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...

News of the confrontation between the two great families spread throughout the royal capital.

Many were perplexed by the events that had unfolded. What could have happened to create such a tense atmosphere between these two powerful houses? It seemed as if they were on the brink of open conflict.

Most surprising of all was that even the Emperor appeared unsure which side to support.

Who was in the right, and who was in the wrong?

Madam Cassandra stood at the mansion's entrance, silently watching as the family's specially crafted carriage approached. The Reiser family's vehicle was imbued with potent magic, capable of covering a thousand miles in a single day without difficulty.

She was surrounded by layers of guards, their grand formation resembling a small army, their presence imposing.

She was about to return to her family's ancestral home, where she would conduct final negotiations with Viktor.

As Madam Cassandra was about to enter the carriage, the female guard beside her, Elsa, seemed to sense something.

"A moment, if you please, Madam."

Cassandra turned her head coldly, glancing at Elsa.

The female guard lowered her head and said:

"Someone wishes to see you."

"..."

Amidst the encirclement of guards, a path slowly opened.

Princess Aurelianne, adorned in jewel-encrusted finery, approached Madam Cassandra with measured steps, her face bearing a warm smile.

She too was accompanied by guards, but compared to Cassandra's entourage, her escort seemed meager.

For she had brought only one person.

And even this sole guard, she seemed reluctant to have along.

Aurelianne turned back, addressing the guard behind her:

"Celia, you may return now."

Celia, standing nearby, hesitated and said:

"But, Your Highness..."

"Is there any place safer than by my aunt's side?"

Celia gripped her sword hilt tightly, eyeing the surrounding guards, her heart conflicted.

After a brief moment, she nodded in acquiescence.

"As you wish, Your Highness."

As Celia slowly departed, Cassandra turned, regarding Aurelianne with a regal air.

"Aunt Cassandra, it's been far too long."

Cassandra looked at Aurelianne, her lips devoid of any smile, her expression impassive.

"Aurelianne, is it."

"It's been... what, several years since we last met?"

Cassandra recalled that the last time she saw this child, she was barely ten years old.

In the blink of an eye, she had grown so much.

"You're not here for a reunion at such a time, surely?"

Aurelianne smiled, an aura of confidence surrounding her as she looked directly into Madam Cassandra's eyes.

"Of course not."

Cassandra calmly returned Aurelianne's gaze, her hands placed before her skirt.

Compared to her former self, the Aurelianne before her seemed to have shed her timidity.

Aurelianne spoke in a measured tone:

"Aunt Cassandra, I'm here to implore you."

"Please, do not make an enemy of my teacher."

At these words, the surrounding warriors immediately tensed, their weapons making slight, ominous sounds.

Cassandra also raised her head, regarding Aurelianne coldly.

"Why do you say this?"

"Don't forget, you are of royal blood."

Aurelianne sighed and said:

"You cannot fathom how powerful my teacher truly is."

"In short, I beg you to heed my advice."

Aurelianne's expression was one of utmost gravity:

"Focus on negotiation, and comply with my teacher's demands as much as possible."

"A military confrontation will only hasten the Reiser family's demise."

Cassandra seemed about to speak, but Aurelianne pressed on.

"I implore you to consider the North, think of those tens of thousands of barbarians."

"Recall the fate that befell the Delin family."

Cassandra narrowed her eyes and calmly inquired:

"Are these your father's words, or your own?"

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Aurelianne shook her head, a rueful chuckle escaping her lips.

"In truth, I'd rather stand with my teacher, but you are my family."

"I'm here merely to warn you. If you still intend to challenge my teacher, then..."

"I beseech you, allow me to accompany you to the South."

Hearing this request, Cassandra's eyes narrowed further. She crossed her arms, her expression finally betraying a hint of gravity.

"That old emperor... he truly is willing to let go."

"I believe my teacher won't harm me, and moreover..."

At this, Aurelianne's face softened into a gentle smile.

"Aunt Cassandra, father always reminds me."

"We are family."

"..."

Cassandra remained silent for a moment, then spoke as if in compromise.

"If he's willing to return Jace to me..."

The final words were barely audible, perhaps Cassandra muttering to herself,

Or perhaps, it was merely silence.

She turned away, no longer facing Aurelianne.

But her voice, now tinged with a hint of warmth, sounded faintly:

"Enter the carriage, Aurelianne... no."

"My niece."

......

"Why must you provoke Madam Cassandra so?"

In the study, Lia couldn't help but question Viktor.

When Viktor had returned, he was alone.

Had Viktor not informed her himself of Jace's capture, Lia would have remained oblivious to her brother's clandestine actions.

And after that, he had instructed her to confront Madam Cassandra upon her arrival.

If it were merely a matter of negotiation, Lia could have employed various rhetorical techniques.

A more favorable outcome would have been all but assured.

Yet Viktor's directive to her had been clear:

'Enrage Cassandra.'

Lia struggled to comprehend.

Given the Kravina family's resources, open conflict with the Reiser family seemed far from rational.

Moreover, they were all subjects of the Empire.

Even if victory were attainable, the Emperor would surely not condone internal strife.

"Anger clouds reason, and as a mother, her fury will only drive her to greater extremes."

"Of course, I don't intend to deliberately incite war."

Viktor held a weighty tome of magic, reading while addressing Lia.

The crow perched on the desk, dozing off.

"Are you familiar with Cassandra's exploits?"

Viktor's voice carried a leisurely tone.

Lia, hearing his words, was momentarily taken aback before sighing.

With one hand on her hip, she gestured helplessly with the other.

"Is that not common knowledge? Who in the Empire hasn't heard of the 'War Saint's' deeds?"

The 'War Saint's' most renowned battle was the 'Battle of Thermesine'.

At that time, the formidable Kingdom of Kant, with its elite forces, was wreaking havoc along the border between the Empire and the Kingdom.

That region was known as "Thermesine".

The Kingdom boasted numerous powerful third-tier warriors.

Furthermore, thanks to the Kingdom's unique alchemy, their warriors' armor far surpassed that of the Empire.

At that juncture, for the Empire's army to engage the Kingdom in direct combat would have been sheer folly.

Until Cassandra's arrival.

The moment the 'War Saint' activated her ability, the Empire's knights received an astonishing boost.

Their strength multiplied, and their morale soared to unprecedented heights.

No matter how formidable the Kingdom warriors' armor, it crumbled before this newfound, overwhelming physical might.

That battle saw a complete reversal due to Cassandra's intervention.

Thereafter, Cassandra earned a title uniquely her own.

The 'War Saint'

In every engagement where she appeared, the Empire remained undefeated.

"The Sol bloodline bestows unique gifts upon each princess."

A lineage blessed by the gods themselves.

"Cassandra bears this blessing, as does Aurelianne."

"But alas, Cassandra lacked Aurelianne's fortune; she had no father who cherished her so."

Cassandra wed a man she should not have, solely to secure the Reiser family's allegiance, to gain enduring benefits and support.

And after the previous emperor's passing, the invincible Aubrey no longer required such ties.

The future Aurelianne would have even less need for this family's backing.

However, the Reiser family's influence was vast, their foundation firmly entrenched in the Empire's southern territories.

And this behemoth, a veritable engine of power, threw its support behind Aubrey.

The Crown Prince.

Lia stared at Viktor, momentarily stunned.

"You intend to... wage war?"

"Not necessarily, but the Reiser family must be brought to heel."

Viktor closed the book and rose.

His casual attire was engulfed in flames, transforming into that signature black coat.

The window flew open, a fierce wind causing his coat to billow dramatically.

Outside, the sky had plunged into utter darkness, thick clouds obscuring all light.

As if night had fallen prematurely.

Viktor raised his gaze to the darkened heavens.

"Has Vanilla arrived?"

"After Helnersen returned to the main house, she came through the teleportation array you left behind."

Hearing Lia's words, Viktor nodded with satisfaction.

"Inform Henie to tend to her needs."

As he spoke, a white rune began to pulse slowly on Viktor's coat.

A whirlwind gradually coalesced beneath his feet.

Papers in the study were sent into a frenzy, swirling chaotically.

Viktor, hands in his pockets, began to ascend what appeared to be invisible stairs in the air.

He climbed them one by one, moving towards the open window.

The crow, seemingly alerted, quickly roused itself. With a flutter of wings, it alighted upon Viktor's shoulder, perching there steadily.

Viktor continued his aerial ascent, the tempest beneath his feet growing ever more violent, coalescing into a white vortex.

Finally, a massive bird emerged from the maelstrom, Viktor firmly astride its back.

Lia, disregarding the chaos in the study, rushed to the window.

The storm whipped her hair into disarray; she used one hand to brush it back, straining to keep Viktor in sight.

She gazed at Viktor's figure, standing amidst the howling winds, and called out:

"Brother!"

"Why must you do this?"

Viktor slowly turned, meeting Lia's gaze, and opened his mouth to speak.

In that instant, the gale intensified.

"Screech—"

The giant white bird let out a piercing cry that cut through the dark sky. With Viktor on its back, it shot forward at breathtaking speed.

Like a bolt of white lightning, it traversed thousands of miles in mere moments, flashing countless times between the low, ominous clouds. Weaving through the heavens with unmatched grace and power.

Lia stood transfixed at the window, her gaze locked on the spot where Viktor had vanished.

A sense of unease blossomed in her chest, its source unclear.

Perhaps it was due to his parting words, which had reached her ears with crystal clarity.

"Because—"

"I am your brother."