I Grabbed the Tyrant’s Heart - Chapter 217

Only a few leaders of the Imperial Knights were set to travel, and I tagged along under the guise of the Chancellor’s messenger. On the day we left, the chancellor himself vouched for me, allowing me to cover my face with a cloak as I traveled.

I carried not only the sword Tess had given me, but also my old one, wrapped in cloth and slung across my back.

Though I knew I was not heading into anything pleasant, my heart couldn’t help but race with excitement.

“Chancellor’s messenger, over here.”

The leader of our group was the commander of the 3rd Division, someone I’d seen around the palace a few times. He motioned for me to follow.

I used to think my parents and Gael had grown closer during the three years I was away. But maybe that wasn’t true. Or perhaps the wounds of her childhood had never truly healed.

Before leaving for this journey, I couldn’t bring myself to face her. It felt like I’d wronged her somehow.

I could only hope she would be okay by the time I returned.

After traveling through three teleportation circles, we finally arrived at the southernmost part of the empire.

“This is it. One last jump, and we’re at our destination.”

Normally, we would have taken carriages to reach the borderlands, but given the special circumstances, teleportation circles had been set up. After the fourth and final jump, we arrived.

Hollen, the warmest city in the Northern Empire.

“The atmosphere here is… different.”

“First time in Hollen, huh?”

Some of the knights murmured in awe at the mild weather, and the captain chuckled as he gave a brief explanation.

“At first, you’ll enjoy the warmth, but soon enough, you’ll find it hard to adjust. It’s not like Alin—this place will start to feel uncomfortably hot.”

Indeed, the thick clothing we wore no longer seemed suited to the season. Still, I couldn’t help but feel a brief joy as the gentle spring breeze brushed past me.

“Let’s go. Chancellor’s messenger, don’t fall behind.”

I remained silent, careful not to reveal my voice, and followed the commander’s orders.

Wearing my training uniform, I could easily pass as just another soldier. No one would suspect I was anything else.

It was clear Tess had no idea that that person was a spy—or perhaps he knew and had chosen to leave it be?

No, I needed to ask him directly.

Oddly enough, my heart raced at the thought that I would soon see Tess again.

The enormous Fortress of Prete, located at the border, was much larger and taller than the capital’s castle. It seemed designed for both defense and offense.

Since an envoy from the Emperor had already gone ahead, our group was able to bypass the heavy security and easily enter the fortress walls.

They had chosen a route that would keep us from being noticed by the soldiers, but the tension and murderous intent in the air were impossible to ignore.

Unlike the Hill Palace, this fortress consisted of a single massive central keep. Though just one structure, its size was larger than several of the palace’s auxiliary buildings combined.

The knights remained outside the fortress while I, along with the commander of the 3rd Division, was led into the meeting room.

A large map hung on the wall beside an oval-shaped table dominating the center of the room. And standing there, at the heart of it all, was the person I longed to see.

“Glory to the heart of the Northern Empire.”

“Well done. You must be tired from the long journey, but Kelth will brief you on the current situation.”

“Understood. And this person is—”

“The Chancellor’s messenger, correct? I received word in advance. Sir Gilt, you may leave us.”

The Commander exited, but several others remained in the room. As I hesitated to reveal my identity, Tess extended his hand.

“You can trust everyone here, so go ahead.”

Tess smiled warmly, his eyes curving gently.

“Euseniel.”

I placed my hand in his, resting it on his large, gloved palm, and pulled back my hood.

“Hello, Your Majesty.”

General Panet openly showed his surprise.

“My, who would’ve thought the Chancellor’s messenger would be none other than Lady Hardland?”

“Hello, General.”

Though I didn’t know General Panet personally, he seemed to have figured out who I was after hearing my name.

“The battlefield is hardly the place for a lady like yourself.”

A middle-aged man with grayish hair crossed his arms, making no attempt to hide his displeasure.

“Ah, it seems Sir doesn’t know just how skilled Euseniel is with a sword.”

Tess said, laughing as he tapped the bundle slung over my back. The faint clinking sound that followed made the middle-aged man raise an eyebrow, realizing what it was.

“Euseniel must have come herself because this is something important, right? So, what is it?”

Tess, trying to hide his delight, looked at me with bright eyes, his black gaze gleaming with excitement. His lips curved into a subtle smile, and he absentmindedly rubbed his thumb across the back of my hand.

I gently pulled my hand away, glancing around the room.

I explained how there had been an intruder in the Emperor’s office, and discovered an assassination plot against him—though this part was slightly altered by the Chancellor and me.

“The mastermind behind it is here.”

I added, revealing the name of the person who had manipulated the prince into committing his crimes. The others seemed skeptical, finding it hard to believe.

“We still don’t know if his father is involved. If they are working together, tipping them off might force them to act. I’ve already asked the Chancellor to monitor the situation quietly.”

“Good thinking.”

Tess quickly responded, likely to prevent the gray-haired man from speaking. Smiling brightly, Tess made a suggestion with a light voice.

“Alright then, you should go rest—”

“—Your Majesty, there’s one more thing I need to bring up.”

“What is it?”

Tess paused, reaching for my hand again, but I subtly avoided it, smiling.

“Do you need a wizard?”

I added modestly.

“If not a wizard, I can serve as a swordsman.”

“A wizard is always welcome.”

This time General Panet responded faster than Tess.

“We are outnumbered compared to the Southern Empire. It seems they’ve mobilized all the wizards they could, and their magic is far more advanced than ours.”