* * *

“Still, by now, everyone should have been evacuated with the knights’ guidance, so the damage shouldn’t be too extensive. We’ve increased support per your orders and will report as soon as we have updates.”

The two had carried out Baek Yigang’s instructions with precision, delivering their reports without missing a detail.

But then it happened.

Baek Yigang, who had been quietly covering his mouth with a handkerchief, suddenly removed it.

“Baek Yigang! What are you doing?!”

“I have resistance to it.”

What nonsense is this? Asel had just warned him not five minutes ago!

But Baek Yigang seemed entirely unbothered as he took a deep breath.

His composure was unnerving, even alien.

Even with his resistance, Aquila enhanced by demonic power should still have an effect.

If it truly didn’t affect Baek Yigang, Piel wouldn’t have resorted to using it now.

“This is absurd.”

For this to make sense, one condition would need to be met: resistance through power greater than the demon aiding Piel.

Otherwise, the enhanced Aquila should inevitably harm Baek Yigang.

“Let’s move. There’s no reason to stay here any longer.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Confirming Baek Yigang’s condition, Asel and Anna silently followed.

As he said, staying to argue wouldn’t change anything.

Their destination turned out to be the Emperor’s palace.

At the entrance, heavily armed imperial guards stood in tight formation, protecting the area.

“Dowon-nim, you can remove your handkerchief here.”

“Really? There’s no poison here?”

As I cautiously removed the handkerchief at Anna’s words, I felt the clean air untainted by poison, unlike the main palace.

“The poison was primarily spread in the main palace. The Emperor’s palace is unaffected.”

Well, even someone like Piel wouldn’t poison his own father’s residence.

The imperial guards, standing like statues, bowed their heads in unison as Baek Yigang passed.

It didn’t take long to reach the Emperor’s chambers. Familiar faces awaited inside: Piel, Ian, several officials, and attendants.

Normally, armed individuals like Asel and Anna would wait outside, but Baek Yigang allowed them in.

Piel frowned deeply at their presence.

“How dare you bring armed guards into His Majesty’s chambers? Have you lost your mind, Brother?”

What’s his deal?

Piel may be insufferable, but openly insulting someone to their face isn’t like him.

Is this the demon’s influence?

Baek Yigang ignored him and approached the Emperor, who lay on the bed.

The Emperor’s shallow breaths hinted at his fragile hold on life.

“…Crown… Prince. Come… closer.”

The Emperor’s faint, intermittent voice resonated through the quiet room.

Baek Yigang leaned down to hear the dying Emperor’s words.

“…Glory… of… Pendium….”

Though I couldn’t make out the Emperor’s feeble words from where I stood, the officials nearby bowed their heads with sorrowful expressions.

Baek Yigang straightened and gazed at the Emperor’s lifeless face before calmly announcing.

“The Emperor has entrusted me with Pendium’s glory.”

He scanned the room with an inscrutable expression before speaking again.

“His Majesty has passed away.”

The slightly open chamber door seemed intentional.

When Baek Yigang raised his voice to announce the Emperor’s death, the sound of the imperial guards kneeling outside reverberated.

Inside the chamber, attendants collapsed in tears, officials closed their eyes in mourning, and even Ian and Piel lowered their heads in respect.

Asel and Anna knelt alongside the guards to pay their respects.

Only Baek Yigang remained still, silently observing the Emperor’s corpse.

Death, no matter what deeds preceded it, levels all humans equally.

Seeing Baek Yigang refuse to bow, I decided to pay respects on his behalf.

Just as I was about to bow my head, I noticed Piel slip his hand into his pocket.

At this sorrowful moment, what could he be up to?

Surely, he wouldn’t dare do something reckless now…?

Why is it always me who witnesses these things?

Now I have to deal with it!

‘It always ends up being my responsibility, doesn’t it…!’

I frowned, my gaze fixed warily on Piel’s hands, half in disbelief at what might happen.

Then, he pulled something out of his pocket—a tiny white piece of paper.

The paper, folded several times, seemed thick, as though it concealed something within.

“Wa—!”

Before I could even utter “Wait,” Piel unfolded the paper and flung its contents into the air.

It happened in the blink of an eye, too fast to stop.

A white mist spread rapidly, blinding my vision.

Like a dense sea fog, the cloud expanded, thick and suffocating.

This is insane! I didn’t bring any masks or handkerchiefs because I thought there wouldn’t be any poison near the emperor’s chambers!

Not to mention, the imperial soldiers outside weren’t wearing anything to cover their noses or mouths either.

And above all—!

I’ve already died once from that cursed Aquila!

If I die here again without any antidote or backup, it’s over.

The end. I’ve come too far for this!

Sensing that opening my mouth could prove fatal, I quickly covered my nose and mouth with my sleeve.

Almost immediately, I heard the sound of attendants collapsing around me.

Those closest to the emperor—his most trusted aides—had long since fallen unconscious.

Wait, hold on.

Didn’t they say it takes time for Aquila to absorb into the system?

This isn’t just fast—it’s instantaneous.

Could this poison be more potent than the one released in the main palace?

“Ugh…”

Amid the chaos and my frantic thoughts, Ian let out a faint groan before collapsing.

Turning around, I saw Asel and Anna on the ground as well.

Now it was clear.

This poison was far stronger than the Aquila powder used in the main palace.

“I guess the previous dose was too weak,” a voice drawled lazily.

As I reeled from the sight of everyone unconscious, an unsettlingly cheerful voice broke through the haze.

Looking up, I saw Piel.

He stood there without a mask or handkerchief, completely unfazed, his nose and mouth exposed as he spoke.

Wait a second.

Where’s Baek Yigang?

He said he had immunity earlier, didn’t he?

But no matter how much I looked around, Baek Yigang was nowhere to be found.

The spot he had been standing in was now an empty void of silence.

“Looking for this?”

At Piel’s voice, I turned toward him again.

In his hand was a lock of stark white hair.

That bastard—he’s holding Baek Yigang’s hair, something even I haven’t touched yet?!

Even Baek Yigang fell?

What the hell is this?

Immunity, my ass! You reckless schemer!

“Baek—!”

“If you open your mouth, you’ll collapse too. Be careful.”

As I took a step forward, seething, Piel mirrored me by stepping back, his smile widening.

With a flick of his hand, Baek Yigang fell limply to the floor.

“If we killed everyone, it would be over in one go. But someone insisted only one death was enough. Tsk.”

Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, the mist began to clear.

The ground revealed the fallen bodies of those who had succumbed to the poison, lying scattered like discarded dolls.

The fear was not knowing whether they were dead or alive.

But one thing was certain—this wasn’t Piel.

The one who had insisted on sparing just one life was undoubtedly Piel.

The one who wanted everyone dead? That was the demon possessing him.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Ha! Finally in the mood to talk, are we?”

“What?”

I squinted at him, and Piel waved his hands placatingly, as if telling me not to get mad.

Knowing it was the demon speaking through Piel’s face only doubled my irritation.

That smug expression—ugh, it’s infuriating!

“I would’ve preferred if you collapsed too, but since you’re alive, I’ll graciously give you the chance to talk.”

Suddenly, Piel’s expression twisted in pain.

For a moment, it seemed as though the demon relinquished control, allowing Piel to return to himself.

Why now?

Before I could question it further, Piel locked eyes with me and began to speak, as if he’d been waiting for this moment.

“…If I can’t become emperor anyway, I thought about moving to a quiet city and living out the rest of my life in peace.”

“Piel, snap out of it! You’re going to die like this!”

Formalities be damned—this was a matter of life and death.

Confirming that Piel had regained control, I urgently called out to him.

But he just gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

“Then I thought… it’d be boring to go alone.”

Piel’s gaze softened, and he smiled tenderly at me.

His platinum eyes, now devoid of vitality, carried a shadowy darkness.

“Come with me, Cheong Dowoon.”

With a voice sweet as honey, he extended his hand toward me.

* * *