lightning, a silhouette emerged. It was a Red Dragon engaging in combat with a water giant.

Efrain thought that a battle might be unfolding. For a moment, he even believed there was a chance he could stop Lucella himself. However, the scene was drastically different from what Efrain had envisioned.

The horse, exhausted and frightened, finally toppled over, and Efrain continued on foot. Discarding his rain gear, now more of a hindrance than help, he ran in the midst of the downpour, feeling like he was swimming through the icy river.

In the lightning’s glow, Efrain witnessed the fleeing figures. It was the military force organized to seize the Regalia.

The silhouette of the azure staff hovered in the lightning. Chasing those who fled, it danced through the air. The Regalia soared like an arrow. Standing to protect the military force was Lucella.

The water flow created by Lucella surged, deflecting the Regalia. However, the Regalia sharply maneuvered, diving into the midst of the military force.

――NOT THE ONE――
――NOT THE ONE――
――NOT THE ONE――
――NOT THE ONE――

Without any resistance, the Regalia soared through, turning everything it touched into fine particles.

“What is this?”
“Don’t touch it, it’s dangerous!”
“Why is it pursuing us!?”

As blood and shattered armor rained down, the knights scattered in panic.

Witnessing people dying so easily, Efrain found himself unable to move. A completely unknown and catastrophic situation was unfolding. And then, the floating Regalia turned towards Efrain.

“Efrain!?”

Lucella’s astonished voice was heard.

And after that, silence. No, it happened in such a fleeting moment that even the constant sound of rain might have been caught off guard. At an unstoppable speed, the Regalia soared towards Efrain.

――IT IS YOU――

That voice resonated within Efrain as if piercing into the depths of his soul.