David’s decision has always been intuitive. He wasn’t caught up in personal emotions, and he knew that everything in the world would be faded away with time. And that’s exactly what he’s doing right now.

‘Kid…. I have something I want to teach you, but my time is up.’

He recalled what his teacher had said when he was dying.

‘The universe is essentially a warped picture. It was….a thing.’

After his teacher’s sudden death before he could finish his sentences, David momentarily lost his intuitive judgment and used the magic of time. And half of his failures propelled David to this stage.

“No, teacher. I still have time…….”

Fortunately, David had more time than his teacher. If Adrian was removed from this world, Evelyn would surely return to her Kingdom. And Fabian’s massacre because of Evelyn wouldn’t have happened in the future.

“I have to complete this mission. So … … give me strength.”

His mission was to make this continent flow as before.

David closed his eyes for a moment with his hands clasped as the intersection of fate was getting closer.

“Sir David! We’re going to cross the Imperial checkpoint now.”

A loud noise came from outside the carriage. It took longer than he expected to make the trip from Saint Iretta.

The Emperor welcomed the Pope’s entourage in person because he realized that he really needed the guests he invited this time.

But what was surprising was that the Emperor confronted David directly. By procedure, David was the Pope’s representative, but Fabian’s black eyes focused sharply on him.

“From Saint Iretta to here…..it’s a difficult journey.” Fabian said.

“It’s Your Majesty’s request, so how could I not come with pleasure?” said the Pope, rubbing his white beard.

That old man didn’t seem much different from Fabian’s memory. But he was very unfamiliar and suspicious of David’s appearance.

A fair face under the sun and exotic purple eyes. It was so strange to see him alive and breathing.

“I’ve prepared one of the best pavilion in the Imperial Palace, it would be nice if the Pope’s entourage could take a rest there.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty.” The Pope repeatedly smiled with delight at Fabian’s welcome.

Now it was the time to consider Duke Metis and Princess Evelyn’s devotion, including the Emperor. There could be no better business for the Vatican than this.

“The Vatican Paladin …… Is your name David?” asked Fabian curiously, and David replied back in a quiet, clear voice. “That’s right.”

“When I saw you, I remembered that you were the one who defeated the Wyverns at the Great Festival. At that time, I couldn’t thank you because I didn’t know the details of the story, but thank you, because of you, the Prince wasn’t hurt, so I will give you a gift. “

“I don’t need a gift.” David gracefully lowered his head halfway.

“But the Emperor’s kindness shouldn’t be refused,” Fabian said those gruesome words without losing his relaxed smile. “I’ll be preparing a present that suits you best, so look forward to it.”

“It’s such an honor for me then.”

Fabian’s black eyes as he watched David, who only answered briefly, felt like knives.

David, who had lived for many years, this time felt tremendous pressure from an ordinary human.

“Hmm …… As Your Majesty said, my old body is a little tired after traveling so far.” The Pope looked confused and interrupted their conversation.

“I’ll take you to the pavilion that has provided by His Majesty.”

When David chose the right time to leave, Fabian nodded and stared at them, pretending to be generous.

“He looks like a moving statue, not human. I’ve never seen someone could erase the existence aura like that.” Serus, who typically spoke less, opened his mouth first.

He had excellent at swords and martial arts and was a man of strong will. However, when he saw a person who gave him a different sense of level, Serus also startled from the depths of his heart.

“That’s the problem. Is he a human being?” Fabian uttered cynically. He wasn’t afraid at all. Whatever his opponent’s identity, he was determined to cut him with his own sword and take his life.

“Duke Akshire is waiting in the living room next door.” said Serus.

“Let’s go together.”

When they entered the room, not only Liam but Logan, who was in charge of the Black Hawk Knight, was with him as well.

Initially, Serus was the leader, but now he had a more important job to protect the Emperor’s family.

“First of all, Lady Metis re-entered the Palace. She’s now with Empress Dowager, and nothing has changed since then. ” Serus briefly explained to Liam, since he was an outsider.

“And Empress Dowager stated that she didn’t wish to be involved in this grueling fight.”

Liam nodded. For him, it was good news that the enemy was decreasing. But it was in stark contrast to Fabian, who suspected his own mother.

“Your Majesty, you’ve given the Pope’s entourage a nice place, haven’t you?” asked Liam.

Fabian scorned, twisting his mouth, and laughed. “Ha, of course, It’s a beautiful building that is always used when envoys from other countries arrive.”

The pavilion that he gave the Pope was one of the most beautiful buildings in the Imperial family. But, the interior was built with a special design that allowed it to be spied on.

Fabian had already placed elite knights hiding between the walls and ceiling before the Pope’s arrival.

“How about the Duke Metis?” Fabian asked without much expectation since Liam didn’t look very bright either.

“His move was same as you expected.”

Fabian spat a laugh. Duke Metis intended to lead his own faction and used them as a weapon in parliament, but his arrogance exceeded his ability.

“No wonder, the Metis family is blood-related to the Imperial family and is the strongest family in history since the founding of the Empire.”

That’s Sagan’s ace card. However, Fabian was his nephew, so Sagan was sure that Fabian wouldn’t destroy Metis since he was still their family line.

Besides, their last fortress, the Empress Dowager, was still alive. Sagan had the upper hand as everything was possible.

“It’s too bad. If he’d spent more time with me, his nephew, he would have known that it’s useless to fight against the Imperial family.”

“In history, a revolt has never been successful …… I don’t know what he’s thinking.” Serus suddenly added a phrase.

“He thinks he’s special. That’s what humans are.”

“But the Duke Metis has already lost his rational judgment.” said Liam.

“Huh… is he trying to recruit soldiers?”

Liam nodded in response to Fabian’s question. What he did was already a sign of rebellion.

“And how about you?” asked Fabian and stared at Liam coolly.

“I’m only here to help the Princess, so I don’t bring any personal soldiers. But, if something happens, shouldn’t the gifts from King and Queen Felice be helpful? … I hope.”

Fabian burst out with a chuckle. It was a King’s wise decision to bring troops under the guise of gifts and used them as a force in an emergency situation.

“Does that include your soldiers?”

Liam shook his head. “Instead, my soldiers are camping on the territorial borders. By any chance ….”

“I see.”

What a pity, Fabian thought. If it weren’t for Evelyn’s feelings, Liam actually would be a competent and trustworthy person for him.

“Tomorrow, the Pope will make a choice that is more favorable to him. However, it is questionable whether that greedy old man can refuse either of them down properly. What about the Congress?”

“I’ve benefited from Metis’ rebellion plans. I will never be outnumbered and lose in timing.”

But actually, they were evenly matched in terms of power, and it was Fabian’s job to make sure they didn’t lose.

“Your Majesty…”

Fabian then allowed Liam to continue speaking with his gaze.

“Duke Metis is a cunning man, I don’t think he’s going to fight with knight troops.”

Fabian grasped what Liam meant. Sagan would kill Adrian as soon as he had the chance. Because what he wanted was power, not honor.

“Now, the protection at the Empress Palace are stricter than my Palace.” said Fabian, and Liam seemed glad to hear that.

“Duke Akshire, if Duke Metis crosses the line…… whether he wants to wage war or not. He still has to take responsibility and suffer the consequences.”

There had never been a war in the Empire’s history, and the Empire would never be defeated. However, if things got worse, Fabian was ready to destroy his mother’s own family.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Liam couldn’t figure that out, but it was a good thing as long as Fabian could ensure Evelyn’s safety.

Soon, after Liam left the room, Fabian sighed. This was the most exhausting period of his reign.

“Another useless thing… … .” He muttered alone.

Fabian didn’t like starting wars because of personal ambition. Because the results would always be the same, and many people would die.

“There may be another way.” Serus carefully said.

“No, there isn’t, unless the Duke Metis gives up his ambition.”

“Then, how about you ‘give’ him another ambition? A stupid dog will lose its purpose if it sees the meat in front of it. “

“Serus.” Fabian looked closely at him.

Fabian, who knew Serus’s character very well, was very surprised by what he said just now.

“There’s a person who is by Your Majesty’ side who can pleased Duke Metis with small achievement.”

Fabian frowned his eyebrows, “Who? Empress Dowager?”

“Yes.”

“That doesn’t sound like you. That idea couldn’t have come from you…….”

Fabian squinted his eyes, “Duke Perth….?”

“Yes.” Serus answered softly, pulling out the sealed letter from his pocket and handed it to Fabian.

Once the thread was tangled, it began to twist uncontrollably.

***

The atmosphere in the Empress Palace was also tense. Evelyn couldn’t help feeling nervous when she found out that David was already in the Imperial Palace.

She deliberately clung to Adrian’s side. Fortunately, Adrian enjoyed it a lot and didn’t seem uncomfortable at all.

“Oh mother! When Ugly can fly?” Adrian was fascinated by the birdcage Fabian gave him.

He also wanted to learn etiquette lessons, which he hated so much because of Ugly.

This was due to Sir Hans’s new teaching method. He told Adrian that he had to be good at speaking in polite, formal language and used honorifics if he wanted to talk to the hawk.

“Well, I know everything! Adrian, it’s not a baby!”

“Yes, and now you need to know how to write.” said Sir Hans.

“Heeee…”

A few steps away, Evelyn and Rebecca, smiled brightly when they saw Sir Hans teaching Adrian in the Empress’s library.

“How can he be so … brilliant?”

Evelyn was also a mother who had difficulty educating their children, so she couldn’t help admiring Sir Hans’s cleverness.

“That’s right ….. he teaches a child in a clever way, he’s definitely a very patient and has a great character.” said Rebecca.

But it seemed, the thing they admired about Sir Hans was different.

Evelyn thought Hans was a decent guy, and he was a good candidate for the future Sage, so he was the ideal match for Rebecca.

Then, she looked at Rebecca for a moment. Still, Evelyn decided not to continue because the person she was talking to didn’t seem to notice.

“Wait! Time to feed Ugly!” Adrian shouted in high spirits and got down from a chair that was higher than his height.

His back and little butt peeking out in front of the cage looked plump and cute. Looking at the clock, it seemed that Adrian’s snack time to have passed a bit.

“Oh, what about Nora and Lily?” Evelyn asked.

Before Rebecca could answer, Nora and Lily were seen rushing down the Empress’s aisle, and they immediately came to Evelyn.

“Where have you been? It’s Adrian’s snack time, but I didn’t see you two.”

“Forgive us. His Holiness came and ordered me to bring holy water to all parts of the Imperial Palace.” said Nora, with a basin full of water in her arms.

“I heard it late and went to help Nora, but I was one step late…….” Lily glanced at Nora. Maybe because she was still young for a Palace maid, Lily was sometimes a little clumsy like this.

But Evelyn didn’t want to blame her today because she looked cute and had already admitted her mistake.

“Well Lily, will you prepare a snack for Adrian?”

“Yes!” Lily answered quickly and disappeared again with staggering steps.

“Nora, you’ve worked hard, so take some rest.”

“It’s the job of a court lady. Lily is still young, but don’t worry, she’ll be a decent court lady in a few years.”

Evelyn nodded, smiling. Even though Nora was upset, but she protected Lily warmly.

The peace that had begun to emerge in the Empress Palace gently embraced everyone.