Duke Pendragon

"My little lark! What did I say? I told you that your brother would never die, right? Uhahahaha!"

"What are you saying, Your Majesty? That makes it sound as if I told you something would happen to my brother."

"Welp! That's not what I was trying to say…"

Though it was a front, the eccentric atmosphere of Prince Ian was completely gone. In its place was the virtuous, iron-blooded, absolute ruler of the wide empire. He flinched before trailing off.

He was the absolute of the empire, but also an enamored man who would even steal a dragon's egg if his wife so wished.

"I am only kidding, Your Majesty. I am overjoyed."

"Hahaha! As am I, empress! Anyways, this is no time to be sitting still. I will set off for Edenfield right away and…"

"Your bad habits are resurfacing. It isn't good to be so urgent. I am sure my brother is on his way here."

"Well, that's true, but… Does the empress not want to see her brother as soon as possible?"

Ian was a little surprised at her reaction. He knew exactly how much she loved and thought of her brother.

"Of course. I want nothing more than to run towards him right now. However, Your Majesty is no longer a prince. Neither am I Irene Pendragon. And my brother is now also the king of the Pendragon Kingdom, not a duke of the empire. If Your Majesty, the great ruler of our empire, sets out to meet my brother first, what would the people say? Especially the high lords of our empire."

"Hmm… You are right, empress. I almost forgot myself because I was so eager to see your brother."

Ian smiled and grabbed Irene's hands tightly. Those present in the room were marveled at his reaction. The emperor bowed to no one. He was the one and only absolute ruler of the humans. Even so, Ian knew when to admit his faults. Moreover, it wasn't limited to his beloved empress.

He was always attentive to the ideas and suggestions of the nobles and officials of the imperial castle. He trusted the judgements of his subjects if they were reasonable. Such a temperament allowed Ian to bring the empire into an unprecedented era of peace over the past few years.

"Now, then let us wait comfortably."

"We cannot only wait."

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

Ian responded with a puzzled expression, and Irene continued with a bright smile.

"His Majesty Isla is coming with my brother, is he not?"

"Aha! That's right. I should contact Duke Lindegor right away."

Ian had recommended the daughter of Duke Lindegor as one of the three bride candidates for Isla. It would be best if the two could meet in the imperial castle.

***

"Quickly! Where is Her Majesty the Queen!"

"She is spending time with Princess Elsia in the boudoir."

Melborn was now in charge of all the affairs of the royal family. He was a calm, quiet person, and many believed his temperament to be one of his natural traits. As such, the servants and maids of the Pendragon Kingdom became nervous when he acted in such a fashion.

"All right. Tell Regent Ron and Baroness Conrad to head to that place. You must hurry!"

"Yes, yes!"

It was clear from Melborn's sense of urgency that something unusual was going on. The people of the Pendragon Castle hastened their steps.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

"Hmm? What is it? Why are you making such a fuss, general?"

Elena replied with a puzzled expression. She had been reading a book with her beloved granddaughter. Melborn forgot his manners in his excitement and forewent his usual display of elegance and politeness. He raised his voice while bowing his head towards her.

"His Majesty the King! He has returned with Lord Soldrake!"

"W, what…?"

Elena became wide-eyed and jumped up from her seat.

"Hmm? Grandma?"

Elsia became startled at her grandmother's reaction. Her grandmother was always gentle and soft, but she was reacting with such shock.

"We received a letter from Edenfield with Governor-General Elven's seal! His Majesty has returned, and he has joined up with Prince Raymond, Princess Mia, and His Majesty Isla!"

"Ah… Ah! My son… Alan!"

Elena cusped her hands and trembled, large tears flowing from her eyes.

"Grandma, why are you crying? Hnnng! Grandma…!"

Elsia was frightened by Elena's tears. The child also started shedding tears while tightly grabbing her grandmother's dress.

"Elsia, my puppy. Your grandmother is crying because she is happy. So, so happy."

"Anng! Still, don't cry!"

It was difficult for Elsia to understand the complex emotions of adults. She dug deeper into her grandmother's embrace.

"Listen, my puppy. Your father, the king is back."

"Heuk! F, father?"

The young girl wasn't able to properly understand her grandmother's words. She tilted her head with confusion while wiping away her tears.

"Yes! Your father is finally back."

"Ah…!"

Elsia's eyes rounded and sparkled. She didn't fully understand because he wasn't here in person, but she understood that her father had really returned from her grandmother's excitement.

"Your Majesty!"

At that time, Vincent and Lindsay rushed into the room.

"G, general, is it true? I heard that His Majesty the King has returned…"

"It is true, baroness! This is the letter I just received."

Melborn presented a letter stamped with the seal of Count Elven. The eyes of the two quivered as they hurriedly skimmed the letter.

"Finally… Finally…!"

Vincent raised his glimmering eyes while clenching his fists.

"Ahh!"

Lindsay burst into tears.

Elsia embraced her mother. Her grandmother had been crying, and now even her mother was shedding tears.

"Mom! Why are you crying when father is back? Don't cry."

"Uheuk! Yes, I should not cry on such a joyous day… Heuk!"

Lindsay tried her best to smile brightly as her daughter comforted her. However, she could not stop the tears of joy from freely flowing.

"Yes, yes. Don't hold yourself back. Your husband is back, hmm."

Elena took Lindsay into her embrace and patted her back. Lindsay collapsed into the warm embrace.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. But, but… Heuk!"

"Of course. I know how you feel. How happy must you be?"

"Anng! Mom!"

The three of them cried and laughed together. Their son, husband, and father had finally returned to them after all this time.

***

News of a legend's incredulous return quickly spread throughout the world. Everyone was well aware of the unbelievable, heroic things he achieved when he was the Duke of Pendragon, and as such, the whole world was shaken by his return.

The news also reached Mirin – a land located at the northeastern border of the Aragon Empire.

Mirin.

The vast land was as large as three great territories combined, and it was unsuitable for people to live in since ancient times. Flowers and grass only grew for three months a year, and the soil was frozen for the rest of the year. As such, it was extremely difficult to cultivate the land.

Fortunately, a fairly wide plain located at the southernmost tip of the land was suitable to grow grains. It provided enough food to feed the 100,000 residents, which was significantly small compared to the size of the land.

The people of the cold, remote land was rough and not easily trusting of others. Even though more than 100 years had passed since they were incorporate into the Aragon Empire, the people considered themselves independent, rather than citizens of the empire.

The imperial family was well aware of this fact as well, which was why they appointed the most prestigious, noblest family of Mirin as the margrave, rather than the high lord. It was known that the margrave's family inherited the blood of an ancient royal family, and unlike the great territories, which sent annual taxes and tributes to the imperial family, Mirin sent nothing.

Nevertheless, the Aragon family included them in the empire and guaranteed them a status close to an independent nation because Mirin played a significant role in preventing and suppressing the barbarians of the northeast.

If the imperial castle wanted to defend the long, wide borders and land of Mirin, they would be required to mobilize at least three legions, which would incur at least 30% more in costs compared to now. Rather, it was much more beneficial to bestow a fitting status to an influential family of the land and entrust them with everything, including the military and the law.

That was how Mirin was able to maintain their sovereignty, similar to an independent nation, while remaining a territory of the Aragon Empire.

The margrave of Mirin was a descendant of an ancient royal family. Otto Mitala Mirin grinded his teeth while clenching his fists after hearing news.

"The founding king of the Pendragon Kingdom returned? Damned be the world…!"

The margrave possessed a dignified appearance, but his demeanor and rough speech were unlike any other nobles of the empire. He adorned a cape crafted from the leather of a giant gray wolf native to the region. He muttered while glaring at a crackling fireplace.

"This is not going to work. I thought everything would be fine if we could lure, detain, or kill the man named Isla, the one who conceitedly calls himself the Knight King, and hold the successor and the princess hostage. I figured those Shadow Brotherhood bastards might be incompetent, but this is an unexpected development. This could be dangerous."

"We still have another chance, my lord."

A knight in his mid-to-late 20's answered in a quiet voice. He was dressed similarly to Otto, and possessed a robust physique.

The knight continued as his turquoise-colored eyes glimmered.

"It is hard to tell whether King Pendragon is real or not, and we cannot conclude that they have figured out our plan."

"Three of the hired men are dead and one is captured, but they might not know? Aren't you being too conceited?"

"That's…"

The knight flinched, and Otto continued pouring out harsh words. His eyes glimmered even colder than the strong winds of Mirin's winter.

"Let's say that the dragon bitch is fake, just as you say. But we still have to deal with the one who unified Valvas, the southern mutt. No, in the first place, do you even know what kind of bastards the Valvas Cavaliers are?"

"….."

The knight closed his lips with an awkward expression, and Otto grumbled.

"You wouldn't know unless you clashed blades with them. Do you think you're the strongest in the world just because you can beat the other ignorant fools here? Don't make me laugh. You cannot even best your younger sibling."

"F, father! That's…"

"Shut up, you bastard! The only reason you were appointed my successor is because you have a decent head and balls. If she wasn't a girl, your sister would have been the next margrave."

"Yes… I know."

Lucas, the eldest son of Otto and captain of the White Skull Knights, bowed his head. However, under his bowed head, his eyes were burning with anger and jealousy towards his sister.