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On that night, two incidents occurred in the Maltgartz Imperial Palace.

The first was the Emperor waking up in the middle of the night and ordering the preparation of breakfast. However, this was a trivial matter, an everyday occurrence, and not worth noting.

The second occurred at the residence of the Prime Minister.

“Have you still not found the whereabouts of the Regalia?”
“I-I apologize! We still have no contact with the observation team…”
“I’ve heard enough of that! Are you just sitting idly, waiting for the observation team’s response? If the situation has deteriorated, prepare the next best plan promptly. That is your duty!”
“Y-Yes!”

Manuel reprimanded the staff who came to report.

The battle for the Regalia was taking place far southeast of the imperial capital. However, this didn’t mean Manuel could leisurely sleep while a battle that could determine the fate of the nation was underway. He waited anxiously in his room.

For Manuel, either side winning was acceptable, but depending on the outcome, the next move would change. He had to make that decision immediately.

However, the situation exceeded Manuel’s expectations.

Apart from the Regalia retrieval unit organized by the surrounding feudal lords, Manuel had dispatched a force to assess the situation. Unfortunately, communication with them had been lost after a mysterious mention of a ‘Water Giant.’

Given the circumstances, it could be speculated that the Regalia had gone berserk again, but other than that, everything was completely unclear. At any rate, the immediate priority should be to contact those on-site who have a grasp of the situation.

The situation that exceeded Manuel’s expectations started from here.

“Emergency situation! I bring urgent news!”

Normally, messengers wouldn’t come directly to Manuel, but this one disregarded all courtesy and protocols, rushing in.

Just from that, Manuel understood that an exceptionally abnormal situation had occurred, requiring the messenger to seek his direct judgment.

“Speak your message.”
“Something has taken off from the site of the battle and is approaching the imperial capital at super high speed! Its identity is still unknown, but based on its speed, it is estimated to arrive in the capital within a few minutes at the slowest!”
“What!?”

Manuel, as well as those present at that moment, were astonished.

The contact with the observation team had been lost only about ten minutes ago.

Despite that, something was flying from the distant old kingdom territory to the imperial capital. Just considering the speed, ‘it’ was extraordinary. Its speed was a formidable pace that surpassed even the transfer magic circles.

If that was an adversarial entity, it posed a significant threat.

“In that case, let’s first prepare for—”

Defense—before he managed to give that order, a blinding light streamed in from the window, as if lightning had struck. With a deafening roar, walls and ceilings were blown away.

“Gyaaaaaah!”

The messenger emitted a pitiful scream.

Manuel, unperturbed, didn’t scream or panic but immediately took cover behind a nearby chair.

When Manuel stood up, debris had scattered around the room. As if a star had fallen, something had smashed through the walls and ceilings, crashing into Manuel’s room.

“W-What is this…”

And then, Manuel saw it.

Crushing a table made entirely from a millennium tree, something was sprawled headfirst in the middle of the room. It could be described as a cross between a dragon and a human. Alternatively, it might be considered a demon.

It had a generally humanoid shape, but its height likely exceeded three meters. Beautiful azure scales grew haphazardly all over its body, with arms and legs adorned with armor, and it had a long, sinuous tail and twisted wings.

The dragon-like creature awkwardly rose, reminiscent of a broken golem.

Its head was half sharply angular and had a jaw like a dragon, while the other half resembled a human male.

It was grotesque.

However, Manuel recognized the face. Manuel had a knack for remembering names and faces, and with just that half-face, he knew who this was.

“You…!”
“Agh..ugh? Where… is… this…?”

Muttering with a stumbling tone, the dragon-like being looked around. When its eyes locked onto Manuel, even Manuel was taken aback.

It smiled at Manuel. However, since only half of its face, the human part, was functioning properly, the smile appeared twisted and distorted.

“Ah, haha… Your Excellency… the Prime Minister… I’m glad… It seems, I managed to do it…?”

With a childlike cheerfulness, the man, Efrain, laughed.

“Are you… Efrain Kraubel?”
“Y-Yes, that is correct. Ah… I apologize for surprising you… The control is unexpectedly… difficult… It is as if this body is not mine…”

Efrain seemed to attempt a cautious posture.

Unable to maintain it, he stumbled and fell. At that moment, water swirled around him. It was a brief whirlwind. The floor around Efrain was deeply gouged in concentric circles, and the messenger who had been cowering nearby turned into a mist of blood.

Manuel, more concerned about the blood staining the wall painting than the messenger’s life, knew he had to arrange for repairs quickly to avoid irreversible damage.

“What happened, and what is that form…”
“I didn’t quite understand it either, but I’m starting to get it… It is alright. Yes, you don’t need to worry. Everything is here. Our destination is the same. Hehehe…”

Manuel cautiously addressed Efrain.

Efrain mumbled responses like talking to himself, and seeming to grasp something on his own, he wore a hazy smile, as if delirious with fever. Then, he suddenly assumed a posture resembling a kneel and extended his right arm.

“I have recovered the ‘Wisdom Eye Vortex’ and brought it here for you. Please accept it.”

Manuel was truly astonished. Beyond questioning how the situation had come to this and how Efrain had arrived here, the more perplexing matter was Efrain’s peculiar state.

“But, how in the world am I supposed to detach this from your arm?”
“What?”

Efrain’s right arm was now formed like that of a dragon, composed of scales and armor. At its human-like tip, there was a blue tin staff integrated with the arm.

It looked as if he had clenched the Regalia, and his arm and hand had melted, fused together.

Efrain looked at his own hand and tilted his head in confusion.

“That’s strange. When did it become like this…? Ah, no, it’s okay. It should be like this…”
“Do I need to cut your arm?”
“H-Huh… Why? I do not mind, but for what purpose?”

After uttering incomprehensible words, Efrain suddenly clutched his head.

“Ugh… Ahh…”

As if in pain, he then collapsed, curling his massive body into a fetal position, trembling.

It seemed like he was in distress, but the reason remained unclear. One thing Manuel could discern was that Efrain was not only physically abnormal but also mentally disturbed.

“Summon the sealing unit.”

To the staff frozen in fear, Manuel gave the order.

Maltgartz had conquered many countries, facing numerous Regalia and overcoming them. In response to the need, they had accumulated experience and conducted research to develop temporary countermeasures against Regalia, even without the support of allied Regalia. The result of these efforts was the ‘Sealing Unit.’

Summoning the Regalia users from the eastern Gufare front immediately and neutralizing the ‘Wisdom Eye Vortex’ on the spot would ensure everything proceeded smoothly. For that, they needed to buy some time.

“Your Excellency, one thing… I will soon lose my understanding, so… please allow me one question.”
“Very well, what is it? Ask anything you wish.”

As Efrain spoke while crouched, Manuel responded outwardly calmly but remained extremely vigilant internally. Until Efrain was restrained, there was nothing to protect Manuel.

“At this moment, what am I to Your Excellency?”
“One of the most esteemed subjects. I shall forever remember your loyalty and dedication, even in the afterlife. I shall boast to the gods in the next world.”

Manuel answered the sudden question without hesitation. Despite not fully understanding what had happened, Efrain claimed to have recovered the ‘Wisdom Eye Vortex,’ and it seemed to be true. For diligent service, there should be rewards and recognition. That was how the Prime Minister earned admiration.

Of course, Manuel’s response was a calculated decision on how one in his position should behave, distinct from Manuel’s personal feelings. Manuel’s primary concern was not to provoke Efrain, preventing his powers from going out of control and causing harm to himself. Additionally, the paintings hanging on the walls of the room were just as important as his life. They must not be destroyed under any circumstances.

While Manuel appreciated Efrain bringing the Regalia, he felt no gratitude or sentimentality. If necessary, Manuel was prepared to cut Efrain’s arm and take his life. This young and dedicated bureaucrat was just one of the many replaceable pieces in Manuel’s strategic game.

“Rather than that, this room must feel cramped with that body. Would you like to go outside?”
“Why… I could have… I would have been fine dying. I could have devoted my life…”

Efrain’s trembling stopped. His tone suddenly became clear, like the brightest moment right before a candle burned out. For a moment, his consciousness became lucid, and the despair reflected in his trembling voice was profound and dark.

A squelching sound echoed.

Scales emerged, breaking through Efrain’s skin, blood flowing, as they fused and formed armor.

“You… do not love anyone, do you?”

The remnants of humanity barely remained on his face. With tears of blood streaming from his eyes, Efrain looked at Manuel. Immediately after, thirty percent of Maltgartz Imperial Palace was devastated.