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"My friend, I am serious. I may have overreacted a little, but I am a fully grown adult. Nephthys will one day fall in love, and I will accept it like a mature person."
The secretary hesitated—but finally let go.
"See? I am mature."
Even after being released, the Emperor didn't do anything.
"My goodness… you have the strength of a demon. Are you half demon, perhaps? Hahaha."
Once he was certain his secretary was convinced, he turned around and bolted.
"I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!"
The secretary knew better.
The moment the Emperor tried to run, he tackled him again, sending both of them crashing to the floor.
"Get off me, you demon!"
The Emperor struggled uselessly.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I cannot allow you to make a fool of yourself."
"HA! Who are you calling a fool, you idiot?!"
Still pinned to the ground, the Emperor smacked the very reason he was restrained.
"AUW—! That hurt!"
"That was supposed to hurt, you moron!"
Despite the abuse, the secretary refused to let go.
"Alright, alright! I'll calm down now—just get off me."
The secretary didn't believe him. He had fallen for this trick before.
"AAAHH!"
With a furious shout, the Emperor shoved him off at last, finally freeing himself. He collapsed flat on his back, exhausted.
"Huff… why the fuck are you so strong?"
Nephthys and Avner were already gone. He had seen them take separate paths, so it didn't matter. He couldn't chase Avner anyway—he was completely out of energy.
This entire spectacle unfolded right in the middle of the ball.
Countless eyes were watching.
The older generation had never seen an Emperor throw a tantrum like this in public. What shocked them even more was seeing him pinned to the ground by his own secretary.
The younger generation, however, was enjoying it far too much.
This was the first—and probably last—Emperor they would ever see behave like this without a care in the world.
"Aren't they funny?"
"Oh, absolutely."
"This is so entertaining."
"Can you believe that man became Emperor?"
At that question, the tone shifted.
"That's a ridiculous thing to ask."
"Huh?"
"Even if he has a childish personality, there is no better man to rule than him."
"How so?"
"Do you live under a rock?"
"I grew up overseas—what do you want from me?"
"Wow… hopeless."
"Then tell me."
"Alright. You know about the war ten years ago, right?"
"I know there was a war, but not the details. I was five at the time."
"Figures… hopeless."
"Just tell the story already!"
"Fine. When the war began, the King sent soldiers to the front lines—but they failed. Everything seemed lost until Duke Dheeran appeared."
"The Duke was famous not only for his immense physical and mental strength, but also for his political brilliance. He never lost a debate—not even against the King himself."
"He was becoming too popular. The King didn't like that."
"One day, after the Duke provoked him badly, the King sent him to war—gave him an army and ordered him to fight on the front lines."
"Everyone was shocked."
"So… he went?"
"Not only did he go, he told the King: I will fight without your help. I'll take my own army."
"The King was furious—until he saw what that 'army' consisted of."
"Which was?"
"The Duke himself. His best friend—now his secretary—who was a commoner at the time. And lastly…"
"…a girl."
"A girl?"
"Yes. A young one."
"She went to war?"
"Not just any girl. One of the most powerful beings alive."
"She appeared publicly only twice. Once when she stood beside the Duke as his army. And once when they returned victorious."
"You're saying only three people went to war—and won?!"
"Yes."
"Then how powerful must that girl have been?"
"Powerful. And beautiful."
"Half her face was hidden, but even just her eyes stole countless hearts."
"After the war, she became a commander. She founded the Shadows—the elite force. She taught them everything they know."
"Then why haven't I ever seen her?"
"Are you dense? I told you—she appeared only twice."
"She was mysterious. Cold. Difficult to approach."
"But you saw her."
"Yes. When they returned from the war."
"What did you think of her?"
"…I felt sad."
"There was something in her eyes. She was dead inside. Whatever her past was, it was tragic."
"She became my role model that day."
"…Wait. Then how did the Duke become Emperor?"
"When he returned, he accused the King of betraying the nation—sending soldiers to die."
"It turned out the King had made a deal with the enemy—"